Margaret and I at Starbucks with my new wig!

Cathy Yates hostessed my hat party. Thank you dear ladies for purchasing ALL these cute hats for me!

June 13th 2009
Cells Behaving Badly (Treatment Progress)
Well the second round of chemo has gone quite well. The infusion only took three hours instead of five and I was actually a bit disappointed that I didn’t have another two hours with my husband and daughter as a captive audience!!!!!! Margaret and I visited a darling boutique next door that is for cancer patients and were inspired by the owner who has had much tragedy in her life but bubbles over with joy and love. I was praying for a place to give out one of my favorite books to people for free in order for the gospel to be spread. She said I could put them in her store and she would offer them to customers so that was a big answer to prayer. The book is called “Everyday Strength: A Spiritual Survival Guide for Cancer Patients.” By Randy Becton. He gives daily readings and scripture passages and shows the way of salvation very clearly. I am planning on using the money I am saving in my food budget because people are bringing meals to purchase the books so if you have brought me a meal you are helping to spread the gospel!!!!!
Joel was my “steroid buddy” when I couldn’t sleep the day before and the day of chemo. Being a college student he loves to stay up late anyway and we had fun watching movies and talking about spiritual things and life in general. He has been such a blessing to all of us since he has been home.
Physically I have felt pretty good this round and have kept up with the family pretty well. Thursday was my hardest day as I experienced deep lethargy and depression and spiritual darkness. I felt as if I could not face the treatment regime ahead of me. I went to bed thinking I was on a slippery slope but purposed to set my mind on Christ my bridegroom and reminding myself that I am His bride. I rehearsed gospel truths from a pearl of a little pamphlet called “The Precious Promises of the Gospel” by Joseph Alleine from Soli Deo Gloria Publications.” The next morning I woke up and the blackness was gone and I could face the world again!!!
I am having some kind of skin reaction so would appreciate prayer that we can get it under control. Margaret and Charlie will be leaving on their month long road trip next week, Spencer will start driver’s education, Joel and Tim are very busy at the golf course, and Eric will be playing lots of golf and playing in tournaments. I am meeting weekly with two young women from church which is a blessing and enjoying fellowship with the many helpers who come my way!!!

Before the Face of God (Personal Meditations)
“All events are under the control of Providence; consequently all the trials of our outward life are traceable at once to the great First Cause. Out of the golden gate of God’s ordinance the armies of trial march forth in array, clad in their iron armor, and armed with weapons of war. All providences are doors to trial. Even our mercies, like roses, have their thorns. Men may be drowned in seas of prosperity as well as in rivers of affliction. Our mountains are not too high, and our valleys are not too low for temptations: trials lurk on all roads. Everywhere, above and beneath, we are beset and surrounded with dangers. Yet no shower falls unpermitted from the threatening cloud; every drop has its order ere it hastens to the earth. The trials which come from God are sent to prove and strengthen our graces, and so at once to illustrate the power of divine grace, to test the genuineness of our virtues, and to add to their energy. Our Lord in His infinite wisdom and superabundant love, sets so high a value upon His people’s faith that He will not screen them from those trials by which faith is strengthened. You would never have possessed the precious faith which now supports you if the trial of your faith had not been like unto fire. You are a tree that never would have rooted so well if the wind had not rocked you to and fro, and made you take firm hold upon the precious truths of the covenant of grace. Worldly ease is a great foe to faith; it loosens the joints of holy valor, and snaps the sinews of sacred courage. The balloon never rises until the cords are cut; affliction doth this sharp service for believing souls. While the wheat sleeps comfortably in the husk it is useless to man, it must be threshed out of its resting place before its value can be known. Thus it is well that Jehovah trieth the righteous, for it causeth them to grow rich towards God.”

Charles Spurgeon

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you and you shall glorify Me.” Ps. 50:15

“May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high! May He send you help from the sanctuary, and support you from Zion! May He grant you your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your counsel. We will sing for joy over your victory, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners. May the Lord fulfill all your petitions. Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer me from his Holy heaven, with the saving strength of His right hand. Some boast in chariots, and some in horses; but we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God. They have bowed down and fallen; BUT WE HAVE RISEN AND STOOD UPRIGHT. Save, O Lord; may the King answer us in the day we call. Psalm 20

Please join me in Thanksgiving and Prayer
*Thank God for answering prayer for sustenance and for upholding all of us through this
* Thank God for answering our prayer to have a place to give out the gospel book
* Please pray that God will protect me from secondary infections
* Please pray that God will protect Margaret and Charlie on their road trip! Pray that He will keep them safe on the road, keep the car running and bring them back safely to us.
* Please pray for my peace amidst the ever changing summer schedule and that I will trust God to fulfill all His purposes in the boys’ lives.
* Please pray that I will use any extra energy to serve Tim and my family and be open to ministry opportunities God may have.