Endurance

Last Thursday evening Sarah and I went to the last session of our Ladies Bible Study, Tapestry.  What a special evening it was celebrating all that God taught us over the past twelve weeks.  I certainly enjoyed the study of James and feel like I know James as a brother now!  When I claimed:

"Consider it a great joy, my brothers,

whenever you experience various trials,

knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

But endurance must do its complete work,

so that you may be mature and complete,

lacking nothing."

James 1:2-4

last October, I had no idea that I would be studying this whole book come February and how this tiny book of five chapters would minister to me.  What an eye opening time of endurance it has been as Tom and I take each day as a gift from God and hold on to what we know endurance accomplishes:  maturity, completeness and lack for anything!  We thank the Lord for His promises that bring hope in the middle of the unknown of life.  Tom and I 'lack for nothing' because we have our full assurance in our God Who lacks NOTHING!

I was also blessed with a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Kathy Jo Cook!

Thank You, Kathy Jo for brightening my day!

Meatball Subs and Broccoli Soup

Thank you, Lisa Siders!

AND

Something new we hadn't tried...

Six differently, delicious brownies & biscotti!

Thank You, Lisa

Saturday's meal was delicious too...

Sweet & Sour Chicken, Cheesy Pasta, Sugar Snap Peas, Rolls

AND

An array of Baklava!

Thank you Jane Dickinson & Annette Condon for blessing us!

Let me pause here and mention...the meals are amazing!  I'm becoming quite lazy in the kitchen and I have to admit I'm not minding it a bit!  Anyway...on the meal website:  www.takethemameal.com both Saturday and Sunday are offered, however only ONE weekend meal is requested and we are finding that both days are being filled.  Dear friends and family...we love you and don't want to overuse or abuse your generosity to us.  We truly are amazed at the outpouring of love toward us...thank you.

A surprise visit from Dr. Buzz on Saturday night!

He always brings us much laughter...thanks Buzz!

Sundays Meal:  Beef Brisket, Mashed Potatoes, Cream Corn, Rolls

AND

Heath Bar Cake AND Gingersnap Cookies

Thank You, Ginny Englehart!

Last night Tom & I went on a "walk & roll" and I remembered my camera

so we could document the gifts from God...

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

Genesis 1:1

"Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them”; and it was so."

Genesis 1:11

"The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, after their kind; and God saw that it was good."

Genesis 1:12

 "Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the LORD, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other."

Deuteronomy 4:39

"Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it."

Deuteronomy 10:14

"I am the rose of Sharon,
The lily of the valleys."

Song of Solomon 2:1

"O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth, Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!"

Psalm 8:1

"The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it."

Psalm 24:1

"May he come down like rain upon the mown grass, Like showers that water the earth."
Psalm 72:6

Praying that you will be showered by His grace today.



Highlights

Last Sunday evening Sarah, my sister and I had the extreme pleasure of attending the "Girls Night Live" tour featuring Mandisa, Anita Renfroe and Laura Story!  My main goal was to hear and see Laura Story who wrote the song "Blessings" that has come to mean so much to Tom and I on our journey this past year.  What an night of emotional roller-coastering...from laughing with Anita to tears with Laura.  After Laura performed Sarah, Kelly and I were "pulled" from our seats (Thank you Holly Varian!) to meet Laura in person!!!  Never did I dream to have such a special opportunity.  She is a down-to-earth person who genuinely loves Jesus and is walking out her faith as she too understands what having a husband with a brain tumor is all about.  What a sweet time we shared together.  She and her husband are expecting their first child in September!  What a praise and answer to prayer as they continue to seek the Lord for His direction in their life as they walk this fragile path.

Kelly, Laura, Lisa & Sarah

On Monday I got on Laura's website to let her know what an honor and privilege it was to meet her when I found a place on her blog to write your "Blessings" story.  As I read through the other stories I connected with a woman from Orlando who had a story similar to mine.  I Googled her name and found a realtor in the Orlando area with the same name and I took a chance to e-mail her to see if she was the one who posted her story on Laura's blog...and it was her!  Tonight she will be going to the "Girls Night Live" concert in Orlando to hear Laura sing!  Isn't it awesome how God works?!

After doing some "research" on the song "Blessings...I found out that it was released on March 13, 2011, which is the date we found out Tom had a tumor!  I find God's timing impeccable...should this surprise me?  I think not!  God knew this song would minister to us and provided it at the right time.

Last Saturday Tom and I accompanied Matthew on a car search.  Something Tom wanted to be very much a part of.  Matt has been driving our 1998 Astro minivan since 2009.  He has never complained about driving the "family van" and we know it was never the cool car for a young man his age.  The van has required much work over the past months and we continued to debate whether to put more money into it versus looking for a more reliable car.  We have all been doing Internet research over the past few months collecting our data and making the best decision based on that data.  We went out and looked at a few of our finds and ended up with what we thought was the best deal for what we were looking for.  Matt is now the proud owner of a 2007 Trail Blazer!

Matt's Trail Blazer

We are so thankful for Tom's parents love and patience with us over these past three weeks.  What a blessing they have been to us as they have been able to stay with Tom while either we've been car shopping, going to a concert and even giving me the opportunity to go thrifting with my sister!  We are thankful to our church and to Karen Carmen for allowing Pops and Granny to stay at the Mission House during their stay here.  I know they have enjoyed having their "own place" to kick back and also an opportunity to "earn their keep" by cleaning cabinets and doing some yard work at the Mission House during their stay.  What fun they have had getting to know Karen and enjoy some of her great cooking and even sharing in movie nights with her!  We will greatly miss them when they head to South Carolina on Friday.  They will spend a week in Seneca, SC at Tom's brother's vacation home on Lake Keowee before going to the graduation of our nephew, Timothy who will graduate with honors from Bob Jones University.  From there they will travel to Atlanta and then fly to Chicago to go to another nephew and his wife's, Luke and Jessica's graduation from Providence Baptist College on May 11th...whew!  It is a wild adventure for them and we are so proud of them being willing to go and be a part of such accomplishments in their grandchildren's lives.  Thanks Pops and Granny for loving us with your presence.

Margaret Paparella & Tom

God continues to care for every need...still trying to justify a massage as a need...Margaret came over on Tuesday to give Tom a massage that he was very excited about!  She is so sweet and gracious and very accomodating for Tom's limitations.  Not only did she bless Tom with her giftedness but she was insistent that she give me a massage too!  What a dear sister-in-Christ who is using her talents to bring Him glory and bless us!  Thank you, Margaret!

White Chicken Chili, Spinach Salad, Fruit, Rolls and

Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Cake and

Sweet cards of encouragement from Miss Burby's 2nd Grade Class at WCES!

Thank You, Jackie Diedrich...dinner was delicious and the cards from Sydney's class

are precious!  We are blessed by knowing you...

Avastin Infusion #2 Complete

Yesterday we ventured back down to OSU Medical Center for Tom's second infusion of Avastin.  It was quite comical reading the scale as Tom's weight tipped out at 213.7 pounds!  An all-time record high for him that brought us much laughter and a huge smile of accomplishment for Tom!  I guess a few steroids, inactivity and amazing meals from friends does the trick on a man who could never gain weight as bad as he tried!

Treats from Carrie

While we waited at OSU, our friend, Carrie Houts greeted us again with warm conversation, a free valet parking pass and yummy treats too...thank you, Carrie!
Not only did we enjoy these treats but Tom also took advantage of any food offered him.  While we were there he consumed a turkey sandwich, chips, Coke, three cookies, and a chocolate ice cream!  No wonder the pounds are adding up.
Not only is Tom putting on the pounds but I am too!  We are so blessed with friends and family who have brought us such delicious meals.



Chicken Fajita Pizza

Last Saturday we enjoyed Chicken Fajita Pizzas made by Ruth Beschta along with some of her awesome caramel corn.  Anne Marie Weakley brought a strawberry banana triffle dessert!  Thank you Ruth and Anne Marie for "tag teaming" on a fun dinner for us.  Saturday evening WCS hosted "Celebrate the Arts" at the Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center in Worthington.  We were not able to attend but have heard such wonderful comments from those who were able to go.  We are so appreciative to Cathy Watterson and her God-given artistic abilities that she used to create an amazing piece of art in honor of Tom!

Cathy Watterson's Art Piece

Sunday after church we enjoyed a taco bar prepared by Lorraine Smith

Thank you, Lorraine!

While we were at the hospital yesterday, Granny worked her amazing skills in the kitchen preparing us a delicious chicken pot pie, squash & cottage cheese salad...yum!

Thank you, Granny!

A sweet & special surprise gift came in the mail yesterday from Tom's

Uncle Y.T. and Aunt Patsy

Thank You!



Tri-fecta-Birthdays! Mike, Tim & Rachael

Happy Birthday wishes to three very special people:

Mike Kline, Lisa's brother

Tim Anglea, Tom's brother

and

Rachael Anglea, our niece!

Mike is my amazing brother.  He is married to Cheryl and has four beautiful children and a son-in-love too.  We so enjoy any time we can have with him and appreciate ALL he has done to support, love and help us over this past year.  He was instrumental in getting our new car, fixing things around the house and encourages us whenever he can.  We are so blessed to have him on our "team". 

“May peace be within your walls,

And prosperity within your palaces.”

For the sake of my brothers and my friends,

I will now say, “May peace be within you.

For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
I will seek your good."

Psalm 122:7-9

Mike, thank you for who you are in Christ, your obedience to our Lord and for loving us unconditionally.  We love you so much.

Tom & Lisa

Boys will be boys!

Next we honor and esteem Tom's brother, Tim. Tim lives in Orlando with his wife, Julie. Tim and Julie have two children and now a daughter-in-love too. When Tim isn't flying around the world keeping watch over the orange crops of the world, he enjoys his vacation home on Lake Keowee in South Carolina. We always brag on Tim as the "inventor" of Simply Orange! He is a citrus specialist with Coke...I'm positive he could tell you in more technical terms of his occupation, but you would then need an interpreter! Tim serves the Lord in his church in Winter Garden and continues to be his brother's biggest prayer supporter. 

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is

for brothers to dwell together in unity!"

Psalm 133:1

We love you Tim and pray God's richest blessings on you as you celebrate your birthday.

Our love,

Tom & Lisa

God chose to allow Rachael to be born on her daddy's birthday!  What a special day they share.  Rachael is a Bob Jones University Graduate and serves with The Wilds Christian Association.  She is currently in the process of buying her first home in Taylors, South Carolina.  We are so proud of the accomplishments she has made.  We don't get to see Rachael much but we hold her in our hearts and in our prayers as she faithfully walks with and serves her Savior.

"All day long He is gracious and lends,

And his descendants are a blessing."

Psalm 37:26

Praising Him for you, Rachael!

Our Love,

Uncle Tom & Aunt Lisa

Happy Birthday Tim!

Tom, Lisa, Lauren & Tim

Tim is our nephew-in-love married to our niece, Lauren.  Tim is in vet school at The Ohio State University.  He loves pigs and wants to be a large animal vet.  Tim has a way with animals and we see him being very successful in his field.  His love for the Lord and contagious smile with incredible dimples will be an incredible asset to his career.  Tim's interest in pigs brings us enjoyment when we hear his "swine stories".

"So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine."

Luke 15:15

It has been so fun to have Tim and Lauren here in Columbus and be such a support to us through this journey.  We love you Tim and pray your day is filled with God's special blessings!

Uncle Tom & Aunt Lisa

It has been a busy week here at our house.  We are blessed to have so many friends and family who desire to visit us. Tuesday Tom enjoyed having Kevin Weakley, Troy McIntosh and Kent Homoelle here for many laughs.  Wednesday we enjoyed visiting with Pastor Tim Waggoner and Hobie Raikes.  Later the same day we had a super special surprise visit from Taylor Smith.  Taylor was the superintendent of  WCS when Tom was hired as the high school principal.  Taylor and his wife Joyce now live in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Taylor is on staff with ACSI.  What a blessing to catch up with him and have him put us on his busy schedule while in Columbus for such a short visit.

Taylor Smith

As far as meals this week...

Another amazing meal from Ulrike Brennan...

Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes with Gravy & Green Beans

and...

This beautiful poppy seed bread ring!

Thank you Ulrike...you're incredibly gifted in the kitchen!

Last night we had the special treat of a Chipotle dinner (Tom's favorite)

Compliments of John & Kathy Foreman

Thank You!

Happy Birthday Emily Grace!

Today we celebrate the birthday of our niece, Emily Grace.  Emily became the bride of Travis McInerney on September 24, 2011.  She and Travis live in Newark, Ohio.  They have had fun buying their first house and making it a beautiful home.  Emily is an ICU nurse at Licking Memorial Hospital.  She has absolutely found her calling in being an exceptional nurse.  Her people skills, bright personality and love for what she does makes for a great nurse.  We count it a privilege to have her in our family and know that whoever God brings into her care will be blessed.

Travis & Emily

"O may Your lovingkindness comfort me,

According to Your word to Your servant.

May Your compassion come to me that I may live,

For Your law is my delight."

Psalm 119:76-77

We love you Emily and pray God's continued blessings on you!

Our Love,

Uncle Tom & Aunt Lisa

Uncle Tom & Emily

Christmas 2010

Granny, Zac & Pops

WCMS Grandparents Day 2012

With Tom's parents living out-of-state they have not had the opportunity to participate in our children's grandparents day activities.  Well...since they were here and my parents weren't...Tom's parents accompanied my nephew, Zac to the Worthington Christian Middle School Grandparents chapel service.  What fun it was for them and an honor for Zac to take them!

"But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,

the purposes of his heart through all generations."

Psalm 33:11

Heart Healthy Meal from Kathy Weakley

Alaskan Salmon, Oven Fried Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli, Salad, Rolls

And...

Carrot Cake!

Thank you Kathy...it was amazing!

Brian, Dawn, Berkley & Malayna McMahon

Deliver our Delicious Sunday Dinner &  A Sweet Little Girl Visit!

Amazing Lasagna, Garlic Bread, Salad

AND

Monkey Bread for Breakfast...compliments of Brian!

Thank You McMahon Family...you are special people!

Sisters

WCS High Tea

Sunday afternoon I had the sweet privilege to accompany my amazing sister to a benefit tea.  What a beautiful afternoon on a beautiful day spent with beautiful ladies.  It was held at the Kelton House downtown Columbus which is a historical museum & gardens on the underground railroad.

Kelton House

Beautiful Gardens

“And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail."

Isaiah 58:11

Aunt Marilyn, Uncle Raymond, Cousin Joy, Granny & Pops

Today we had the privilege of visiting with Tom's aunt, uncle and cousin from Elyria, Ohio.  We forgot to take a group picture with Tom, but the five of them went to Olive Garden and had the waiter take this photo!