Christmas Blessings

What a difference a year makes! My heart is light and I am so excited about Christmas! Stephen reminded me of last year, when we were just investigating "the lump". There were still so many scary unknowns, and I was sad about the baby we lost that would have been due in early January.

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor." (Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV)

I want to write about these things to show the glory of the Lord and to encourage others. See what the Lord has done!

Last week, I received the call that my CT scan looked clear. It was a real encouragement for me. Realistically, I know the possibilities of microscopic cells floating around, but I feel as if I have been given a new lease on life. It is so easy to imagine all the terrible possibilities (I have had a year to do so) and was almost preparing myself for the worst, but the good report really gives me hope. I feel more relaxed and joyful.

I have the best Christmas blessings in my home. James is kicking and cooing and smiling at me as I type. He is absolutely precious! He is 16 weeks old today! And Emmalyn is so sweet and smart! She asks every day if it is Christmas yet, and if she can open presents. I made "snow" with corn starch and shaving cream, and she loves playing with it. She would love for it to really snow. We need to take that girl north! I can't believe she will turn 4 in one month!

I am preparing for radiation now. It will begin January 2nd. I have had two planning/ mapping scans this week, the second one after my doctor decided to assign me to their newest machine. It uses tomography and is more precise. It will hit less of the surrounding areas, like my lung. I have made the mold I will lay on each time. I just have to show up now! It will take about 30 minutes every day for 35 sessions. It all seems like a mad scientist's experiment! I am getting pretty accustomed to "exposing" myself, even as modest as I was before. It's just a fact of life now.  I will have to drive to Albany every day, and I am still trying to work out child care. I am eager to get started so that I can finish!

So far, I have felt okay with the tamoxifen. I have had a few hot flashes at night, but that's pretty much it. The neuropathy is about the same, but I don't really expect improvements for a few months.

As I have said, this Christmas I feel so blessed. I want others to know that as scary as cancer seems, the treatments are survivable! The doctors and nurses are very kind and make the process more bearable. This has been the quickest year! I am so grateful to have had my little buddy to go through the process with. James is a wonderful blessing! I am looking forward to a fresh beginning in 2013 (after radiation)!

It truly is a Merry Christmas! Peace has come!

"and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2:7-14 NIV)

Peace and Thanksgiving

As the season of Thanksgiving passes and Christmas approaches, I have so much to be thankful for.  This week I completed chemotherapy.  Stephen got me a dozen roses and the nurses and doctors in the chemo clinic sang an embarrassing song and gave me a bottle of sparkling grape juice. I have had 24 doses of chemo since March (18 technical "rounds"). My weekly sessions had become routine. I will have a little freedom...at least until I start radiation in January.  When radiation is over, likely in February, I really won't know what to do with myself! I'll just get to enjoy my little family!  I have a radiation planning session December 18, and I'll start taking tamoxifen soon.

I look forward to gradually feeling better as the effects of chemo fade. My hands and feet may take a while to return to normal. Last night, I had a splinter in my thumb and could barely even feel it. The joints in my hands and my elbows and knees are a little achy. Even my teeth hurt!  I felt better after taking a week off chemo after my ninth round, so I have hope of a full recovery from neuropathy. My hair thinned some during taxol, but I did not lose it all as I expected to. I even had a little hair trim to clean up the edges yesterday! 

Overall, I would say that chemo was not what I expected.  I feel so blessed to have felt pretty well throughout the past several months. I really have sympathy for those that suffer immensly from chemo. I feel covered in prayers from around the world! My only real complaints have come from a blood clot and numb hands and feet. I didn't even consider those side effects when I began! My stomach has been a little more sensitive of late, but nothing too bad. I have not been able to walk as much as I would like because it seems my feet hurt much more after exercising. I have purposely tried to not over-exert myself during this time, and I have had enough energy to take care of Emmalyn and James. It certainly helps now that James is sleeping through the night. He sleeps about ten hours or more.  That is a true blessing! The house is a mess, but I have never claimed to be a good housekeeper! I keep the bottles and clothes clean, and I feel accomplished.

Emmalyn and James are such joys! James responds with goofy grins and "goo's" when you talk to him. He laughed out loud last night when Stephen blew raspberries on his tummy. He is 14 weeks old. He is growing too fast! He is filling out his 3 months clothes. I love when he stops drinking his bottle for a moment to flash a smile and "goo," just because he likes looking at me!

 Emmalyn had her first haircut yesterday. She has been talking about going to the "barber shop" to get a haircut for a while. She was so excited! She sat perfectly still and told the hairdresser all about her pets. She is excited about Christmas. She helped me decorate the tree. She even remembered needing to wear gloves to fluff out the branches from last year.  She has an amazing memory! A few branches near the bottom are a little heavy with ornaments, but I think she did a great job, and I'm not fixing it! She was ready for presents as soon as we started decorating.  She says she wants a "magical pony with wings" when asked what she wants for Christmas. Fortunately for me, there was a set of about ten My Little Pony figures for $15 during Black Friday.  We are trying to make sure that she understands how fun it is to bless others this time of year. She helped me shop for and pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. She really liked a guitar that we bought for a little girl our Sunday School class is blessing for Christmas. Emmalyn now understands that it is for someone else but she would still like one for her birthday. She has also been a big help to me as we make treats for parties. She loves to cook...she really loves doing whatever I am doing. She is a mini me! A phrase she says often is, "When I get big like you...". That sweet girl is growing up too fast!

Before

After Cut and Style

Christmas came early for me this year. I got myself a Canon T3 dslr (an online Black Friday deal). Our old camera quit working in protest the night I ordered the new one! I have not even begun to explore all the capabilities of the new camera, but I am enjoying it already, even in auto mode. 

I feel like I have one more little hurdle to clear. I have CT scans scheduled this coming Wednesday. I should get the results on Thursday. I would have had scans when I was first diagnosed to be sure of the staging, but I couldn't, obviously, because of the pregnancy.  My oncologist expects them to be clear, especially after chemo. He didn't really even want to do them, though he was leaving the decision in my hands. The radiation oncologist made the decision for me, however. He wants to be sure of the status before radiation starts. So, I would really appreciate the prayers for clean scans and peace as I await the results. 

I LOVE Christmas music. The Casting Crowns version of "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" keeps playing in my head (and in my car since I bought the cd).  I am reminded of the promises in Psalm 121 that God does not sleep:

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore." (Psalm 121:1-8 NIV)

May I face these coming days with peace and thankfulness. May the joy of the Christmas season fill our family and yours!

His first Christmas Parade

A Blink

One month old and not interested in pictures...

I had to title this post "a blink," because I blinked and I suddenly have a one-month-old, I am 30 years old, and I am a third of the way through chemo treatments!

James is growing so fast. We have a six-week checkup at the end of the week. I can't wait to see how much he weighs. He seems so much bigger, though we still get a lot of comments about how small he is; he's probably now the size of most newborns. I can't really tell who he favors. He is a good mixture. He regrettably doesn't sleep as much during the day, but he sleeps fairly well at night. He'll sleep four hour stretches between feedings at night. I switched to a gentle formula because he had a few rough days; the formula definitely seems to not hurt his stomach as much, and he is more settled. The poor little thing has baby acne and is going bald but he is still really cute! He is very alert and has such expressive eyes. He is a sweet little blessing!

September 25, 2012 marked my 30th birthday. It was a little bittersweet. No one imagines they will be going through cancer treatments when they are 30. I had a really sweet birthday dinner with family and a few friends. Stephen even got one of our favorite Christian artists, Aaron Shust, to record a birthday message and sing "happy birthday" to me. It was a fun surprise. I got a pair of leather Croc sandals I had been eyeing all summer and another charm for my necklace. I expanded my wardrobe, and I still have a little birthday money to spend when I get to a store one day! I am thankful for another year, and I hope to have many, many more birthdays!

I have had four of twelve weekly taxol treatments. My hair has not fallen out yet, which is a little surprising. I have gotten several compliments about my new short "do." It is easy to manage! I haven't really had any stomach issues. The main symptom that is setting in is neuropathy, tingling and numbness in the hands and feet. It may get progressively worse through treatments, and there is a chance it could be permanent. We have to keep it in check to  make sure my quality of life is not affected. It is just a little strange and annoying at this point. When I lie in bed, the soles of my feet feel like I walked on hot concrete. The tips of my fingers tingle as if they are "waking up" from falling asleep. I'm praying for a full recovery after treatment! The main difference between taxol and the chemo I took before is the way it is administered. Taxol can cause allergic reactions, so I am given Benadryl during treatments. I am loopy and have to sleep away the rest of the day. I hate that feeling! At least it is passing really quickly. I'll be done before I know it...which means Christmas will be here soon!

Our Cowgirl at Cowpoke

Our Cowboy

Emmalyn has been so sweet with James. She kisses him every time she walks by him, and she loves to hold him and hug him. She lets me know when he is crying (even when I am ignoring him on purpose!) She makes sure he is taken care of! She had a big day Saturday at the Cowpoke Carnival. She rode a horse, jumped in the castle, got her face painted, and ate cotton candy.  I surprised her Saturday night with a "unicorn dream light." She has been asking for one for a long time. She loves to go to bed now and see the stars shining on her ceiling. It is a good tool to make bedtime smooth! We are looking forward to visiting the pumpkin patch soon. She says she wants to be a dolphin for Halloween. I might have to be creative with a costume! We have trunks of treats and a carnival at church that is always fun. I love fall!

I am really grateful that I feel well. We got a very nice double jogging stroller with gift cards, and we have been going on walks lately. We are so blessed by the gifts for James and Emmalyn and all the meals. It is very nice to not have to worry about what's for dinner a couple days of the week. Our parents have been sweet to keep our kids when I go to treatments, too. I don't think they mind too much.

I'll leave you with the words of Aaron Shust's song, "My Hope Is In You"

I meet with You and my soul sings out
As your word throws doubt far away
I sing to You and my heart cries
"Holy! Hallelujah, Father, You're near!"

My hope is in You, Lord
All the day long, I won't be shaken by drought or storm
A peace that passes understanding is my song
And I sing my hope is in You alone

I wait for You and my soul finds rest
In my selfishness, You show me grace
I worship You and my heart cries 

"Glory! Hallelujah, Father, You're here!"

My hope is in You, Lord
All the day long, I won't be shaken by drought or storm
A peace that passes understanding is my song
And I sing my hope is in You alone

I will wait on You
You are my refuge
I will wait on You
You are my refuge

My hope is in You, Lord, all the day long
I won't be shaken by drought or storm
My hope is in You, Lord
All the day long I won't be shaken by drought or storm

A peace that passes understanding is my song
And I sing my hope is in You alone
My hope is in You alone, yeah
My hope is in You alone

He's Here!

As I type this, I have the sweetest little cuddle bug curled up on my chest. He has the softest red-ish hair, pretty blue-gray eyes, and pink skin. James Edward Snyder was born August 31, 2012 at 3:29 p.m.  He weighed 5 pounds, 2 ounces and was 18 1/2 inches long. He is the skinniest little thing, but he is strong, especially when you try to change his diaper! He has a dimple on his right cheek. As Emmalyn says, "He's so cute!" Then, she gives him a kiss. She loves her little brother and is a big help; she'll take bottles to the sink, throw diapers away, and help burp him. She likes to steal the burp cloths, though (they're just the right size to use as blankets for stuffed animals).

An advantage to bottle feeding is that Stephen can get up to feed James at night. We take turns, so we're not too sleep deprived. James eats about every three hours and sleeps well between feedings. He weighed 5 pounds last Wednesday. He had grown to 5 pounds, 6 ounces, yesterday.

The delivery went really well. I progressed well with the induction. I had a good epidural and couldn't walk for a few hours. I had no pain and no regrets :). He pretty much popped out with two pushes. It's nice to have little babies! We were able to go home the next day.

He has been an awesome addition to our family. The dynamics work out nicely with two parents for two kids...we can split up the tasks. I am grateful Stephen takes an active parenting role and doesn't mind changing diapers or taking Emmalyn to gymnastics.

I've really enjoyed these few peaceful days with Emmalyn and James. We haven't had too many visitors and I feel good (I no longer have a baby in my ribs!), but I begin a new chemo treatment tomorrow and will have to leave my babies for the day with their grandparents.  I'll take taxol once a week for 12 weeks. Radiation will follow that every day for 7 weeks.

I am hoping and expecting to not have a bad reaction to the chemo. I want to maintain my energy so I won't need too much help at home. I also pray the chemo does its job, and by next spring, I hope to have a clean bill of health!

We appreciate all the gifts for James and Emmalyn. We have received just what we needed for the new baby. I'll be working on baby announcements and thank you notes soon!

"Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." (James 1:17 NASB)

"Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, 

The fruit of the womb is a reward." (Psalm 127:3 NASB)

The Time Has Come!

I can't sleep so well this week. I guess it's because I am a little anxious about the next couple of days...you see, we're going to have a baby!

James is doing really well according to non-stress tests and movement counts. He is just a little small.  Last week the fetal specialist decided that his growth had slowed enough (down to the 9th percentile) to warrant an induction at 37 weeks...this Friday, August 31! We will go to the hospital Thursday night to begin cervidil. The pitocin will start Friday morning. Hopefully, we will have a baby Friday, though my doctor gave a precaution that my labor could take a while to really start, and we may have to try again another day (surely not!).  I moved from my blood thinner to heparin in preparation for delivery, and I have a trail of bruises on my belly from the injections. I will take the bruises in order to be able to have an epidural, though!

We have been frantically trying to reorganize our house the past few days. I had been procrastinating, but the time has come to get on the ball! With the help of friends and family, we moved Emmalyn into our guest room, which means all the furniture and junk from our guest room has to go somewhere. We put the old mattress by the road. One of the city workers asked if she could take it for her child whose home recently burned. We were skeptical that anyone would want a used mattress, but they were desperate. When they came by to pick it up last night, I also gave them the comforter set with pillows, a box of clothes sitting by the door we had planned to give Goodwill, and a lamp. I was glad to get it out of the house and happy that someone could use it!

Emmalyn loves her new room. She said it is "gorgeous!" In my head, I imagined that she would have so much room, and we could put all of her toys in there to get them out of the living room. In actuality, the room filled up fast. I just wish our house had more closet space!

James has been showered with so many sweet gifts. My friends and family threw me a shower this past weekend, and we were given a wonderful variety of useful baby things. The little clothes are all washed and put away, and the car seat is washed and ready. The diaper changing station is set up, the bottles are all washed, and his bed is awaiting a little warm body. He will sleep in our room in a pack-n-play for a few weeks. I also ordered a swing that I hope he enjoys while I spend some time with Emmalyn or rest myself. I am glad that babies sleep so much in the beginning while the family adjusts to having another child!

After the delivery, I will start back on my original blood thinner to prevent clots. I will see my oncologist two weeks after the birth to set a plan for starting taxol and possibly having a complete scan. I am a little afraid of what could be found on a scan, but I am trying to give those worries to the Lord. My oncogist believes the chance of seeing anything else is pretty small, but it might put my mind at ease. Besides, my life is about to be so full with two kids that I won't have time to dwell on the possibilities. God is so good!

I truly cannot believe how time has flown. It seems like our journey has only just begun, and here we are nine months later! I am getting excited to see his little face. To see his little features and smell his sweet scent and see what color all his hair is will be heavenly. I can't wait to see Emmalyn's face when she meets James for the first time, too!  She picked out a little stuffed chicken (of all things!) to give James when they meet, and I have gathered her a movie and toys for him to "give" her. They have matching "big sister" and "little brother" shirts to wear. It will be such a blessed time!

"When my anxious thoughts multiply within me,
Your consolations delight my soul." (Psalm 94:19 NASB)

"Behold, children are a gift of the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward." (Psalm 127:3 NASB)

"Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel,
Who alone works wonders.
And blessed be His glorious name forever;
And may the whole earth be filled with His glory.
Amen, and Amen." (Psalm 72:18, 19 NASB)

The Countdown

A few significant things have occurred in the last month or so. Stephen and I lost a dear friend on June 30 to an accident. Jay Williams has been a great friend to us since college. He was always one for adventure, with a smile on his face, and he opened his home and life up to everyone. Some of my best memories with Jay include games of "Risk" at his apartment in college. I wasn't very good, and I didn't care whether I won or lost, but I always managed to be involved games with super-competitive guys (like my husband). Jay would slip me hints and game pieces to give me an edge, just to fluster his friends. We also enjoyed camping at his family's farm and games of "hide and seek" in hay fields with trucks. Jay was the first person we told about our first pregnancy. He invited us to visit him at his summer job in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming in the summer of 2008. On a hike, we had him take pictures of us holding a onesie to use to share the news of the baby with our families.

In recent years, Jay held cookouts at his house with board games and hamburgers for his friends. He even welcomed Emmalyn, who usually found something to get into! The last few days of his life, he, along with his sweet girlfriend and other friends, painted Emmalyn's new room and the baby's room while we were out of town as a gift. Stephen and I have been so blessed by his friendship and generosity, and we have such a sweet, constant reminder of our friend. Jay loved the Lord, and we know he is praising our Savior for all eternity! I continue to pray for his girlfriend, who is a dear friend of mine, and his family as their lives have been greatly changed.

I had my last chemo sessions in early July. They went well, as usual, praise the Lord! I have had an issue with UTI's in the last month. I've gone through four rounds of antibiotics. Hopefully, I won't have any more flare-ups. I am enjoying my break from chemo. We are waiting until after delivery to determine when I will start Taxol. My weeks are still filled with doctors' visits, though...OB appointments! I am 34 weeks along as of Friday.

 Baby James has been measuring a little "skinny." I saw the fetal specialist this week, and James is about two weeks behind in growth, which puts him in the 20th percentile. I can't necessarily blame it on chemo, though. My daughter had the same issue. We delivered her at 6 lbs, 3 oz. It must just be the way I grow them! It means that I have to take non-stress tests twice a week and have even more frequent ultrasounds. Everything else looks great, though! We may be delivering a little early so that he can get out and eat. We can see a head full of hair on the ultrasound. I wonder what color his hair and eyes will be and what his little face will look like.

We are making an effort to have fun with Emmalyn these last few weeks. We took her to Pine Mountain Wild Animal Park last weekend. She had a blast! She loves animals. She started gymnastics this week, too. The class was quite entertaining, to say the least! We will probably move her into her new room this weekend, so we can set the baby bed up in her old room. I am excited to decorate her room with the few things I have gathered. Emmalyn is getting to be such a big girl! She is so sweet, and she'll be a great big sister!

One of our pastors gave a sermon recently that really convicted and encouraged me in my battle and view of the future. He was speaking about giants that we face, as in the confrontation between David and Goliath. After Goliath spouts about all his armor, strength, and sure victory, David gives a powerful response:

"Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands, ...that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD'S and He will give you into our hands." (1 Samuel 17:45-47 NASB)

I have to remember that the battle is the Lord's, and he is able to defeat armies, giants, and cancer. I have to keep my trust in Him. I certainly don't have much to contribute to the battle, except my faith in the one who created Heaven and Earth!

As the time is counting down to delivery, I am starting to get excited about the new addition to our family. I guess I haven't really let it sink in that we are actually having another baby among all the other changes in my life recently. Reality will have to set in soon, though, like in the next month! My sweet sisters and friends are throwing a shower in a couple of weeks. It will be a lot of fun to celebrate our coming miracle! I love the cute little blue things! 

Again, I want to say how grateful we are for all the cards, gifts, meals, and especially prayers made on our behalf. I certainly feel them, and I'm so blessed!

"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord,  be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." (Jude 1:24, 25 NASB)

Trust God

It's been a while since I've given an update. Things are going pretty well. Emmalyn's collarbone is slowly healing. We had another x-ray last week, and though it is still crooked, it is encased in bone and will straighten over the years. My heart still aches for the pain I know she must have experienced the first few days, but it didn't slow her down for long. In fact, we have to constantly remind her to slow down and be careful! My leg is much improved. It gets swollen and tired after standing for a while. It is not painful like it was four weeks ago, thankfully. I am still tolerating the shots; some days seem to hurt more than others.

 I have five rounds of chemo down, with only one more round of this regimen left in early July. Then, I'll get a break from chemo until after the baby is born. I am so blessed to not experience horrible symptoms. I've even managed to stay healthy from colds and such. I guess my white blood cell count has not fallen too low. I am very grateful and realize how blessed I am when I hear the experiences of others. Maybe pregnancy is helping me feel well!

We've reached 27 weeks gestation. Baby James moves ALL the time, and my belly is growing. At 25 weeks, he was growing on schedule according to ultrasound and weighed one pound, ten ounces. We'll have another ultrasound at the next appointment at 28 weeks. The weeks are passing quickly. We have only three more months!

 Monday, June 25, marks seven years of marriage for Stephen and me. I am very blessed to have entered this covenant with a man who honors it as I do. I have seen our vows in action, specifically the "in sickness and in health" part. Marriage isn't always easy, but it's a promise we made to each other before God. Stephen works hard to provide for our family. He takes good care of me and spoils me every now and then. He is a great daddy to Emmalyn and will enjoy our coming son. Our full vows from our wedding are below, and I pledge to keep them for the rest of our lives! I love you, Stephen! We are spending a few days in New Orleans next week. Stephen actually has a conference, but we will leave Emmalyn with her grandparents and enjoy a little time away.

 "I, Leah, take you, Stephen, to be my wedded husband, and I do promise and covenant, before God and these witnesses, to be your loving and faithful wife, in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live."

 Emmalyn had a great time at "Sky" VBS at our church a couple of weeks ago. She loves the songs, and we now have the cd in the car; we have to listen to the same two songs over and over. The amazing thing is, her favorite songs really speak to me and are a great reminder of the promises and provision of God. Her favorite song is "You, You, You, You Can Trust God." Her other favorite is "Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other. Our God is healer, awesome in power, Our God, our God." She knows all the words and sings them constantly. The theme of the week was "Trust God, no matter who you are, no matter how you feel, no matter what people do, no matter what happens, no matter where you are," which is very important to remember for both children and adults. I am blessed by Emmalyn's little heart, and I know Jesus is praised by her sweet voice.

 Some of the memory versus from the week...
"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God." (John 14:1) 

 "But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles." (Isaiah 40:31)

 "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love." (Romans 8:38)

 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)

 I found they were all quite poignant! We are still being encouraged and overwhelmed by the prayers, meals, flowers, gifts and cards that arrive nearly every day. I'll say it again...we are so blessed!