Memorial Day Tribute to ALL Who Have Fought for Our Freedom

Grab a tissue before watching this powerful video of a life that given so YOU and I can enjoy our freedom.  Friends from our church have a son-in-law who is also a Navy Seal and friend of Adam Brown.

Long Weekend, Beautiful Weather!

We are rejoicing in the fact that we have a three day weekend and the weather is supposed to be incredible.  So far today it has been beautiful...picture perfect!  We enjoyed meeting Matt's friend, Katelyn, who came to our home today for a lunch cookout and then bike ride with Matt.  Katelyn is a fellow MVNU student studying nursing.  She lives in Greenford, Ohio about 2 1/2 hours northeast of Columbus.

We enjoyed another "surprise" gathering at my sister's for her birthday.  Kelly's children planned a surprise weekend together and invited a few family and friends to join them on Saturday night for cake and ice cream.  It seems rarer and rarer that all of her children are together...it was great to see Dan and Brittany who call Michigan home.

Peonies from the Anglea yard!

Happy Birthday...Lauren!

Happy Birthday, Lauren!  What a privilege to be your aunt and uncle.  God had blessed our family and we are so thankful God placed you where He did.  We trust your day is blessed and that Tim treats you like royalty today (over and above what he normally does!).  We love you and can't begin to express our appreciation to you and Tim for the encouragement and support you have been to us through this difficult time.

Happy 25th Birthday, Abbie!

Twenty-five has always been my favorite number...my birthday, Jesus' birthday, etc.  Today our niece, Abbie Anglea Miller, celebrates her 25th birthday on the 25th of May!  Tom received his 25th radiation treatment on the 25th!  That's a lot of 25's...I like it!  Abbie, we pray your day is as special as you are and that Alan treated you like a queen...but we're sure that he does that every day!

We have been praying and waiting on the results of Tom's EEG he had last week and finally today we received good news...no seizure activity!!  Tom will "wean" off of the anti-seizure medication and be completely off of it by June 7th.  This is an answer to prayer.  We are both so thankful to those of you who have prayed.  Tom will not pursue the driving class until we return from our family vacation.  He is one step closer to that goal of driving again.

Tom saw both his radiologist (Dr. DeHaan, he sees every Monday) and his oncologist (Dr. Keubler) this week.  He is in for the long haul and ready to knock out the radiation treatments next week!  The chemotherapy will end for just a month next week also.  Tom will take a double dose of chemo starting a month after radiation ends.  He will take chemotherapy five days a month for 6 months.  Tom is scheduled for his first post-radiation MRI on July 8th.

Yesterday after school Dave Muschott and Cindy Dunn stopped by to talk "school".  The end-of-the-year details are "full go" even when the principal isn't!  Cindy brought us an herb garden and healthy eating magazines!  What a treat it will be to add fresh herbs to my healthy cooking!  Thank you, Cindy.

It's been so good to have Matt home from college.  You know your son is growing up when he initiates cleaning his room, doing laundry, mowing the grass and cleaning cars!  We love you Matt!  He's adjusting to a new way of eating too!  He wrote "ice cream" on my grocery list!  There are a lot of exclamation points in this paragraph...if you're a mother of a son you'll understand and let me share there is hope!

Today dear friends, Carylee Meyers and Deanna England, stopped by to bring me this beautiful Psalm 23 bracelet!  What a special treat to have them to visit and to think of me in such a special way.  Each color bead represents this beautiful Psalm.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd (white), I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures (green).

He leads me beside quiet waters (blue), He restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness (clear) for His name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (black)

I will fear no evil for You are with me;

Your rod and your staff (brown), they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies,

You anoint my head with oil (yellow); my cup (purple) overflows.

Surely goodness and love (pink) will follow me all the days of my life

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord (gold) forever.



Happy 1st Anniversary Zac & Sarah!

Just one year ago we were celebrating the marriage of our daughter, Sarah, to Zac Hess.  What a beautiful day to remember.  We can hardly believe it's been a year!  We are so blessed to have gained a son.  Tom and I have said so many times that we are so thankful the wedding was last year and not this year!  We pray that Zac & Sarah will enjoy worship this morning and a special day together.  We know that as they seek to keep Jesus Christ at the center of their lives they will celebrate many happy years of marriage.  It was great having them home for the weekend.

Last week Kent Homoelle and Kevin Weakley came to enjoy lunch with Tom, but more importantly than lunch was the smiles they bring to Tom's face!  We had the privilege of Anne Marie, Megan & Grant coming too...but, as usual I didn't get my camera out until after they left.  Megan had written and illustrated a book for her preschool teacher that she shared with us and we were all impressed.  It truly was amazing, creative and adorable!  Thank you, Megan!

Thursday was a special day for me to spend time with my sister, Kelly and celebrate her birthday.  We had manicures done then went shopping.  Tom, Papa, Granny, Terry, Aubrey, Cassidy & Zac met us at The Cheesecake Factory for a dinner surprise!  Great food, great conversation and then on to more shopping.  Our time together always goes too quickly.
Friday Matt finished his last college freshman final, packed up his belongings and headed home for the summer.  We pray that he finished well and when his grades arrive we will be thankful he is a sophomore!
Friday also brought Zac & Sarah home for the weekend.  The five of us enjoyed a family dinner together with much laughter...so good to be together.  The boys enjoyed a movie while the girls played a game.
Saturday morning Zac headed to Bellville to meet with a couple who he will marry next weekend; while Matt, Sarah & I went to Mount Vernon for my niece's college graduation.

Congratulations, Emily!

We love you Emily and pray God's richest blessings on you as you use the gifts and talents He has given you in a nursing career.  We know you will be used by God as your compassion is poured out on those you care for.
After the graduation Sarah and I went to a bridal shower for C.J. Beatty.  Sarah is so honored to have had C.J. as her bridesmaid and also sing in her wedding.  Now Sarah will stand by C.J. on June 26th when she marries Jonathan!  What a beautiful shower for a beautiful bride-to-be.
Matt and Zac took advantage of the beautiful sunshine and warm temperatures to play a round of golf.  Great bonding time for brothers-in-law!  Every one's spirits were higher yesterday because of brighter skies and sunshine...thank you, Lord.
Tom spent the day alone...resting.  He was proud to have done a couple of projects.  He washed the screens in the two bathroom windows, put some new carpet squares down in the garage and cleaned his tennis shoes!  Not to mention he had to fix his own breakfast and lunch!  It is so hard for me to leave him and yet everyone tells me it's good for me to get out.  The whole time I'm away I can only think of him. 
We all returned home for a cookout dinner with Tom before Matt headed off for a graduation party and Zac & Sarah returned to Winona Lake, IN.

Kelly's Birthday!

Happy Birthday Sister!



Birthday Blessings


Instead of counting candles,
Or tallying the years,
Think about your blessings now,
As your birthday is here.

 Consider special people
Who love you, and who care,
And others who’ve enriched your life
Just by being there. 

Think about the memories
Passing years can never mar,
Experiences great and small
That have made you who you are. 

Another year is a happy gift,
So cut your cake, and say,
"Instead of counting birthdays,
Count God's blessings every day!" 

 

Kelly:  Thank you for modeling Jesus before me.  I'm so glad that God knew to have you be born first because our lives would have been a train wreck had He allowed me to "lead"!  You've taught me the importance of being a godly wife, mother and friend.  Through tough times and fun times you've been there for me, leading, guiding, cheering, comforting, laughing and documenting it all!  I am so thankful God blessed me with YOU!  I love you...I trust your birthday is as special as you are.

Tom completes his 20th treatment today!  Two-thirds of the way done with radiation.  Yesterday Tom had his EEG to see if there has been any seizure activity in his brain.  We will get the results at the end of the week.  We are praying that the test is clear and then Tom could possibly be weaned off of the anti-seizure medication...one step closer to possibly driving again.  Thanks again for praying for God's will to be done.

We so enjoyed our busy weekend with Tom's parents who flew back to Orlando on Monday.  Before they left Tom really wanted to buzz his remaining hair.  The radiation/chemo was taking its effects on his hairline!  Not all of his hair is coming out but mainly where the radiation beams are focused.  So now he his a tall, handsome almost bald guy!  He continues to look more and more like his dad.  Thanks Pops and Granny for a great weekend...we trust we didn't exhaust you too badly.



Grace College Graduation 2011

She did it!  Our baby girl is an official college graduate...we are so proud of her accomplishments.  Our weekend started with leaving Columbus after Tom's 17th radiation treatment on Friday.  We arrived in Winona Lake, IN around 5:30 p.m.  We met Zac & Sarah at Bob Evans along with Zac's brother Matt, his wife Amanda and their darling daughters, Addison & Aubree.  After checking into our hotel and meeting up with Lisa's parents we arrived at the dessert reception at Grace College for the graduates and their families.  Tom was extremely tired but we were able to meet several of Sarah's professors and friends before retiring to the hotel.

Saturday morning started early with the graduation ceremony beginning at 9:00 a.m.  We are so thankful to Zac's parents, Lisa's parents, Zac & Matt arriving early enough to save seats for all of us.  Tom's brother, Terry along with his wife, Joyce, our nephew Luke & his fiance Jessica, our nieces Leah and Cherith, surprised Tom with their coming from Bourbonnais, IL!  Tears flowed freely as we greeted them...what a special moment for us to have.  Sarah had 23 family members there to support, encourage and cheer her on!  What an accomlishment graduating magna cum laude.  A beautiful ceremony that made us realize how many people prayed for Tom to be able to enjoy this day and here we were taking it all in...to God be the glory.  If there is one regret...I didn't get enough pictures...no pictures of our whole group.

After the graduation ceremony we took those who had not seen Zac & Sarah's apartment for a quick "tour" of their abode.  Dear friends of Zac & Sarah offered their home for Sarah's celebration cookout!  We are so thankful to Dr. Matt & Kate Harmon for opening their beautiful home to us!  Matt grilled the "Hess" burgers & brats while Kate had the kitchen ready to feed the "flock"!  Thank you to Zac's parents for providing the hamburgers, delicious bean medley & fruit slush!  I don't think anyone went away hungry and the rain held off until the grilling was finished...thank you, Lord!  The food and fellowship was so special.  Tom even had one and a half hamburgers!!  This is the most food he's eaten in a long time...just a little out of the "healthy" zone he's been on!  We are so thankful the Lord gave him the energy and stamina he needed...thank you for praying.

"The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."

James 5:16

Halfway!

Wednesday marked Tom's 15th radiation treatment...15 more to go!  Today we hit the summit and now we want to slide down the other side.  Tom's not feeling like or thinking that it will be a "slide" but at least he's on the other half for which we're grateful.  Today was sort of a celebration.

Since the mulch had been delivered and the weather was beautiful it was time to recruit help to get the yard work done.  About 10:00 a.m. Lisa's parents and niece showed up ready to "get'er done"!  Papa cut the grass while the girls edged the beds and put down the mulch.  We stopped for a lunch break and then Papa took Tom to his radiation treatment.  The girls continued to work mulching, edging, trimming bushes & trees and even planting two hydrangea bushes, tulips, hyacinths, and an azalea bush!  The excitement of the day came when Cassidy asked "what's that noise?" and Lisa replied "just a cricket" and Cassidy screamed and took off!  It was a bat laying in the front flower bed flapping its wings and screaming....ahhhh yuck.  Thankfully Granny came to our rescue and put us out of our misery by chopping the bat to death with a shovel...gross.  I'm not sure my mom is afraid of anything!  I do know she has a lot of German blood running through her veins.  All in all it was a great day, great weather and great help.  We are so appreciative to all who have stepped up and helped us in so many ways.

Prayer Requests:
- Safety for Tom's parents travel 5/12
- Safety for our travel to Grace College (IN) 5/13
- Stamina for Tom through the weekend for all the activities
Praises:
- Halfway through radiation
- Mulching done
- We have grace for today!

Busy Day!

9:30 a.m. - Sam VanVoorhis

Tuesday started with a visit from from Sam VanVoorhis.  The VanVoorhis family we met at church and they have since moved to a milder climate in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida just outside of Jacksonville.  Sam & Julie were in our Sunday school class, a small bible study and our daughter babysat for their two children, Anna & Ethan.  We miss them greatly here in Columbus, however we know they are serving the Lord faithfully there in FL.  Tom was able to take a trip of a lifetime several years ago with Sam and some friends.  They travelled to Oregon and played golf at Bandon Dunes.  A memory Tom will never forget.  Thank you Sam for making it a priority to come and visit.  We certainly appreciate you, your family and your prayers on our behalf.

11:00 a.m. - Principal's Photo Shoot (CANCELLED)

1:15 p.m. - Radiation
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Nap Time!
4:15 p.m. - Mulch Delivery

We are so thankful to Bob Johnson (fellow WCHS employee/friend) who provided our mulch, delivered and hauled it to the beds for us!  Tom wanted to help so badly but knew that would wipe him out!  Thanks, Bob!

4:45 - Appointment with Dr. Zerick
Dr. Zerick is Tom's surgeon and if you remember correctly, notorious on time management.  With that in mind we went to this appointment knowing we would be waiting for some time.  We walked out of his office at 7:00 p.m.!  He is very kind and took all the time we needed to talk and answer questions (we think this is a good thing, just schedule less people!!).  He wants Tom to stay on the anti-seizure medication for now.  Before he would give Tom the "go ahead" on driving he requested an EEG (to detect any seizure activity) and would also want Tom to take a remedial driving test at Dodd Hall.  This was not the news Tom wanted to hear, but we are staying positive and trusting the doctor to lead us in Tom's best interest.
7:00 p.m. - Pick up dinner at Chipotle!
We decided to treat ourselves to Chipotle bols since it was so late.  Chipotle is one of our favorites and it hit the spot last night and of course it tasted GREAT to Tom!

Happy Birthday to our Dear, Sweet Sarah!

It's hard for us to believe that God blessed us with our baby girl just 23 years ago today!  Truly one of the greatest moments of our lives...we are blessed.

Sarah:

even though we are far apart today...know that you are not far in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.  We anxiously await our visit this weekend. We look forward to celebrating your birthday and your college graduation (not to mention a new job and 1st anniversary, too)!  We have so much to rejoice with you about.  We mostly rejoice that you are our daughter.  We are honored to to be your parents.  You have made us so proud and Jesus too.  You are an absolute joy to our lives and we are so thankful for who God provided as your life-mate, Zac.  We know that wherever God sends you, whatever path God takes you and whoever God places in your lives you, as husband and wife, will honor God.  We don't believe there is anything more that parents could ask for than that their children walk intimately with their Savior...and that's what you're doing!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

With ALL our love,

Dad & Mom

Baseball!

All spring we have wanted to get to one of our nephew's baseball games and finally tonight was the night.  The weather was beautiful for baseball and Tom said he was feeling up to it so we went to cheer on Zac and the WCMS Warriors!  We left after the 5th inning and the Warriors were winning 7-3!  Good job Zac!  Tom misses watching Matt play baseball.  Matt commented the other day that this is the first spring in 12 years that he's not playing baseball.

Please pray for us on Tuesday (5/10).  Tom has an out-of-town friend coming to visit in the morning, a WC principals photo shoot at 11:00, radiation at 1:15 and then a doctor's appointment with the surgeon at 4:45.  A full day for Tom.  Pray that God will give him extra strength and that we will have wisdom as we have many questions for the surgeon.

"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly."

Psalm 84:11

 

Happy Mother's Day!

I said a Mother's Day prayer for you
to thank the Lord above
for blessing me with a lifetime
of your tenderhearted love.

I thanked God for the caring
you've shown me through the years,
for the closeness we've enjoyed
in time of laughter and of tears.

And so, I thank you from the heart
for all you've done for me
and I bless the Lord for giving me
the best mother there could be!

Tom and I are SO blessed to have the best moms in the world!  We know God placed us in the perfect arms when He gave us our moms.  We love you both so much.

This evening we were able to enjoy dinner with Lisa's parents, sister's family & the Duewel family at Champp's Restaurant.  Good food, fellowship and fun for all.  We certainly missed my brother's family.  One person missing in the above picture...brother, Mike.  Do you notice the sun is shining in the picture above?  What a gorgeous day the Lord blessed us with...we are thankful.

Saturday night Tom was feeling well enough to go and see the WCHS Musical "Beauty & the Beast"!  He is so glad he went and it was so good to be encouraged by so many people/students we saw there.

Happy Anniversary!

Yesterday, May 6, marked Tom's parent's 55th wedding anniversary!  We are so blessed to have godly examples, on both sides of our family, of godly marriage.  They have truly modeled a Christan marriage before us and we look forward to having them here next weekend!  CONGRATULATIONS
 

"For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife;

and they shall become one flesh."

Genesis 2:24

Thursday evening Lisa joined her mom & sister to go to the WCHS play/musical, "Beauty & the Beast"!  Once again Dave O'Roark and his "team" pulled off a spectacular show.  We were so sorry Tom wasn't feeling up to going.  Every time there's a performance at WCHS we are so blown away by the talent in our school!  To each of you who directed, performed, or helped in any way with this...Thank You!  It was awesome.

 

Yesterday morning brought a special visitor for Lisa...dear friend, Mae Myers.  We enjoyed chatting and catching up on life before she went in to the high school to volunteer in the lunch room.  She brought a beautiful card and gorgeous hydrangea plant.  Thank you Mae for your friendship, listening ear and caring spirit.

 

Friday, May 6, marked Tom's first week of 5 full days of radiation/chemotherapy!  Twelve treatments are under his belt and now he is looking forward to the weekend break.  The doctors told us that the effects are accumulative...and now we are noticing that.  Continue to pray that Tom will have the stamina to make it through Sarah's graduation next Saturday (5/14).  We will leave Friday after his treatment for Indiana and hopefully he can sleep during the drive.  There is a dessert reception on Friday night and then graduation is at 9:00 a.m. Saturday morning!  Tom has not seen 9:00 a.m. since treatment started!  It will be an endurance race for him.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness."

I Corinthians 12:9

We are enjoying having Matt home for the weekend!  We are so thankful that he is close enough to make the trip home more frequently than had he gone to school further away.  He only has two more weeks before he's finished with his first year of college!  He will do yard work, go watch a cousin play basketball and I'm sure pamper his mother on this mother's day weekend!



Praises

 

This morning I received a text from my brother, Mike, that he would be in town and could he stop by at lunch time with our parents...of course!  That set my wheels in motion as to what I could fix for lunch guests.  I found recipes for Quinoa Chicken Chili and Bran Muffins...I set to work.  My kitchen has become an experiment lab!  I thought they both were great, however, the "real" critic, Tom, as soon as he heard the word "quinoa" he said it was bad...ugh.  Personally I believe the drugs and radiation have affected his taste buds.  I do honestly believe if I hadn't mentioned "quinoa" he would have been okay with it...live and learn.  I'm definitely adding both recipes to the "make again" pile with an adjustment to the chili = no quinoa!  Thanks dad, mom and Mike for entering into the experiment lab with gracious hearts and appetites...we loved the lunchtime fellowship.  Praise...

Today Tom completed radiation treatment #10...that means he is 1/3 of the way finished!  Praise...

After getting Tom home from treatment and tucked in for his afternoon nap I was able to take the car into the dealership to have the "check engine" light checked.  The warranty on the car had just expired so we prayed that it would be something minor.  We've had the car in every month for the past 4 months and every time the check engine light comes on it's always been the gas cap!  However, I had just taken it in a week ago for the same thing and hadn't gotten gas since then so we were thinking it may be something else.  Well, it was the gas cap and they were able to fix the sensor so that it won't happen again.  The service man was very nice and said since I had had it in for the same problem before the warranty was up that there would be NO CHARGE!   Praise...

Upon arriving home from the dealership I noticed a package on the front porch!  It was addressed to ME!  A pajama gram from my good "buddy" Lori Muschott!  What a fun gift.  If any of you are still looking for a last minute Mother's Day gift...I highly recommend.  Thank you Lori you are so sweet...I love them.  It's so funny because just yesterday I heard the commercial on the radio for this and wondered what a pajama gram would be...now I know.  Praise...

Okay...this last item I have to "twist" to praise...I am going to praise the Lord for NOT allowing frost to hit central Ohio as the weatherman predicted!

Praising the Lord for ALL of you who love, care and pray for us.

"Is anyone among you suffering?  Let him pray.

Is anyone cheerful?  Let him sing praises."

James 5:13

Happy Birthday...Mom Kline!

Happy Birthday to Lisa's mom today!  We enjoyed dinner together tonight with Lisa's parents (Lowell & Barbara), sister (Kelly), brother-in-law (Terry) & nephew (Zac).  Lisa made spinach salad, vegetarian stuffed peppers, steamed broccoli, whole wheat banana bread and we topped it off with fresh strawberries & blueberries over angel food cake...it was pretty good, very colorful and plenty for all.  We all sent birthday greetings (via texts) to our friend Kent Homoelle who also celebrates today!
Tom was feeling well enough this morning to be able to go into work for about an hour and a half!  He keeps commenting on how everyone tells him how well he looks and his reply is "looks are deceiving".  After radiation and even a nap he wasn't feeling so well.  We both are so thankful that he is not vomiting or miserable...just tired, tummy not "normal" and tired...did I mention tired?  Eight treatments down and 22 to go.  With Tom's treatments starting on a Wednesday, he had 3 treatments the first week, 4 treatments the second week and now this will be his first week of 5 full treatments...I guess you call that "easing into it".
Over the weekend Lisa was able to clean her closet...switching the winter garb for more spring-like attire.  She is now questioning why...our weather still is requiring more warmer than cooler clothing with definitely keeping a raincoat and umbrella at hand.  Tom said the weather in central Ohio is very indicative of how he feels.  We both look forward to being warm and promising each other not to complain when it's hot!  I have noticed that Tom is chilled mostly in the evening needing to wear an extra layer.  I think the damp weather makes it hard to warm up.  Almost seems warmer outside than in the house...even though the thermostat says 72.  They predict tomorrows high temperature at 50...just not what we wanted to hear.

This morning Anne Marie Weakley sent me another encouraging e-mail along with this picture.  She saw this somewhere, took a picture and sent it to us and we wanted to share it with you.