Friday, October 31, 2008

I'm singing for all the world to HEAR! God Is Good… All the Time! He’s put a song of Praise in this heart of mine!!!!!!

I feel so good this morning, I thought I'd post this on both of my blogs today.

WooooHooooo!!! No more Chemo, no more chemo, no more chemo!! It felt so good to wake up and remember I don't have to go to chemo. It's been a long seven months but the worst is over.

Today I feel like dancing, I'm gonna dance the night away. Oh yes I feel like dancing.... I’m walking on sunshine, wooah I’m walking on sunshine, wooah
I’m walking on sunshine, wooah And don’t it feel good!! It feels GREAT!

I have the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, down in my heart to stay! Yes, I'm so happy, so very happy I have the love of Jesus in my heart. I can't even begin to write down how I'm feeling today. Relief, joy, full of life.....Oh my, I could go on forever. Well, I'm just really, really happy.

I have slept more in the last week then I have in a long time "BUT" this morning, I feel well rested and really, really good.

Yea!!!

Have a blessed weekend all! I do believe I'm going to.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

I'll never Forget

Joshua would have turned twenty-two yesterday! I pulled his picture book out and looked through it; as I do each year. It sure doesn’t seem like it has been 22 years since I had him. My husband stayed home from work yesterday but we never mentioned Joshua. My husband got the kids off to school and believe it or not, I stayed in bed until 10:00 a.m. I have been a bit tired lately. I felt almost normal when I woke up. God has healed our hearts over the years but you never forget about your children.
My boy's and daddy carving pumpkins.

Jimmy, John and Bo's carved pumpkins.

We had a bit of a busy evening. Boaz had soccer practice. While he was at practice my husband and I had to run and get paint for my Awana car. The paint he bought last week from Rider's hobbie shop was dried out. The race is on Saturday so we really needed to get the paint so my car will be ready. Boaz is our last Bo in Awana; this is his last year to race as an Awana clubber. After getting Boaz from soccer, we spent the rest of the evening carving pumpkins. Jimmy, John and Bo carved their pumpkins; while daddy helped. I got the job of picking through the pumpkin yuck for seeds. We finally got all done around 10:00 p.m. We had a fun time creating more memories.


Living for the simple things in life: Joshua's Story

Thursday, October 23, 2008

My life is so Good!

Things are getting back to normal around our home now. Aaron called from the ship on Tuesday. He is in the middle of the Indian Ocean right now. He said that he is going to Bible study on Wednesday evenings. He wrote this in his email.

Aaron wrote "i went to bible study last night, they taught about building on the foundation. like you have to build down, before you go up. the higher you go, the deeper you go. it was really good. Rob and I got 1 person to come to bible study with us and hopefully two for Sunday service". I asked Aaron what he was learning on Sunday mornings. He wrote "last Sunday we went over punishment for sins, judgement day and other stuff along the same lines, we worked out of 1 kings for most of it". How that blessed my heart to hear him talking about spiritual things.

The holiday's are normally my favorite time of year. My brother called today to let me know that he won't be having Thanksgiving at his house. We have spent at least the last five years together as a family. I understand that he and his family have to give up a lot of time to get their home ready to have all of us over. The family is really to big for that anyway. Many of our kids have kids and kids have boy friends.... At first, I was very sad about this. I love spending time with family. Who knows how much longer any of us have? Regardless of how I feel, my home is just not big enough to have everyone here. Now that I have had time to think about it. I decided I am not going to let it rob me of my joy. I have been happy all week because tomorrow is my last Chemo treatment. Hip, Hip Hooray! I have so much to be Thankful for this year, regardless if things change or not.

For starters, my baby girl is coming home for Thanksgiving. I talked to Becca today. My darling daughter is doing fabulous! We talked about all the things we are going to do when she is here. Bec is even going to give me my first hair cut. I think it might be long enough when she comes to at least get a little trim. Could a mother be anymore blessed!

Aaron and Becca won't be coming home for Christmas. BooHOO! I'm finally adjusting to all of this. I understand that my children might not always be here with me for the holiday's or even live around me. I know they really wants to be home with us but it will be o.k. Our bond goes much deeper than the miles between us.

As for me! I've been pretty busy with the Jr. Choir Christmas Cantata right around the corner plus everything else I am involved in. I've just been really busy! Our Awana grand prix is November 2nd so there are cars that need to be painted. I also love spending time with my family and friends; it brings me much joy to do so! With Thanksgiving coming up and Christmas right around the corner, my paper route has been booming. Let's just say "BIG PAPERS" lots of adds. I'm not complaining, it sure keeps me busy this time of year. By the time November hits, I'll have to start delivering my advances ahead of time on Sunday mornings. It normally only lasts until January.

I'd better run and get Boaz from soccer practice! His team is 5-2 right now. He has three more games to play still.

I almost forgot the most important thing of all! My husband bought me A carrot cake and muffin on Saturday. I think it was just because he loves me. Could a woman ask for anything more!

Life is good!

This reminds me of what God has done for me:

John 3:16 says that He loved the world so much that He gave His only Son. His Son is Jesus Christ. God saw that we had all sinned and that sin must be punished, but He loves us too much to let us all die. To account for our sins, He sent Jesus to come into this world to die so we wouldn't have to. We have done nothing to deserve this, but it is a gift from God. Jesus came to this earth and not only revealed more to us about the character of God, but, took our place in death for our sins.

The gift I received from my husband was a very thoughtful gift. I did nothing that would cause my husband to buy me the cake and bring it up to church while I was working with the Jr. Choir. He is just a very loving, precious man.

The gift that the Lord has given us, is way beyond what I can even imagine. It was a gift from God. I didn't deserve it and did nothing to earn it. I am so thankful to Him for giving me the gift of salvation.

Living for the simple things in life: Being Thankful

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

The two kinds of Wisdom

This morning in my time with the Lord I focused on Wisdom.

“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God” (1 Corinthians 3:19).

As I started seaching the scriptures, I began to reflect on how little any one person knows and how limited one person’s wisdom is.

I would like to say I am good at what I do, I have gained wisdom and foresight regarding my special interests and experience. But if I were suddenly placed in a new, unfamiliar position or found myself in a foreign city unable to speak the language, not knowing how to even find a bathroom, I would become aware of my limitations. My Knowledge and experience would not help me. I would need someone to help me.


Compared to God I have next to zero knowledge of Wisdom. In this world with billions of people I wonder how much wisdom each person possesses?

I started thinking about the wisdom of God. He knows everything and is all wise. Even if I compiled all the wisdom of everyone in the world and measured it against God’s wisdom, it would be almost nothing.

Also, when I remember that everything I know and everything I have comes from God anyway, how can I think that I hold much wisdom, this sure humbled me this morning.

I remember the “wise advice” Job’s friends gave him when he had lost everything? They thought they were very wise. Job himself questioned God about why this disaster happened to him. God was not impressed by any of them. ( Job 38 to 41)

What is wisdom? This is what I found the Bible to say about wisdom,

“The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 1:7).

When I begin to recognize that my life is about God, not about me - that is the beginning of wisdom.

How do I get more wisdom? One way is to read God’s Word and to learn from Him.

“Nothing is perfect except your words. Oh, I how I think about them all day long. They make me wiser than my enemies, because they are my constant guide. They make me even wiser than the aged” (Psalms 119:96-100).

I need to fear God. I need to know God and the only way I can know God is by reading His word and obeying the things that are in it.

Wisdom from Above and From Below

Jam 3:13-17 (Phi) Is there some wise and understanding man among you? Then let his life be a shining example of the humility that is born of true wisdom. But if your heart is full of bitter jealousy and rivalry, then do not boast and do not deny the truth. You may acquire a certain wisdom, but it does not come from above--it comes from this world, from your own lower nature, even from the devil. For wherever you find jealousy and rivalry you also find disharmony and all other kinds of evil. The wisdom that comes from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, approachable, full of merciful thoughts and kindly actions, straightforward, with no hint of hypocrisy.

1 Cor 1:18-31 (Phi) The preaching of the cross is, I know, nonsense to those who are involved in this dying world, but to us who are being saved from that death it is nothing less than the power of God. It is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the prudence of the prudent will I reject." For consider, what have the philosopher, the writer, and the critic of this world to show for all their wisdom? Has not God made the wisdom of this world look foolish? For it was after the world in its wisdom had failed to know God, that he in his wisdom chose to save all who would believe by the "simple- mindedness" of the gospel message. For the Jews ask for miraculous signs and the Greeks an intellectual panacea, but all we preach is Christ crucified--a stumbling-block to the Jews and sheer nonsense to the gentiles... for God's "foolishness" is wiser than men.... But God has chose what the world calls foolish to shame the wise... that no man may boast in the presence of God.... And this makes us see the truth of the scripture: "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."

1 Cor 3:19-21 (Phi) Let no one be under any illusion over this. If any man among you thinks himself one of the world's clever ones, let him discard his cleverness that he may learn to be truly wise. For this world's cleverness is stupidity to God. It is written: "He that taketh the wise in their craftiness", and again, "The Lord knoweth the reasonings of the wise, that they are vain." So let no one boast of men.

I have come to the conclusion this morning, even if I add up all my wisdom with the wisdom of everyone I know, it will be nothing compared to the wisdom of God. I need to be in the Word to grow in Godly Wisdom.

God cause me to want to read your Word more, build in me a healthy fear and reverence for You. Cause me to soak up the wisdom of Your Word - the only perfect words. Help me to be humble. Amen.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

My busy but rewarding Weekend!

My girls night out pictures!

Here is a picture of my nieces. My brother Derik's girls, minus one.
This is a picture of my two sister-in-laws, my daughter-in-law, My daughter-in-law Mom and ME!
At times I have no idea how I get through the day. I had to leave church early today so I could take Boaz to his soccer game in Wixom at 1:30 p.m. After the game, I got home just in time to drop Boaz off at my sons house so us girls could have a little girls night out. Dinner and a movie! I went with five of my nieces, two of my sister-in-laws, my daughter-in-law and my daughter-in-laws mom. I even got to have my own bag of popcorn. When I go to the movies with my family, Bo and I always share a bag of popcorn. I think he decided I eat to much popcorn before the movie starts because he told me we should wait until the movie starts before we eat our popcorn. LOL!
I had a great time with the girls.

Bo's team lost again today. they are now 5-2. I just love to watch them play. I love being a soccer mom and grandma. My grandson's Josh and Ethan both play on a team too. Ethan scored his first goal yesterday. Way to go Ethan!! I am so grateful I was able to be their to see him. Josh did a great job as well! Two more weeks of soccer and our season will be over. Soccer has been good for one other thing. I use to be so nervous about driving to area different cities. I can really say, I no longer get all nerved up. If I get lost, I'll just ask for directions. LOL!!

I had a wonderful weekend!

Monday, October 13, 2008

Update on Aaron and Rebecca/ A double Blessing

My son Aaron is on his seven months deployment overseas right now. I receive emails from him about twice a week. I was so blessed by a line in his email this morning, I just felt the need to share!

Aaron wrote this to me this morning:

"I just got a new second class in my shop and he is a licensed pastor. he is really cool, i go to church and bible study with him. he let me borrow his bible till i get one. I'm starting in Genesis and working my way back".

I can't even begin to describe how much this email blessed my heart. When we raise our children we can only pray that they will follow Christ when they are out of our home and on their own. I am blessed!

Home for the Holiday!

My daughter Rebecca is coming home for Thanksgiving. We just booked her flight! Woohoo! I am so excited! I haven't seen Becca since two weeks after my surgery. I just need to see my girl! I can't wait to give her a real live hug! I love hugs!!I am a Blessed Mama.

I had my baby girl on my mind when my husband and I went to Aldis grocery shopping yesterday. I was so excited about her coming I bought a turkey for our Thanksgiving dinner. LOL!! I can't believe my husband let me buy it. Needless to say, once I figured out that Thanksgiving is over a month and a half away. My husband and I decided that maybe we should cook that turkey now and buy another one next month. I don't know what I was a thinking!

I'd better run I have lots to do! I need to decorate my house for Thanksgiving.

PTL!! Our God Reigns! I am a blessed and happy woman!

Friday, October 03, 2008

Life After Chemo

Just some thoughts: These are some questions that I have been asked. "Do you think about your cancer everyday and are you scared? I can honestly say "NO." I've always been fairly upbeat and positive about everything. I have my times but I don't think excessive worrying is going to do much good in this situation. I can honestly say there are times I forget that I have cancer. I turned all of this over to the Lord months ago. Even this last bought with reaction I was having to the Taxol treatments. I really didn't know what to do but it was all in His hands. I am now on a Chemo called Abraxane. It is a form of Taxol but without all the side effects that I have been having.

After the shock, I can really say I've had such a sense of peace about everything: the diagnosis, the treatment and all my caregivers. For that I am so very thankful. I think I mentioned way back in the beginning that I just feel this is something in my life I've got to get through. I've talked to so many folks who do nothing but feel SHEER PANIC. That would be horrible. In some ways I'm a totally different person than I was in March of last year when CANCER became such an integral part of my life, but I think the differences are positive rather than negative. I may not have been a worrier, but I've definitely always been an over-achiever. If I did it; it had to be the best. You know that saying "Stop and smell the roses?" Hey, that's what life is all about. Slow down, don't fret the small stuff and appreciate/cherish/embrace every positive aspect of your life. Do what you can -- the rest is going to be there tomorrow -- and if not tomorrow, the next day. Somehow I just never learned that before now. I have learned to take "One day at a time".

LIFE AFTER CHEMO: I will start my radiation treatments three weeks after my last Chemo. My last Chemo is on October 24Th, 08. I should be finished with all of my treatments the middle of January 09.

My hair continues to grow and thicken each week. It is about 1/8 inches long at this time. From what I've read -- and, believe me, I've read alot -- research is trying to find a chemo treatment that won't cause hair loss. I'm here to tell you that would be a GOOD thing! It's pretty traumatic looking at your BALD self in the mirror. I think/I pray I've handled it pretty well, but so many ladies really have a major problem with this. I CAN REALLY UNDERSTAND WHY! I've searched everything that I could get my hands on to find out how fast my hair will grow back. I wonder if fertilizer would help the head hair? OK, I'm just being silly! There is little to no information on how quickly hair grows back other than 6 months to a year. I wanted to know how much there would be after a month, two months, three months, etc. Time will tell!

I'm sorry I'm so far behind in my updates. Life didn't stop for me when I found out I had cancer. It really was just the beginning! I'm busy enjoying my family and helping others in need. I praise the Lord every day that He is not finished with me. I think back on my life before March 17, 08. My pre-cancer days. I'm trying to learn and grow from my mistakes and I am putting the past, in the past. I don't know what the future holds but I do know that I am going to enjoy each and every day that the Lord give me.

There is life after Cancer/Chemo.

Thursday, October 02, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY



HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BROTHER!

HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY

WE LOVE YOU

Love
Lori and family

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Why so many Birthday Posts?

I'm sure your all wondering why it always seems like I am posting someone in my family's Birthday.

Well, this is why!

I have three sister's.

My older sister, is 46; She has 8 children and 7 grandchildren.

I have 7 children, I am 45; One died of crib death when he was three months old (I posted about a while back) I have 3 grandchildren.

I have two younger sister's; They have no children yet.

Living for the simple things in life: Joshua's Story

Living for the simple things in life: A little more about Me

I have two brother's

My little bit younger brother is 43; He has 7 children and 4 Grandchildren, Plus grandchild on the way.

My youngest brother is 33; He has 5 children and one child on the way.

Christmas time is wonderful!! Yes, we all still get together at my Mom and Step-dad's house.