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"