Hope

Hope

Friday, August 30, 2013

Don't worry.....

Since my last post a few things have happened.  My dear friend Jennifer lost her mother unexpectedly last week.  Thanks to our wonderful church, St. Simons Community Church, Chris Borsky had a beautiful service and Jen didn't have to worry about too much.  Also, her friends at Bonefish Grill raised money to help cover the funeral expenses.  She has such a great support system and is loved by so many.  We said our final goodbyes Tuesday morning at the beach.
   




Please keep Jennifer in your prayers.  She is very much loved.

Gretchen got some good news, they were able to remove 100% of the cancer according to her last scan.  Please continue to pray for her though, we all know how cancer is and we don't want it back!

My prayer list keeps growing and please remember the following people in your prayers:  Reggie Kimbell, Marjorie Polk, Tim Gravitt, Shelley Miller, Sheila Hodges, Peggy Fogerty, Dylan Rosier and James Robert Smith.  They still all have their own battles.

Most of all, please pray for strength and peace for Marjorie and her family right now.  She is having a fundraiser October 5th.  Please see Marjorie's Fundraiser to find out more information.

Additionally, Reggie still has an active fundraiser to help pay his medical bills.  It's at Reggie's Fundraiser.

Thank you all for your continued support and prayers throughout my journey too.  I know this blog wasn't much about me, but there isn't much to report.  I still have my faith and continue to believe that all of this is part of God's plan for me.  I truly enjoy helping others, so if my purpose is to make a difference in even one person's life, then it's all worth it.  We all have our trials and tribulations, but are never alone, even in our darkest hour.  As you can tell, the roller coaster is going up right now....

My next PetScan is Sept. 20th.  I'm praying for good results, but I'm not worried.  Everything is in God's hands.

Just a reminder...

Matthew 6:27
"Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"

Monday, August 19, 2013

Free to Breathe and More

I wanted to start this blog by thanking a group of people that I left out on my last entry, the members of my church, St. Simons Community Church.  Our Senior Pastor, David Yarborough, brought me a prayer quilt a few weeks ago from the church.  A woman at the church makes them and members of the church pray over them.  He also brought a Livestrong bracelet that a member of the church had worn during his fight with cancer.  He said that bracelet was given to him by someone else fighting cancer and it always made him feel he wasn't alone.  All of their love, kindness, and generosity literally made me cry later that evening.  I've slept with the quilt ever since...

This past Friday I had my 3 month MRI of the brain.  It was clear once again.  Praise God!  I will still go every 3 months for MRI's for the next year.  Then we can go for every 6 months, etc.  I love my neurologist and staff so I don't mind these at all.  My PetScan scheduled for mid September will show how active the cancer is and if it's spread so we continue to pray for it to just go away!

On Saturday, the National Lung Cancer Partnership held their 4th annual Free To Breathe 5K Run/Walk in Atlanta.  It was so much fun and I was so excited that so many of my friends came out to support the cause.  Our team consisted of Reggie Kimbell, Brad & Mandy Busch, Sam & Stephanie Thompson, David & Kristen Hall, Sonja Cox, Brook Moore, Amanda Davis, Ashleigh Glass, Amanda High, Terri Neundorfer, Cindy Hall, Sherry Taylor, Tammy Godfrey, and me.  Dave finished 1st in his age group and 9th overall and Terri Neundorfer finished 2nd in her age group!  So proud of us!











Thank you guys all so much for coming out, I love you all!
It was also so good to see my little sister again.  I've missed her so much, she rocks!

And thank you to God, all my family, friends, and faithful prayer warriors.  It was such a memorable weekend.

Finally, my prayer list keeps growing but please remember the following people in your prayers:  Reggie Kimbell, Gretchen Mitchell Anderson, Marjorie Polk, Tim Gravitt, Shelley Miller, Sheila Hodges, Peggy Fogerty, and James Robert Smith.  They still all have their own battles.

Most of all, please pray for strength and peace for Marjorie and her family right now.  Cancer sucks so bad and it's not fair!

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear or be afraid of them, for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you.  He will not leave you nor forsake you.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Blessed

It has been a busy couple of weeks since my last blog.  Karley was in her first karate tournament and took first place in sparring.  We were so proud of her, she beat 3 boys!  She wants to go to more tournaments now.  I'm totally fine with that!



Then, school started.  My baby girl is not a baby anymore.  She started 3rd grade!  For the first time, I didn't have to buy crayons or markers....it was bittersweet.  I love watching her grow up!!  I'm so blessed to be here for these precious moments!




This past weekend, Karley and I ventured to Atlanta so we could see the Justin Bieber concert.  Thanks to Chanda Dabney and Phillips Arena for not only those tickets for us, but for all they have done so far.  They have enabled me to do so many things with Karley I otherwise may not have been able to do!





We had a blast!  Now we are back home, she's at school and I'm packing up to head back to Atlanta tomorrow.  It's going to be a big weekend.  Friday I have my 3 month MRI and Saturday we are participating in the Free to Breathe 5K in the Vinings in an effort to raise awareness and funding for lung cancer research.  If you haven't signed up and would like to walk with us, please visit http://participate.freetobreathe.org/goto/Team_Clayco to learn more.  If online registration is closed, you can still register the morning of the event.  We look forward to seeing you out there!  

I will post another blog after this weekend that will have photos from the Free to Breathe event and results from the MRI.  

Thank you to God, and all of my family, friends, and prayer warriors who haven't given up on me.  I love you all and wouldn't be here if it weren't for all of your support!  I feel so blessed!

Also, please continue praying for Reggie Kimbell, Gretchen Mitchell Anderson, Tim Gravitt, Marjorie Polk, Jean Varner, Shelia Hodges, Shelley Miller, and Peggy Fogarty.  All are friends that are battling for their lives. 

Philippians 4:6

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."