Happy Sunday!
Just got back from church, our word for the day is JOY. Well halleluia, we do have joy!! The joy of the Lord is our strength!! The top of the prayer list at church said "Erin Blonshine is cancer free!" How about that for a reason for joy!! Erin is feeling good today. We are looking forward to talking to the Dr on Tues to get the scoop on the future treatments and plans. As you can imagine, Erin is looking forward to the day she can get her central line out and go swimming! Thanks for your prayers and celebratory cart wheels!! hugs, janet
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Sat 4/5
Hello and God Bless you!
Erin is doing well today. She went to the church to see off the youth for their spring break trip. She was so sad not to get to go with them, but looks forward to next year. Everything will seem sweeter next year after all that she has been through. That's the silver lining in the dark cloud right? It's like that allergy medicine commercial where they peal off the fuzzy layer and everything looks so crystal clear. Erin should be seeing brighter colors and sparkling detail in everything for the rest of her life.
"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." Isaiah 55:12
We are still a little giddy around here with Erin's remission. I hope we never lose that feeling!! Praise God for all the blessings we enjoy!! love to all, janet
Erin is doing well today. She went to the church to see off the youth for their spring break trip. She was so sad not to get to go with them, but looks forward to next year. Everything will seem sweeter next year after all that she has been through. That's the silver lining in the dark cloud right? It's like that allergy medicine commercial where they peal off the fuzzy layer and everything looks so crystal clear. Erin should be seeing brighter colors and sparkling detail in everything for the rest of her life.
"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." Isaiah 55:12
We are still a little giddy around here with Erin's remission. I hope we never lose that feeling!! Praise God for all the blessings we enjoy!! love to all, janet
Friday, April 4, 2008
Fri 4/4
Hello friends and family, Thanks for continuing to check in with us. I know it seems like we don't need you anymore now that she is in remission, but nothing could be farther from the truth. We still have a long way to go, so please keep praying. Erin is feeling well today and we just got back from several errands. She loves getting back to shopping and normal activity. However, she is still germphobic and reminds us all on a regular basis to wash our hands. Sounds like good advice for everyone since the flu is still out there!
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit with in me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." Ps 51: 10-12
We are so thankful for all of you and your love, janet
P.S. Happy Spring Break Gwinnettians!!
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit with in me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." Ps 51: 10-12
We are so thankful for all of you and your love, janet
P.S. Happy Spring Break Gwinnettians!!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Thurs 4/3
Well, I can't top the remission note, so I won't try. Thank you all for rejoicing with us!! God is Good all the time. We give Him all the praise and Glory for this milestone in Erin's treatment. She still has 3 more rounds of chemo to go. We go to the Dr on Tues to discuss the rest of the plan of care. Everything from here on out has got to be easier to go through because of the knowledge that we have the leukemia wiped out. Hopefully she will have an easier time with the side effects too. So please don't stop praying, we have a few more months to go through. She is walking on air though and we can't stop smiling!! Your support and encouragement have been an incredible comfort to us on our journey. We love you all, janet
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
REMISSION
REMISSION!! We just found out! The PA says it doesn't look like she needs a bone marrow transplant but that they would review the protocols and let us know. They told us before that since her sisters don't match they would not reccommend it. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!! REMISSION!! Woo Hoo!! It has been a long wait but well worth it! Thanks for rejoicing with us!! WOW!! What a relief!! in tears of thanksgiving, janet
Wed 4/2
Hello and thank you friends for all your encouragement!! Erin is doing well today and filling her "feel good" days with friends and fun.
Susan is right, Erin is a soldier in this battle and will be strengthened by the fight. Not having a son, we thought we would be spared the fear of sending our child to face the danger of war. Wrong, this is a war too. It's an ugly gorilla type war. Hidden dangers, microscopic opponents, chemical warfare! But like every soldier, Erin has a full battalion of people behind her supplying her with equipment, supplies and encouragement. And the best "General" in the universe in charge of the plan of attack. Praise God for being in charge!!
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. " Ephesians 6:10-20
What strength God's word provides!! love to all, janet
Susan is right, Erin is a soldier in this battle and will be strengthened by the fight. Not having a son, we thought we would be spared the fear of sending our child to face the danger of war. Wrong, this is a war too. It's an ugly gorilla type war. Hidden dangers, microscopic opponents, chemical warfare! But like every soldier, Erin has a full battalion of people behind her supplying her with equipment, supplies and encouragement. And the best "General" in the universe in charge of the plan of attack. Praise God for being in charge!!
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. " Ephesians 6:10-20
What strength God's word provides!! love to all, janet
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Tues 4/1
Happy April Fool's Day!!
Erin is feeling good today except for her biopsy spot. She is very sore there and has to move slowly. We give thanks to God that He is seeing her through all these uncomfortable procedures with grace. She really is so good about going through all this. It is amazing what you can get used to under these conditions. She is still enjoying her break, going out with friends and feeling a little bit normal.
Erin and I were talking about trust this morning and about how this experience has shaped our faith and our trust in God. What do people do without faith? What do they cling to? We can't cling to science, there are no guarantees there. We can't cling to our families, they are as desperate for strength as we are. How can we not see the love of God all around us, providing for us and strengthening us? Praise God that He gave us faith to carry us along this road, because without it we would be lost. We find that this experience has really opened our eyes to the details of our beliefs, and the details of God's provision. A day doesn't go by without some reflection on faith and our trust in God.
"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."" 1 Corinthians 1: 27-31
"He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe." Proverbs 28:26
"The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him" Psalm 145:17-20
We are thankful to have a God who watches over us!! Blessings, janet
Erin is feeling good today except for her biopsy spot. She is very sore there and has to move slowly. We give thanks to God that He is seeing her through all these uncomfortable procedures with grace. She really is so good about going through all this. It is amazing what you can get used to under these conditions. She is still enjoying her break, going out with friends and feeling a little bit normal.
Erin and I were talking about trust this morning and about how this experience has shaped our faith and our trust in God. What do people do without faith? What do they cling to? We can't cling to science, there are no guarantees there. We can't cling to our families, they are as desperate for strength as we are. How can we not see the love of God all around us, providing for us and strengthening us? Praise God that He gave us faith to carry us along this road, because without it we would be lost. We find that this experience has really opened our eyes to the details of our beliefs, and the details of God's provision. A day doesn't go by without some reflection on faith and our trust in God.
"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."" 1 Corinthians 1: 27-31
"He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe." Proverbs 28:26
"The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him" Psalm 145:17-20
We are thankful to have a God who watches over us!! Blessings, janet