Only through Prayer and Fasting

Somethings come only through prayer and fasting. I am asking those of you who will to pray and fast for me on Tuesday. I will be leaving Tuesday to go to MD Anderson. I want a good report.

Please continue to pray for Jody's son Nathan. He is still in the Intensive Care Unit. He was suppose to be there for a few days. It has turned into a week. He has been having some reactions to the drugs they are giving him.

I know we talk about prayer a lot but that is because prayer is the thing we can do that works. We can not take away the sickness, the pain, the frustrations of others but we can pray for them and God will have His will in their lives and that is true peace.

Have a great day. I am off to work for one day this week. God bless.

Parent Talk

I just got back from "Parent Talk" at church. It was a wonderful seminar of annointed teaching and sharing done by members of the church to encourage and help parents in bringing up their kids.

Joseph did an excellent job, but then some may say I am prejudiced. When I hear one of my children speak I am always so thankful. Joseph did a wonderful job and all I could do was think about how proud his Dad would have to tell him he was of him. Then I think of the comment that is usually made about your children not doing any better than you have in living for God. I beg to differ with this statement because it seems like our boys have just blown us away. They have such a firm grip on truth and what is important in their lives. I am just so thankful to God for allowing us to raise them in truth.

Bro. Andrew did an excellent job also. He taught on the internet and pitfalls for our kids. There are so many ways kids can get caught up in something they shouldn't. I remember reading my kids emails some when they first started getting online. This was the older boys. The boys now don't even get online unless I am right there. There is just too much trouble for them to get into, and until they show me they are responsible enough and making the right choices, then they will not have that freedom. They have not demonstrated that they can be trusted yet with this responsibility. And by all means keep the computers where you can monitor them. The statistics Bro. Andrew quoted were very, very scary!

Bro. Elms had fourteen rules for raising kids. They were his mother's. I had a few of them figured out before the seminar started, just maybe in different words. Every rule was great. Sis. Pauline Elms is still making a difference in helping mothers raise their children. She did such a wonderful job with her four.

Last, but not least, Sis. Elms interviewed Sis. Johnnie. I loved it. I loved it because I love Sis. Johnnie and she is a wonderful lady. Many times she has encouraged me in the raising of my younger boys. Something I need at times because sometimes it seems I am just on their case all the time. Then she has complimented them at times when they are doing well. She is an awesome lady.

Thanks to my church for continuing to help us to raise up a godly generation of children who love God and want to live for God.

Sick and Tired of being Sick and Tired

Don't read if you don't want to hear an old lady talk about her aches and pains. LOL

I have been running a low grade fever again. Feeling very lousy. Will be going to MD Anderson next week and sure hope they can help me out here. I still have no energy to do anything. I tried to take a nap when I got home from school yesterday so I could go to church last night. Took the nap and was still running a temp. and feeling just plain awful. So I stayed home and went to bed at 7:30. I should have been feeling better getting all that sleep. I did for a bit because I took some tylenol at 2 and some more at 7. But, I just got home and feel just as bad as yesterday. Just thought I would keep you all informed.

Nathan was to be moved to PCU today. Jody says he is trying to talk and has been able to swallow water. She is pleased with his progress.

My brother in NY has shingles all over his face. They are worried about his eyesight. So if you are saying a prayer for me or my family, please remember George. And they all need God. That's the most important thing.

July is coming, April even faster. Nathan is healing.

ON the bright side. I ordered my mother of the groom dress. Now it looks beautiful on her, and I hope it will look half as good on me. LOL.

April, ugh, I still have not done my taxes. Too much to do.

Jody says Nathan is suppose to come off the ventilator and hopefully have a liquid diet this evening.

God is Good!!

All is Well

I just got home after a very long day. I went to work this morning knowing my great nephew, Jody's oldest son, was going to have surgery. He has had pneumonia and they were talking about scar tissue the size of a fist and having to open up his rib cage. Well, Glory to God, they did not have to open up his rib cage. They went through the side and they were able to scrap the infection out and they did not have to take any of his lung. It was not scar tissue but an abscess. They were very pleased and he is now in ICU for a few days and the doctors said a 97% chance he will be completely back to normal in a few months. With my God, he will be back to normal in record time. The doctors will be amazed at how quickly he heals just as they were happy it was not as bad as they thought it was.

Thanks for all your prayers. You and I know it is God working and answering prayer. We may not know why but we do know that all things work together for good. Jody is a new convert and I believe she is seeing and trusting God working in her family's lives.

I am a survivor movie.

Family

Jason and Julie are here for the weekend and it is so nice to have him "home". Of course I am excited that Julie is here also. They are at Target doing their registry today. We are cooking out and the "guys" are coming over for dinner. It is just wonderful to be surrounded by ones you love. As I was washing the potatoes for baked potatoes I did think of Joe. He loved being around family just as much, and a cook out was "his thing".

There are so many people that are sick. Jody's oldest boy, Nathan, is in the hospital. He has pneumonia. Our pastor has been very sick and I just want everyone to get well. Why can we not, or should I say why don't we just lay hands on everyone and everyone be healed? But then as I was typing that question I was reminded that even Jesus did not do certain things because of unbelief of others. So is it because we just don't believe He wants to heal everyone instantly, or do we just have to suffer to become who He wants us to be?

Questions, always questions. But just to let you know, I am blessed. God is good. I may not know what is in store for the future, but I do know who holds my future. I know God had the day that He would call Joe home already planned before we even would have thought he was going. I know God has everything else perfectly planned. All I want to do is see souls saved. I want my family to be saved, and of course I myself can not be lost, I mean will not be lost. :-)

You all have a very blessed day.

My Valentine Story

The nurse from our school brought some flowers up to my room that had been delivered to the school for me. I said "I wonder who these are from". One young man spoke up, "They're from the nurse and she bought them at Wal-mart because I saw her there yesterday." I guess I didn't need to look at the card to see that they were from my son. It was funny, so a little laugh before the little tears for the flowers. Days of emotions, you gotta love em.

http://home.reservationrewards.com/

I was so angry today. I was checking out my account at the bank and this website charged me $10.00 for signing up for their whatever. Well I don't remember ever seeing anything about reservation rewards and I called up the number. Of course I did not get to talk to a person but I was able to cancel the membership. Of course it would still be good until March. I was not happy. I kept pushing zero as I said I want to talk to a person. After about the fourth push I get a recording "If you would like to cancel your membership now and be reimbursed your $10.00 press one now". Well of course I pushed one and then it informed me I would be credited my ten dollars within three days and "it" hung up on me.

So my question was how many people are just glad to get out of it and let them keep the ten dollars? How many people take a few months before they realize they are being charged ten dollars? And how did they get the info to charge my account?

And that is why I check my account regularly and carefully.

He knows the Answers

But I don't. Here I am contemplating not having chemo on Thursday. I am so tired and I really don't know if this chemo is working. I do know I still have blood in my urine and the doctors here don't know why and don't seem to worried about it. Well, anything new scares me. I try not to let it bother me, but that doesn't mean I don't think about it and want to know what the problem is. What would missing one chemo before going to MD Anderson mean? Would it really make much of a difference. I have prayed about it and really don't know what to do. Will you please pray that God will let me know and give me peace about my decision. I know you all have been so good about praying for me, and I am thankful for every prayer. I almost hate to write about this because it just seems like such a bummer all the time. Thanks for all your prayers.

Everyone have a Happy Valentine's Day. Treat your sweetheart special.

Check out my World Map

Check way down at the bottom at my world map. I think that is so cool. I saw it on someone else's blog and had to have one myself. I emailed Christopher Hitchcock in Alaska and told him to check out my blog so I can have a spot in Alaska.

Just Sitting Around on a Saturday

Just sitting around on another Saturday. Kind of cold out but nothing like what I hear they are getting in NY. I called my brother and he says it has been days in the single digits. Joe's sister called me and says her bones are cold. So I guess we really can't complain about our temps. Of course there is no one I know that is not looking forward to a day with temps above 60 degrees.

The teenagers are going nuts. Just so bored. Now they are watching Mark Lowry. They have already eaten more times than you can count and argued about more things than matter. We have so many videos I told them to find one. Well I come out of the room and what are they doing? Laying on the floor kicking and hitting each other.

Just another Saturday where it is to cold to kick them outside for some fresh air. I guess that is what I miss most about nice weather. At least they can go outside and get some fresh air and you get some peace and quiet.

Have a great day all. Oh let me add a pic for Brandon. I tried the slide show but that didn't work out to good.

Not a Kidney Infection, but What?

I just got back from chemo. The doctor said he doesn't know what is causing my symptoms but it is not a kidney infection. Don't know what but just stay on the antibiotics until they are gone. OK. God knows. Just touch this body, one more time Jesus.

Chemo Day and YES Lord

Off school, but it is chemo day. After today one more time before I go to MD Anderson. I have been feeling poorly and I thought maybe this chemo wasn't working very good until I found out I have a kidney infection. I have been running a low grade fever on and off for a few weeks, my lower back was aching, aching all over at times, and finally called the doctor because of other complications and found this out. So, I am on antibiotics and hope to feeling better shortly.

Thanks once again for all your prayers.

I had a guy at work tell me that if I don't believe God is going to heal me then He won't. How can I know the mind of God? I know God is able. It always seems to come back to this. Is it His will to heal me of cancer? Only He knows. I give all of myself to Him, to make me what He wants. I want to be able to win as many souls as possible, do some need to see this type of life live for God no matter what? I hate it when people put questions in my mind as to whether I am a doubting Thomas, or if I have the faith.

I know I have faith as a mustard seed. I have seen God do miraculous things over the years. He has done them for me, over and over again. Can He heal me, a resounding shout of YES. OK now I am reminded that He told me through His word that "this sickness is not unto death but to bring glory to God that the son of man may be glorified thereby". So do I believe He will heal me, YES. Or once again, God knows me better than I know myself and he accepted doubting Thomas and sometimes I doubt. But still I say YES. Lord forgive me if I have any unbelief and show these people who don't believe in you your miracle of healing what think is uncurable.

In Jesus Name

Beautiful Day Outside

What a beautiful day outside. And I hear tomorrow is suppose to be better. I opened up my bible at work today and the devotional was one I read last week. "Teach me Lord what I need to know" "Show me Lord what to do". These are the two statements that I can just put in my life over and over again. And the great thing is He hears me each time and answers my prayer. Have a blessed day and evening all.

Eleven Months Ago

Don't feel sorry for me, I can do that enough for myself, but do remember my husband today. It has been eleven months since he left me to be with the Lord. I wish he would have waited a few more years. I know that now he is where God wants him to be and having already made it I am sure he would not come back if he could. I remember all the nice things people said about what an encourager he was. I have tried to be more encouraging to others like he was but it just came so easy for him. I am one of those who thinks others will think I am just trying to be nice and really don't mean what I say. Of course I would never say it unless I meant it, and Joe always meant what he said when he gave his words of encouraging.

I know the boys miss their Dad. David really needs the attention that he use to give him. Time. As Bro. Elms spoke about giving time to your kids, Joe always gave time to his kids. To us, time was worth more than money. That is why Joe never worked out of town. Time watching and helping the kids grow up was worth more than whatever he was going to make working out of town.

I am thankful for the time we had together. I am thankful that he was ready to meet the Lord when he was called home. I know that I will see him again. Heaven grows sweeter every year.

I was reading in one of our magazines how songs have steered away from talking about heaven. I was reminded of the song that had words to the effect of nobody is talking about going home anymore. I love those songs and they have more meaning every year that I live for the Lord.

Eleven months ago heaven became sweeter.

Happy Birthday Joseph!

Your birthday always reminds me of how we longed for you, how overjoyed we were when you were born, how your Dad thanked me for giving him a beautiful son. I hope this year will give you your heart's desires. No parent could be prouder than I am of my fine son. He is such a blessing. Just tonight he made me dinner over at his house. He has gone to MDAnderson with me and done so much in the absence of his father. He truely is a remarkable young man.

Numbers down 2 Points

It's not a lot but it's better than going up. If only the numbers would go down as fast as they go up. Had my CA 125 taken yesterday and the results were: it is now 68. Was 70 four weeks ago, so it went down.

I have only two more treatments of this chemo before I return to MDAnderson and have a CT Scan and all to see if this chemo is doing anything to the tumors. So keep me in your prayers. I know you have and Thanks. Won't find out anything new until March 1st. The tests will be run on the 27th.

The doctor did up my dosage of this chemo so I am feeling a little ill, just took a pill and am going to bed. Sleep tight all!