Faith Stretching

Hebrews 11:1 

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” 

King James Version (KJV)

 

Getting to stretch our faith a bit more than before.  Good news-scans are probably good.  PET scan shows some something, that is likely due to radiation.  So Dr. Paul, the oncologist says that he's pleased with the overall scan. However, it may well be there next scan (in 3 months) as well, at which point they compare old scans to newer scans each time to look for new things.  I suppose this is normal for the course, but once again, being a medical newbie, I didn't know to expect this, so it was a bit troubling for a couple days. 

Bone scan shows nothing at all, that's GREAT news. 

Today our family saw "The Case for Christ", an agnostic journalist's quest to disprove his wife's newfound faith in Christ.  In the movie, she tells him the above listed scripture.  It's been with me all day as I've been thinking about this faith journey I'm on in life, not just during cancer.  I have a feeling it always will be.  Because of whom I place my faith in, a God who has never left me or forsaken me, I can be okay with this.  #thankfulagainandagain

Time to look inside again

Haven't said much lately, not much to say.  Life's a whirlwind of many great things, some hard things and LOTSA kid things.  Life is full and I am grateful for all of it, well, most of it anyway.  But we must take a pause over this next week and look inside to make sure all is well.  Because of the medication I receive through my port every 3 weeks, I'm believing I'm staying cancer-free, but I suppose it's important to look to be sure.

Tues 4/11- PET scan, results likely before end of the week.

Tues 4/18- Bone Density Scan, Echocardiogram to make sure my heart remains healthy, also should have results by week's end next week if times past are good indicators.

Today a friend and I were talking at church, he and his family have a big decision to make so we were talking about how big fear can feel.  Like on your eyeglasses, a fly can seem HUGE!  But a house in the distance can look like a spec, until you walk closer and closer to it.  Then it gets bigger than that little 'ole fly.  We talked about how we have to CHOOSE to walk nearer to our faith and CHOOSE to minimize our fear, because God tells us it shouldn't be the other way around.  And so I do have fearful moments, but am trying to CHOOSE faith to take over in those moments.  Because any time I spend in fear of what might be, is time wasted.  I don't have a fact that warrants fear, but I serve a God who is faithful and true.  He's gotten us through these 9 months and He'll continue to do so as we lean into Him.  

Appreciate any and all prayers for good reports.  Thank you so much for continuing to check in on us, praying for us, and for loving us so incredibly well.  

Mediterranean Love Plan

 
Things I love about this book

• These authors are people, though I have never met, I feel I know.  I've read many of his and some of her other books.  They are real about where they are with matters of their family and marriage.  I can identify with them.  Their willingness to share their struggles make mine not seem so unique, we all have struggles. 
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• Tom and I are always looking for ways to make our marriage better.  We've read lots of books over the years with our Marriage Group friends.  This book offers ideas we've not yet read.
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• I enjoy observing how other cultures do what we do in everyday life.  I don't travel as much as I long to, so this is sort of a travel guide for that region with specific regard to marriage. 
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• There are practical ideas, such as "13 Ways to keep your Love Playful", things I can implement that day or the next.  
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• The date ideas seem unending.  Just when we think we've exhausted all that we can do, there is a large in number and varied in experience pool from which to choose.  Thankful for this!
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• The book gives us 7 secrets of our friends in the Mediterranean.  It also closes with reminding us that Passion is Proactive.  We have to work at our marriages for them to be what we strive for them to be.  Just like anything in life that is worth it, we need to work at it.  But the rewards are so very worth it.  Appreciate this reminder too.