Evening Rest

Again, we cannot thank you enough for your continued prayers.  It's great to know that God is in control!  These past two weeks have been grueling and something that neither one of us can really recall taking place in the last 9 years.  But God has been delivering us through each seizure, each moment, each day.  While we are getting settled this evening, it is actually not in New York!

Thank you for your specific prayers.  Connection was finally made with the New York Physician.  News came to us very late in the day that the transfer was still not in place and that the Physician wanted to actually give us a call.  Towards the end of the day, we did finally get a chance to hear from the Physician.

He obviously agreed that Princess' case is a difficult case.  Some decent time was spent on the phone with him, and from the conversation the following was gleaned:   a) an interstate hospital transport for Princess' seizures is a very difficult process b) insurance was really having difficulty in authorizing the medical transport to another facility qualified at the same level of care c) due to the time it would take for travel from Texas and New York, the opportunity to secure a bed is very difficult d) while our desire is to get good look from the folks in New York, he suggested that truly the most expedient approach will most likely need to occur on an outpatient basis.  This would make for an easier opportunity to get in.

Therefore, the transfer will not be taking place.

Certainly, this was, and is, a tough pill to swallow.  While initially so much was put into getting us there and many phone calls and emails and support was voiced to New York on our behalf, we do greatly appreciate the opportunity that we had to visit with the Physician personally.(An ANSWERED PRAYER)   Therefore, we are approaching the present opportunity from a different angle and perspective and are now awaiting to hear from the scheduler regarding timing of the outpatient visit.  Due to the conversation and despite still having an average of 15 seizures per day, a discharge was put in place to allow for Princess and I to regroup and give Princess some respite.  This also meant we got to have a well-deserved welcome home from our sweet Critter.

So, though Princess is still having seizure,s and these are still very concerning, we do feel that God did answer everyone's prayers and did close a door on some very specific prayer requests.  But additionally, He is still guiding us and is giving a different approach based on His timing and not our own! TRUST IN THE LORD!  We do!

Additionally, we will also be in contact with our Epileptologist in Houston to give him the latest as he has continued to be supportive through this journey in the last two weeks.

Please continue to life Princess up.  We are obviously still very concerned at the moment with how many seizures she is continuing to have.  But, at the end of today, we do feel that God did answer our prayers and saying, "Allow me to do My work." Please also pray for me as the discharge also means that I need to be ever more watchful of Princess during this time and help to support her while not under a medical supervision.

More to come in the coming days.

Update and Focused Prayer

As the day continues, here is what we know:

• Waiting now on Doctor in New York to "officially" accept the Admission.  He is supposed to be calling us regarding the transfer.  Please pray for our words and conversation with him.  
• We did get a report that the original medical transport company was not In Network with our Insurance, thus it was going to cost additional money out of pocket for us.  The Care Coordinators in Texas are now making arrangements through another medical transport company that is In Network.  Pray for this process!  

Thank y'all so much!

Prayer Request...Sure doesn't look like NY

Good Morning,

Thank you to many who have responded with your encouragement and continue to want more specific ways to pray.

Matthew 6:33-  "Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness.."

• Pray that Insurance would be able to rapidly approve the Medical Transport
• Pray that the New York Physician would be able to connect with the Texas Physician (they played phone tag yesterday).
• Peace for us.  As I mentioned yesterday, it is so hard to sit idle and Princess still experience seizures and not make any progress.  

I will look forward to posting more later!  Thank you!

New York Bound....

Praise the Lord!

We received correspondence this morning that plans would not materialize to get us to New York.  The physician in New York needs to have one more conversation with our Attending Physician here (Texas) and then the admissions process should proceed.  Thank you for your continued prayers!

Prayer Requests:

• New York and Texas Physicians can communicate quickly
• Insurance will rapidly expedite the approval for the medical transport that is in place
• Safety for the flight crew
• timing...God's not man's
• Healing for Princess

Obviously, when we desire something- no matter the need, the want, or desire- we often times are trying to achieve or acquire that something on our own timeline.  I was really convicted last night in reflecting upon the hustle and bustle of yesterday that I was not waiting patiently on God.  My prayer yesterday was "God, your timing, your direction...." and what did I do? Well, I didn't exactly wait patiently.  I fretted, I hurried, I was really frantic.  I tried to make things happen on my own, and was probably even annoying to all who have been involved.  And finally, when the afternoon came and the sun had gone down, there was no more that I could do, God tapped me on the shoulder as if a Father to say to His child, "Now, let me do what I told you I can do..."  

Ouch!  I am thankful for God's word that says "I have good plans for you....nothing to hurt you, but plans for a hope and a future."  I am thankful for the reminder of Philippians 4:6-7 that says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request before God.  And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your HEARTS and you MIND in Christ Jesus."  

Oh, how foolish of me.  Was I anxious?  Sure!  Was it legitimate for me to be so concerned?  Yes, absolutely!  Well then, do I trust God?  yes.  Do I trust God? Yes.  Do I trust God?  YES!!!  So then, was I seeking Him first, and His righteousness?  

Finally, as many of you probably have experienced a time or two, I think one of the reasons God gives us children is so that we can be reminded about what it means to have a child-like faith.  Critter is incredible at giving us those "Jesus in tennis shoes" examples and fleshing out our faith.  Since early on, Proverbs 3:5-6 has been a part of her life, much like it has been for our marriage, my parents, and even my grandparents.  It has been a legacy, a spiritual inheritance that has been passed down from generation to generation.  This morning as I had the opportunity to say "good morning" to Critter, I shared with her my confession to God this morning of not waiting, not trusting.  But more importantly, I took her back to Proverbs 3:5, "Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart..."  and then I reminded her of Philippians 4:6-7 to which she said, "Daddy, I was thinking and singing that verse yesterday, too."  Oh what a great reminder!  Thank you, God!

I will keep you posted as the day progresses and will look forward to sharing more about all the God is orchestrating.  Thanks for your prayers!  

URGENT PRAY

Good Morning,

Please pray for our pending transport.  Things have stalled and it is growing increasingly frustrating as we continue to sit stuck in the hospital.

• Pray for a bed to open in New York.
• Communication with the specialists that would be able to address our needs with a sense of urgency.  
• Hospitals, Insurance, Transportation to all be in good communication with one another.
• Princess' healing-  since entering into the hospital last week, she is at 160 seizures.  Compared to last year, we experienced just over 500 for the entire year.  

Thank you for your continued support!  

Weekend

It has been a long weekend, well, really just one day so far.  Waiting is definitely tough, but we are hopeful for the future ahead.  Saturday was by far one of Princess' most grueling days thus far.  In fact, not since the beginning of her terrible illness did we see as many seizures as we experienced yesterday.  28....yes, 28 seizures in one day.  Please know that the counting did not actually begin until closer to mid day when she actually awoke.  At one point in the day we were experiencing a seizure every 18 minutes.  GASP!!!!  And yet, God is protecting Princess with each one and she come fighting back from each with an exhausted smile.

We were blessed with a visit from Critter and the Queen Mother yesterday and it gave Princess some time to get out of her hospital room.  Additionally, we were blessed way beyond to have a colleague from work come along with their spouse and it was just a good time to connect and then pray together!  We are truly blessed with an incredible family!  Thank you!

So, today it's Sunday, Mother's Day!  Please check in with your Mom if you haven't already.  Please leave an encouraging note here, if you please.  We are already halfway through this day, and hopefully much closer to begin receiving the care and treatment that Princess needs.  FYI, she is still resting, hopefully keeping these awful seizures at bay.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support!

A Worthy Woman

From Proverbs 31:28 -"Her children rise up and bless her;
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
29 “Many daughters have done nobly,
But you excel them all.”

It is certainly not the way that Princess imagined Motherhood.  It's not that magical dream that a young girl once had.  And despite the many setbacks, seizures, and pressures of inadequate feelings, God has a bigger plan!  And guess what?  He is working out His perfect plan through an incredible Mommy that I also get to call my wife for life!  

I am amazed and blown away by how someone can endure physically so much daily and yet still make sure that her daughter, Critter, is taken care of.  That a meal will always be ready and available, that clothes will always be clean and picked out for the next day.  Even from a hospital bed, she is able to issue out an action plan like a General orchestrating the most magnificent battle plan.  What a Mother!  

"Her children rise up and bless her..."  How precious of a sight to see Critter run in full sprint to see her Mommy yesterday. Her sweet little voice exclaiming "Mommy, Mommy" with each leap and bound.  For Princess to receive the hug of a lifetime from her precious lil' girl.  How truly blessed Princess is to have the admiration of her young one's heart!  Truly, I do have an amazing wife!  

But, what makes Princess a worthy woman?  Her listening ear to Jesus Christ!  Praise Him for the mark on her life and the the calling for her to flesh out her faith through her adversity!  I pray that she will continue to receive strength daily from him and this current journey will be over soon.  

Additionally, happy mother's day to both my mom and of course the mother-in-law (aka the Queen Mother).  With to be we offer our praise for having an impact that has that planted the seeds of faith early and set the framework in place to build on an everlasting foundation of Christ.  Thank you, to you both, for loving and standing by us throughout our entire lives and still standing strong behind us.  Truly, we both rise up and bless you, too.  

Saturday Update

Thank you for your continued prayers and support!  Many of you have been a great encouragement to Princess through your continued messages!  What a blessing to have so much support!

Well, it is Saturday and we are still in the hospital, locally (27 seizures today).  The transport to New York was not able to take place in time on Thursday. So, while frustrating to not feel like progress is taking place, we rest in God's perfect plan and timing and will continue to lean on Him for peace.  The earliest that a transport will take place will be on Monday; however, this is dependent upon a bed being available in New York's Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU).  Please pray for our time here, but as well for everything to fall into place as God needs it to.

New York City...

Update:  Princess is still having seizures!  we did have 15 total yesterday and are currently at 6 for the day.  Plans are in place for us to begin getting care and treatment in New York.  So, we'll have more to report very soon.

Immediate prayer requests:

1. Coordination of Travel-  we will be going Air Ambulance, but it is just a matter of time.  The receiving hospital does not do transfers on Fridays, so that is creating a burden. 
2. Bed-  Currently, an actual bed is not available, and it might be Monday that everything would take place.  Pray for our peace as God's plan unfolds.  It is incredibly worrisome to continue to have these seizures, be in a spot of feeling stuck and not having the root issue addressed.  
3. Prayer for the Physicians and Staff in New York that will be overseeing Princess' care.  Pray that we will be able to have our history heard as her case is very complex and is not just a quick fix.  
4. God to be be Glorified!  In our trial, we want to honor and give glory to God!  

And finally, "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 [a]fixing our eyes on Jesus, the [b]author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary [c]and lose heart."

Hebrews 12:1-3

Epilepsy Update

As always, THANKS!  Many of you have sent us messages and have offered up your support, and again, it has been a blessing.  Thanks to all of you who are praying for Princess' healing and for our direction of care.

Since Thursday of last week, we have been through two ER trips and then Saturday more or less began our most recent hospitalization.  Princess is currently averaging a little more than 11 seizures a day, but that number has been increasing each day.  Yesterday alone, she had 17 seizures.  What is absolutely mind blowing is that she is currently on her same AED's (Seizure meds), was averaging 1.2 seizures per day, and in just the last 5 days has had more seizures than the first four months of 2015 (FYI- what might be a trigger was a hormone treatment that was started, and quickly dropped/discontinued over a week ago that was an attempt to reduce the seizures even more).

While we did finally get to "meet" (meet it was) an Epileptologist yesterday, it was quickly apparent that the physician was not interested in Princess' overall care, but rather, find a quick opportunity to address our concern and then leave.  It is and was an unfortunate encounter, but yet added conviction that where we are currently located, is not the place for Princess to have the comprehensive approach that her particular illness deserves.  Keep in mind, we have been through three neurology programs in Dallas, one Neurology program and surgery in Houston, consulted with the Cleveland Clinic and Johns Hopkins, worked with Jefferson University in Philadelphia, and of course multiple trips and hospitalizations at the world renowned Mayo Clinic.  While the journey has uncovered a lot, it has also left many experts confused and bewildered as to why Princess' situation cannot be resolved.

For us, it has been a 9 year journey.  There have certainly been trials along they way, God has faithfully seen us through them all.  While multiple doctors have awed in the fact that Princess is not in a vegetative state or even worse, we give Jesus Christ, our personal Lord and Savior all the credit for performing over 8,000 miracles (documented seizures) and having Princess still here being an incredible Wife for Life, Mommy for Critter, Daughter to the Queen Mother, Faithful Friend and Supporter to those she can serve.  My heart is heavy for our current trial, and yet, I sit here resolved to get Princess a solution, especially for this current chapter that has us hospitalized.

Personally, thank you to the World's best Mother in Law.  Who through her own trial is taking care of our lil' Critter and trying to maintain some sense of normalcy for our gift from the Lord.  As many of you don't want for your little ones to ever have to experience at a tender young age, Critter has been protected by God.  I am blown away by His provision for her life and emotional protection, but more importantly His spiritual provision.  Critter is faithful, already, "trusting in the Lord with all her heart and is not leaning on her own understanding, but acknowledging Him" (Proverbs 3:5 paraphrase) and is confident Mommy is going to be better and come back home soon.

And again, thank you to my family for your continued prayer and support!  All of us are at a loss for words and even shocked, but your continued faith in Jesus Christ alone is continuing to strengthen our hope and calling knowing that you are praying us UP!  Nana and Grandpa- Thank you for Proverbs 3:5-6.  You're leaving an inheritance for your children's children (Proverbs 13:22).  Princess and I count it ALL joy to continue the inheritance and carry on the Foundation that you have built.

I also want to thank my coworkers who have been praying and for really 8 years have walked along side of us supporting us in various ways that helped me in providing for my family and allowing me the opportunity to be by my girl, my bride, my wife for life's side.  THANK YOU!!!

Lastly, to many of my personal clients and friends.  You not only allow me to take care of you and your family, but you have come alongside of my family in support and prayer!

So where do we go now?  We truly have been blessed this week to be connected to a young Internal Med physician that has taken the time to sit down, listen, and provide a thoughtful response.  His thought process has allowed him to take a step back, and evaluate Princess' situation, and try to get a handle of thing from a different approach.  It is this intentional approach that has allowed us to be where we are today and Princess with the capability and opportunities that she can richly enjoy even with 1.2 seizures per day.  That said, a suspicion that he had will most likely be proven false with results today.  And while, it is discouraging, it does eliminate one more thing, and points us to needing to find care elsewhere.  Please continue to be in prayer for our direction as we are looking at all opportunities.  While doors are open to previously tried institutions and hospitals, we are also looking elsewhere.  Please pray for God's continued provision- Spiritual, Emotional, Physical, and Financial.  Please pray for our thought process and Critter's protection.

Thank you for taking the time from your day to read, pray, and encourage, and not just us, but One Another.  May you today Seek God's Kingdom first, and His righteousness.  Then go and serve one another.

I will post more when we have an update!

In All things, Christ Jesus,
B

Troubles

It has probably been too long since we have posted.  Truth is, we have been very busy like everyone else, and there has really not been too much to communicate regarding Princess' seizures.  That's been a huge PRAISE!!!  We ended the year on a fairly good note with Princess trending downward close to an average of approximately 1-2 seizures per day.  This year nearly started as well, with the last week of February presenting an exception & quite a challenge, with a significant increase.  For the most part March, calmed as we rolled past our 9 year anniversary of Princess' illness.  9 YEARS!!!

However, in the past two weeks, all that has changed in just the last 10 days as Princess has had over 60 seizures!!!  Just in the last 3 days, she has had over 30. In three days we have also made three separate trips to the ER with the third taking place today after Princess had 7 seizures in a 2.5 hr time span.  Unfortunately,  as most of you know, Princess' case is very complex and we are truly at a point where facilities in our area do not have any answers nor know exactly what to do.  Today has been incredibly frustrating as we rushed to the ER after 7 seizures, had 4 more in the ER, but have not received any treatment.  Sadly, we are even still awaiting to be connected with a doctor that would oversee Princess' care, though we have been moved into the Hospital from the ER.

Please pray for our direction.  We are truly at a place where we need to be nearer to an epilepsy center where Princess can receive the best possible care for her illness.  Please pray that we and the doctors and nurses involved can have effective communication and that most of all, Princess will be healed from this awful illness.

Thank you!

Good things come to those who...

...break their toes!!

What?  Yes, you read that correctly.

In 2002, after returning from Christmas Break, I broke my toe going up the stairs of my house in college.  Yes, up the stairs!!  What a klutz!!  Anyway, because I had to keep it elevated for so long, I didn't get out of the house much.

Prior to the Christmas Break, I ran in to B at an Aggie Volleyball game.  He asked if I would pray for his family because his Dad was probably going to be losing his job with a small company, you might have heard of them, Enron!!!  Granny was in a terrible car accident over the break.  This offered me the opportunity to sit by her hospital bed each day and pray over her, sing to her, and pray for B's family, as well! 

When I returned to Aggieland for the Spring Semester, I wanted to know about B's family.  How was his dad?  What had happened?  However, Momma raised me that "girls don't call boys."  So, I waited, but it was driving me crazy.  All of a sudden, I cared more about this guy that was just a friend and wanted to know about his family.

Then, my phone rang!  No, it wasn't B, it was a friend, Mark, that had been in the Corps.  He was a Christian musician and was going to be performing on the quad (where the Corps lives).  The Corps Chaplains were having a "back to the quad bbq" for the freshman!  They had the head baseball coach coming to share his testimony and Mark was going to be leading worship.  Mark knew that I wasn't able to get out much & so he was inviting me to come to the quad.  So, I made a deal with God ; ) that if I didn't see B when I went to the quad, I was going to call him when I got back to the house.  Is it a good idea to make deals with God?  Not so much, HE's GOD, HE can handle it without our ideas as to how we think life should play out!!!!

So, I get to the quad, get out of the car, & the first person that I saw was B!!  Wow!  When did he get so good lookin'?!  I can still see him standing there!  Whoa!  I stood with him for most of the event & he walked me to my car when it was over.  A few days later, he called and asked me to Military Ball!!  I reminded him that I had a broken toe & that would make it quite difficult to dance.  He told me not to worry that he didn't need to dance.  Well, after speaking with many of our friends, I learned that B knows how to "cut a rug!"  So, I began drinking all the milk I could find and taking calcium supplements hoping that my toe would heal miraculously overnight.

The night of military ball arrived and I put on my heels (ouch!!) and danced the night away...the rest is history!!  A broken toe brought about a solid marriage!!!

So, why all the details??  We are praying for good things to come of my newly broken toe-the same one that I broke prior to military ball!!

I didn't get to ride with B to get P from school yesterday.  So, I wanted to surprise P with big hugs when she got home.  Usually, she tries to sneak in and surprise me.  I was hoping I could do the surprising this time.  As I heard them come in the door, I wanted to get to the back door in time for a big hug to be waiting for her.  However, I realized I wouldn't make it.  So, I tried to rush and hide in the Living Room behind the couch.  My sweet girl saw me and came running.  So, I tried to "slide" in for a big hug and felt an awful snap!!! 

Once I got hugs from my sweet girl, I told B that I had a broken toe and we needed to get to the doc quickly.  He was amazing!!!  He got the doc's office on the phone, loaded each of us back in his truck, and we went to the doc's office.  I called Mom to see if she could meet us because B had an appt in about twenty minutes that had already been rescheduled once by the client.  So, I didn't want him to miss this one.  Turns out Mom was with clients, but she still came to make sure that P was safe, if I had a seizure.  So, once they did the X-ray, B rushed to his appt. and Mom took over.  The client never arrived and about thirty minutes after their appt. time, let him know they wouldn't be making it.  So, he rushed back up to the doc's office to relieve Mom and get me.

This is what the doc found:

Yep, that's a break!  Same toe!  So, now I only have to worry about choosing one shoe each day since I have an enormous boot to wear!

P has been so precious in wanting to take care of Mommy!  It's touched my heart so much to see her love, as well!

Since a break was the start of a lasting foundation in our marriage!  Since Christ was broken to offer us an eternal foundation in HIM....we are praying that good things will come from this break, as well!

New baby & New snow!!

Some of our dear friends & neighbors had a new baby calf, Buttercup!  Miss P really wanted to meet the new little guy and so they let her come over and talk to him!!!

 With his Momma!

 Momma still had her eye on us, but he decided to just lay down and rest!!

 One of the other family members!!!  We liked the little heart shaped marking on her head!!!

Miss P had so much fun getting to see the new baby!  P & Daddy both made their own efforts at "calling" the cows!  I wish I had videotaped the fun!!!

We had some snowy/icy weather last week and they warned that we might have more tonight/tomorrow!

This is what we are seeing this evening!!!!

 

 Look at those snowflakes!!!

 The snowflakes are huge!!  Everything is covered!!

Wow!  It's a beautiful winter wonderland....in March!!!

First Car

B showed me these pics that he took a few weeks ago.  Break my heart, melt my heart, bless her heart!!! 

Miss P got a "new car" for her birthday from MiMi & Pa!!  So, Daddy took pics of her posing with the new automobile! 

It's scary watching her drive through the yard as the girl got her Gamma's ability to drive fast (once an Indy driver)!  Praise the Lord we have many years to prepare for her to actually be driving.

Thank you!!

If you look out our kitchen window, you can see a bird feeder that B has hanging on the tree.  Each day this week, as I have walked in to the kitchen, a Red Cardinal has landed on a sparse limb, with no leaves.  He has then worked his way over to the bird feeder and partaken of the food.  It reminded me of this promise in the Bible:

Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

-Matthew 6:26-34

I shared with B and Mom that watching the bird was a reminder to me that God can provide through man, as well!  I hear this verse and imagine the bird on the edge of the field searching for food and God happened to provide a bit on the edges of the land or it fell from the sky.  So often, when I pray for healing and our monthly provision, it's like I'm trying so hard to walk in faith, that I believe the only way it's answered is if there is an incredibly miraculous moment of healing that is so obvious or manna will just fall from the sky.  

However, I shared with Mom & B that I felt the Lord was saying, "I can provide through man, too!"  Just as B took the time to put food in the bird feeder and then the bird came, the same can occur for us.  Man can provide and be a vessel for the Lord's plan!

Well, tonight that occurred.  The Lord provided through man.  Just as the cardinal will probably never see B "filling his plate," we have no idea who sacrificed to fill ours.  So, whoever you are, Thank you!!!!  Thank you for listening to the Lord as you are such instruments and vessels for the Lord!  The funny thing is that yesterday, when the cardinal landed, he ate from the other side of the feeder.  Thus, I couldn't see him very well.  I spoke to the Lord about not always seeing HIS plan or being able to see where our next "bite" would come from...

So, though we can't see you, Thank You!  We praise the Lord for you.  Thank you for being such an incredible vessel for the Lord's teaching and provision! 

The Eighth

Yes, today is the eighth of December. 

However, it is also the eighth year of celebrating the Lord healing B from cancer!!!!

He was diagnosed September 11, 2006 and declared Cancer Free December 8th 2006!!!! 
Praise the Lord!!

 Here is the post from that day!

It was amazing to walk by this man's side as he journeyed through what most consider to be such a frightening road.  However, he never saw the word 'cancer,' he saw the word 'Christ!'  To each and every chemo appt., he wore his shirt that says, "Not I, but Christ!"

I pray for many more years of learning from B how to love others and live for Christ!  What an amazing example B is of what God commands of us in marriage!!  I love how the Lord shares HIS intentions for us in marriage in Ephesians 5!!!

²² Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. ²⁴ Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, ²⁶ that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷ that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. ²⁸ So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. ³⁰ For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. ³¹ “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” ³² This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. ³³ Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

To my amazing husband:

I feel so blessed to get to call you my husband and truly experience the gift that you are to me, each and every day, from the Lord!!  I praise the Lord that HE has allowed me to be with you for 12+ years.  However, I have truly learned to treasure you these last EIGHT years!!!  May you always know my love for you is unending and that you are My Man, My Prince, My Cancer Survivor!!!

To my Savior and Lord:

Thank you, God, for healing B's cancer so that I can continue to physically love on this man that you have placed in my life to love and submit to until death do us part!  Thank you that death has not parted us!!!  Christ, thank you for paying the ultimate price and being a sacrifice for all of our sins!  May we daily live for YOUR glory!!!  Thank you for also providing a new life, Miss P!!!!

She has such an amazing Daddy!!!

Family!!!

To each of you that is still reading:

Thank you for celebrating this eighth year with us and loving us through the many roads the Lord has chosen for us!!!!

Thanks!!!

...Be at peace among yourselves.
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.  See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
Rejoice always,  pray without ceasing,  in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:13-22

Hello Kitty!!!!

Be prepared that a video will probably start playing, you can listen to it while you read or pause and listen when it's over!!

Once again, there's never really a boring moment in this house (or out of it)!!

We noticed last week that Hank wasn't eating like he usually does (finishes his entire bowl by 9a), but didn't concern ourselves too much.  However, that continued.  So, B put some coconut oil on his food and he ate that day, very quickly!  So, we were thrilled!  The next day, we repeated the coconut oil and he ate most of his food.  However, Sunday night he started to dry heave!  Then, Monday morning, he started to vomit and that continued all day.  He has been known to eat Miss P's socks since she was born.  Thus, we are used to this routine on occasion.  However, as the evening progressed, we knew this was different.

Our sweet little man!!

As soon as B awoke Tuesday morning, he called our vet and they got him in immediately.  He had lost almost five pounds.  They did an x-ray and blood work.  They couldn't see much on the x-ray and the blood work indicated Pancreatitis.  Our vet warned us that Pancreatitis is usually fatal.  He wanted us to get to an emergency clinic immediately.  So, B drove us to the specialty clinic.  B had a work appointment and so Mom met me at the clinic so that B could leave.

The doc told us that most of his labs could be attributed to his seizure medication.  So, she wasn't as concerned about the labs/pancreatitis, but she wanted to do an ultrasound to see if there was a blockage that the x-ray missed.  She told us it would take at least an hour and would cost more than we spend monthly on all of our utilities.  She said there wasn't reason for us to wait and she would call once they were finished.  So, Mom ran me to a nearby grocery store to try to complete my grocery trip for the week.  As we were checking out, we received a call that Hank was ready and our suspicion was proven that he clearly had something obstructing his stomach!!

So, we got back to the hospital quickly.  At this, she came in and gave us our options.  We could do incredibly invasive surgery and they could cut his abdomen open and then start digging through his stomach to make sure they could find any and everything.  Or, we could attempt endoscopy.  They would need to anesthetize him and send a camera down his throat, into his stomach, and see what they could find.  Then, they would go in with another tool and try to pull it out.  This was much less invasive and had a much quicker recovery.  He could even come home the same day.

When we found out how much this would cost (all of our household bills for a month), it made the decision so difficult.  This is our little man.  We've had him since our first year of marriage!!  He has become P's protector and tried to sleep outside of her bedroom door as often as we will allow.  He seems to know when I'm going to have a seizure.  He is just such a precious gift to our family from the Lord!!

B was finishing his appointment and so I called him and cried for a while as I tried to make this decision for our family and our sweet little fur ball.

We love this little guy so much and can't imagine not having him with us.  So, after conversations with our vet, B, Mom, the doc, and then, most importantly, the Lord (I know I had it out of order); we moved forward with the endoscopy.  At this point it is late in the afternoon and my heart is broken that he is going to have to go through this surgery.  I continue stalling, just hoping that he'll throw it up as he had typically done.

Then, we called in the Chief of Staff at the clinic and got his opinion and had a nice discussion with him.  If you can believe it, all of this delay was helpful.  My delay in deciding what to do, gave the outside radiologists a chance to finish reading Hank's films.  When the radiology techs were taking some more x-rays, they happened to get some of Hank's chest, not just his abdomen.  Due to this, the radiologist happened to notice a tumor/growth in Hank's lung, that even the doc had missed.

It could be cancer.  It could be benign.  It could be brand new.  It could be ten years old.  They have no idea and it would require very frightening surgery for them to just be able to do a Fine Needle Aspiration.  So, back to prayer.  We are just supposed to pay close attention to noticeable changes.

They sent us home at this point saying he wouldn't be ready until close to 9p.  We got back in time to meet P at school!  She was immediately asking for him.  Rudder was singing at the top of his lungs (aka: weeping and gnashing of teeth) when we returned home and P noticed it was different without Hank at home.  All of these events confirmed that we made the right decision.

So, I began to prep everything for our Bible Study/small group that would be joining us for the evening.  Within a few minutes of returning home, the phone chimed with a call from the doc.  The surgery went very well and he handled it much better than she expected AND they found the problem!!!! 


HELLO KITTY!!!!

Yes, Hank ate another one of Pierson's socks.  However, this one was lodged much deeper in his stomach than the others (this is why they believe he wasn't able to get it out on his own).

 I thought I got a good deal on these socks since they were in the dollar section at Target!!!

BEFORE!!

AFTER!!!

Thus, the most expensive sock purchase we've ever made!!!!  As B put it, it was starting to compete with the price for his senior boots!!!

Then, as the doc went further, she found that one of P's dolls was missing an important undergarment!!!

How in the world he ate all of that, whole?  How he survived?  It is all amazing!!  Thank you, Lord!!!

The doc said she would call after he was up and walking around and then she like to give them another hour or so.  However, she called back soon after and said he was improving much faster than expected and we could come get our little man!!!

We were so blessed through the whole process.  It was a blessing that Mom was able to be there to step in while B had his appts.  Then, it was a blessing that Hank survived.  Then, it was a blessing that we each celebrated a birthday and had a little bit of cash from family and precious friends that we were able to use to help with the cost of his surgery.  We still have some saving to do in order to pay it off completely.  However, P's reaction and Rudder's reaction when Hank returned home was priceless!!!!



"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Roman 8:28

July 5th-The Shore

Miss P, the photographer!

She wanted Mommy to be a ballerina!

Mimi and Pa always talk about the shore.  So, we got to go today...It's not Galveston or Galveston isn't the Shore!  This was a beautiful beach!!  Mimi & Pa really enjoy going and so they took us to experience it, as well!

Playing in the sand!!!

Best lookin' man I've ever met!!!

As much as she loves to swim, she wasn't so sure about getting that close to the water!!!

She finally went out to the water!!!

So much fun with Daddy!!

Now, we are getting sleepy!!!

Sand animals!

Learning to play frisbee!

WHOOP!!!

Aggie Bonfire in NJ!!

Miss P got to help build bonfire!

Aren't they a pair?

Three generations!

My tough man!!!

I'm so in love with this man!!!