four months.

Four months later. That’s around 120 days. Lives have changed.

Four months ago today I was on my way to the Woodward Academy tournament when I received a phone call I never expected I’d get. My dad was diagnosed with cancer. Not any type of cancer. One that was pretty severe and had only a 66 percent survival rate.
But God is my helper.The Lord keeps me alive!
Psalm 54:4

Four months ago today I saw a part of my life possibly leave me. Today I recognized the power of hope. the power of God. the power of healing.
“If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away. Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning. Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety.
Job 11:13, 16-18

Four months ago today the tests truly began. I knew that I would be tested – wouldn’t know how, but knew it was inevitable. Today I feel like i’ve conquered most of the battles and know how to conquer the rest ahead.
For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:36-39

Four months ago today my heart broke. It was broken for the ones I loved the most. Today my heart is whole. My heart is ready for the next four months.

Filed under: daily blogging, cancer, dad, God, healing, power, time, verses

they call her love

In the process of an extremely busy week, I’ve found time to blog [at least three little bits of info]

First bit of news: Dad swallowed today! This is the first time since early June! This is huge! God is great! Recovery is great! Recovery cannot happen without God!

Second bit of news: I’m getting paid a whole ton to do something that requires little work. It’s pretty amazing. I’m having a blast though. I can’t wait until next summer.

Third bit of news: I may have a new favorite band. They sound similar to Tenth Avenue North, the Fray, etc. It’s Parachute. I’m in the process of downloading their entire CD – but the 3 songs I’ve heard so far are incredible. Below is my favorite.

Filed under: daily blogging, cancer, dad, music, parachute, pay, victory, work

feel the heal

i have to remind myself the name of the blog… teach me. this time in my life is a vital time for learning. my body yearns to be taught, but sometimes i feel i’m avoiding the teaching. i think the avoiding is just a part of being human.

my dad isn’t doing that great – today was pretty bad actually. he spent a lot of the day just hacking. every time he’d intake something, it’d make it’s way back up. he’s dry heaving more than usual.

his spirits are down. which doesn’t help. i pray he starts to feels the healing You are doing in his throat and body. i pray that he starts to feel strong. remind him though he may be weak, you are always strong.

For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection.
1 Corinthians 13:8-9

Filed under: daily blogging, cancer, dad, healing, learning, prayer, teaching, verses

i’ll steady your hand

I spend my days doing various types of mathematics. I’m getting kind of sick of it.  I have a busy week underway.  Had my first Calculus 3 Test on Monday – that didn’t go well.  His tests are a little wierd. There are 72 points on the test paper – you’re only allowed to answer 55 points.  If you get 32 points, you get a 100. I answered 33 points. It took me two hours. It was insane.  We now have a project due on Friday – but you have to use the Science building computers -and it can increase your test score 31% (or 10 raw points).  31% is a huge deal because a C in the class is a 41%.  Oh… math.  Anyways, this man thinks he is the smartest man ever.

In Modern Algebra [thanks Dr. Sanchez for making me take it in the summer], that’s also rough.  My professor said yesterday, “It must suck to be yall.” Most people have a week to study for this second test, we have 48 hours.  [And I'm blogging?]  I have probably 30-40 note cards done. I need to do 6 more definitions, 7 more principles, and about 6 more proofs. This can be done by 3:30pm tomorrow… I need an hour to look it over.  After the test/lecture tomorrow, I have to do my freaking project for Calc 3. BUT, Good news is I got an 81 on the first exam.

Dad update: He’s doing pretty good – he’s had a good week so far.  He’s feeling radiation again -six more though.. that means if all goes well, next Thursday – he’s done!!! Pray that we can get this done in June and no treatment spills into July.

Friday – I’m meeting with an Emory debate coach to finish their website.

Saturday – I’m meeting with the GFCA President to finish their website.

All of this, while I have to do my own website for my camp.

Filed under: daily blogging, cancer, dad, math, school, work

take this sinking boat and point it home

i definitely have hannah montana/david archuleta in the background right now – it’s really sad, i need to change the song. i have six days until my friends 21st birthday trip – we’ll be heading to Biloxi, New Orleans, and Pensacola. It’ll surely be fun

Today was insanely hectic. Today started Chemo Stage 2. 1 More Chemo Treatment left. June 23 is the last day of radiation. We’re getting closer. But I’ve been giving myself more and more encouragement today – saw a person that had been fighting stomach cancer for 3 years and another person who’s been fighting breast cancer for 6 years. I honestly don’t think I can do that. I feel like i don’t have it in my heart to do that.

I love this song. I truly have fallen in love with it.
Near the end of the song these beautiful lyrics are sung:

You have suffered enough / And warred with yourself / It’s time that you won / Take this sinking boat and point it home / We’ve still got time / Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice / You’ve made it now

This is my prayer this evening.

Filed under: daily blogging, cancer, dad, lyrics, music