Home Again!

I think I may have been putting off "blogging" because there is so much to recall and I know it will be long!
Anyway...here we are back home safely after many miles on our tires.  We are so thankful to the Lord for His hand upon us as we traveled.
We are so glad we were at Luke & Jessica's beautiful wedding celebration.  We arrived in Clinton, IL on Friday (7/29) in time for Tom to lay down for a bit before joining in on the rehearsal dinner festivities.  What an awesome greeting from family we had at the hotel!  Tom's brother Tim and our nephew Timothy did the grilling for the dinner!  If you know Tim anything he puts on the grill is amazing.  We enjoyed grilled chicken, BBQ brisket, potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans and a trifle bar for dessert.  Terry and Joyce...you did good!  Joyce had the tables beautifully decorated and the fellowship was sweet.

We missed you, Ben!

It was on this night that Tom's Uncle Y.T. and Aunt Patsy said I was a "hero".  I have pondered their comments long and hard as I don't see myself as a "hero".  As I have taken time to think about what a hero is, God has given me this:
H=Honoring - I am honoring God by honoring my marriage vows as I care for Tom with the ability and strength God gives me daily.  Hebrews 13:4 "Let marriage be held in honor among all..." and then in verse 18 "...desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things."
E=Equipping - God is equipping Tom and I to get through one day at a time.  I am equipping (helping) Tom to get through each day.  Again in Hebrews 13:20-21 "Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen."
R=Respecting - How can I miss my husbands greatest need apart from Christ...respect?  It is very clear in Ephesians 5:33 "Nevertheless let each individual among you also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see to it that she respect her husband."  Tom is easy to respect because he has loved me unconditionally for 26 years!
O=Obeying - We taught our children a song that sticks with me even today..."obedience is the very best way to show that you believe, doing exactly what the Lord commands, doing it happily, action is the key to immediately and joy you will receive..." and through this trial I want people to see my obedience to God and my husband.  Even though I don't always feel "joy" I know that real joy is coming = hope.  Even Jesus learned obedience...Hebrews 5:8 "Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things He suffered."  Our greatest times of growth are through the suffering.  I guess I'm growing!
So after some thought...I guess I am a "hero".  I pray that my humility will stay in check.

  Uncle Y.T., Aunt Patsy, Lisa & Tom the Bomb!

Saturday morning we all gathered for breakfast at "The Shack".  What a fun morning of more fellowship and food.  The girls gathered at one end of the table while the boys at the other.

Girls Table

Boys Table

You have to understand that Luke and Jessica are both "PK's"...preacher's kids.  This means that both daddies want the ceremony to be extra special...well that's what it was.  Through tears, laughter, God's Word, vows, rings, candles and a kiss the ceremony was spectacular.  As parents they have so much to be thankful for...Luke and Jessica have been obedient to their parents and now we will watch them grow as a couple committed to Christ.

Terry Anglea Family

(Missing Ben, Ashley, Makenna, Brinley & Nellie...and Max, home with a fever)

Before we could get to the reception Tim & Timothy had to get to the airport to catch their flight back to Orlando.  Once that happened Tom was ready to get on the road to start our 8+ hour trip to Tennessee.  Of course Sarah and I were very sad not to get to be a part of the reception.  But remember what the "O" in hero stands for?  We were obedient to go.

Bride & Groom drive off in red wagon!

Abbie, Cherith, Sarah, Aunt Lisa & Leah

The next "groom" and "father-of-the-groom" May 11, 2012!

Jason, Hannah & Kyle (missing Max)

Happy Birthday, Jason! (8/11)

I do want to remember Ben & Ashley who are serving as missionaries in Madagascar.  They were unable to be at the wedding and we missed them.  We look forward to their home ministries come December.  Also, Ben & Ashley celebrated their anniversary on August 6!  We love and miss you.

Then...

Now!

I've received some phone calls and texts regarding Tom's doctor appointment today.  We met with the oncologist and all of Tom's blood work was normal...that is a praise.  However, since the blood work was normal that means that they have increased the chemotherapy dose.  If you remember a month ago we doubled the dose from radiation which caused him to be quite sick that first night of chemo.  We learned quickly that the anti-nausea medication was for a reason.  Tonight we will be on target to get that into his system prior to the Temodar.  He went from 340mg to now taking 440mg for the next 5 rounds.  We pray that he will tolerate it and there will be no complications.  Thank you again for your love and prayers on our behalf.

Stay tuned...Tennessee family vacation recap to follow!