Welcome Back....

I have been missing my blogging lately.  So I am going to give it a try again!  I can not believe how big our kids are getting.  We are staying very busy with them!  Three teenagers.  It is a fun, tiring, but oh so worth it ride. 

Jess is 17.  She will be a Junior at SHS in the fall.  Jacob will be 15 in August.  He will be a Freshman.  Jordan is 13 and will be in 8th Grade. 

Reflecting on 2009

I have been thinking about all I want to write about reflecting on 2009. Who would have ever known the roller coaster ride our family would go on in the course of a year's time. Looking back I see the hand of God in our lives so magnificently!

In January, Scott and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary. To celebrate, we were planning and saving for a trip to San Diego to see his brother, sister in law and new baby niece in October. We were so happy and excited about the pending trip!

In January, my parents moved to Shawnee. This was so exciting for us becuase they had tried to sell their "farm" in Pryor for about three years off and on. We were pumped that not only were they moving to Shawnee, but moving directly across the street from us. This was God's amazing work. There were no houses in Shawnee on the market at that time that would meet the needs they were looking for. Little did we know the storm we were about to be in.

Also in January, Scott and I celebrated ten years of being in Shawnee at Immanuel Baptist Church. We love Immanuel. It is such an amazing church family. We were about to experience just how wonderful.

In February, we celebrated Jordan and Scott's birthdays. We were busy with the kids basketball schedules. Scott had been feeling bad for a month or so and began having some strange symptoms. He was having back and neck pain and numbness in his hands and arms. We didn't think much about this because he had hit his head pretty hard over the summer and he had been to the dr and was told he was fine, not to worry, it was probably just a pinched nerve.

In March the kids and I were excited to go to my brothers in Louisiana over Spring Break with my parents. Scott's symptoms were worsening. He went to his regular doctor, after he told Gary, his younger brother who had just finished med school that he could not make a three with his fingers, who ordered an MRI. Gary was doing his first year residency in OKC and met Scott to take a look at it. Little did we know that poor Gary had seen a tumor, but didn't say anything becuase he wanted a trusted friend to look at it.

Now is when our lives just became a tornado. Gary tried calling Scott several times, but could not reach him. When he couldn't reach him, he had Ashlie, my sister in law call me and told me to have Scott call Gary immediately. I knew right then Scott's cancer was back. God had been preparing me. I had even mentioned to my friends in my Bible Study that it was a huge fear that I had. Gary was able to get a friend and collegue to help Scott see a Neurosurgeon within and hour. He read the MRI and said you need to begin radiation immediately. Not tomorrow, today, within the hour. The tumor was wrapped around Scott's spinal cord and was about to cause paralyzation. God was at work again. God put Gary and Ash in OKC the first year of his residency I am sure to help Scott get treatment so quickly. We didn't know what we were dealing with, but began radiation and were given an appointment the next day with the radiation oncologist. Scott's brothers and sister in laws met us in OKC that evening. We were so thankful for them coming.

One of the hardest parts of this whole cancer journey was about to be. We had to go home and tell our children that Scott's cancer was back. I will never forget that night. Jacob, my big tough boy, sat in my lap and sobbed for over an hour. I hope to never experience that again.

The next day, we were not given good news (thank you Jesus the doctor was wrong). He didn't give Scott a good prognosis. He said Seminoma cancer never jumps around and the cancer was in his bones. We also met with Scott's regular doctor who set Scott up to see the chemo oncologist. What a blessing Dr. Toma has been in our lives. When we saw her she said that seminoma cancer can jump the way it did in Scott. There are three cases that she knows of! That is not three in her care, three in the world! Scott's cancer did something only three people are known to have done in the WORLD! Holy Moly! We found out it was stage four, it was in his lymph nodes and in his spleen. Dr. Toma very matter of fact told us no problem. We can cure this. I could have kissed her.

March through June of 2009 are a blur in my mind. Scott had radiation and chemo. Let me tell you about our amazing friends and family. I did not prepare a meal in those nearly four months. EVER! Dinner was brought to our house every night. This helped so much. It was amazing not having to worry about taking care of meals and it helped our budget. Some men from the church and my dad began mowing our lawn. There were not many days that we didn't recieve a note of encouragement from someone. Those meant so much to me. I had my friends support in so many ways. They listened to me, prayed for me, laughed and cried with me. When I felt so down and drained they were there.

In April, Scott had said that he was so glad he hadn't lost his hair yet. Funny, this is what Jordan was most scared of. The next day, I kid you not, the next day, he pulled a huge clump out of his hair. He and our youth minister went that day to shave their heads. Our church staff touched me so deeply. They all shaved their heads to support Scott. That meant the world to me.

In July, Scott finished his chemo. We went to my family reunion and after, the kids left to go with my parents to Alaska. They were gone about five weeks. My parents are amazing. I am so thankful for the time they invest in my kids lives.

Scott and I were able to go to his parents in July. I went to a conference and Scott was able to spend time with his parents. Their love and support through this journey was amazing. I am so thankful for them. While we were there, our sweet baby niece Addison was born in San Diego.

Scott and I were able at the beginning of August to go to Dallas for the weekend. It was so nice to get away together. We did some shopping and saw a movie.

In August we got the kids right before school started. I began teaching prek this year. It was a very bumpy start, but I love my job. The kids are growing up. Jess started eighth grade, her last year at Grove :( Jacob started sixth grade and Jordan fifth grade.

September was great. We continued in our routine through November. In November we heard news that just made us so happy. Scott found out that his cancer is gone. He will not be in remission for five years, but for his cancer to be gone is just amazing. He has some neuropothy left and his neck and back hurt from the cancer eating away the bone, but he is healthy. I am so thankful.

Through this whole journey of this year, as hard as it was, I have felt the presence of God in my life more than ever before. He has been my rock. He gave me strength and peace. Not to say that this wasn't the hardest thing I have ever endured, but my God is faithful and walked with me and carried me through the storm.

The other day I was driving and had the radio on. I heard Third Day, who is probably my favorite group, singing Mountain of God. The words of this chorus just wrap up my year. They are:

Even though the journey's long

And I know the road is hard

Well, the one who's gone before me

He will help me carry on

After all that I've been through

Now I realize the truth

That I must go through the valley

To stand upon the mountain of God

Powerful!

Christmas Break!

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind. I have tried so hard to stop and enjoy each moment. My sister in law Ashlie and I were talking today about Jess graduating 8th grade this year. It is so amazing how fast time goes. Just yesterday we were celebrating her first Christmas. Now this is the last before she is in high school. Everyone tells you how fast your kids growing up happens, and they are so right. I want to savor each moment I have with my kids. They will be grown before I know it!

We have had a great time at our performances we have attended. My prek had their performance Tuesday night. They did such a good job! I was worried they would get scared and not sing out, but nope! They sang loud and proud! All three kids band performance was Thursday night. They all did a great job.

Last weekend was our church's performance. I had been sick the whole week before. I missed the Friday night performance, actually I sat in the crowd and listened while Jordan sang in her part. I was able to sing good enough on Saturday and Sunday. It was a beautiful performance. Four of our staff members sang I Have Seen the Light. It was fabulous! They are so talented.

We also had our church staff Christmas Party this last week. I love getting together with the staff. They are so amazing. We are so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful staff.

I have been busy making peanut butter balls and oreo balls. I am also going to try a taco chex mix recipe. I haven't made chex mix in a long time! The kids love it.I was really proud of Jacob this week. He played his guitar for our youth groups praise and worship time. He takes guitar from one of our college students. He has picked it up really fast and enjoys it a lot. We are proud of him!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

We have had a wonderful last week. Jess had a basketball tournament in Agra. I'd never been to Agra before. It was a lot further than I thought it would be. The girls played hard, but lost their first game. They won their second game with Jess throwing one up on the buzzer and making a three pointer! She was so excited!

Jacob is playing on a league team with some friends from school. The same boys he played footbball with. He loves sports. I am so glad, it keeps him busy. His first ball game was Saturday. They played good and had some really poor officiating and lost. It was a very tight game.

Jordan had her Christmas performance at church, The Camel Lot. It was so cute. Scott's brother and sister in law, Don and Kim and their boys came last night to watch it. It was nice to have them see her perform.

Scott has been hunting every spare minute he has. He still has not gotten the "BIG ONE" he is wanting. Yesterday was the last day for rifle season. So he will be hunting with his bow again. He will be starting back to finish the last three semesters of seminary in the middle of January. He will be driving back and forth from Fort Worth every Monday. I will be glad when he is finished. He can only take 6-9 hours a semester toward his 91 hour MDiv. Seems silly that a masters is 91 hours, but that is what is expected so he will do it!

I am staying busy with everyone's activities and doing my side photography. I am really busy right now trying to get everyone's Christmas pics taken and edited. I love that "hobby job".

We had a great time at Thanksgiving with Scott's family and then back to Shawnee with my parents and brother. It is always nice to see everyone. The kids enjoy seeing the cousins on that side a lot! It was really hard/sad not to have Gary, Ashlie and Addison with us. Maybe next year! While in Dewey for Thanksgiving, we celebrated Christmas with Scott's parents and brother's family. The kids all got laptops! They were so excited! Thanks Don and Margie!

I hope everyone is enjoying every minute of the Christmas Season. Take time to remember the reason we celebrate, the birth of our Lord, Christ Jesus!

Thankful Day 14

I am so thankful for the sacrifice that my God made for me by sending Jesus to die on the cross to save me from all my sins. I am so unworthy of His love, yet He loves me. I pray that each of you have a personal relationship with Him. Here are the ABC's of how to have a relationship with you.

* Admit you are a sinner. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death (everlasting punishment).

No sin is allowed in heaven

*Believe that Jesus died on the cross and that He rose again. His blood was shed to pay for your sins. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

*Choose to trust Jesus alone for the forgiveness of sins. Romans 10:13 Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

John 3:18 Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

When you believe in Christ you are a Son of God, God forgives you of all your sins. He then promises you a home in heaven forever. If you have any questions about this, please feel free to contact me. Each of you are precious to not only me, but most importantly to Christ!

Thankful Day 13

I am so thankful for my grandparents. Although all have them have passed away, they will have forever left an impact on my. My grandpa Troyer passed away before I was two. He was an avid fisherman and a hard worker. He and my grandma had thirteen children. They were Amish until my dad was around five. He was a carpenter and wanted power tools so they were excommunicated from the Amish church. They then became Mennonite. My grandma Troyer was the biggest picture of sacrifice and giving. She was always baking, gardening, quilting, or watching grandchildren, great grandchildren and even great great grandchildren. She loved the Lord and it showed in everything she did. She loved us and prayed for us. She set such an amazing example of how to live.

My papa and grandma Shafer. Some of my first memories are being with them. My grandma was an amazing seamstress. She could go look at something in the store and go home without a pattern and make it. No one would have ever known it was homemade. She was an amazing cook. My papa Shafer was one of the most influential people in my life. He loved us so much. He was a little rough around the edges, but that never mattered to me. He took me everywhere with him. He let me go to work with him and to go to "town". He took me everyday we were together to get breakfast. They didn't have much, but they gave so much to me. I am a better person because of his influence on me. He used to always joke with me. He would tell me my epidermis was showing. Or that I had garmets on. Used to make me so mad. The time I spent with him was amazing.

Thankful Day 12

I am so thankful for my class this year. They are amazing. I have learned many lessons from the kiddos and their parents. I have grown as a person and as a teacher this year because of them! This has been a really hard year. I have had to deal with issues I never dreamed I would face in my classroom. But, those sweet faces make every hardship worth it!

There is never a dull moment in Pre-K. I love that! I love that the kids want to please so much. I love that they love me. I love that they are so eager to learn. I love when they are so eager to learn! I love how they encourage and love each other.

I am so blessed to have my sweet class!