The Fellowship of the Travelers

My word for the moment is fellowship.  Can't get it out of my head!  It was a few days of fellowship....filled to the brim with meals with family and friends, babysitting babies, finally seeing my son's Philadelphia apartment (goodness, it took a doctor visit to get me to the city!!!), coffee dates, making beach plans, rejoicing in old friendships and impromptu visits. Fellowship. After a season of self-imposed exile, it felt so good to be back in the land of the living.  When I first went to the emergency room and we thought maybe I had pneumonia, I canceled everything. Didn't leave my house for a week. There was a freedom in having time to just BE. To spend hours journaling prayers and scripture and songs and just soaking in the Truth.  Remembering that this life is more than what we DO. So much more. Remembering that the our spirits are who we really are and rejoicing that my spirit can thrive even in a painful desert. Stripping away all the titles I've carried of worship leader, cook, employee, choir member, athlete, co-worker as well as daughter, mom, wife, sister, friend, Grams and knowing that being a BELIEVER is my most important title. One that will carry me through whatever I need to face in the here and now.

I've cautiously, slowly eased back into "normal" life.  It took me weeks to get up the courage to go to church (and I still have not been to a complete service)....afraid that the caring faces would cause me to just cry more and feeling at a loss of what to say since I didn't know anything.  Finally I attended a meeting after the service and was reunited with my worship team cohorts.  That was a perfect re-entry into my church fellowship. The hugs and prayers were a balm for my soul.  I'm ready to return. I'm ready to be on the worship team!  I may not be able to sing like before and I may shed a tear or two, but I CAN worship!!! I returned to choir practice tonight and the welcoming fellowship was sweet. My week is shaping up to be a typical pre-diagnosis week with work and grandchildren and fellowship....and life.  I like that.

Fellowship can take many different forms. Simply put, it's two fellows in a ship. Isn't that what we all are seeking? To know that we're not alone. To know that someone else is in our ship, helping to paddle and steer or just checking out the sights along the way. To feel like we're on the same team. This season of testing is reinforcing to Jerry and me that we are a team, in this together. That's a good thing to remember and a concept easily forgotten in the middle of a busy life where we're pulled in many different directions. Believers are encouraged to not forsake fellowshipping. We NEED each other. Fellowship can be messy...people don't always have the same opinions we do. Imagine that! Fellowship takes time! Being in fellowship requires putting our own needs, our own opinions to the side and seeing from another's point of view.  Just listening rather than talking. Asking sincere questions. Who doesn't love being asked a question that requires a thoughtful answer....and when the person actually takes the time to listen to the stumbling, rambling answer? I know I do. That is fellowship. Telling stories around the dinner table. Taking the time to help with a practical need. Sharing soup. Sharing smiles over a cup of tea. Sharing a walk. Fellowship. The Bible talks about this in Hebrews 10:23-25:

Let us hold fast the confession of our HOPE without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together...but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

None of us knows the future....what the days ahead hold for our lives, our country, our world. But we can have HOPE that our faithful God will go with us, showing us how to love each other and walk in the good deeds that only we can do! We know that God has placed us here together for such a time as this. Fellowship opens the doors for God to work in our lives, to use us to bless others and bring them into richer fellowship with Him. I want to make my "dot" on this earth as full of fellowship as possible....fellowship with Jesus and fellowship with my beloved sojourners. Thank you for walking with us on this journey. This breath is all we have. Let's make the moments count! Party, um, I mean, fellowship on!

THE PLAN.

Whew....at long last it's been confirmed that what we're fighting is the type of cancer that can be treated by a fairly new drug, a pill. It doesn't have too many side effects, thankfully, and has a very GOOD success rate in controlling and reducing and killing the cancer cells. (I'm not very technical, so that's about all I can say at this time!) I'm so thankful that God has helped scientists to find these options for us today!  This is the best case scenario in an unpleasant situation.  I'll take it.  With a grateful heart. We saw a doctor at Penn Medicine also and she confirmed the treatment plan that we are taking... as soon as the pills make their way to our home!

I'm so thankful to God for this result and this option!  I'm so thankful to all who have prayed for me...for all of us.... as we've waited these weeks for an official PLAN.  Thank you, dear warriors, friends, brothers and sisters for speaking to God on our behalf :-).  And so, I'll lay my head down on my pillow tonight KNOWING that, as before, God is in control of my life, my health, my family, my soul.

This is my prayer for each one of us on this blustery, cold winter's night:

Beloved, I pray that in ALL respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. (3 John 2)

To Be Continued......

The Shifting

Friends blessed Jerry and I with tickets to see Mark Lowry at the American Music Theater last Saturday night.  It felt so good to get dressed up for a fun outing sure to be filled with laughter and good music. We were not disappointed. What made it better was seeing some precious High relatives and friends, hearing their words of love and encouragement and feeling their support.  That has carried me through yet another week of waiting.

I didn't know whether to laugh or to cry when Mark began singing, "Everyone wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die." It felt like the spotlight was shining down on me, that girl who still can't quite grasp that she's on this journey! Ummm, yeah! That sums up my thoughts since I first heard the c-word on January 12. I DO want to go to heaven, but I DON'T want to die! Not yet! That was the day THE SHIFTING began in my mind, in my thinking, in my heart.

If you and I have ever had a conversation about heaven you KNOW that I believe in it 1000%, plan on spending eternity there, certain that it will be faaaaaar beyond what we can imagine in our wildest dreams.  I love Randy Alcorn's books on heaven and the way he incorporates this theme in his novels. I believe the new earth will be even more spectacular than anything in this present earth. And I've already planned to sit on that new beach for hours in conversation and laughter and peace and warmth! I've embraced the concept that life on earth is a small dot at the beginning of a rope, that the rest of the endless rope is eternity.  How small is this dot that can loom so large, feel so critical, so all consuming, so....so permanent!!! That is, until a tragedy happens, a sickness, accident, unwelcome diagnosis, a tornado (like in our area this evening). At some point in our journey we will be made aware of our frailty, the tenuous grip we have on this brief life. Yes, I do want to go to heaven. And I've commented that I wouldn't know how hard I would strive to keep myself from going there. But that was before...

I've experienced THE SHIFTING. All of a sudden, 57 seems way too young to go there. I've gotten 3 grandchildren this year.  I want to see them grow up, long to be an important part of their lives for as long as possible! I want to see how my children maneuver the twists and turns of adulthood. I want to spend the next season of my life with Jerry and hug my parents for as long as I can! I have discovered a very, very strong will to LIVE....HERE! And I believe that this desire to live our lives on earth, to fulfill the plans God has for us is a gift from God Himself.  He has given us this life and we are to use the time He's given us to do what ONLY we can do. He knows our circumstances, our handicaps, our weaknesses and abilities, our limitations. Wherever you find yourself, as long as there is breath, there is hope, there is a purpose for YOU, for this day. Psalm 71:17,18 resonates within my heart and has become my prayer as well:

But as for me, I will HOPE continually, 
and will praise You yet more and more.

My mouth (and pen) shall tell of Your righteousness

And of Your salvation all day long;....

I will make mention of Your righteousness, YOURS ALONE.

O God, You have taught me from my youth,

And I STILL declare Your wondrous deeds.

And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me,

until I declare Your STRENGTH to THIS generation,

 Your POWER to all who are to come. 

YES! This is what I'm believing and hoping for.  That God will allow me to remain on this dot for a little longer so that I can declare His strength and His power to this new generation of babies and even those yet to come (no, this is not an official or unofficial announcement!).

And so I will fight.  With the help of many prayer warriors standing in the gap for me when I'm weak and weary, I will be an overcomer. HOPEFULLY, tomorrow we will finally know the results of my biopsy over two weeks ago.....and thus know what kind of treatment will be needed to fight this evil and WIN. I'm prepared to do whatever is suggested. I'm trying to mentally prepare for the worst case scenario while hoping and praying for the best case scenario. We're also getting a second opinion from a doctor at Penn Medicine tomorrow. This I do know - "The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be glory forever and ever. Amen." (2 Tim. 4:18) Thank you for helping me on this journey with your prayers and notes and cards and texts!! You are being used mightily of God and we pray for you daily as well.

Isn't that what this journey is about? Walking together, following His leading each moment, loving others, serving, blessing. There are so many unknowns and so many things out of our control! We could drive ourselves and others crazy if we allow the "what if's" for tomorrow to take over our thoughts, our lives. If we don't have the confidence that our Father knows and sees and loves and has us in the palm of His hands, how could we endure?
But He does and we can :-).

INFUSION

With the insurance company's 'blessing', Jerry and I returned to the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Center for the first of 24 monthly infusions I am going to receive.  Dr. Oyer prescribed a strong medication that will strengthen my bones - preventing new cancer from advancing and fighting what is already present.  We walked down the hallway of the Infusion Therapy area.  I had no idea what to expect as I peeked into the individual suites. Each area had a recliner, TV, spacious windows, and of course, an IV.  Jerry was the dutiful husband carrying my heavy bag overflowing with laptop, devotional book, pencils, novel, coloring book, calendar, wallet (none of which I used!). I hugged my prayer shawl and wide-eyed inspected this new place that will be a part of my life. Since this was my first time, the obligatory talk about side effects was offered. I just wanted to get the show on the road and feel like I'm FINALLY doing something tangible to fight this thing....yes, I am praying (and thank you to all who are praying with us for good health) and I KNOW that is even more powerful than any medication....but I confess that it feels good to at least be taking this small step.  The Infusion Therapy staff greeted me and made me feel comfortable in this new place. "The Sisters" welcomed me cheerfully with a lovely bag filled with goodies. (I still have not gotten the results back from the biopsy.  Not the detailed information which will dictate what "the plan" will look like for me. My next doctor appointment is scheduled for Thursday. The expectation is to know at that time.  We're also getting a second opinion that day.) And so it begins. Jerry wondered around the building, bringing me pretzels because in my stuffed bag I neglected to include a snack of any kind! Imagine that! The 30 minutes of infusion passed quickly with phone calls and a chat with a nutritionist. How strange to go from watching every bite of food that I put in my mouth to make sure I don't gain a pound to making sure I eat enough to not lose any more pounds.  It only takes a moment, a word, to change our perspectives, doesn't it?

This new word - INFUSION - has intrigued me since becoming a part of my vocabulary. I feel the tug of God telling me that there is much to learn from this concept, this idea. So here's what little I do know about the actual process....Infusion treatment can take from 30 minutes to hours long.  It's done by putting an IV into your arm or hand (as was the case with me since I have a good vein there). One definition of infusion is "the act of adding one thing to another to make it stronger or better".  I like that! In the physical realm, I'm having a drug added to my body to make my bones stronger and better!  How does this apply to our real life - our walk with Jesus?

I found the word "infuse" in the Bible in Ezekial 37:5 NET: This is what the sovereign LORD says to these bones: Look, I am about to infuse breath into you and you will live. God is the author, the giver of life. His breath sustains and strengthens us. I desire to breathe in His breath with every breath that I take.  I receive that life to my dry bones today! May His Life and Light flow through every fiber of my being....filling my lungs with health and vitality. This is my prayer for my physical body. In the same way our spirits need His breath to stay alive and growing. How do we receive a fresh infusion of His breath each day? Each moment?

For those needing physical infusion treatments, it requires a sacrifice of time....a bit of discomfort....going there even on days when we don't feel like it...because it's what is NEEDED to become stronger and better.  How do we infuse the life of God into our regular lives...to become stronger believers, better ambassadors of Jesus?  Does it require time...a bit of discomfort....going to Him even at moments when we don't feel like it? Hmmmm, yes. But how do we fit this into our crowded days of babies, work, responsibilities? By starting each day when we open our eyes with a thankful prayer, by taking time in His Word, seeking to KNOW Him, by worshiping Him in our car as we travel, by lifting up our brothers and sisters as He brings them to mind, by acknowledging Him in the ordinary moments. by reflecting on His goodness at the end of each day.  As I was speaking with Dr. Oyer about the challenges I'm experiencing due to this unwelcome presence in my lungs, I mentioned that I'm not able to sing as well and have not been on the worship team since my diagnosis.....His wise reply was, "But it can't keep you from worshiping, can it?". How awesome is that!!!?  No matter what we are facing in this day, we can choose to allow the life of God to infuse us with His power and confidence and faith and hope and peace.....and health. Yes, there are times when I rip the IV out of my vein and allow fear to overtake me. But, with God's help, we can keep the infusion going through the good and the bad and the mundane.

This precious old hymn, penned in the 1800's, has been echoing through my mind this morning.....May it be your prayer for this day as well....

Breathe on me, Breath of God,

Fill me with life anew,

That I may love what Thou dost love,

And do what Thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,

Until my heart is pure,

Until with Thee I will one will,

To do and to endure.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,

Blend all my soul with Thine,

Until this earthly part of me

Glows with Thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,

So shall I never die,

But live with Thee the perfect life

Of Thine eternity.

Identity

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life." This was my day yesterday. I guess I had put too much hope in the doctor's expectation that we would have the test results back for my appointment and that today I would be starting on "the plan". That did not happen....and my spirit suffered a major setback. Instead we're waiting another week for those results and I'm waiting today to get insurance approval (seriously?) for beginning a treatment for my bones. My mood was echoed by the morning weather of pouring rain; gloomy and damp. I came home and placed myself on the couch in the not-so-sunny-room and stayed there much of the afternoon in tears and naps and prayers and battles.

Thank you to all who were praying for us!!! Because of those prayers, I believe, there were definite bright spots to the day, times when the sun did shine through the clouds of weariness and self-pity. God made His very presence KNOWN through an email from a friend...."close your eyes and imagine the sunshine I am sending ...be warmed by the love of our Father and your many friends". It was only moments later when the actual sun did peak through the clouds and filled the meadow with light where there had been grayness. I smiled. How good is God?

Also, even at the hospital we were in the waiting area for another x-ray when a dear friend "just happened" to be walking by as he left his own appointment! His hug was much needed. As was the surrogate hug from my oldest and dearest friend through her sister who "just happened" to be working in that department and "just happened" to see my name.  God is good!  He was showing me His love in those tender ways.

I even was able to go to dinner with friends and just chat and laugh and be a "normal" person for a bit. The extra blessing was getting to see my daughter and her husband at the same restaurant!!!  God is good! And I am thankful.

Twice yesterday I was reminded of the passage in 2 Corinthians 12 from the Amplified Version.  It's so powerful and bears writing out this morning as I face a new day with uncertainties and desires and peace....yes, peace came with the morning dawn....

....He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you (My lovingkindness and My MERCY are more than enough - always available - regardless of the situation); for My power is being perfected (and is completed and shows itself most effectively) in your weakness." Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ (may completely enfold me and) may dwell in me. So I am well pleased with weaknesses, .....with distresses, with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak (in human strength), then I am strong (truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God's strength).

Toby Mac says, "Don't let your struggle become your identity".  I don't want that to happen with me!!!!  God help me. LORD, HAVE MERCY! I don't want to wear a "WARNING: CANCER" sign on my forehead. I want to be seen and known as a woman of God, reflecting His glory - no matter what circumstances come my way. This should be true whether I'm on stage leading worship or taking care of my grandchildren or sitting in my sunroom or laying in a hospital bed or meandering through the grocery store. Last week I passed a high school friend in the grocery aisle.  I could see the sympathy in her eyes as we walked by each other, the indecision whether to say something or just walk on with a hello. Just as we were about passed each other, she reached back and gently tapped me on the arm. "Thank you", I whispered as we slowly continued on. Her hand was a touch from God. Sometimes great words or even plain words aren't needed.....a simple touch or hug or smile can speak paragraphs and change the course of someone's day.

As the song says, He IS more than enough, for every thirst and every need.  Once again I'm reminded that my hope should be in Him and not in the doctors or "the plan" or my own flimsy strength or even in the many blessings we have....but in God alone.  He is the only One who can fill the emptiness in our souls and give peace and courage and comfort that lasts.  So, whatever your day holds, KNOW that God is offering His lovingkindness and mercy to YOU.  We do not all have that c-word hanging over us but we all have challenges and areas of concern and doubt.  Let's not be known by our struggles but as a person who trusts in God and reflects His strength in our own weaknesses. Yes, and amen.

Metamorphosis

My young friend, Stephanie, has been to hell and back in the past few years. She has taken painful step after painful step with God's help through the ups and downs of her journey. At long last this young woman is seeing light and is experiencing renewed joy and freedom.  People are noticing this and have commented that she's 'back to her old self". But Stephanie declares that she's NOT her old self. God is molding and shaping her into the person He desires her to be...He has restored her joy. His strength has made her stronger than she ever was before. She's been made NEW.

Saturday I was ironing the only tablecloth I have that is big enough to cover my extended table.  My family was getting together to celebrate our beautiful daughter's birthday....yes, better late than never!  (It's amazing how family dinners have changed since we've added 3 little people in the past year :-)!) The tablecloth was purchased at some random auction, I'm sure.  Yes, I'm the crazy lady that buys the box lots of linens....old doilies, tablecloths, dresser scarves....they are treasures waiting to be discovered and given a place of honor in my home. I love most of them and am not deterred from using them because of stains and holes. To me, that shows a useful and productive life. Well, this particular tablecloth could have easily come from my dear Grandma Deiter's linen closet. There were not many stains but there was a six inch patch that had been placed along one edge, neatly sewed in but still very noticeable in today's culture of perfectionism.  I looked for it as I gently placed the antique on my table......where was that patch? Had it been in a noticeable place, even I would not have used it.  But it hung obscured from view down the side. I kept it. Maybe I'll ask for a new tablecloth for Christmas this year!

But it got me thinking about Stephanie's comment and my own journey...how I feel that much of who I am is being challenged.  So many things that were close to the center of my identity, my values, my way of life are being changed.  The foundation of my life remains.....Jesus, family, trust, people, gratefulness, worship, hope. But from there on out a shaking is occurring.  It's inevitable that with trauma of any kind, a shifting happens.  We lose a job, a shift. We get married or have a child, a major adjustment. A significant lose occurs, shaking our being.  The earthquake reveals our foundations and the cracks that may be there, the areas of repentance and repair needed, of healing and restoration. Yes, we've all heard the challenge that difficulties can make us better or bitter.  I not only want to be better, I want to be NEW.

I don't want to be the old tablecloth with a patch on it.  I want...I NEED to be made new. To experience a METAMORPHOSES...."A change of a person into a completely different one by natural or SUPERNATURAL means." I just want to become more like Jesus. Period. To be the person that He created me to be. That can happen from a hospital bed, from my sunroom, from a wheelchair, on the job, rocking a baby, leading a business meeting, teaching students, putting in stepwork, studying for a law degree, giving massages, enforcing the law (nod here to my precious children). Change is not about the where or why or how. It's about our attitude, our response to the things that happen to and around us.  Lord, have mercy.  Make me NEW. Re-NEW my vision, re-NEW my purpose, re-NEW my attitudes. I love this promise, this task given to each believer....

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW creature;

the old things passed away;

behold, NEW things have come.

Now all these things are from God,

who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us 

THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION,

namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself,

not counting their trespasses against them,

and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ,

as though God were making an appeal through us;

we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf,

so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

2 Cor. 5:17-21 NASB

You and I, as believers, have been given this task, this honor, this privilege of reconciliation!  I think I would have trouble entrusting so large of a job to people such as me, as us...but this is God's plan. So I start this day with renewed desire to fulfill the purpose for which He has placed me here...for such a time as this.  I view this blog as a joyous opportunity to encourage my friends as we sojurn together through the mud and snow and hail and sunshine, to remember our task!!!  My current battle is bringing much into focus....changing me....making me NEW. What will YOUR ministry of reconciliation look like today?

Speaking of NEW.....as many of you know, I like to change my hair on occasion :-) ....color, cut, style, etc.  It's been many years since I've made such a major change.  But in this season of newness and change, I took the plunge once again.  My long hair felt like it was weighing me down, it was time to go. My new hairstyle represents to me freedom, spunkyness and confidence....a new season.  This season includes way more doctor visits than I've ever had! My next appointment is tomorrow morning.  At that time we should have the results from the tests that were done. I am hopeful that the tests will reveal the type of cancer that can be treated with a pill. Praise God for NEW research and medical advances that He has enabled!!! But until tomorrow....until the unknowns are known....until the day we worship Jesus around the throne in the perfect home....

"But until then....

my heart will go on singing,

until then, with joy I'll carry on.

Until that day my eyes behold the city.

Until the day, God calls me home."

CHECK!

Whenever my co-workers and I come to the end of an event - when "Clifford" the big red van is unloaded of the leftovers and debris from the food stops and the riders have all safely been returned to Black Rock Retreat after riding 125 miles for the BR2RB Bike-A-Thon (and we've savored our Dairy Queen stop); when the golfers for the Golf Outing are heading home and we've braved rain, wind, cold to keep them fed and help them have fun as they support the ministry of Black Rock Retreat; after a meaningful banquet for sharing what God is doing at Black Rock Retreat with long-time and new supporters....we smile at each other with thankful hearts to God and declare "CHECK!!!!" (as in "check this off our list till next week when we start the planning process all over again").  It is with that same thankful heart to God for His help in my big events of the past few weeks that I've been able to say "check" to a few things that will never make it to anyone's Bucket List, for sure....

Many of you have already had the pleasure :-\ but these have been my new experiences: X-rays, CT scan, PET scan, MRI, lung biopsy, fluid being drained from lining around same lung which resulted in collapsed lung, chest tube to help same lung return to normal and hospital stay.  Whew, lots of new experiences.  I must say that so far, my fears have been worse than the reality. Isn't this the case most of the time???  I did meet some very special people and encountered tenderness and caring at almost every single interaction.  A special gift was having an old Choraleer (touring chorus) friend who has successfully won his own battle with cancer as the charge nurse for 8 LIME.  His hugs and kind words meant the world to me.  Thank you, Bob! My visitors brightened my day as a patient as well. Nevertheless, I was so happy to come home last evening.  Today I've been allowing my body to rest from the various traumas it endured :-).  Thank you to ALL who have been praying for me....more about that later....

Jerry has been asking me what God is speaking to me about this.  To this point I've had nothin'....no revelation, no certain confidence other than knowing that God will be with me and give me peace. But tonight I read a comment by speaker and author, Bill Yount that really resonated with my spirit. He shared that many years ago when he was in the emergency room the words from Jeremiah 30:17 became real to him:  (when I looked this up several additional verses jumped out to me as well)

"Why do you cry out over your injury"

Because your pain is incurable. (you can believe that word grabbed my attention!)

Because your iniquity is great

And your sins are numerous.....

Therefore all who devour you will be devoured....

For I will restore you to health,

And I will heal you of your wounds, declares the Lord."(NASV)

Mr. Yount also said that his prayer these past 14 years has been "Lord, have mercy". Yes!  Finally something that I can hang my running cap on! This is my heart's cry!  Lord, have mercy! No, I don't deserve Your health, Your touch, Your great lovingkindness...but yes I receive it because Jesus paid the price for me!  There is NO condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.  All have sinned.  All deserve to be punished from turning our backs on God and living in selfishness and willfullness. ALL. But all can cry out to Jesus and be set free.  Yes, it's scary to even declare this verse so boldly to you....the what if's are trying to pull my fingers off of the keyboard as I write.  But I say, "Lord, have mercy" and keep typing anyway.  I will keep fighting anyway. 

Seriously though, I'm not a warrior, people! I'm still grappling with the reality that I'm in this battle. Life as I know it will never be the same. "Deep inside this armor....this warrior is a child".  There are moments when I drop my sword and huddle in fear and let the tears flow. There are moments of joy and freedom and laughter.... and grandchildren.  No, my life will never be the same...but maybe it will be better?  I'm trusting for God to be glorified in this journey and for myself and those around me to grow closer to Jesus, closer to becoming the people He created us to be.  Today, in the middle of my fears, I chose to praise Him and thank Him for who He is, for His kindness, for His healing, for His MERCY.  Lord, have mercy!

Thank you so much for praying for me and my whole family!!!  I know that your prayers are keeping us stronger than we actually are and giving us wisdom and courage. Jerry and I are praying that each and every one of you who are investing in our lives with your prayers and love and food and notes will be blessed abundantly above all you can ask or imagine.  May the strength you are praying into our souls be returned to you in good measure and may God grant YOU the desires of your heart. Thank you for praying prayers of thanksgiving and praise with us....thanking God that he is devouring the cancer cells that are trying to devour me, that He is restoring me to health and healing my wounds. Praying that the mercy of God will overtake us....Lord, have mercy!

"Grace be with you, mercy, and peace,

from God the Father,

And from the Lord Jesus Christ,

the Son of the Father,

in truth and love.

2 John 1:3 KJV