Mountain Top to the Valley

This weekend was a mountain top for our family.

Please continue to pray for us. I know the enemy loves to steal, kill and destroy all that God accomplished and built up in our hearts.

Pray for protection, peace. For additional encouragement from the Lord. Pray for all of us to rest in the Lord and trust Him in all things.

Yea though I walk through the valley, I will fear no evil; for You are with me.

Living and Loving

We came home to discover that my Mac is about to die. It was struggling before, but now it is almost done and dead. We are doing some research and will probably buy a PC so I can use it for some work stuff too and because it will be SO much cheaper than purchasing another Mac. I didn't take a lot of pictures on this trip and I can't load the pictures from the other cameras because my CD drive stopped working altogether while we were gone, so I have included a few pictures from my camera - which it turns out is missing a lot of stuff.

This was a great trip. It did me a lot of good to see the family and my mommy. We were so blessed to be there with everyone giving thanks to God for His abundance in our lives. He is truly merciful and gracious towards us in all things. And for everything He does, we praise His name. I have started (and am almost finished) reading "Don't Waste Your Life" by Katherine's new pastor: John Piper. This book is challenging, convicting and encouraging. I am loving every word and I told Earl it was worth every penny. In the chapter titled Magnifying Christ Through Pain and Death, Piper states,

What a tragic waste when people turn away from the Calvary road of love and suffering. All the riches of the glory of God in Christ are on that road. All the sweetest fellowship with Jesus is there. All the treasures of assurance. All the ecstasies of joy. All the clearest sightings of eternity. All the noblest camaraderie. All the humblest affections. All the most tender acts of forgiving kindness. All the deepest discoveries of God's Word. All the most earnest prayers. They are all on the Calvary road where Jesus walks with His people. Take up your cross and follow Jesus. On this road, and this road alone, life is Christ and death is gain. Life on every other road is wasted. 

Even as we walk on this road, I see such greatness around us. How we still laugh as a family. How we plan parties and cook for forty. How we hug and love and live each day. The few pictures I chose to put up on this post were some that show how great our family lives and loves in the midst of storms that surround us.

Safe and Sound

Yesterday morning came fast at 5am and Earl and I were on our way. After a strange cab ride complete with him sharing that his girlfriend is currently incarcerated after her FIFTH DUI!!!, we were through check-in and security line in less than 15 minutes. We loaded the plane and discovered we had an empty seat next to us. Katherine scooped us up from the Minneapolis airport and we began our drive north. The border patrol didn't even look at our passports (we think it's because Katherine's car has Ontario plates) and by 10:30pm we were in the house giving and getting hugs and gumbo from Grandma. One of the easiest travel days ever.

Today we are going to be doing Thanksgiving preparations - cooking, crafting and shopping. Everyone is still sleeping (except for those who are off to school and work), so I am going to use this opportunity to grab a shower before everyone gets going.

PS - I also have to say that I could not ask for a better husband. He makes being married easy. And I love him!

Overwhelmed By Goodness

Over the past week and a half I have gotten messages from friends from Miami, Southern California, Seattle, New York, Austin, New Orleans, Germany, Tennessee. I have been overwhelmed by the love and support we as a family have received. It has been a difficult road for me. Being so far away has not been easy. Earl and I are getting ready to leave on Tuesday morning. It will be so nice to have my family an arms distance away instead of a couple thousand miles away. 

Thank you to everyone has prayed, shared scriptures and songs, sent well wishes and encouraged us as we walk this path.

We give glory to God and look to Him to continue to supply strength, peace and comfort.

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:12-13

Strengthened

Today I woke up shortly before 7am and headed out to the Saturday run with the OC Rescue Mission group.  We have officially named ourselves "Hope's Heroes: Gunnar's Runners."  Today we were finishing up week two, which consisted of ten minutes running, five minutes walking, and repeat. I started out with Linda and we got a fast pace going. We both pushed each other and were strengthened by each other's presence to run faster than we had been going. I have been strengthened by the prayers of those who have come alongside our family and been holding up our arms.

What a difference between Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and yesterday and today. I feel so strong and full of hope. When we first found out that something was seriously wrong, I couldn't even bring myself to tell Katherine that I thought it was going to be okay, so I said "Earl says she'll be fine." Which he did say and still believes, but I was so scared that I couldn't put those words together for myself. Today, I say she is going to be fine and it's going to be okay.

Yesterday I decided I wanted to read Jeremiah 31. I had read a verse somewhere else from the chapter that encouraged me, but I hadn't read the whole chapter, so I opened up my Bible and read.

Thus says the Lord:

"The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness-Israel, when I went to give him rest."

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt, o virgin of Israel! You shall again be adorned with your tambourines, and shall go forth in the dances of those who rejoice. You shall yet plant vines on the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant and eat them as ordinary food."

For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of one stronger than he. Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, streaming to the goodness of the Lord-for wheat and new wine and oil, for the young of the flock and the herd; their souls shall be like a well-watered garden, and they shall sorrow no more at all.

And on and on. The whole chapter is so incredible. The Lord is faithful! Today I read Lamentations 3-5 - when I saw this on my reading plan, I was like "Great, Lamentations. Doom and gloom!" but I was so blessed.

Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassion fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!" For the Lord will not cast off forever. Though He causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies.

Lamentations 3:22-24, 31-32

Mighty to Save

Phew. Today was hard. Harder than yesterday in some ways. I found myself uncontrollably sobbing at different times throughout the day. But I also experienced some incredible moments of peace. This is not "easy." 

Today my mom had a MRI of her brain done. We do not have those results nor do we expect to see anything there that shouldn't be there, but this was done so that we won't be surprised. When they did the MRI of her face/throat they saw the bottom part of her brain and did not see anything there. 

They also met with the oncologist today to begin formulating our plan of attack. There are tentative plans for about 7 weeks of radiation - again depending on the pathology. 

They are going to do a bone scan tomorrow. They do not believe the "cancer" has spread anywhere else, but this is precautionary and to make sure we have all the bases covered. 

Finally, I wanted to share some of the blessings I see already. 

• Number one, my mom lives in Canada and *recently* got her residents card allowing her to receive the national healthcare. None of these expenses are coming out of pocket. This is a huge incredible blessing.
• Secondly, the doctor treating my mom who initialing sent her to the hospital is the father of one of Katherine's high school friends. This has been a blessing because things started moving fast.
• Thirdly, God has kept the momentum going - they are receiving bone scans, MRIs, oncology appointments etc MUCH faster than is typical.

I am thankful and blessed by my husband who has been an immeasurable support for me. For my work and how they have been so kind. For my friends who have sent songs, scriptures, words of comfort and encouragement. The Lord is so faithful to supply ALL our needs. I am thankful for technology and the resources to use the technology when I need to. I am grateful for the Lord. For His word. For His peace, comfort, compassion, grace and mercy. I know He has never given me more than I can handle. I know He has been preparing me for this and He daily provides the measure of strength I need. He is the all sufficient One. 

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing. Zeph 3:17

My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, saith the Lord. Jer 31:14

Jehovah