September 11th is significant to us for more that one reason: first of all it is the day that we remember and honor those who died or were injured in the attacks on our country and its freedom. I'm sure we all can remember exactly where we were when we first heard about what was unfolding in New York City and Washington D. C. and how distressed we were see our country being attacked in such a horrific manner.
Tim and I also remember exactly where we were one year ago today when we received the life-changing news that Tim had two tumors on his spinal column and they were probably cancerous. After a few more tests in the following weeks, it was confirmed to be just that - Tim had Multiple Myeloma, a cancer of the blood plasma. Since then, cancer has become an unwelcome visitor to our home and family. Our routine and life style changed as we began the doctor visits, medication routines, diet changes and more. Even things like lifting a box or bending over to pick up something became an effort for Tim. Our perspective on everything changed, as we now had this invader living with us and affecting our lives in a very significant way.
It has been an overwhelming year of emotions and physical and spiritual challenges, but through it all God has been faithful to carry us and sustain us. We know that nothing can enter our lives without first being approved by our Heavenly Father. He knows what is best for us and what will cause us to grow and become more like Him. We are learning to take the hurts in our lives and make them opportunities - opportunities to strengthen our walk with the Lord, to pray more, to empathize with others on a deeper level and to hopefully show His grace through it all.
We are thankful that Tim is in remission and he is feeling great! We are thankful for the many prayer warriors who continue to carry Tim's name to the Throne of Grace. We keep hearing of more and more people that we do not know but who have prayed for Tim. It is very humbling---we are so grateful.
So on September 11th, we will take time to look back and remember the events of that day nine years ago. We are so very grateful to be Americans and pray that God will continue to bless our country. Tim and I will also take time today to look back and remember all that God has done for us in this past year and thank Him for His goodness to us.
Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
August Update
It's hard to believe that August is almost over. School has started and we are getting back into our fall routine. August was a very eventful month for us. Michael turned 13, McKayla turned 7 and Tim and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary.
As we reflect on 20 years, we are humbled by God's goodness to us. We have been through a lot in 20 years, but He has been faithful to carry us and sustain us. (One day we are going to write a book about all of our experiences!) We have received so many blessings, we can't begin to count them! We serve a very gracious God!
Our new associate pastor and his family also arrived in Branford this month. Our church family worked hard in the weeks prior to their arrival to clean, paint and prepare their new home and then helped them get moved in. Pastor Matt Fitch and his wife, Julie, have jumped head first into the ministry here. It seems like they have been here for years! It is truly a blessing to have them here to help carry the load.
One of the biggest answers to prayer by far is how well Tim is doing after the treatment this summer. This past week, he met with the doctor that did the stem cell transplant and he was very encouraged by how well Tim's blood work looked; and how quickly he has recovered from such a rough treatment. We know that it was because of the prayers of so many all over the country. We appreciate your prayers that he will continue to feel as well as he does now, and that the cancer will stay in remission.
An update on the hair growth: Tim's hair is starting to grow back. He's in the "fuzzy" stage. A sweet lady at church today told him, "You know, Pastor, it has to get worse before it gets better!" Need I say anymore??? ☺
As we reflect on 20 years, we are humbled by God's goodness to us. We have been through a lot in 20 years, but He has been faithful to carry us and sustain us. (One day we are going to write a book about all of our experiences!) We have received so many blessings, we can't begin to count them! We serve a very gracious God!
Our new associate pastor and his family also arrived in Branford this month. Our church family worked hard in the weeks prior to their arrival to clean, paint and prepare their new home and then helped them get moved in. Pastor Matt Fitch and his wife, Julie, have jumped head first into the ministry here. It seems like they have been here for years! It is truly a blessing to have them here to help carry the load.
One of the biggest answers to prayer by far is how well Tim is doing after the treatment this summer. This past week, he met with the doctor that did the stem cell transplant and he was very encouraged by how well Tim's blood work looked; and how quickly he has recovered from such a rough treatment. We know that it was because of the prayers of so many all over the country. We appreciate your prayers that he will continue to feel as well as he does now, and that the cancer will stay in remission.
An update on the hair growth: Tim's hair is starting to grow back. He's in the "fuzzy" stage. A sweet lady at church today told him, "You know, Pastor, it has to get worse before it gets better!" Need I say anymore??? ☺
The kids received free tickets to Six Flags from school this year and we weren't sure that we would be able to go. Two days before they expired, Tim felt good enough to go, so off we went! We had beautiful weather and a fun family day. I just had to include this picture of Tim with Mr. Six...the resemblence is uncanny!!!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Success!
We are rejoicing in the good news we received this week. God has been gracious - the stem cell transplant was successful and Tim's cancer is in remission! Praise the Lord! The prayers of so many have been answered. He is feeling on top of the world right now and back to a full work schedule. The doctors will continue to monitor him over the next several months, but it was a huge blessing to hear that he is in remission. Now, our prayer is that the cancer stays in remission and he continues to feel as well as he does right now.
We are busy preparing for the arrival of our new assistant pastor and his family - it is so good to say "our assistant pastor." We are excited and honored to have Matt and Julie Fitch joining us at Community Baptist Church to help take our church to the next level. We have so many plans and are grateful that they are willing to partner with us to reach our community with the Gospel and help strengthen and support our CBC family. We are looking forward to exciting days ahead.
We are busy preparing for the arrival of our new assistant pastor and his family - it is so good to say "our assistant pastor." We are excited and honored to have Matt and Julie Fitch joining us at Community Baptist Church to help take our church to the next level. We have so many plans and are grateful that they are willing to partner with us to reach our community with the Gospel and help strengthen and support our CBC family. We are looking forward to exciting days ahead.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
I hope you run through the rain!
My dad sent me this story. I don't know if it is true, but it is certainly poignant.
A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence.
It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there, under the awning, just inside the door of the Target. We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day.
I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day. Her little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in. "Mom let's run through the rain," she said.
"What?" Mom asked.
"Let's run through the rain!" She repeated.
"No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied.
This young child waited a minute and repeated: "Mom, let's run through the rain!"
"We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.
"No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.
"This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?"
"Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!' "
The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I'm sure you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one left. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say.
Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.
"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just need washing!" Mom said.
Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They got soaked.
They were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.
Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories...So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories every day.
To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.
I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN.
-Author Unknown
A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence.
It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there, under the awning, just inside the door of the Target. We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day.
I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day. Her little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in. "Mom let's run through the rain," she said.
"What?" Mom asked.
"Let's run through the rain!" She repeated.
"No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied.
This young child waited a minute and repeated: "Mom, let's run through the rain!"
"We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.
"No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.
"This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?"
"Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!' "
The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I'm sure you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one left. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say.
Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.
"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just need washing!" Mom said.
Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They got soaked.
They were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.
Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories...So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories every day.
To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.
I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN.
-Author Unknown
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
A Busy Summer
Tim is feeling great and is so happy to be back at church and working again. He says he feels better than he has in over a year! We know that he would not have done so well throughout the treatment were it not for the prayers of 100's of people all over the country. We are humbled by the support and love we have received and grateful to have been included in your prayers.
Little Attorney...?
Tim has an appointment next week to have some testing done. These tests should tell us whether the cancer has gone into remission. We are resting in the Lord as we await those results and will post as soon as we know something.
Our family is keeping me very busy this summer - Matthew is at The Wilds of New England camp this week. He has been working hard with his lawn business and earned a nice break this week at camp. Michael sliced his finger and had to have 4 stitches yesterday. He's going to be fine, but enjoying the extra attention. McKayla is running a fever again (now on day 2) and is not feeling well. She is very sad to be missing Vacation Bibe School this week. Mark is continuing to practice his negotiating skills on me. He is a little attorney and can worm his way out of pretty much anything! We call him our little Einstein since he is such a "brainiac"! ☺
Our family is keeping me very busy this summer - Matthew is at The Wilds of New England camp this week. He has been working hard with his lawn business and earned a nice break this week at camp. Michael sliced his finger and had to have 4 stitches yesterday. He's going to be fine, but enjoying the extra attention. McKayla is running a fever again (now on day 2) and is not feeling well. She is very sad to be missing Vacation Bibe School this week. Mark is continuing to practice his negotiating skills on me. He is a little attorney and can worm his way out of pretty much anything! We call him our little Einstein since he is such a "brainiac"! ☺
Since there's not much to post about Tim, I thought I'd share some adorable pictures with you. I finally had a chance to have Mark's K-5 graduation pictures made. Isn't he cute!!!
Little graduate
Little Attorney...?
Little Preacher...?
Hurray! I'm done!
Hurray! I'm done!
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