Peace and lovin'

I didn't realize how much time I spend on the computer til I'm away from it for awhile. I sure miss you girlies!

My visit back here in Oregon with my dad has been sweet. Bittersweet, but I'm soaking it all in. He actually looks pretty good and has had some good days of feeling okay. We took him in to the doctor and they've decided to give him treatments of the low dose chemo! He's doing that good. There's speculation that he may have had some sort of bad bug before and that is why things appeared to look unpredictable. My step mom canceled hospice for now and we are taking things day by day!

My dad has had cancer in his stomach, lymph node, pancreas and survived like the fighter he is. The cancer now has apparently spread to his liver, lungs and what is left of his pancreas....but you know what? We have TODAY!! Who knows what will happen tomorrow. The hopes are that this treatment will prolong my daddy's life longer and I am amazed at what God has done in just these past few days. What a blessing for me to be here and have this outcome play out before me. I came wondering if I would even be able to talk with my dad and we just had a sweet conversation just the 2 of us a little bit ago. He made me bawl in telling me what a great mother and wife I have become. And what a great kid I was. I love my dad. And I am so grateful I have had these moments.

This trip has sure made me contemplate my own relationships! I'm staying with my brother (the one I dogged on here a few posts ago) poor fella. He's a great brother and hopefully after this we will make it more of a priority to stay connected and close. I've seen relatives I haven't seen in over 20 years! I've watched my dad's sisters love on him and I can't help but think about my own bro thru that. Family...no matter how dysfunctional and messed up they can be, they are all you've got! I learned a lot with my siblings after saying goodbye to my mom together. They are incredible people and I am so blessed.

I've contemplated my own health through this trip as I realize more and more how destructive cancer has been in my family's history. An Aunt lost to breast cancer, Uncle to cancer, Grandma to stomach cancer, mom to lymphoma. It can be a scary thing when I lay it all out there and think about my own health. Not necessarily making me fearful but surely more conscious of taking care of my own health. I needed an awakening!

I've contemplated my words. I'm reading "Power of a Woman's Words" while I'm here and even in the dynamics of our family tree and visits with them I've seen how words can destroy or build. I want to be more of a builder in the future. I will be more of a builder in the future!

Nobody does this kind of situation perfectly so I have been so encouraged that our family gatherings have gone well for the most part. My bro, sis and I have rallied together like before and my step mom has been wonderful. She loves my dad more than anything and that has meant so much to me to see it first hand.

God has met me right here where I'm at in the most tender ways. An email, a verse of the day, just reading His word and most of all feeling unbelievably covered by so many prayers. So thank you!

I'm obviously taking things day by day. My plane ticket is changeable so that is nice not to worry about. I am just asking the Lord to give me direction on peace for my steps in the days and weeks to come! I miss my 3 amigos so much it hurts and although they are super troopers I know even after a few days it is wearing not to have the mother hen in the house! My Hubster is superdad/hubby by the way. He amazes me!

So things have been good dear bloggy friends. If the Lord has brought me to your mind and you have prayed for me and my family....I am incredibly grateful. Please keep it up!

Love,
Linda