Happy 2024 to my prayer warriors!😃

I looked back, and I had started typing something to you on October 9, 2023, but as you can see, I never published it. Wow, how time flies -- now it is January 18, 2024. It is two years ago today that I received the official diagnosis of my cancer. Life seems to move quickly. I have so much to be grateful to the Lord for!

Last September, I had appointments at Mayo starting on the 12th for follow ups and then an infusion. Then on September 14, I had another round of grafting. It all went well, despite the continued pain. This last fall was really low key for us since I couldn't let my heart rate get over 100 for one month, along with other restrictions. After the restrictions were lifted, we were able to go to Branson with my family for a Vietnam Veteran reunion for my dad. It was so wonderful to be in a place over Veteran's Day that honors our heroes so well. It truly was a special experience and a wonderful time with my parents, sisters, Blair, and new friends we made!

Life with the long-term side effects from treatment and the pill I am on now can be rough, but when I think of two years ago, all I can think of is PRAISE GOD! Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Praise God for walking with us every step of the way, Praise God for a wonderful medical team, my family and friends, for each one of you, for each and every breath He gives me, and for a wonderful, supportive husband who has stood with me and loved me every step of this journey.  I am beyond grateful to the Lord  as He allowed me to celebrate my daughter Angela's high school graduation. It is a moment I will always treasure. Time with our kids, grandchildren, and many of you is cherished! When I think of being diagnosis with not only one but two cancers and that I am here today, my heart overflows with joy and gratitude. I know that I am fortune, and I have other family, friends, and acquaintances that have not  had the same outcome. My heart breaks with and for them and their families. Sometimes in the midst of gratefulness, I feel guilty. Why me Lord?! I know He loves them just as much as me.  It is then that moment, I remind myself that He is sovereign and has a perfect plan for each one of us, and He is teaching me that, each one of us no matter our situation, need to live our lives in such a way that every day counts for the Lord! It doesn't mean in big grand things. It means living focused on the Lord in the small, tedious, mundane every day life, right where we are - full-heartedly worshiping Him!.

Scripture and Quotes:

I now know what a true friend really is:  Someone who always loves you, the imperfect you, the confused you, the wrong you, the scared you, because that's what friends do.

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done. - Psalm 105:1

Just because you did something wrong in the past doesn't mean you can't advocate against it now. It doesn't make you a hypocrite. You just grew. Don't let people use your past to invalidate your current mindset.

NO ONE will ever, ever, ever LOVE YOU more than Jesus!

So many people are hurting in their own way, trying to heal in their own way. Even if we don't always talk about it, --I am rooting for all of us to be okay.

God's protective nature doesn't mean that bad things won't happen. It means that whatever things do happen, He can be trusted to work on our behalf!

There is nothing you can do that could cause God to love you less. And there is nothing you can do to make God love you more. God loves you not because love is what He does. Love is who He is.

Most people don't really want the truth. They just want constant reassurance that what they believe is the truth.  There is only one truth. John 14:6 - "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Kindness is the language the deaf can hear and the blind can see.

Don't waste time thinking about what you could have done differently. Keep your eyes on the Lord and do it differently now.

Endure hardships as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. - 2 Timothy 2:3

For we brought nothing into this word, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. - 1 Timothy

                                                                             _________                                                                                                                                        

I will have more follow-up appointments and another infusion in March at Mayo. I continue to be on a pill to help keep the cancer away. It is very hard on my body, but I would rather have the pain and side effects than cancer - so thank you Lord for prayer and medicine to help give the best chance of not having a recurrence.  Thank you to each one of you for your prayers!

We hope each one of you is doing well! You are thought of often! We are so blessed by the love and encouragement you have given our family in so many ways through this journey. Our hearts will forever be grateful! Please continue to pray for an unspoken prayer request. And be assured, we continue to pray for you as you come to mind too! We know many of you are going through your own trials - you are not forgotten, and you are always close at heart! Many prayers are lifting you up to our heavenly Father! Please unite with me in praying for them too!🙏

As I close, I want to share one of my favorite songs - The Goodness of God! Despite anything happening in our life, God is a good, loving, faithful God! He loves each one of us more than we could ever comprehend! My hope and prayer is that you would experience all the love He has for you!

We love each one of you dearly! Let's make our days count for the Lord!

In His Grip,

Annette & Blair❤️