Okay, I think this guy is hilarious! Enjoy...a little Michael Jr. for ya:

Pete's e-mail that I forgot to attach

OOPS!! Sorry! Sometimes I get to writing and when I finish it's a couple of hours later and I've forgotten to attach something at the end, or I'm such a hurry to finally get to bed (I usually write at night) that I'll not take the time to check and double-check the links. Thus, when I wrote about Pete the other night I forgot to copy his e-mail at the end....here it is now....
**************************

Hi everyone, here is the latest report on my colon cancer:

They have expedited all of the tests and procedures to priority one
Next week I will start radiation, to reduce this 2" tumor

*I will have a CT Scan to see what tissue this two year old tumor has spread to
*The Oncologist will decide if Chemo is required before surgery
*I will have the surgery to remove this un-wanted guest from my body
*All of this will probably happen with-in a month
*Please continue to pray for Cathy and I as sometimes our emotions get over whelmed. *We are going to hit this situation head on and move with our lives. We look at this as a bump in the road and besides, the Lord is in charge and I have a terrific family and friends that support me.

I will attempt to keep you informed, but I do not, please understand.

Pete and Cathy

***********************
THank you for your prayers everyone! We are truly appreciative of them all!!

Update on my Father-in-Law

Hi there ~ an update on my Father-in-Law…I apologize, first, if this seems to be a change from the last update I wrote about him. What seemed to be a “typical” fight against Colon Cancer that includes treatment and such actually seems now to be a bit more serious than I was lead to believe.

Pete will be going through Radiation and Chemotherapy starting next week. From what Scott has told me, he will have 6 weeks of treatment, followed by surgery, and then approximately 6 weeks of recovery. Although the Doctors are acting calmly in the face of the storm that continues to surprise us all, I am seeing that they are not messing around or procrastinating in any way, shape or form in the treatment of this cancer. I’ll be including Pete’s e-mail update from a few days ago at the end of this e-mail, and in it you will see that it’s been around for approximately 2 years. You can guess that it may be a bit farther along than we had originally thought.

I would ask for prayers in a number of different areas:
1) Prayer for healing in Pete’s body. He was also diagnosed with skin cancer earlier in the year, but thought he had kicked the cancer “thing” through the surgery he had in that area. As early as August they had found another spot and were watching it….

2) Prayer for all the changes this has brought about in Pete & Cathy’s lives. Pete took an early retirement just last January, and already they’ve enjoyed living the dream they had of traveling once he retired. Please pray that their faith would remain strong, and that in the midst of it all they would see, feel and know God’s Hands are carrying them through. Pray especially that they would each be able to surrender their anger, their fear and their doubts to Him…and that they would in turn be strengthened in their faith in the midst of it all. Pray that satan’s lies would be garbled in their ears and that the truth of God’s ever-present, never-failing love would be shouted into their hearts and minds.

3) I guess, really, pray that (#2) for the entire family. What I love about being a Foskett is that I entered a family unit much like the one I grew up in that is close and loves each other dearly. Please pray for Jileen & Steve and their daughters, Peyton & Sydney ~ they live in Apple Valley nearby Pete & Cathy and are the ones really feeling the brunt of the care and stress of the situation. Jileen also was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer earlier in the year ~ she will be having her second full-body scan November 12th to make sure it hasn’t come back. Please pray for wisdom as she proceeds with her own treatment. When she has a body-scan done she has to go completely off her thyroid medication. You can imagine the stress of taking care of two very active, amazing little girls is hard enough at times like these ~ she is blessed to be able to rely on Cathy & Pete’s help to care for her and her family as she goes through these times. Now that help will be pulled back quite a bit, I imagine. Please pray that God would work a miracle in her body during this time ~ that He would give her energy to care for her family and energy left over to feel healthy and strong even without her medication. Pray, too, for wisdom as she makes decisions on how to proceed.

4) Pray also for Jeff & Alison. They live in Southern California too, but are a bit farther away. Alison has had some health issues of her own this past Summer, and continues to heal her own body. Jeff is in a place of having to make some decisions regarding his employment, and the stress of their own situations is great already…Please pray that they would seek God’s face and know His peace in every situation. Pray that God would continue to heal Alison, and that there would be a joy and a peace that emphasizes their love for Christ in all things.

5) Pray for us as a family. We are planning a vacation over Thanksgiving to Southern California. We’re looking very forward to being able to not only see Scott’s side of the family, but my parents are planning on meeting us out there as well. Mom & Dad are concerned over the visit being an additional strain on Pete & Cathy, but we are all seeing it as a wonderful opportunity to spend some time together as a complete family over an appropriate holiday to do so. Please pray that South Dakota and the areas between there and Southern California wouldn’t get too much snow until Mom & Dad are able to make it BACK home again as they have decided to drive out. Pray, too, for peace in the journey for them ~ I’m realizing I, personally, really need it to work out that they are able to make it.

5a) It dawned on me tonight as Scott & I were praying on the phone that when we arrive in Southern California Pete will be in the middle of his treatments. Knowing the impact Radiation and Chemotherapy have on a body I am concerned for how the boys will react seeing their Papa looking very different from when they saw him just last month. Please pray for wisdom in how Scott & I can prepare them for what they’ll see without scaring them too much about the battle Pete is fighting. We realize cancer, illness and disease can’t be hidden, but when we don’t see each other very often, the initial impact of the change will be great….please pray for wisdom and words.

6) Finally, I ask most of all that you would pray that above all else God would be glorified in each and every word, thought and deed that is a part of this time of our lives. Scott and I have seen Him do amazing things in our own home over the last year ~ pray that we would all continue to SEEK and to SEE His hand in all things. In Isaiah 53 we read of Jesus Christ ~ the One who “took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows…” Please pray that we could rest in the beauty of knowing He not only heals, but He loves us with an unending love that never lets go. Pray for acceptance of His plan knowing we can trust His hand.

Thank you so much for praying ~ I cannot express how much it means to be able to share these requests knowing prayers will be going up all over the world. God bless you all ~ and thank you again.

Trayc

I LOVE THE ROCKIES!!!!!

Alrighty, then! Way to go, Colorado Rockies!!! I am SO STOKED!! I can't even tell you how happy I am right now! My team has won the LEAGUE!!!! They're headed to the WORLD SERIES, BABY!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was giving Scott a bad time on the phone (he's in Arizona!) about being a Dodgers fan. I told him that he didn't get to experience this euphoria all us Rockies fans are experiencing right now because the Dodgers have been around for so long. There is no way he could have ever experienced the joy of a first-time League win...let alone a sweep!! For some reason he just groaned. HAHAHAHA!!

Seriously, though? I am so stinkin' happy! I lived in Colorado their Inaugural year, and every year Scott gives me a bad time about my "choice of teams." (Notice his hasn't been much better lately?) But this year? Not THIS year, Sweet-ums! Who's going to play in the World Series? The Dodgers? The Los Angeles-we missed it by this much-Dodgers?

(Dodger cry-baby blanket)

I think NOT! It's the ROCKIES!!! The We're-this-close-to-Heaven-Colorado-Rockies!!!

By the way ~ if you watched the game, did you see the sign right at the end? It said, "Is this heaven? No, it's Colorado!" I'm on the phone with Scott watching the last of the game with him and we see that sign and I burst out laughing and he says, "There's your sign, honey." From day one I have raved about Colorado. I loved living there, and would move back in a heartbeat, but there are no paper mills there. So...Scott has had a saying that he shares with many people whenever I start going on and on about Colorado (much like I'm doing now). He says, "Yeah, Trayc's going to get to Heaven one day and she's going to be walking with Moses and the guys, and she's going to say...'God? It's nice, but it's just not Colorado.'" What can I say?



So...as homage to my soul's home-state, I'll share some of the reasons I love Colorado:

10) Whitewater rafting doesn't get much better than going through the Royal Gorge
9) Air Force Academy Football Games! (teaching at an all-girls school this was a TREAT!)
8) How many military bases are there in Colorado? Let me count them...1, 2, 3...more! (I was single when I lived there! I can put that on here!)
7) So many beautiful places to see and experience the awesome beauty of our Creator
6) Colorado Springs ~ Garden of the Gods, Focus on the Family, Old Town, etc, etc, etc
5) Denver ~ Opera, Coors Field, that funky Mexican Restaurant that's pink on the outside, and my introduction to Macaroni Grill! (love it still!)and, of course, the Traildust Steakhouse in Englewood
4) Dew Drop Inn in Pueblo (best pizza EVER!!!!)
3) Celestial Seasonings in Boulder
2) The most AMAZING Blue skies you will EVER see!

1) Royal Gorge and Rocky Mountains ~ I lived at the base of the Sangre de Cristo mountains ~ I miss waking up and looking out my window at the mountains 2 miles away.

So those were just a few...and I know there are WAY more! I miss my days in Colorado and wouldn't trade the memories for the world! Songs bring me back there...Cotton Eyed Joe brings me back to Crocodile Rocks every time...and I can still hear "my girls" laughing and singing whenever I hear songs from "Sister Act" or "Annie."

As you can see, the Rockies winning the League Series is a big deal to me ~ thanks for letting me blog about my soul's home-state.

Apples of Gold

UPDATE: I didn't check the link earlier, so I've fixed it now if you want to check out the other blog. If it still doesn't work, the address is: http://www.tbds.blogspot.com Have a great day!

Hey all ~ there's a new blog in town! It's something I've wanted to do for a while, so it's about time it's done. All you have to do to get to it is click on the title of this post ~ "Apples of Gold"

It's not really a blog ~ it's more of a devotional page. I write something called "Treasure Box Devotionals" for an e-newsletter for moms called "Emphasis on Moms." I love doing it ~ opening up God's word for people to be encouraged, taught and challenged by. It seemed natural that they turn into a blog....

So, each week...or sometimes day...(that's my goal ~ to do it daily)...there will be a new verse or passage posted along with a short little thought bubble at the end.

In doing this I simply pray that you would be encouraged in Spirit and in deed to draw closer to Christ and all His beauty and might.

Pete's Health

Thank you all so much for your prayers. One thing we have discovered, and it's a good thing, is that Colon Cancer is not as scary as it sounds. Thankfully we've come so far in knowing what needs to be done to "get it" that the Doctors don't sound like they're too worried about this.

THANK THE LORD!!!

From what we've been told Pete will probably start with Radiation treatment, then surgery, then chemotherapy to finish it all up. When I asked Scott if the doctors had given any idea of the severity of the prognosis his reply was, "it sounds like they're saying, 'let's take care of this and you can get on with your retirement.'" So that's a good thing.

It just seems so strange to hear the word "Cancer" and not have it carry the horror or horrors that it has in so many other instances. My friend, Jennifer Withe, experienced the same thing when she found out she had breast cancer a few weeks ago. She had a mastectomy, will go through chemotherapy, and will continue to live her life. I never cease to be amazed at the abilities God has given us to fight and cure disease.

So, the future looks bright, and I thank you for your prayers.

F-I-L

Please pray for my family-in-law. Last week we found out Scott's Dad has Colon Cancer. He sees the specialist today to find out just how far advanced it is as well as discussing necessary treatments/surgeries/procedures and other options. Thank you for praying!

When I let my mind "go there" I can't help but be overwhelmed with sadness on a number of different levels. There are so many wonderful times we've had with Pete, and I treasure some of our conversations we've had while on vacation with he and Cathy. One in particular has us standing at a railing at the resort in Canada while we were staying there before the Foskett 50th Family Reunion. I enjoy hearing about his years growing up and his sharing tidbits of Scott's grandparents. Having come into the family from out of the blue it's a special gift when he takes the time with me to open up the past and the memories he has with his family from before I was a part of it all.

He's not gone, he's very much alive, and I thank God daily for the opportunity the boys have to have Papa Pete as their Grandfather. His work ethic is unmatched and his love for his family is huge. This is not a small thing that is easily taken for granted...quite the contrary. He is also my husband's best friend. Scott said the other night, "I don't quite know what to think of all this...." I can tell that he is simply not allowing himself to "go there" and to pray in faith that God can heal his Dad. He had come home from New Mexico the day I found out. I had gone to pick him up at the airport, and we were going to have lunch as is our tradition when he comes in and the boys are at school. When he walked up I could tell there was an extra weight on his shoulders. I thought it was work-related as I've seen it a few times when everything hits at once, but as he got closer I could tell this was something deeper. He had tried to call me right after he had gotten off the phone with his parents, but I was unavailable so I asked him why...that's when he told me...you could have cut the air with a knife. It wasn't tense, it was a feeling of overwhelming grief of the unknown. And there's so much more unspoken....

Thank you for praying. We appreciate it and covet them now more than ever.

ADD-ON:
Here's an e-mail update we've received from Pete & Cathy just a moment ago...

"Pete and I want to thank everyone for their prayers and support and love this last week. We have heard from so many via telephone, e-mails, cards, personal visits and people praying with Pete on the phone. It is so encouraging knowing so many are thinking of us and praying for us. Please continue to pray for courage for us as we begin right away with meetings with doctors and procedures.
We have met with the specialist this morning. We will be coordinating Pete's treatment with 4 different doctors right away, who will discuss with each other and us the best plan of attack. Each day we will probably be knowing more. First, Pete will have blood work drawn and a CAT SCAN done immediately. Then with those results and the information we now know, the oncologist will decide which will come next, but it will probably be radiation first, then surgery and then chemotherapy. Those procedures should all be beginning within the next 3 weeks.
Again, thank you for your love and your prayers for courage, for patience and for a peace that passes all understanding as we begin to take the path down this road with courage and with a strong faith that God will see us through.
Love, Cathy and Pete"

Me? A Strong Willed Wife? .......maybe.

In going through some of my old posts I saw this and saw that I hadn't posted it. I wrote it back in July, but realize it still is pertinent...I'm still a strong-willed wife.

**********************************************************************************

It seems like God must get really sick of my character most days! I am a stubborn, bull-headed and opinionated woman who thinks I know what's best for everyone involved. I can tell you how to parent your children, how to love your husband, how to lead your small groups and blah, blah, blah.... No wonder I can turn my husband away with a single word or bring tears to my children's eyes with a look when I'm so focused on myself.

I write this as a confession. I am a strong-willed wife, mother, and friend. I'm sure I was a strong-willed daughter and sister, too.

Hello. My name is Trayc, and I'm a strong-willed wife.

Lord, help me!

This doesn't come about randomly. I podcast Midday Connection from Moody and Dr. Debbie Cherry is the guest I'm listening to right now. I have gone into a slump of discontentedness in the last few weeks ~ tired of a marriage with two people who are opposites from each other and don't know how to truly let down our guards with each other. Tired of children who, once they get around other people, decide to show everyone where my parenting weaknesses lie. Tired of having to change my lifestyle and complete diet just to be healthy enough to live. This Midday is the answer to my prayers ~ and it's not at all what I want to hear!
**************************************************************************

Submission: Insights from a Strong-Willed Wife
Debbie L. Cherry, Ph.D
“My husband is just not the leader type. It takes him forever to make a decision. If he won’t lead then I guess I have to.”

“I know my husband can lead because he’s great at it at work. But at home he just lets me do it all.”

“I wouldn’t mind letting my husband lead our family…as long as he does it the way I would.”

Have you ever found yourself making comments like those? If so, it’s very likely that you are a strong-willed wife. There are some amazingly wonderful things about being blessed with a strong-willed personality. And as long as those traits are controlled by the Holy Spirit we strong-willed wives can bring changes to the world around us and do amazing things for the kingdom of heaven. But those same traits can cause some serious difficulties as we are trying to have a marriage that follows God’s ordained authority structure in our marriages. As strong-willed women, we struggle to let go of control and really allow our husbands to take their God given role in our homes. But it is something that we really have to learn to do if we want a marriage that God continues to bless.

Strong willed women think fast, move fast and make decisions fast, and expect others to do the same. But when our husbands don’t meet these expectations we tend to step in and do it for them. What if your husband would be willing to make more decisions but you don’t allow him the time he needs to do so? And what if the decision he makes isn’t the same one you would have made? Would you still let his decision stand? Many husbands may be more cautious and slow in their decision making but that doesn’t mean they won’t or can’t lead. A husband who has never taken the lead may need to take on this responsibility in stages, just as you will likely need to release your responsibility and control in stages.

So if you are ready to start letting your strong willed personality work in your favor and really start using your personality to honor God and your husband, here’s some things to help get you started as you learn to let go of control and let your husband lead:

1. Talk openly with your husband about what you plan to work on: This will help your husband know where to join you in prayer about the changes you are going to be making. It will also help him be aware of the areas you are working on and be available to give praise and encouragement along the way. And finally, open communication is necessary so the two of you together can identify what areas you are going to start handing the reigns over to him in first. If you don’t discuss this and you just decide to release the reigns without him knowing it’s his turn to pick them up and lead, then the whole family could go running out of control with no one in the leadership role.

2. Stop doing everything: Once you and your husband have talked about the areas where you both want to start making changes, then it’s time to step back in those areas and give him the space and time he needs to take the lead. As you back off, remember that over time your husband has probably become dependent on you to do it all because you always have. So be patient and wait for him to do what he has said he will do. How far you have to back off will be different for every marriage. But I assure you it will be further than you are comfortable with.

3. Set realistic expectations for you and your husband: If you expect perfection (as most of us strong willed wives do) from either yourself or your husband then you are setting both of you up for disappointment. Not only will husband not be perfect as he tries to learn about godly headship, but you also won’t be perfect in your attempts to let go and let him lead. If you set realistic expectations you will be able to see your successes as steps forward and your failures as learning experiences.

4. Take ownership of your behaviors: This means that you will have to stop blaming others, stop denying the behaviors, and stop avoiding responsibility for your behaviors. All three of these are things that we strong-willed wives often do. We have to learn how to take ownership of our part of the problems that come up in our relationships and when we do we need to learn to apologize and seek forgiveness for them.

5. Stop criticizing: We strong-willed wives tend to focus on our way of doing things and saying things as the right way (and sometimes the only way). When people do it differently we feel it necessary to correct them. But learning to control our tongue will make a huge difference in our relationship with our husbands. The key to this step is to learn to accept your husband’s differences and to understand that different does NOT mean wrong. If you continue to criticize your husband or redo what he’s done, you undermine your attempts to let him lead.

6. Praise often: The other side of controlling your tongue is learning to give praise on a regular basis. You need to learn to look for the good in this man that God has blessed you with, and be open with your praise. Make a conscious effort to look for things that he does or traits that you see in him that are praiseworthy and shower him with these comments. Say things that let him know that you trust and respect him and his ability to lead your household. These statements will make him start to feel like the man of the house again and like the man God created him to be.

7. Strive toward unity: Biblical submission has as its ultimate goal a stronger and more intimate marital relationship. It’s about blending into one flesh and setting aside our selfish desires. We are on the same team and working toward the same goal. So when it comes to decisions within your home, the ultimate goal needs to be unity. To experience this unity you will need a plan of action that the two of you have agreed upon and that keeps you moving in the same direction. The plan can take several different forms as long as you come up with it together, both agree that it is a workable solution and then follow through with it.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debbie L. Cherry, Ph.D. is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the CEO of Today’s Family Treasures. http://www.tftreasures.org/
Article is adapted from her book: The Strong-Willed Wife: Using your personality to honor God and your husband. NavPress, 2007.

Find this article at: http://www.crosswalk.com/marriage/11544585/

The Trouble With Harry...

I'm not one to raise my voice against something based on feeling or without having a leg to stand on. Most of the time, anyway. I guess I actually learned something in my debate classes with Mr. Krick. (he'd be shocked to read that!) So I haven't gone real public with my views on Harry Potter. I've talked to friends about the books and had some very interesting conversations with those who enjoy and read the books, but I have never made public my view....until now.

When I was living in Norfolk, NE with my Uncle Jim and Aunt Dee I was kind of the "Adult Sunday School" teacher. I say "kind of" because I think I learned more from everyone else than I think I taught...but I digress.

In the Fall of '97 I wanted to do a few lessons on Halloween. I have no issues with kids dressing up in fun and frivolous costumes and knocking on doors for candy. In fact, some of my favorite pictures are of my boys dressed in said costumes. However, as we get older Halloween can have the tendency to take on a different set of circumstances. It was with this mindset ~ as a warning to help our children understand the importance of keeping Christ first and foremost in our lives ~ that I wanted to do a series on what Halloween was about for the world....the unbelievers....and those who took it to the extreme it was originally.

When I mentioned it to my Uncle Jim and Aunt Dee they had a very interesting story for me ~ and a warning of their own. Their warning was to make sure I was spending more time in the Word of God than I was in research of Halloween. Their story told the reason why.

Evidently, my Uncle Jim did his thesis (I'm probably going to get this part wrong...the part about WHEN he did it...but the story is correct as I remember it....) about alternative religions and the occults. Maybe I should stop here and explain that my Uncle Jim is an ordained Nazarene Minister. At the time I was living wtih he and Aunt Dee they were officers in the Salvation Army and heading the church and ministry there in Norfolk. He has worked with addicts, unwed mothers, and more people than I have probably ever talked to in my life. At this writing he and Aunt Dee are serving in the Louisiana area as relief workers for those affected by the hurricane. (Side note: Aunt Dee is in the hospital with some serious medical issues...please keep them in your prayers.) All this is said to let you know my Uncle Jim is a fascinating and well-read man of God. He loves people extravagantly, but his love for people is surpassed in multiples by his love for Christ. His greatest desire is for people to know Christ's truth...which led him to study the occults and alternative religions. He wanted to understand what would draw them in....

As he studied he found that he, himself, was being drawn in. He was in The Word, but the draw of "the dark side" was very real and pulled him strongly. It was Aunt Dee's rebuke that allowed him to see that he was being pulled in and he needed to stop. Uncle Jim admits that his desire for the Word of God was dwindling, while his desire to learn more about the occult was growing. He stopped and asked a friend to keep him accountable and grounded in his study of the Word of God first...and THEN to see through eyes of TRUTH what it was he needed to know and what he needed to stay away from.

Having heard this story...and honestly being amazed that even a man of God as my Uncle Jim could find himself pulled in...I knew I had to be careful. So I did my studies with great trepidation. I learned what I needed to learn, prepared my lessons and went on with my life knowing Halloween was something I needed to have fun with when my kids were little while instilling in them the dangers of the tricky one Halloween is based on.

So you can guess that my fear, my anxious heart, kicks up when I hear of and/or see people who profess to love the Lord their God with all their hearts, souls, and minds reading and condoning the reading of Harry Potter. It is tricky (no pun intended) work of the enemy of our hearts, souls and minds that pulls people in to this series of books and movies that makes the God vs. Satan line fuzzy and, most times, absent. The enemy of our hearts, souls, and minds wants nothing more than to pull us away from the LOVER of our hearts, souls and minds...by giving us just enough truth to pull us in to the lies...by making his world of lies, hatred and deceipt look beautiful, sensual and fair. It's lies, though. He is a liar and a cheat and the killer of all things beautiful.

I know this for fact ~ when I was in High School a friend of mine got sucked in to the Wiccan lifestyle. I saw the power of the enemy in that time. It's stuck with me. And I know the line that is so easily crossed when it comes to astrology and the such. What starts out as no big deal has a tremendous ability to lead to a VERY big deal.

So, why am I writing this? Well...as a warning, sure. There really IS spiritual warfare going on in this world. And if you don't believe me, ask a soldier who's been stationed in Iraq about the evil that is alive there. Ask my friend from LA whose parents were Satanists about the evils she saw growing up. It's not some fantasy land that does not exist!! It is real.

The other reason is to get you thinking....if you read Harry Potter and anticipate the next novel's coming with great anxiousness do you read the Bible with equal zeal? Do you look forward to spending time with Christ and reading the amazing TRUE-LIFE stories of what He did on this earth as much as you look forward to knowing what happens with Harry next? (I know....do I look forward to reading my Bible as much as I look forward to the next Karen Kingsbury book or Dee Henderson book or John Ortberg book??? duly convicted....)

We all have it ~ if it' s not Harry Potter it's something else, but the Harry Potter mayhem has brought this about. Thanks for reading..and thinking...and praying with me that a desire for God's Word would overtake the desire for the things of this world.

I have a couple of links for you...one is in the title. It's an article that is well written, well thought out and well researched about the danger of Harry Potter and it's acceptance in the Christian community.

The second is a link to a gal's Xanga site that I subscribe to. I have never met her, but I enjoy her entries so much that I look forward to seeing an entry in my mailbox when they come. The entry I'll link to is her entry about Harry Potter. in it you will find links to her daughter's Xanga and to the article I have linked in the title. Here is her site (you'll have to cut and paste it): http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=thats_italian&nextdate=7%2f27%2f2007+23%3a59%3a59.999

My hope and prayer in writing this is not to put a wall up between us if you think Harry Potter is okay ~ but rather to get those who call themselves Christians...Christ-followers... to think about what you are putting into your mind. I know this goes for all things ~ and I'm guilty of finding pleasure in wrong things, too. (trust me ~ this is not a "Harry Potter Only" rant and God is bringing to mind those things in my own life that need to be let go of....) However, for now I feel the need to warn of the dangers of what a "fantasy" book carries with it.

I'd love to hear your thoughts ~ and I'm sure there are those who completely disagree with me ~ so talk to me about it! Let's start a conversation looking for truth.

Sincerely,
Trayc

PS: if you want a great fantasy book that captures your attention why not "Narnia" or "Lord of the Rings?" Excellent books of fantasy that will blow you away when God's goodness overcomes satan's wickedness! I watch the Lord of the Rings fight scene between good and evil and I stood up and cheered I was so filled with hope!

For the Beauty of the Earth

God's creation is amazing! I live in Vancouver, WA ~ right across the Columbia river from Portland, OR. We're surrounded by Mount Hood to the SouthEast, Mount St. Helen's to the NorthEast and the Pacific Ocean is only a short 2 hour trip to the West. The Columbia is the 2nd largest river in the US, and on a clear day we also have a view of Mount Adams just beyond Mount St. Helen's.

These are not hills. These are not "wow that's cool...okay move on." kind of mounds of dirt. These are powerful and amazing masses of life. Inside each one of them bubbles lava and red hot magnum. And, although they are beautiful and stunning creations of God they stand as a testament to God Himself.

Just as these mountains feed my soul when I stand in awe of them I cannot forget their power. I cannot look at Mt. St. Helen's and not see the 6 school lockers covered in ash and lava that I passed each day when I took my kids past the High School to their own schools. I cannot look at Mt. Hood and it's beautiful glacier-topped dome and not wonder how God could make something that literally is fire and ice. And once again I am reminded of the God I serve and all that I cannot forget.

I read my Bible and am awed, humbled and amazed at who He is...and continue to strive toward grasping just how much He forgives and loves me so deeply. But when I look at His creation the words of His Word come to life. I see exactly what He spoke to Job about when he asked him "did you create.....? and did YOU tell the ocean to come this far.....? and did YOU tell the....?"

Creation reflects the character of the Creator Himself. Just as the mountains are beautiful and amazing and strong I cannot forget the power of a mountain abused, scorned or taken for granted. People die when they do that...when they think the mountain can be easily conquered and they get lazy on their journey. The same is true of the Creator Himself. When we who call ourselves His begin to think He is there for our good and not His glory we become spiritually lazy and the power of God becomes more evident.

Does God forgive without question? Absolutely. Did God send Jesus to die in our place so we can know that forgiveness? Without a doubt. Do we often receive mercy and grace in the truest forms of their definitions? More than likely. And is there a natural instinct to accept them freely and expectantly? I believe so....and it is this we must guard against. Just as I stare at Mt. Hood and revel in it's beauty I stand amazed and rightly fearful of it's power. I would do well to apply that to my God and look for His gentle, but mighty reminders in His creation around me...wherever I am.

PS: here's an incredible site I found when looking for pictures for this post....just highlight, right click, copy and paste in address bar....enjoy!

http://www.counterparted.net/index.html

Tribute to America ~ Caleb & Micah style

Okay ~ so here it is...the video of the boys on Memorial Day morning. (you can tell it's morning by the sound of my voice ~ Man! I sound tired! ~ must be all that rockin' out I did at the Kutlass/TobyMac/Third Day concert on Saturday)

ANYWAY...I digress...this isn't about the awesome concert we went to on Saturday night (which also included Aaron Schust), but about the boys and their tribute to Memorial Day. Hope you enjoy it...and I hope it actually works this time!!!

If not, click on the link above in the title and it will take you to the actual youtube site ~ at which I have changed the video from private to public for your viewing pleasure. (I know...I know...you're welcome! :) )

It seems strange to say "Happy Memorial Day." It's along the lines of "Good Friday" and such....a day that, in it's foundation, is about remembering in honor those who have died so we can live in our country of freedom. The video below is one I found on Youtube ~ of all I've seen I like this one best. I think you'll understand why..... enjoy!

Happy Mother's Day!

I wanted to take the time yesterday to write a special Mother's Day message to all the Moms who have touched my life. However, since it was Mother's Day I got to be taken care of and enjoy the day myself. So....today I just want to take a moment and say HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! to all of you who have taken on the role of being a role-model, caretaker and caregiver, hospitality clerk, psychoanalyst, guest relations specialist, chef, cabbie, referee, counselor and pastor to children of any age. You are a treasure who has been commissioned by God to make this world a better place by doing your job to the best of the abilities He has instilled in you. Thank you to my own Mom ~ a beautiful lady I am proud to rise up and call blessed, and to Shelley ~ another Mom I am proud to know and share a life with. God bless you all!!

Here's a poem I found online that I think pretty much sums up Motherhood to me.... I hope you enjoy it!

When God Made Mothers

By Tricia Stertz
Couriers For Christ
Omron, Wisconsin

When God made the world He was pleased with it all,
And had sweet communion with man 'til the fall.
But when Satan's dread vict'ry that day led to sin,
God paused, and He thought, I need someone to win
The hearts of the little ones ere they grow cold,
And they yield to sin's temptings and stray from the fold.

And so God made Mothers with hearts brimmed with love.
To them He commissioned this charge from above;
To pray for their little ones, fervently, daily;
To laugh with them, cry with them, play with them gayly;
To teach them the truths from the Scriptures of old;
To be strong and gentle, to be meek and bold;
To wash little feet whenher own feet were aching;
TO mend broken hearts when her own heart was breaking.

And so God made Mothers and planned 'twould be so,
When her children were grown that she must let them go;
With eyes filled with tears, yet her heart full of joy
To know she'd done best for her girl or her boy.
And God said, when surveying His work (so I'm told)
A God-fearing Mother is worth more than gold!

Chris is Home!

there's so much to be thankful for...and I wanted to update you all on my brother-in-law, Chris. He's home for a while now. He was able to come home on Friday (May 4) where he and Tami welcomed their granddaughter, Avalynn Claire, to the world. (She was born Friday morning.)

So ~ I wanted to let you know they're home for a while...but they'll be heading back down later this month for more skin grafts. Here are Tami's last e-mails with the oldest being first.....

May 1, 2007
Chris will be going into surgery in the morning to put a temporary cover over his open foot. The covering is called integra which consist of shark and cow cartilege with a silicon layer. Pray that the "temp covering" will take so Chris can come home for the time until his skin graft. Also pray for our family as Andrea (our daughter in law) is having a little girl on Friday - Andrea and Isaiah (2 yr old) grandson live with us. Bethany is finished with UNL on Friday and will be moving back home for the summer. I have finals next week for the 2 classes I am taking at the local community college. So if you would remember us, I am feeling a little stretched. Tami

May 2, 2007:
Praise and update about Chris' surgery today. They put the integra covering on Chris' foot and stitched up the incision above his ankle. The dressing stays on for 5 days before they will change it. Dr. Hau said that the foot looked real good and that Chris may be able to go home on Friday. Chris is guardedly optimistic. He really wants to get home. He has done great and is such an encouragement to me and many others.

Please continue to pray for our family, we are going to have a new granddaughter on Friday. Pray that we all will see how God has blessed us and truly cares for us every day and in so many ways. Thank you, your prayers are a treasure that have incredible impact and value!

May 5, 2007
Yesterday the surgeon came in and took a look at Chris' foot and was pleased with how it was looking. So the pick line came out (IV) and we loaded up and headed to Norfolk. Chris is on oral meds and will go back next Friday to have the dressing changed and looked at. I get to be the nurse for the week, I am sooo not nurse material, but God is faithful and Chris has been great and understanding. We were able to go to the hospital and see our new grandaughter who is beautiful. Thank you for your continued prayers, a few weeks before this all started I was praying that I would be able to praise him in the storm (song from Casting Crowns and also when Paul chose to praise the Lord in prison). It has been such an incredible blessing to praise HIM and have my eyes on HIM in this whole thing. We have been blessed! No words come to give the depth of praise in what He is doing and for who HE is!

If you'd like to send a card or anything to help them out (refer to my April 27th post), please send it to their church ~

Chris & Tami Graham
c/o Christ Is King Community Church
203 S 8th St, Norfolk, NE 68701

Thanks, everyone, for your prayers ~ we are so appreciative!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

A video of Garret McCauley, right, and his brother, Miles McCauley, second from right, won $100,000 Sunday on the television show “America’s Funniest Home Videos.” They are holding an autographed photo of the show’s host, Tom Bergeron. From left are parents Mike and Molly McCauley and son Kevin. (Mike Salsbury/The Columbian)




Okay, this is crazy ~ I can't believe I have the opportunity to say this, but....

MY FRIEND, MOLLY, AND HER FAMILY WON AMERICA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS $100,000.00 GRAND PRIZE!!!!!!!!

Congratulations to the entire McCauley family ~ it couldn't have happened to better people! WOO HOO!!!!!

That's all.

*******
Edit & Addition:

Here is the article that ran in the Tuesday "Columbian" here in Vancouver ~ I don't have a link to a video of it, yet, but when I get it ~ trust me, it'll be here!

******

Tuesday, May 08, 2007
BY MIKE BAILEY, Columbian staff writer

If Miles McCauley's future includes a college degree, the 8-year-old can credit a tube of diaper-rash cream and his older brother, Garret, for providing the funds.

Garret, now 10, painted Miles' face with the cream about seven years ago. Because the boys' mother, Molly McCauley, caught the antics on tape, the Ridgefield family is $110,000 richer.

The money came from ABC-TV's "America's Funniest Home Videos." First, the video was chosen as a weekly $10,000 winner in February. It then beat seven other weekly winners in Sunday's episode to claim the grand prize of $100,000.

The family already used part of the $10,000 for a visit to Disneyland; another vacation will come from the $100,000 in winnings. "But most will be put away for college for the boys," Molly McCauley said.

That includes younger brother, Kevin, 6, as well as Garret and Miles.

McCauley said she often tapes events at home when her husband, Mike, is working as a pilot for UPS.

"Most of the time, though, the camera is out of film, or the batteries are dead," she said. "But when I saw the back of Miles' neck was covered in the cream, I grabbed the camera and started filming."

In the video, Molly McCauley asked Garret what he had done.

Miles responded, saying his brother had painted him with sauce, a term the family used to describe the diaper-rash cream. Garret had lathered up his brother because Miles had a blemish on his face.

Just after Miles turned his head toward the camera, the video ends.

"The batteries went dead," Molly McCauley said.

But there was enough on the tape to impress the show's producer and make it one of the top three videos for the February show.

A studio audience vote determines the weekly winners. Three times each season, the audience chooses a $100,000 winner from between six and eight weekly winners.

The vote for the most recent $100,000 contest was made by visitors to Walt Disney World.

About 40 friends and family members were at the McCauley home Sunday to watch the show. The visitors did not know the McCauleys had won until it aired.

McCauley's said her sister, Lori Young of Ridgefield, gets credit for the windfall.

"(Lori) said if I didn't, she was going to take the tape and send it in and she wasn't going to share any of the prize money if it won," McCauley said.

Although the McCauley brothers now have a hefty college fund, they weren't too happy after the show was over on Sunday.

"They were crying before they went to bed," McCauley said. "They were sad to see this all come to an end."

"They wanted to know Sunday if they would ever see (host Tom Bergeron) again. They think of him as Uncle Tom now."

The Flood of Care...

Okay ~ so I've got this idea as to how we can help Chris & Tami out during this time. In talking to my sister I've discovered that Chris probably won't be able to go back to work until July at the earliest. Tam continues to work for Todd Dickey in Norfolk, about two and a half hours away from Lincoln, but there are a lot of trips back and forth...and gas is expensive (as if I have to tell you that...) It also means a lot of eating out that they can't afford (have you eaten at a hospital lately? It adds up!) So...with all this I've thought of ways we can help them out from across the miles....

If you'd like to send Chris an e-mail...click on the linked title above to send it through St. Elizabeth's -OR- send it to: husband_21dad_24@hotmail.com

If you'd like to send Chris a card with your get-well wishes you can send it to:
St. Elizabeth's Hospital
555 S. 70th Street
Lincoln, NE 68510
Attn: Burn Center
Chris Graham Rm 135

If you have the resources, it would be great to shower them with gift cards for the necessities. Cards from gas stations, McDonalds, Applebees, Starbucks, Hy-Vee groceries, Pizza Hut, Subway, Grisanti's, Valentino's, Qdoba, Burger King, Wild Oats...I know they don't sound like the necessities, but when you're away from home and having to eat they become necessary. I know Tam has gone "grocery shopping" and picked up bread and peanut butter & jelly, cereal (which she then asks for an extra milk with Chris's meals to eat), and stuff like that, but if food could just be taken care of it would be such a blessing.

You can send it to the address above for now ~ if it changes I'll make note of it here and via my e-mail updates.

If you can't send a gift card or whatever...please just drop them a quick e-mail or card and let them know you're praying.

Also...if you're a moto-crosser you can help out Tami's employer by buying via e-bay from powersportsnation. here's a link to his store: http://stores.ebay.com/powersportsnation (tell 'em Tami's sister sent ya!)

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
God bless you!!
Trayc

The prayer request list...Part 1

If you click on the linked title above, it will take you to the burn center page for St. Elizabeth's where Chris is now admitted.

Here are the prayer requests Tam & Chris have shared via their e-mails...in some instances I'm including the entire e-mail so you can see what's going on when it's written....

********************************
From 4/27... (Chris)
To be specific pray that I will handle the surgery well and that the Doc will be able to find the problem, correct it and that my healing will be more progressive because of it. Pray for Tami she is having a hard time handling this, and at first when they transfered me here to St. E's it was like pulling the rug out from under me (stole that from my father-in-law). I am adjusting better now, I feel good other than my foot hurts a little. I did have my hopes up on getting home sooner, I just have to put it all in the Lord's hands and remember He sees the big picture

From 4/25... (Tami)
Pray that Chris will be able to do ok with the pain, they are definitely going to be drugging him up. That I will be able to be a source of strength for him and I know that strength has to come from the Lord because humanly speaking I can't do it. I cry just thinking about what my husband is going to go through. There is a lot to think about and in it all the Lord is in control pray that we will trust him and see Him in the midst of all this. Thanks and once again know that your prayers mean so much.

From early 4/25... (Tami)
They are going to try and treat the wound so the ankle will clear up. Otherwise the surgeon will have to remove tissue around the ankle. They really don't want to do that because it makes the skin graft more challenging to heal. Please pray for Chris as he will probably be experiencing more agressive treatment to his foot. Right now the wound is 3 1/2 x 7 inches. Chris was talking to the doctor that told him they were moving and Chris recalled what Pastor Greg told him on Monday, "expect the unexpected" We are seeking the Lord moment by moment and appreciate your prayers.

From 4/24... (Tami)
Pray that we will learn to let go and let God. Chris a very responsible and hard working man and it is very hard for him to receive from others what he feels he should be providing. Pray that he will see that God loves him in many ways and one way is through receiving what HE gives. You have no idea how much it has meant to us to receive the love from all of you. Last Thursday we were sitting outside in the sun (the first time Chris had been outside for 13 days) and Chris expressed how difficult it was to process all the love that he had received from so many and yet means so much. I think that we are just seeing the tip of the iceberg. We thank you again for remembering us in prayer. Last Sunday Joe Metcalf asked me if we felt prayed over. You have no idea how much your prayers have sustained and covered us in all of this process. Lord give us eyes to see and a heart to receive - YOU receive our praise!

From 4/20... (Tami)
The surgeon just came out and said that he took a good 2 inches on the left side and about a H1/2 inch on the right side of the wound. The ankle bone is clear of the infection so far. He said he would see him on Monday. Please pray that Chris's foot would clear of the infection yet in his foot and ankle area. Also pray for his state of mind. He has been pretty up but is concerned about his foot. Thank you for praying.

From 4/12... (Tami)
(This is from the first surgery...I'm including the part of the e-mail Tam talks about how God has answered some prayers....what an encouraging reminder that God does hear and answer prayer...)

Then this is where I believe that the Lord spoke to him. The Dr. was perplexed as to where the source of all this infection was coming from. He remembered that we had said that it started in the foot and he saw that Chris' foot was considerably worse than the evening before. He went into the foot and found a very large absess that spread from the top of his foot to the side and ankle. The doctor removed the dead tissue on the top of his foot and will leave it open for a while and then do a skin graft later. He is feeling great.

I know without a doubt that God intervened and prompted the doctor to look at the foot. Bob Smith stopped in today and said that that absess would have blocked the antibiotics from getting to the infection. So we are very hopeful that we are making some head way. We can't thank you enough for your prayers. Even going through each day has been in a way that God's hand has been on Chris.

Please continue to pray for recovery. Chris is getting a little anxious about getting back on his feet and getting back to work. But without a doubt God's is in control no matter what the outcome and He is to be praised because His Hand reaches to realms far beyond this earth. He is our refuge and strength in time of trouble and all the time!!

****************************
That's all the farther I'll go back for now....thank you for praying for my sister and her husband and family! Being so far away is only easier knowing God is a breath away. Thanks and love to you all....


PS Chris' email is "husband_21dad_24@hotmail.com" if you would like to send him note.

The latest e-mail update...

Here is an e-mail I sent out today udpating everyone on Chris's situation...

I haven't updated in a while...But there's been so much going on with Chris and his foot.

I'll update the basics and then copy the latest e-mail from him at the end...

The last update was that Chris was going in for another surgery on April 20th. Well, from what I understand, they took about 2" off the left side and 3" off the right side of his foot. At first they seemed very optimistic about the results. By Tuesday they were saying that if it continued to look good, the swelling stayed down, and the infection started to subside like they hoped Chris would be able to go home for a month with in-home nurse care for the (now) wound, and then come back for the skin grafts toward the end of May. However, a day later they decided the infection simply wasn't getting under control like they would like. Because of this they wanted him in a more sterile environment and put in the order to have him transferred to St. Elizabeth's burn unit (room 134) for further treatment. This is also a proactive move in that the skin grafts would probably have to be done here anyway.

Tami sent a picture of Chris's foot yesterday ~ if you can imagine, the top of his foot looks almost unreal (Scott & I both said it looks like a Hollywood horror flick makeup job) with approximately the size of an 8 oz. steak missing from the top of his foot. The area is blackened in spots and obviously infected. (for someone who doesn't do well with horror flicks it was not an easy picture to look at for any length of time. Knowing there are people who are curious and trying to imagine what it looks like, if you'd like to see it e-mail me back and I'll send it in a separate e-mail ~ I don't want to attach it here because most people have pictures show in their e-mails automatically and not everyone cares to see it.)

This is definitely starting to wear on my sister. Jake, the youngest, is still at home in Norfolk during the week for school ~ he was in Lincoln yesterday for a soccer game (God's amazing attention to detail....), and Tam did get to see him play, but then only got to talk to him for about 5 minutes after before Jake had to get on the bus to head back home. When I called her she answered the phone in tears. (And, although we are cry-ers, this was more indicative of the toll this whole thing is taking on my sister than anything else.) Please continue to pray for them ~ in every report there is an amazing instance of God doing something in their lives...and it's pretty awesome.

So, with all that, here's the latest from Chris ~ an e-mail I received today....Thank you all for praying! If you'd like to help in some way, please contact me and I'll share with you an idea I have that is making this a little easier to be so far away...thanks again!

Dear Family & Friends,

Well a little update on what's happening, today the Doc looked at my foot and felt that the swelling hadn't changed, maybe even increased a little, plus some red is going up my leg. He suspects a pocket of infection somewhere around my ankle. So tomorrow morning I go in for another surgery, he said he will start out small and he wants to stay away from my ankle bone because that complicates the skin graft process. But he will have to remove any bad tissue that may have tunneled to wherever. I would appreciate your prayers, I know you have been faithful in that, since I checked in the hospital, and we appreciate it very much. To be specific pray that I will handle the surgery well and that the Doc will be able to find the problem, correct it and that my healing will be more progressive because of it. Pray for Tami she is having a hard time handling this, and at first when they transfered me here to St. E's it was like pulling the rug out from under me (stole that from my father-in-law). I am adjusting better now, I feel good other than my foot hurts a little. I did have my hopes up on getting home sooner, I just have to put it all in the Lord's hands and remember He sees the big picture.

Thanks to everyone,
Chris

I'm going to be posting a list of prayer requests Tami & Chris have asked in their e-mails on my blog ~ http://trayctalks.blogspot.com ~ check it regularly since I sometimes go there to write about what's going on without filling your in-box with multiple e-mails. Likewise, if you would like to NOT receive these updates please let me know and I'll remove your name...thank you!! God bless...be on the lookout for where He's working today, okay?

Trayc
Whether we can mentally grasp what God is doing isn't the task we have at hand...whether we are available to see God moving is the question we must ask ourselves as we go about our daily tasks.

The Foot Book

hey everyone ~ I received an e-mail from my Brother-in-law, Chris, tonight giving an update as to what's going on since his last surgery. I thought I'd just paste it here so you'd know from him how to pray. And...to be encouraged by him as well. He's a pretty amazing guy.

Here it is:

To All special people who have kept me in there thoughts and prayers,

Yes that's you, if you have received this e-mail you are special to me and I
thank you for your support in prayer and thought. It's Thursday the 19th I
reference the date mostly for myself because the days have seem to slip
together. The Doc came in yesterday and looked at my foot, wound He was
pleased with the progress. My upper leg looks good, pretty much normal, the
incision looks real good. The swelling and redness is pretty much down to
just above my ankle, the right side of my ankle is particularly tender and
discolored, the other side is not as and the color is better. Doc has me
scheduled for surgery Friday morning at 7:30 am, he thinks that ankle area
needs some more work, so we will see. I think once he cleans that area out
I will see more improvement, He is a sharp duede and I'lll leave that up to
him. What would we do without gifted surgeons like him? I have had
execellent care at this hospital, there are many good people here. I'm
filling my time in with; reading my Bible, reading a book that Josh gave me,
(The Last Season) playing my guitar, looking at magazines, drawing pictures
for my nephrew, watching some t.v. answering e-mails and sending e-mails,
eating snacks people have brought, visiting when I get visitors, and that is
about it. Today Tami and I went outwside for awhile, the first time in about
13 days or so for me, it was very nice. Well that's about it for now, thanks
again for your many prayers, I know they have been heard and results have
been seen because of them. We serve a mighty God who loves and cares very
much for us. I was reading Psalm 16 the other day and came across this,
verse 8-"I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right
hand I shall not be moved" I thought about that for a while and I pondered
what does "at His right hand" mean. Being in this position that I am, it is
hard to do many normal activities, I need to keep my leg elevated most of
the time, so when I need something it needs to be within reach and you learn
what things are most needed within that reach. So to have the Lord at our
right hand,, means we have all that He has available to Him,(all His
blessings, promises, guidance, strength, etc.) at our readily accessible
reach, all we have to do is ask. What an awesome thing to comprehend.

Later,
Chris

Thank you all for praying! I so appreciate the prayers you are sending up for my family and for me. Please know you are all in our prayers as well. In fact, if there's anything specific we can be praying for, please let me know via e-mail or in the comments section here.

God bless you!

"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient
for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will
rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses,
with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake, for when I am weak,
then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10

Bro-to-go!

Hello! Well, my heart is much lighter than the last time I wrote. Let me fill you in on what has happened since Wednesday when I posted about Chris, my Brother-in-law.

Wednesday night the surgeon came in to look over Chris's leg ~ the infection had spread up to his derriere, and no antibiotic was touching it. It was time for drastic measures. According to my sister's e-mail the doctor prepared them for three different scenarios:

1) They would open up his leg and discover the infection was still only in the soft tissue, and not in the muscle as they suspected, and they could do a biopsy and stitch him back up. (45 minutes approx.)

2) They would open up his leg and discover that the infection had indeed gone into his muscle. They would remove all of the infected muscle as well as any infected tissue in the thigh, do extensive skin grafting and transfer him to St. Elizabeth's in Lincoln for recovery in the burn unit. (maybe an hour and a half)

3) They would open up his leg and discover the infection had done so much damage that the only option was to take the leg. (a couple hours at best)

They had already done a MRI looking for an abscess where they could drain the infection to help the antibiotic get through, but nothing showed up anywhere. Chris's foot and ankle, where it started, were swollen and beginning to turn black, but there hadn't been extensive change to make them believe there was anything happening other than the fact that his foot was "dying." All of the cultures they had done had plenty of time to "grow" something, but nothing was showing up. His blood tests were showing that his white blood cells were increasing...as was his fever. Because of all of this the doctors really were preparing Tami and Chris and the family for #3 above. They were truly expecting the worst when they opened up his leg.

So Thursday morning they prepped him for surgery and brought him in at 7:30 Central time. Tami waited with our Mom & Dad, Josh, Josiah, Beth & Jake, as well as Chris's brother and sister-in-law, Dan & Dusty, and I'm not sure who else was there....but they all waited.

An hour went by.

An hour and a half went by.

Tami left the room and when Dad went looking for her to see how she was doing he found her out in the hall crying softly by herself. When he walked up to her she turned and said, "Oh, Dad, it's been so long. They're taking his leg...I just know it. It's taking so long." Everyone was preparing for the worst.

Everyone, that is, except for the surgeon in the operating room with Chris! God had other plans for him....

An hour and 52 minutes after they rolled Chris into the operating room my sister left me a message saying he had just come out.

The surgeon explained that the infection was not in his thigh muscle as they had originally thought. Because of this they were able to get a good biopsy and a good look at the infection and stitch him back up. However, as the Dr. stood there looking at Chris's leg he said it just wasn't sitting well with him ~ he wanted to know where the source was. At this point they were concerned about the entire leg...and were really focusing on the upper leg. The foot was a concern, but it wasn't the main concern at this point so they weren't paying that much attention to it. But as the Dr. said...as he thought about the source he looked at Chris's foot and realized it was a lot worse than it was last night at 5:00. So he went to the foot and opened it up. He was surprised that the outer layer of skin was still pliable, but the interior layers were done...they were pretty much dead.

That wasn't the only surprise.

Inside his foot was a three inch abscess that wasn't there before. As he applied minimal pressure along the abscess he said the pus and infection simply poured out of his foot. Someone, I believe Mom & Dad, told me it was about a quart-sized fruit jar's worth that poured out of this abscess. (sorry, I know it's gross) They were then able to remove much of the infected tissue around his foot ~ and I believe (but don't quote me) they were able to leave all his muscle around the foot...if I'm remembering correctly my conversation with my sister she said they were able to leave all the meat.

Now, I don't know if that abscess was there and the MRI simply didn't pick it up, or it happened to grow overnight, but what I do know is that God heard and answered the prayers of all who are and have been praying for Chris. The God who sees all, knows all, hears all, and loves us like we've never been able to comprehend was directing the thoughts of that surgeon to look at something he wasn't there to deal with and see that it was worse than it had been 12 hours earlier. Most surgeons I know, although that's not many so this isn't that big of a "gotcha," don't go into surgery thinking, "well, if it's not there maybe we'll open up his liver and see if there's anything there. And if there's nothing there maybe we'll check this or that out too. Afterall, he's already under ~ why not do a little more checking under the hood while he's there?" This surgeon was preparing for a surgery on a thigh...or an amputation of the entire leg...not an abscess in a foot!

I could go on, but my husband just came out to the computer for the third time and gave me "that look" and said, "well, I guess I'll just say goodnight." So...I'll end this post with this...

Chris was up walking around for the first time in a week today! (He wasn't UP and walking around like he is fully recovered, but the Physical Therapists had him out of bed and moving ~ the beginning of recovery!) He's in good spirits and everyone is feeling good about the direction this is now taking.

Praise God for His mercies! They are new every morning...thought for the day....

Psalm 119: 105-112
"Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow Your righteous laws.
I have suffered much; preserve my life, O Lord, according to Your Word.
Accept, O Lord, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me Your laws.
Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget Your law.
The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from Your precepts.
Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.
My heart is set on keeping Your decrees to the very end."

Praise God from whom all blessings flow...
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts,
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.....

...Amen.

My Brother - in - Law

My brother-in-law, Chris, has been a part of my family for about 3/4 of my entire life. I met him when I was 7. My sister was in 9th grade and she met Chris at Youth Camp in Weeping Water, NE. At the time I thought he was the cutest boy on earth. He was strong, muscular, had a great smile and looked at my sister as if she was the queen of the world. I remember when he came to take her to her Jr. Prom...he drove a Nova then, and it was jacked up in the back (because that was cool in the 70's!). He painted the axle black and in red paint he wrote "Chris loves Tami" in a big heart. I thought it was the most romantic thing ever ~ like proclaiming his love for my sister (who, being 7 years older than me, was worthy of it all in my book) wherever he went. He wanted the whole world to know how lucky he was to marry Tami.

The cool thing was, Tami felt the same way about Chris. When she'd talk about him she'd get this silly little grin on her face...and her eyes would twinkle. We used to tease her because it was all so sappy and wonderful. I remember sitting in our living room on New Year's morning watching the parade on TV surrounded by pink, blue, white and green petals and leaves that we were attaching to little buds to make the flowers for the bouquets that would be used in Tami & Chris's wedding just over a month away on February 21, 1981. At 11 years old I couldn't help but want what they had when I got married.

Flash forward 26 years ~ Tami & Chris are still very much in love. I am amazed when I'm around them with the love, the honest-to-goodness love, that shines in their eyes when they look at each other. They don't have the starry-eyed kind of look anymore. No, now they have the look that says "I fell in love with you for all the right reasons and they still stand today."

That's why it's so hard to be 1500 miles away from the hospital where my sister sits by Chris's bedside and prays for the infection that is in his leg to stop proceeding up to his bum and beyond. The doctors are confused. The infectious disease specialist is confused. The surgeons are confused. They are all concerned and preparing for the worst. Nothing is touching the infection ~ they have no idea what started it, they have no idea what the strain is, they have no idea about anything at all except that the red streaks that are going up his leg are obviously putting him in more and more danger everyday. And Tami stands there, sits there, reclines there in the almost-an-open-taco chair they've brought in for her to rest in and she prays and she cries and she prays some more.

The picture above is from last summer when we were in South Dakota. That is their family except for Joshua, their oldest son, and his wife Andrea with their son, Isaiah. (Andrea is pregnant and due in May sometime) Chris is an outdoors-kinda guy. He loves to bow-hunt, ride his motocross bikes with his sons, and has a career in construction. He's active, strong and muscular. Losing his leg is not something he ever thought would happen. None of us ever do.

I would appreciate your prayers for Chris & Tami. We all know our hope isn't in a healthy leg, although we're praying for it, but our hope is in the God who made the leg in the first place. our faith isn't in a "favorable outcome" according to what we would want, but our faith is in the Lord who has given us the ultimate in favorable outcomes through His Son's death & resurrection. We are safe and secure in the arms of God ~ and our hope remains in Him. With that said, our prayers are that He, being the Great Physician, would heal Chris from this weird infection that no one but He knows the details of.

Chris really is more like a brother to me than a brother-in-law. It is he to whom I owe the greatest amount of gratitude for helping me through the dark parts of my pregnancy with Sophie. It was Chris who introduced me to a singer by the name of Steven Curtis Chapman and told me to listen to "The Treasure of You" over and over again until it sunk in. It was from Chris I received the inspiration to play that CD in my CD player with the headphones on my belly so Sophie would know she is precious, loved, wanted and beautiful despite the circumstances of her birth. (and I can say with confidence that was the case for both of her biological parents...we just all handle life differently when we're young and stupid.)

Treasure Of You by Steven Curtis Chapman
(warning, this will take you away from this page ~ I suggest right clicking and then clicking "open in new window" to listen to this song...)

I can thank Chris for that, too...the grace to forgive the pain of being abandoned. It was his perspective of a father, and the desire for her biological father to experience the joy that comes from freedom in Christ, that encouraged forgiveness in my own heart. Yes, Chris really is more of a brother to me than a guy who's married to my sister.

My heart is weary knowing all they've gone through in the past 12 months. This infection is not the first "issue" that has tested their faith. Not even close. And, to be honest, if only the other issues could simply be opened up, removed and patched back up.....they'd be a whole lot easier to handle. Thank God we don't have to carry them!

I'm rambling because my heart is so weary ~ I desperately want to be flying to Nebraska right now and not sitting in my loft in Vancouver writing about the people I long to be putting my arms around. Thank you for praying for all of us ~ and thank you for praying for God's healing power in Chris's leg, but mostly in their family.

with a great big sigh and prayer of surrender,
Trayc

here's a picture of my grand-nephew, Chris & Tami's first grandchild, Isaiah Tate. He's Josh & Andrea's son, and about to become a big brother!



Here's a picture of my second nephew, Josiah, and his (then) girlfriend, Emily from last summer...



And here's Bethany, my neice, who is now a Freshman at University of Nebraska, Lincoln ~ yup! She's a Husker!!!



And finally, here's Jacob, the baby of the family. He's a High School student anxiously awaiting his 16th birthday on June 19th. The boys loved hanging out with him a couple of years ago....

Borrow Mine

Borrow Mine by Bebo Norman
(warning...clicking the above link will take you away from this page...I suggest "right clicking" and then clicking "open in new window". ENJOY!)

Okay, so I've discovered an "old" song that I need to share. It's an incredible song of servitude. It's a song that epitomizes what it is to truly walk beside someone when their faith is shaky. So many times I have experienced a couple of steps with someone who thought a quick-fix would turn everything around only to be hurt even more deeply, and have my faith even shakier, when they quit walking and instead went where maybe it was "easier." I've even had incredible, Godly women basically tell me I just needed to suck it up when I asked how they made it through the early baby years. I've learned so much from these very women ~ I've had the emotional response to be able to create postcards and cards and poetry saying what I longed for someone else to say to me when I was surrounded by gray and darkness. But I never could write a song....probably because I have no song-writing ability...but maybe it's because Bebo Norman wrote exactly what I would have written.

I found a webpage that quoted an interview with Bebo about this song. Here is what he said: “A young woman that I love dearly was recently in a very difficult hopeless place in her life. A close friend asked her if she had faith that God would bring her through her pain. Her answer was very honest, ‘No. I wish that I did, but I don’t seem to have the faith to believe that right now.’ Our friend replied to her, ‘Borrow mine. Borrow my faith, because I am sharing your pain with you, and I am certain that our God is in this and will grow you through this.’ She found so much strength and courage in that response. What a beautiful real life picture of the body of Christ and our command from God to ‘carry each other’s burdens and in this way fulfill the law of Christ.’ (Galatians 6:2)

Here are the lyrics ~ read them and pray that God would bring to mind someone who needs to borrow yours for a while...even if that means a few miles instead of steps.

Take my hand
And walk with me awhile
Because it seems your smile
Has left you

And don't give in
When you fall apart
And your broken heart
Has failed you

I'll set a light up
On a hilltop
To show you my love
For this world to see

You can borrow mine
When your hope is gone
You can borrow mine
When you can't go on
Cause the world will not defeat you
When we're side by side
When your faith is hard to find
You can borrow mine
You can borrow mine

And take my love
When all that you can see
Is the raging sea
All around us

And don't give up
Cause I'm not letting go
And the God we know
Will not fail us

We'll lay it all down
As we call out
Sweet Savior
Help our unbelief

You can borrow mine
When your hope is gone
Borrow mine
When you can't go on
Cause the world will not defeat you
When we're side by side
When your faith is hard to find
You can borrow mine

When you are weak
Unable to speak
You are not alone
God of us, save us
And never forsake us
He's coming to take us
Take us to our home

You can borrow mine
When your hope is gone
Borrow mine
When you can't go on
Cause the world will not defeat you
When we're side by side
When your faith is hard to find
When your faith is hard to find
You can borrow mine
You can borrow mine

Take my hand
Take my love
Don't give in, no
And don't give up

*******

Before I go, I want to thank those people in my life who have let me "borrow theirs" when I wondered where God was...Tami ~ my incredible sister; Mom ~ a woman I am proud to rise and call blessed; Donna ~ a friend beyond words; Tara ~ my "tell-it-like-it-is-and-take-no-crap" blessing from God; Molly, Trisha, Sheila, Angie,and all my MOMS Leadership Bible Study brave women ~ I love your Mary Spirits!; Tammy; David & Dawn; Uncle Jim & Aunt Dee; Dad ~ in your own special way you reminded me of the beauty of Christ that surrounds me everyday...sometimes in the strangest of places; Pastor Bill ~ for the best words ever written in a birthday card you win the prize! 30 was so much easier because of you; ...there are so many more...I know I can't name all of you, but you know who you are. I thank you and pray that you will receive back what you've given tenfold. God bless you all!

(whew! I feel like I've just won an award..."I'd like to thank the Academy..." HAHA!)

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Having a Mary Spirit
Allowing God to Change Us from the Inside Out
Joanna Weaver

“Lord, Whatever It Takes, Make Me Like You!”

You long to serve God with grace and strength, to reflect Christ in every word and action. Yet you find yourself continually struggling to bring that vision to life in your daily walk.

At our very core, every one of us is a “twisted sister” within whom the flesh and spirit battle constantly for control. We are afflicted with spiritual schizophrenia, the disconnect between our “good girl” desire to put Jesus first and our “bad girl” realities that crowd our thoughts and push him out of the way.

In this life-changing book, Joanna Weaver, author of the perennial bestseller, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, directs your gaze past your own shortcomings to the God who stands ready, willing, and able to make a new woman out of you. She equips you with biblical insights and practical tools to partner with Christ, inviting him into the hidden places of your soul and giving him full permission to redeem and renovate.

Drawing on the stories of biblical Marys and others whose experience with God transformed their lives, Joanna shows how you can find the hope, healing, wholeness, and joy your heart longs for. Having a Mary Spirit will launch you toward lasting personal transformation–soul-deep change that results in a complete makeover, from the inside out.

Includes a 12-week Bible study for both individual reflection and group discussion.


Information
Book: 9781400072477
Pages: 288

Series: WaterBrook Press


Biog: Joanna Weaver
Joanna Weaver is a pastor’s wife, a Bible study leader, and an author whose works include the best-selling Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World and the award-winning gift book With This Ring. Her articles have appeared in such publications as Focus on the Family, Guideposts, and HomeLife. She and her husband, John, have been in full-time ministry for twenty-four years. They live with their three children in Whitefish, Montana.

**************************************************************************

Last semester our MOMS Bible Study went through Joanna's first book, "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World." I thought it was a book written specifically for me...until we started this book...Then I knew that God, in His infinite wisdom and mercy was simply preparing me for Having a Mary Spirit.

You see, I really am a Mary. Of all things in the world that light a fire under my butt, sitting at the feet of Jesus is the greatest of all. There's an old song by Amy Grant that I used to sing over and over and over again when I was in High School. The words go something like this...

********************************************
I love to sing, and I love to pray
Worship the Lord most ev-ery-day
I go to the temple, and I want to stay
To hide from the hustle of the world and it's ways

And I'd...love to live on a mountain-top
Fellowshipping with the Lord
I'd love to stand on the mountain-top
'Cause I love to feel my Spirit soar
But I've got to come down from that mountain top
to the people in the valley below
Or they'll never know that they can go..
to the Mountain of the Lord.
********************************

Man, how I love that song! There are two more verses, but it's the chorus...the beginning of it...that truly strikes a chord with me. At this stage of my life ~ when so many of us "MOMS" are saying things like, "I just don't know when I can fit it in ~ how do you do it...make time everyday to sit at Jesus' feet?" ~ that I feel the need more than ever to carve out the time each and everyday to sit on the mountain top with my Lord. What I know is that if I don't have that time...all the people I come in contact with...the people who need to know they can go to the mountain of the Lord...will only get a sturdy push in my own strength. I suppose that's okay for some, but when we really want people to get to the summit ~ the place where Jesus takes their hands and says, "I've been waiting for you...." ~ a human push isn't getting them very far off the ground. And if it gets them half-way up, all it's going to take is a gentle shake to the grounds to send them tumbling right back where they started from. (Only this time they'll be more frustrated with the climb because they've tasted a bit of it and will now be relying on a shaky foundation to get them back up there.)

Hmmmm...other than the fact that I'm awake thanks to Diet Coke right now, I'm not sure how I got on that tangent. I suppose the purpose of this post (talking about having a Mary spirit ~ a desire to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to the Master), really goes hand-in-hand with that paragraph, but there's more...so much more.

I've been fighting my "flesh woman," as Joanna calls it, all this school year. At first I would find myself thinking, "am I really that bad? Have I dropped so far in my faith that I need to completely change everything I believe?" Those thoughts come from many different directions ~ from being an Artsy-Fartsy married to an Engineer to facing some pretty major disappointments in life that were both within and outside of my control ~ but what matters is that my faith has been slowly, but surely, shaken to the core over the past few years. My foundational beliefs are firm...yet I find myself wondering about them. My belief that God created me to be the me I am has been lit on fire and slowly burning away. My desire for more of God has been continually growing...but as if there is no rhyme or reason to the growth. I have felt more and more discombobulated as I walk the path of being a wife, mother and woman. The road has not been ugly, and the journey not worth walking, but it has been a rough and rocky road I never anticipated or desired to walk down.

The next question I asked ~ both internally and externally to the ladies in my Bible Study was, "If I completely surrender to God does that mean I have to give up on me? Does that mean I have to become someone else? What happens to the me I believe at the heart of me that HE CREATED ME TO BE??!!??"

This has been a pivotal question. It has been the watershed, if you will, of my faith. And, yes, I know it seems to be completely self-centered. I assure you it is...and it isn't. My wondering does indeed come from liking myself ~ I like that I laugh easily and heartily at silly things like Tickle Me Elmo. I love that the smiles of my children can melt my heart. I enjoy being able to make my husband groan with a bad joke...or a comment about the stink that just came out of his backside! My ability to get up in front of a group of Pre-k'ers one hour and a group of adults the next...and teach them both of the importance of seeing God for who He really is, is something I believe He has given me the ability and opportunity to do. There are talents God has bestowed on me that I am thankful for...and it seems that to surrender "me" completely would mean that all that would change. The idea of the "church" ~ humanly speaking ~ is that one who is surrendered to Christ is peaceful and quiet. They are worshipful and calm. I've been diagnosed with ADD...attention deficit disorder...there are very few calm and quiet genes in my body. Or in my gene-pool for that matter! (Have you ever had the wonderful oppportunity of being at a Tooley gathering? Or to sit with the Selkens while they're playing pinochle? These are NOT quiet people who have passed on my legacy in life, people!!) So what does it mean for one such as me to be completely surrendered in Christ? Well....

...Joanna Weaver is my crazy, loud and rambunctious sister in Christ! And if she can write a book that every week speaks to women in our Bible Study who are, each and every one, in a different place spiritually, physically and mentally....and she has surrendered to the very God I serve, then I say....I SURRENDER ALL!! We're at chapter 10 the next time we meet....guess what the second paragraph says? Well, since you may or may not know, I'll share with you...........

"Part of my lifelong prayer for Christian perfection (something I, Trayc, ridiculously long to achieve) has involved having a quiet and gentle spirit Peter wrote about in I Peter 3:4. When I first shared this life goal with friends, their response was loud laughter and a few poorly disguised snickers. Because anyone who knows me well knows I'm not very gentle. And I'm definitely not quiet."

I am not making that paragraph up! Is this not amazing!? God, in His infinite wisdom knew exactly what I needed to hear...each and every week! My friend, Molly, actually called me from Sun River, OR while away with her family to talk about this chapter as she sat by the pool at the resort and read it. She said she got about 2 pages in, put the book down, picked up her phone and called me to see if I'd read it yet. The funny thing is...the chapter isn't only making her hear my "what if I surrender?" question, it's speaking to her about where she's at, too. I am in awe of the God who pulled Mount Hood out of the ground, blew up Mount Saint Helen's, sprinkled Aspen trees about my beloved Rockies...and holds my hand every step of this rocky road.

I have been humbled and amazed at a new aspect of God's character that has become clear to me lately. Yes, our God is an Awesome God. and, yes, What a Mighty God we serve. There truly is POWER in the blood....but the beauty of our Jesus is the tenderness with which He reaches out and brings us to Him. TENDERNESS. GENTLENESS. COMPASSION AND LOVE. THESE are the words that characterize the One who asks us to surrender to Him. THESE are the words He acts upon when He sees our fears and knows how timidly and tremble-ing-ly we hand over our greatest fears. He does not grab. He does not pull. He does not shove us into a room where we are surrounded by memories and failures and tell us to face them. No. He gently takes our hand as a mother does her infant on the verge of toddlerhood, and He guides us. Surrounded by the peace of the Holy Spirit, he guides us to the place where we can lay our burdens down and drink from the well of living water ~ eternal peace and fulfillment.

And then He lets us turn around and go, "WOO HOO!!! I LOVE MY JESUS!! I'M LOUD AND I'M CRAZY AND MY BRAIN RUNS WAAAAAAYYYY TOO FAST, BUT I KNOW I AM EXACTLY WHO I'M SUPPOSED TO BE!! AND I'M SUPPOSED TO BE ME ~ COMPLETELY IN LOVE WITH HIM!!! WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!" (of course, some of you may not use CAPS to say that ~ but I do. And that's okay because that's me. And I'm glad you're you, because the world can only handle so many of me! *grin*)

Two quotes to complete this book I ended up writing....then I'm finished....

"True self-esteem comes from understanding our value to God. The more we focus on ourselves, the more insecure and self-absorbed we become. It's essential to have goals in life, but our self-value comes from realizing who, how, and with what we were made...You are God's creation, and He is very pleased with how He made you."
-Kathy Ireland in her book, "Powerful Inspirations"

~and~

"Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord; point out the right road for me to follow. Lead me by Your truth and teach me, for You are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in You."
-Psalm 25:4-5

Go with God...and let God go with you......."So long Self!"