May 2, 2009

We're finally home!!!! We had to stop and pick up the stuff from Albion College today, and all I can say, is that if not for Tom Zirkle and his truck and trailer, and TJ and Chandler Dorey, we'd still be there--and I'd be on my back in bed for another week. Apparently girls need a lot more stuff to go to college with than guys do (or did at least), but there was a lot! Thank God I've got a big garage to hold all of the stuff they don't need now, but I still wish I had my Surburban to get the stuff back down there for next semester. Karen Zirkle was nice enough to have dinner for us when we got back too. They are like family to us and you can't get much better than that. And Linda Orange, who I consider a younger sister to me, had the house all ready for us including groceries! Even muffins with worms (inside joke). Wow!

Anne had her best day of the week today, thankfully. She got a good night's sleep (thanks to some Lunesta). She was even able to eat a lot more than she has been. You can't believe the number of cards and letters that were waiting for us at home. Thank God for you all. I'm hoping that we can now get back into some sort of routine, but I doubt Anne will be working any time soon--she may not have the energy for that yet. The chemo really knocks her down, but she bounces back and seems to be doing fine right now.

There are a couple of Bible phrases I get emailed to me on a routine basis, and one of them today was very special: 1John 5:14-15: "This is the confidence we have in approching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of Him." I know that God hears us, and that we have all been asking for healing for Anne--so it seems logical that if it is His will (and I can only pray that it is), He will heal her. It doesn't get any better than that.

Anne heard about a man who was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer--his doctor told him he has about 6 months to live. The saddest part of this (besides the poor prognosis, and I will have to pray for him too), is that he may not have a strong faith in God, and unfortunately, wouldn't have the hope that we have. I feel so sorry for him. I unfortunately know what he must feel like. When Anne went through 4 miscarriages, and I, at least, was an atheist, we had nothing to fall back on--it was one of the hardest things we ever had to deal with. Not that this has been a piece of cake, mind you, but we do have tremendous faith and comfort knowing that all we need to do is "Call My name and I'll be there" (Third Day). And He is there. One of the most comforting things is knowing that God is. That means He does exist, and His word is true--He is there for us and always will be--all we need to do is ask.

God Bless you all,
Tony