Joel's Journey: March 2015

Saturday, March 28, 2015

21

Celebrating dad and Shirley's 21st anniversary!

Thursday, March 26, 2015

I think it's finally here! SPRING!! Thankful!! Our first Spring storm last night. Nearby Moore was hit with a tornado and some damage. So tough. We did clean out shelter out yesterday but didn't have to use it.

I am desperately needing the warmth and sunny blue skies for my soul. The winter has taken a toll on my spirit. Or maybe it's just that I have a lonnger list of complaining than a list of gratefulness. Or maybe it's the whine of the mundane. Or maybe it's the wondering if anything will ever be different where I can do things I love to do. Such as projects and giving gifts, going places and buying different foods for a different menu. I feel like I have cooked the same menu for 3 months. Goodness, why would a person have so much to complain about when I literally know my grateful list side would be way longer. I think that's why I need the warmth and sunshine and blue skies. To get me out of the winter blues. I wonder if any of my dreams wil come true? But today it's sunny and the skies are blue, I will enjoy today and keep hoping for the tomorrows!

The garden is looking nice! Hosies little flower area has the brightest little daffodils! Joel's tree is blooming. Another sure sign that brings me hope. I'm crying as I even type this. I miss him. I'm changed forever. I wonder sometimes who I use to be and who I am now?

Have a beautiful day!

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Mercys party!!

Sunday, March 15, 2015

my family....some are missing!

It's so hard to get everyone together!! Bethany was helping a friend. Daniel and Erin are in California! Miss them!! All these people are my life!!!

Saturday, March 7, 2015

garden 2015

Today is the day. Warmer weather and sunny! So it's planting time!! 100 pounds of potatoes and about 1000 onions are ready to go in the ground. Looking forward to fresh veggies and the local farmers market!! Thank you to my generous dad and Shirely for blessing us with money to purchase the supplies for our garden this year!!! Can't wait!!!

Monday, March 2, 2015

a bad winter....

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

Sometimes it does feel like His love has disappeared if we only look at our circumstances. We are not being persecuted, we are not naked or in danger and we don't have famine in the worse sense although our circumstances are certainly causing me to have to make different grocery choices than I would normally make, but I do feel like we are in distress. Distress in the sense of work and jobs and finances. The guys have literally worked possibly 2-3 maybe 4 days in a months time. Terry is so stressed and it's affecting his health, Elijah is at the point of trying to figure out if he can keep doing this failing business any longer. The other two son workers are just disappointed because they have bills to pay but since they don't get paid, it's making it difficult for them. It really is a big mess. This is my space on this blog to share and I guess to kind of go behind the scenes and just say "Jesus please help!" I don't know how it's all going to pan out. I am doing the only thing I know to do, pray! Plus I'm trying to find a job. Cleaning houses is something I can do on my own time and hopefully the interviews I have been doing, at least one will be successful. This weather has got to break soon. That's been the biggest hinderence. Winter is the worse for construction i realize that. 8 years ago the guys started this company. It's not been an easy 8 years. There's been more struggle than it flourishing. Maybe 2015 will be the year. The year for it to turn the corner.

Thanks for praying with us.

March is here, Spring is sure to come, warmth is around the corner so that is happy news. May the God of peace hold

us and show himself strong. These girls make me smile and help me keep my chin up.

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.