You are never really certain of how much you trust Jesus until you enter a time of crisis. It is in the moments of first learning of your dilemma that you either trust that Christ will give you the strength to make it to the other side or you crumble and fall in your own failing human strength.
I am not what I would call a "prayer warrior." I reserve that term for mentors who have been seeking God much longer than I have been living. I do, however, seek to speak with God on a daily basis, try to read His word at least a few times per week (I ever reach for the goal of daily reading), and I find that I call out to Him more and more as situations arise.
Today was another test. A phone call came and I had a choice to make. Trust God or weep and wail at the "what ifs" that are sailing around me.
I had my first mammogram on Monday. No big deal. Honestly, nursing three newborn babies was much more painful. I was advised that I would get the results in a few days. My doctor's office called earlier today. I missed the nurse, she asked me to call her back. I left a message. Then I missed her when she called again. Then I had to leave another message. I was beginning to get suspicious as to why they had not left the results with Chad, who is authorized to talk with them. Finally, I spoke with the nurse. And I got a message I was not expecting.
There is a calcification cluster on my right breast. Since this was my first test, they have no baseline to compare it to. So they have to get a better look. I return on Monday for magnification views and an ultrasound.
I won't lie. I teared up after I hung up. A few tears still fall when I ponder too long on the unknown. Your prayers are very much coveted. Please pray that I will stay in the arms of my comforting Savior. Pray that the results come back negative for cancer. Above all, pray that God is glorified no matter the outcome.
"May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant." Psalm 119:76
News from the Smith family
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Zach's Appointment
I finally got to take Zach in today for his 4 year appointment. My cousin's daughter, Annie, got the pleasure of attending the appointment with our motley crew. Poor little thing probably needs a vacation now after all the chaos she experienced!
Zach was a little under the weather. He has apparently contracted the random virus that the girls had, but he is faring well despite the 100.3 degree fever he had this morning.
He got a finger prick, four shots, eyes checked, and ears checked. Eyes and ears passed. He didn't even flinch on the finger prick. The four shots, well, that was a different matter. The only thing that helped end the tears were the two tokens he received that he traded in for awesome bouncy balls. Here are his stats:
Weight: 35 lbs (38%)
Height: 40.75" (56%)
I'm still evaluating his speech. If I am still not pleased with what I suspect to be a slight speech impediment, he will have more speech therapy in the school system this fall. Otherwise, he is doing fantastic!
Zach was a little under the weather. He has apparently contracted the random virus that the girls had, but he is faring well despite the 100.3 degree fever he had this morning.
He got a finger prick, four shots, eyes checked, and ears checked. Eyes and ears passed. He didn't even flinch on the finger prick. The four shots, well, that was a different matter. The only thing that helped end the tears were the two tokens he received that he traded in for awesome bouncy balls. Here are his stats:
Weight: 35 lbs (38%)
Height: 40.75" (56%)
I'm still evaluating his speech. If I am still not pleased with what I suspect to be a slight speech impediment, he will have more speech therapy in the school system this fall. Otherwise, he is doing fantastic!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Mama's Got a New Hat
Chad asked me last week what I wanted for my birthday. I had a short list, but one of them really puzzled him. I asked if he would let me mow the other side with the riding mower. I think he thought I was nuts. It's something I have asked about for a few years, but he always hemmed and hawed over it. Well, he started fussing about it lately because his time is so limited and it takes a few hours just to make one pass over the other side, not even counting other kinds of maintenance this beautiful place requires.
So I saw my opportunity. This chore has always looked appealing to me because it is a few hours to be completely by myself. Plus it allows me to get a closer look at the other half of our property, which I have hardly gotten to see in the nearly four years we've lived here.
Many obligations delayed us, but I finally got to mow for about an hour today. I am sore, have a blister on my left thumb (got to remember gloves next time) and my hands tingled for about 30 minutes after I got off the mower. But I have such a huge feeling of accomplishment.
I asked Chad to go over with me to inspect and to clarify things with him. He said I did a good job ( I soooo love verbal praise!) and he confirmed that yes, we have some evil trees with enormous thorns!
So now I have a new hat in my collection - assistant groundskeeper. :)
So I saw my opportunity. This chore has always looked appealing to me because it is a few hours to be completely by myself. Plus it allows me to get a closer look at the other half of our property, which I have hardly gotten to see in the nearly four years we've lived here.
Many obligations delayed us, but I finally got to mow for about an hour today. I am sore, have a blister on my left thumb (got to remember gloves next time) and my hands tingled for about 30 minutes after I got off the mower. But I have such a huge feeling of accomplishment.
I asked Chad to go over with me to inspect and to clarify things with him. He said I did a good job ( I soooo love verbal praise!) and he confirmed that yes, we have some evil trees with enormous thorns!
So now I have a new hat in my collection - assistant groundskeeper. :)
How Long Did It Take for Noah to Build the Ark? - Answers in Genesis
How Long Did It Take for Noah to Build the Ark? - Answers in Genesis
Cool little article that talks about the time leading up to the Flood and explains a few verses that have always puzzled me.
Cool little article that talks about the time leading up to the Flood and explains a few verses that have always puzzled me.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Happy Birthday Zachary
Today we celebrate the birth of our second child, Zachary Allen Smith. I was so fearful to become the mom of two children and especially the mom of a boy. What do you do with boys, I thought frantically. My fears subdued the moment he was laid on my belly.
He has, by far, been my most cuddly, lovable, compassionate child. He loves cars, trains, dinosaurs, dirt, his way-too-small Spider-Man costume, his numerous stuffed dolls, his new Spider-Man Leapster game, and, yes, his sister's costume jewelry and pretty dolls.
He has been slow to do everything, including arrive in this world. He came on his due date at 4:53 in the afternoon on the Friday of Memorial weekend. What an awesome birthday present it was. He weighed in at 9 lbs 2.4 ounces. I am amazed that I delivered him naturally because he had a huge head and shoulders, was 21 inches long, and had pretty large hands and feet. I guess he will someday be very tall like his daddy.
Happy 4th Birthday Zachary! I love you and I couldn't imagine my life without you!
**In honor of this walk down memory lane, I have posted the Snapfish link to his birth pics.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Awana Year Ends
We finished up the Awana year on Wednesday. Hannah completed her second year of Cubbies and will be in Sparks this fall. Zach completed his first Cubbies year and will do the second book this fall.
Here the kids are on our way into the Awana End of Year Ceremony.
The Cubbies sang their club song. They were so cute and sang most of the words!
Here is Hannah's completed vest. The ribbon and her Cubbie bear can now hang on her wall as a memory of all the Bible verses she learned the last two years.
Zach now has his very own Cubbie bear on his vest.
And as an added bonus, I was so humbled and surprised that I earned the Sparks Leader of the Year award. Very cool!
Here the kids are on our way into the Awana End of Year Ceremony.
The Cubbies sang their club song. They were so cute and sang most of the words!
Here is Hannah's completed vest. The ribbon and her Cubbie bear can now hang on her wall as a memory of all the Bible verses she learned the last two years.
Zach now has his very own Cubbie bear on his vest.
And as an added bonus, I was so humbled and surprised that I earned the Sparks Leader of the Year award. Very cool!
I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos
Sylvester
Sylvester is one happy kitty. His favorite spot to nap on a sunny day - the kitchen bay window.
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