Happy Birthday, Jonathan!

Happy Birthday, Jonathan!! You are the best second son that a mom could ever have!!  It seems like yesterday you were rushing to get here early.  Not much but sixteen days early.  The rushing part was the two hour labor.  You were scheduled to be born by C-section the following week but you chose your own day.  You were born naturally 38 minutes after we arrived at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City.   I got to hold you just a few minutes and then they rushed you upstairs for observation.  You were very gray and grunting.  They said the grunts were because you were struggling to breath.  By midnight you were down in neonatal intensive care and they said that you were going to be there for three months.  You showed them that you were a fighter which they said was unusual for a boy.  You got to come home in 16 days after being on the respirator, a feeding tube and many other tubes.  There was even an IV in your head at one time.  I felt blessed then and still do! LOVE YOU and HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

               

Psalm 127:4-5

New International Version (NIV)

⁴ Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
⁵ Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
    when they contend with their opponents in court.

The Journey Continues:A good Doctor's visit

Yesterday was a long day but the Doctor was pleased with Richard's progress.  He is being weaned down off of the steroids and will not be seen again for a month.  I will have to call the Doctor's office in two weeks to give them a report.  Richard also will be doing blood work here in Enid each Wednesday.  His blood work yesterday showed improvement in several areas including his immunoglobins.  They were at 92 the last report but this time they were up to 300.  The doctor would like to see it at 600.  He must be feeling better because he was arguing with the nurses again.  Thanks again for the prayers.  This journey would be much harder without them!! :)

Today is our anniversary and Richard said he is so thankful for one more year but said he is praying for many, many more anniversaries.  ME TOO!!

Ephesians 6:18

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

The Journey Continues:Not so great first full day back

Yesterday Richard left with a smile on his face but several things happened fast that turned his smile into a frown.  He messed up his work clothes first thing and had to run back home to change.  He came barging back into the house ranting and raving and mad at himself for not being more careful.  Then he threw a few angry words toward God.  Once he got back to work his work day went fairly well but did not go well after work. He went to get an oil change and apparently when he got the bill it started another tirade.  It was quite an expensive bill at $46.00 dollars for a basic oil change.  He has never paid more than $32.00.  So the ranting continued.  Then his final mistake.  He went to Wal-mart.  That was not a good choice.  I beat him home from work and when he walked into the door and I saw the frown on his face I knew it might be a long evening.  He ranted and raved for quite a time.  It was not a pleasant sound.

He did calm down by bed time and made the remark that satin was messing with him.  He said he totally reacted wrong and let the devil win.  He was full of remorse and praying to God for forgiveness.  We all have those times when we let the devil win but God is right there waiting.  He always forgives!  God forgives even when angry words are thrown up at Him!!

The good thing is we can learn from our mistakes and tell the devil to take a hike!!  He will not win!

Ephesians 6:10-12

New International Version (NIV)

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

The Journey Continues:A quick Monday update

Richard is starting on full days today and seems to be ready for it.  Yesterday he went all day without a nap but I had to have one!  He then took us for a ride to Hennessey and back.  We were going to look at an open house but it was not open.  Oh well.  We did get a happy hour.  Pray for him as he starts back on full days!! They are watching him at work and have threatening to send him home if it is too much!  Thanks for the prayers!

Psalm 84:8

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty;
    listen to me, God of Jacob.

The Journey Continues:Yesterday's appointment

Yesterday we received a good report with a question mark!  The Doctor thinks that Richard looks much better.  He actually made some kind of comment that he was glad that someone had finally figured out what was wrong with Richard.  They had written in Richard's record something about chronic graft/vs/ host.  His creatinine  levels also were normal.  The Doctor did give Richard a release to go back to work full time on Monday but cautioned him to watch the heat and the physical work.  Before the Doctor granted him the release though he turned to me and asked me what I thought.  He said that Richard would probably be begging for a release to go back to work from his death bed and wanted to know if I thought he was strong enough.  I told him that at this point yes but that if anything changed I would certainly be calling.

Then there was the results from the pet scan.  That is where the question mark comes in.  The lymph nodes that were always in view and swollen are gone or at least not showing up on the scan.  The question is one that has not been seen before.  It is in the middle of his chest and measures one and half centimeters.  The Doctor said he was not happy but was not concerned.  There will be another pet scan in two months.  Our question mark is how can the Doctor not be happy but not concerned???  He also had another small spot but they did not tell us where it is located and that it could possibly be a small blood clot.  The Doctor told us that one was nothing to worry about.  We praise God for the good part and praying about the question mark!

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

New International Version (NIV)

Praise to the God of All Comfort

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. ⁵ For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ

Psalm 94:18-19

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ When I said, “My foot is slipping, ”
    your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
¹⁹ When anxiety was great within me,
    your consolation brought me joy.

The Journey Continues:A quick but good update

Richard seems to have more strength this week though it is only Tuesday.  He wakes up feeling rested and ready to go to work.  He had supper going when I got home and had finished up the laundry.  He did seem tired yesterday evening but not with the fatigue that he had been experiencing.  He is still on half days and will see the Doctor tomorrow.  The Doctor will access him and give the results from the pet scan.  Thanks again for all the prayers!!!

Psalm 54:2

New International Version (NIV)

² Hear my prayer, O God; 
    listen to the words of my mouth.

Pain!

My knee is very unpredictable!  It will ache but sometime like what happened on Friday it can become a pain.  The difference with it this time is that I don't remember twisting it, hitting it or that it  gave out.  I was walking fine with just a little ache when the last few steps into my house became excruciating.  It still hurts if I move it wrong but the pain doesn't seem quite as bad.  I think it must be getting better or either I have gotten used to the pain.  I have kept it up and did very little this weekend and I did pull out my brace to keep my knee straight.

The thought went through my mind on Sunday that sometimes I have to go through  pain to get to where I should be.  I also thought that sometimes pain brings good things.  I have four children and their births were a tad uncomfortable but they are a good thing.  (LOL) Sometimes though somebody goes through the pain for me.  There are some people in my life that I would take pain for them but probably not somebody that I don't even know.

The pain in my knee this weekend seemed almost unbearable at times.  Then I thought of Christ.  The One that bore our pain.  My pain could not have been even a tiny bit close to what my Savior went through for me.  His pain was the one that was excruciating.  Not mine!  Maybe sometimes I need to feel a little pain to be reminded of just how much that Jesus suffered for me.  He was humiliated, tortured and died on the cross for me.  He rose again and paved that way to a new life for me.  He did it for you too!!  Jesus went through pain to get us to where we should be!

Philippians 2:7-9

New International Version (NIV)

⁷ rather, he made himself nothing 
    by taking the very nature^[a] of a servant, 
    being made in human likeness. 
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death —
        even death on a cross!

⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name

John 3:16-17

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him

The Journey Continues:Friday update

Richard has continued to gain strength this week.  He still tires easily but compared to last week he is superman!!  Yesterday when I got home from work he had been doing laundry and he fixed a wonderful supper.  He does still rest but he has not been sleeping 24-7.  He is moving so much better though he does get wobbly if he lets himself get tired.

He made the comment the other day that he didn't feel like he was doing enough for the Lord.  He feels like that in his weakened condition he has been a slacker.  Well, he is wrong!  The first thing that my arthritis Doctor ask me on Wednesday was how is your husband.  Then she told me that he inspired her.  He had went with me to my appointment in May and told her his story including how the Lord has worked in and around his life.  Last Friday while getting his fluids he talked with another cancer patient and prayed with him.
I don't think he realizes how much that God is using him and his story.  He is willing to tell anyone that will listen what has happened to him since being diagnosed with cancer in 2009.  He always tells them the God part!

God will use someone no matter their circumstances!  They just have to be willing.

Luke 12:7-9

New International Version (NIV)

⁷ Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
⁸ “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.⁹ But whoever disowns me before others will be disownedbefore the angels of God.

My arthritis apointment

Yesterday I had an appointment with my arthritis Doctor.  It went well except for my blood pressure.  It was way too high.  I knew it had been running high but I tried to attribute it to stress.  I should know better.  I was on blood pressure medicines for about six years and then in 2007 and 2008 I lost about 50 pounds and my blood pressure went down.  I was eating the right food most of the time and exercising.

Then in 2009 I tore a hole in my left knee and strained and pulled the ligaments.  It was not bad enough to have surgery but would just take time to heal.  That soreness and pain kept me from exercising so I also decided I would eat whatever I wanted.  I am sure that you are not surprised that I gained that weight back within the year.  I justified my continued bad eating habits with the fact that my husband was fighting cancer.  I was too tired to exercise.

Yesterday my doctor wrote me a prescription for blood pressure medicines.  I took my first one this morning and then an hour later I took my blood pressure.  Well it was still HIGH.  I guess it will take several doses, probably some exercise and eating the right foods.

My walk with God can be like that.  Sometimes I will go a while without praying, reading the Bible and listening to my God.  Then I wonder what is wrong.  Why do I feel so out of sorts?  What is wrong with everybody else?  I have no excuse.  I just get out of the habit.  I try to blame the busyness.  My blood pressure problems may take more than a day to get under control but fixing my relationship with God is always only a prayer away.

God's prescription for me is Jesus!  Is He yours??

John 14:6

New International Version (NIV)

⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

My plans

I have had many, many plans throughout my life.  Many of them have not happened but a few of them have.  Some of the ones that have just didn't seem right and some just seemed down right sour.  I had plans to be a work at home writer by this time in my life.  I am a writer but still have a job.(which is a good one)  My thoughts are that I don't care if people know my name but my plan is that everybody will know the names of my books and writings. This is a plan in works.  Some of my plans may still happen but many won't.

Many of my plans God has allowed in my life.  I have found that if I stop and pray first many of my plans are not right.  Many of them are just down right wrong.  God has a plan for my life and if I would just pay attention to Him, He will lead me in the right direction.  He is the way and the truth!  I need to seek His face daily so that my plans are the right plans. I want my plan's to be God's plan!

What about your plans today?  Are they the right ones??

Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Romans 12:2

New International Version (NIV)

² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.

The Journey Continues:Gaining strength

Richard is able to do more each day.  He feels better, seems stable on his feet and is able to formulate his thoughts.  Sometimes what he wants to do is to much but he is getting stronger.  He does still tire easily but he is not sleeping all the time.  He had his pet scan yesterday and we will see the Doctor for results on the 22cd.  He is hoping at that time they will release him to go back to work full days. I think they will see a big difference in Richard.  He is gaining back strength.

Psalm 28:6-7

New International Version (NIV)

⁶ Praise be to the Lord, 
    for he has heard my cry for mercy. 
⁷ The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy, 
    and with my song I praise him.

The Journey Continues:Good progress!

Last night I did fall asleep while listening to my husband talk.  I thought I slept good but Richard claims that I looked at him at 2:00 am and said will you just shut up so that I can sleep.  I do not remember that at all but I do feel pretty tired today.  I embrace being tired from hearing talk rather than not sleeping because I am worried that my husband is going to pass from this world in his sleep.

Today has been a good day.   Richard and I went out to eat at Applebees and I think he ate more than he has eaten in a long time.  I think he ate more in this one meal than he ate Sunday through Thursday.  We than went to Lahoma where a friend cut our hair and he insisted on driving.  He hasn't felt like driving in a while and I was a little nervous but he did fine.  He is tired but not exhausted.  Until Thursday he felt exhausted just walking from the bedroom to the living room. This is good progress!!

Thanks again for all the prayers and support!!  What a wonderful group of prayer warriors from all over the world!!

Philippians 4:4-9

New International Version (NIV)

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.And the God of peace will be with you.

The Journey Continues:OH MY

Well something that they have prescribed to Richard is working.  I called yesterday afternoon and ask my daughter how her daddy was doing and she said he was talking, talking and more talk.  Richard is still wobbly  and confused but there is a definite improvement.  He is getting around easier but still tiring and unsteady but his mouth kept going! LOL   He did not come home and sleep yesterday even after he was taken to get his fluids and blood work.  He felt well enough that he was going to try to cook supper and was looking through a cook book when I got home.  He didn't quite get supper cooked but he told Sarah what to do and she started it and finished it with help from her brother.

He talked non stop to me or whom ever would listen yesterday evening.  He even got a little mad at me after we went to bed and I told him I was tired and needed sleep.  He woke up talking this morning and was still talking when he walked out the door.  I told him I felt sorry for the guys at work.  He even was taking a football to show them.  I hope he talks their ears off!!  I am grateful for this improvement!  I would listen to him anytime!

Psalm 69:30

New International Version (NIV)

³⁰ I will praise God’s name in song 
    and glorify him with thanksgiving.

The Journey Continues:Maybe a Tad better

Richard is still wobbly but maybe not quite as much.  His blood pressure last night was 87/53 but this morning was 106/62.  Yesterday at the Doctor's appointment he received 2 bags of fluids and he will get another bag today, tomorrow and Monday here in Enid.  They did a chest ex-ray and it showed that it was better than the last one.  He will also do a pet scan Monday morning.  Richard will be seen again on the 22cd of August and the results will be given at that time.  He also will be going on the 29th and that is when they will do the pulmonary test and he will get his next IVIG.  They did run some blood cultures yesterday also.  If anything grows they will let us know.

His results of the blood work yesterday for the most part looked good.  His creatinine levels were still up and they were quite concerned about that but the fluids should help.  His protein levels were low too so I will be getting some Ensure for Richard to drink.  The Doctor did say that graft/vs/host problems, and infection or the dehydration could be part of his problem or even a mix of them.  He was started on steroids, for graft/vs/host, an antibiotic, for any infection and of course the fluids, for the dehydration.

I was told that if he was not better in a few days to give her a call.  This morning he did actually seem a little more alert and his speech not quite so slurred.  Yesterday he needed a wheel chair to get around to the different places at the Doctor's office  and today he still is a bit wobbly but  not as much.  He did tire out pretty quickly after getting ready for work but he was able to get moving faster after a little rest.  We will take any step in the right direction!!

Thanks for the prayers.  I could feel the touch of God through those prayers yesterday.  It was a long day that started at five with Richard's fall and the prayers are what got me through!! Thanks again!!!  I thank God for your amazing prayers!!

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

The Journey Continues:Wobbly Legs

Richard is very wobbly today but he is at work.  He still is very, very stubborn.  Of course sometimes that is not a bad thing.  Today I wished he would have listened to me and stayed home.  He is on the half days and will get off work at eleven.

This morning started off with very wobbly legs.  I didn't hear the alarm and Richard got up to turn it off.  I did hear him fumbling around and woke up just in time to hear a short scream and a fall.  He said he just lost his balance.  Now you guys know, if you have been reading my blog for any length of time, that I have problems with piles.  Well this last week I have been working on getting my piles picked up and put up and have made progress.  I have one big pile left and it is composed mainly of clothes that I need to go through to hang up, give away, etc. That is where he fell.  I jumped up and got to him and he looked at me and said so sincerely, 'Thank goodness for your piles'.  I never in a million years thought I would hear that.  We both had a good laugh and than had to figure out how to get him up.  It wasn't easy.  He has no strength and I didn't want to hurt him but finally got him close enough to the bed where he could grab it while I lifted under his arms.

I am going to pack a few of his clothes, just in case they decide he needs to be in the hospital.  His appointment is not until four but we are going to get there about two so that they can do blood work and if he needs to be hooked up to an IV it can be done ahead of time.

Pray that the Doctors will have the wisdom to figure out what is going on.  Pray that we will have the strength to face whatever that might be.  Thanks for the prayers!!

Romans 8:27

New International Version (NIV)

²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

The Journey Continues:Half days

Richard is still struggling with several issues.  I sent an email yesterday to the bone marrow nurse and she emailed me back within the hour that they want to see him Wednesday at 4:00 pm.  He has decided that he will go on short term disability part time.  That means he will work four hours and four hours will be paid by short term.  He came home yesterday and slept quite a bit.  He also threw up and when he did some how he fell down.  He said it was from his socks.  I am not so sure.  Of course I wanted to take him to the ER but he refused.  I did watch him close and took his blood pressure off and on during the evening.  It was running in the 90s over 60s or 50s.  He did try to drink more. He said that he really wants to try to make it until Wednesday if possible before seeing a doctor.  I was really worried and watched him like a hawk.

This morning  when I was fixing to take a shower I grabbed my towel to hang over the shower door.  I shook it out like I normally do.  I have to make sure there are no spiders or anything attached to that towel that might make me jump up and down.  When I was shaking that towel out a thought jumped into my mind. I need to shake out all fear and worry and leave them with the Lord.  He will be with me and He will sustain me. He is my refuge!  He is my strength! Sometime that strength comes through prayers, tears or a kind word but God is definitely using the prayers of others to help me, Richard and the rest of the family through this journey that we are traveling right now.  Thanks again for the prayers!!!

Psalm 18:1-3

New International Version (NIV)

¹ I love you, Lord, my strength.

² The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; 
    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, 
    my shield^[b] and the horn^[c] of my salvation, my stronghold.

³ I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, 
    and I have been saved from my enemies.

Sin written in black

Sin looks wonderful doesn't it?  It looks like a cookie!!  I bet it taste great!! It probably smells fantastic. Sin is surrounded by yummy icing!  I don't think anybody will know if I just take one bite.  Well maybe I will take a whole piece!!  Hmm, maybe I will eat three pieces!!  No one will know! Will they??  Would you like a bite??  I don't want to sin alone.

The thing with sin is it will entice, it will woo, it will play with my mind and it will tell me that it is okay.  Just this once.  Come on, take a bite!!  It will not tell me that sin stains?  The icing on the sin cookie in the picture will leave a stain behind on my tongue, teeth and even my clothes.  That is what sin does.  It leaves behind a stain.  It also will leave guilt, remorse and shame.

There is something written in red though that redeems.  It is the blood of a Savior.  He died and rose again!
He covers the sin written in black and forgives.

Romans 3:23-25

New International Version (NIV)

²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. ²⁵ God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,^[a] through the shedding of his blood —to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished —

John 3:16-17

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him

You choose!! Would you like this

OR this?

HAVE YOU CHOSEN???

The Journey Continues:Results from appointment

Yesterday's appointment went well.  The doctor said that the cat scan showed lots of fluids and gas build up in his sinus area.  I didn't know that your sinus area could get gas.The cat scan was from July 9th.   The doctor then looked into Richard's ear and said he couldn't see the fluid buildup so he sent us to get an ex-ray of Richard's sinus area and then we took them back to his office.  He said that it showed much improvement.  Richard will go back on the 5th of September and will be doing a steroid nose spray daily until then.  The doctor is hoping that it will be completely resolved by then.

Richard's blood pressure was low.  It was 90 over 60 so Richard is upping his fluids some more.  He weighed 161 with his clothes and shoes on.  He is still having problems with his breathing and is very fatigued.  Since the problems apparently are not stemming from sinus problems hopefully the bone marrow Doctor will have some answers.





““This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it—the LORD is his name: ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’” Jeremiah 33:2-3 NIV

The Journey Continues:Sinus appointment today

Well today is the day that hopefully we hear some answers about what is going on with Richard's chronic sinus problems.  It would be nice if  it is something simple.

Richard is still having some problems breathing and catching his breath even with being on light duty in an air conditioned shop at work.  If the sinus Doctor doesn't have answers for that I probably will be calling the bone marrow nurses again. The only time his breathing stays okay is when he is laying down.  His blood work on Wednesday showed that his kidney functions are high again. The nurse called him and told him he needed to go get hooked up to an IV for fluids and he told her that he would just drink more fluid.  He still has that stubborn side.

Thanks for the prayers.  I will post the results of what we find out today!

Psalm 17:6

New International Version (NIV)

⁶ I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; 
    turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.

My Day Off

Yesterday was my day off and this is what I did.

I did the dishes, I swept the floor, I mopped the floor.  I did four loads of laundry, I took the girls to the mall.  We ate chick-fil-a.  I cleaned two bathrooms.  I changed the sheets.  I took a nap.  I gave the girls orders.  One of them(Brianna) listened. She ran the vacuum cleaner and cleaned one of the living areas.  I cleaned the other living area. Sarah cleaned off the counter in the front bathroom.I swept and mopped the rest of the floors.  I cleaned off all the stuff off the fireplace, kitchen table and counter.  I started going through the piles in the bedroom again.  I rubbed Richard's back when he got home from work.  I dropped the girls at church on the way to take Richard to get his blood work.  Went through McDonald's drive through and got tea and a dollar hamburger each.  Rubbed his back again at home.  Folded clothes and rubbed Richard's back again.  Picked up the girls from church and rubbed Richard's back some more when I got back home.  Folded some Towels.  Gave Brianna hugs when her dad picked her up.  Rubbed Sarah's back.  Then it was time for bed.

I went to bed but not right to sleep.  I was laying there thinking, "But what about me?"   I was thinking my back hurts and I was having a pity party but God intervened.  He made me realized how blessed I am.  He reminded me that I should be working, playing and resting with a cheerful heart and mind.  I need to fill my heart and mind with His words.  I will still get tired, have back aches and have those days but if I turn to God He will fill me with His power to get through them.

Proverbs 15:13-14

New International Version (NIV)

¹³ A happy heart makes the face cheerful, 
    but heartache crushes the spirit.

¹⁴ The discerning heart seeks knowledge, 
    but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

Psalm 90:17

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ May the favor^[a] of the Lord our God rest on us;
    establish the work of our hands for us—
    yes, establish the work of our hands.

The Journey Continues:Aug. 1, 2012

Last year in August I really thought that by this August I would not still be writing updates about my husband and his journey with cancer.  I was thinking that we would travel to Colorado for a nice vacation in July and then be settled back in our routine.  Even the best plans get thrown to the side and I do know that God's plan are not always our plans.  It is God though that has sustained our family through another year of this journey and He will be with us until we see Him in heaven.  He has been faithful and with us ever step of the way.

He has been with Richard this week as he seems so weak.  Monday he didn't make it through the day at work.  He has given rest when there seemed that there would be none.  He opened eyes at Richards work!  They have put him on light duty inside an air condition building!!  I am thrilled!!!  Richard was still tired yesterday evening but his breathing seemed better.  I really think that the heat has been taking any strength that Richard has and hindered his breathing.

God also has sent angels to us.  YOU!!!  The prayers, visits, phone calls, emails, cards and even cutting down a dead pine tree has meant so much to us!!  THANK-YOU!!!

Hebrews 1:14

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Psalm 103:19-21

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁹ The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
    and his kingdom rules over all.

²⁰ Praise the Lord, you his angels, 
    you mighty ones who do his bidding, 
    who obey his word.
²¹ Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, 
    you his servants who do his will.