Loving God and Life

2008-08-09T20:31:00.001-05:00

I'm posting to keep my Mom's blog active so I can print off her posts to save for my kids!

Info About My Mom

2008-01-10T20:55:00.000-05:00

For info about my Mom please check my blog. It is better for me to write it there as I feel like I am cheating blogging under her blog name. My blog is under her friends and family as Am.

Thank you all for your prayers.

My Mom

2008-01-05T22:54:00.000-05:00

Hi, this is Arlene's daughter Amber. I wanted to let you all know how she is doing. Right now she is in the hospital for another round of chemo. She is doing pretty good. She had a very bad week last week. She was on liquid morphene and was having lots of trouble remembering things. My Dad took her off and within one day she was doing much better. She hadn't been staying up longer than an hour. Yesterday, three days later she was doing great. She stayed up for most of the day. She and my Dad came over my house for a visit, they stayed for two hours and she did wonderful. Shortly after they left, the hospital called and said her room was ready. She went in and got all set and started the chemo today. My Dad said she was nauseated but to the best of our knowledge she has not thrown up. They gave her some nerve medicine and she is sleeping now.

I am having a hard time thinking everything but if you have any questions you can leave them and I will try to check them and get back to you soon!

Love,
Amber

Update on Ron Again

2007-11-07T01:17:00.000-05:00

Ron went home to be with the Lord tonight around 8:00 pm. Another friend Bill, went home yesterday. It has been a very hard week. Please keep these families in prayer. One was an accidental shooting and the other was just a long work of labor. I don't believe Ron ever came out of the coma. When they called me at 6:00 they said that they only gave him two hours. I could hear the grief in their voices.

Love you all!

Wanted You To Know

2007-11-06T09:06:00.000-05:00

This past Sunday I was asked to give the "Good News" about my continuing healing at Always In His Presence Ministries. God has been so good to me. I'm not even sure what all I said, but when I looked around many people were wiping their eyes. I had written out like 7 pages of things I thought needed to be said but when I got up there, they went out the window and I just spoke spontaneously from my Spirit. The people in this church have prayed and prayed and supported us so well. We have decided to attend this church. The ladies in this church are the ones that have written the dramas and music that we take into the prisons.

I just received an invitation from a Spanish Church in Canada to give my testimony. It's so important to do that. We don't have a passport but will have to get one. This Church has been so supportive of us. They are the ones that came to the Migrant Ministry we did in Adrian for 4 years. They sing and preach in the Migrant's language and believe me, we saw many souls saved during those 4 years as a result of their ministry.

Also I have been invited into a Hungarian Church that has taken us on like we can't even believe. They pray and pray for us. I haven't been given a date to come in there yet, but it will be in God's timing. I just know that I need to be ready when the time comes.

There is another church we call the Rock and Roll Church the Pastor sent word that he wanted me to give my testimony on video. Not sure when that one will happen either but God knows.

Now a prayer request for my neighbor - I'm not sure of any of the details but his wife sent me an email and said that their dog bit her husband's thumb off. They were able to reattach it but it will never be 100%. This was a dog that I never thought was anything but sweet. They did put the dog to sleep.

Red Letter Day!

2007-11-01T21:34:00.000-05:00

As you know, it has been a tough couple of years for us. Actually it has been 3 years, but the 1st one wasn't so bad, with the exception of the ugly word cancer and all of the surprise and fear that goes with it. The reason the 1st wasn't so bad we thought everything was taken care of. Unfortunately, it wasn't. The doctor gave me the wrong medicine. Of course it wasn't the doctor that I have now.

So today I went to get the Avastan that I get on Thursdays. The port I have has not been working properly for the last 3 weeks, so I kind of had a panic attack at home. I was in the tub and didn't have the strength to get out. Thank God I waited until Barry got home so he could help me out. I have to say that was the 1st time I have cried, but it was so hard. I realized I was nervous over the port because if it did not work today, I would have to have a test to make sure it was in the the proper place and if it wasn't I would have to have it replaced, which meant a minor surgery.

I got there and the blood came flowing out quickly. Thank the Lord. Then I had to know if the blood levels were good enough for the Avastan, they were fine. I got the Avastan. Today was the last day that I had any appointments and I was out of some of the medicine. Debbie, his office assistant, said you really need to see him. I said I am so tired I don't think I can hold my eyes open long enough to sit there. Sometimes it is hours. Debbie loves us so much, she put us in right away. God's favor.

The doctor walked in the room shortly and shook our hands. How are you doing, he asked me. He said you look good and I see that you are wiggling your feet. That's a good thing. He checked my eyes and asked how I was walking and then checked the strength of my legs two different times and then said you are strong. He then had me lay down and he checked the liver. He was elated at how good I am doing. He said you are doing amazingly well. He also told us after checking to see if I was having headaches and so on he checked my eyes to make sure there was nothing there. He said the brain tumors are no longer an issue because they are gone.

He looked at Debbie and told her, this lady is going to make it. Translation: You shall live and not die and declare the works of the Lord. Psalms 118:17 (KJV). I didn't die, I lived and now I am telling the world what God did. Psalms 118:17 (The Message Bible)

Just last week even though I already knew I said to Barry, it would just be so good to have this healing validated. The Lord told me that he had already validated it, but still it is such a good thing to hear it from the doctor. Look what the Lord has done!

Update on Ron

2007-10-26T02:04:00.000-05:00

Today I had to have my Avastan and while I was getting it, one of the nurses ask us how he was doing. We hadn't really heard. Barry went up to see him and he was being put on life support. He said there was so much activity in that room, as you can imagine. Apparently one of his lungs collapsed and because of his condition they decided to put him on life support. Carolyn is a mess, who wouldn't be? They have been going through this for 3 years now. I don't believe it has been this severe, as far as life support.

While I was sitting getting the medicine, Ron's sister walked in my room. She is exhausted with the whole thing too. She is the one that gave him the bone marrow transplant. They are also going to put him on dialysis when he is able.

She looked at me today and said I can't do this again. I lost my sister, my brother and my dad because of sugar and dialysis. Please pray for her too, if you don't mind.

If you would like to send them a word of encouragement please email me and I will give you their address. realbusygranny@yahoo.com Please put in the subject line: Ron or address in case I don't know who you are.

Thank you all so much for caring. God bless. Love you!

Love and appreciate you so very, very much.

"Little" Miracles - Is There Any Such Thing?

2007-10-24T04:00:00.000-05:00

I guess we have to figure that out for ourselves. For me, EVERYTHING is huge. I had been looking for a book called Healed of Cancer by Dodie Osteen. It is out of print and even when I called Lakewood, they didn't have it.

When we went to dinner with Mary Ann and George, she had breast cancer, I believe it was 9 years ago now. She is completely cancer free. Thank you, Jesus. Anyway, we discussed the book and she said that she used that book constantly. She thought she might have one somewhere.

Monday around noon or so, I was sitting at the table eating and it was bright and sunny outside. Had all of the blinds up and the front door open. I saw Pazzetta coming up my walk way. I was expecting her. She was very surprised that I knew she was coming. I was so not surprised. She lost my phone number and didn't really know exactly where we lived. She had been here a few times but just was unsure where we lived.

Anyway, guess what she brought me? Healed of Cancer by Dodie Osteen. I opened the bag and started crying. I told her that this is a miracle...and explained the story to her. She said she had never heard of the book before but felt in her Spirit to pick it up. Isn't God so good to me?

As soon as she left I read the entire little book and it has helped me SO much!

Thank you Pazzetta for listening and thank you Holy Spirit for speaking!

The "T" Man

2007-10-21T00:10:00.000-05:00

Gracie

Bella

The "T" Man

Bear has been working 12 hours a day for the last little while. He wanted to go to breakfast when he got off today at 11. We started going to breakfast and he said you want to pick up "T" man today? I said sure. Kate was with her dad's family this weekend.

When Bear called Am, T was so happy to go. Sure I'm hungry he said. We picked him up and he was just the best. We had such a good time with him. He told his gramps that he wanted to come home with us but Bear told him that he had to go to bed cause he had to get up for work by 6 pm. It was near 1:00 by then.

He then asked me if he could stay with me and I told him I thought I might go shopping, however, I wore out before we got home.

We took him to the drug store with us and they had remote cars there. He was happy to go show his dad what he got. He is such a doll!

After we took him home, our niece Danielle, came to get him and Bella, along with Gracie to go to the park. It was a beautiful day today.

Anyway, apparently at the park some girls were making fun of Gracie. These little ones were about 5 and had NO parents with them.

Tristin is such a protector...like his dad...remember him and Gracie are both only 3. Doesn't that seem young to be a protector like that? Tristin apparently picked up a tree branch and started chasing the girls with it. He was pretty mad I guess.

Breakfast Yesterday!

2007-10-20T23:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, one of Bear's cousins called and we decided to go out to breakfast. She and her husband and daughter and son-in-law were all going to join us. Bear has one aunt and uncle that has 5 kids and now their kids have kids and so on. It is a wonderful family and I am so glad that I am part of it.

Anyway when we got there all of the older kids were there. It was such a nice surprise I could hardly believe it. We all love each other so much but just don't hardly get together. Everyone has their own family and grandchildren and when we all did get together the last time there were well over 100 of us. We had to rent a hall.

We decided that we will do this breakfast once a month. It could definitely grow with each month. What a fun time we had. We laughed alot and just had a great time. Thank you Lord for a great family!

Update Again!

2007-10-18T21:05:00.000-05:00

I didn't really mention much in the blog yesterday about the problem accessing my port. They just couldn't get ANY blood to come out. It has never happened before and so they gave me two different viles of medicine. It is call TPA to dissolve any blood clots or any sheeting around the port. They told me if I didn't have a blood flow today that I would have to have a test to see what was going on with the port, and most likely they would have to take the port out and put a new one in. Thank God the blood return was great today. I didn't have to have any other thing except the anti-body. Isn't God good?

When we got there one of the ladies came and told us that Ronnie was in total renal failure (kidney) and that it wasn't looking good for him. Bear went up to pray for him while I took the medicine. There was a doctor up there and so Bear told them he would come back. He went back in a little while and our Dr. had been there. Apparently another doctor had been over medicating him. Our Dr. took him right off of it. Bear said Ronnie was much better today. Thank the Lord.

Barry had decided that he needed to know about their salvation so he ask both Ron and Carolyn about their souls. They said that they had made their peace with God and all was well with their souls. Bear told him he wouldn't be a very good friend if he didn't ask. They seemed grateful.

Please keep them in prayer, they have been through so much...we want and expect life for him too!

Good News!

2007-10-17T18:40:00.000-05:00

Once again, I am so amazed at the love of God in my life.

Today I had to go to the cancer center to have my last radiation treatment. There were 15 total. When I got there, they said you won't ever have to wear this mask again...good thing..the steroids were making it very tight. When I got up off of the table they presented me with certificate that said go and have some fun now that you don't have to be here everyday. You know, sometimes its the little things that count so much.

Then I had to have my blood tested so that tomorrow I can get the anti-body again. One of the most special ladies at the Cancer Center came to me to tell me that our friend, Ron, was back in the hospital. She really wasn't supposed to but she knows we are good friends with them. Immediately Barry wanted to go pray. We aren't sure of this man's soul. He grew up in church, but we're not sure about his salvation. He is having a very hard time breathing.

They had a hard time getting a blood return on me, and as yet, still haven't gotten it through the port, so one of the nurses told me to go up to see him if we wanted to.

When we got up there, the nurses were all friendly asking us just what we were doing and we told them we were going to visit Ronnie. When we got in his room, we told him and his wife that we would not be staying there long. We just came to pray and encourage them. We prayed and Carolyn said that she felt so much better. She needed it.

We told her that we would leave now and she asked us if we had seen Dr. Momin. We said no. She said he just left their room. When we got to the nurses station we could hear his voice. He seemed shocked for just a minute, then he said to me...I had forgotten how good you could look. Then he looked at Barry and said, see, didn't I tell you she was gonna be alright?

Talk about encouraging words! He could have easily said nothing or something negative.

Then, I think I have said this before on my blog, but if not, here goes. God help us to do something today that will impact eternity.

Talking with Dr. Momin, was my very favorite nurse Katie. I also think I mentioned that she is 26 and our daughter, Amber, is 26 too. Both of them are very sweet and always smiling, so Katie kind of became like "a second daughter" to me.

The last time I was in the hospital Katie and her mom are both Oncology Nurses, but her Mom doesn't practice at Oakwood where I go, just Katie. Anyway, Katie came to me one day and said that her Mom was going for a breast biopsy and Katie was naturally worried. Barry and I asked her if we could pray for her and her Mom. She was thrilled. Apparently we were the only ones that asked her that question. She reached her sweet hands out and we prayed. The biopsy seemed to take forever to come back and by the time it did, I had been released from the hospital. I didn't think to give Katie my number or get hers, but I did plenty of praying and was very concerned.

Last week when I had to go to get my anti-body who was my nurse but Katie. Now I have never seen Katie anywhere but the 5th floor, so it was a great surprise and then she turned out to be my nurse. She told us the biopsy had turned out fine and thanked us many times for the prayer.

Today, however, for whatever reason...just a God thing, as Dr. Momin and Katie were at the nurses desk, Katie looked kind of surprised to see us there and then all of the sudden, she introduced us to her Mom. Her Mom got tears in her eyes and said thank you so much for praying for me. We believe we did impact eternity today...Dr. Momin was all smiles. He seemed happy that we had prayed and of course Katie and her Mom were ecstatic, as were we.

God always gives us opportunities to do something for Him if we will just look.

This morning I wanted blackberry pancakes and so we went to Cracker Barrel. We were sitting at our table by the window and I looked at Barry and said that little old man looks so lost. Barry said with tears running down his face, I have been praying for him. Now if you know Bear, you will know that he has such a tender heart that it is easy for him to cry..it's God coming out of him.

This morning I was putting on my make up and my phone rang. It was a friend that we haven't seen or heard from probably in at least 8 months. I answered and she asked if we would like to go to dinner. We accepted and had a wonderful time and she topped it off by giving us a loaf of Amish bread that she made this morning.

God is so good to us. I will ALWAYS be amazed at his goodness!

I Thessalonians 1:11 - 12 - Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Dinner Last Night

2007-10-16T08:30:00.000-05:00

We were invited to dinner by our friends, Mary Ann and George last night. It was such a wonderful dinner. If you know Mary Ann, she laughs all of the time and it was great medicine for me. I came home telling Barry I need to laugh more. God is so good to me.

The food was very good but the Company was much better. I am so thankful for the variety of friends and family that care so much. It has been totally overwhelming.

Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.

Proverbs 18:24 (The Message Bible)

Thank you Lord for so many friends!

He's Able

2007-10-14T20:53:00.001-05:00

I just got a phone call from one of our former inmate ladies. She's been out of prison for probably 4 years now.

She said that "Papa" had put me on her mind and she wanted to know how I was doing. I told her that they have given me a death sentence, but that Jesus is still the Healer of my body. I told her that there is no need to give her any details because that would not glorify God. She agreed with me.

Then she started singing the song that the Lord put on her heart for me.

He's able. He's able. I know my Lord is able. I know my Lord is able to carry me through.
He's able. He's able. I know my Lord is able. I know my Lord is able to carry me through.

For He has healed the brokenhearted and He set the captive free. He made the lame to walk again and He caused the blind to see.

He's able. He's able. I know my Lord is able. I know my Lord is able to carry me through.
He's able. He's able. I know my Lord is able. I know my Lord is able to carry me through.

What a wonderful surprise that God would lay me on someone's heart that I haven't heard from in probably about a year. God is so full of surprises. I am so blessed!

It's Time!

2007-10-11T22:07:00.000-05:00

It's time to thank the Lord for all He has done and is doing for me.
It's time to thank you for praying for our family throughout this crisis time.
It's time for us to know that God is really doing something so very special in our lives and get excited about it.
It's time to connect with old friends.
It's time for us to go gather the Harvest of Souls that are out there waiting for us.
It's time for us to minister the healing of Jesus Christ to people that are suffering.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; surely he bore our sorrows and joys and by his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 - and the words to the song.

Yesterday I had to get my blood tested and found out today that everything looked good. I went in today to get the chemo treatment and found out that I didn't have to have chemo for at least one month. Isn't that exciting? I have to have radiation until next Wednesday and believe that will be over at that time. God has been so good to me that I can hardly believe it! I am so thankful.

If you are one of the people that have brought food or had us over to your house for dinner, we thank you so much. It has been such a blessing to us. We appreciate it more than you could possibly know.

We are going to attempt to get my strength back a little now too and I am going to try to start cooking a little and working around the house. What a blessing that is. I am still not as strong as I want to be, but I will be there!

Hudsyn

2007-10-10T16:36:00.000-05:00

Am just called and Hudsyn's cultures came back negative. Thank you Jesus and thank you all for your prayers!

Hudsyn Again

2007-10-10T07:48:00.000-05:00

Am called last night and said that the cultures still wouldn't be back until around 6pm tonight. She threw up one more time and that kind of concerned the medical staff. Otherwise she is doing great.

We will update as soon as we know something else.

STOMP! STOMP! STOMP!

Love you all!

Hudsyn's 2nd update

2007-10-09T10:30:00.000-05:00

Am called a little bit ago and told us that Hudsyn is now eating very good. She is taking 4 ounces every 3 hours. She is resting well. They are waiting for the cultures regarding meningitis to come back which should be about 6 pm tomorrow. Apparently they were checking for several different things.

They said it could just be a virus. We are believing for it to be nothing! God is good. STOMP! STOMP! STOMP!

Hudsyn's latest update

2007-10-08T21:35:00.000-05:00

Chad and Am just called and they have to leave her at the hospital for 48 hours from 7:00 pm tonight. They would not even let either of them stay with her. They did a spinal tap and are rehydrating her. They did say that it could be something simple. We are standing on God's Word for complete healing for her and believe God will bring it to pass soon. Will update little blubs like this as soon as we know more.

Alao, we have another prayer request if you don't mind. One of our former church families moved to Atlanta a few months back. We got a call today that Ray had a terrible heart attack. The doctor told Marcie that he needs a miracle. He is in a coma and not responding to anyone or anything. Please ask God for that miracle for this family too. Thank you all again.

Hudsyn Again!

2007-10-08T16:43:00.000-05:00

We need to have prayer for Hudsyn. They just called and have taken her to children's hospital downtown Detroit. They say she is dehydrated and are going to check for spinal meningitis. Please pray for her and the rest of our family. We are SO sick of all of this. BY HIS STRIPES!!!!!!!! Indeed!

This Weekend

2007-10-08T00:03:00.000-05:00

After radiation on Friday Barry and I took off for parts unknown. We like doing that, but it has been a long time since I was able to, so it felt so good. He had four days off and it was the 1st time we could coordinate that and me not being in the hospital and feeling strong enough to go somewhere.

We were just gonna go to some Apple Orchards out toward Romeo, but when we got there, there just wasn't much there. We went to one of the parks out there and I have to say it was really hot and disappointing.

From there we decided to see how far it was to Port Huron to the Blue Water Bridge, we had never been there. It was so blue and so beautiful. If you are unfamiliar with this Bridge it separates America from Canada. We also have one in Detroit that separates the two countries.

We were getting ready to leave there when Barry's brother called and asked what we were doing. We told him and he told us to take a trip around the Thumb and since we weren't far, we did that too. Lots of lake property. Although we love looking at it, we wouldn't want to live on the water that much.

There were NO bathrooms anywhere, no little towns with Mickey D's or anything else. It was getting to be about 6:30 and we were getting hungry and tired.

We finally come to this town called Port Austin and our friend, Roberta, calls and knew just where we were. She told us about this little place to eat called "The Bank". Apparently it had been a bank at one time and they turned it into a restaurant. Just one of those little bonuses God gives us along the way. It was so quaint and it had excellent food.

At that point, I was hoping we could find a hotel, even though it wasn't in our plans to stay. We wound up having to buy stuff for the evening and next day. We stayed in Bad Axe. It was just a Holiday Inn Express, but oh, so comfortable. It was about 17 miles from the restaurant. Didn't take too long, just unfamiliar territory, but that was ok.

Saturday we decided that we weren't that far from Frankenmuth and went over there. We didn't do much shopping but I felt like going to a Yankee Candle shop and they had a lot of buy 1 get 1 free stuff, so Barry bought me an Am a little fall scene that holds candles and of course makes your house smell so good. Am and I both love fall things. He then proceeded to buy her a Harvest Candle. Nothing like it in the fall with the weather being 90 degrees...oh my!

Then we went down to buy Hudsyn her Christmas stocking at Bronner's. It is SO cute. She's so tiny!

Ok, Something's Been Bugging Me!

2007-10-04T01:00:00.000-05:00

Tell me if I am out of line or acting ridiculous or what....

Last week we got a phone call from a friend that said her aunt died. She had brain cancer. According to her, this aunt and I were doing pretty much the same things with chemo and so on.

When I called her to give my sympathies, I asked what happened, maybe my ignorance, but she proceeded to tell me every little detail up to how she turned dark before dying. Hospice said...........and it was....not the Word says.

I have already talked to one of you about this and you said that I must not be with her. I can't afford for my spirit to get upset over this, but now it seems to keep happening. Should I have Barry talk to her???

Am I missing something here or would you expect these things to "weigh" on me.

Yesterday morning she called to tell Barry that another lady had passed from cancer that we knew pretty well.

Don't get me wrong, I feel really bad that these ladies passed. I would so much rather they were healed and I believed for healing for them.

I guess that I am just asking for some sensitivity to this whole mess here. I am standing strong, but I am still human.

Can anyone weigh in here on what you think.

Still make sure that you read my next post. God is doing some awesome things in MY life! Praise His Holy Name!

Radiation and some GOOD News!

2007-10-03T18:28:00.000-05:00

I feel like Spider Man in that mask....only for a few minutes though.

I have now had 5 radiation treaments and so far, bless the Lord, I am doing fine. Today the Radiologist met with Bear and me and asked me a few questions, like how are you feeling, any side effects, etc. No pain.

He said to us that there are 3 tumors on my brain and he expects the smallest one to completely shrink. He only knows what he can know. I believe they will all be gone.

Friday night the Oncologist met with us (I just got out of the hospital yesterday after 2 weeks) and he told us when he sent me for the ultrasound of the tumors in my belly that the Euro-gynecologist actually had a panic attack when he saw the size of the tumors. I asked Bear did he think he was kidding when he said that. Bear didn't think he was kidding either. The Euro-G said that I needed to call another doctor in immediately to have surgery. My doctor said no surgery.

That is why he put me right in the hospital 2 1/2 weeks ago and gave me a constant infusion of chemo for 46 hours. That was tough. I was sick but the tumors did shrink and I am not in any pain.

Tomorrow after radiation at 10:15 I have to have another round of anti-body. I believe I will be home somewhere around 2:00 PM...HOPEFULLY! A lot of times it's the waiting game and it gets frustrating.

Anyway my understanding of all of this is that I have way outlived what they expected.

Whether or not you like him, I have been listening to some healing tapes during the night from Pastor Rod Parsley. They are called At The Cross. He takes me back go the Garden of Eden and how there was never supposed to be sickness in this world. It was a perfect world when God created it and then of course...Adam and Eve or it could have been Bear & Arlene...that would be a tough one to have hanging over you for eternity.

Anyway, these messages have been so simple, just the plain gospel. They have ministered over and over to me. I told Bear I will never be the same.

Pastor Parsley said why do you want to wait until you go to Heaven to be healed...there's no sickness there anyway? Makes sense to me. He also said don't get in the middle of this fight and give up...I'm on the brink of a miracle! I can't give up now! God is so good to me.

Bear and I were sitting at dinner tonight and my phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number and sometimes I don't answer those until I get a message. I just picked it up and could not believe who was on the other end of the phone. It was a Bible College Student from Pastor Parsley's. He said he was just calling to thank us for the support and asked if I had any prayer requests.

I told him that I had been diagnosed with cancer (I never say I have cancer, it doesn't own me). I told him how I had been listening and so very blessed by what Pastor Parsley had to say...just the simple Gospel and how much it means to me. He prayed for me...I gave him a few good tidbits from the doctor and he said he was writing them down as we spoke. When he was finished he didn't ask for a donation or anything just prayed, wrote and hung up.

I have to say we have supported Pastor Parsley for a good while now and NEVER have I had them call me just to pray. This was the perfect day.

I wanted to update and am finally able to work my fingers again pretty good.

The physical therapist was so pleased with how I was walking up and down the stairs that she said she doesn't need to see me anymore.

I am looking for all of the good news that can possibly come out of this thing yet. I know that God has a work for us to do together and I'm not about to give up or in to the devil.

I told the College Student that I am beginning to put the testimony together of everything God is and has done and I would email it to them as the progression keeps getting better. He said please do.

We feel that this is something people need to hear...it's not just something we need to or can keep to ourselves. I do believe if I kept this to myself, God would not be happy with me. He's done so much for me, how could or why would I want to keep it? People need to know that God is MY healer!

I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your prayers. I am very strong MOST of the time, but there are times, I just need to know someone is praying. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you for all of the cards, flowers, dinners, gifts and emails. You could never, ever know how much they mean to me.

I have begun to make a list of everyone that I know is praying for me and pray for you too. I am sure I am so consumed with what is going on here that sometimes I don't pray for you like I should.

We have some friends at "The River" in North Carolina and we were listening to their streaming faith video and they ministered tremendously to us also. We are so blessed to be living in this day and age.

Looking forward to blogging with you for many, many years to come, Healed, Whole and Proclaiming Jesus to the World!

New Baby

2007-10-02T06:50:00.000-05:00

Gramps (Bear) & Hudsyn
L to R - Tristin, Dad, Bella, Kaitlynne, Hudsyn & Amber
Hudsyn & Granny (Me)

I had asked Pat to kind of update you guys on what is going on with us. Life has changed and our family has enlarged. I am so blessed to be able to be here for this very important milestone. Hudsyn LaRen Fultz arrived here on Friday evening @ 10:14 pm. She weighed 6 lbs. 11 oz. She is precious, of course.

Since I was already in the hospital, I asked the doctor to write out orders that I could be at the delivery..he did. It was only 5 hours from beginning to end.

The previous Monday I got out of the hospital and I began experiencing weakness in my left leg, so that I would have to pick it up to go down my steps. Barry called the doctor and sent me in through ER. They discovered brain tumors...not exactly what you want to hear. They said multiple. Perhaps I am the eternal optimist but when I hear multiple, I was thinking lots and lots. Of course, one is too many! There were only 3. I was put right back in the hospital and radiation began on Thursday. The tumors have already begun to shrink in the brain. I will have another 11 radiation treatments to the brain but he expects them to shrink especially with the other medicine that he is giving me. I, on the other hand, expect them to shrink and be completely gone. He can only know what he knows. He sees from the medical perspective, where I am looking through God's perspective.

There is much more to say, but it takes me a long time to type right now. I have to get the dexterity back in my hand. The Physical Therapist met with me today and said that my foot is doing so well that she won't need to meet with me anymore. Thank the Lord!

Remember: BY HIS STRIPES!!!!

Thank you all for your prayers. We surely can't pay for them and only Eternity will tell the tale. God bless. Love you all!

Peace

2007-09-15T09:41:00.000-05:00

Philippians4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

This is a picture that I took in Pigeon Forge this past Spring. To me, it speaks so much peace.

I know in the midst of this mess we are going through that it doesn't make sense but I have so much peace. I am so thankful for that peace too. Don't get me wrong...there are times, however, for the most part I am just so positive that God is healing me and taking so much care of me that it is incredible.

I have to say that during the times of the chemo...not so much. It is so hard, but once it is over, I am able to live in that peace.

I still have to go back to some of the old songs that talk about peace.

Peace, peace, wonderful peace, coming down from the Father above. Sweep over my Spirit forever I pray in fathomless billows of love.

He is our Peace, that has broken down every wall. He is our Peace. He is our Peace.

Cast all your cares on Him, for He careth for you. He is our Peace. He is our Peace.

Then there is the really old song that says that there will be Peace in the Valley...this is without a doubt the Valley....then comes the Peace.

I am sure that there are some of the newer songs that speak of Peace also, but I can't think of them right now.

Thank you Jesus for your Peace in my life.

If you happen to wonder what you can specifically pray for right now for me, I am having quite a bit of pain in my right side. I mentioned it to the doctor and he said it is because the tumors on the lungs have grown. Please pray with us that they will shrink again.

Actually a friend came in to my hospital room last week and was praying and she said that the Lord showed her the tumors everywhere become clear. Just clear. They were gone.

Update Again!

2007-09-13T15:02:00.000-05:00

I went in the hospital from the day after Labor Day until the following Sunday. The Oncologist decided once again to do chemo but knows that I have to go into the hospital because the dosage is more than many can take. He told us that one time he ordered chemo for me the Pharmacist called 3 times to verify the amount because it was so large.

Anyway we were at the Cancer Center today and the doctor asked me how I felt, I told him that I felt pretty good. He asked me if I was having different kind of pain for this or that and I told him no. He then asked me if I had back pain and I said yes. He said that is from the Nupregen (sp). shots that they have been giving me. Those shots are for building my blood levels. Well, as you can imagine that made me feel better.

Since he gave me the chemo at the hospital the pain almost completely stopped in the abdomen. It was so bad before the chemo that if we went over a bump in the road, I would have to hold my stomach because of it.

He told me today that I will be hospitalized again next Thursday and will begin chemo again. When we asked him how long I will be in the hospital he said don't even ask....and smiled. He told us to go do anything we wanted for the next week and live life to its fullest. I have to tell you I felt like a "bird let out of a cage".

I am striving to learn to remember that I am to listen to what God says and not man. The doctor without a doubt, is an awesome man and says that he can't understand why people don't recognize that God has given him the ability to help heal people. He recognizes that it is not him, but it is God. That is awesome!

Again, I apologize for not updating you guys sooner but I really haven't felt like it. I have hardly checked my emails or anything. I just haven't been up to it.

We both SO appreciate your prayers, concern and love.

Please remember us in prayer next Thursday again as I enter this very hard zone...not what I want to do but I do want to live and declare the works of the Lord.

Thank you all that have visited me at the hospital, the cards, the phone calls, the flowers, oh my goodness. Barry and I were talking today about the incredible feeling of being overwhelmed from so many people being so kind.

By the way, if you come to the hospital to see me my name is listed as Nora Wilburn at Oakwood in Dearborn.

If people with cancer have blood levels that are below a certain level, they are not allowed to have flowers, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables. The reason for that is the pesticide levels that may have been sprayed on them could cause you to get very sick. I would assume most of you don't know that because I surely didn't!

STOMP! STOMP! STOMP!

More News!

2007-08-31T06:59:00.000-05:00

First of all, let me apologize for not blogging sooner. I absolutely have not been up to it. Since Tuesday night I have been in bed non-stop in quite a bit of pain.

We went to the new doctor on Tuesday afternoon and we really liked him. We were both nervous because 2 doctors and several nurses said that he's very difficult to get along with. It surely didn't seem to be that way to us. We were thankful.

What he said was that there are multiple masses in my abdomen and pelvis. I thought (hoped) that they were cysts, however, he said that I am too old to have cysts.

He was going to take all of my tests downtown to Karmanos. He has a particular radiologist that he is confident of reading them.

He says we have two options: 1: surgery - or leave them. He prefers not to have to do surgery, but in my opinion, I don't believe these things can stay here. Lots of pain in my abdomen.

We asked him if I have surgery doesn't that mean that as soon as you would open me up wouldn't that mean it spreads when the air touches it. That is a myth he said. What really happens is that once you cut on someone it opens up entire new blood supplies to the cancer. So myth or not, it doesn't sound good at all.

I have to meet again with the Oncologist on Thursday. Barry & I aren't sure I will make it that long until I would have to have something done.

If you were one of the 29 people that came to our house on Monday to pray, thank you. If you prayed where you were. Thank you. It was an awesome move of God.

My appetite is not anything like it used to be but I am sure that the doctor will put me on that stuff again.

Now even though they are giving me doom and gloom, I am still expecting healing! Remember BY HIS STRIPES. STOMP!!!!! STOMP!!!!! STOMP!!!!!

Love you all! Will write again when I am up to it.

Something New!

2007-08-24T08:55:00.000-05:00

Something new has come up. I posted that I haven't been feeling very well and now we know why. My stomach has been hurting for a little while, but because it has masked itself as a UTI we couldn't possibly have been ready for what it really was. I began bleeding along with this UTI and it really wasn't bad at all, I just figured it was part of the UTI, it was not red blood, kind of brown. Not so!

The Uro-gynecologist called me late on Wednesday and said that they could get me in on Thursday at 11 am. Ok, we couldn't seem to get a referral because my primary care doctor didn't know the reason Dr. Momin wanted to send me there. Finally at 10:40 yesterday morning I found out that the referral was ok'd.

I got into this doctor and he was so nice. What was better for me is that my sister's daughter-in-law's sister works there. That made me comfortable, well at least as comfortable as I could be.

We weren't there long and the doctor came in. He told me he was gonna put this probe in me and see what was going on. I wanted to tell him that I didn't need him to check my tonsils. I mean that thing seemed so long. As he was probing I was yelling. He pulled out the probe (finally) and said that there was too much blood and fluid. The blood was red. Not good. He sent me downstairs immediately to have an gyn-ultrasound. ANOTHER probe. That was didn't hurt. The lady was very gentle. They sent us right back upstairs to the doctor. We were there only about 15 minutes and the doctor called us back in. He had already called my Oncologist and informed him what he found.

They found multiple tumors with the largest one being 13.9cm. Barry asked him how big that is and he said for two of his fingers it is 3cm. He said it is the size of a cantaloupe. He also said that it HAS to come out immediately. He also said the lining of my uterus is quite thickened. Not a good thing either. He said my Oncologist was waiting for me across the street...off we went. Oh yeah, one of the first things he did say is that it is not definitely cancer, although suspicious. He must have told us that at least 3 times...how encouraging!

The Oncologist said first of all, this is not definitely cancer...he told us that a few times also. He said that it could be cysts. I have to have a CAT scan on Tuesday morning at 7:00 am. Then I will possibly see the surgeon on Thursday. They are going to call me with that. I will probably have surgery the next week, if not next week.

I just got off the phone with the Cancer Center to see if I had to go get blood and no, I don't. My platelet counts were good. The doctor was concerned that I may have lost so much blood that I would need a couple of units of blood today but thank the Lord, I don't! That would have taken at least 6 hours. I didn't think I lost that much blood but what seems like a little to me may have been a lot!

Although it doesn't sound good, that is when God can and does work in these situations.

Do we understand this...absolutely not. Are we still gonna stand strong...absolutely!

What we are asking is for everyone to join us in prayer. If you can join us on Monday night before I have to have the CAT Scan on Tuesday morning, that would be wonderful.

Another thing is that I have gotten several PET Scans and Barry asked the Oncologist if this showed up in the last PET Scan which was July 3rd. Nothing was there at that time. I can't believe I could grow a cantaloupe that quickly!!!

Love and appreciate you all and all of your prayers!

By His Stripes....Indeed!

The Joy of the Lord!

2007-08-19T13:10:00.000-05:00

Tristin (T)

Kaitlynne (K)

Bella

Gracie

1. Knowing that I belong to the Lord Jesus Christ and that his angels surround me. What a wonderful Savior!

2. Having the best husband possible for me. Now don't get me wrong, he's not perfect for someone else, just me!

3. Bear being blessed with a wonderful job that pays well and has wonderful benefits. You just can't outgive God.

4. Having a family that loves me. Am and Chad. Thank God. Many families have no relationship at all.

5. Now comes the best...the grandkids. Kaitlynne (K) has always been special to me. She's our 1st and so that makes her special. She loves reading. She's pretty calm most of the time.

6. Then comes Tristin (T) what an absolute joy! He's a handful but a wonderful handful. I wouldn't change anything about him.

7. Bella - her smiles absolutely lite up my life. How could you not just love her. I love when she talks her gibberish to you. She will look you straight in the eyes and tell you something VERY important I am sure.

8. Then comes Hudsyn...hurry, hurry, hurry. Not really, but we can't wait. She's gonna be loved more than she can even imagine...if you imagine stuff like that in the womb.

9. Gracie - she is so pretty and such a little tomboy/princess. I don't see her near as often as I do the others but she is precious to me.

It's been a rough week or two for me and I was telling Bear the other day that everything that we get to do is like a milestone to me.

We got a new car this week...that was an important milestone.

The kids came over last night..that felt great, except that I didn't feel so good.

We are planning to get away for a couple of days and that too is a milestone.

The baby will be born in early October (8) and then Dani's birthday is the 10th, K's is the 11th she will be 8.

At the end of October we are going to Gatlinburg for the kids to enjoy Halloween down there. They decorate so beautifully. We are all excited about it too.

November is T's birthday. He will be 4. December will be Gracie's birthday, she will be 4 also.

Then comes Christmas...what an exciting time. Christmas is SO fun with little ones. It's fun explaining Christ's birth to them also because they are like little sponges. They soak up EVERYTHING you tell them!

Thank you Lord for your Joy!

The Joy of the Lord is my Strength!!! Nehemiah 8:10

Just In Case Your Were Wondering

2007-08-17T07:47:00.000-05:00

I apologize for not blogging sooner, but I just haven't had the energy and didn't think I had anything interesting to say, so, here goes...

I went in Wednesday to get my blood tested for the treatment on Thursday. When I got there yesterday I told the ladies that I thought I had another Urinary Tract Infection. They looked at the numbers on my blood test and agreed. My appointment was 9 am, so we were sure we would be out of there by 11:30---wrong!

This time when they paged the doctor he called right back and said to give me another hour's worth of anti-biotic. They did. I was finished at 11:20. Hurray! When he called into the cancer center to see what they wanted, he told them to tell me to wait right there that he would be in to see me.

Well, he didn't get in there until nearly 4 pm. You talk about tiring! The good thing is that there were two families that I have grown up with at church. We have all been married 29 years, our mom's all died 20 years ago...lots in common. While that certainly isn't an ideal situation, because that means everyone has something seriously wrong with them, it was great to spend time with them...ok, not that much time. Even that long got really boring! Actually, one of my friends was getting her blood tested because her blood is so low...I haven't been able to get in touch with her since we left, so I don't know what her results were.

I guess I don't understand all of the time we had to spend there. Usually people in the Cancer Center are sick and surely don't feel like waiting that long. Thank God he is a good doctor!

Anyway, we he FINALLY got there, he read the blood test reports and didn't seem to think that the blood levels were high enough for this to be an infection. He wanted me to go see a
Uro-gynecologist. I called that doctor and can't get in until September 4th. What a long time to keep hurting. I am going to see if Am's doctors have one of those Specialist in their office. Well, Am checked with her doctor and they recommended the same doctor that my doctor did. She said they told her he is phenomenol.

The doctor also took me off of all medications until we can find out what is going on. No more Erbitux either.

Thank you all for your continued prayers. BY HIS STRIPES!!!!

Food

2007-08-09T14:10:00.000-05:00

Ok, we are sitting here at the Cancer Center waiting to get this infusion of Erbitux. Apparently Dr. Momin forgot to write the complete order for the drug, so we wait. There is a call into him currently. I don't know if he forgot or if he didn't write it until he found out about the blood tests.

As I was writing this the nurse just walked in and said she still hasn't heard from the doctor but that my CBC came back and it was good. She said as a matter of fact, it is good enough to frame...thank the Lord. That means the infection is gone. Now we just wait. It is 2:10 and we were supposed to be done by noon, but now we are still 2 hours away...it gets pretty frustrating! Apparently the pharmacy hasn't sent the anti-body yet.

Anyway, while we were sitting here, Barry was looking on the Internet on his computer and he said hum...I said what and he said I was looking at some chicken to smoke. I started laughing at him. I told him that all he thinks about lately is food. You see, he bought himself a smoker back a couple of months ago and he uses it alot! I mean a whole lot! The food tastes so good! He loves it. He loves to barbecue and he loves to cook and NOW he loves to smoke...food.

So far he has smoked a turkey; smoked ribs (several times), a brisket, a pork butt and hamburgers. Being that I don't particularly care for meat, it's not a big deal to me. He is getting ready to try some chicken; pork chops, some steaks and jerky. He's so brave. So far the only thing he didn't care for and took an enormous amount of time, was the pork butt. He made pulled pork out of it.

If you have smoked anything lately (besides your smoker, Duane, let us know and maybe Barry will try it!

Hungry yet?

He Knew Me, Yet He Loved Me!

2007-08-07T20:18:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I can feel so selfish if things aren't going my way and certainly for the last while now, they haven't been. I was saying last night at Life Group that I have always been able to have anything I wanted pretty much. God has been better to me than I have been to myself.

I have a wonderful husband, daughter and son-in-law and grandkids (even if Tristin did take my wig off today and laughed). He's so funny!

I have felt as if most days lately that I haven't been very good to God. I realized that as I was praying, I wasn't praying sometimes, I was ordering Him what to do. The audacity of me! I didn't mean to, but when I stop and think about it that is how I feel. I have apologized to God for that and I am moving on. I could feel condemned over it for a long time, but that wouldn't get me anywhere. Instead of asking Him to heal a certain area I would say I need this healed.

I want to make sure that even though I am going t-h-r-o-u-g-h this time in the valley that I will still walk up that mountain and be who God wants me to be.

There's another old song that Ronnie Hinson wrote that always touches my heart and it says:

I’m not on an ego trip,

I’m nothing on my own

I make mistakes I often slip,

just common flesh and bones

But I'll prove someday, just why I say, I’m of a special kind

For when He was on the cross, I was on His mind.

FOR HE KNEW ME, YET HE LOVED ME (That's so amazing in itself)

He whose glory makes the heavens shine.

So unworthy of such mercy.

Yet when He was on the cross, I was on His mind.

Health Update!

2007-08-02T18:45:00.000-05:00

I haven't felt very good maybe the last three or four days and just couldn't figure out what it was. I am trying to learn to take cues from my body. I haven't had a fever and have kept going but just felt kind of yucky.

Today I went to begin the new routine of Erbitux. It is something that I don't want to do, but am sure it is needed. I weighed myself at the Cancer Center and found I lost another pound since last Thursday. I haven't had much of an appetite this week. Then I discovered why.

I believe that I have another Urinary Tract Infection. They checked for that and didn't have the results when I left. My White Blood Count was 15.4, which indicate infection. I also have been coughing some and ask the doctor about that. He sent me for a chest x-ray and I don't have the results of that yet either.

He could not give me the Erbitux today because of the infection. He did however, give me an hour worth of antibiotic. He also gave me a prescription for the next 10 days for the infection.

He does want me to come back next Thursday to begin the Erbitux.

I may get a call tomorrow from the doctor's office and maybe not, just depending on what the x-rays show and what the urine test shows. I don't think they will call if he has given me the right antibiotic. So many now are specific to what is wrong with you.

You know, I am so excited to hear Cancer Free!!! I am so ready too.

Love you all!

BY HIS STRIPES!!!

His Eye Is On The Sparrow - Lyrics and History

2007-07-28T08:10:00.000-05:00

Before I start this post...I want to say, Happy Birthday, Aid!! Love you!

This song truly says it all, for any possible thing that we could be going through. If that little bitty sparrow is so important to Him, how much more are we--He shed His precious blood and took all of those stripes on his body just for us.

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy,I sing because I'm free,For His eye is on the sparrow,And I know He watches me.

"Let not your heart be troubled," His tender word I hear,And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy,I sing because I'm free,For His eye is on the sparrow,And I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy,I sing because I'm free,For His eye is on the sparrow,And I know He watches me.
_________________________________________________________

Words by Civilla D. Martin, 1905- Music Charles H. Gabriel, 1905
Civilla Martin wrote:"Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle, true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle's reply was simple: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" was the outcome of that experience."The next day she mailed the poem to Charles Gabriel, who supplied the music. Singer Ethel Waters so loved this song that she used its name as the title for her autobiography.

Matthew 6:26 says: Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Results from Today's Doctor's Appointment

2007-07-26T15:32:00.000-05:00

This was my three week check up since Dr. Momin told me I would not need to have chemo for at least 3 - 4 months.

I told him that I was having some pain in my right side. It was not bad pain, but still not comfortable either.

He had me lay down and he checked the liver and said he could find nothing. He would kind of hit on the side in different places and had me breath deeply and he could find nothing.

He said I do not need any more chemo. He does however, want me to start again on the Erbitux. The Erbitux is an anti-body. When I was taking the last chemo, I didn't get to take all of the Erbitux. The Erbitux proves that it has been working because when it is working you break out like you have acne all over your body. It is very itchy. If it doesn't work (shrink the tumors) your body will not break out. It does look very ugly, but if it works it is worth it.

The doctor will do another PET Scan in the middle of September to make sure that the progress is going well. I am sure that it will be!

We still need all of your prayers. We do believe that healing is mine!

Please visit Lisa's blog www.ifyoucanseewhatisee.blogspot.com they are in need of serious prayer right now.

A family that we ran into at the Cancer Center, Carlyn and Ron Rife, need prayer too. They admitted him today. The nurse told us that we really need to pray for him. He is not doing good at all. He looked awful! Ron is the reason that I found Dr. Momin. His sister and I have been good friends since we all got married 29 years ago. Today they discovered her white blood count is only 3.5. This is a sister and brother. The rest of their entire family has died. Their Mom and Dad, their sister and brother. All that is left is their children. Please pray for all of our friends.

BY HIS STRIPES!!! God is SO good.

Doctor's Appointment

2007-07-26T08:25:00.000-05:00

Today I have a blood test at 12:30. My doctor's appointment is 1:15. If you get this and read it before my appointment, please keep me in prayer. After what my primary doctor said about the liver levels, I am praying they have changed and are not alarming to the Oncologist. I'll keep you informed! Love you all!

Too Cute--in My Humble Opinion!!

2007-07-25T08:43:00.001-05:00

L to R: The "Horse" is Barry, Bella, Kaitlynne & Tristin

Jubilee House

2007-07-21T22:55:00.000-05:00

Mary is a friend of ours. She was an inmate in one of the prisons that we ministered in. While she was in prison she had a vision of a home where the ladies could go when they got out. God has allowed her to watch that vision come to pass. Barry & I have prayed for many years for something like this also, but didn't have the resources or the money to do it. We also got to see our vision come to pass! Thank you Jesus!

I was with some of the ladies that used to be in prison with Mary. They were all saying how Mary taught them the Word when they were there. She didn't play about it. She would come up and say to them, give me a scripture. They would quote a scripture and then she would ask them what it meant. Oh, I am thankful that there are more ladies like Mary still in the prison. The weaker ladies need someone strong.

Today 2 of my friends and I went downtown Detroit to visit the home that just opened 2 days ago. There is a men's home right next door.

Thank God this church wants to get involved and will allow people to come in and heal from whatever they need.

We were able to supply some of the needs of the home today. They need simple things like toilet paper and cleaning products and laundry detergent and food; clothing and bedding, etc.

There is a "House Mother" that is staying there that will help the lady that got out of prison on Thursday. The lady had been in prison for 4 years. It is so much different being out of prison than being in and you need some re-adjustment time.

I ask you to pray for the leaders as well as the residents there. There are challenges to deal with there that we are not familiar with.

We pray that you can find your passion and know what God wants you to do with your life!

Without a doubt, there will be some of you that don't understand anyone wanting to do prison ministry. We could not have imagined it ourselves about 18 years ago. God touched our hearts and it has now been 17 years for us. We are SO thankful!

Matthew 25:36 - I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Happy Birthday!!!

2007-07-19T22:43:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday! By the time everyone sees this it will be past your official day. But I thought everyone would want want to send b-day wishes this year especially! Even if in five years you will be 100 (I'll let you explain the math on that)! Hope your day was great! Now aren't you sorry I have your passwords?

Love You!

Friends

2007-07-18T22:45:00.001-05:00

Today our daughter Amber called and said that tonight Kaity was going to have a friend spend the night. Tristin was having our other granddaughter, Gracie spend the night with him because they are the same age.

Tonight Amber called and said that she was taking Heather home because she was crying. It seems that every time that Heather spends the night, she winds up wanting to go home. While Amber was talking to me Kaity was in the back seat crying because her friend went home and she didn't have anyone to play with. I would like to know if you guys would pray for a special friend for her. She is only 7 and has the need for a friend.

Kaity told me the other day that she has a special make believe friend. I told her that I also had one when I was young. She asked me if I knew who her special friend was and I said no. She said Jesus. I always talk to Him. It was all I could do not to absolutely cry my eyes out in front of her.

Oh that she would have that tender heart toward Jesus all of her life. Obviously she could not have a better friend.

Proverbs 17:17 says a friend loveth at all times.

BY HIS STRIPES!!!

The Mission Field

2007-07-17T16:30:00.000-05:00

When we think of a Mission Field, generally we think of Foreign Soil. This morning Barry and I along with two other guys went downtown Detroit to pass out water. This Mission Field is truly inside of Hell's Gates--just 16 miles from home.

Mark 9:41 says whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

Proverbs 17:5 says whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

Today, once again, we learned much, maybe too much, about "street life". We left there crying and thanking God for being able to minister to people that have no where to go and nothing to do, as evidenced by some of the pictures.

As soon as we gave this lady some water, the first question she asked after that was do you have any food? I am so hungry. We didn't have any with us. She said she was waiting for a job.

This is where many of the people live.

Another thankful man for water, along with myself, Brother Mark and Brother Derek.

This man was thankful for water and a tract.

Geneva said that she is on heroin and sometimes crack cocaine and wants so badly to quit. She is 61 years old. She also has a mentally challenged son at home. (Geneva is not homeless). We prayed with her right then. She asked us, how do I quit. What would your answer have been?? How long do you think it has been since most churches have ministered to a heroin addict? Jesus went to met "them" whomever that may have been, right where they were. They didn't generally come to the church. We told her we were going to ask people to pray for her. She was very sweet. She said that she has been to 4 rehabs and they don't work. She is a member of a church and really seemed to love Jesus. She said she is saved, but just so addicted to drugs she doesn't know how to get off of them. She has tried and tried quitting. She is very disappointed with herself. What are you addicted to???

This man had no shoes when we got there.

Whatever your preconceived idea may be about the homeless, some are very intelligent. Some had great jobs. Some had wonderful homes. Some had wonderful families. From what we saw today, it doesn't matter who you are, what color you may be, what educational status you may have...God has been good to you if you are not in this situation! We have so much to be thankful for.

We met another lady, Debbie, that we didn't take a picture of that said her grand kids have been missing since yesterday. She asked us to please pray that they would be found safe. We prayed with her right there.

Another lady, Linda, has breast cancer and needed prayer. We prayed with her also.

Some people don't really want prayer. Some do, it just depends. Almost every person that we encountered said "God Bless You" to us. They were all very polite and thankful we were there.

We will be doing this for at least the next two Tuesday mornings. What an awesome opportunity to share God's love! Please pray for us as well as all of the souls that we encounter!

BY HIS STRIPES!!!

Prayer Needed

2007-07-16T17:32:00.000-05:00

We have known Ronnie and Lisa, his wife, for about 14 years. Ronnie has always been a wonderful servant of God. He has had cancer 2 times now. He found a lump on his ankle reently. "Because of his history" they have to do a biopsy. Like Lisa says, his history is that he is healed. Please pray for them and their children, Jake and Lindz. Go onto Lisa's blog and encourage them with your prayers as you have done for me, please.

Ronnie and his family are very active in their church and he works a full time job and is an auxilliary cop.

Thank you all for praying, I know you will.

Love, Arlene

BY HIS STRIPES!!!!

http://ifyoucanseewhatisee.blogspot.com/

A Roller Coaster Day!

2007-07-12T23:56:00.000-05:00

This morning I had an Ophthalmologist appointment at 8:30. I had gone to this doctor 2 months ago because my Optometrist found some nerve damage to my eyes. We have determined that it is caused from the chemo. Well the doctor today said that he really couldn't tell any difference in 2 months so come back again in 4 more months. Honestly, I didn't say I needed to go back in 2 months, he did. Ok, so they dilated my eyes and did a few little tests and sent me home. It took nearly 6 hours for the dilation to go away. It seemed like a waste of time since he said he couldn't really see why I was there in only 2 months.

They told me to come home, wash my eyes out and lay down. I fell asleep for a little while and then my phone rang.

This was a guy from some company that said he needed to let me know that my doctor's office (the Oncologist) hadn't done what they should and so the shots that I am getting to build my blood wouldn't be covered. I was half asleep and didn't understand why in the world they were calling me. I told them I would call the doctor's office and see if I could get it straightened out. I called and they said that they had been trying to get in touch with this company and they should never have called me. She said she would take care of it and for me not to worry about it.

Then at 1:45 Barry and I had a doctor's appointment with our primary care doctor. She is so sweet. She came in and asked me how I was doing. I told her fine. She then went to the computer and pulled my records up and said that my liver functions were way too high. Not a good thing. Boom...I almost fell to the floor. The Oncologist had just given me the test last week on Thursday and read the test before I left his office. He never said anything about it, so I still assume that he knew what was going on and that it was fine. She also said that she would like me tested for

B-12 so that the neuropathy would go away. I'm for that.

I feel like it is so hard to go through this some days...like today. It just seemed like I either was at a doctor's office for nothing all day or had to deal with a company that I shouldn't have had to deal with today. It may seem petty to you, but it was just a hard day for me.

It seems like I was just being so thankful for everything Dr. Momin had told me and then Dr. A told me that the liver functions were way too high. It's like riding a roller coaster, which I have never liked.

Barry reminded me that the Lord had spoken to me months ago and told me that Numbers 23:19 says that God is not a man that he should lie. At that same time he told me that these are only numbers (the blood tests) and that I should believe that God can't lie and he is going to heal me. I do, but it sure knocked me for a loop.

Thank God for His wonderful Word. He is awesome and I am so thankful!

Thank God that I have people I can share these experiences with and know that they will pray for me.

I love you all and appreciate you and your prayers so very, very much!

Trying to get to everyone's blog!

2007-07-12T12:05:00.000-05:00

I am just trying to get to everyone's blog and I'm through about half of the ones I need to read.

I am feeling pretty good right now and expect to feel better and better. God has been so good to me and Barry. We are so thankful everyday for life. Please don't take it for granted. Surround yourselves with the ones that love you and the ones you love. Tell everyone that you love them often..I have to work on that.

While I was going through blogs I found my friend Lisa's new blog. She is a new blogger, so if you don't mind, check her out often. She and her family have just found a new church that they are so happy at. They went to something named "The Call". Check her blog out to see what it was about. It sounded so awesome I wish I could have gone.

http://ifyoucanseewhatisee.blogspot.com/

I'll blog again soon...promise! Love you all!

Ice Cream 4 The Kids

2007-07-10T01:00:00.000-05:00

This is Gracie. She will be 4 in December. Her mother is our great niece that we raised.

This is Tristin absolutely enjoying his ice cream. He will be 4 in November.

This is Kaitlynne also enjoying her ice cream. She will be in 3rd grade when school begins again. She will be 8 in October.

This is IsaBella. She really enjoyed the ice cream as well. She turned 1 in June. She's so sweet! She smiles most of the time.

I told Barry this morning that I was gonna go over to see the grand kids tonight. He works midnights (usually 12 hours). The kids only live about 7 minutes away.

I thought it would be fun to go buy ice cream with all of the toppings and take it to them. It was!

Barry got to go. He woke up about 6:30 and we went over there about 7:00 pm. Barry loves to take pictures and since we didn't take any of the kids in about a month or so, it was way past time. He took 243 pictures tonight. I'm gonna attach some of them, cause they are so cute, at least in my opinion. We can't wait until October 8th when Hudsen La Ren will be here. She will be spoiled for sure!

One thing for sure, Amber and Chad make beautiful babies! Now do you think that I sound biased???? I AM!

It is SO fun to be a grandparent. I have so much to live for! Thank you Jesus!

By His Stripes!

Thank You All So Much!

2007-07-09T17:00:00.000-05:00

We want to take the time to thank you for all of your very consistent prayers and ask that you keep them up. God has been good to us and we so appreciate it! There are still some issues that I am asking God to take care of.

Just to let you know that Saturday, after the doctor told me to live my life like I am used to, we went to an Outreach that our friend and her church was sponsoring. It is our hearts. We love doing this. It was an 8 hour time slot in near 90 degree heat and I was able to sit there the entire day. Only one time did I feel like I had to get into the car to cool off. This Outreach was done in Detroit, Michigan for those of you that are from other countries.

We did this behind a barber shop because there is generally lots and lots of "foot traffic" there. There is a liquor store right down the street.

We used our sound equipment for the event and are always so pleased to be able to do ANYTHING for the Lord. Thank God. We have another friend that has a church that we will most likely help on a couple of Fridays each month.

Then there are the prisons we can't wait to get back into. God has been so good to us and we are both thoroughly convinced that you are all part of the healing that is taking place in my body from the prayers that you have prayed. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

For each of you, our prayer is that God will bless you (and He will) for praying as consistently and as heartfelt as you have. The Word says that He bottles our tears up. Wow!!!

God bless you all. You have become so precious to both of us. Love you!

By His Stripes!!!

Barry & Arlene

And The News Is....

2007-07-05T17:55:00.000-05:00

As you probably know, I had decided if the PET Scan wasn't good, I was going to tell the doctor that I just couldn't take anymore chemo. However, I didn't have to tell him that. He said that the PET Scan was good! He also said that the tumor in the liver has shrunk a lot and the tumors in the lungs have also shrank. They are not gone, but much better.

He told me that he wanted to give me a break for at least 3 months. He wants me to live my life like I used to. He had been thinking about it and felt that it was too much on me to take anymore chemo. He was way ahead of me, as usual.

He will be checking me every three weeks through blood tests. He said we have to keep a close watch on this, but that he couldn't see any reason that I should have any more chemo for quite a while.

At that time I said to him, I am still believing God for complete healing and he said good, I have seen that many times too! Awesome, a doctor that actually believes in God's healing power.

He was asking me how I was feeling and I told him so much better than 2 weeks ago when he put me in the hospital. I told him that I am eating like a horse now. I could hardly eat when I went into the hospital and I had NO strength whatsoever. Little did we know how close I was to death until he told us.

He asked me if I was in pain anywhere and I told him no. He then asked about my energy level and Barry told him that I do still take a nap most days and he said that's ok.

He told me to go live my life like I normally did. He gave me a shot so that my red blood cells would build up quickly. He will do that every 3 weeks when he checks my blood for a little while.

There is no way that our family can thank you for all of your prayers, love and concern throughout this ordeal. Please still keep praying. We are humbled and amazed by all of you. Thank God for people all over the globe praying for us. God is so good!

BY HIS STRIPES!

The Test Is Over - The results on Thursday

2007-07-03T18:31:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone. It has been a pretty tiring day. I did get out of the test at 9:30 am and went to eat breakfast. You can only eat certain things the day before and then you can't eat anything after 8:00 pm until the test is done. Now we just await the results. God already knows what they are and is continuing to heal me even now. He's had a lot of work to do on me lately becausde somehow I forgot about His peace and started letting fear in. I intend to do MUCH better. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND CONCERN.

I think I did this before, but in case I didn't, I have a couple of people I would like you to check out. Debra is our daughter, Amber's mother-in-law. Her blogsite is:

http://www.reflectionsfromthemountains.blogspot.com/

My friend Lisa, who is one of my greatest encouragers is:

http://www.ifyoucanseewhatisee.blogspot.com/

Check them out ... this one is especially for ladies with very low self esteem.

I have had a good day and plan to have another one tomorrow. Barry is off tonight, which is a rarity. Will blog more soon! Love you all!

BY HIS STRIPES!!!!

SO Many Things To Pray For

2007-07-02T11:08:00.000-05:00

I just got off of the phone with Kaitlynne's other grandmother about the little boy, Barry, that was killed. The family is, of course, extremely distraught. Kaitlynne's dad had her last night, but decided not to take her to the funeral home, which is a blessing. K is so sensitive and even her other grandmother said she doesn't need that memory. Thank the Lord we all agreed on that one, because they may not have felt the same way we did.

The 39 year old guy was definitely drunk. After he hit the little boy, kept going and parked his car at Walgreen's, then called his mother to come pick him up. Obviously, he was only thinking of himself. He had no headlights on either. The accident happened between 9 and 9:30 pm, when it was just getting dusk.

The little boy's mother and sister knew that the guy hit someone because they saw a body fly in the air. They ran across the street to see if they could help, only to find their son and brother. The accident happened right in front of their home.

The family has no insurance to bury this little guy, so they are asking anyone that would like to help contribute to it. Funerals are so very expensive.

I know that I asked for prayer for them before but when I talked to K's grandmother today, you could tell she is so weary and this isn't even her son. Her 11 year old son, Bradley, is taking it extremely hard. They were best friends.

The next thing I am asking is that around 6:00 pm tonight that you would join with us in corporate prayer for the PET Scan I have to take tomorrow. I am just believing God for great results and asking that you would pray and believe with us. Our family knows that you will do that, you are all so faithful to pray when there is a need. Thank you can't be expressed enough! I will get the results Thursday afternoon, at which time I will blog again.

God bless. Love and appreciate you all! BY HIS STRIPES!

In His Presence

2007-07-01T10:30:00.000-05:00

Good Morning...at least it is morning here in Michigan...

I am listening currently to a song called In His Presence. It happens to be one of my favorite songs.

It is short, but it is powerful. The words are as follows:

How I long to be.
In Your Presence.
It is the secret place.
We offer up our praise.

As we come boldly.
With honor and reverence.
We worship Christ Our King.
Right here in his presence.

We worship you our King.
Here in your presence!

Words and music by Clint Brown!

That should be our desire to stay in His presence. God is so good to us all. No matter what we are going through. Ultimately, when we live for Him, we get to spend eternity with Him. Wow! What a deal and we did nothing to deserve it.

I still totally am believing God for healing and the tremendous ministry that He has given us. How exciting it is.

Please remember to keep our family in prayer this week as I take this test and get the results on Thursday. God is good...all of the time and all of the time...God is good!

Thank you all for so much encouragement that it is almost overwhelming to me. I love you all. God bless!

I have another prayer request...our little granddaughter's 11 year old cousin was killed by a hit and run driver this week. The guy was apparently drunk and left his car at a place of business. They went to his house to arrest him. Now there are two families that their lives are changed forever. Please pray for Kaitlynne's family. They have been going through so much in other areas that this is just another blow. Kaitlynne's grandmother told me Friday that she tries not to get mad at God, so I ask you to pray for that huge family.

By His Stripes!

Wisdom

2007-06-28T19:50:00.000-05:00

I am in such awe of God, as He heals my body. I am in such awe of His love and grace and peace that He has given to me.

Sometimes I will admit that my peace is disturbed and I have to get a hold of myself again and realize that the Word of God will not fail. It will never fail.

Lately, I haven't had anything fun to write about. This trial has been difficult to say the very least. Every day I seem to be faced with new challenges.

I honestly don't know what I would have done without all of you praying for me. I appreciate it so much. I still need your prayers. This is a fight for my life, as you know.

I am praying for each of you, as you have prayed for me. I know and can feel sometimes when I wonder where God is that someone out there is praying for me at any given hour. Wow! What an honor.

I'll blog more later. BY HIS STRIPES!

Some of you may remember the old song - it is also a healing scripture verse...

For He was wounded for our trangressions;
He was bruised for our iniquities;
Surely He bore our sorrows;
And by His stripes I am healed!

Isaiah 53:5

Finally Home!

2007-06-26T18:30:00.000-05:00

Early yesterday afternoon the doctor came in my room and asked if I wanted to go home. I said sure. He asked me if I felt like I could handle it and I said yes. Well, I still had some medicine to take, so I did finally get to leave about 6:45 pm. That was a very long day.

Apparently I was so extremely dehyrdrated that he told us that if I had passed out, he wasn't sure if they could have "brought me back" from the "other side". Thank God the doctor saw me sitting in the waiting room.

I was fed this huge amount of food every day. I couldn't taste it or feel it but I guess in the end I could tell a huge difference. I have a great appetite again and I feel like talking and I'm not sleeping nearly as much as I had been. I am usually a person to sleep 6 - 8 hours a night, but 6 is usually ok with me. I was sleeping 12 - 13 hours a night and still very tired. I did take a 2 1/2 hour nap today, but that's a lot less than what I was doing.

I had a largest bag of fluids every day that I have ever seen as well, so I am totally hydrated. Thank you Lord. You know what is kind of scary to me though...how easily I could have died and yet feel so good now. Wow!

Yesterday Barry asked Dr. Momin about how long could expect someone to live with liver cancer and he shot Barry a glance and said this is not liver cancer. It is colon cancer and it has metastasized to the liver and lungs. Dr. Momin said in most cases one or two months. She is way passed that.

He did tell Barry to pay particular attention to me regarding how I looked on Thursday when he saw me as compared to how I look now. Dr. said last night your wife told me that she now has the sparkle back in her eyes. She does.

I have an appointment for 8:00 am Tuesday, July 3 for the PET Scan. I will then see Dr. Momin at 1:15 on Thursday, July 5th for the results. Please keep this in prayer.

I have lost all of my hair now, but even that doesn't bother me. I am alive and well and can't wait to get out there to serve the Lord like I am used to.

Thank you all so very, very much for your concern and prayer! Will blog more later. Love you all!

New Prayer Requests

2007-06-24T23:55:00.000-05:00

These are some of the problems that some of our former inmates are facing: Life is tough on the outside for many of them!

Mary’s Daughter – Marie - Won't do like she should, sleeping around and very, very rebellious. Sleeps on the street sometimes and has seen way more than a girl her age should have to see by her own will.

Patricia Cobb – Trying to Get Baby Back - Has given her heart and life to the Lord, but was on drugs before. Her sister now has her baby and won't give her back. The sister and her husband are not serving the Lord in any way.

Irene – Lesbian relationship -this lady was a minister of the Gospel.

Angel’s baby girl, Kiera, 18, quit college and moved out of state to be with some guy. Angel is having a hard time with that. Both of them need prayer desperately.

This will be transitional housing for ladies coming out of prison or that are just on the streets. Opens July 15th – The Jubilee House – Free Indeed Church – Gratiot and Mack

____________________________________________________________

These are not related to the prisons:

Debbie to quit smoking. She is also having some physical problems with her blood pressure right now.

The 50 kids that were at a friend’s funeral from suicide this week that gave their lives to Christ.

Prayer for the man that was sitting by a restaurant, laying and nearly falling in Telegraph. He said he’s not a bad guy, then he said yes I am. Pray for him. He was very drunk and very far away from home.

___________________________________________________________

Short update on me: Today I am feeling stronger and stronger. They are feeding me through my port and it seems to be strengthening me. My blood count is still extremely low, but I am expecting that to come up quickly. I had several other tests that came back negative for any kind of bugs in places that they didn't need to be. Praise be to God. I love you all!

Ok, the doctor just came in at 10:00 pm to talk to me. He ask me if I was comfortable going home. I said yes. They are going to feed me for the next 24 hours and Tuesday I get to go home. My blood level is still low, but he is trusting that by Tuesday it will be going up. He said that the next treatment, which is the last one I will be taking, he is going to put off until at least another week. He thinks I need the break and I agree, then he will test me with a PET Scan again after the 4th of July. Thank you Lord!

Saturday

2007-06-23T16:32:00.000-05:00

It's been a very l--o--n--g couple of days. I didn't realize everything that was going on in my body at the time, but, now I realize just how sick I was. He told Barry that I was a VERY sick woman. The dehydration was clear to him but not to me. I had been drinking lots and lots of water, so I thought everything was fine. They told me this kind of dehydration was like putting a teaspoon of water on a forest fire. Who knew?

I would look into my own eyes (and they look alot different now that I don't have any hair) but I couldn't see any life at all. They were just like someone else's eyes starring back at me. Not so good. My eyes have always been bright and sparkly.

I am very thankful that the doctor saw me sitting in that waiting room.

My blood count is hanging around .06, which is still not good at all. He is expecting it to rise again and be fine shortly. This is my white blood count, and it doesn't allow you to feel sick.

He said that I can go home probably Monday or Tuesday.

He also said that my liver has shrunk greatly. He was really smiling about that.

This morning when I woke up I felt like I could have gone to a street fair somewhere. Just get out of here and go somewhere was my philosophy. Well, I guess I was smart just to stay here (like I had a choice), cause now I'm kind of tired again.

Our friends, Duane and Myra, came to visit me today and when they left, of course, they prayed with me. They were both sitting in a chair right across from me and while he was praying I saw something like a disc. The colors were on like a sphere and I believe there was a dove on it too. Around it were many variations of blue, with some pink and white too. Anyway the disc turned and turned and turned and turned, I couldn't tell you how many times, but it turned and turned. I wasn't afraid of it and I realized it was HEALING coming to me. I told them what I had seen and we rejoiced together.

Not 2 minutes after they left, the doctor came in to see me and gave me the good news of the liver decreasing dramatically.

News!

2007-06-21T19:54:00.000-05:00

First of all, before I go any further, I want to thank each of you that came to our home last night to pray for me. We both appreciate it so much.

Next, I had to come in today to the Cancer Center because I have a Urinary Tract Infection. I began treatment yesterday and was to continue for one hour today and one hour tomorrow.

However, when I got here today my Doctor saw me sitting in the waiting from of the treatment center and walked over to talk to us because he said that as soon as he saw me, he knew something was wrong. He wasn't here yesterday. He said that I am extremely dehydrated. He also said that my blood count was .07 again and that he was going to admit me. He also asked me what should he do to know that I am sick. I told him that I was just really tired and cold and I don't have an appetite right now. He said that I am opposite of the little boy that cries wolf. He can't know I am sick if I don't call him. He asked me how much pain I was in and I told him none. He said that for me, we are going to have to figure out some way to tell if I am in pain...I told him that my Mom had an extremely high tolerance for pain and maybe I am the same way. He looked at Barry and Barry said she's not a complainer and she really hasn't said anything about hurting, just the mouth sores and no appetite and tired, but we attributed it all to the chemo and anti-body.

Anyway I will be here for 3 or 4 days and during that time they are going to do a CT Scan, he said it would be like a sneak preview of the PET Scan.

I am going to be in a private room as soon as one becomes available. I can't have any fresh fruits, veggies, flowers or anyone sick around me. Well visitors are always appreciated!

Hopefully I will feel like blogging more soon!

The doctor says that once I get re-hydrated and he can take care of the UTI and the mouth sores, I should feel as good as new! Hurray!

Love you all!

Decisions, decisions, decisions!

2007-06-19T05:19:00.000-05:00

Decisions can come at quite a cost to us. Mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically. Making decisions can be very hard at times.

I, personally, am in the process of making the decision to quit chemo. The chemo has been extremely hard on me and today is Tuesday. I just began to feel half way normal yesterday. The chemo and the anti-body took place last Wednesday. Guess what? Tomorrow is the anti-body AGAIN!!! I have lost most all of my hair, it began last Monday, and my face looks like a roadmap that you put the little push pins in to say I have gone here or I am going here. It's like a connect the dots. I was still nauseated yesterday. The doctor says that means that the anti-body is working.

Tomorrow after I have this anti-body I will only have one more left and then I will get another PET Scan. That's the scan, you may know, that tells you if there is any more cancer in your body.

You have been such an amazing "Blog Family" I can hardly believe it. You pray and pray and care and love....thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts. Hopefully, I will feel like blogging again this week.

I have to go get my hair "buzzed" today so I can wear the wigs I chose without all of the scabs and hair falling out. I forgot to tell you that from the antibody my scalp is one big scab. Actually it's lots of little scabs but you can't really tell it because it feels like one big one.

Thank you again for all of your comments, love and prayers!
Please pray that we (basically I) make the right decision.

Pride

2007-06-11T13:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, as I said we tried a new church out and it happens to be one of our friends that just began this church last week. The format was not like any church we had been to, but we really did like it. We felt God's spirit there. We enjoyed the music, the altar prayer (they have you come to the altar before the music and the sermon so you can erase all of the things on your mind and ask God to forgive you of anything you need, so you can enter into His Presence with a clear heart and mind. I like that. Sometimes we take so much "baggage" into the service with us that we couldn't hear from God if we wanted to. He's trying to speak in that still small voice but we have crowded Him out with all of that other unimportant stuff.

Anyway while she was teaching, she was saying that every morning we need to get up and thank God for waking us up and starting us on our way. We need to give Him the glory for everything, including the day ahead of us. If we don't that's just our pride getting in the way. I thought about that for a few minutes and realized she was so right. Who am I to think that I can take such good care of myself throughout the night and the day that I don't have the need to thank God for the many blessings He has given me and thank Him for waking me up and keeping me? For me, that was a form of pride that I needed to get rid of. I didn't really realize it was pride, but yep, maybe even arrogance goes right along with that. God forgive me for being prideful toward You!

Obadiah 1:3 - The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee....

Our 29th Anniversary

2007-06-10T10:13:00.000-05:00

Today we are going to try a new church out and are pretty excited about it. Today is also our 29th Anniversary. It has been many wonderful years with their ups and downs but I wouldn't trade my hubby for a million dollars. I see all of these people getting divorced and I am just believing to stay alive to celebrate many more.

I do realize that not everyone has had the wonderful marriage that I have had, the support and the love, but I am so thankful for everyday! God has been good so to me I can't even comprehend it!

Love you Bear!

Overwhelmed with God's Love

2007-06-07T15:58:00.000-05:00

I have to tell you that both Barry and I are completely overwhelmed with the kindness that all of you have shown to us. Only Eternity can repay you for your prayers, your thoughts and your love.

Today I feel good. I am a little tired, but hey, I can surely deal with tiredness. I am not as spunky as I would like to be, but again, I can deal with it. I will get there with God's help.

After praying and talking to God about the high blood levels that I received in the doctor's report, I was reflecting on all of the people praying on the blogs and all of the people on my email that have been praying for me, I realized that Pat is right, everyone was storming the gates of Heaven with prayer and stomping on the devil! Thank you so much. That's what brothers and sisters are for.

Last night after Barry left for work, I began reading the comments that everyone had left throughout the day and then there would be someone that said Ms. Terry or Ms. Donna had told them to stop by and leave a comment, so I would have to go on their blog to see who they were and what they were all about. By the time I finished it was about 4:00 am. I was in awe to see people literally from all over the world that were concerned for me.

I crawled in bed finally and began reading Psalms 8. First I read the Message Bible and then I went to the King James.

The King James says: (Verse 9) O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

Yep, that is right.

Then I read the Message and it says (Verse 9) God, brilliant Lord, your name echoes around the world.

Yep that says it even better and it so applied to how I felt after reading all of your blogs!

At the Hospital

2007-06-06T09:12:00.000-05:00

Well, here I am again, sitting in this chair being infused with Erbitux. They say I will be out of here in an hour! Hurray!

Ok, are you guys ready for what prayer has done?????? Blood levels up from .07 on Wednesday to .09 on Thursday to.... 5.3 yesterday! When they gave me the news, I am sorry to tell you that I was surprised. Now I ask you didn't we pray? Why is it we ask God for a miracle and when we get it we are surprised?

This is the infusion that I will be getting for 6 more weeks every Wednesday. It is not chemo but the anti-body that will blast the tumors. Next week it will be the chemo plus the antibody which is what I took a couple of weeks ago.

Thank you so much for praying for our family! Only in Eternity can repay you!

Update

2007-06-03T23:00:00.000-05:00

Hi All My Dear Blogger Friends!

Thanks so much for keeping such a good eye on me. I really do appreciate it. This is the first time that I have even felt like blogging at all and I believe it will be short..to which you say...finally.

Anyway, Thursday, I went to the doctor and he spent nearly 1 1/2 hours with us. He explained and explained well. I understand what he is doing so much better.

I believe I told you about the rash that I have. I look pretty rough, as well as feel rough. I still haven't recuperated very well. For those three days that I had the company I felt wonderful and then after that it became all down hill. I didn't even feel like going to Sara's Son, Mac's graduation and also another dear friend's daughter either. I have pretty much been in bed since Thursday. I can't keep anything in me. I eat and hit the bathroom almost immediately. I am beginning to have a little better appetite. Please keep me in prayer.

The doctor said that he attended a meeting Wednesday with the CEO of the company that makes the anti-body. Mr. CEO says that the extreme rashes (like I have) are working. That is one of the evidences. Hurray! He also said that it is greatly successful in reducing all lung tumors.

He says when my blood levels come up that I will be able to keep things where they belong. I'm still w-a-i-t-i-n-g! Hope it is really soon.

Gotta run for now. Love and appreciate you all. Thank you KayMac for the card. It surprised me and touched my heart all at once. God bless you! Talk to ya when I am up to it again. Like Sara says...By His Stripes - for sure!

Blood Levels

2007-05-31T22:35:00.000-05:00

When I got in for Chemo today, they told me that my blood levels were not good enough for my body to handle it. My White Blood Count was 0.7 my total blood count for white (which fights off infection was 0.0). That surely doesn't sound so good. The nurse thought he might put me in the hospital in isolation but he did not. They gave me a Neulasta shot, which should raise my blood levels within two days and will continue for at least a month.

I have to go to his office tomorrow at 1:30 pm. He may or may not hospitalize me at that time. I don't really want to be hospitalized but if that's what it takes to make me safe then I will do it, of course.

He also had the nurse give me a Solumedral (sp?) shot yesterday and today which helps dry up all of the rash. That rash is so ugly. My face had broken out and my feet and much more of my body that you don't even want to know about. It itches so much, but now is a lot better, thank the Lord.

We have had company the last 3 days including the barbecue, so I won't go any further into those friends. I explained that on an earlier blog.

Last night a very special friend stopped over and is beginning a church. We have been very close for years now. She ministers in the prisons with us and just has a true heart for God and his people. She doesn't want to do church and usual. Before she left she prayed for me and spoke so much life into me that when she did leave, I felt so encouraged. I felt like there is just so much for me to do and of course, I love doing it. We talked about a couple of things in our hearts (Barry & mine) and we hadn't done any of these things because we just didn't have a place to send people after we minister to them. Now this is silly that we didn't recognize it but she said, some water, some plant and some reap. You do what you can and God will do what you can't.

One of the things that God has burdened Barry with is going into Children's Hospital to take a gift to the sick kids. I believe specifically the cancer children. She was telling us go, attach something stating this is a love gift from LifeLine Prison Ministries and more importantly God. We would like for them to be able to contact us if they need further prayer...otherwise, our names are very unimportant. Barry has always felt to take Teddy Bears in, but after thinking it over, the fibers from the bears could possibly be something offensive to the immune system of the child. With cancer you never know.

She proceeds to tell us that she heard about a little boy named Brandon that was 5 years old with stomach cancer. She was so burdened for him that she put together a tape with music, jokes, stories and of course plenty of child-like Biblical teaching. He loved it so much, he asked his mom to play my tape often. She did finally get to meet with the child and his mother before he passed and she was so blessed that she had done that. She offered us a copy of that tape to transfer to CD and give to the children. Just look where God is taking us!

Then my thing is I have always loved the "Man on the Street" interviews. How easy would it be to go up to people and ask them questions like who is Jesus. Do you go to church, have you ever gone to church, why did you quit?

Finally I'm asking my blogger sisters and brothers if they can think of any questions that we could use.

We figure we can go to any park in the USA and ask these questions. She suggested Hart Plaza downtown Detroit. She said that these are very useful in ministering to the Saints before sending them out to minister on their own.

Of course, we still have the prisons that we can't wait to get back into...it's been way too long. I believe it's been like October 2006. See what I mean, when you have a passion burning in you and you can't release it. It's like fire shut up in your bones.

Today another friend came over and ministered to us. She loves God and wants to do His will so badly. She told us that whatever we want to get we could get it off the Internet at wholesale prices by pallets.

She also told us that in 2003 she was going through a particularly tough time in her life that the Lord gave her this: A bird never worries about what he eats, where he lives, where he goes or the storm. God warns them of the storm coming. (Maybe much like He would us if we would learn to be as carefree as the birds). They leave and go where they are supposed to during the storm. They are protected by the Lord, as we are. When the storm is over, guess what? They come running back and chirp happily again. The Word tells us to don't' worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself. Wow! I've got lots of work to do. Gotta run for now!

Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.

PS: If I wind up in the hospital I will try to blog from there. Sometimes you can get Internet and sometimes you can't.

OOPS! I almost forgot the most important thing here - prayer!

I have several prayer requests (as usual).

I blogged last month about a family that lost their son Josh, to cancer. I am positive that they could use our prayers. They were happy to see him go to Heaven, but now I am sure they are feeling their loss. I haven't spoken with her since the day before the funeral, they live in Georgia. Their names are Matt and Denise.

My father-in-law's wife is paralyzed and he is 83 having to physically carry her to the bathroom and everywhere else. He feels terrible putting her in a nursing home, but doesn't see another solution. He is having kidney problems himself. His back and legs are hurting him terribly! Tonight we were made aware of some other things going on, no need to tell you but God knows.

My sister-in-law will be beginning a new treatment on the 5th of June for I believe MS. Please pray that it will help her and turn that condition around. I get it confused because my mother-in-law has the opposite, I believe CP.

Janae's father was rushed to the hospital with a possible heart attack.

Dennis was just diagnosed with Sugar Diabetes.

Tom and 3 of his co-workers are fasting and praying for Marty, another of their co-workers that wants to commit suicide. Tom said he looked into his eyes and it wasn't a pretty picture.

Luke's cousin tried to commit suicide and damaged her liver so badly that she needs an immediate liver transplant.

Still remember the lady in the hospital that her bones were aching so badly.

My friend Deb is going today to have 2 skin cancers removed. One on her arm and one much deeper one on her back. Please remember her.

One of our blog buddies says the heat is so great where she is that the roofers can hardly work. One of the workers felt ill today and had to come off of the roof. He has to work to provide food. They were able to orally rehydrate him. Still pray for them.

I personally thank each of you for praying. I am sorry I haven't visited many blogs lately. I have slept a lot and haven't been on my computer much. I have 192 unread emails if that tells you anything.

It seems like lately I sure have lots to say...sorry!

Oh, My Aching Bones!

2007-05-30T00:48:00.000-05:00

Today I had to go to the Cancer Center to get my blood checked. While I was there, a lady I would say was either Arabic or Indian came in. She was probably 65+ (just guessing). I heard her say to the nurse, oh, my aching bones...I ache all over...I hurt all over.....

I have not been able to get that lady off of my mind all day. I have prayed for her and ask that you do too! Don't know her name, don't know anything else about her, but she was hurting physically. I wanted to go over to her and hug her; tell her that everything would be all right. That was when I realized that if she is not a Christian it will never be all right. Wow! How many are dying and going to hell all around us and we are not praying while we could be.

There are so many missed opportunities for us to pray for people.

Dear God, please never, ever let me lose compassion for my brothers and sisters or those that will be.

Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

The Effects of Chemo

2007-05-28T23:55:00.000-05:00

As you may or may not know I began this new regiment of chemo last Tuesday. This has been an extremely rough week, to say the least. The 1st 2 days I was so sick throwing up and all that goes with it. I couldn't eat at all. I had no appetite. On Friday I still wasn't feeling well and spent most of the day and night in bed. I did begin to feel better by Saturday morning, still not great, but better. Sunday I felt pretty good except for the fact that as I was brushing my teeth I had some blood in my mouth. Never a good sign, however, I did discover that the blood was only from brushing my teeth, thank God! How nerve wracking!

Sunday afternoon we did get to go out to dinner. I really began to feel good. Some people invited us over to their house that evening and it was a great time. It was the first time we had anything to do in months. It felt so good. Before we left, they anointed me with oil and everyone prayed for me. I know that God reached down His precious mighty hand and touched me once again.

Today I got up and asked Barry if we could have the people across the street over for a barbecue, knowing he would have to do most of the work. He was happy to do it. This is a family that reached out to me in love so much at Christmas time. They have a 9 year old and a 14 year old girl. It began about 20 days before Christmas and all of the sudden, I started getting packages each day. These young girls were my secret Santa's, but I never figured it out, nor would I have until Christmas Eve, they left my final package and a note telling me who my secret Santa was. What a surprise. It was so fun and definitely gave me something to look forward to each day. They, without a doubt, blessed my heart, soul and made my life full of anticipation. What a wonderful ministry. The other day they showed up at my door with a bouquet of red, white and blue flowers. You surely can't pay for neighbors like that!

They came over today and we all had a wonderful time. The youngest girl believes that God loves her so much that He would dare not grant her request, which is prayer for me and her grandmother, Sandy. I love it when children pray. They have nothing to pretend about, they are just so open and honest.

Anyway, I did get that nasty rash and it is nasty. My face looks like I have acne all over it, which I never had in my life. I can hardly touch my head because it hurts so much and I itch all over. At one point tonight, I thought I might just itch my skin off.

I have to go tomorrow at 2:30 to check my blood levels, so I can start this entire procedure over again on Wednesday. I believe I only have to take one of them on Wednesday, but will post more when I know more.

I did discover today that I probably shouldn't be out in the sun because it makes me "rash up" and itch so much worse. I love being outside, but I will have to abide with what my body is telling me to do.

Remember that I am still not giving up. I am still standing on God's Precious Holy Word for healing. I would be happy to have a miracle - that's a quick healing...putting everything back in place and fixing everything that is unfixed at this point.

Please pray that my blood levels will be where they need to be!

Thank you all for your concern and prayer. I love and appreciate you all!

III John 2 - Beloved I would that you would prosper and

be in health, even as your soul prospers!

Chemo

2007-05-22T08:51:00.000-05:00

I am sitting here in the Cancer Center of Oakwood Hospital beginning my first chemo treatment in this round. From what I understand (and sometimes it's hard to understand) I will be getting this treatment once every 21 days and another once every 7 days. This first treatment will take the longest about 4 -5 hours. After that it will reduce by 30 minutes each week. I believe the one treatment will be for 4 weeks and I'm not sure how long the other one will last.

The nurses told me today that this particular kind of chemo gives you a skin rash and it is not pretty. It stays in your face, arms, chest area and maybe even your stomach area. I am just believing that it doesn't happen to me. It does not happen to everyone, so I want to be one of those, of course.

Yesterday I got a call from a dear Jamaican friend that is truly a prayer warrior. Her name is Mother Beckford. Now let me tell you, if anyone can pray and if anyone hears from God, it is her. She spends much of her days on her face in prayer.

She called because she thought something might be wrong. I told her that I would begin chemo again today and she was highly disappointed. She then told me a lot of things and how it was not God's will for me to be sick because we are so involved in the Prison Ministry and the prisoners need us. She also said something that totally "clicked" in my Spirit. She said that she could not find any place in the Bible that people got sick again after being healed. Because of the shrinkage and everything else going on in my life, all of the good reports, that she believes that I had been healed. I agree. If no one else in the Bible had to be re-healed, then why should I.

Then I was talking to Barry and he was saying to God, you don't have cancer and we are made in your image, so why should Arlene have cancer. This was never God's plan for us to stay unhealthy.

I can't wait to see what God has in store for us and the ministry when this is over. We are really excited. Please pray for us as we are on this journey.

RESULTS!!!

2007-05-17T23:59:00.000-05:00

Today I got the results from my PET Scan that I had on Tuesday. It surely wasn't as good as I would have liked, however, it absolutely could have been much worse.

In July 2004 I was diagnosed with Colon Cancer. It was a shock to say the least. I had surgery in August. They restructured my colon, said it was enclosed nothing had leaked out and I should have no more trouble but the Oncologist wanted me to take Zeloda, which is an oral pill. I took that for 6 months. The doctor prescribed 6 - 500 mg. pills per day or 3,000 mgs. Lots of medicine for someone who doesn't take aspirins very often. The pills eventually began to take their toll on me. Little did I know it is one of the nastiest drugs on the market. Apparently, it is what this particular health provider offers to most everyone because of the inexpensiveness of it. Not that it's not expensive, but much less than others. When I was finished with this particular chemo, the doctor did not say anything to me about coming back or any blood tests. Now, I am old enough, I should have known something wasn't right, but the doctor had NO bedside manner and it was difficult just to go every two weeks to have to see him. Anyway, they NEVER called, sent a letter or anything else. I assumed everything was fine. Dumb! Dumb! Dumb!

It was...for a while. I began going to an Osteopathic doctor and liked him very well. I explained what I had been through with the previous doctor and he told me it would not be a problem to blood test me every time I needed it. However, he wasn't watching his front desk girls. They would not let me come in for blood tests. They said my insurance would not cover it, which was not true. I still felt fine, but something just didn't seem right, so I finally called and insisted that I get a blood test. That was a year ago. On Thursday, May 18, 2006, this doctor's office called and said my blood levels were way too high. I was upset, as you can imagine.

We decided to change insurance companies so I could be treated by someone from Oakwood Hospital. I decided on a doctor and when I got to this office, it was a female doctor who told us that she was new to the practice and that she had never seen anyone with my condition live longer that 3 years and that was only 2 patients, most live between 12 - 20 months. What an encouragement! She was very "cold" and we didn't like her at all. We were so discouraged.

In the meantime, my girlfriend's brother was diagnosed with Leukemia. He was given a doctor that gave him 2 weeks to live and while he was in the hospital, the nurses told him that he needed to change doctors and told him who to go to. One of the most respected doctors in the hospital. Ronnie started seeing him and he did a bone marrow transplant. My girlfriend was a perfect match. I called my friend after the "cold" doctor and told her what she said. She told her brother and her brother told his doctor. His doctor told him to tell me that he would see me immediately. Amazing, a doctor that is actually interested in someone. Where you aren't a number. You bet we went to see him.

We not only went to see him, we absolutely fell in love with him. He told us that he doesn't believe in giving a "time line" for people's lives. He said that is up to God. No man can say how long a person will live. What a different perspective than the other doctors had given us. So many just don't seem to care. What he found was that the colon cancer had spread to the liver and lungs. It is always called colon cancer though because that is where it started. Just a few years ago, liver cancer ALWAYS was a death sentence. No necessarily so now. Thank God for new drugs.

My new doctor gave me three different kinds of chemo in triple doses--one of which was new. It was tough! I had to be hospitalized about 5 out of the 8 times. The chemo was so strong that it would make me throw up. There was something in the chemo that I could not drink, eat or touch anything that was cold! It was the such a weird feeling. It would feel like my throat was closing up. I can remember telling Barry a few times that I would give $1,000 for a drink of cold water. I had 8 rounds of that. Each round last 72 hours. It would take about 2 weeks for me to be able to even think about cold water or touch anything cold and then boom...it was time again for the next round. Thank God that is over. I can never take that again. We believe it also did borderline nerve damage to my eyes. I had to go to an Ophthalmologist 2 weeks ago and that is what he said. There is no hard evidence that it was from the chemo, however, I lost 7 lines of vision in just a couple of months.

After the 8 rounds of chemo, the doctor put me on this anti-body called Avastan. It is a "blaster" of tumors. It targets them directly after chemo. Every time I went to him, the tumors were shrinking...until today.

Today he told us that there was a slight growth in the nodules on the lungs and there also was a slight growth of the liver. He was very disappointed. He felt that what he had done would take care of it. However, he also told us that the "cheap" medicine that I took in the beginning counteracted what he had given me. Some people it does and some it doesn't apparently.

I will begin chemo again on Tuesday at 8:00 am. The most concern with the drugs I will be taking is the blood levels drop, which means you could have to stay in isolation. The nurse told us that it doesn't affect many people at all. Please pray that it won't. It will be another new drug and I didn't get the name of it, along with something else. I try to ask as few questions as I have to so that it doesn't work on my mind.

He still feels like this will work and I told him we will continue to work on it until it's gone! I think this will be another 8 round ordeal, but I will know more on Tuesday. I will try to post Tuesday evening to let you know more.

With all of my heart, I believe that I am going through this so that I can be an encouragement to others. I don't like it, but, hey, what can I say? If I am here to help others, that's a good thing!

It is midnight now, so I need to close this and get in bed. Thank you all so much for your prayers and concern. Please pray for my husband in this too because it has to be very hard on him. He is ok but it is difficult for him. The man is supposed to be the protector and he can't do anything about this.

We are both standing strong in the Lord on this! We will continue to be in prayer and stay with a heart of thanksgiving that I am doing so well. I am not discouraged -- just anxious to see where God will take us. I still don't believe it is my time to go. I have so much work to do for Him.

God has sent several healing "words" to me and that is why I have so much confidence that his healing will be manifest in me in this life! I believe what He said! I am so thankful for the people that came forth to me and gave me the "Words" that God gave them for me! I have many healing scriptures also that I stand on each day! I have so much to be thankful for!

I am very careful to watch my words. You will never hear me say that I have cancer. I am being healed! I believe that there is power in our words. The Bible tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue. I have chosen life!

God bless!

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. He knows the plans He has for me!

PET Scan

2007-05-13T21:44:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, May 15th, I have to go for another PET Scan. This will be my fourth one. That is a whole body scan that tells if there is anymore cancer in your body. I ask for your prayers. I am claustrophobic, although you can take a nerve pill before going into this test. It's a pretty tight cylinder.

Barry & I are believing God for total and complete healing of this body.

The Word says that He knows the plans for He has for me. Plans to prosper and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11. I have been and am standing on this scripture!

Please stand on the Word of God with us. We won't find out the results for a few days but will let you know when we hear something!

Running Low on Love?

2007-05-07T01:20:00.000-05:00

For sure we are inundated with what the world calls love. Did you ever think about love? You don't have too much. It never runs dry! There is an endless supply. God has given us more than we need and more than we can ever use.

Of the many things that you have prayed for, have you ever prayed for more love? Most likely not unless you prayed to love someone more. The fact is that love is always there if we will just tap His never ending supply. My sister made me this beautiful heriloom throw and it was in a "Dear God" bag when she gave it to me. The question on the bag was...Dear God, I have given all of my love away, can I have a refill?

The more I think about it, the more I realize that it's impossible to "run low" on God's love.

I also know that we may have issues with some individuals, even possibly hate an individual, but I am here to tell you that Jesus says in Mark 12:30-31. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as theyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

I'd better get busy loving more!

Tristin - Again

2007-05-02T23:35:00.000-05:00

Our kids recently moved in with us and they brought their kids too. Can you imagine that? Well, Tristin, the 3 year old was kind of unsettled about moving. Kaitlynne, the 7 year old was already in bed with me and I told Tristin to get in bed with me too. They (or we) are blessed since Barry works midnights. Anyway, K was asleep already and Tristin was almost asleep, so being the loving Granny I am, I decided that I would rub his head and help him go off to dreamland. His eyes were nearly shut and then they would open, you know, you've seen it many times before with kids. You think you've got it made and then, all of a sudden, pop, their eyes open and you are so in trouble. Little did I know, I got "told off" by a three year old. I am rubbing his head and he's nearly down for the count and then he realized what I was doing and said, Gran, rub your own head....oh my. Outdone by a 3 year old. I'm gonna have to sharpen my skills a lot for this one!

Church

2007-04-23T00:29:00.000-05:00

Note From Arlene: Barry decided that this was an issue that should be addressed, so here is his very first blog. If he keeps this up, we will give him his own blogspot! Enjoy!

I was sitting thinking about my current church situation or lack thereof. We’ve been to a couple of different churches and were able to experience the way most churches are.

Having been in church 46 of my 50 years, I have become very accustomed to the way things are done.

In the last 2 years, my eyes have been opened to a new way of doing things. I look back on my married life and have been taught the act of morphing or a simple way of putting it is CHANGE! When I first got married Arlene was always changing the placement of the furniture. It’s a good thing that I didn’t drink because I would have been sitting on the floor more than the couch she changed it so often.

Looking back, her actions have allowed me to view change as a good thing! Sadly, the church world has not changed nearly as drastically as life, nor has it tried to keep up with changes.

While sitting at lunch, Arlene & I were talking about some of the churches we’ve tried and how none of them seem to draw me.

Easter Sunday morning I was hoping to see a church that was excited about the resurrection of Christ, but the service was very subdued thus causing me great sadness. While talking to Arlene the thought hit me; I know why so many people turn to sin. At least it entices or allures people unlike the church. Unfortunately, the church has lost its salt. It doesn’t draw people, not as God had intended. So who failed, God or the church? Beyond a doubt, it is the church. The church is content with status quo. It is not willing to stand up to the task of changing. It’s much easier to set back and dream of what used to be. Shame on us for not being willing to stand up to the task of reaching the next generation. Sometimes I see the church in the parable of a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one. The one given five talents multiplied, as did the one with two, however, the one with only one talent did not.

Where have we as a church multiplied what God has given us? Any thoughts on this?

Happy 70th Birthday Sis!

2007-04-19T02:15:00.000-05:00

Today is my only sister's 70th birthday. She does not look 70 and I can't believe she is. She doesn't seem like she is that old and can clean circles around me. She always could though. It's one of her gifts or at times we have thought maybe it was a curse. I never had that gift. She used to be so bad...when anyone came to her house to smoke, she would clean the ashtray before they were done. She's mellowed out now though and that's a good thing.

We are all taking her to dinner tomorrow night to honor her life. We will be going to Applebee's only because most other restaurants couldn't fit our small...but growing family in.

Her husband that is 81 and doesn't look or act it at all
Her twin daughters will be there
Her three granddaughters
Her one great granddaughter
Barry & Me

Amber (Our daughter) and her husband, Chad
and their two little ones - Kaitlynne has to go to her dad's this weekend.

It should be a nice time for all. Any suggestions as to what to get her? She's not one of those people that say, oh, I don't want anything. She enjoys getting. Mostly she has a heart so big and enjoys giving. This is her day though, so there will be no giving to any of us! Enjoy, my dear Sister! I love you!

Josh

2007-04-18T23:47:00.000-05:00

We got a phone call today that Josh passed away. He is now in his eternal home with his Heavenly Father! Please keep the family in prayer. Thanks!

Gatlinburg - The Smoky Mountains

2007-04-13T22:40:00.000-05:00

Yep, that's our favorite place to go. We go at least twice a year and are going in just two weeks. We can't even wait, we are just praying that the weather cooperates and will be warm.

I think I can almost hear the sound of the streams calling us...Barry...Arlene...yep! It's time to go!

Where's your favorite place to go on vacation and why???

Josh

2007-04-13T00:38:00.000-05:00

This is our friend's son in Georgia. Please keep them in prayer. He has been through way too much! There's so much power in prayer! Josh and his family are Christians but they are all tired, I am sure! My heart goes out to them.

Welcome to Joshua's Web Page

It has been provided to keep people updated about our son.

Joshua was diagnosed October 18th,2004 with osteosarcoma. He underwent a series of six chemo treatments before surgery on Jan. 13th,2005 to remove the tumor on his upper left leg. The surgery consisted of removing a few inches from the top of his leg bone, including the ball end, but not the hip socket. A metal prosthetic piece was put in place of the portion removed. After surgery, he continued with more series of chemo treatments.Joshua finished his treatments July of 05 and had cat-scans every 3 months. On his cat-scan January 13th,2006 they found 2 spots in his right lung. On January 20th, he had surgery to remove them. On his 1 month cat-scan on Feb 13th, a spot was found in his left lung and was removed on Feb 22nd.On July 27th, Josh's scan showed spots in each lung again. Josh had surgery on August 15th on his right lung to remove the spots in that lung. On Sept. 6th, Josh had surgery on the left lung to remove them spots.On Josh's scan in late November, both lungs showed spots. He had surgery on both lungs at the same time on Dec. 13th. They removed several spots from each lung.Josh had an MRI on Dec.22nd and found out that he has a mass in his left pelvis. He will try some more chemo to try and shrink it.

Journal
Monday, April 2, 2007 10:52 AM CDT
Hello everyone, I know it's been awhile since I posted. Josh has had the pain pump for awhile now, it works better. We have to increase it now and then to keep up with the pain. The Hospice nurse comes out every week, she was here today and is returning Wednesday. His breathing has changed, a little more labored, they are delivering oxygen this afternoon. I will post more later.

Thanks, Matt, Denise & Josh

Diligently

2007-04-07T16:01:00.000-05:00

I'm not very good with being diligent some days..how about you? I think if I were good at it, I would get more done and spend more time in reading the Word and prayer. At times I feel so inadequate, but then I realize that if I would spend more time doing what I am supposed to be doing that I would be adequate. We do what we can do and then God does the rest. It's up to Him as long as we are doing our part. There are so many scriptures regarding diligence that you would think I would "get it". Thank you God for your grace and mercy! Help me be more diligent in the Kingdom for you!

Diligently

1. Hard-working and careful.
Thesaurus: hard-working, industrious, steady, reliable, conscientious, painstaking, assiduous, meticulous, compunctious;
Antonym: dilatory, lazy.
2. Showing or done with care and serious effort.
Derivative: diligently - adverb

Exodus 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

Deuteronomy 4:9 Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;

Deuteronomy 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Deuteronomy6:17 Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.

Deuteronomy11:13 And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,

Deuteronomy11:22 For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;

Deuteronomy 13:14 Then shalt thou inquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, if it be truth, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought among you;

Deuteronomy 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

Job 13:17 Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears.

Psalms 119:4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

Proverbs 7:15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

Proverbs 11:27 He that diligently seeks good procures favor: but he that seeks mischief, it shall come unto him.

Zechariah 6:15 And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

He Is Not Here...He Has RISEN!

2007-04-07T14:20:00.000-05:00

Picture this and then picture yourself being there when this took place. You know you placed Him in the tomb. Surely someone has stolen Him. His grave clothes are there and the stone has been rolled away just where in the world is He? That would be so troubling!

Then the word started to get around..from a lady, of course. She saw Him...Jesus...living!

Didn't He say he would rise in only three days...but what was all of that talk about? Many people had been crucified but they never, ever rose again. How is that possible? However, didn't He always keep His word?

God is so gracious to us and sent His only son that we might have life and have that life more abundantly.

Can you imagine if Jesus had never come to forgive us of our sins. Life can be hard at times now but we have that Blessed Hope. Without Jesus, we have no hope at all!

Thank you God for the gift of your Son and for Resurrection Day! Today is a great day to reflect on what Jesus, through His Father, God, did for us!

We can now have hope, joy, peace and life everlasting! If you don't know Him you are more than welcome to ask Him into your heart. He will live there. I know...HE LIVES IN MINE!

Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen. Luke 24:5 - 6

Cracked Eggs

2007-04-07T13:08:00.000-05:00

You probably think I am going to post about Easter Eggs, right? Wrong! What I am posting about is going out to breakfast this morning and getting egg shells in my poached eggs. Egh! That is terribly gross and disgusting. I couldn't eat another bite. The waitress apologized and said that she can't eat after getting egg shells in her eggs either.

My question to you is--do you often get bad food in restaurants or is it just me?

Good? Friday

2007-04-06T11:21:00.000-05:00

When I think about what today means...it's nearly more than I can handle. I can't even imagine what it would be like to have been Jesus many years ago today! The beating, the flesh being ripped from Him. The sacrifice...oh, the sacrifice. I also can't imagine being the One that would take away the sins of the entire world from then until the end of time. It is mind boggling to me. It is beyond my comprehension.

It is also beyond my comprehension to think about the people that were there. Especially His mother. Wow, as a Mom, I can 't imagine, nor would I want to imagine, watching my child die in such a horrible fashion.

Why would anyone want to give ME eternal life? Why would He want to give YOU eternal life? What a sacrifice that was. The amazing thing to me is that His blood still flows freely to forgive us. Talk about Grace. Talk about Love. Talk about Forgiveness.

We hear all of the time that someone would give their lives for another. I would venture to say, not too many of us would if it actually came down to it.

I would say that today is a Good Friday! It is redemption, love, sacrifice, forgiveness and so much more! Have a Good Day!

It is finished! John 19:30

Prayer Requests

2007-04-05T22:07:00.000-05:00

Today I received some news about a lady I have known since she was a kid. She had an MRI and three spots showed up on her brain. They said it was nothing serious and it wasn't MS. Thank God. She has requested prayer though anyway. She doesn't have to go back for a year. Please pray for her.

I also got an email from a friend that said a person we went to church with when Amber was born fell to the floor yesterday, had a heart attack and died. His wife and family are in shock.

We were at Walmart yesterday and I said to the cashier, I like to pray for people, do you have any prayer needs. She said no, but just pray I can be an inspiration to people.

Little Tristin still sounds terrible tonight. He is coughing. I am sure that the medicine is helping him, but it just takes a little while.

Tomorrow Kaitlynne has to go with her dad until Tuesday. She told me she really wanted to stay with our family. She has gone through way too much to be just 7.

We have a friend, Mike, that is diligently looking for a job. He has sent out numerous, I mean in the hundreds of resumes. His resume reads wonderfully and still no offers. Please pray for him.

Our friend, Angela's mother in law passed away a couple of days ago. Please pray for this family.

I am having a lot of trouble out of my hands and feet currently. It is a side effect of the chemo. Last time I was on chemo it went away after a while. This time they are much more numb than before but don't hurt like they did last time.

Some of the people left yesterday, some today, some Sunday and some Monday, our former pastor is taking 4 different crews I believe about 50 people, to New Mexico/Arizona to work on the Navajo Reservation. They will be there until Saturday. Please pray for them to minister to the Indians there through the love of Jesus.

With this being Easter weekend, there will be many people in church that don't usually attend. According to statistics Easter Sunday is one of the most attended services there is. Let's all remember to pray for them that they would come to know the Lord. Pray for the Pastors that they would say what God would have them say.

Pray one for another that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent

prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16

Tristin

2007-04-04T23:16:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I took Tristin shopping with me. I was going to Penney's to take back an outfit I didn't really like that I bought for a wedding on Saturday night. I wasn't planning to take him, but he really begged to go with me. Amber had taken him to the doctor earlier and his blood count was low. I didn't know how he would be and I figured most little boys or big boys for that matter, don't like to shop. Tristin, however, I found out, loves to shop. He said Granny I yuv to shop. He doesn't say his "l's" well. He talks so cute.

He went through Penney's with me like a little trooper. He seemed to enjoy every second of it. Granny, can we go on the alligator. I said Tristin, yes we can, but it's an elevator. He said ok, can we go on the alligator now. I said el-e-va-tor. He repeated it and then the next time he mentioned it, it was back to alligator again. Why fight "city hall"? He's so much smarter than me.

I took him over to buy him a new pair of shoes, just cause I wanted to. He LOVES 'lightin a queen" from the movie Cars. I found a pair of tennis shoes that were light up "lightin a queen" and asked him if he wanted them. Granny, (kind of disgusted) those shoes are too small, they won't fit me. I proceeded to try to explain to him that they were just for display and they would have them in his size. The lady tried them on, in his size of course, and he started running up and down to get them to light up. It was so cute. We went to the register and the lady said to me, oh, you get a second pair for $1.00. Now that's a bargain I couldn't pass up, so I found a pair of blue sandals. Did I mention blue is his very favorite color? I showed them to him and the display pair was smaller than the 1st pair. Granny, again, very disgusted, they are too small. Well he got two pair of shoes and was just so happy.

Last night they had to take him to the hospital because his symptoms became worse (it was just a virus, thank God) anyway, he wanted to wear his shoes. Today they put him in a camouflage outfit and he still wanted to wear his shoes.

I feel like I am the most blessed woman in the world. Thank you Lord, Jesus!

Don't you see that children are God's best gift? The fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Psalms 127:3

The Little Children

2007-04-02T22:17:00.000-05:00

This is a picture of Kaitlynne playing dress-up!

She is 7.

She's a wonderful kid!

Such innocence!

It came up over the weekend that a mother here in our town tried to sell her daughter for sex. Not only did she try to sell her daughter for sex...she went to a hotel at the airport and took beautiful dresses for her daughter along with a bag of sex toys. Now all of that is horrible and it really does hurt me every time I see it on TV or hear about it on the radio. This little girl is 7 years old. That is just disgusting! Most of all, I think of my little granddaughter, Kaitlynne. She is 7 years old and I could not imagine anything like that happening to her. Thank God, the mother (and I use the term lightly) got caught by an undercover agent at the hotel. This woman has 4 other children that are all in the State's hands now.

They are concerned that this has happened multiple times to this little one and possibly to the others also. Can you imagine how messed up these little ones are? Please remember to pray for them.

Some of my greatest dilemmas have been times in the prisons when I have to minister to ladies that have sexually abused their children. They don't generally tell me what they have done, but sometimes they do. It is hard. Please pray that if I encounter this woman I will be able to minister the love of Jesus Christ to her like I could to any other person. That is what I am there for...to show Jesus' love.

Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not;

for of such is the Kingdom of God.
Matthew 10:14

Reminiscing With Friends

2007-04-01T23:20:00.000-05:00

Last night we went to a “church family” wedding. It is a family that I have spent much time with throughout my life. It is through them that I met the man of my prayers. It was a large wedding with most of the people from our home church in attendance. It was so wonderful to see everyone again!

It was equally wonderful to talk to so many people that had been consistently praying for me.

The guy who aggravated me and irritated me most when we were much younger (all in his good fun) came up to Barry and told him that his feet never hit the floor in the morning until he prays for me. That was so touching!

A lady came up to me that had gone through breast cancer herself said that she is awake most every night during the early hours praying for me and others. She has now started a ministry to cancer patients. How ironic, she told God when she went into nursing the only thing she didn't want to be was a nurse working with cancer patients. God surely has a sense of humor.

It was wonderful to see so many people. As the years go by and we all get older, it is amazing to both Barry and me to see the amount of people that never, ever lose contact. It’s like when you see them, you haven’t lost touch with them at all…no matter how long it may have been. You can just pick up where you left off.

It was also a pleasure to be able to see those that help “mold me” for Christ. This one particular lady is 83 years old and she is a big part of why I am saved today. When I went astray from the Lord, she never quit calling me and inviting back to church. She just kept on me. I have never forgotten that. I sent her a letter thanking her for her 80th birthday.

Some of our friends, Helen and Ernie also helped shape me and helped me become who I am today because of the Word of God they poured into my life and continue to do so even today! They minister in the prisons with us and continue to pray daily for me.

My blogging buddy Pat was there too with her husband Hal and, as always, it was wonderful to see them. When her husband came up to me, he hugged me and kissed me and told me that he loves me and is praying for me. He had tears in his eyes!

I also spent quite a bit of time with their daughter, Amy that used to baby-sit for us when our daughter was little. What a wonderful woman of God she has turned out to be!

There were many other people there that have touched my life but there are so many that I can't put them all down here.
One other lady that I will mention though is Ginny. I can't remember how old she is but she has a daughter around my age. She came in glowing to the wedding. She had just been declared in remission from Leukemia the day before. Thank the Lord! I have been praying consistently for her since I heard about her.

It was just such a wonderful night and because of all of the people that came up to me and Barry telling us they are praying, they absolutely helped energize me for this long journey that I have been on. I pray and believe that it now has become shorter!

A few weeks ago we went to our former Pastor’s church in Ohio and that too was a true blessing. He sent an email tonight that absolutely touched my heart. I thank God for all of the friends God has allowed us to minister with throughout the years! Especially this man. He taught us so much. He ministered where there was a need!

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Philippians 1:3

Thankful!

2007-03-25T23:58:00.000-05:00

Barry

First and foremost I know and love Jesus with all of my heart! More importantly, He loves ME! Wow! The King of the Universe loves me!

I'm thankful for so many things:

My wonderful husband - Pastor J was over this week to bid a job on our roof and he asked me something I don't know if I have ever been asked before...he asked me if Barry has treated me good through this whole chemo thing. I really thought he was kidding, but quickly realized he wasn't. I told him Barry had treated me great through this entire thing and his response was something like, it is good to have good marriages. I don't ever want to take that for granted again. I didn't mean to, it's just our way of life!

My daughter & son-in-law - that they love God and each other so much. It's awesome to see them together and how much love and respect they have.

My wonderful grand kids - they are truly lights in what we will call "a tough time". They are always smiling and laughing and making us laugh. It's so fun and such an honor to be able to watch them grow. You see, my prayer to God is that I will be able to dance at each of their weddings!

Our many, many friends. It is incredible how many people show that they care and love you when you are going t-h-r-o-u-g-h tough times. Thanks be to God for each of you!

My heritage. My home church, where I learned much about God and His love for me while I was growing up. Speaking of that, Barry and I often say that we don't know of another group of people from church that has kept up with each other throughout the years like this group.

My husband's job. It's not something to take for granted these days. We have wonderful insurance and that is a true blessing, especially given what I have gone through. 5 days in the hospital was $57,000 and we didn't have to pay one red cent. One of God's blessings that can't be appreciated enough.

The Prison Ministry that God has given us. We have gained so many friends from this ministry. I'm talking about the inmates and former inmates! It is awesome!

Yes, God has been good to us and kept us and loves and protects us.

Jeremiah 29:11 (TMSG)

I know the plans I have for you.

Plans to give you the future you hoped for.

That verse certainly applies to all of us!

The Homeless

2007-03-23T23:52:00.000-05:00

Last week while we were in Florida, we ran across some homeless people. They were living under a bridge with tents. We did not take these particular pictures, however, you get the idea! We both have a heart for the hurting, whether it is the homeless, the prisoners or the migrant workers. Oh yeah, we saw a field full of them too!

We have ministered to all of these types of people in our lives and miss doing that. It hurt our hearts to see people homeless and people that are migrants...the little kids and all.

Personally, I don't believe that most of us thank God enough for all that we do have. We may have it rough in one way or another, but still, we need to pray for these people.

We did a Migrant Ministry for 4 years while we were with Pastor Teague. It was one of the most life changing things that ever happened in our lives. We ministered to about 400 people every year. It became such an awesome thing to watch the little children grow up and get excited to come to this ministry. Between the Migrant Ministry and the Prison in one year we saw nearly 200 souls saved. We had a Spanish Band (Emmanuel) come in from Canada and they were able to minister both in Music and the Word. It was an awesome time in all of our lives.

Prior to that we ministered at Cass Corridor downtown to the homeless. One of the Thanksgivings we had nearly 500 people come out. I don't remember how many got saved during that year but I know it was a large number of them.

Often times as Christians, we "look down" on the type of people mentioned above, but God has told us to minister to them. If you can't go in person, could you at least pray for them? Sometimes we feel like we don't know what God wants us to do for Him, but we can always pray. Those prayers are bottled up in Heaven. What a great reward we will reap!

I'm Back!!

2007-03-22T23:15:00.000-05:00

We went to Florida for a week. It was a very different vaca for us. We generally go to Florida at least once a year and generally we stay about 10 days. This time we stayed 7 days, about 3 too many.

When we first got there, we got off of the plane in Tampa and went over to Lakeland to catch the "Boys of Summer" at their Spring Training. It was, as always, a great experience. We couldn't get any tickets for the seats, so we sat on the grass and we enjoyed it so much. We took lots and lots of pictures and they are awesome! We left there and went to St. Pete to the Pier. It was also an awesome time. We sat on the pier and watched the dolphins frolic...something neither of us had seen before. We got sunburned and even enjoyed the sunburn.

We got up the next morning and went to Sunken Gardens. It was so pretty! Color EVERYWHERE! That's what we were looking for. That took us about 2 hours. When I transfer the pictures from my laptop to this computer, I will post a picture or two. We also went to Cypress Gardens and it was just eye popping! The colors were the best there of anywhere.

Generally we get out and explore some out of the way places...just neighborhoods or anything we happen to see along the way we think might be interesting. It was way too cool this time. We wore sweatsuits much of the time. One night it got down to 39. Not good or funny when you are going there for the warmth of the sun.

The traffic in Florida is INCREDIBLE. At least where we were. We were supposed to go to our friend's condo in Stuart, but decided after being in so much traffic and it taking twice as long to get anywhere than it should have, that it would be too much on me.

We were going to go to Gatlinburg next month, but now I think we will wait until at least May so it will be warm!

Victorious Life Weekend

2007-03-11T22:36:00.000-05:00

This weekend we went to our former Pastor's church in Ohio. They had the Mime Boyz from Orlando there, as well as Bishop William Lee from Cleveland, TN. What an awesome time in the Lord we had. We have needed something like this for a long, long time. It will certainly not be our last time to go to Ohio.

While we were there some of the people from Harvest had come down and we renewed our friendships and love for each other.

God has done so much in our lives and I am truly thankful. What an exciting time! Since Pastor Teague (PT) left, we just haven't been able to find where we belong. We have been wandering around in the wilderness looking for someone that has a HUGE vision for souls for the Kingdom of God. We keep telling him that he ruined us! He is SUCH a visionary!

PT told Barry that if he would just accept the buyout from Ford, he would put him to work down there...for free, of course. Not! We would have to leave our family...those little grands are grand and I can hardly go a day without seeing them.

Don't you see that children (and I'm sure grandchildren) are God's best gift? Psalms 127:3 TMSG

Spring - It Can't Come Soon Enough!

2007-03-09T00:22:00.000-05:00

Do you see those flowers? That's how I feel, all happy and excited just thinking about Spring coming. I can't wait. I know that I'm a bit early, but, hey...it's my favorite time of the year.

Everything is fresh and new. You can plant flowers and clean up your yard in preparation for summer. It's just an exciting time.

Every year we go to Florida around this time to escape the winter blahs! This year has been harder than any other, so we are nearly ready to go.

Well, is anybody with me or am I all by myself? It's been the l-o-n-g-e-s-t winter, but fear not, Spring is just about to jump in the middle of it all!

To Everything There Is A Purpose - Ecclesiastes 3:1

Vision

2007-03-08T00:43:00.000-05:00

It's one thing to be physically blind, but quite another to have sight and not have vision for your life.

Can you imagine being in the middle of your life and not knowing where you are going, what you are doing? What God's purpose is for you?

We are generally very active in church and in the prisons. That hasn't been the case since I have been incapacitated for a while. We feel purposeless. We have to wait to get the ok to go back into the prisons and then we will sit down again and rebuild our vision. We have felt like we are perishing, doing nothing much for the Lord.

We have been praying a lot. God is so good to even allow us to pray for others. We appreciate that.

Where there is no vision, the people perish - Proverbs 29:18

Hello, God, Are You There?

2007-03-06T19:09:00.000-05:00

While going through this most horrific time of my life, there have been days that I felt as though Heaven was totally shut up! Hopefully, God doesn't feel that way about me.

I can remember one time I was laying in the hospital bed and I was sick and throwing up and I don't remember much, but I asked God...is there anyone out there praying for me? Just one of "The Saints?" Being that sick I felt that I just needed someone to be praying for me. I knew that they were, but it was a rough time.

God already answered that question in Hebrews 13:5 (TMSG) when he said "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you," we can boldy quote God is there, ready to help!

No matter what you are going through today, remember that God will never leave you or forsake you!

Have a blessed day of the Lord!

Do You Have Faith for the Crisis or Crisis Faith?

2007-03-05T23:36:00.000-05:00

Fortunately for me, I have faith for the crisis at hand. By the time you are in a crisis, if you haven't learned to walk in faith or aren't sure what you believe, it's hard to get where you need to be. It is still possible though! With God ALL things are possible!

I am definitely one that believes God says what He means and means what He says. As time goes on, I will continue to share some of the things that God has shared with me.

I still have much work to do here, my journey is not over. I have lots and lots of prisoners to touch before my time here is done.

I still have our daughter and son-in-law and grandchildren that I want to see doing something great for God. That is my desire. God says He will give us the desires of our heart.

In the Message Bible - Jeremiah 29:11 says: I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out--plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for!

Thanks to all of you that encouraged me today. I haven't figured out how to answer you yet, but I will get it!

Have a God-filled day!

Peace That Passes All Understanding!

2007-03-05T01:43:00.000-05:00

Since I am beginning my 1st blog, I am not sure how often I will blog, but here goes!

Hopefully it will be an encouragement to someone! Someone who is going through what I have been going through!

I was driving down the expressway minding my own business on Thursday in May 2006 when God interrupted my thoughts. He told me that just one drop of His precious blood would heal anyone. Just ONE! I thought, great, this is what I will speak on tonight at the ladies prison. I just hadn't gotten anything to speak on before that. I knew that I was supposed to go home and mix up some red food coloring with water and put it in a bottle with a eye dropper.

I was on my way to get my nails done. Then I realized, I better stop and get gas, cause I wouldn't want to mess my nails up after I got them done. As I was at the gas station, my cell phone rang. When it did, I couldn't tell who was calling, so I answered it. It was my doctor's office. My cancer levels were up! Not a good phone call. I wasn't worried about it though, well, maybe a little bit, but not too much. I had been trying to get this blood test for about 6 months but the doctor's office said that insurance wouldn't cover it. I finally got pretty aggressive with them and they gave me the test.

I went and got my nails done. My mind was wandering a little here and there. All of a sudden I realized that I couldn't take that "blood" into the prison. That Word was for ME!

We went to the prison that night and ministered on healing. I asked the ladies to pray for me and then I asked each of them that currently had cancer to come up for prayer or those that had previously had cancer to come up for prayer. There were probably about 10 ladies that came forward. One of the ladies had just passed from cancer, so it was hard for them.

I took in scriptures for them to read over and over and over because hearing comes by the Word. It just depends how many times we want to hear it. It depends how many times we decide to let it into our Spirit and our hearts. The more we say it, the more we believe it and faith begins to rise up!

I went to the doctor the next week and he didn't have good news. I needed to go find an Oncologist. At that point, we decided that I needed to change doctors. I needed someone that understood how important these blood tests were.

I went to a doctor that was new. Whether she was new to the practice of totally new to the profession, she did not say. We believe she was just new to the practice. She told me that the cancer had spread from my colon (which I had in 2004) and it had gone into my liver and possibly lungs. Well, that surely wasn't what I expected. She also told me that she had seen only one person live more than 3 years with what I had, but most that she knew of only lived 12 - 20 months. Great diagnosis! Not exactly what you want to hear. She was very calloused and cold. She would give me chemo and I would be without life in a short time. 12 - 20 months is a very long time if you are waiting for something exciting to happen in your life; i.e. wedding, new home being built or whatever else you are looking forward to. 12 - 20 months when it comes to your life is VERY short.

Since we had already been through Colon cancer in 2004, we knew that it wasn't a fun time we were facing. I had taken chemo pills for 6 months and then the doctor never said another word to me. I assumed (without much intelligence) that I was cancer free. He never offered to test me or anything else. I didn't know because they said that no cancer had gotten out of the enclosed colon. The chemo was just a precaution.

I was telling my girlfriend about how this lady doctor treated us when we went to her office. She called back and said that her brother's Oncologist wanted to see me right away, that day. We believe then and now, that it was a God-thing. How many doctors do you know that ask to see you, especially when they don't even know you?

I have now been through 4 months of chemotherapy and most of the cancer is gone. I am now in treatment every other Monday for this antibody to kill the rest of the small cells that are there. The tumors have reduced greatly and the doctor still expects them to completely be gone.

Will post more later!