Thank you All!

I wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of you.  You have all been so very supportive with calls, e-mails, texts, cards, flowers, letters, etc.  Some have given extra-long hugs or just smiled at me when I needed it.  I cannot tell you how much each of your kind words, thoughts and prayers mean to me.  I truly feel supported and loved.

I know many of you have asked how you could help.  And, please know how much I appreciate all the willingness to help.  The hard thing is, at this time, I am not 100% sure.  Our neighbors have created a meal train for us for the first couple of weeks after my next surgery – which is overwhelmingly kind!  Thank you!

My family is coming down the day before surgery to be there with the kids and to keep the house running for a few days.  Praying that all goes well during surgery and I am able to come home the next day.  I know that my “other parents :)” (my in-laws) are planning to come down and help for a few days after that.  So very thankful for all of the help & support!

And, I am praying that all will go well, speedy healing, and I am back on my feet within 2 weeks or so.  I know I would love that, and I am sure my husband will be looking forward to just looking after 3 kids instead of 3 kids and a healing wife.  Plus, the longer I am home, the more I mess up his routine – so he will probably be hoping I am going back to work sometime soon after that.

Please know, if I can think of anything we need, we will ask.  And, please feel free to continue to ask.  Who knows…the day you ask might be the day that we really could use the help and didn’t think about asking.

When looking in the Bible for a verse that could somehow sum up how grateful I am for all of you, I read the following passage from Paul’s letter to the Philippians.

Philippians 1:3-8  (GNB):
I thank my God for you every time I think of you; and every time I pray for you all, I pray with joy because of the way in which you have helped me in the work of the gospel from the very first day until now.  And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus.  You are always in my heart!  And so it is only right for me to feel as I do about you.  For you have all shared with me in this privilege that God has given me, both now that I am in prison and also while I was free to defend the gospel and establish it firmly.  God is my witness that I am telling the truth when I say that my deep feeling for you all comes from the heart of Christ Jesus himself.

I will be forever grateful for your love & support and even these words do not express the fullness of my gratitude.  And, while I know I am not in prison like Paul was when writing his letter, I do feel like I am somewhat burdened by this disease.  It is difficult to focus at times as my mind wanders toward the diagnosis and the potential next steps. My ability to keep moving on and staying pretty positive and strong is truly due only to the strength of Christ and the love of you all.  I will forever be grateful.

Lord,

Thank You!  You have blessed me with such amazing family and friends.  They continually show Your love through their kind words, prayers, thoughts & actions.  Your hand in this journey is so very clear.  When I am at my lowest, my saddest, needing to focus on every breath – You encourage one of Your angels on Earth to connect with me.  You always know what I need and it is so very clear how You have engaged others in this process to help me keep my focus on You and Your Glory!

Today, I pray that You please be with and bless each person reading this message.  You are an amazing God!  You are loving and forever faithful!  Please help each person reading this feel Your love as You have shared it with me. 

Amen!