A Year Ends and New Year Begins with Surgery.

Hi Family and Friends,

Can 2007 be almost gone? It is a time to reflect on the past months and look forward with anticipation for what God has in store for us this New Year. The real blessing I focused on this year ....... I'm free from breast cancer. I pray for the day that a cure will be found for this horrible disease....and no one will die from it!!! I know so many who are really ill right now and my heartaches for them and their family.

After much thought, I have scheduled surgery in Nashville, Tn. Jan. 22nd for a revision. It was a year ago yesterday that I had my last surgery....in a HUGE BLIZZARD IN COLORADO!! Hope we don't find any blizzards on the way to Tn.!! We have a condo rented on the 19th for a week there....so should have a few days to make it in time if it should snow!!

Michele, our daughter, surprised us with the news yesterday that she will fly from Co. to be with us for 3 days....such a blessing. I know her girls and hubby will miss her....but we sure will enjoy having her with us!!

We know that you will be whispering our name in God's ear on the 22nd....and thank you so much for taking time to lift us up to Him. Pray also for Dr. Haws as she does the work and that it will help relieve the pain. I know you all have been a circle of prayers around us!! Will update the blog after the surgery or in a few days.

Please hit reply or email my personal email, and let us know your prayer requests also....it's a real priviledge to be included in your heart needs.

We will be praying God's blessings are pouring out on you and yours this coming New Year. Also, that He will give you eyes to see, even the smallest blessing that He's sending your way!!
Claiming Psalms 121:7 for you....The Lord will keep you from all harm---He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Joyfully His,
Donna

More Surgery----Maybe??

Hi Everyone,

Aug. 30.....such a long time since I posted....so much has happened.....where do I begin?

The trips down to Denver each week were truly a blessing. The relief was great when I left the office....but it didn't last but a day or so. However....as the time progressed I realized it was helping more than I realized. I'd go to do some thing....and think...."that didn't hurt as much as it use to". It was such gradual change I had not noticed. It's been almost a month now since my last therapy and I'm really sliding backwards into more pain. When we get to Tx. my therapist in Co. has found one in Austin that does what she does....can't wait to get there!!

I saw 2 of my doctors Oct. 9th...a few days before we closed the resort. Dr. Sedlacek (oncologist) wants me to repeat the PET/CT scan in Jan. (6 months) to be sure there isn't anything going on in my lungs. So will do that in Tx. Thankfully all the blood work came back OK! (A Blessings) Dr. Baker (plastic) wants to do a revision....to repair all the damage from the physical therapy I had in Tx. last March....stretched the pockets the implants are in. I asked about going smaller and he didn't think that would make any difference in the pain! Oh my....

When we got back to Il. for our month stay, I decided to get a second opinion on more surgery.
We went down to Nashville, Tn. last week and saw Dr. Haws...(Mindy went to school with our daughter Michele and Mindy's Mom is a childhood friend of mine that lives a mile from us here in Il....Mindy also referred me to Dr. Baker in Denver.)

I'm so glad I saw Mindy.....she thinks the implants are to wide for my body. I knew they made different sizes....but didn't know different widths!! She of course can't guarantee me that is will make all the pain leave....but feels that could be the cause for the pain under my arm and down along the sides....plus will be going smaller size and sewing up the pockets!! The thought of more surgery leaves me really anxious....but can't handle the thought of life like it is now. So will be praying for wisdom between now and Jan. when we are thinking about coming back to Nashville for the surgery.

I was really touched when someone sent me an e.mail written by Tony Snow...Pres. Bush's Press Secretary about his testimony as he fights with cancer. (Hit reply and I'll send it to you.) I may see if my friend Beth can post it on my blog on the side so others can read it.

Tony says at the end: "The mere thought of death somehow makes every blessing vivid, every happiness more luminous and intense. We may not know how our contest with sickness will end, but we have felt the ineluctable touch of God".

"What is man that Thou are mindful of him? We don't know much, but we know this: No matter where we are, no matter what we do, no matter how bleak or frightening our prospects, each and every one of us who believe, each and every day, lies in the same safe and impregnable place, in the hollow of God's hand." Tony Snow

This e.mail speaks for all believers who walk the journey through cancer....IN THE HOLLOW OF GOD'S HAND!! How blessed is that?

God Bless you all,
Donna

Praise and Thanksgiving Going On Here!

Hi Special Family and Friends,

It's hard to believe it's been almost a month since I posted. I really wanted to wait.... praying to have some better news.

I have to confess I was really discouraged for almost a week after the injections in my spine....no relief at all.....until I think on the 6th day I woke up that morning and the pain in my back was gone. THANK YOU LORD....it has not returned at all!!

The 4 hr. trip (down and back) to south Denver for therapy is slowly helping....I think.
I have some days that are some better and then some days that aren't....but I'm thankful for any change for the better. I think she has magic hands....and the EASY exercises I'm doing to strengthen my shoulders is helping also.

I'm scheduled for a weekly trip until we leave here in Oct. Looking forward to less pain.....and hoping time will make it something I can handle.

I never feel I have the right words to express how much you each have meant to me an my family on this journey. I only pray that God can use me as an instrument of encouragement and comfort to others that He puts in my life that walk on similar paths of illness or struggles.

As I reflect on this past year, I can hardly believe the events that happened......yet the ONE VIVID THOUGHT that keeps returning is....our God is FAITHFUL! His mercies and grace overwhelm me. To God be the glory!!

I know that many of you reading this know exactly what I'm trying to express.....because you have experienced this in your life also. I pray that no matter what is right now... or may happen... in your life, that you too will experience His love for you and know and remember that He is indeed walking with His arm around you too. All we have to do is "ASK" Him!

Truly With God's Blessings,
Donna

"Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me." Psalm 66:16 (My hearts desire for the rest of my life...that God will give me opportunities to share Him with those I meet.)

Good News---almost!

Hi Everyone,

I just typed this whole entry and hit create.....instead of POST!! If by some small miracle you get this twice...you will know what happened.

Late yesterday after my Oncologists nurse called and said that the Dr. had seen the report of my PET/Ct. scan and was very encouraged. He said there was NO sign of cancer and we should repeat it in 6 months.

Barry, (radiation oncologist) and friend of our daughter Michele and husband Derek.....read my PET/CT report. He says that most folks from the Midwest who would have this test would see these in their lungs! I think he says it's from a mold...histoplasmaso... I think it's called. Not usually serious. So the next step was to see a Orthopedic Dr.

So at 4:50 p.m. yesterday I called an orthopedic Dr. in Longmont that Barry recommended. That Dr. was full for another month but if I could get there by 8:30 in the morning I could see another Dr. in the practice.

I saw him this morning. He took some x-rays. Said there was a little arthritis but not enough to cause this much pain. He says he sees 3 or 4 women a month that has had breast augmentation that causes so much pain between the shoulders and they have them removed! I HAD THE SAME SIZE I WAS PUT BACK IN.....sure glad I didn't go with the "Dolly Parton" size!! Oh my....don't even want to think about that!!

He gave me 4 or 5 shots of cortisone in my spine and that area and thought that might give me some relief. He told me he didn't have anything else that he could do.....except he gave me a prescription for the therapist to work on my back as well as my front side when I start Aug. 7th for weekly treatments down in Denver.
He called me about 5 this evening and said he had been thinking all day about what else might help. He suggested I check with my Oncologist about changing my Neurontin to a drug called Lyrica. I take it for the hot flashes....but also it's to help nerve ending pain. He thought that might be worth a try.

Perhaps it's time to learn to live with the pain. I know millions of people face each new day with extreme pain.

I feel so blessed the cancer has not spread... I'm going to look forward to the tomorrows that God is giving me and find hope in His mercy and grace.....praying that each day will be praise and glory to Him as each event unfolds in the days ahead.

Loving Him and each of you,
Donna

Delivery By Fed EX

Hi loved ones and friends,

The past month has been another roller coaster with pain in the middle of my back between my shoulders. To try to make a short story, my P.T. had a cancellation July 6th and then again July 13th when I called with really big pain in my back she worked me in. She sent me to her chiropractor directly from her office. Neither one relived the pain. On July 19th called my oncologist to see about changing my cancer drug (arimidex) because I have stiff joints and my right thumb and writs was really swollen and thought it might be the reason for the pain in or near my spine. He wanted to see me ASAP.

Saw him July 20th...said it wasn't the cancer drug and wanted a PET/CT to make sure the cancer wasn't elsewhere. If that scan was OK...then he would order a MRI and recommend an orthopedic doctor. He gave me more BIG pain pill which I HATE to take...but was glad to get some relief.

Had PET/CT scan Wed. July 25th and the Dr. was to call me yesterday (27th)with the report. I had asked them to send me a copy of the report. About 4 p.m. Fed-Ex arrived with the report. I read it and was concerned...OK I was more than concerned for a while. Spent the next 30 minutes on line trying to translate some of the words. Called the Dr. office at 4:45 and was told they did not get the report and the Dr. had left. The nurse said if I would fax the report to her...she would look at it and call me back. There was some findings in the lungs that they suggested another CT followup in 6 months. The nurse was reassuring that if they were concerned...they would suggest another one sooner! I have had pneumonia several times so I'm thinking it might just be 'left over' stuff from that. She said the report would be on the Dr.'s desk and they would call me Monday.

So...I'm praying she is right. I know my fears are shared by thousands of women who are walking this journey and receive even the slightest idea that it might be developing elsewhere.....but I want to say that my second thought after reading the report was thanking God that I know He holds the plan and is holding my hand. What ever lies ahead for me I know He is with me each step of the way! What an awesome God we have.

I'm always amazed how so many days my devotional seems a sweet reminder from God. Today in my devotional from "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers ....the title was "God's Purpose or Mine?

I wish I had room to write the whole thing...put here's what touched my heart: "God's purpose is to enable me to see that He can walk on the storms of my life right now. If we have a further goal in mind, we are not paying enough attention to the present time. However, if we realize that moment-by-moment obedience is the goal, then each moment as it comes is precious!"

I can't fathom what life would be with out Him to walk with me! His mercies and grace are beyond words!

Thank YOU so much for walking with us also. Your love, prayers and long time concern are immeasurable!!

Praying God's blessing are folding your life this day!

Trusting Our Faithful God,
Donna

Hoping for help in August

Hi Folks,

Never knew when I last wrote June 16th the pain that was coming ahead. Again I'm not the norm from what they told me. Should have had discomfort for 4 or 5 days after the tattooing....discomfort was not the word....hit the level 7 on the 10 scale for the next 10 days. Thankfully on the 11th day it started to lessen some. I'm running on about a 3 or 4 by end of the day.

I'm encouraged after my appointment last Thur. (June 28th) when I went down to Denver for a consultation with Julia Osborne (PT,CMLDT) who is the Clinic Director for Oncology, Women's Health. She specialized with gals with mastectomy pain and manual lymph drainage.

Her opinion is that I've never had real healing time since this began. That the whole area is inflamed...nerve endings, muscles and tissue. She says the therapy I had at the end of March in Tx. was MUCH TO AGGRESSIVE. (I had my reports faxed from Tx. to her.)
I knew it was aggressive when I had to continue BIG pain pills and ice.....and for 10 minutes each hr. I would do the exercises at home plus the 3 times a week I was at the therapist. I was willing to go through the pain....thinking that it would help in the end!

My frustration was not KNOWING what was good for my body. I've never been on this path before and if you are now.......maybe you body is different and it would work for you. I'm sure the therapist in Tx. thought they were doing what was right....I was also told she worked with gals with mastectomy pain?????

The part that I'm disappointed with now is that I can't start treatments until Aug. 7th....she is booked solid. I will then go once a week down the mountain to Denver for an hour of therapy. During the hour time we had last Thur...she spent the last 15 minutes on ONE side of GENTLE (the same pressure you would pet a cat!!) to see if I could see a difference when I got up. Maybe it was positive thinking but ...it had lessened the pain a little. She gave me 3 exercises to do twice a day ....same press sure as petting a cat....until I can see her.

So counting the days until Aug 7th and hoping there might be a cancellation before then.

That's the journey for now.....thanks so much for your continued prayers! They are precious as gold to me!!

Loving Him and YOU,
Donna

No Butterfly---But Headlights Are On Bright!!

Hello Everyone,

Today brings memories of a year ago ....I was in surgery for the double mastectomy. What a journey of praise and pain. Both continue....Praises have increased and pain is diminishing...yet not gone.

I saw Dr. Baker May 18th and he removed the stitch that had been encased and needed to come out before the tattooing could be done. He was also quite concerned about the physical therapy and too much stretching of the pockets the implants are in. I didn't know they could be stretched....they have moved slightly. So when I have more therapy for the pain... I'm to tell them to keep their hands off the implants! Don't want to lay on my back and have them fall in my arm pits....oh my!!!

I left Dr. Baker's office and went to see Dr. Sedlacek, my oncologist. He didn't have an answer for the continued pain either. I have to admit the thought has occur ed many time to take them out. I asked him if having them replaced with smaller ones would help....no he didn't think so.
He asked if the pain was less than it was 6 months ago....yes....let's give it another 6 months and revaluate then. He did give me a prescription for Neurontin which he said might help the pain caused from the cut nerve endings and also the hot flashes. Thankfully the hot flashes have lessened...not seeing difference with the pain. But just less hot flashes is a praise!! The BIG praise was the blood report I receive a week or so later....it's GREAT! That is no small blessing....I know!! The nurse that called said she was happy to call with my report. I said I'm sure you don't have this news for many....she said," You are right...many I have the Dr. call, I can't bear to tell them". Thank You LORD!!

I went down to the Skin Institute of Denver Thursday (June 14th) to put the headlights on!!! What an experience! Had a great gal, Denise, do the art work (Tee Hee)! She didn't haven any "butterflies" in her magic bag! Before surgery last year they said I probably wouldn't have much feeling in the nipple area. I think I'm pleasantly surprised I do have!! Thank goodness for lidocane and (something--forgot what else it was in it)...it was a topical anesthetic that they applied and then I went and had lunch for an hour so they would become numb. She used an instrument about the size of a large ball point pen. The end looked to be about an 1/8 of inch wide...I was shocked when she said there were a 114 needles in the end of it. She placed a ring on her left index finger that had a tiny cup that held the dye...ink...not sure what it's called. She said it would make a sound like Velcro tearing apart...she was right. Each time she punctured the skin and pulled it out....sounded just like she said. It took over 2 hrs. Another surprise...I asked if it lasted a lifetime.....no...a couple of years for some and longer for others...oh my ...for me it might be a lifetime!!! That may be more than you wanted to know..... sorry.....but I'm always amazed how this all works!

For months I've been thinking and praying for the day I would close this journal because the journey would be complete. As the months go by, I'm realizing it doesn't just one day end....
no....it won't be a lifetime report. I've found things I wanted to close with and even started a file so I could find it when I was ready to sign off.....not sure when that will be. I'll probably update every couple of months.

Until then....thank you for your love and support to me and my family these past 12 months. Your prayers and love help us realize the importance the support of others means during times of trials. Each and everyone of your are a blessings. Please continue that support to others as God puts them in your lives each day. There are so many people who need a gentle hand or word of encouragement.

Hug your loved ones often and I'll be praying God's blessing are raining down on you and your precious family!

Truly With God's Blessings,
Donna

Mother Teresa said, "Today I meet Jesus in the most distressing disguise!"

(My heart desire for each of us......"Look to see where God is working and go join Him"!) Donna

Another Delay on the Journey

Good Morning Dear Family and Friends,

Happy Mothers Day to all you mothers reading this. This day brings memories of my precious Mother who is home in heaven today. I know many of you don't have a Mom to hug today....but we can hug her in our hearts! As I received gifts and cards from our 2 daughters, I whispered a pray of thanksgiving that I'm here this year to receive them! Many who have been on this journey with me this year are no longer on earth today and being missed by many! I take my blessing of another year with much praise and thanksgiving.

We returned to the resort May 5th. I have to admit I had thoughts of dread to return to the site where I suffered so much last year.....but TYL (thank you Lord).....each day I'm praising God as I do each 'little" event and job and want to shout with joy "YEAH... I CAN DO IT TODAY!! It's truly a joy to be able to do the work and care for our guests when I couldn't last season!!! No dread here...TYL!!

May 4th was a visit to Dr. Baker, my plastic, who was very excited to see the end results of his hours of work and care. He thought my results and healing looked great! When discussing the remaining pain ...he is still baffled. His comment was, "I've never had a patient that had 1,000th the pain you have gone thru"! He will write an other prescription for therapy as soon as I can find someone in this area. I pray I can find someone who has lots of experience with breast reconstruction pain. As I watched a report last night on Fox, I was praising again the fact that I didn't get hooked on Oxycontin that they were reporting so many people have!!

We left Dr. Baker office to go the Skin Institute of Denver to get my "headlights" on!! That means tattooing the nipples! The disappointment occurred there! 1st. .they found a stitch that should have dissolved or come out and I will now see Dr. Baker to remove it May 18th. It will then have to heal before we can continue. 2nd...during the color and scratch test I didn't bleed!! Not good....you need blood flow to heal! They said I need 6 to 8 weeks to acclimate to the altitude!! Who would have thought that!! I see Dr. Sedlaeck, my oncologist, on May 18th when I go down to see Dr. Baker. In July I will have completed my 1st year of the 5 year medication treatment for my cancer drug....Arimidex. My biggest side effect is those awful hot flashes....but as someone told me.....they had never heard of anyone drying from a hot flash!! Some times I have to wonder about that!! Do you think anger could kill ya when you can't get a nights sleep!!

Well...that's the update here. It's always hard to express to you how much your love, prayers and concerns for me and my family have meant to us this past year. On the 18th of May will be the one year anniversary of the day I learned I had cancer. So much has happened since that day. As difficult as it has been, there have been so many awesome experiences I would never had know if this journey had not happened. The nearness of our loving Heavenly Father holding us... is at the top of the list along with family and friends like you that have prayed us through.

As I'm typing this I have the Gaither's tape playing and they are singing....Because He lives, all fear is gone....as fear gives way to victory... because I know he holds the future, My life if worth the living just because he lives!! I'll see the lights of glory and know He reigns!!

I have not seen the lights of glory yet...so pray He can use my life to serve others, and I can spend the rest of days of my life just giving Him the honor and glory! Our God is truly awesome!

Hug your loved ones often and watch for those "everyday" blessings He's sending your way!!

May God's blessing rain down on you and your precious families each day.

Joyfully His,
Donna

We can trust our loving Savior

To protect from life's alarms;

He's prepared a place of refuge

Safe within His mighty arms. ..Hess

Life's challenges are not designed to break us

but to bend us toward God!

I know the day will come.....

Dear Family and Friends,

I know the day will come when pain will no longer have a hold on me. Time is helping and I'm seeing things in my daily activities that I can now do and couldn't do before. Yesterday I finished my last of 8 treatments of phycial therapy. Oh how I wish I had known this sooner!! I guess I was afraid to over due or damage myself by doing to many physical things. Tomorrow will be 3 months since the last surgery. They said I should have probably started therapy at the 4 week time frame....if the Dr. approved.

It has intensified the pain.....but they were able to break loose some of the scar tissue that is causing problems. So I know that in the big picture of things.... I am making progress. They said I would need 6 weeks of therapy....only had time for 2 weeks while here in Texas....but they gave me lots of stretching excercises that will help. Praying that I might not even need more theraphy if I stay focused on the exercises!!

I'm sorry I didn't write after Lloyd's stress test to tell you that our prayers were answered for him! He's doing great!! I'm not sure the part in the last note that said they would find it full of love showed up in the test....BUT I KNOW IT'S TRUE!!

We are looking forward to having 3 weeks in Il. before we head to Colorado for the summer.
I have an appointment with Dr. Baker (plastic surgeon) May 4th and also to have the bulbs made for my headlights!! (Tattooing) Do you think I should add a butterfly too?? Just kidding!!

I continue to be overwhelmed by your prayers and concerns. My heart ached as well as yours must be, for the news Elizabeth Edwards and Tony Snow received the last few days. It is such a vivid reminder of how blessed I am. I don't know what the future might hold for me....but I do know that He knows the plan. Such sweet peace! My prayer would be that you are covered with the same peac each day of your life. Be sure to contiune to love and hug on your families. Each day is so special!!! I pray God will continue to put people in our lives that we can minister to that are hurting.


Loving Him and you,
Donna

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acnowledge him, and he will direct your path. Proverbs 3: 5-6
(A verse I learned in church when just a child. It holds more meaning each year of my life!)

Touched By the Working of the Holy Spirit

Dear Ones,

I have not posted for so long because I wanted to be able to tell you the pain was better when I next wrote to you all. Since I want this to be a true writing of my journey... I will not report anything but what is truly happening. I'm so tired of writing about pain and disappointed that it's been lasting so long for me. But I've been so blessed by the continued prayers of each of you. I know that God's carrying me through this journey and showing me how He is meeting my needs each day.

I just had to share with you the awesome working of the Holy Spirit in my life....it's so exciting to see such a visual expression of it to me.

Here's the awesome story of how the Holy Spirit is working in the lives of just one of His children....when in such need:

Last Wed.(02/07) was a more painful day than what I had been having. I was taking less of the 'big' pain pills and more Tylenold....which was part of the pain increase. I had decided Wed. night I wouldn't take a sleeping pill....just feel the need to get off them. I got up at 11:00 p.m. and spent the entire night with no sleep and huge pain....but did enjoy 2 hrs. of Beth Moore bible study from 2 a.m. - 4 a.m. I couldn't get comfortable any way I turned in the recliner trying to sleep.

Thur. morning when I went into the office, there was and e.mail from Linda Noel. Linda said she wanted to share with me her experience last night. Linda and her husband Jeff were the minister in our church in Il. and moved to Ky. 6 years ago. (Jeff married our daughter, Michele and Derek). I had not spoken directly to Linda since they had left....always e.mails with Jeff.

Anyway, Linda wrote that as she went to bed the Holy Spirit spoke to her heart that I was in need of prayer and she spent an hour interceding for me!!! It was such a hug to my heart as I read her words!!! Tears of joy poured out as I read it....and even as I type this now....to see how much God loves me....and all His children!! I know each of your prayers have been been heard and have made such a blessing to me and my family. NOW FOR GOOD NEWS!! I've been so much better since then. Pain free....not yet....but know God's working all things for my good. He will see me through.

Another special event happened Wed. that I want to share with you:

Our niece, Missy Milbourn had her first devotional posted on the "Proverb 31 Ministry"website Wednesday. God is using Missy in awesome ways.... as a wife, a Mom of 3 kids, Advertising Executive with WTHI-TV station Terre Haute, In. , our church minister of music and recording artist!!! She is so in touch with her relationship with God and working with God where ever He is working!! If you are looking for a great daily devotional, go to: www.proverbs31.org. and subscribe. To see Missy's devotional...at top of homepage on left hand side....click devotionals....click TODAYS devotional and scroll down to Feb. 7th---Duty Calls. Praying God continues to fill her heart with new devotionals and songs in the days ahead. We are so proud of her.

I had thought a month ago that I might be ending this journal with this writing...but see now the story isn't over yet. Victory will be in God's timing I know. My continued prayer request is to be drug free soon and pain a memory. Please lift Lloyd up in prayer Tues. morning. He will be having a nuclear heart stress test. It's a routine test...praying his heart is doing great....I know they will find it full of love!! :} How blessed to know the love of such and awesome husband....he such a wonderful testimony to our wedding vows..."In Sickness and In Health!!

Paying for you as you read this and asking for God's blessing in your lives!

Joyfully His,
Donna

"It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority." Acts 1:7

Pathway in pain continues.......

Hello Prayer Warriors,

We returned last night from 8 days with my twin sister Linda and her husband Wayne Ewbank in a condo "almost on the beach"(across the street) in Galveston, Tx. What a wonderful time to rest and read and have such loving care from them and Lloyd. Walks on the beach were great the seafood was awesome! I even thought I felt like a game of miniature golf and was hitting the ball 'easy' and keeping my arms close to my side......bad idea ..... later in the evening I was back at a level 9 on the pain scale of 10!! We left 75 degree temps. yesterday morning and arrived to 38 degrees in Austin!! What a change! There is to be an ice storm coming in tonight. I know from the weather channel, some of you might be getting bad weather also!!

I'm totally shocked to be in such pain yet.....17 days later....but who's counting!! When I had a chance to take a look at the incisions, the right one wasn't as big an incision as I first thought.....although both sides were probably 3 inches. I'm so thankfully for pain and sleeping pills. I know in time I will be able to scale back once again! My heart goes out to everyone who endures pain every day of their life. One of the most important lessons from this journey that I've been blessed to learn...... is understanding what others endure. Knowing God is holding me, makes it possible to face a new day.

Just wanted to drop you a note and update. We are home for 2 weeks. Praying I'll feel better by Jan. 28th when we leave on a cruise out of Galveston. I'll try to update with better news when we return from that trip.

We are so blessed by your prayers and concern. I pray we can be a prayer warrior for you.... if life should put challenges in your life....just let us know your needs!! In church today, the pastor mentioned we have 2 worlds to complete. Here on earth and eternity! Our journey here is not promised to be easy....but we are promised God will be with us if we seek Him. It's so neat to know that God's help is only a prayer away!! Not sure why he used the word "complete"....because eternity...is just that....eternity! Wow....forever praising and worshiping our awesome God!! If by some chance you don't have that assurance for eternity, please send me a note and let me share with you about the loving grace of God.

I may have used this verse before....but it hugged my heart today:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble! Psalm 46:1

Loving Him and you,
Donna