Thankful!

Well, we are still hangin' in there! I just wanted to let you know that we don't really know anymore than we did before our doctors appt. The Pathology report showed that the tumor was a mixed germ-cell Nonseminoma tumor with 5 different kinds of germ cells. They did more bloodwork while we were there to get his tumor markers again to see if they are any different now after surgery. There is a possiblity they can be back to normal. If so, John will most likely go into observation monthly for a year. If not, we will look into chemotherapy and/or another surgery. The chemotherapy would probably be the first option. We have an appt. with an oncologist in Dothan for January 23rd. We are just going to talk with him about our options and see what his opinion on the situation is. We may use him or we may not. We are going to talk with my mother about that and get her opinion since she has been through this twice and has done all the research on doctors and knows which were the best through her experience. We go back to Dr. Nesbitt Monday to get the results of the bloodwork and discuss the tumor markers. Our specific prayer is that the numbers are back to normal! If not, we pray for wisdom on what to do next. Please keep praying for us!! John is doing better and better everyday. It is a slow go, but thankfully he is getting there! Pray for him to have patience. He wants to be OUTSIDE!!!

With all that said, I want to say THANK YOU once again to everyone! Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for all the delicious meals! THANK YOU! That has been a tremendous blessing to us both! Thank you for the sweet, sweet cards. I love getting "good" mail! We just are so thankful for all of you and cannot say it enough!

Through this trial, we have seen God work in awesome ways! In our own lives, and in others. He has answered prayer after prayer! It's amazing how through trying times God can make good things come of it. John and I have been studying the verses in James 1:2-5, and Romans 5:3-6. And we can see all of what they say coming to fruition in our lives! God has opened our eyes to things we both believe we would have never learned if we had not experienced this trial. When we first found out about John's cancer, we were talking with my parents and they were sharing verses and other things that helped them through the two times my mother had cancer. And one thing I remember Mama saying was that eventually we would be able to look back and say Thank You Lord for allowing us to experience this. It was a blessing! And I thought how can you thank the Lord for CANCER??!!! But, now I know exactly what she meant! We can truly say thank you Lord for what this has done in BOTH of our lives! I am so thankful for a Christian family that knows the Lord! John and I see just how important it is to raise your family in a home where God is talked about, His Word is read and taught, prayer is an everyday occurance, and going to church is NOT an option! Where love was/is shown everyday, and sticking by each other and standing up for one another was and is still just the way it's gonna be!! As Daddy would always say, "Do right til' the stars fall!" My childhood reminds me of the song, "Grandpa, tell me 'bout the good 'ole days, sometimes it feels like the worlds gone crazy. Take me back to yesterday when the line between right and wrong didn't seem so hazy. Lovers really fall in love to stay, stand beside each other come what may, promise really something people kept not just something they would say. Family's really bowed their heads to pray, daddys really never go away. Grandpa, tell me 'bout the good 'ole days." Thank you, Mama and Daddy for raising me in that kind of home!
We are learning more and more everyday about love, appreciation, time, family, and ALL those little and big things that we took for granted so many times before. We know that we are not promised tomorrow, so therefore we are going to make the best of TODAY! We love all of you and hope you all are having a great weekend!!

P.S. Please pray also for our sweet little man. He has a double ear infection and a runny nose and cough! We sure do miss him!!!

"My brethren, count it all joy when we fall into temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:2-5

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Chirst died for the ungodly." Romans 5:3-6

Have a Blessed Weekend!!!