Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.
Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom .
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Email FYI
Mark upgraded my computer last week (ie I got the kids "better" computer reformatted) and therefore I've lost ALL my email addresses.
So if you want me to email you...email me first! :P
becknbunch@centurytel.net
So if you want me to email you...email me first! :P
becknbunch@centurytel.net
Allison has a piano recital!
And everyone is invited! Here are the details.
Date: Sunday afternoon, May 3, 2009
Place: Wildish Community Theater, 630 East Main, Springfield
Time: 2:00 pm
It will last about an hour. She has a solo AND a duet with her friend, Lauren. There is NO CHARGE to get in for the public so everyone can come enjoy a free concert!
Hope to see you there!
Date: Sunday afternoon, May 3, 2009
Place: Wildish Community Theater, 630 East Main, Springfield
Time: 2:00 pm
It will last about an hour. She has a solo AND a duet with her friend, Lauren. There is NO CHARGE to get in for the public so everyone can come enjoy a free concert!
Hope to see you there!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Still home!!
He is hangin in there Warriors!! Mark has yet to get a fever of any degree, much less one that will land him back in the hospital. Can we say a collective YAY GOD!!! He's determined to prove Dr. Caton wrong! LOL! The power of prayer and a positive attitude is simply amazing...I'm seeing it first hand! His courage and good outlook is so inspiring, I wish you all could see it as I am. He's an amazing person.
I have jumped back on the wagon of exercise this week and it sure does seem to be helping MY mood. The endorphans are awesome, I feel SO much better and now I can have a good attitude to keep up with Mark! Today I'm meeting my girlfriend, Jessica for lunch and some retail therapy!! (Thank you Robin and Jim for the gift card from CHRISTMAS that is making that possible for me today!!!) There is nothing better for the mood and soul than a good GIRLS DAY OUT!!! Oh ya! Jess and I would get together no less than a few times a month up until 2 months ago...now I've seen her about twice in that time. I miss her!!! She's pregnant with her second baby and we had all these visions of pickles, ice cream and Jon and Kate on my TV her whole pregnancy, but instead I've missed almost the whole thing! OY! So ya, today will be a good day!!
Mark had the transfusion of platelets yesterday as an outpatient...it was an odd experience. Seemed to be a lot more troublesome than it was when he was in a hospital bed, but it all worked out. Was weird dealing with nurses that aren't "Oncology" nurses and therefore KNOW all the precautions needed with him, we found ourselves having to explain things to THEM. Oh well...at least we got to come home after it was over!
Got an appointment with Dr. Caton on Monday and Mark is looking forward to walking in there, fever-free, and saying "SEE you were WRONG!!!" hehe! Gotta love the man's spirit!
I have jumped back on the wagon of exercise this week and it sure does seem to be helping MY mood. The endorphans are awesome, I feel SO much better and now I can have a good attitude to keep up with Mark! Today I'm meeting my girlfriend, Jessica for lunch and some retail therapy!! (Thank you Robin and Jim for the gift card from CHRISTMAS that is making that possible for me today!!!) There is nothing better for the mood and soul than a good GIRLS DAY OUT!!! Oh ya! Jess and I would get together no less than a few times a month up until 2 months ago...now I've seen her about twice in that time. I miss her!!! She's pregnant with her second baby and we had all these visions of pickles, ice cream and Jon and Kate on my TV her whole pregnancy, but instead I've missed almost the whole thing! OY! So ya, today will be a good day!!
Mark had the transfusion of platelets yesterday as an outpatient...it was an odd experience. Seemed to be a lot more troublesome than it was when he was in a hospital bed, but it all worked out. Was weird dealing with nurses that aren't "Oncology" nurses and therefore KNOW all the precautions needed with him, we found ourselves having to explain things to THEM. Oh well...at least we got to come home after it was over!
Got an appointment with Dr. Caton on Monday and Mark is looking forward to walking in there, fever-free, and saying "SEE you were WRONG!!!" hehe! Gotta love the man's spirit!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Predictions suck
We were at the doc's today and got Mark's blood counts. He's back to being neutropenic; all of his counts are super low. Good cuz the chemo is doing what it's supposed to do, but sucks cuz now we have to follow all the precautions and have to feel like "he has cancer" again. Normalcy was starting to feel...well, normal again. Dr. Caton seemed surprised that Mark still feels so well. He predicted that he'll be back in the hospital by Monday. I didn't have anything handy to throw at him unfortunately. It's not easy to be positive and hopeful that "it'll be different for us" when an experienced physician is so sure of an outcome.
We have an appointment for tomorrow afternoon to have a transfusion of platelets at the old hospital. Mark's are at 8 today and they were giving him transfusions below 10 when we were there before. So, he's probably past due. He also got a prescription for heavy duty anti biotics to try to prevent any possible infections...so that makes us feel a little better!
So, Prayer Warriors Activate!!! :D
Thanks all for your continued support and prayer for our family. We love you.
We have an appointment for tomorrow afternoon to have a transfusion of platelets at the old hospital. Mark's are at 8 today and they were giving him transfusions below 10 when we were there before. So, he's probably past due. He also got a prescription for heavy duty anti biotics to try to prevent any possible infections...so that makes us feel a little better!
So, Prayer Warriors Activate!!! :D
Thanks all for your continued support and prayer for our family. We love you.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
3 minute read....
A great read!
What Love means to a 4-8 year old . . .
Slow down for three minutes to read this. It is so worth it. Touching words from the mouth of babes.
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, 'What does love mean?'
The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.'
Rebecca- age 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.
You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.'
Billy - age 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.'
Karl - age 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.'
Chrissy - age 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.'
Terri - age 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.'
Danny - age 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss'
Emily - age 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen..'
Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,'
Nikka - age 6
(we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet) =0 A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.'
Noelle - age 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.'
Tommy - age 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared.. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.
He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.'
Cindy - age 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night..'
Clare - age 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.'
Elaine-age 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford..'
Chris - age 7
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.'
Mary Ann - age 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.'
Lauren - age 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.' (what an image)
Karen - age 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross.'
Mark - age 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.'
Jessica - age 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And the final one
The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.
Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.
When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said,
'Nothing, I just helped him cry'
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need. Take 60 seconds and give this a shot! All you do is simply say the following small prayer for the person who sent you this.
Heavenly Father, please bless all my friends in whatever it is that You know they may be needing this day! And may their life be full of Your peace, prosperity and power as he/she seeks to have a closer relationship with You.. Amen.
Then send it on to five other people, including the one who sent it to you. Within hours you caused a multitude of people to pray for other people;
P. S. Five is good, but more is better.
What Love means to a 4-8 year old . . .
Slow down for three minutes to read this. It is so worth it. Touching words from the mouth of babes.
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, 'What does love mean?'
The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.'
Rebecca- age 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.
You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.'
Billy - age 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.'
Karl - age 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.'
Chrissy - age 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.'
Terri - age 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.'
Danny - age 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss'
Emily - age 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen..'
Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,'
Nikka - age 6
(we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet) =0 A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.'
Noelle - age 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.'
Tommy - age 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared.. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.
He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.'
Cindy - age 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night..'
Clare - age 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.'
Elaine-age 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford..'
Chris - age 7
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.'
Mary Ann - age 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.'
Lauren - age 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.' (what an image)
Karen - age 7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross.'
Mark - age 6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.'
Jessica - age 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And the final one
The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.
Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.
When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said,
'Nothing, I just helped him cry'
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need. Take 60 seconds and give this a shot! All you do is simply say the following small prayer for the person who sent you this.
Heavenly Father, please bless all my friends in whatever it is that You know they may be needing this day! And may their life be full of Your peace, prosperity and power as he/she seeks to have a closer relationship with You.. Amen.
Then send it on to five other people, including the one who sent it to you. Within hours you caused a multitude of people to pray for other people;
P. S. Five is good, but more is better.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
BBQ Pics
So I realized that I forgot to blog about the bbq we had for Mark last Friday! We had less people come than we thought but it was lots of fun! Nothing better than a house full of loved ones in my opinion! We had a nice mix of family, friends and work friends come and I'm sure in the future we'll have more bbq's with more people and everyone will get to know each other and all become one big happy family!!! Well...that's my plan anyway!
Thank you all who came! And for all who couldn't we hope you'll make it next time!! :)
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Tagged BS
Normally I don't do this...but my girlfriend Missy (http://missymisunderstood.blogspot.com/2009/04/tagged-bs.html) doesn't either and she did it then she tagged me and it's like a DARE...I can't pass up a dare!!
So the deal is to take a pic of yourself NOW. No primping, no fixing, no excuses. Well...didn't do the first two but I have LOTS of excuses as to why I look the way I do!!
1. No make up so nice a pale and pasty cuz well...I'm sitting in the hospital! (I'm gonna milk the hospital excuse for as long as possible!!!)
2. Bad coloring cuz it's DARK and I used my computer screen as a flash!!
3. Little yellow school bus look cuz I figured better to be funny then explain why I look like HELL warmed over!
So ya...thanks a LOT Missy.
OH and btw...I TAG EVERYONE!!! :D
Nice way to do it.
Well, we've enjoyed about a day and a half of relaxation at home. I tell ya...THIS is how to have a hospital stay! One day in, a day and a half out...can't complain! Sleeping in our own bet was fantabulous! Having a fridge and healthy food to eat, awesome for Becky's diet! Having DVR....priceless.
hehe
We are headed back to the hospital here in a couple hours for Mark's next two doses of chemo. He was feeling a bit ill yesterday but good today. We hope to have at least a week before the side effects kick in...or God willing, longer!
On a side note, I know many of you know I've suffered from headaches for most of my adult life. I've had MRI's, blood tests, meds...all of it to try to figure out what it was to no avail. Since this whole leukemia thing started my headaches are back along with neck, jaw and back pain. I went to the dentist yesterday for the jaw pain and he diagnosed me with TMJ. For now I'm using a nightguard in my mouth to keep from grinding my teeth and hopefully that will take care of it. Of course he told me the best treatment is to lessen the stress in my life...uh, right. If the nightguard doesn't work I could end up in full braces or surgery to move my lower jaw to alleviate the pressure. So far I've ground down about four of my teeth on the left side to a "mirror" glossiness! Nice huh? At least we now have an explanation for my headaches for all these years....who knew to go to the dentist for a tension headache! LOL Anyway, throw a few prayers my way too if you don't mind! Thanks y'all!
I thought you might enjoy some pics from our Easter!
hehe
We are headed back to the hospital here in a couple hours for Mark's next two doses of chemo. He was feeling a bit ill yesterday but good today. We hope to have at least a week before the side effects kick in...or God willing, longer!
On a side note, I know many of you know I've suffered from headaches for most of my adult life. I've had MRI's, blood tests, meds...all of it to try to figure out what it was to no avail. Since this whole leukemia thing started my headaches are back along with neck, jaw and back pain. I went to the dentist yesterday for the jaw pain and he diagnosed me with TMJ. For now I'm using a nightguard in my mouth to keep from grinding my teeth and hopefully that will take care of it. Of course he told me the best treatment is to lessen the stress in my life...uh, right. If the nightguard doesn't work I could end up in full braces or surgery to move my lower jaw to alleviate the pressure. So far I've ground down about four of my teeth on the left side to a "mirror" glossiness! Nice huh? At least we now have an explanation for my headaches for all these years....who knew to go to the dentist for a tension headache! LOL Anyway, throw a few prayers my way too if you don't mind! Thanks y'all!
I thought you might enjoy some pics from our Easter!
Monday, April 13, 2009
AWESOME news from the hospital!!
Ok...so GET THIS!!!
Mark's consolidation chemo is scheduled to go on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of WEEK ONE of the next four months. So we found out today (as our first day back in the hospital) that there is no reason for him to even BE HERE on Tuesday and Thursday. AND because it's taken them so long to get going here today (we still haven't started) he won't be hooked up to the chemo until 4 or 5pm on those days. Sssoooo what is the great news??? We get to go HOME on Tuesday and Thursday morning after we see Dr. Caton and don't have to be back until the FOLLOWING DAY until 3 or 4!!!! Can you believe it????
WEEK THREE is still gonna be a 24/7 in patient thing most likely as that will be the time he's getting sick with fevers and rashes...but to be able to be halfway normal for the WEEK ONE of treatment is SUCH a blessing!!!
Guess I didn't need to pack so much stuff....
Mark's consolidation chemo is scheduled to go on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of WEEK ONE of the next four months. So we found out today (as our first day back in the hospital) that there is no reason for him to even BE HERE on Tuesday and Thursday. AND because it's taken them so long to get going here today (we still haven't started) he won't be hooked up to the chemo until 4 or 5pm on those days. Sssoooo what is the great news??? We get to go HOME on Tuesday and Thursday morning after we see Dr. Caton and don't have to be back until the FOLLOWING DAY until 3 or 4!!!! Can you believe it????
WEEK THREE is still gonna be a 24/7 in patient thing most likely as that will be the time he's getting sick with fevers and rashes...but to be able to be halfway normal for the WEEK ONE of treatment is SUCH a blessing!!!
Guess I didn't need to pack so much stuff....
Sunday, April 12, 2009
HAPPY EASTER!!
I'm sure you all know by now how strong my faith is and of course I could not let this Blessed day go by without posting my TWO favorite songs that are perfect for this day!
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE!" John 3:16
God bless you all today and always. Please take the 10 minutes to watch these two videos. Love to you.
HE IS RISEN!
~B~
He became sin
Who knew no sin
That we might become His Righteousness
He humbled himself and carried the cross
Love so amazing
Love so amazing
(Chorus)
Jesus Messiah
Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer
Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners
The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah
Lord of all
His body the bread
His blood the wine
Broken and poured out all for love
The whole earth trembled
And the veil was torn
(Chorus)
All I hope is in You
All I hope is in You
All the glory to You, God
The light of the world
VERSE 1
Everyone needs compassion
Love that’s never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Saviour
The hope of nations
CHORUS
Saviour
He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
VERSE 2
So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender
BRIDGE
Shine Your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing for the glory of the risen King
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE!" John 3:16
God bless you all today and always. Please take the 10 minutes to watch these two videos. Love to you.
HE IS RISEN!
~B~
He became sin
Who knew no sin
That we might become His Righteousness
He humbled himself and carried the cross
Love so amazing
Love so amazing
(Chorus)
Jesus Messiah
Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer
Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners
The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah
Lord of all
His body the bread
His blood the wine
Broken and poured out all for love
The whole earth trembled
And the veil was torn
(Chorus)
All I hope is in You
All I hope is in You
All the glory to You, God
The light of the world
VERSE 1
Everyone needs compassion
Love that’s never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Saviour
The hope of nations
CHORUS
Saviour
He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
VERSE 2
So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender
BRIDGE
Shine Your light and let the whole world see
We’re singing for the glory of the risen King
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
LAST CHANCE!!! :D
Final reminder (ok I lied before when I said there was only gonna be one mention of this thing!) about our BBQ this Friday at 5:30!
Mark's been checking the weather and it's supposed to sprinkle in the morning but clear up for the afternoon! ...praying!...
Friday April 10 at 5:30! BE THERE!!! :D
Or...HERE I mean!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Because it touched me in church today....
The splendor of a King,
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice,
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light,
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at his voice,
And trembles at his voice
CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God
VERSE(2):
Age to age he stands
And time is in His Hands
Beginning and the End,
Beginning and the End
The Godhead, Three in one
Father, Spirit, Son
The Lion and the Lamb,
The Lion and the Lamb
CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God
CHORUS(2)
Name above all names
You are Worthy of all praise
and My heart will sing how great
Is our God
LOVE THIS!!!
My neighbor Kathy sent this to me and like her, I've seen it before but it's SO worth sharing again!
'What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget.'
'Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will
ever read!'
I asked
the Lord to bless you
As I prayed for you today.
To guide you and protect you
As you go along your way....
His love is always with you,
His promises are true,
And when we give Him all our cares,
You know He will see us through..
Only if you feel led to, pass this to
People you want God to Bless.
....I DID!
Now this is the Living Bible:
His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it,
jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire
four years of college.
He is brilliant. Kind of profound and very, very bright. He became a
Christian while attending college.
Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students but are not sure how to go about it.
One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair.. The service has already started and so
His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it,
jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire
four years of college.
He is brilliant. Kind of profound and very, very bright. He became a
Christian while attending college.
Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students but are not sure how to go about it.
One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair.. The service has already started and so
Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat.
The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now,
people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything.
Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit, and when he
realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet.
By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is
thick.
About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the
church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill.
Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a
three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very
courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this
boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what
he's going to do.
The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now,
people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything.
Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit, and when he
realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet.
By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is
thick.
About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the
church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill.
Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a
three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very
courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this
boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what
he's going to do.
How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?
It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy.
The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane.
All eyes are focused on him.. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do.
And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With
great difficulty, he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and
worships with him so he won't be alone.
Everyone chokes up with emotion.
When the minister gains control, he says,
It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy.
The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane.
All eyes are focused on him.. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do.
And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With
great difficulty, he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and
worships with him so he won't be alone.
Everyone chokes up with emotion.
When the minister gains control, he says,
'What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget.'
'Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will
ever read!'
I asked
the Lord to bless you
As I prayed for you today.
To guide you and protect you
As you go along your way....
His love is always with you,
His promises are true,
And when we give Him all our cares,
You know He will see us through..
Only if you feel led to, pass this to
People you want God to Bless.
....I DID!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Friday doctor visit
Ok, first and foremost, MAD props and thanks for all the prayer over the last two weeks for the negative result on that Flat 3 ligand test. Got the results today and once again the prayer warriors dedication paid off! We are free and clear of THAT obstacle! Thanks everyone!
First thing Dr. Caton said to Mark today was, "Wow, you look GOOD!". Gotta love hearing that from an oncologist ey?? And yes, I gotta agree, my man does look good! And he FEELS good! It's gonna be a great week this week feeling and BEING normal! We're even gonna get out and weed this weekend AND we're gonna do a date on Tuesday! It's the little things.
All of Mark's blood counts are back to normal. COMPLETELY NORMAL! Praise God. We were a little confused on the plan for the next four months so let me clarify for y'all.
Mark starts his "consolodation chemo" on Monday 4-13. He will be getting HEAVY doeses of the chemo Monday, Wednesday and Friday of that week then will be release on Saturday. This is week ONE. The next week, or week TWO, is rest time. Dr. Caton said he expects Mark's blood counts to be down by Thursday or Friday of week two and that's when the trouble starts. He will be Neutropenic and will start having fevers again. Once those fevers start he will be readmitted for antibiotics and 24 hour care. Sometime near the end week THREE his counts should be coming back and will be released back home to rest up the rest of that week then for all of week FOUR (God willing). We will then start again with week ONE the following Monday. It is a four week cycle instead of a two week cycle like we'd thought before. We had assumed when the doc said "week in week out" of the hospital he meant that we'd be doing the chemo every other week...not that he expects Mark to be SO SICK that he'll be back in. Oy. He also said by the end Mark will be wrecked. It's gonna be harder and harder on his body and for him to recover. BUT...it could be worse!!
We go in early on 4-13 to have Mark's blood drawn to HLA match him for blood marrow. At this time we aren't planning for a transplant, but the chances of the Leukemia coming back in the first two years are 65%...so Dr. Caton wants to get the match going so IF he has a relapse we won't have to wait as long or even at all. BUT, we all know that's not going to happen because God is so good and will get Mark through these odds as he has all the rest. Just another step we have to take to make us all worry! hehe! But yes, please add this to the prayer.
Don't forget about the bbq on the 10th!! We are excited about it and want lots of people here so get on the phone and RSVP!! :)
~B~
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Bday/Remission par-TAY!
Hello Friends!
This is my official (and only! hehe) invitation to all that read this blog to a special party! Mark is going to be recuperating from his next dose of chemo on his ACTUAL birthday this year, so I'm having an early bday party for him. ALSO I thought it'd be the perfect excuse to celebrate his remission, his being home, his feeling better, and all the wonderful support from friends and family that we've had over the last several weeks! We feel so blessed and want to have you guys over, feed ya some burgers and hot dogs and thank you IN PERSON! AND Mark has TONS of hugs to pass out!!! :D
Date: Friday, April 10, 2009
Time: 5:30 (ish)
Who: YOU!!! Plus your spouse, your kids and whoever else you wanna bring!
RSVP: By Wednesday April 8 so I can get a head count for shopping!! By email or phone is fine! :)
becknbunch@centurytel.net OR
541-513-6422 (Becky cell) OR
541-895-3245 (home)
I want to make this a great day for all of us...I think after the last month we've all shared together we deserve a good time!! So please, come and celebrate with us!
~B~
PS. By the way...no presents!! We just want to get together with you all. Besides, your thoughts, prayer and undying support has been all the best gift we could ever hope to get. <3
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Just for the soul....
No cancer talk, no house cleaning talk, no annoying kids talk today. Just something I received from my neighbor that really touched me and I need to share.
TO MEET SUCH A MAN
I sat, with two friends, in the picture window of a quaint restaurant just off the corner of the town-square. The food and the company were both especially good that day.
As we talked, my attention was drawn outside, across the street. There, walking into town, was a man who appeared to be carrying all his worldly goods on his back. He was carrying, a well-worn sign that read, 'I will work for food.' My heart sank.
I brought him to the attention of my friends and noticed that others around us had stopped eating to focus on him. Heads moved in a mixture of sadness and disbelief. We continued with our meal, but his image lingered in my mind We finished our meal and went our separate ways. I had errands to do and quickly set out to accomplish them. I glanced toward the town square, looking somewhat halfheartedly for the strange visitor. I was fearful, knowing that seeing him again would call some response. I drove through town and saw nothing of him. I made some purchases at a store and got back in my car.
Deep within me, the Spirit of God kept speaking to me: 'Don't go back to the office until you've at least driven once more around the square.' Then with some hesitancy, I headed back into town. As I turned the squares third corner, I saw him. He was standing on the steps of the store front church, going through his sack.
I stopped and looked; feeling both compelled to speak to him, yet wanting to drive on.
The empty parking space on the corner seemed to be a sign from God: an invitation to park. I pulled in, got out and approached the town's newest visitor
'Looking for the pastor?' I asked.
'Not really,' he replied, 'just resting.'
'Have you eaten today?'
'Oh, I ate something early this morning.'
'Would you like to have lunch with me?'
'Do you have some work I could do for you?'
'No work,' I replied. 'I commute here to work from the city, but I would like to take you to lunch.'
'Sure,' he replied with a smile.
As he began to gather his things, I asked some surface questions.
'Where are you headed?'
' St. Louis ....'
'Where are you from?'
'Oh, all over; mostly Florida .'
'How long have you been walking?'
'Fourteen years,' came the reply.
I knew I had met someone unusual. We sat across from each other in the same restaurant I had left earlier. His face was weathered slightly beyond his 38 years. His eyes were dark yet clear, and he spoke with an eloquence and articulation that was startling. He removed his jacket to reveal a bright red T-shirt that said, 'Jesus is The Never Ending Story.'
Then Daniel's story began to unfold. He had seen rough times early in life. He'd made some wrong choices and reaped the consequences. Fourteen years earlier, while back-packing across the country, he had stopped on the beach in Daytona. He tried to hire on with some men who were putting up a large tent and some equipment. A concert, he thought.
He was hired, but the tent would not house a concert but revival services, and in those services he saw life more clearly. He gave his life over to God.
'Nothing's been the same since,' he said, 'I felt the Lord telling me to keep walking, and so I did, some 14 years now.'
'Ever think of stopping?' I asked.
'Oh, once in a while, when it seems to get the best of me but God has given me this calling. I give out Bibles. That's what's in my sack. I work to buy food and Bibles, and I give them out when His Spirit leads.'
I sat amazed. My homeless friend was not homeless. He was on a mission and l ived this way by choice. The question burned inside for a moment and then I asked: 'What's it like?'
'What?'
'To walk into a town carrying all your things on your back and to show your sign?'
'Oh, it was humiliating at first. People would stare and make comments. Once someone tossed a piece of half-eaten bread and made a gesture that certainly didn't make me feel welcome. But then it became humbling to realize that God was using me to touch lives and change people's concepts of other folks like me'
My concept was changing, too. We finished our dessert and gathered his things. Just outside the door, he paused. He turned to me and said, 'Come Ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom I've prepared for you. For when I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, a stranger and you took me in.'
I felt as if we were on holy ground..
'Could you use another Bible?' I asked.
He said he preferred a certain translation. It traveled well and was not too heavy. It was also his personal favorite. 'I've read through it 14 times,' he said.
'I'm not sure we've got one of those, but let's stop by our church and see.' I was able to find my new friend a Bible that would do well, and he seemed very grateful.
'Where are you headed from here?' I asked.
'Well, I found this little map on the back of this amusement park coupon.'
'Are you hoping to hire on there for awhile?'
'No, I just figure I should go there. I figure someone under that star right there needs a Bible, so that's where I'm going next.'
He smiled, and the warmth of his spirit radiated the sincerity of his mission. I drove him back to the town-square where we'd met two hours earlier, and as we drove, it started raining. We parked and unloaded his things.
'Would you sign my autograph book?' he asked. 'I like to keep messages from folks I meet.'
I wrote in his little book that his commitment to his calling had touched my life. I encouraged him to stay strong. And I left him with a verse of scripture from Jeremiah, 'I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a future and a hope.'
'Thanks, man,' he said. 'I know we just met and we're really just strangers, but I love you.'
'I know,' I said, 'I love you, too.' 'The Lord is good!'
'Yes, He is. How long has it been since someone hugged you?' I asked.
'A long time,' he replied
And so on the busy street corner in the drizzling rain, my new friend and I embraced, and I felt deep inside that I had been changed. He put his things on his back, smiled his winning smile and said, 'See you in the New Jerusalem.'
'I'll be there!' was my reply.
He began his journey again. He headed away with his sign dangling from his bed roll and pack of Bibles. He stopped, turned and said, 'When you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?'
'You bet,' I shouted back, 'God bless.'
'God bless.' And that was the last I saw of him.
Late that evening as I left my office, the wind blew strong. The cold front had settled hard upon the town. I bundled up and hurried to my car. As I sat back and reached for the emergency brake, I saw them... a pair of well-worn brown work gloves neatly laid over the length of the handle. I picked them up and thought of my friend and wondered if his hands would stay warm that night without them.
Then I remembered his words: 'If you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?'
Today his gloves lie on my desk in my office. They help me to see the world and its people in a new way, and they help me remember those two hours with my unique friend and to pray for his ministry. 'See you in the New Jerusalem,' he said. Yes, Daniel, I know I will...
If this story touched you, forward it to a friend!
'I shall pass this way but once. Therefore, any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.'
My instructions were to send this to four people that I wanted God to bless and I picked you. Please pass this to four people you want to be blessed.
This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached. Please do not break this pattern. Prayer is one of the best gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's continue to pray for one another. God bless and have a nice day!
'Father, I ask y ou to bless my friends, relatives and e-mail buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask you to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through your grace, In Jesus' precious Name Amen.'
I sent this to more than four, but this story is so touching I felt each of you would enjoy it greatly.
GOD BLESS YOU MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!!
God Bless ~B~
TO MEET SUCH A MAN
I sat, with two friends, in the picture window of a quaint restaurant just off the corner of the town-square. The food and the company were both especially good that day.
As we talked, my attention was drawn outside, across the street. There, walking into town, was a man who appeared to be carrying all his worldly goods on his back. He was carrying, a well-worn sign that read, 'I will work for food.' My heart sank.
I brought him to the attention of my friends and noticed that others around us had stopped eating to focus on him. Heads moved in a mixture of sadness and disbelief. We continued with our meal, but his image lingered in my mind We finished our meal and went our separate ways. I had errands to do and quickly set out to accomplish them. I glanced toward the town square, looking somewhat halfheartedly for the strange visitor. I was fearful, knowing that seeing him again would call some response. I drove through town and saw nothing of him. I made some purchases at a store and got back in my car.
Deep within me, the Spirit of God kept speaking to me: 'Don't go back to the office until you've at least driven once more around the square.' Then with some hesitancy, I headed back into town. As I turned the squares third corner, I saw him. He was standing on the steps of the store front church, going through his sack.
I stopped and looked; feeling both compelled to speak to him, yet wanting to drive on.
The empty parking space on the corner seemed to be a sign from God: an invitation to park. I pulled in, got out and approached the town's newest visitor
'Looking for the pastor?' I asked.
'Not really,' he replied, 'just resting.'
'Have you eaten today?'
'Oh, I ate something early this morning.'
'Would you like to have lunch with me?'
'Do you have some work I could do for you?'
'No work,' I replied. 'I commute here to work from the city, but I would like to take you to lunch.'
'Sure,' he replied with a smile.
As he began to gather his things, I asked some surface questions.
'Where are you headed?'
' St. Louis ....'
'Where are you from?'
'Oh, all over; mostly Florida .'
'How long have you been walking?'
'Fourteen years,' came the reply.
I knew I had met someone unusual. We sat across from each other in the same restaurant I had left earlier. His face was weathered slightly beyond his 38 years. His eyes were dark yet clear, and he spoke with an eloquence and articulation that was startling. He removed his jacket to reveal a bright red T-shirt that said, 'Jesus is The Never Ending Story.'
Then Daniel's story began to unfold. He had seen rough times early in life. He'd made some wrong choices and reaped the consequences. Fourteen years earlier, while back-packing across the country, he had stopped on the beach in Daytona. He tried to hire on with some men who were putting up a large tent and some equipment. A concert, he thought.
He was hired, but the tent would not house a concert but revival services, and in those services he saw life more clearly. He gave his life over to God.
'Nothing's been the same since,' he said, 'I felt the Lord telling me to keep walking, and so I did, some 14 years now.'
'Ever think of stopping?' I asked.
'Oh, once in a while, when it seems to get the best of me but God has given me this calling. I give out Bibles. That's what's in my sack. I work to buy food and Bibles, and I give them out when His Spirit leads.'
I sat amazed. My homeless friend was not homeless. He was on a mission and l ived this way by choice. The question burned inside for a moment and then I asked: 'What's it like?'
'What?'
'To walk into a town carrying all your things on your back and to show your sign?'
'Oh, it was humiliating at first. People would stare and make comments. Once someone tossed a piece of half-eaten bread and made a gesture that certainly didn't make me feel welcome. But then it became humbling to realize that God was using me to touch lives and change people's concepts of other folks like me'
My concept was changing, too. We finished our dessert and gathered his things. Just outside the door, he paused. He turned to me and said, 'Come Ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom I've prepared for you. For when I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, a stranger and you took me in.'
I felt as if we were on holy ground..
'Could you use another Bible?' I asked.
He said he preferred a certain translation. It traveled well and was not too heavy. It was also his personal favorite. 'I've read through it 14 times,' he said.
'I'm not sure we've got one of those, but let's stop by our church and see.' I was able to find my new friend a Bible that would do well, and he seemed very grateful.
'Where are you headed from here?' I asked.
'Well, I found this little map on the back of this amusement park coupon.'
'Are you hoping to hire on there for awhile?'
'No, I just figure I should go there. I figure someone under that star right there needs a Bible, so that's where I'm going next.'
He smiled, and the warmth of his spirit radiated the sincerity of his mission. I drove him back to the town-square where we'd met two hours earlier, and as we drove, it started raining. We parked and unloaded his things.
'Would you sign my autograph book?' he asked. 'I like to keep messages from folks I meet.'
I wrote in his little book that his commitment to his calling had touched my life. I encouraged him to stay strong. And I left him with a verse of scripture from Jeremiah, 'I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a future and a hope.'
'Thanks, man,' he said. 'I know we just met and we're really just strangers, but I love you.'
'I know,' I said, 'I love you, too.' 'The Lord is good!'
'Yes, He is. How long has it been since someone hugged you?' I asked.
'A long time,' he replied
And so on the busy street corner in the drizzling rain, my new friend and I embraced, and I felt deep inside that I had been changed. He put his things on his back, smiled his winning smile and said, 'See you in the New Jerusalem.'
'I'll be there!' was my reply.
He began his journey again. He headed away with his sign dangling from his bed roll and pack of Bibles. He stopped, turned and said, 'When you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?'
'You bet,' I shouted back, 'God bless.'
'God bless.' And that was the last I saw of him.
Late that evening as I left my office, the wind blew strong. The cold front had settled hard upon the town. I bundled up and hurried to my car. As I sat back and reached for the emergency brake, I saw them... a pair of well-worn brown work gloves neatly laid over the length of the handle. I picked them up and thought of my friend and wondered if his hands would stay warm that night without them.
Then I remembered his words: 'If you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?'
Today his gloves lie on my desk in my office. They help me to see the world and its people in a new way, and they help me remember those two hours with my unique friend and to pray for his ministry. 'See you in the New Jerusalem,' he said. Yes, Daniel, I know I will...
If this story touched you, forward it to a friend!
'I shall pass this way but once. Therefore, any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.'
My instructions were to send this to four people that I wanted God to bless and I picked you. Please pass this to four people you want to be blessed.
This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached. Please do not break this pattern. Prayer is one of the best gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's continue to pray for one another. God bless and have a nice day!
'Father, I ask y ou to bless my friends, relatives and e-mail buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask you to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through your grace, In Jesus' precious Name Amen.'
I sent this to more than four, but this story is so touching I felt each of you would enjoy it greatly.
GOD BLESS YOU MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)