FANTASTIC WEEK!!!

So, YES, this was a wonderful week for Mom! No chemo last week so that played a big part in her having more energy and feeling like being out and about!

Tuesday
-appt. with the heart doc....her dosage for blood pressure meds was cut in half
-shopped around at Macy's
Friday
-dinner at Cactus Cafe
Saturday
-shopping at Peebles in Rehoboth
-dinner out with Mack and Kendra
Sunday
-listened to Danny Tice's sermon on TV (Bay Shore Community Church)
-also listened to Charles Stanley on TV...I didn't realize he had a Sun. morning program. I started receiving his free InTouch magazines after reading some of Mom's magazines on the beach this past summer...highly recommend them...you can subscribe at http://www.intouch.org/.

One day Mom was at the grocery store with Dad and said she didn't feel tired like she has before after walking around Hockers. Also, Mom was checking her e-mail this past week (I knew b/c they have dial-up and I couldn't reach her when I had a cooking question) so that's another indication that Mom was feeling better this past week....and those of you who have sent Mom an e-mail over the past couple weeks, now you know she got it! :-)

A sweet friend of Mom's gave her a book called When God Weeps: Why Our Sufferings Matter to the Almighty written by Joni Eareckson Tada and her pastor friend, Steve Estes. For those who aren't familar with Joni (pronounced "Johnny"), she has lived as a quadriplegic for over 30 years and has ministered all over the world. Mom has been reading this book, and I'm going to order it as well. If interested in reading reviews of it, there are plenty on Amazon.com, and I listed one at the end of this post.

Tomorrow, Mom and Dad head to Hopkins for another treatment and have another one the following Monday. These days have become part of the routine, but that doesn't make it any easier. The day of the treatment isn't fun, and the days after aren't either, but I pray that the Lord would keep at the front of her mind that this is all temporary and that her energy will come back. Mom and Dad have become more accustomed to how Mom reacts and responds to the chemo, and they're trying to control the side effects the best they can.

On a different note, I wanted to commend Nascar...wonder why? Well, this afternoon before leaving Mom and Dad's, the race was about to start and I was amazed at what happened before our national anthem was played...there was a prayer! And later, the cameras even showed a racing team down on their knees in a circle praying...it's just refreshing when so many people are trying to take prayer out of everything, and it has remained in Nascar.

Praising God for...
-increased energy level this past week
-faithful friends, family, and neighbors
-for Ali (Lisa's daughter)...she turned 5 on Thursday and got to go to DISNEY on her birthday! :-)

Praying for...
-a smooth day of treatment and for the chemo to be ready so there is less time waiting
-continued strength for Mom and Dad

(A review by Michelle Holderman of When God Weeps:
"When God Weeps: Why Our Sufferings Matter to the Almighty" is one of the absolute best books I've read concerning the issue of "Why do we suffer?!?" and "Does it really matter to God?" A friend recommended this book to me, as I have struggled with my own chronic illness and the whole 'Why?' 'For what?' 'How come?' mentality. Plainly put, suffering is hard. There is nothing "glorious" about it. Since dealing with my disease and after reading this book, I've come to see that suffering takes us to a whole new level of God's grace. It accomplishes things we may not truly understand in this life. It is a teacher, albeit a difficult one a lot of times, but it draws us closer to God. It produces endurance and sharpens our character. Joni Eareckson Tada co-wrote this book with her pastor friend, Steven Estes, although Tada wrote the majority of it. I receive so well from her, because of all she has endured. She is an inspiration to me. This book is scripturally based and the firm, honest, yet compassionate approach to this painful issue was very well articulated. Sometimes, that can be a difficult feat to accomplish in the face of tragedy. I think so often, we as Christians may view "suffering" as something that involves only religious issues, when in fact, it permeates through every facet of our lives. This is another topic they touch on. She talks a little bit about some of her own struggles and gained insights over the years, and introduces us to a lot of people she's met along the way, who also endure suffering. "Endure" meaning to live with, to cope with. She asks the hard questions, but doesn't give 'pat answers.' This book is really more about the truths of God regarding suffering, than just 'suffering,' itself. There is a difference. )