Thank you Father for your generosity to us, for abundant life in You, through the work of Christ. Thank you for walking this journey with us and for letting us grip your hand tighter. Thank you all for your continued prayers, thoughts, and kindness.

What a week it has been. Theresa continues to get stronger and stronger. At the beginning of the week, she was still having trouble sleeping. The electrical shocks are a thing of the past, but the nerve damage has left her with the feeling of 10,000 needles constantly poking her. I didn’t realize how bad this was for her until one morning, after a sleepless night, through tears she stated she didn’t know how much more of this she could handle. The pin pricks and insomnia were wearing her down. We had tried a medication called gabapentin which would have helped here, but she got hives from it. I called her Oncologist and asked if he would prescribe Lyrica, a branded medication in the same class as gabapentin. Because it is branded and expensive, we will have to get an authorization from the insurance company to get it approved. So, in the mean time, I bought 10 pills, so she could try it as soon as possible, while hoping she wouldn’t be allergic to this one as well. Thanks be to God, it not only stopped the pin pricks but she has had the best three nights sleep in 5 months. With the rest and reprieve, she has more energy, and is able to engage in more at home. She has been able to help our daughter with her school project, make meals, and go with me grocery shopping. She has gotten out of the house a few times now. All of our spirits have been lifted. Her eyes are smiling again. She is eating well and exercising most days. We made it through the shadow of death, and are looking down the road further, to summer vacations, God willing. The kids are doing well. Family and Friends have been a huge support for them during this time. Our community of friends have helped enormously. Thank you.

So far what have I learned? First, would be gratitude. I am thankful that God got my attention in high school, picked me up each time I fell, pruned me and molded me. I am thankful for forgiveness in Christ, and for the Spirit who draws my spirit into daily communion. I am thankful for daily surrender, submission, and obedience to our all knowing, all loving and wise Father. I am thankful for my daily quiet time with Him. I am grateful that I could draw on the past 34 years of walking with Christ to sustain me. I am thankful I was faithful over those years to Him, for He has always been faithful. Second, God shows up right on time, not a second too early and not a second too late. When we are beyond ourselves, He mercifully intervenes through others, medicine, circumstances, and His Spirit with peace and assurance. Third, Christ’s words in Matthew 7:24-25 are so true, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like “a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it has been founded on the rock.” He is our rock and a life built on Him can weather the storms of life and become stronger by them. Fourth, Friends and family are God-sent. The out pouring of love, cards, prayers, acts of kindness have encouraged our hearts. And I know the thousands of prayers offered up for Theresa were heard and God was pleased to answer them. Fifth, I am humbled that God’s favor rested upon us. My view of God gets grander the longer I walk with Him. He is big, He is all He claims to be. He desires us to know Him, made possible by Christ who covers us with Himself, and the spirit who helps us commune with Him. I’m sure there is much more I have learned. Keep your eyes in a laser focus on Him and you won’t be disappointed.