Joel's Journey: September 2015

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

work

Work at the coffee shop is going well. A new routine has set in. I get up at 5:30 am. Fix my eggs, drink my water, start laundry and then leave. Tuesday's are extra long because after working at Ricks, I go iron with Hosie. Course I'm doing what is natural for me, cooking and baking. Really, Hosie should be working there! Ha!! But the most wonderful thing is, I'm getting the results with having extra money to finally get to do things I have always wanted to do. And one of those things is, being able to bless my kids with happy mail and special birthday gifts and just having the freedom to purchase something for myself. This week I ordered some essential oils that I love using for health. I was able to go shopping with the girls and not have to worry about having a budget for clothes. We just bought what they liked!! It was so fun!! So, it's been a huge blessing to have this little job fall into place! The people are so sweet and hey, I get all the coffee/drinks I want!! So come to Ricks and enjoy a drink!!

Saturday, September 26, 2015

ready set go!!

First 5k for the kids today. Terry ran too. His work at the crises pregnancy center hosted the run for life. Elijah came in 10th, Jeremiah can in 12. Siah came in 21st and mercy came in 22nd!! There were about 100 runners so they did great!!

Friday, September 25, 2015

coffee in a bus!

First time ever to have coffee in a bus!! So fun!! Have you???

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Done

The boys room is DONE!! Finally!!! Thank the Lord for a little ironing job and the determination to save my money! Who knows what's next...... (My room) hahaha!!!

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Birthday

Happy birthday to Josiah!!! He's 12!!! And a happy heavenly birthday to Joel, his twin! Siah had a Lego party!!

Thursday, September 3, 2015

more new touches

Doing the decorating is the most fun!!

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.