Joel's Journey: instafriday!!!

Time for instafriday!!! We had a fun week!! The best part was my first born son came for a visit from up in MD, and his wonderful girlfriend came as well!! The Lord is writing a beautiful courtship story with them!! We even went on a "double date" together!!! I am so thankful for the good gifts the Lord blesses our lives with!! Hope your looking for all the good gifts He gives you each day!!

ok, here's the week in iphone pics!!!

started the week with making caramel apples!

Mmmmmmmm!!!!

I think Jeremiah is enjoying his a little!!

I have been trying to get a pic of this cats teal eyes, but this is all he would give me!

.......and like i said, a happy momma to have Caleb home ( with hat on)

I think his twin is too!

and here is my dad with 4 of his grandchildren!

this is the children's playhouse, Josh waters the grass everyday!!!

I saw these Fan Potatoes on a Pinterest board and made them! yum!

this was a first!!! going on a double date with our son, Caleb and his wonderful gal, Kristen!!

I took a picture of this verse Friday morning.

One of the purposes of our blog is to share Christ,

to tell friends that He came to earth, lived a sinless life,

died for sinners and rose again from the grave!

Any who will call upon His name and repent of

their sin can be saved and given a home in heaven!

Have you?

Have a great weekend!!

thank you for stopping by!!

Cindy

Joel's Story

Joel, our 11th of 13 and a twin of Josiah, at age 3 was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer, on December 6th, 2006. Joel had three perfect years of health and he and Josiah celebrated their 3rd birthday Sept. 13th, 2006. The first of Oct. Joel started having unexplained fevers for a few days and would return to active play. After the fourth round of fevers we took him to our family Dr. which they said his iron was low, so we treated that for a few weeks and took him back only to have his hemo. showing lower than before. We were referred to a hematologists and saw him a few weeks with blood checks twice a week. At a visit on Dec. 4th we showed the Dr. the bumps, (which were tumors but we did not know at the time) on Joel's head and he was very concerned and we were told we needed to admit him immediately and start extensive tests the following day. Joel went through rigorous testing and then the dreaded results were given. Joel was at a stage IV the most extensive stage, but we were hopeful that the Lord would use the means of Chemotherapy treatments to restore Joel's body. Joel endured 8 1/2 days in the hospital, came home for Christmas, and returned for his second round of chemo Jan. 3, 2007. Joel had a seizure that night after midnight and went into a coma due to a tumor bleeding in his head area and causing his brain to swell. After tests the following days, the Dr. declared Joel "brain dead" and took us to court to force us to take Joel off life support, as we did not agree with the medical field's definition of death. Our family sought to stand with the scripture, "life is in the blood,"and until Joel's heart quit beating naturally, he was living. We were making arrangements to bring him home and on January 23, 2007 his little heart stopped beating and he went to be with the Lord Jesus in heaven. Our lives are changed forever. God is faithful in the midst of this trial and we look with great hope to be with him someday.

14 comments:

Nicole [The Lovely Poppy] said...: so cute, stopping by from jeannett's blog! i'm having a HUGE ($100) giveaway going on at my blog and would love to have you stop by- http://thelovelypoppy.blogspot.com/2011/10/blog-follower-giveaway.html; October 14, 2011 at 7:39 AM
Ashley@The Vanilla Tulip said...: I love the purpose of your blog:)
Read the story of your sweet Joel...I'm so sorry friend.
Hope your weekend is great with your family:); October 14, 2011 at 8:53 AM
Amy said...: Thanks so much for stopping by Flip Flop Follies and for your sweet comment...I can't wait to peek around more at your beautiful blog and learn more about your precious family! So grateful for all these linky parties because they put me in touch with so many beautiful souls such as yourself! Take care and have a fabulous Friday! XO; October 14, 2011 at 10:21 AM
Katie @ Team Skelley said...: My kids would LOVE your playhouse! Have a wonderful weekend with your lovely family! :D; October 14, 2011 at 11:57 AM
Alana Karl said...: your caramel apples look delish! yummy. have a great weekend!; October 14, 2011 at 4:31 PM
Lindsey said...: I think the cat picture is hilarious! looks like something you would see on a funny greeting card! :) I also really want a caramel apple now-WITH sprinkles of course! So yummy!; October 14, 2011 at 6:26 PM
Chrissy said...: Yay for InstaFriday!

Your cell phone takes much better pictures than mine :-). I think my lens might be dirty.

So cute going on a double date. I hope my LO will do that with us when she's old enough for boyfriends!; October 14, 2011 at 8:34 PM
amy said...: I love carmel apples.
The kids playhouse is spectacular!!
And I think a double date [with your son] is a super idea. :)
Oh, and yes I have... thanks for asking.; October 14, 2011 at 9:34 PM
Caitlyn said...: Those Candy apples look so good!! I haven't done much reading of your blog. But I have enjoyed reading what I did get too. So sorry for your loss. Joel is precious, and definitely an angel looking over your family.; October 14, 2011 at 9:36 PM
shasta said...: What a beautiful family! Love your blog...I will be back!; October 14, 2011 at 10:35 PM
Angi said...: wonderful photos and great family too.; October 15, 2011 at 1:11 AM
Mindy said...: Thank you for stopping by.

I've read about your lovely Joel and my heart aches for you and all your family. I'm grateful you've had your faith to help you through.

I'll be stopping by again, I'm sure your posts can help me with my journey.

All the best,; October 15, 2011 at 10:49 AM
Anonymous said...: Those candy apples look SO yummy!! I can't wait to start making those for my boys.; October 15, 2011 at 1:59 PM
Unknown said...: Those apples look so yummy!; October 15, 2011 at 9:17 PM

Friday, October 14, 2011

instafriday!!!

14 comments:

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