Celebrating

Today we celebrate the official end of Mark’s chemotherapy treatments.  Please join me in a prayer of thanksgiving and praise.

Dear God,

Thank you for faithfully carrying us through this chemo phase of Mark’s cancer battle.  You have fulfilled your promise to shepherd us through this, and we give you all the praise.  You have given Mark supernatural strength and endurance and provided our family with every single need along the way. You have given us immeasurably more than we asked or imagined. We pray that many generations to come (especially our children) might see your mighty power and know that you are faithful and your promises are trustworthy. We pray that we will speak boldly of your power in our lives so that others see You. We will continue to seek you and your will for our family.  Please help this medical plan to restore Mark’s health so that we might continue to serve you more.  We give you all the glory! Amen.

Chocolate cake tonight!

The First Day of School - New Beginnings

I am not a morning person, but my husband is (You can take the man out of the Marine, but you can’t take the Marine out of the man!)  This past Wednesday I had to attack the day in a different way.  It was the first day of school and additionally, my husband’s car was in the shop. Mark would be ready to start the day early, and God was answering his prayers and giving him energy to start the year strong. I was on taxi duty! 

God’s mercy and love whispered to me personally all through the day.  It started with a 4:30am wakeup call, not from my alarm clock or phone.  I just woke up, wide awake and ready to serve my family with joy in my heart (not the way I normally feel in the mornings!)  The Holy Spirit was unquestionably prodding me. 

Our three children were up and ready early, too early to go to school. But their father would be one of the first to arrive.  So my taxi service began as I drove my husband to school, wearing the chemo pump that would come off later in the day. The taxi was already booked for the cancer center to finalize Mark’s 11^th treatment.  Chemicals, but mostly spiritual power and peace would fill my husband all morning.  Mark had been praying all summer for this day – prayers for his students, the teachers and other administrators, peace and physical strength for himself and the right words to share with his students and colleagues. 

God had already planned another whisper to me as I arrived to deliver the Vice Principal for the first day of school.  Mark arrived at school confident and ready.  I kissed him goodbye.  As I rounded the corner of the school parking lot, God whispered again to me just as he had 9 ½ months ago in this very same parking lot.  Last November 1, immediately following Mark’s cancer diagnosis, God had reminded me of his merciful promise to Hezekiah.  Mark had read the story in Isaiah 38, and on that day we realized that God was using His Word to promise us He would guide us through the trial we were entering. “‘This is the LORD’s sign to you that the LORD will do what he has promised…..”  Isaiah 38:7

On this day, 9 1/2 months later, God was sending me another reminder that we can always trust His promises. This time, He reminded me of the promise he made to Noah and all generations to follow.  In the parking lot, a spectacular rainbow surrounded the cross that sits near the school campus.  It took my breath away, and I had to stop and pray.  This was my prayer:  “Good morning God!  Thanks for the whisper this morning reminding me of your promises.”  God’s power and joy filled me that morning, and He continued to bless me the rest of the day. 

This cancer battle is teaching me many things.  I am seeking Him more through His word and His promises are ringing true in my life daily "....the Lord is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you." 2 Chronicles 15:2