Tessie {the Third}

Introducing the newest King Charles Spaniel, Tessie {yep, third one, my parents just can't let go}. She joined the clan about a week ago.

Benjamin & Cameron are in heaven, and beg daily to go visit the new puppy. She's all things puppy--wriggly and mischievous, topped with a curly tongue and the unmistakable smell of puppy breath. She's a little sweetheart, and already holds captive our hearts.


What a doll. She's kind of a bossy little thing. Growls at my mother during frequent moments of discipline. She has big paws to fill. I have faith in her ability to rule the roost and warm our laps, as these spaniels are known to do.


Cam's excited about the newest imp. Takes a bit of the pressure off her own tiny shoulders!

Strength

This is a post I've wanted {and needed, desperately} to write for months now. Life takes over, you know, and a blog can take backseat when you least expect it. Priorities shift.

Please know that even as I type, the words seem so inadequate. The story is so personal, and I am not a warm-fuzzy kind of girl.

I'll get right to it. Cancer a four-letter word in my book. My own mother is a survivor. Hearing the diagnosis, then journeying with a family member . . . well, it changes a person.

A little over two years ago my mother-in-love, Diane, was diagnosed with colon cancer. A new chapter began, in an old unwanted book. The fight was long and hard. And just when we thought {for sure, I might add} that she'd licked it, it was back. So, late this spring, she jumped in feet first to fight for her life. Literally. And I was reintroduced to strength.

Strength by definition:

"Strength, power, force, the capacity to do something. Strength is inherent capacity to manifest energy, to endure, and to resist. Also potency, force, brightness, vividness."

Cancer draws out strength. Wild, untamed, unyielding strength. The strength of God, witnessed by our very eyes. And guess what else? His grace is sufficient. And His power is made perfect in weakness {2 Corinthians 12:9-10}.

Diane and Goofy {Spring 2010}

Would you all join us in praising God for Diane's most recent pet scan? It revealed to our human eyes that God is indeed healing Diane. She has under her belt five rounds of chemo, three more to go. Will you pray with us? That she would continue to have "good weeks", in between treatments? That the doctors and nurses would celebrate the miracle with us? That other patients would also be encouraged by her strength, by her faith. Specifically, would you pray for the remaining tumor in her lung to be nuked!! And also, for any side effects from the chemo to be resolved.

Diane with Jacob, Matthew & Caitlin--grandchildren {Summer 2011}

Greg & I thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your prayers. Our whole family thanks you!

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. he will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding, no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:28-31