Tears with Thanksgiving...                                         

(All posts will not be this long...promise:-) It's catching up time since we haven't posted recently. Prayer requests and updates at the end)

This morning is a morning of tears. Not tears of sadness (though I have had some of those), but tears of thanksgiving for you...for glimpses of His love through others, and for allowing us to see that one of the ways He fulfills His promise of never leaving us or forsaking us is by those who come alongside  and remain there.

So, here is our list of thankfulness this day: (It might get long:-)

• Birds at the bird-feeder we placed right outside our bedroom window. A reminder of God's care and provision.
• Weekly cards from a friend without fail. Yesterday's card cracked both of us up. (It was a boxer of course!)
• Homemade cookies from the same friend (above) mailed to our home. Memories of our military days. 
• An unexpected gift discovered outside our door with a card that made us smile and a 5 season DVD pack of the Andy Griffith Show to bring laughter to our hearts.
• A case of bottled water delivered to our door to keep Stew hydrated and because that's all I drink.
• A book of Jewish prayers given as a gift from a dear New Jersey friend. Before we even opened the book our hearts were moved by the prayer we read.
• The person who  "showed up" to mow our lawn two weeks in a row.
• Friends participating in a walk against Leukemia and Lymphoma...in Stew's name...in North Carolina.
• Cards with words of encouragement and caring. They are now filling up our "Steelers'" album and we both look through them on a regular basis. Seldom without a touch of tears caused by great joy.
• Homemade vegetable soup and prayer with a friend...happening this evening.
• Zagnut candy bars.Yes, I did eat a candy bar and enjoyed every bite.  It was "needed" after one of our appointments. :-)  
• The Smoothie King located near the hospital and Cancer Clinic.The apple,kiwi, and kale smoothie is the perfect follow-up to a visit at either place.
• Totally unexpected check given to help us  with a note included that touched our heart.
• Friends actively letting us know they are praying from California to Florida, New Jersey to Louisiana, Chicago to Texas, and many many places in between. 
• A roofer who inspected and fixed our roof for free...and offered to do it again in 2 years!
• The understanding of Stew's employers.
• The FB prayer group begun by Ben. Words could never express the gift each person is to us. Thank you for the prayers, scriptures, words from the Lord, and songs that are shared with us. We read every single one and add  them in our prayer journal.
• Those following the blog site...your encouragement, prayers, comments, and simply letting us know that you are on the journey with us is a strength giver.
• Text and phone calls...some daily, some weekly, all offering hope, understanding, and support. Love the words "you've been prayed for..."
• Our doctor and staff who speak of prayer, God, and fill the cancer clinic and offices with reminders of Who God is and what He promises,
• Our family...the beat of our hearts.
• Stew...the way he entertains the nurses, doctor, and phlebotomist with his quirky humor and made up jokes. The latest..."What do you call a dr. who is also a nurse? Dr. And-drew Blood." What can I say? !!! 
• And, so much more.

Every word spoken, every act of love and support, every scripture shared, every reminder that we are not  alone is a gift and evidence of the Father's love...and you are the gift givers. Thank you! Because of you and God's grace we are being made strong and get to experience wonderful splashes of joy throughout the day.

Prayer Requests:

• Stew:                                                                                                                                                White cell count to stop dropping, enlarged spleen to return to normal size, and no stomach pain. No delay in chemo treatments tomorrow because of white cell count. No chemo side effects! 

• All cancer healed and gone from colon, spleen, abdomen, bone marrow, and anywhere it may be hiding in his body. God's total and completely miraculous healing.
• For Dr. K.
• For Stew and I to have eyes and hearts open so we know how to bless the so many who are blessing us; including the medical team and the patients we see in the cancer clinic.
• Wisdom...Dr. K. spoke this week to the mantle cell specialist at MD Anderson. Once Stew is "more stable" she wants him to be seen there. Wisdom as to decisions and  favor with insurance/medicare.
• You...that each person who is praying for and standing with us reaps what they are sowing in abundance...favor, healing, strength, hope, and great great joy!
• The Father to be glorified in all and by all.

With hearts of gratitude,

Gary and Deb
Lamentations 3: 22-23