The week behind us & the week ahead

To each of you who listened to and/or donated to the Radio-thon for children, thank you, thank you.

Those three days were an incredible experience for Amanda and I. Each of the radio people were so very thoughtful and considerate as they spoke with Amanda. Although she was a bit nervous at first about speaking on the radio, she was a pro! She had a huge smile on her face and she did so well. Sitting at the phone bank I had the opportunity to meet so many people from our community...some with a personal connection to this event, some who just wanted to find a way to help. On Friday, Haley (Amanda's oldest sister) was able to come and volunteer her time as well in honor of Amanda. We were both so thankful to have a way to be a part of this much needed, much appreciated event. And our entire family was way excited to learn that the event raised $221,923.78. That is incredible.

Following the radio event, some of us traveled back to my hometown in Iowa. Because of Amanda's busy treatment year it had been a long time since we had been able to do that. This occasion was special for another reason, my aunt and uncle were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. It was a wonderful time to see extended family and dear friends. Because my aunt and uncle were married in the little church I grew up in (just as a note...it is the same church that Larry and I were also married in) many of the people who had guided me as a child through my years of Sunday School classes, Vacation Bible School and Youth groups were there as well. It was wonderful to be reminded not only of their hearts for me through the years, but how they now loved my daughter as well and have prayed continually for her during this past year. Many of them were overwhelmed and even moved to tears to see her again and to join us in thankfulness for how well she is feeling now. The weekend flew by much too quickly but we were so thankful for the time that we had at Grandma's house and with others before we headed back home again.

And now, another week has passed and so we are looking to have Amanda's next lab work done this Wednesday. This is the routine blood draw that allows them to keep track of her white blood cell counts. Our prayer is that all results will be excellent.

We have now been home about 5 weeks. The time has been filled with all the activity of a busy household. But each night, as I tuck our children into bed, we thank God for another day that we are all together as family. We continue to ask Him to monitor the tumor and to protect Amanda from it during this time of waiting. And we ask for many, many more days of laughter, health and fun for us to share together. Everyday that He gives us together as a family with our loving extended family and friends around us, we are grateful.

Four of my children are home and I got to tuck them into their beds. Two are in the college of their choice and they were remembered in our prayers. This day was filled with worship, friends, some extended family, homework (reality!) fun and laughter (that was after the homework was done!).

It was a good day...no, it was a great day.

Denise