Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Carman and I enjoyed spending time with our families. Our nieces and nephews are growing up so fast and they keep us laughing. My auntie Carol treated us to a plate full of my granny's famous sugar cookies, my father-in-law Dale made me laugh so hard when we were playing cards (he was having a hard time remembering the rules), and my sister-in-law Becky and I enjoyed singing ABBA songs to drive the men nuts and reminisced our Philippines trip by singing Bob Marley's 'No Woman No Cry'.

On Dec 11th I was having a really low day. I was crying out to Jesus in anguish and I didn't even know what to read in my Bible. I just prayed God would reveal himself to me and I stuck my thumb into my Bible. When I opened it, my thumb was directly on the words of 2Kings 6:16 - "Don't be afraid". I truly believe God provided me with this advice, and that it wasn't just a coincidence. When I start fearing I tell myself, God tells me not to be afraid.

The following week I was laying in the bathtub reading a Christmas book, and a part of the Christmas story really touched me. Mary was greatly troubled when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and he said to her "Don't be afraid". So, I have been trying to find all of the accounts in the Bible where God directly advises someone to not be afraid. I welcome your help! Please e-mail me any versus you know of that claim this. I know my Bible's concordance doesn't list all of the accounts.

We greatly appreciate your continued prayer support. On January 14th I have another CT scan and bone scan and on January 29th we get the results. We pray for complete healing from cancer, and direction for Dr. Joy for treatment.

May 2009 be a healthy and happy time for all of us!

Radiation Complete

Yesterday, Dec 8th, was my last radiation treatment. Last night Carman came home with Dino's pasta and wanted to celebrate. I of course was reluctant. It is hard to celebrate when you have cancer. But, my husband is always positive and pointed out the reasons to celebrate: I don't have any bone pain in my sternum, my skin made it through the treatment without any major burns or discomfort, and I am back home!

I came home to our home beautifully decorated for Christmas thanks to my friend Alvina and her daughter Karla. This year for Christmas all I want is peace and joy in my heart. I don't need 'Jane Seymore's Open Heart Pendent from Kay Jewelers' - every time their commercial comes on Carman teases me that it is what he is getting me for Christmas; nor do I want my focus to be on anything but the birth of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If I focus on that, it makes the 'season' easier. Because of his birth, life, and death, he has given me the greatest gift.

So tonight, I invite you to raise your supper glass for me. Help me give thanks and celebrate that my radiation treatment is done.