Praying for Luke

We found out last night that our dear friends are battling once again.

I am broken hearted. Weeping. Praying so very hard.

My brother's favorite song is by Kutless. What Faith Can Do.

It's been playing in my head. All night. And this morning.

Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you are stronger, stronger than you know
Don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It’ll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

Overcome the odds
You do have a chance
(That’s what faith can do)
When the world says you can’t
It’ll tell you that you can!

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
That's what faith can do!
Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise

Please. Please. Pray!

Praise

The sun is shining.

The storm breezed right on by.

Praise the Lord!

My brother's levels and scans all came back normal and his Dr. recommends that he do NO more chemo.

Praising God!!

Thunder

I'm wondering right now if the clouds that seem to be coming closer are actually going to hit...

I'm wondering, as I sit listening to the thunder, if the lightening will strike...

I'm wondering if, perhaps, the storm will pass right on by...

The phone rang on the 1st. It was my Dad. My brother's final round of chemo was canceled due to the fact that one of his numbers (the one that was supposed to be going down) had not gone down since before the round before. After I hung up, my mind started racing. What could this mean? What will this look like? And then, there it was, loud and clear. That little voice, "Of course. It's been exactly 6 months. Of course." I told that little voice to shut up. He wasn't welcome. Go away.

The next day I talked to my sister in law. She was positive. Perhaps my brother's baseline is higher than average. I hung up with a smile and was sure that everything would be alright. And then, again, loud and clear, "But, you thought everything was going to be fine last time." That sneaky little voice. I told him where he could shove it. Told him he had NO power over me. Just. Shut. It. I turned up the radio and proceeded to sing along... "How GREAT is our God. Sing with me how GREAT is our God. And all will see how GREAT. How GREAT. Is our God."

I've been clinging to God. Praying many times a day for Him to stay in my thoughts. For me to recognize Satan clearly so that I can not fall prey to his deception and doubting. God has been forever faithful.

Then, Sunday night, the phone rang again. This time, results from my brother's scan on Friday. Apparently, there are spots on my brothers lungs. We do not know what this means yet, but I am clinging to the hope that they are nothing. That my brother is healed. Completely.

Chris and Kristen are currently at MD Anderson. Thankfully, they were already scheduled to go down there to see their Dr. Thankfully, it comes on the heals of last weeks news. They are doing a thorough search of Chris's body. We are praying for complete healing.

Today, is Chris and Kristen's birthday. He's 35. She's 33. What a way to spend your special day. Praying that they can celebrate amazing news when they meet with the Dr. for the results tomorrow at 2:30.

I'm looking out my window right now. Watching the clouds roll by in the crazy strong winds we're having here today. Watching as the sun peeks through.

Wondering what will be around the corner.

A wise friend once told me that she has learned that instead of praying that God will end the storm that she's in, that instead, He would show her what He has for her to learn. How she can grow.

Aside from the obvious... Praying that the storm will pass on by. I've also been praying that my heart would stay calm. That I would hold tight to God and His word. That I would not allow doubt to creep in.

I keep being reminded of these verses...

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints - and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."
Ephesians 6:10-20

What I Learned This Christmas...

My daughter loves to perform and it's still NOT fun sitting through a Christmas program with a sweet "babe" on your lap.

Sweet girl also LOVES to host her own photo sessions. Where oh where did THIS come from?

Caden melts my heart in his new glasses.

My son is a cheese.

Decorating sugar cookies is way more fun when the kids do it. With LOTS of sprinkles!

Christmas Eve with the cousins is one of the BEST ways to celebrate.

That it is NEVER a good idea to give your 6 year old a pocket knife for Christmas. Ever. Simply because he might come up to you about 15 minutes after opening the present that he's BEGGED for for over a year and tell you he's bleeding. And you might think you're fine. But, trust me, you're not. And you may start to get all hot and tingly. Your stomach might just start to turn. And you, quite possibly, may have to excuse yourself before you either pass out or vomit all over your pour screaming son. He may, however, stop screaming as soon as your husband tells him that if he doesn't stop his Mom will make him go to the ER and get stitches. And after all is said and done, the sweet 6 year old might just tell you that he never wants his pocketknife back. Maybe.

It is also NEVER a good idea to believe that a few white chocolate chips here and there won't make a difference. They can. And they will. Promise.

New jammies for Christmas NEVER get old.

There are NO words to describe the joy that overflows when watching your children open presents and scream with glee. None.

And there is NOTHING wrong with crying multiple times on Christmas day just because you are overflowing with joy. Nothing. Especially when you watch your daughter dancing around her room, singing to her new Barbie and the Diamond Castle CD, on her new CD player. Pure. Joy.

That just because some of your children are up and ready, does NOT mean they're all ready...

A 1000 picture memory card is NOT big enough for your six year old and his new camera. Not even close.

That even after 16 years together, my sweet husband can still surprise me on Christmas morning.

That there is nothing better than Christmas at home. Playing games. Drinking coffee. Enjoying family. Nothing.

That visiting my family the day after Christmas might be a little crazy getting out the door, but oh so worth it!
That my boys can be sweet to each other... when they're sleeping!

That my brother and sister-in-law are amazing and that they are totally who I want to be when I grow up.That it's still fun to play in the snow.

That my children love, love, love their cousins!

That I love Christmas. The wonderful break. Celebrating Jesus's birthday. Love it. Love it. Love it!