Happy Birthday Papa & Zac!

Last Friday my sister called and mentioned she was going into the middle school office (her new place of employment) to get organized. She said so much of what she needed to do required help and that she wouldn't be able to get as much done as she would like.  Well, since I'm not working right now and Tom was at work it would allow me to be available to help her if she wanted me.  She jumped at the offer and I met her there.  We worked all morning moving boxes and setting up her office space.  It was so special for me to be with my sister, be helpful to someone and have the freedom to go!  Thanks Kelly for a fun morning!  She lost her car keys in the moving process and she text me this morning and said she found them...an answer to prayer.

Also on Friday I received the sweetest note and pendant from my cousin, Abbi who lives near Toledo.  She wanted to share "hope" with me and let me know they are praying for Tom (& me).  Thanks, Abbi!

Also on Friday we got word that our nephew, Timothy proposed to Brittany Austin!  We are so happy for both of them and we pray that the Lord will allow us to be in Florida next May so we can celebrate their marriage!

Sarah came into town Friday night for Rachel Wigton and Caleb Stertzer's wedding.  I stayed up to see her after she arrived home from the rehearsal dinner.  She definitely doesn't like being without Zac, especially at a wedding.  We enjoyed "catching up" and got to bed pretty late...okay, well late for me!

July 16, 2011

Happy Birthday to my dad...a.k.a. Papa...we love you!

Saturday morning we enjoyed fresh whole wheat blueberry pancakes before Tom and Sarah were off to play a little tennis together.  I can be honest and say I was jealous as I stayed home to help with Sarah's laundry.  Matt left early Saturday morning to spend the day with Katelyn's family in Greenford, Ohio.  Yes, they are "officially" in a relationship (it's true...I checked it out on Facebook)!  Matt enjoyed meeting Katelyn's family and seeing the exotic farm she lives on with her parents and three brothers.  The farm has camels, zebra, alligator, tortoise, skunk, ostrich's, & peacocks just to name a few!!

What a beautiful wedding on a beautiful day.  Rachel's brother, Matt who is a pastor on the east coast married them at our church.  It was a very special day and Sarah did a great job playing the piano.  Congratulations Caleb & Rachel!  At the reception, after Rachel and her dad had the "father/daughter dance", they invited all the fathers and daughters there to join them on the dance floor.  It was an opportunity Tom jumped at...dancing with Sarah!

Sunday was a rare opportunity that our family of four (minus Zac) was able to worship together.  We never take these moments lightly and treasure each and every time we can be together.  We are so thankful for the traveling mercies God granted Zac and the youth group back from Momentum and then too for Sarah as she traveled back to Indiana alone.

July 17, 2011

Sunday evening we enjoyed celebrating our nephew's birthday.  We celebrated at Travis and Emily's new home in Newark.  It was so fun to see their new place and all the work they have done to make it theirs.  Travis is so handy and has done all the major rehab himself...well okay, he's had a little help, but we are so impressed with his handyman skills and Emily's decorating eye.  We know Emily will enjoy living there with Travis once they are married on September 24th!  Please join us in prayer for Emily as she continues to wait to hear when she can take her nursing board exam.  She has been so patient as she waits...studying diligently...and praying for the job opening at Licking Memorial Hospital.  We know the Lord will be faithful to her and also that they will be able to join us for our family vacation in Tennessee in August.

Matt left yesterday for a week of basketball camp at MVNU.  We pray that he will be used by God to minister to the campers, be a leader among his peers and also learn and grow as a player himself.  After camp is over the team will head to Michigan for the weekend for boating and jet skiing fun together.  We trust the Lord for His watchful hand over these young men and that He would bond and build team unity among them.

Tom and I met with Dr. DeHaan (radiologist) this morning.  Her report was no different from Dr. Kuebler's for which we are thankful.  We will continue with the chemotherapy and trust God for complete healing!