Merry Christmas from our Home to Yours!

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold,

I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;

for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior,

who is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign for you:

you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there appeared with the angel

a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 

“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

Luke 2:10-14

 

This Christmas we rejoice in a new way, the preciousness of the birth of a SAVIOR.  What an assurance we have of where Tom is spending his first Christmas because of the baby born in a manger!  Without this assurance we would have no hope...and HOPE is what gets us through our days.  We pray that this same HOPE, the hope of Jesus, is what you are celebrating today!

It was fun for me to see the boys put on pink for our family Christmas picture!  I'm not sure they were as excited to wear pink as they were to honor me in my fight in breast cancer.  Pink is the color of breast cancer awareness along with the word "HOPE"...our hope is not in cancer research but in the Master Physician who heals all diseases and brings real hope to a hurting world.

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Romans 15:13

Praise for Parents!

What a burst of encouragement parents can bring!  I'm thankful that God has given me the best parents ever.  They arrived in Columbus via AirTran on Thursday while I was receiving my second chemotherapy treatment.  I'm so glad they didn't have to drive the 20+ hours so soon after my dad's recent knee surgery.  It was a surprise that my niece, Emily, her new baby, Annie and my niece, Cassidy surprised them at the airport to bring them "home".  What fun it was for them to get to meet their second great-grandchild, first great-granddaughter!  I'm sure it was much more encouraging to see Annie Grace than me at the infusion lab.  We all met up for dinner at our home provided by Jennifer Deskins and Cindy Dunn.

Chicken Tetrazzini, Salad, Bread

and

an amazing array of Christmas goodies!

Thank You, Jen & Cindy!



Before my parents arrived I wanted to take the kids out for a special Christmas dinner before I started feeling bad again.  Tuesday evening the four of us headed to Easton Town Center to enjoy a delicious dinner at McCormick & Schmidt's.  While cleaning out Tom's dresser drawers I came across a generous gift card he had received from someone that we were able to take advantage of!  We were all just so sorry Tom wasn't there to enjoy dinner with us.  We had sweet conversation about Tom/dad and even discussed whether he was able to see what we were up to.

Sarah, Zac, Matt & Lisa...Christmas Dinner missing Tom



On the last blog post I fully intended to comment on the Newtown, CT elementary shooting disaster and then forgot.  I guess I can blame "chemo brain" for that.  My sweet sister-in-love, Cheryl had text me that day to say how sweet it would have been to see Tom greet each of those precious children at the gate of heaven and I commented he would have greeted them each by name just like he did the new freshmen at WCHS each fall!  I pray that he was able to greet each of the others too, especially the principal...I know he would have been an encourager to her.  My heart breaks for the hurt each of the families and loved ones are experiencing, however my greatest encouragement to them is the very nail pierced hands that died for us are the very hands that allowed this tragic event and also the very hands that will not only comfort their loved ones but them too.  A friend sent this sweet poem that I also wanted to share with you:

twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38

when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.

their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.

they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

they were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.

they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.

"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.

"this is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."

when what to their wondering eyes did appear,

but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.

He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.

then He opened His arms and He called them by name.

and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring

those children all flew into the arms of their King

and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,

one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.

and as if He could read all the questions she had

He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."

then He looked down on earth, the world far below

He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe

then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,

"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"

"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"

"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"

then He and the children stood up without a sound.

"come now my children, let me show you around."

excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.

all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.

and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,

"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

 

I continue to be amazed at the generous outpouring of love from each of you...here are some of the gifts that bless our home:

Emily & Annie Grace coming to bless my day!

Matt getting to meet Miss Annie for the first time!

Sarah getting Annie love!

Zac meeting Annie!

Lynn Corpron delivers SMM baskets/bags for me to take to treatment to encourage

other ladies being treated for breast cancer!

What an amazing basket/bag of goodies the SMM girls from church put together.

What a blessing for me to spread Christmas cheer to hurting women.

Thank You, Lynn & SMM girls!!!

An amazing basket filled with goodies from my sweet friend, Ginny!

Thank You!

A gift of specialty coffee, cocoa buttermilk cake & cookies!

Thank You, Seling Family for such special treats!

A beautiful wreath from a beautiful friend!

and

warm fuzzy jammies and socks too!

Thank You, Diane!

A beautiful book...

Thank You, Bradley Family!

A Tower of Harry & David boxes...

filled with Christmas treats!

Thank You, Scott & Kathy Weakley!

Cheryl's Cookies...

Thank You, Kevin & Leslie Foley!

Another delicious dinner...sweet potato shepherd's pie, salad & bread...

and ginger snap cookies...

Thank You, Stephanie LaMonte!

 

I will give thanks to the Lord according to His righteousness
And will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.

Psalm 7:17

Hair-less Holidays & Happiness

Jill, Jill & Lisa

wrapping party fun!

 

"Make yourself bald and cut off your hair,

Because of the children of your delight;

Extend your baldness like the eagle,

For they will go from you into exile."

Micah 1:16

Yep...I'm pretty much bald.  After losing clumps of hair, my sweet friend, Carylee buzzed (#4 cut) my head last Friday after she so graciously took me to pick up my wig, visit the nurse practitioner and get lunch together.  Carylee has been with me through it all...good, bad and ugly bald!

Friday evening I was invited by Doug & Carylee Meyers to our church's Christmas concert, Living Christmas Trees.  Our church has presented the biblical story of Christmas for 26 years via the Living Christmas Trees...not one concert have Tom & I missed in our 27 years of marriage.  This would be the first year of "taking it all in" without him by my side.  I cried my way through and yet what new joy I experienced as I thought of Tom experiencing Christmas from a heavenly standpoint = happy.  I was able to see, hear and feel this experience as never before...appreciating Christ's birth for so much more than ever before!

Living Christmas Trees 2012

Thank You to all the participants & Meyers!

My "buzz cut" continued to be such a mess of constant hairs falling in places I didn't like, so on Monday morning I shaved my head!  I'm not exactly sure what the above verse means...but I guess I'm ready to fly like an eagle into exile!  Well...not really...however with Thursday's chemotherapy treatment #2 looming, I'm already feeling like exile is coming.  This time the "exile" won't be as bad since my parents will be here on Thursday = happy!  Their arrival mixed with the chemo is the definition of bittersweet.

The above verse speaks of the "children of your delight" and I can honestly say my (our, can't forget Tom) children are a delight = happy.

Zac & Sarah a.k.a. "Eddie & Katherine"

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

As Zac headed back into the fields for deer #2 last Saturday, it gave Sarah and I the day to enjoy together = happy.  We were so 'happy' to hear Zac accomplished his goal by downing a "button buck"!  Saturday also put a win on the MVNU Cougars schedule as they defeated Grace Christian in Grand Rapids, MI = happy.

MVNU player Matt Anglea going to the rim = happy

The cougars didn't arrive back to campus until 2 a.m. so the "plan" was Matt would meet us at home for Sunday lunch.  Well...Matt knows what would make his mom 'happy' and surprised us all by arriving home in time to go to church with us as a family = happy!  After a Sunday pot roast, real mashed potatoes, carrots, corn, salad and rolls along with a special guest, Nate Short...Matt made an awesome fire in the newly cleaned fireplace = happy.  I've told several people "having Matt home is amazing, the hard part is...he reminds me SO much of Tom".  Matt and I were able to enjoy the day together on Monday, doing last minute Christmas shopping (mine needs to be done before Thursday, thus last minute) and enjoying lunch together.  We ended our day by going to the WCHS boys basketball game where we cheered for my nephew, Zac Herbst and the Warriors = happy.  Terry and Matt stayed for the varsity game while Kelly and I chose to leave and enjoy dinner together = happy.  As she and I planned our Kline Christmas over our dinner, I proceeded to "lose it" and cried myself into a bloody nosed mess!  Thanks Kel for putting up with my "hot mess" of emotions.

Today brought two dear friends, Jill Coon and Jill Petrel, to my (our) home to help me wrap all my Christmas gifts = happy.  Not only did they bring a delicious lunch and sweet fellowship but they brought gifts too!

An amazing lamp where you can change the picture = happy!

Thank You, Jill Petrel

Amazingly warm blanket and knee-hi slipper socks...she knows I'm always cold = happy!

Thank You, Jill Coon

Our family has been so blessed by all the sweet Christmas greetings we have received = happy.  Thank you to everyone who has kept us on your Christmas card list in spite of not receiving one from us last year.  There will not be a card in your mailbox from us again this year, however keep watching the blog for a special greeting coming your way!  Not only have I (we) enjoyed the greetings from the mailbox but many of you continue to be so generous with special gifts.  I continue to open the bag of "25 Gifts til Christmas" from Lori, Lisa, Tracey & Mary = happy.  I've also started receiving "The Twelve Days of Christmas" gifts which I will save and share a blog entry just for those = happy.

An ornament of "hope" from my 5th grade teacher = happy!

Thank You, Mr. & Mrs. Larry Buzzard

A beautiful framed print of Psalm 23 & WOW Hits CD = happy!

Thank You, Jun, Tong & Austin!

Yummy Christmas Treats = happy!

Thank You, Jill Petrel

With all this "happiness" and so much to be thankful for...how can I not have Christmas JOY?

A new friend shared this special poem with me:

First Christmas in Heaven

I’ve had my first Christmas in Heaven, A glorious wonderful day!
I stood with the saints of ages, Who found Christ, the truth, the way.

I sang with the heavenly choir, Just think! I, who longed to sing,
And oh, what celestial music we brought to our Savior the King.

We sang the glad songs of redemption, How Jesus to Bethlehem came,
And how they had called His name Jesus, That all might be saved through that name.

We sang once again with the angels, the song that they sang that blest morn,
When shepherds first heard the glad story that Jesus, the Savior, was born.

O, Darling, I wish you had been here, No Christmas on Earth could compare
With all the rapture and glory we witnessed I heaven so fair.

You know how I always loved Christmas, It seemed such a wonderful day,
With all my loved ones around me, the children so happy that day.

Yes, now I can see why I loved it, An oh, what a joy it will be,
When you and my loved ones are with me, to share in the glories I see.

So, dear ones on Earth, here’s my greeting, Look up till the day dawn appears,
And oh, what a Christmas awaits us, beyond our partings and tears!
By Author Unknown


Remembering Loss...Enjoying New Life

"There is an occasion for everything,
and a time for every activity under heaven:
a time to give birth and a time to die;"

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2a

Today marks the second month of Tom's real life in heaven...eternity!  I'm wondering if my two months of separation from him has any concept to his soul there.  I do know that :

"Dear friends, don’t let this one thing escape you:

With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day."

2 Peter 3:8

I wondered today as I drove East to Newark, Ohio in the dreary rain, if heaven has seasons.  I sure don't enjoy the cold, damp and gloomy days of winter...especially not being able to cozy up on the couch with a roaring fire and my best friend.  At times I feel so alone...and yet God continues to remind me...when a friend shows up to give me a manicure (Thanks, Ingrid)...or calls me just to check in (Thanks, Ginny)...or comes over to watch a movie (Thanks, Suzanne)...or sends me flowers (Thanks, Monday Girls)...or just wants to "hang out" (Thanks, Carylee)...or makes me dinner even when she doesn't like to cook (Thanks, Lori)...or sends a card (Thanks, everyone)...or offers a back massage (Thanks, Margaret)...or time to bake Christmas cookies (Thanks, Sarah)...or sends me a text of encouragement (Thanks, Terri)...a letter from a sister who knows what it's like to lose a husband (Thanks, Anna)...a gift of warm, wool socks (Thanks, Ulrike)...and on and on the list goes of gentle reminders of His faithful love that surrounds me.  As I returned today from Newark, the snow was lightly falling and I thought I could complain about the cold reality of winter, or I could choose to be thankful for the seasons we experience here in Ohio.  The death that brings new life in the Spring.  I have always liked the snow...just not the cold...but the snow couldn't happen without the cold!  The snow reminds me of God's washing me clean.  Making the dreary, grey of winter...white, clean and new.  I pray as the snow of God's love washes over you this winter season that you will choose to be thankful for the grace of His love gift...Jesus who makes all things new.

Today I went to Newark to visit my new great niece along with her parents.  What a blessing to swaddle new life in my arms on a day that could bring such heart ache.  Instead of sorrow...God gave me joy.  I am feeling well and plan to make the most of these next 10 days before my next chemotherapy treatment. 

I received permission to go to church on Sunday!  I was instructed to arrive late and leave early!  My white blood cell count was at a dangerously low level for me to fight off infection so, to arrive late and leave early was to avoid contact with people who may have been carrying unwanted germs!  I have come to realize how much I look forward to the fellowship as much as the worship.  Avoiding people is not biblical!  Please forgive me for not hugging, shaking your hand or speaking to you on Sunday...I obeyed nurse Mitchell!  I was so unprepared for the emotional jerk that hit me upon arriving in the sanctuary.  I was so excited to be there...out in public after too long at home...that when I saw the Worthington Christian High School choir prepared to sing...it hit me like a Mack Truck.  Tom and I both loved to hear the choir sing and especially at Christmas time.  As usual they did an amazing job and if you saw me crying (uncontrollably) it wasn't because they made me sad...it was so many things...missing Tom, so thankful to be in church, wondering how the choir sounded with heavenly ears, wondering what it must be like to celebrate Christmas in heaven....etc.

 Warm Socks & Beautiful Pin

Thank You, Ulrike!

Baking Day with Sarah!

Buckeyes...

Pecan Tarts...

Chocolate Covered Peanut Clusters

and Frosted Cut Out Cookies...whew!

Beautiful Flowers...reminding me of Spring!

Thank You, Monday Girls of Venice, FL

annie grace arrives!

Annie Grace McInerney

Thursday, December 6th, 2012

7:04 a.m. ~ 8lb. 2oz. ~ 21"

"How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!

And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings."

Psalm 36:7

"But the very hairs of your head are all numbered."

Matthew 10:30

Congratulations Travis & Emily!

 

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,

from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,

that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory,

to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;

and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth

and length and height and depth,

and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge,

that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God."

Ephesians 3:14-19

B.R.A.T.

"Don’t be afraid of them, for the Lord your God fights for you.

“At that time I begged the Lord:   Lord God,

You have begun to show Your greatness and power to Your servant,

for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can perform deeds and mighty acts like Yours?"

Deuteronomy 3:22-24

 

I've realized over the past week...I'm a "brat"...the more I think about it...we're all brats!  Little begging children at daddy's feet wanting something.  What I've wanted is to feel better.  Never did I think that my first chemo treatment would send me on this "trip" to bratville.  Without a lot of detail of unnecessary and gross information...I was sent into the worst case of diarrhea I've ever experienced!  T-M-I  After a visit with my "Florence Nightingale" aka, Julie Mitchell, RN extraordinaire, I was connected to a new friend named "Immodium".  To make a long story short...my connectedness didn't last long enough and I ended up in the chemo lab for IV hydration today.  I'm starting to feel less like a wet rag and more human with each passing tick of the clock...the clock couldn't tick fast enough for me as I "Begged Relentlessly And Totally" to Jesus.  When the nurse told me to start the BRAT diet I thought she meant:  beg relentlessly and totally to Jesus...but, what she meant was:  bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.  I honestly think a diet of bratiness is quite healthy...depending on Who you're whining to!  I'm trying to make light of a weighty situation...once again I apologize for my poor humor.
With my white blood count at a dangerous low, I'm told to withhold being in crowds and around sickly people.  So how does one live with the "sickly" (Zac) and do some Christmas shopping I ask myself?  Quarantine Zac to his bedroom and jump on the Internet I guess...how fun is that?
I am SO thankful to the friends and family who have supported me through these difficult days.  No day is easy.  As I walked into the lab today to have blood drawn the sweet nurse asked, "are you married?"...as I burst into tears I then proceeded to tell her the sad, sad story of my sad, sad situation.  So many of you have sent gifts, cards and encouragement my way, BUT I told my sister..."the gifts are nice, Christmas is nice, the decorations are nice, the music is nice...BUT without Tom is all seems so flat, meaningless...kinda like life without Jesus...meaningless".  Now that I'm feeling better it is a little easier to trust God's plan, but boy when I wasn't feeling well, the person typing this blog was "Debbie Downer" and even God's Spirit was having a hard time bringing the blues to pass.  Each day is a choice for me to choose God's plan or choose my plan...keep praying that I can choose God's plan of thankfulness and praise because He does know what He's doing even when I'm not sure He does!

“…no good thing does He withhold…” Ps. 84:11

And the good things in life are not health but holiness,
not the riches of this world but relationship with God,
not our plans but His presence —
and He withholds no good thing from us
because life’s good things aren’t ever things.
-Anne Voskamp

Prayer Requests:
-No infection
-Stamina
-Zac's health
-Sarah's strength
-Niece, Emily having baby TODAY!
-Niece, Leah leaving for Madagascar on 12/11 for 4 months!
-Matt, basketball tournament at Bryan College, TN (where Tom & I met) this weekend
Praises:
-I'm feeling better
-Friends & Family praying for me
-Dad's knee staples out
-Brother, Mike UPS job in Youngstown
-gifts of encouragement

Thank You, Jill Jones

Thank You, Tracey Albert & family...treatment day treats!

Thank You, Nancy Green...treatment day meal!

Thank You, Jennifer Deskins

Thank You, Lori Snedecor!

Thank You, Lori, Tracie, Lisa & Mary...25 Gifts til Christmas!

You girls are incredible...I am more than blessed!

Sunday FEAST from:

Lori Snedecor, Lisa Raikes, Tracie Romanelli, & Mary Peterman!

Thank You, Mary Peterman...p.s. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

Thank You, Betsy Berlin...this is awesome...so sweet!

Thank You, LaMonte Family!

Thank You, Missy Goss Bryan (& family) for the gift cards!  Awesome!!

Thank You, Ginny Englehart...Oreo Truffles, Doctor Appointment "drama",

all day infusion...priceless!

I owe you (& Tom...BIG TIME!)

Thank you to Doug & Carylee Meyers for continuously being here for me...you will never know how much I appreciate you going to Matt's game & supporting us through "it all"!