Friends

"...but your friends be like the sun as (it) rises in (its) might."-Judges 5:31 (ESV, slightly altered)
I've given much credit to my fantastic family for the way they have stepped up with love and service during this journey but I'm long overdue in acknowledging and thanking the many, many friends who have brightened even my lousiest days with prayers, cards, notes, emails, calls, morning messages with words of encouragement for the day and even chicken soup, all of which soothe both body and soul.
My friend, Barb, has discovered the cancer card section of her favorite Hallmark store, and until now I hadn't even realized that there was a cancer card section.  Hardly a day goes by that there isn't a card in the mail from her with a message that just hits the spot for the day, whether it be funny or serious.  Amazing!  One example:  On the front of the card, a stylish, beautiful, smiling gal holding a magic wand and announcing, "If I had a magic wand, I would make you 100% cancer free!"  On the inside the lovely lady says, "Then I would make us both super-model billionaires, but first things first!" The card brought a ray of sunshine to an otherwise gloomy day.  Thanks, Barb, for that card and for the many others that appear in my mailbox on such a regular basis.
I could cite so many other examples of encouragement from so many friends but I would still be blogging at sunset.  Suffice it to say, each expression of love and support from each of you is gratefully and thankfully received.
My main reason for starting this blog was to share the reality that God does not merely sit back and observe as we walk the darkest walks of life's journeys.  Whereas He has been there for me wherever I was in the past, I have experienced Him in new and powerful ways since my diagnosis and I needed to share those precious times and truths.  When I check my Facebook page and see a quote from the blog from my good friend, Sharon, to whom the words of Jeremiah Burroughs spoke, I know that God is indeed at work through our adversities and His words are speaking not only to me but to many.
Thank you to you all.
"A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity."-Proverbs 17:17 (ESV)

On the health front, eliminating (temporarily) the oral chemo pill has given my digestive system an opportunity to recoup and I am appreciating the respite from the pain and nausea. We are early enough in the radiation treatments that I am not experiencing side effects other than a distinct draining of my energy.  And life is still, and always, good!