The Blessings of Friends

 Now for a cheerier subject.  This is my friend, Mandy, and her baby, Martin.  We have known Mandy since she was about 12 years old.  Her family attended our first church in Ohio.  When Mandy grew up and finished college, she moved to Katy to help us with this church.  She has been a blessing in my life.  Our daughter was her flower girl and my husband married her and her husband.  The day of her first baby's shower, was the morning we met Erika for the first time.

Well, this past Saturday, she threw us a party...a lunch to help fundraise our mission to Belize.  She made it so beautiful and FALLish.

 The food was all so yummy.  We stayed all day long.  It felt like Thanksgiving as we sat around and visited with old friends that we haven't seen in a while.  It was awesome.  So relaxing after the week I've had.  I needed it.

 Erika had such a blast playing with the kids.  Isabella enjoyed changing her clothes a lot...ending up in Princess pajamas.  It is a blessing to see Mandy grown with such sweet children.  They are so blessed to have her as a mother.  And her husband is an amazing dad as well.

Sunday, we went to church at Life Church so they could pray for me.  It was an emotional morning and then we went to lunch with my in-laws...and other friends from church were there.  We ended up going and visiting with them too.  One of the ladies gave Erika a whole box of mints.  She was so excited.

Unfortunately, she ate the whole box, instead of napping.  When we would go check on her, she would hide them under the pillow...oh, boy...the benefit?  She crashed early that night.

the next step....

so, we met with the surgeon today.  she was awesome.  but...nothing new happened.  she is sending us to an endicronologist.  on monday.  so the saga continues.

i wish i was typing on here that i was all better.  keep praying with me on that, please.  at times, i do feel better, but then all my symptoms come back.

one encouraging thing is that she is not rushing to surgery.  we will try some other things first.  remember, that was my first thought...no surgery.  so hopefully that remains the same.

so, i am really not encouraged or discouraged...just really want this thing figured out.

oh, and i want to touch on something...yes, i do believe God can heal me.  but God gave doctors knowledge and medicines to help us.  so, if my healing comes medically, that is okay too.  it is not wrong to seek doctor's expertise.  or mean i have no faith.  trust me, i pray about who to go to and pray that they will have wisdom...and this just gives 6 more days for an amazing miracle.

i think about going to Belize.  their medical system is different.  everyone doesn't run to the doctor all the time.  so i would love to have a testimony of healing to take with me.  but i also want to be healthy and strong physically before i move to Belize...

so, there you go. 

Whose report do you believe? I will believe the report of the Lord.

This whole thing with my thyroid really knocked me off my feet.  But as I knew He would, God is stepping in and taking care of me.  Giving me peace.  Sending me words of true comfort from friends.

My friends have slowly gotten the word about me needing prayer.  But I have one friend who does little on the internet and I just felt I needed to go let her know what was going on so she could pray for me.  So after I dropped Erika off at preschool this morning, I stopped by.  She only had a few minutes because she was taking her daughter for a pre-op visit.  I began to tell her about my doctor's call on Tuesday.  I kind of lost it, because she is the first person I have talked to in person in a couple of days.  So, she shared that her father-in-law had had the same surgery last year, then asked who I was going to?  When I told her the doctor's name, that was the same doctor operating on her daughter Tuesday morning.  Another confirmation that we had chose the right doctor.  Then she told her doctor about me at her visit today.

Well, at 11, after much time in prayer and worship this morning, I picked up Lee to go for the ultrasound with me. Everyone was so nice, but we would not get results until Tuesday.  Wow, I thought.  That is such a long time to wait!  But what can we do?  My life is in God's hands anyways. 

Around 1, I was shocked and a little terrified when my doctor's name showed up on my caller ID.  Especially since I knew he was out of town.  The other doctor in the office had gotten my results.  And guess what?  They were not as bad as my doctor had thought...did you read that????  And I may not need surgery!!!!  My God is big and awesome and I love Him.  Even if it had been something else.  God has given me such peace in the midst of this storm.  All my friends have offered to help.  And I know they mean it.

I still need to go to the doctor on Tuesday afternoon.  But am just believing that God is healing me.  My legs were shaking so bad on the table when I was getting the ultrasound...but I am feeling so peaceful and happy now.

Just thought I'd let you know:)

Feeling Better

This morning I woke up discouraged, but around lunchtime I started feeling better (emotionally).  I found out tonight that the pastors prayed for me around that time.  Isn't prayer amazing and so real?  When few people knew what I was going through, the enemy came at me with all he had...but when God's people began to fight in the spiritual realm, my spirits were lifted.

Tomorrow I am having the sonogram of my thyroid.  I am really not that nervous, because I already know what is there.  But what I am praying for is that after the sonogram...after there is physical, medical proof, is that God would perform a miracle in my body.  So that He can be glorified.  There have been so many times in my life, when it seems that right at the last minute, He came in and rescued me.  I am counting on Him to do that again.  That my testimony would only encourage others.  Just like our testimony with Erika.  There are multiple times that God rescued us along the way of that very long two years.

Something else is that neat is how God speaks to me through music.  I have just kind of had a conversation going on with Him since last night.  And this morning I ran to Walmart with Erika and a song was on the radio on the way home.  My friend literally had just told me about the words in it last week and how it had ministered to her.

It is called "No Matter What."  And that is how I feel.  No matter if I end up having the surgery.  It does not mean that God isn't protecting me or loving me.  "I gotta say this has taken me by surprise, but nothing surprises You."  and further down, "Whatever I might be feeling, God, you are my Hope, you are my strength."  Anyways, it just encouraged and reminded me.

Thanks for all the encouragement from the past blog...and I am feeling the prayers.

Sending out a Prayer Request

Im about to share something really personal...thats what a blog is for, right?

Yesterday was a hard day for me.  Today was harder.

I went for a routine doctor visit...just one more thing on my to- do list before the big move.  I noticed a lump on my neck in May...but kind of thought I was imagining things.  Thought I should mention it though.  No more small talk once I did.  Tests began being ordered and I really was too unsure what to even ask.  I cried when I called Lee once I got to the car.  I knew by the my doctor's face that he was concerned.

Came home and began searching the internet...yep...I have every symptom of hyperthyroidism.  I really had just thought I was a little stressed, no big deal.

Today my doctor called...yes, the doctor.  I knew that couldn't be good.  Then he asked if I was home and should sit down and get a piece of paper.  Not making me feel too great...

Long story, but I have a tumor? on my thyroid?  I am having a sonogram on Thursday and meeting with a surgeon next week.

Why I am telling you?  I want you to agree in prayer with me that my thyroid levels will return to normal...and that the thyroid will dissapear.

Do I believe this can happen?  Yes, because my God is bigger than this spiritual attack.

Because that is what this is....I have been healthy my whole life and then when my husband and I surrender our lives to the Lord to go on the mission field, this happens.

Don't worry, I will keep my appointments.  But I do not have time or the energy for this surgery...so I really need God's healing touch.

Thank you for your prayers...

Twenty things You may not know about me

1.  I love to cook...just don't always feel like it.  But I love to prepare a meal for my family or friends...need to take the time to do it more often.

2.  I do not really like to travel that much.  I do like vacations because of eating out and not having to clean, but coming back to a clean room each day.  But don't really like the travel part that much...but it is changing.

3.  I, do, however, love car rides, at night, with my whole family.  I am not sure why, just feels so cozy and safe.

4.  I love to read a good Christian fiction novel...just never seem to have time.

5.  My favorite clothes right now are my khaki or black cargo shorts or capris with a tee...my new Belize clothes.

6.  I wash my hands a million times a day...and wash everything too much.  I go through several hand towels a day and throw the kitchen towels in the wash after one meal clean up.

7.  I love to be barefoot.  If I'm out, I'm in flip flops...never wear tennis shoes.

8.  I am enjoying my kids being  home all the time.  It has been an adjustment, but there are great company...most of the time.

9.  I wish I was more outgoing.  I think I was moreso when I was a Pastor's wife, because I had to be, but now am just more quiet in a group.

10.  As a child I hated my curly hair.  I remember older ladies coming up to me and saying how much they loved my hair and paid a lot of money to get curly hair.  I now love it..because it is easy.  My daughter has gorgeous curly hair.  Really, gorgeous.  And guess what?  She hates it, straightens it, puts it up in a ponytail!!!!  What can I say?

11.  Love, love, having a little girl to dress again.  Little girls are just adorable...well, so are little boys.  Girls just have more cute accessories.

12.  Am missing swimming.  It was a good summer full of swimming, but now it is too cold.  And swimming indoors is just not the same.

13.  Have to have my toenails painted at all times.  Have had two pedicures in my life...loved it...but do my own.  Rarely paint my fingernails.

14.  One of my favorite things about growing up in New York and living in Ohio as an adult...long walks in the woods.  Both of my homes had beautiful trails.  Enjoyed the seasons of snow in the winter, buds in the spring and leaves in the fall.  Always gorgeous.  Loved walking with Josh in my front carrier...and always took the dog.

15.  Love to swim, don't really like boats.  Isn't that weird?

16.  Am thankful that I was around my grandparents in my early years...and that my children have got to be around them these past 9 years...sad that they will not continue to be around them as much.

17.  Am proud of all three of my children.  Not always when we are at home...but always in public....where it matters.

18. Never could have known my life would have gone as it has...am glad it has.

19.  I'm Thankful for all the Lord has done in me...especially this past year.

20. Oh, and you'll love this one...just discovered I LOVE california roll sushi thanks to an amazing friend.  Now, I crave it.  Another weird one.

Now you know me twenty times better:) 

Life is Good

Today was our lazy day...Lee is home, which allows me to run and do some things alone or with just one child.  So, this morning, Tori and I ran some errands.  I love having her with me.  I remember when I was pregnant with her, I was so excited to have a shopping buddy to come...  And that she has been.  She has enjoyed shopping with me no matter what kind of store.  But as Tori has gotten older, I have really enjoyed just spending with her and talking to her.  I see now how your child can be your friend.  Yes, you must always be the parent.  But things change as they get older.  One of my heart's desires is that as my children get older, that we will always be close.  Not because they feel guilted into coming and spending time with us.  I actually do look forward to grandchildren.  What fun to get to spoil and then send them home and relax.  That has got to be one of the hardest parts about parenting.  Rarely do you get a break.  Or just get to lay around for the day if you are tired or don't feel well.  No there are always a million things to do.  My list is never finished.  Living in such tight quarters with no furniture is quite a challenge for me.  As there is really no place to put things away.  And there is always clutter everywhere.

But this season in my life is almost over.  Hard to believe.  Soon I will pack away my shower curtains and rugs, dishes and extra clothes.  I will store them and begin using other people's dishes, towels, sheets.  I am ready to get this moving.  Life is crazy here in this little apartment.  I am thankful to soon be in a house.