Worship

"Come, let us worship and bow down,
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker."

Psalm 95:6

Worship...while many who read this were probably worshiping from a church pew this morning...I worshiped from Tom's bedside in the recliner chair!  I'm so thankful I don't have to go to a special place to worship.  God meets me for worship wherever I am...I'm thankful. 

I feel like a shriveled grape...not quite a raisin, yet.  God reminded me this morning that in order to make sweet wine...the grapes have to be crushed!

"God can never make us wine if we object to the fingers He uses to crush us with."

-Oswald Chambers

My prayer is that the "wine" God is producing from our lives is sweet to your taste.

We continue to blessed by the out-pouring of prayer, love and encouragement by our friends and family.  Thank you to those who have brought meals, sent cards, flowers and continue to be Jesus in the "skin" to us as we travel this road to eternity.

Pressing on...

Choosing joy...

 

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Today is Mom's birthday. She is the most amazing Mom...how do we say 'thanks'? We are thankful for her display of Christ most clearly in the last 18 months. She has served so sacrificially and loved us kids through everything. God has gifted her in so many unique ways...especially giving of herself and loving on Dad. 

Mom makes us laugh, holds us tight, encourages us, prays for us, loves Jesus, loves her family and friends, and brings so much joy to so many people. She is strong and rooted in her faith...clings to Jesus through these hard times and has been an outstanding example to so many.

We know today isn't the way any of us would want Mom to spend her birthday, but we know given the circumstances she wouldn't be anywhere else....that is true love.

We love you Mom and pray you know how special you are and how much you mean to us!
We are truly grateful for you!

All our love,
Sarah, Zac, & Matt

                                                         Birthday Flowers! Thank you!!

Update on Dad:
We have been here at the Kobacker House since Wednesday....this place is incredible. The facility is top of the line and the care is exceptional. We have grown to love the nurses and staff here. Dad is very comfortable, pain-free, and peaceful. Most of the time he is sleeping and then he will wake up to see who is in the room. Our large family is taking turns spending time with Dad.  Please understand that visits with Dad are limited to family.

Thank you again for your prayers, we can feel the support. God is giving us strength each and every day. We know that Jesus is working even here at the Kobacker. Dad has blessed so many nurses and we continue to see God working.

Once again, thanks for your prayers. Pray that Mom would feel special today on her birthday!

Unexpected Turn

Friends,

Thanks for your continued prayers for Dad, Mom, and our family. You mean so much to us and it is by God's grace that we are sustained each and every day.

The last few days have been an unexpectd turn for us for sure.

On Monday morning Dad woke up with seizures and vomiting and was taken by squad to the hospital. He has been very calm and relaxed. After meeting with Dr. Cavaliere, it appears that the swelling from his tumor is pushing on both sides of his brain.

Dad will be transported to the Kobacker House (hospice care facility) this afternoon to be in the most comfortable place possible. We are thankful for such nice accomodations for Dad and the entire family.

It is hard to explain what we are all going through, we know that Jesus knows the number of Dad's days but it is still hard to watch the ups and downs.   We are thankful that Dad knows his true home and that this earth is just temporary and passing.

We rejoice in this special time with Dad as a family and pray that each moment will be special.

Thanks for your continued prayers and support.
We love you all.

Sarah

Monday...

Tom, Amy & Emma Singleton

Monday should have been an Avastin infusion (chemo) for Tom, however when he woke up vomiting at 7:00 a.m. I knew that probably wouldn't happen.  Sometime back in May Tom had a very similar experience.  Both of these times I was shaken to my core.  My parents were here during that experience in May and this time my sister was here to bring her calming effect and stability to my wild imaginations.  I have come to realize that as our days continue without "bumps" I handle life pretty well...however, when the "bumps" arise I am quickly shaken back to the reality of our situation.  After four vomiting episodes, one saltine cracker and much sleep, by dinner time he was feeling better...me too!  Thank you to all the family for lifting us up in prayer on Monday...God heard your petitions and answered.  Tom's next Avastin infusion is rescheduled for this next Monday, September 17th.
Also on Monday Sarah started her full-time position at Worthington Industries.  We all enjoyed her part-time employment while it lasted...now on to reality!  We know she will do great in whatever job position God places her in.  She is a light in a dark place and we pray that her "mission field" will see Jesus in her as she loves the people God places around her.  Because her work is so close to home she is able to come home for lunch...one of the highlights of our day!  Tom enjoys having her here to play a round of lunchtime Skipbo.
Recent Meals:

Chicken Pot Pie, Broccoli Salad, Biscuits

AND

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars!

Thank You Beth Beatty for another delicious dinner!

Salad, Rolls,

"Kelly's Noodles" or a similar dish as Johnny Marzetti

and...

Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Thank You O'Roark Family for another great dinner!

Sunday we had the pleasure of enjoying lunch after church with Amy and Emma Singleton (pic above).  They brought one of Tom's favorites...City Barbecue!  What a fun time we had enjoying lunch together and catching up on life.  Tom especially enjoyed hearing Emma tell of the Worthington Christian life as a high school senior this year...Emma, you've grown up too quickly!  Thank you Amy and Emma for blessing our day.

I have to share a "Sunday Story"...our church is gearing up for an eight week series called "Mission: Possible".  Our pastor has encouraged the small groups who currently meet along with new groups being established to join as one in the next eight weeks in studying the related Sunday morning topics together in depth as small groups.  Tom and I are delighted to have a small group meeting in our home on Tuesday evenings starting next week.  This past Sunday we had a 'consecrating service' preparing each of us for what God is going to do in these next eight weeks...it was amazing.  Anyway, our pastor had those who have committed to a small group to stand, and before he could even finish getting those words out of his mouth, Tom stood!  It was so sweet...he is SO excited to have this small group coming to our home.  We look forward to deepening relationships with those in our group, rediscovering our ultimate passion in life, participating and preparing for transforming services as a body!

Quote that touched my heart this morning:

"Rather than evaluating God's ways with you, accept them thankfully."

 

"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks;

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

I Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

Happy Birthday Timothy!

Today we honor and celebrate our nephew, Timothy.  Timothy and his wife, Britney recently moved from Florida to South Carolina where Tim is a teaching assistant in the history department while working on his Master's Degree at Clemson University.

Copied from his Facebook wall:

About Tim

I love history.. talk to me about it

"For my sin He was wounded; for my guilt, crucified.
For my debt paid a ransom; for my straying He died.
For my acts of rebellion, for my deeds full of pride,
My Savior was beaten, my Lord crucified.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Such sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did ever such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown.

By His grace I am rescued, by His love I'm set free.
By the gift of redemption His shed blood is my plea.
Now there's no condemnation. Now there's no penalty!
Now He is my Savior. I sit at His feet!
My sorrow has ended. My joy is complete!"

John 18:38 "Pilate said to him, "What is truth?"...

John 8:32 "and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me."

John 17:17 "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth."

Romans 1:18 "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against

all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men,

who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth."

Romans 1:25 "because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie

and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator,

who is blessed forever!"

Romans 9:1 "I am speaking the truth in Christ--I am not lying;

my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit"

Julie, Timothy, Britney, Rachael & Tim

We pray his birthday is as special as he is.

We love you Timothy!

Uncle Tom & Aunt Lisa

Blasts from the past:

Luke, Matt & Timothy

Bowling - Christmas in Atlanta 1995

Timothy, Matt & Luke

Summer of Hannah's Wedding - June 2002

Matt & Timothy Boating on the St. John River

March 2003

Cherith, Matt, Luke & Timothy

Gatlinburg, TN - 2001

Girls Day Out!

Ingrid, Karen, Nancy, Jennifer, Carylee, Beth, Anne Marie, Lisa, Jeanette, Kelly & Ginny

So today's post isn't about Tom...but it is about his caretaker(s)...Lisa (& Sarah).  Because I have the most amazing friends who care so deeply about me and Tom...they schemed and planned a day out for me.  I can mostly thank Anne Marie for her idea and Carylee who pulled the idea into this wonderful afternoon.  I would be remiss not to thank Sarah and Zac for making it possible...Zac for staying and caring for Tom...and to Sarah for making me go and relax.  I'm sorry Sarah wasn't in the picture...she was there to enjoy the time too but insisted she take the picture of me with my dear friends. Not only did we have an incredible day of weather, but the fellowship, food, friends and floating were amazing.  You have to understand that on a "normal" day this would be one of my favorite things to do, however, how do you define "normal" in my world?  I am slowly learning the process of enjoying myself without guilt of knowing Tom could never enjoy a "normal" (the way it used to be) day of his favorite things, so why should I?  I know it is crazy thinking, but I am honest!
Carylee has the best spot for entertaining and especially poolside.  What a joy to visit and share, as only ladies can do, spend time in sweet prayer, enjoy an amazing luncheon eating in the shade at the edge of the pool, dipping in the pool to cool off and just relax on a beautiful day.

Carylee made all of the delicious food...

Strawberry Pecan Salad...

Wonderful Chicken Salad Croissants...

Homemade Corn Salsa & Chips...

A Chocolate Heath Bar Triffle...

I'm sorry I didn't get pictures of everything!

Thank You!!!

Beautiful Flowers from Jen Deskins!

Thank You Jennifer...you're too sweet!

Today's Crop:  Our 1st Acorn Squash & more Tomatoes! 

Happy Birthday Cass!

Uncle Tom & Cassidy Joy

Today we honor and celebrate the birth of our niece, Cassidy Joy!  I need you all to hold on for the 'September Birthday Ride'...this month holds many family birthdays...starting with Cass.

1994

Cassidy is a senior dietetics major at The Ohio State University.  I believe she started a desire for this career at an early age...licking the beaters...one of her favorite past-times!

Always a "fashionista"...

With a fetish for duct tape...

Giving Granny much grief when teamed up with Matt!

The "baby" of four girls...UNTIL...

A little brother, Zac, replaced her from that "baby" spot 6 years later!

2008

"For You, O Lord, have made me glad by what You have done,

I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands."

Psalm 92:4

Always ready for an adventure...

Trusting Matt & Dan with no fear...go Cass!

We love you Cass...

Wishing you the best 21st Birthday!

Love,

Uncle Tom & Aunt Lisa