Thursday, November 15, 2007

PUT TO THE TEST AND THANKING GOD IN ALL THINGS

Today (Thursday) was a big day of testing for me. The morning began with a radioactive injection followed by a CAT scan of the head, chest, abdomen and pelvis. Then, off for another mammogram, and a bone scan, followed by blood work and a visit with my oncologist.

Testing day is filled with all kinds of emotions for me. When I'm in there having all those scans done I try to watch the faces of the technicians to see if I can find any "clues" in their expressions as they are reading the screens. Testing day reminds me of what it was like when I was in school. You know how you study and prepare the best you know how--you think you did OK on the test but you still anxiously wait for the teacher to pass out the grades to see how you really did. "Cancer test day" is a lot like that.......you know that you've been feeling pretty good and you think everything is going great but you still have to wait for the "final test score".

I am very thankful to report tonight that I have gotten the results back from all the test except the bond scan. Everything looks good!! The growth on my thorax has not changed, the mammogram is the same as it was three months ago, they found a brain (ha ha), and I am testing clear of cancer at this time. (I am still waiting for the results on the bone scan but I am very positive that those results will be good as well). Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your prayers, you will never know how much strength I feel knowing that you are praying for me.

As Thanksgiving week approaches, my heart is so full. I have SO MUCH to be thankful for this year. God has walked down this path with me every step of the way, surrounded me with loving friends and a precious family and given me a peace that passes understanding through and in all things. I will be eternally grateful and I praise his Holy Name!

I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of Lara, Britney, Carter and Ashlyn. They are coming in from Minnesota to spend Thanksgiving week with us. It will be the first time in six months that we have all been together. The "family circle" will be complete---all the kids and grand kids will be here and I can hardly wait!!! I pray that each of you will experience a week of thanksgiving and blessings as well .

As I pause and reflect on the goodness of Our Lord, I am truly humbled. His love and mercy is everlasting! In all things, give thanks. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. Enjoy your time with friends and family---"a happy memory is a precious thing"!

I love you guys,
Judy

Ephesians 5:20 Give thanks always for all things.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

FALL FESTIVALS, CORN MAZES AND CELEBRATIONS!

"Life" is a festival, a celebration and life is good!! I know that it has been many weeks since I last wrote in my blog and some of you have called or written to "check up" on me. Thanks! It's nice to know that you are still reading it; sometimes I worry that I may be boring you with all my news.


The truth of the matter why I haven't written lately is, I have been busy----busy having fun and enjoying family and friends and my "new found energy" that is slowly returning.
We celebrated Chad's birthday a few weeks ago. Can you believe that he is already "15" with a learner's permit to drive a car (YIKES)!! His Granny Sweatt and Aunt Amy were able to drive over for the day from Bremen, GA and that was great. We had not seen them for quite a while and had a lot of catching up to do.


This Sunday will be Rebekah's "13th" birthday (YIKES AGAIN) another teenager in the family. Marvin and I plan to surprise her and drive to S.C. to go to church with her and then take her out for a birthday lunch. (We will officially celebrate with a big party at our house on Thanksgiving Day). The whole Mitchell Clan will be together that day. Lara, Britney, Carter and Ashlyn are driving down from Minnesota for the week and we are all very excited about that.


Besides birthday celebrations I've had fun at the Fall Festival at our church, and at our neighborhood Halloween Parade. The little children are always sooooo cute. They have a big costume parade down the street then they load them all on a flat-bed and drive them from house to house to "trick or treat". I always dress up in costume too!! This year I wore my poodle skirt and had a dance party in my driveway with all of them. Well.....not a DICK CLARK
DANCE PARTY, I can't dance like that, but, we all did the Hokey Pokey together and I think that counts as a dance, don't you??!


And last but not least, I got lost in a Corn Maze! Marvin and I met Pam, Scott, their little 8 year old niece Autumn, Jill, Mark and little Nathan in Watkinsville a few Saturdays ago. It was a blast. There were so many cute things to do: A baby pig race, live animals to pet, a cow train for the little ones to ride in, a pumpkin patch where you pick your own pumpkin, a hay ride and a BIG corn maze. (I made them promise before I went in not to leave me alone in that maze. I always get lost in those things.) As you traveled through the corn you would find clue boards along the pathway and if you knew the right answers to the clues they would lead you in the right direction to go. After a while of "wandering in the corn" we finally realized the way out was to find the outside edge of the corn and follow that path. We didn't break any records but we did finally, successfully, make it out of the maze, laughing all the way! What a day of fun we all had. "Another special memory to cherish together".


When I got home that night I was thinking again about that corn maze---you know life is a lot like that sometimes isn't it? You never really know what might be around the corner as you travel down your path of life but our "clue board"--GOD'S WORD---will always lead us safely home!! He will show us which path to take, it's up to us to follow.


I hope this month your "path" will be filled with all the things that make you happy. We have so much to be thankful for. To God be the Glory, great things he has done. I thank my God always for all of you. I will write again soon, I promise! Till then......

I love you guys,
Judy
Today's Verses: Psalms 16:11-Show path of life
27:11-lead me in a plain path
119:105-a light to my path
Mic. 4:2-We will walk in his path
Luke 3:4-Make his path straight