Thankful for:

support

The kids' musical that Sara normally choreographs for every summer decided to do a benefit performance for her last night. Above is the link to an article written in the local newspaper. We are so thankful for the support from family, friends and the community. When I can't be with my family, it's nice to know that they are being loved and taken care of by those surrounding them.

If You Want Me To

Below is a journal post that my mom put up this evening on my sister's website. I didn't even know about this story until I read it several minutes ago, and seriously...I can't stop the tears.





"When Sara first came home the beginning of June, we had asked her to sing that next Sunday morning in church. She had picked a song that she heard on the radio, and we had been working on it the week that the doctor found the tumor in her leg. It is a song by Ginny Owens called "If You Want Me To". She never sang because of all that happened - but the words show that God has been preparing her heart for this.

"The pathway is broken and the signs are unclear.

And I don't know the reason why You brought me here.

But just because You love me the way that You do,

I'm gonna walk through the valley if You want me to.

'Cause I'm not who I was when I took my first step.

And I'm clingin' to the promise You're not through with me yet.

So if all of these trials bring me closer to You,

then I will go through the fire if You want me to.

It may not be the way I would have chosen,

when You lead me through a world that's not my home.

But You never said it would be easy,

You only said I'll never go alone.

So when the whole world turns against me and I'm all by myself

and I can't hear You answer my cries for help.

I'll remember the suff'ring Your love put YOU through

And I will go through the valley if You want me to. "

Click here to listen to the song.

A Great Visit

We were so blessed to be able to spend this past weekend up in Washington with good friends.

We arrived on Friday afternoon and just like "old times" Justin and Brett went golfing, while Sarah and I (and Sterling) went to coffee. We also enjoyed a fabulous dinner together that night. Thank you, Officer's - rice and all :)

Saturday afternoon we headed up to Seattle where we walked around for a few hours before heading to the Mariner's game that night. Sarah's mom watched Sterling so we were able to enjoy the afternoon/evening baby free. It was a wonderful time.

Sunday morning the boys went frisbee golfing and Sarah and I enjoyed a nice walk down to the water and around town. It was so refreshing and a wonderful time spent with each other. After a great lunch with Sarah's family, we headed back to Salem.

(yep, that's a lemon in Sarah's hand - he loves them - although this face sort of shows otherwise)

I'm already looking forward to another visit. Hopefully we'll see them again for the 4th of July weekend. We can't stay away for long.

P.S. If you haven't already, click on the picture collage of my sister to the right and take a look at her website. We're updating it with all the latest news. She handled her first chemo treatments like a champ and was just released from the hospital today. She'll be home for about 2 weeks before going back for the next treatments. Thank you all for your continued love and support and most of all prayer. We appreciate you all!

Catching Up

So obviously, from my earlier posts, my family has been dealing with a lot in these past couple weeks. My sister, Sara, was diagnosed with bone cancer and has since spent many hours/days in the hospital doing test upon test. She gets her port/central line (whatever it's called) put in this morning and then starts her first chemo treatment today. She is seriously AMAZING! She is already such a bright, cheery and inspiring woman that I can only imagine what she'll be like with this success story behind her. I just know she will be even stronger when this is all said and done.

I am not with my family at the moment - I decided to come home and carry on with our life here as normal. I will be making trips back as often as needed to help with things, which, by the way, is totally doable since I had my last day of work the day the doctors found the tumor on Sara's leg - talk about God's perfect timing. It's hard not being with them - I feel sort of helpless - but then I remember, prayer is the strongest help right now.

So that's what I'll do...PRAY...for this beautiful, strong, inspiring, funny, energetic, amazing sister of mine!

Off the subject of Sara kicking cancer's butt...

Life is a bit different for Brett and I around here now, and we are looking forward to a more relaxed summer. He just finished teaching last Friday and now has a few months off - well, sort of. He begins taking a couple classes for his Master's degree next Monday. He'll go Monday through Thursday but just for a couple hours in the morning.

I have started teaching Group Fitness classes at the Courthouse Athletic Club here in Salem. The class is Group Centergy, which is a mix of Pilates and Yoga, and it's on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30am. Yep, that's right, I said AM. For those who know me well, you're laughing...and for good reason. I've NEVER been a morning person, but it's actually not too bad. I've enjoyed getting off to an early start a couple days a week and I am really excited to be back to teaching. I've missed it.

Lastly, we are looking forward to visiting our friends up in Washington this weekend. A good visit with good friends is just what we need right now...

Thank you all for your continued prayers for my sister and our family.

And the journey/battle begins...

Sara had her biopsy today and the doctor is certain that it's osteosarcoma - But the good news is that it is just in her leg and hasn't spread (PRAISE THE LORD!). The results won't be back until the end of this week, but the doctor is already getting us prepared for what's to come because of how certain he is. If he's right, Sara will start chemo next week. The first round of chemo will last about 10-12 weeks. After that, she will have a surgery where they will remove the tumor and giver her a replacement knee/femur bone (not exactly sure of all the details on that). After the surgery, she will probably have to do one more round of chemo and then start aggressive physical therapy to get her back on her feet.

The doctor is confident that she will make a full recovery and be back to walking, running, dancing, etc. when this is all said and done.

Sara is doing amazing through all of this. She seriously doesn't stop smiling and it is such an inspiration to me. Our family is definitely overwhelmed and still trying to wrap our heads around it all, but we know that God has a plan and a purpose through all of this and we are trusting Him.

Thanks again for all your prayers...please continue praying, as this will be a long, tough battle for us all.

Prayer Needed

Please be praying for my little sister, Sara. Doctors found a large tumor on her femur bone this Thursday and are highly suspicious that it is osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer. She just had some CT scans of her leg and chest done yesterday to see if it's spread or not (please pray that it hasn't and that if it is cancer, it's in the early stages). The doctors here have referred her to an orthopedic oncologist in San Francisco and she is scheduled for a bone biopsy there first thing Monday morning. Once we get the results of the biopsy and the ct scans - we'll know more. If it is cancer, they will probably start chemotherapy right away in hopes to shrink the tumor before going in to remove it. We don't want to jump right to those thoughts before knowing for sure, but we're just trying to prepare for the possibilities.

Our family is emotionally exhausted right now, but trying to stay positive. Sara is dealing with things as best she can. She's obviously scared and overwhelmed, but she's keeping her head high and staying strong.

I am here with my family now and will be travelling with them to San Fran as well...I'll try to update when we know more.

Please pray!!
Proverbs 3:5&6

Easily amused, I guess...

Waiting in the drive-thru at Starbucks, this is what I see:

a scary fake head looking back at me!

People are funny.

And why do I feel the need to take pictures of things such as this?

Yep, for blogging purposes only.

Like I said - - - people are funny.