I love Sundays

I love Sundays for a few reasons.

Church - I get to fellowship with God's people (his church) I get the opportunity to feel the presence of the holy spirit. I get to learn more about God's word & how to apply it to my life from the sermon. I get to connect with people. I get to see God's love through his people as they greet one another, pray for each other, sing praises together, give back through tithes what is already God's and we steward for him.  It's such a beautiful and amazing thing & I am privileged to have the freedom to be a part of the church of my choice.

My family - Sunday afternoons are spent with family. Sometimes we hang out together watching a movie, playing a game or video game together, reading together, and sometimes we just are near each other and that is nice too.

As you can see I try to skip the computer time on the weekends & be with my family more. Sometimes I get preoccupied with other things & I don't put my family at the top of my list. In the light of recent events, I have been working to change that.

Yesterday, we had a friend bring us a meal that she heated up for us to eat for lunch. It was delicious but it afforded me the time I needed to sit down with Gabby to work on a school project that she has due this Friday. Which means that tomorrow I will be editing her video so she can turn it in on time or early.  I did not want her to wait until the last minute because life is unpredictable and since we are waiting & unsure when my appointment at Ann Arbor will be, it made sense not to wait.  So Gabby & I sat together at my computer and I typed while she spoke to me what she wanted to say for her project.  I helped her change her wording and make it come across just as she desired and intended.  I must say that I am an extremely pleased & proud mom.  I was before this project but I am even more so now.

Gabby was asked to share about her favorite educational experience thus far in her life and she chose to share about something we have been teaching her about since she was very small.  After we typed what she wanted to say, we waited until bedtime for the rest of the family to be upstairs for quiet and ease of nerves as we recorded her video.  Not only did she do a great job choosing her topic, composing what she wanted to say, but also how she presented it on video. I honestly haven't watched it back on my computer yet but it looked pretty good on the camera & I can't wait to edit and add her picture to it tomorrow.  I am hoping to be able to share it on here in the next few days. It is a message for all and when I post it, if she doesn't mind, I will share why she selected the topic she did.  So stay tuned.

As for an update of me.  On Saturday I made myself a little nervous as I checked out the size of the tumor. I try to keep track in my mind how large it is so I can report to my doctor if there has been any change in it.  Saturday I thought the size had perhaps doubled. I was scared to even think about it or share it with anyone but I did. I needed more prayer.  Because I had to abruptly stop nursing Sadie and it was only a few weeks ago, the milk has not completely dried up.  One of the things suggested to help is cabbage leaves so I had Adam purchase a cabbage for me.  On Saturday night before bed I finally looked up the instructions on what to do and followed them.  By morning, things had changed some and the size of the tumor wasn't quite as large as I had thought the day before.  I believe that prayers were answered and cabbage leaves were helpful.  Guess I'll be grabbing a few more cabbages to help me along this journey. haha

Yesterday near the end of service I was told that my son wanted to come into service and pray for me near the altar. Morgan came in as well and we walked up front where we could gather to pray.  What happened was beautiful.  My children laid their hands on me, as they had done on Friday when I desperately needed it. But this time many from our church family gathered around us. I could feel hands on my back, shoulders, arms, etc and I could hear so many voices praying. I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit as people prayed over me and my family. I was completely caught up in the moment of being in God's presence with so many that love him that I felt lifted up before the cross, before the throne. Tears uncontrolled, poured down my face as I lifted my hands as high as I could to accept God's healing & to praise Him for all he's done & all he will do in my life and in my family & in those that I may not know but have been connected with during this journey.  When God's people come together in agreement, amazing things happen.  Most of the pain had stayed away most of Sunday.  I tried to go to bed early last night & did but only slept for an hour or so when I woke up & couldn't get back to sleep.  I finally came down stairs and spent over an hour in God's word. Pouring over some verses that led to other verses. I journaled about what I had read & wrote my prayer for the night and by the time I had finished, it was late. I returned to bed and slept for about 6 hours straight. I woke up this morning feeling refreshed and as if my body was back to before this diagnosis.  I suffered very little pain today. Was able to help out at Morgan's school a bit and meet up with someone who is going to help clean my house.  I made several calls that were on my list, including a haircut, and worked on homework when my older arrived home.  As I snuggled with Sadie on the couch to get her to fall asleep I felt my eyes were heavy & decided to give in to a nap.  It was a great day!  Made possible by a mighty God.  I did reach for something this evening & stretched a bit too far and am paying the price of some pain but I am so grateful for a wonderful day.

I received another call from Ann Arbor today. Adam took the call while I was at the salon. They are still working on gathering all my records and needed me to sign more release forms.  Gosh how I wish this process was a little faster but then I am reminded that I need to fix my eyes on Jesus and to focus on His timing through all of this.  It will unfold in His timing and it will be the right timing.  God knows what he's doing & I am waiting on the Lord to renew my strength.

My devotion today was a reminder to rest in God's peace. To live in close communion with Him. I am to stay in touch with Him even during my busiest  moments.  To let His spirit give me words of grace as I live in the light of His Peace.  The verses to go along with this passage in my devotion are also happens to be the verses Adam's aunt shared with me today too. 

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

John 7:38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.  

Ephesians 5:18-20 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It never ceases to amaze me how God knows what I need before I do. How he orchestrates the timing of verses others share with me along with my devotion so that I hear the much needed word a few times to let it sink into my mind and heart so I can meditate on it and remember it.  Memorizing verses has been instrumental in getting through these tough times as well because when I can recall a verse or part of a promise God has in his word, I can pray it over & over to help me fix my eyes on HIM.

One of my all time favorite verses since I was about 4 years old. Last verse tonight and I have to get some sleep.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

So no matter what is changing around me, and things are always changing. I know Jesus is my solid foundation and will never change. I can count on Him. I hope that you will put your trust in him as well if you haven't already.  He remains unchanged & he never leaves! Praise God!

Being Real...Good news...and 15th of the MONTH

Last night Adam came home late since he was on road training the seasonal help. He sounded terrible. Very hoarse, congested, and had a slight fever.  He showered, ate, took some meds, I prayed for him & then he went to sleep.  It wasn't much longer after he went to bed that the kids were in bed, then Sadie fell asleep, and then I climbed in bed since I couldn't keep my eyes open.  I thought, great, I will get lots of sleep. No alarm clock to go off in the am since the kids didn't have school for deer day.  My night consisted of waking up several times. Sometimes every hour with hot flashes. As I lay in bed praying for Adam, for my friend who had surgery, for the lady preparing for her bone marrow transplant & for others that asked for prayer, I figured there was no point being upset that I was awake, perhaps lots of people needed prayer & I was to intercede for them.  When I woke up for some reason, I thought that the breast tumor had grown in size and my mind started to get anxious & fearful.  I gathered my clothes for a shower but when I got into the bathroom I felt sort of sick. Shaky & weak.  I started thinking, what if the cancer is still growing at a super fast rate & what if the hormone treatment doesn't work fast enough or the right way.  Fear was creeping into my mind and all the what ifs were haunting me.  I started praying as I picked myself off the floor to shower & saying the name of Jesus over & over again.  As I dressed, my mind wandered again to the place of fear of the unknown.  I whistled for my kids to come help me. I wasn't sure whether I felt I would throw up or pass out or what so my kids touched me with their sweet, soft hands and that reminded me that God will take care of me.  I made my way down the stairs to sit on the couch but grabbed my cell phone first.  I had heard the text notification so I read the message from my friend. She was wishing me a better day today than yesterday with less pain and to be energized by God's love.  For a brief second I thought I could just deal with this on my own and then thought better of it. God has placed so many people in my life & my family's to help us through this hardship so I wrote back:

"Feeling shaky. Prayers needed to push back...actually remove all fear."

She replied back with a prayer for me:
"Dear Heavenly Father, I pray to you that you would take this fear and shaky feeling and bind it. Don't allow this to find its way into her mind. I pray your spirit and love would be felt upon Jeannette and guide her today, tomorrow, and each day through this. I lift this to you in your precious name. Amen

I was so thankful to have my children home with me because I handed the phone to one and asked them to lay hands on me and pray this prayer over me.  And then they hugged me with those soft, loving hands again.  I immediately picked up my devotion book another friend had sent me and found today's devotion.

Approach problems with a light touch. When your mind moves toward a problem area, you tend to focus on that situation so intensely that you lose sight of Me. You pit yourself against the difficulty as if you had to conquer it immediately. Your mind gears up for battle, and your body becomes tense and anxious. Unless you achieve total victory, you feel defeated.

There is a better way. When a problem starts to overshadow your thoughts, bring this matter to Me. Talk with Me about it and look at it in the Light of My Presence. This puts some much-needed space between you and your concern, enabling you to see from My perspective. You will be surprised at the results. Sometimes you may even laugh at yourself for being so serious about something so insignificant.

You will always face trouble in this life. But more importantly, you will always have Me with you, helping you to handle whatever you encounter. Approach problems with a light touch by viewing them in My revealing Light.

Psalm 89:15  Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.

John 16:33  I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

If you know me personally, you know that this made me cry. Tears of joy and tears of peace. God reminded me that He is in control. He provided me with the support and the strength to cast the fears out of my mind and put my eyes on him again.

I wanted to share this with you because I am not perfect. I do not always have it together. My eyes are not always fixed on Christ.  I am human & a sinful one. Thankfully the Holy Spirit dwells within me and God has put people around me to help me get through these moments no matter how short or long they may last.  Be encouraged friends. God loves you the same as me and if you allow him, he can do the same for you.

Some GOOD news!!!!

Hours after I read the devotion and received God's peace, I received a phone call from the geneticist to tell me that the panel for my special genetics testing was done and everything came back NEGATIVE!  

 Praise God

Just received a call from our insurance company to tell me that the specialist that was billed as out of network (so we would have to pay the full bill) was incorrectly billed. Praising God for more good news. They will re-bill it and go from there. :)

Prayers are being answered. Still requesting that more be lifted for us.  And a dear friend of mine was told her dr found a lump in her breast at her exam and she needs to have a mammogram done.  She is scared and needs prayer so please pray for her. Peace and comfort as she waits for results. And a report of excellent results too!

And finally for today.  It is the 15th of the month.  Today is the day that I change my contacts & also the day I have Adam put sulfur in the water pipes (if the right season to kill tree roots).

AND Today is the day that Ladies need to do a self exam of their breasts. Please don't put this off. I know they say to do it with your cycle but some ladies I know have long cycles. Some ladies are reaching menopause & don't have a cycle, and some have regular 28 day cycles.  Please, take the time today to do a self exam. PLEASE!!!!  If you don't know how, as your doctor for a handout or google the instructions.  No excuses.  Some insurances are starting to cover mammograms at the age of 35 for a baseline.  Schedule your appointment and go get squished!  And men, you should be doing self exams for yourself as well.  Sorry if this makes people feel uncomfortable but to me, if I can remind even one person, it's worth it!

Small Ann Arbor Update

Well, it's not much but it's something worth sharing. I got a call from a New Patient Advocate down in Ann Arbor that a friend had hooked me up with when she was there recently.  The new patient advocate called and was able to transfer me to the correct person working on my admission.  I left her a message and someone called me back a little later.  She emailed me the Records Release Form so I could sign it & email it back to her so they can get all my info in their hands & schedule my appointment so if more tests need to be done, they can happen soon.  While on the phone with the lady, that's when Sadie face planted on the floor (see the pic I posted on Facebook). I hope I didn't sound like a terrible mom as I scooped her up & calmed her down as quickly as possible. The lady asked if I wanted her to call me back later but I said, "If you would just hold on for a minute, I can get her settled down quickly."  In my mind I was thinking, NO WAY lady, don't hang up, I need to get this process moving forward and not just waiting some more.  In our conversation, she asked me if I have an appointment with my doctor soon and I said, yes, in 2 weeks but he was hoping that I'd been seen by you guys before I met back with him again.  Her response was, Oh, he wants things done ASAP?  I said, why yes, he does!  So as soon as my phone beeped & told me I had a new email message, I printed, signed, & then scanned & emailed back the form they needed. :)  I did my part. Now waiting for the next step to be done.  All in God's timing.  I'm praying for God to hook us up with the BEST team of doctors and nurses for ME and what's going on in my body.  Thank you for continued prayer.  And perhaps you are the kind of person that can't find the words.  Well, just tell that to God. He knows what's in your heart. You don't have to be what some might say is eloquent. You don't have to pray perfectly. He just asks for you to be you and share your heart with him.  Give it a try. Sincerity is a great start no matter the words.  Here's a song I love because it reminds me that God wants all of ME!

To clarify the spelling of my name. Lol

I debated whether to even share this or not.  It doesn't really bother me that people misspell my name or even mispronounce my name all the time.  Heck, I even answer to any of my sister's names too.  Kinda got used to that growing up in a house with 3 other girls and my mom or dad going through the list of our names or even coming up with creative mixed names for us and finally saying "which ever one you are!"  I don't want to make anyone feel bad if they've always misspelled my name and never realized it.  The ONLY reason I'm even writing this is because when people find out they've been spelling my name wrong for a very long time, they feel bad and say, "Why did you never tell me this?"  Well, it's not a huge deal to me.  I go by so many nicknames too that even though I truly love the name my parents gave to me and the spelling, I don't let little things like this get to me.  So in a fun way, I will tell you how to remember how to spell my name.  At least I find it kinda fun. lol

Ever hear of an old show called The Original Mickey Mouse Club?  Do you know the name of one of the most popular girls on there? She starred in some beach movies with Frankie Avalon.  Well, most people can spell her name with no problem.  All you have to do for mine is add 2 letters in front of hers.  Je +Annette  = Jeannette.  Yup, my name has 2 Ns in it.  Even if this doesn't stick in your mind, no worries.  Do you know that I've tried for a long time to get the pharmacy to change the spelling of my name & they still can't get it right.  Oh well.  So if you are trying to tag me in something on Facebook & you can't figure out why....you may have missed an N in the middle.  Have a good laugh & a great day! ;)

Praying for Others...please join me.

Today I dedicate this post to a few others dealing with cancer that need prayer.  An acquaintance who has quickly become a friend is having surgery tomorrow. She was diagnosed with breast cancer a few weeks before me.  I know she believes in prayers and miracles and I will post my prayer on here. Please join me in praying for her.  And another person, who I've never met is having a bone marrow transplant on the 20th I think.  I will type a prayer for her as well.  I believe in prayer so much.  It's not like waiving a magic wand or anything but praising God & interceding for others in need.  I find prayer a blessing to me as well as others & I can honestly say that I can feel God holding us closer as you all pray.  Days & news that should be a lot harder are bearable as you all pray for us.  So thank you!

Heavenly Father,
You are amazing. You are full of grace and mercy. You carry us through tough times and sent your son to die on the cross so that our debts are paid. There is nothing we can do to deserve this and yet, you freely and willingly gave us this gift in your son Jesus Christ.  Thank you for the love you have for us.  Lord, I bring my friend before your throne and ask that you guide the doctor team as they operate on her tomorrow. I ask that you steady their hands, bring them clarity for any decision making they need to do. I ask that there be no complications from any anesthetic or anything that they use to do the surgery. I ask that clean margins are able to be gotten and that everything goes smoothly Lord.  Make your presence known with her & with those around her all day tomorrow.  I ask for a quick recovery for her with no or minimal side effects.  We praise you for all these things.

I also ask for you to prepare the body of another woman waiting for a bone marrow transplant.  Lord, you know what she needed even before she knew. She has faith in you Lord and so does her husband and I ask that you prepare her body to accept and do great with the transplant that is to take place in the next week. Lord, guide the physician team. Steady every hand that there be no mistakes with her nor the donor. I ask for the donor to be blessed and have a speedy recovery.  Father, please heal this woman with your touch like only you can.  Prolong her earthly stay with her husband and let all praise be given to you God.  You are our creator, You know every intricacy of our bodies better than any physician does.  There are things that even the most intelligent human cannot understand but you do.  You wove us together so precisely and I ask that you touch this woman's body and bless her & her family with a much needed healing.  I praise you God for who you are and for loving us unconditionally.  Be with both these families as they await word from the doctors about their loved ones surgeries.  Protect their bodies from infection and heal them, recover them in a mighty way.  Thank you Lord.  In Jesus' name. Amen

Prayer Requests Nov 11th

Today I had to opportunity to go to Morgan's school & help out in library.  This is something I've done for my kids in elementary school for a few years now. I think since Gabby was in 3rd grade.  I love helping out the librarian as well as helping the kids select & check out their books.  I love to read & I enjoy having the opportunity to see them get excited over books.  It also gives me the ability to connect with different teachers and staff so they know that they can come to me if my kids need help, are having trouble with something or to say they saw my kids doing something nice or behaving nicely or even not so nicely.  It helps me feel more involved in their education. Sadly I only have Morgan left at the elementary school so I have to find other ways to be involved with the older two.  Over the weekend, Morgan attended a birthday party & forgot some of her things & it just so happened that another teacher at her school was able to bring them to school with her for us to get things back today.  See, that's what I'm talking about. A good reason to be that parent that is around a lot. haha.  As I signed out of the office log and was about to leave with Sadie we saw a UPS package car pull up to the school.  Sure enough, it was Adam training a seasonal driver so we waited for a few minutes so we could say hi. Sadie was thrilled to see Daddy & get a squeezy hug from him.  After our sweet surprise, we headed home and I spent some time trying to get some medical records together.

I still haven't heard anything from Ann Arbor so I'm asking for prayer for a few things...
1. That Ann Arbor will get all the items needed so that we can get an appointment.
2. Wisdom to know whether to take the kids out of school to go with us downstate.
3. Prayer that the genetics testing comes back negative for everything. (this is actually VERY important!!)
4. That the cancer cells will stop copying and actually die
5. The pain in my hip and back will decrease
6. That God will guide the physicians with my care.
7. For a supernatural healing of my earthly body.

You may have noticed that I added a map to the blog. When talking with my family, my kids were quite interested to know locations where people are praying from.  I didn't think it was necessary for everyone to enter their actual location with name for safety reasons.I think the map that I found goes by IP address location.  Oddly enough, I think ours actually shows up as Grand Rapids instead of the U.P. Lol.  If anyone knows of a better map to show the locations of all God's Prayer Warriors, I'd be happy to look at it.  I am thrilled that so many of God's people are coming together to pray.  It makes me cry tears of joy to know that good is already coming from a situation like this.

May God richly bless each & every one of you as we join together in prayer.  I sincerely thank each of you as you think about us & pray for us throughout the day.  Don't forget to give thanks to God for what he has done already, no matter what the circumstance is.  Blessed be HIS name!  Oh and Happy Birthday to my BIL. Hope that your day was wonderful! We love you! :)

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

16Rejoice always, 17pray continually, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

No School Friday

Today I slept in. The kids did not have school and I was thrilled because I had stayed up late last night praying & responding to some messages.  I needed to get some extra sleep and so did Sadie.

Tonight as I sit at my computer desk I feel as though my back is slightly sore like it used to be but I don't feel overly tired, in pain, nor anxious as if the diagnosis I got is not affecting me.  My spirits are up. I am hopeful & in a good frame of mind right now. My children are sleeping, my husband has crashed on the couch (as usual after a long work week) and I am messing on the computer.  All seems fairly normal and then I am reminded that it is not at all the same as it was just a few weeks ago.  This whirlwind of events has happened so suddenly, quickly & invading my usual 'normal' life that I feel it should be a bad movie that I just decide to turn off my tv. It reminds me of the feelings I had when we received a call about 3 years ago stating that my sister's husband had died. When that call came I kept hoping that it was a mix up of information & that he had only been hurt but that was not the case.  My family has not been lacking in the grief and troubled times.  And the bible tells us that even when we are children of God, we will face challenges.  We need to remember that God shows himself to be loving & faithful, full of grace & mercy in the days, weeks, months & years to come.  He's always with us.

Today I had the opportunity to hang out with a dear friend of mine. Our children played together so nicely & we had the time to sit and chat. We talked some about my diagnosis and about our families, marriage, hopes etc. It was a much needed escape away from sitting in my own home & trying to make sense of the news that the cancer has invaded my bones.  She shared a verse that I have quoted & used as I trained for my first 5K race. One that has helped me keep going to get through some rough patches in life & will help me again.

  "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4 (NIV)

How appropriate and perfect for this event in my life.  I need to persevere and fight so that I may be mature and not lacking.  I know there will be times when my flesh, my human nature wants to give in but that is why I have asked so many to keep us in prayer. Prayer of healing, prayer that the devil will not invade our thoughts & make us fearful.  While teaching in the children church at our church, I learned that in the Bible God tells us to not be afraid 365 times.  That is 1 "do not be afraid" per day. Must be pretty important & needed for God to mention it that many times in the bible.  We are to trust God with all our heart, we are to not be fearful.  Fear is the choice mechanism the devil uses. We all have fears and he knows how to make us even more fearful than we might already be if we allow him to get in our heads.  So I have been praying & reading God's word to keep the fear at bay.

Psalm 27

Of David.

1The Lord is my light and my salvation—

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life—

of whom shall I be afraid?

2When the wicked advance against me

to devour^a me,

it is my enemies and my foes

who will stumble and fall.

3Though an army besiege me,

my heart will not fear;

though war break out against me,

even then I will be confident.

4One thing I ask from the Lord,

this only do I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life,

to gaze on the beauty of the Lord

and to seek him in his temple.

5For in the day of trouble

he will keep me safe in his dwelling;

he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent

and set me high upon a rock.

6Then my head will be exalted

above the enemies who surround me;

at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make music to the Lord.

7Hear my voice when I call, Lord;

be merciful to me and answer me.

8My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”

Your face, Lord, I will seek.

9Do not hide your face from me,

do not turn your servant away in anger;

you have been my helper.

Do not reject me or forsake me,

God my Savior.

10Though my father and mother forsake me,

the Lord will receive me.

11Teach me your way, Lord;

lead me in a straight path

because of my oppressors.

12Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,

for false witnesses rise up against me,

spouting malicious accusations.

13I remain confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living.

14Wait for the Lord;

be strong and take heart

and wait for the Lord.

I pray as I fall to sleep at night. I pray when I wake up in pain, I pray when I wake because I think I heard one of he kids getting up & I want to know what they are doing.  I have not just been praying for a supernatural/miracle healing for myself, but I've been using my prayer book to pray for others who need prayer.  I pray for my husband because he's pretty good at fixing things, even things he's not familiar with.  This is something he can't fix & I'm quite sure it bothers him terribly & he needs prayer for that. I have said it before & I will say it again. I believe in the power of prayer at any age.  Here's a cute & great example for you all.

Back in September when I was picking up Braly from Cross-country practice I had taken Sadie with me.  We were listening to the Christian radio station #WPFF in the van when they said that it was prayer time.  I always like prayer time and I usually join in agreement and pray whenever it is on. I hush my kids to do the same sometimes too. Well Sadie was the only one in the van & wasn't making any noise and I never said anything to her. But then I heard her babbling while the prayers were being lifted up and when I looked in the rear-view mirror I saw her not only babbling but also holding her hands together to pray.  My 17 month old child was lifting up prayers to our faithful Heavenly Father without being told or asked to. She voluntarily did it and I know that He knew exactly what she was saying.  Sharing this story reminded me of when Gabby was little. She did something similar when I was changing her diaper. She had clasped her hands together and started babbling.  God knows what she said.  They are never too young to communicate with God. I am reminded that the bible says  “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:15).  I believe that we are to have the faith of a child. Not an unintelligent faith but a faith or dependence of full & complete trust in God.  Being a parent has taught me so much that I may not have otherwise learned.  I see the way my children depended on me to feed, clothe, change, and love them from the time they entered this world until now.  And the trust that they have that Adam & I will care for their every need is amazing. That is the kind of trust & faith we are to have according to Mark 10:15.  That is what I keep reminding myself when doubt or fear start to creep in.  God is in control and I have to remember that.

Thank you for your continued prayers. You are God's Warriors and he loves you so much!