"I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you - the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." Psalm 121
These are the words of Scripture that were read to me just moments before I was wheeled away into the OR for surgery a week ago today. My friend (and nurse anesthesist) had come into my room and was going over what was going to happen. She disappeared for a minute and came back with her Bible in hand. She shared with me that she had read this in her quiet time that morning and thought it perfect for me to hear. She was right! I remember (even with being medicated) her getting choked up (along with my mom) as she read the Lord's promise to me! Praise God he does not slumber! Praise God He watches over me forevermore!!! It wasn't until a few days ago that I realized that the anxiety and specific, somewhat irrational, fearful thoughts I'd had prior to surgery (for the most part, I was granted a wonderful peace from God, but I had my moments) were not with me at all the day of surgery. I know so many were praying for me, even that day, for God to calm my heart. Thank you to those of you who are reading this who prayed! It has been one week since the cancer came OUT! I am sore still, but not as much as in the beginning. I have so much to be thankful for...a skillful surgeon, a wonderful hubby, the body of Christ who has helped out tremendously! Already, the list of thank you cards to write is long, for which I will be joyful to write! This week, my friend Jenny's 12 year old daughter, Paige, has come every morning from 10-1 (and today she got to stay until 3) and helped with Claire, as I am not to lift her for a few days. She has also been a great "adopted big sister" to Lydia, while Jake is finishing out the school week (tomorrow is his last day). Paige has been wonderful and it has worked out great since she is wanting to gain some pre-babysitting experience.
I meet with the surgeon next Tuesday. Sometime in the near future, I will have to do the radioactive iodine treatment. I'm sure I'll have more details in a week. I have not had much time lately to blog, but hopefully, we'll get back into the swing of things. Until then...here are a few highlights/praises to share...
*Dan's parent's fly in tonight!!! We will be so glad to finally get to see them! And for the testimony and example they have been to us, and countless others, over their 36 years on the mission field.
*After a very rough few weeks, it seems we have our happy Claire Bear back...she was very challenging with all that she was going through...daddy being gone a lot, a bad cold, teething all her molars at once, and a horrible case of diarrea. She still likes to challenge me at times with screaming, but she is a much happier child now!!!
*We got to spend time with my brother and his family over Memorial Day weekend...pictures to come later, when I'm less tired.
* A great first year of kindergarten under our belt....(sniff, sniff...didn't he just start?)
*My mom's good, recent health reports and promotion at work
****Lydia and Jake's professions of faith around Easter time****(that one should've been first)
*having a mom, dad, and sister who live in the same area and help out with date nights, t-ball games, and now swim lessons (thanks Sarah Beth)and who are always available to talk
*an incredible church family who supports us and loves us
*a lifelong friend, Beth, who has helped SO much over the last couple months...physically, mentally, emotionally...love ya, girl!
*Beth's son, Titus...that every visit to the audiologist, he gets a better report...for the miracle God has done in his little ears.
*that we serve a Mighty God, who is our Helper and Comfortor, who shelters us and watches over us FOREVER MORE!
I promise my next blog, there will be pictures!
And to Rich...Happy Belated Birthday! I meant to post it on here, but had a lot going on. Hope you had a good one.
This was a pose with his class. I happened to zoom in perfectly. This picture shows one of his best school buddies, Devin...the one with the missing teeth. He will be going to VBS with Jake this week, at least his mom said she would bring him, so pray that she would! It also shows Brynna, the girl in the front row. This was Jake's "crush" the beginning of the school year...but not anymore, according to the Jakester.
Mrs. Lloyd...we love Mrs. Lloyd. What a wonderful, first year of school...to already know the teacher. Mrs. Lloyd knew Jake well too, as she was his Cubbies director at church for 2 years prior to kindergarten.
Boys will be boys. The girls saw me with my camera and wanted their picture taken too, but they just smiled sweetly. The boys, however, had to ham it up.
Lydia graduated from Pathfinders Preschool (where I work) on May 22. Here is the happy graduate. She's growing up too fast on me.
Me and Lid at Fairmont High School where the graduation takes place. This was taken just moments before the madness started. I tell ya, I'm not quite sure why preschoolers graduate, but we've done them for the 8 years I've been there. The teachers are all just glad when it's over! But the kids do have fun.
Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Sarah Beth with Lydia. Dan was in Chicago this week and Jake and Claire were at Jake's T-ball game with a sitter. 
