A good friend sent the following to me last week after Jan's surgery. I've pulled some interesting parts out of it.

EXCELLENCE...

I have come to realize over the years that our minute might be long or short depending on what God is doing with us at the time. I have been in a moment where I was sure God stopped the universe for a reason that goes beyond anything my human mind could ever comprehend and when I look back on those moments I am reminded of the story of Joshua where God held up the sun to help Joshua claim a victory. I am sure it was an amazing miracle to observe for Joshua and a reminder that the God we serve has the power to hold up the sun and guide us to victory every single day of our life.

I believe that if God does that for one He will always do it for someone else don't you? I am referring to those moments where we may encounter someone who is experiencing a battle of some sort and it seems that God stops time just for us to help heal a heart or win the battle like Joshua. I believe we encounter moments like this all day long but we make a decision to give or walk away to be defeated or have victory. God continues to show that His will is always victorious if we will only be faithful and obedient to what He places on our hearts.

We will never understand the mysteries of God until we get to heaven but we can embrace those everyday moments where He is extending an invitation for us to experience His hand in an extraordinary way when we are willing to continue to serve others and fight for people and love.

I hope at this moment as you listen to my heart that you will truly open yours and ask yourself am I ready for an “extraordinary moment?”

Pretty powerful, huh? Wow. I am continually reminded that we serve a God of victory and He wants us to walk victoriously every single day of our life.

God works in mysterious ways but this is for sure… He brings people together for His purposes and whatever man may perceive as big or small it doesn't matter because when Gods hand is on something he will multiply it just like he did the loaf of bread. I am sure the little boy who gave Jesus his fish and bread could have never "imagined" the "extraordinary moment" when it was multiplied to feed thousands. We can never ignore the little things because that is when God does His greatest work. We can never despise our weakest moments because that is when God is always at His best in us. We don't have to know how God will multiply the bread we just have to know the HE can and HE will.

I hope you enjoyed this!

Cheryl

~God At Work~

A week ago today Jan was having brain surgery. God has truly been at work. She is doing fantastic. So good for her body to have a chance to rebound with this time off treatment. She is in a good place with having all the visible cancer GONE! She has handled this all so gracefully. It is awesome to see God at work.

The pathology results should be back any day now. Jan will return to see the surgeon on July 15, next week, as well as her oncologist. Please join us in praying for her next treatment plan, as well as complete healing!!

~Happy Independence Day~

Just a quick note, Jan is home. I saw her yesterday and she is doing great. I heard some funny funny stories of things she said the first day. I'll share one:

Soon after coming out of recovery, she motioned for Mom to come closer to her. She thanked Mom for going with them, for helping her out with meals, and all the things Mom has done for her and Gerald. Mom asked if she would have done the same if the roles were reversed. Mom said she thought for a minute and then said, "yes she would feed her dog food." Jan can be rather witty and it appears more so after she comes out of anesthesia.

We are so thankful God answered our prayers this week, as well as over the last 20 months.

Have a great 4th, and be careful!!

Cheryl

~News~

It looks like Jan will be released from the hospital today. They will then have to travel from Houston to Oklahoma. Mom said she has done very well.

Please pray for safe travels and continue to pray for the next step and that she can beat this nasty disease.

Thanks again for all the prayers, comments, love, and friendship.

Have a safe and blessed weekend.

Cheryl

~New Day~

Gerald just called and Jan had a very restful night. She had morphine for a headache about 7:00 last night, but since then she has only had Tylenol. She had a couple of episodes of getting sick from the anesthesia, but has had breakfast this morning.

The surgeon has just been in and said he got all of the tumor. He has looked at the MRI she had last night and it looks great. It is looking like she will come home Friday. She has called her boys this morning and talked to them, so I know they are thrilled.

The nursing staff is in with her now and they are going to take her catheter out, which will thrill her as she wanted it out yesterday.

Thank you all for all your prayers, comments, love and support.

~Out of Recovery~

Jan has made it out of recovery. She is still a bit sleepy, but otherwise is doing great. She remembers everything and is able to retain the information she is given. Mom and Gerald have been able to visit with her and as Mom put it, "she is full of it."

Thank you for all your prayers, comments and love!

Cheryl

~Recovery Time~

The surgeon just finished talking to Gerald and Mom. Jan is in recovery now. She is awake, but sleepy. She did really well during surgery and he removed all of the tumor. The tumor showed dead tissue, but also some activity, which is what the PET scan showed. It will be a few hours before she gets out of recovery. She will not be in ICU, but in a room but will have a nurse who is only caring for her. She should move to a regular room tomorrow and get to come home Friday or Saturday.

It is our understanding that there has always been some activity at this site. The surgeon said since there is activity, they will be changing her treatment. We will know more about what comes next either the end of this week or the first of next week.

Please continue to pray that she recovers well and no problems arise from this surgery. Pray also that the next treatment is one that is well tolerated.

Mom will update me again when she has news or when they get to see Jan.

Thanks for all your prayers and support.