It's Time to CELEBRATE!

Chemo is OVER! Praise the Lord! It is time to celebrate a little and since it will be a while before John feels like celebrating, we're throwing a little party right here on our blog!

Here goes...yippeehorraywhoopwhoopyeehaawoohoohalleluijahamen!

CELEBRATE!
庆祝 - Chinese
fejre - Danish

ipagdiwang - Filipino

célébrer - French
feiern - German
εορτασμό - Greek
celebrare - Italian
świętować - Polish
comemorar - Portuguese
celebrar - Spanish
fira - Swedish

And since a lively party is more fun with some lively music...grab someone and dance along to these...

Celebrate
Walking on Sunshine
Everybody Dance Now (Stickman)
Twist and Shout

Thanks for coming to our party! We'll keep everyone updated on John's progress and again, we appreciate all your prayers.

My Favorite Things

Like everyone's Christmas season, mine has been busy too. I've let quite a few things go by the wayside and that is ok. I tried to do those things that I thought the family would enjoy the most - the tree, outside lights, and cookie favorites.

Thank the Lord for on-line shopping, free shipping coupon codes and UPS! Thanks, brother Jim in Santa Rosa, for the Christmas ham (Yum!) so we have Christmas Eve dinner and some good sandwiches coming. The house is clean - ok, I paid someone for that and I feel like a queen! And I'm taking some vacations days this week.

I wanted to share a few of the things at our house that I enjoy the most this season:

Of course, John and the kids are top on my list. Wish JR were around more. The picture is of the Recliner Club members, although Audrey is feeling better but sleeping quite a bit. John is really exhausted and just wants to "get it over with."

The wonderful cards and letters we get from you folks. Receiving those words of encouragement mean so much and I want to express how it makes us feel to know so many folks are praying for us. To know that our brothers and sisters are walking along beside us brings us great joy.

And for comic relief, Jewels, our friendly cat, helped as I was wrapping gifts. Actually, her falling asleep and leaving me to the task was a great help as she is pretty persistent for attention. She is my yard work buddy too.

Merry Christmas, friends, and have a blessed New Year! I know we're looking forward to it. As John likes to say, "The cancer will abate in 2008 and we'll be doin' fine in 2009!"

Angels Among Us

^{Matthew 5
14}"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Seems there are angels among us and we are so very touched by the kindnesses folks have shown us. We've had some unexpected surprises from some very special people and just can't tell you all how much everything you have done for us means. That you think so highly of us is humbling. John has even been prayed for in Bethlehem. How cool is that?

John continues to feel pretty lousy and we can't wait to get the last chemo behind us. Although we don't want to rush the holidays, we are looking forward to feeling better in the coming months. Audrey has improved with the steroids, but after nine days is tired of laying around and sleeping. She and John are founding members of the Recliner Club and when not napping, are reclining side-by-side enjoying the TV and Christmas tree.

For you, I quote the following as a poem:

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

My prayer is:
Lord, please make
my hands gentle,
my feet swift,
my heart tender, and
my lips encouraging.

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and healthy New Year!

Musings

Today John began another chemo treatment. One more to go. He was actually excited to go this morning, but this afternoon he is feeling pretty puny. His blood counts are good though and he is staying pretty healthy. Recovery is slower but he was able to attend his office luncheon yesterday and he really enjoyed seeing everyone. It was a real boost. Plus, he drove with me to pick up some Chinese food one evening. While we're trying to keep up with the whole foods, seems like we mostly get in regular, home cooked food with as few preservatives as possible and Audrey and I get the occasional break by picking something up.

Speaking of Audrey...she was feeling under the weather this week and as an insurance policy to keep John healthy, the Dr. wanted to see her to be sure she didn't have strep. She had the usual fever, headache, sore throat, swollen glands and body aches. While she does not have strep, she does have mono and this morning felt even worse. Poor dear. I'm back to two patients again and am working from home for now. The fun just never ends! I'm praying Audrey feels better soon and this doesn't necessitate an extensive recovery period, plus I hate seeing her feel so bad. It could be worse, though.

On a brighter note, she was accepted at the University of Dayton and is supposed to begin Jan. 5, but has not yet received registration materials. The most important thing is that mono doesn't delay her studies. I hope UD is a good fit for her. She'll be living at home and commuting 15-20 minutes downtown. Thank you for praying about this. Firming this up has relieved tension around our house. Well, just mine as her dad never had any! Oh yeah...Mr. Smoooth.

With the Christmas season upon us, we of course ponder the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. What a wonderful time of year. The miracle of birth in itself is pretty amazing, but celebrating the birth of Jesus provides occasion to reflect. Yesterday, I was thinking, "Jesus! Where are you? When are you coming back? I'm ready!" Interestingly, sometimes at night I just flip open my Bible and read just a verse or two. Last night I flipped to these passages. It really makes you think about God's wrath and how it is not to be taken lightly!

Zephaniah 1:2-3

I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth, says the Lord. I will sweep away people and animals alike. I will sweep away the birds of the sky and the fish in the sea. I will reduce the wicked to heaps of rubble, and I will wipe humanity from the face of the earth, says the Lord.

So I ask you, what do you think would happen to you if Jesus came back?

With thanksgiving for many things - Pam