Happy New Year!!!

Hello friends! I wanted to just wish you all a blessed new year!  This year more than any other, I look forward to all that God is going to do in the year ahead!  Yes, I am praying for complete remission from cancer this year... but I'm also praying for a closer walk with my Lord and Savior,  more opportunities to share His indescribable gift with others, more fruit that will be pleasing in His sight, and I'm praying especially on behalf of our country that He will intervene in the direction we have been going, and the decisions we have been making especially these past few years!  I love my country, but  it breaks my heart to see how far we have strayed from our roots, our morals, and all the things that set us apart and gave us God's favor among the nations.  Is it possible that as we have pulled away from these values we were built upon, we are now seeing the withdrawal of God's blessings on our nation?  I think so!  

It's easy for us as believers to become discouraged.  We easily think that we've gone too far... that we can't do anything to stop the course we are on.... but I still believe that prayer changes things!  I still believe God can do anything!  I still believe He desires to bless us and wants us to turn back to Him.  I ask that all believers would join me in praying for our country especially in 2016 as decisions will be made this year that will have very long lasting repercussions!

Ps 27:6-9

Blessed be the Lord, because He has heard the voice of my supplications!  The Lord is my strength and my shield;  My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;  Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him.

The Lord is their strength, and He is the saving refuge of His anointed.  Save your people, and bless your inheritance;  Shepherd them also, and bear them up forever. 

On a personal note... many have asked for an update on my health.  I have been put on a different chemo regimen, which so far seems to be more tolerable for me.  I began this new regimen this past Monday and it involves a repeating three week schedule of weekly infusions of one strong chemo and one biological targeted drug infusion,  3 infusions for one week, and then 4 infusions including a second strong chemo for one week.  It sounds confusing and in a way it is, but prayerfully this new chemo will be as effective as the one I was unable to take in killing the cancer cells.  We are praying hard for complete remission and in two more weeks I will be half way through my chemo!  I'm keeping my eyes on this first mile stone, as it makes it feel much more doable than taking the entire year as a whole.  The plan after chemo will be surgery, then radiation, and then the completion of a full year on one biological targeted drug that is given like chemo in an infusion, but is targeted to the particular type of cancer that I have.     We do cherish your continued prayers!  When I don't update, it does not mean I don't need prayer, but just that  I don't really have any new news to share yet.  I will update when there is any news!  So yes!  I do cherish your prayers in 2016!  Prayer changes things and I am so grateful for the ARMY of prayer warriors I have lifting me up in prayer!!!

Here is a photo of my daughter and granddaughter supporting me in my hat wearing days, as my head is now bald.  

I am so thankful for the loving care and support my family has been to me!  I am thankful for the incredible showering of love I have had from you my friends in blog land, my church friends and neighbors who have helped with meals, offers to help transport or sit with me if I need them, and cards cards, cards!  I love reading every one, as well as the emails, Facebook messages, phone calls and other special ways you have shown you care!  I couldn't face this without you and I truly love you all!  May God bless YOUR New Year with all His richest blessings!!!

With Love & Gratitude,