Hello All

And Merry Christmas week. Surprise, Surprise, Missy is not ready! I have been a little Ba Humbug this year. Ever since my Christmas light ordeal, I just haven't come around. I suspect that my gifts are lacking a little flair this year. At any rate, it will come and go , ready or not. Gifts really have taken on a new meaning for me. We have been given so many gifts (blessings) all year long. Nothing bought in a store can compare to the gift of life, the gift of good news, the gift of friends and family, the gift of children, the gift of peace and comfort, the gift of healing. We run around trying to find that perfect gift and sometimes lose sight of what it all would be if we weren't constantly receiving gifts from above. I am not sure I have seen the likes of praying the way that I have in this last year. I have seen some pretty huge trials left at the feet of our Lord only to see Him pick up each one and carry them around with Him, never letting go. The power of the multitudes of prayer is phenomenal. Even when you think that God must have "looked away" for a second, you find another blessing was just another second away.

I could go on, but the words on this post don't do justice to the thoughts in my head. Just know that we are blessed abundantly this Christmas season and always because Christ was born and died for our salvation. What greater gift?

Also, Mark's appointment went well yesterday. He is all set for surgery on January 12, 2010. It will again be at Baylor Irving. We are expecting a considerably shorter hospital stay this time. Will keep you posted with anything new.

Love to all and Merry Christmas, Missy

PS . Please, please, please keep my friends Melissa and Jeremy and their families in your prayers. She is still in the hospital at MD Anderson having undergone a 14 hour surgery to remove cancer from her body and reconstruction. It looks as if she may get to leave before Christmas, but her recovery will be most challenging. They will need strength and support in huge ways. I know God is holding her so tight and that he is working through so many people to help support the whole family. Thanks for all the prayers.

Schedule

Mark got a couple of appointments scheduled. He sees the surgeon today to set up the procedure to take out his port. We are hoping for the first of next week. We will see. Also, On December 21st we will go to Irving for an appointment with Dr Crim. He should get a surgery date at that time for the completion of his reconstruction.

I think with Thanksgiving just a couple of days away, share some of our "thankful" moments. I am really thankful for wonderful friends we have here in Scotland and Windthorst. For, only true friends would support us like family and love us no matter what we look like!!!!! Confused? Well I had to wait a while to post our Halloween pictures because I wasn't sure Mark was real keen on the idea. Remember last year, old man Brown and his wife made an appearance at the party. Well that was just two weks after the cancer diagnosis, and celebrating wasn't in the forfront of our minds. Now, a year later, we decided it was time for the big stage. While they didn't actually sing (thank goodness), Sonny and Cher made it all the way from - wherever they are from?!

Thanks to Felice and Chris for getting everyone together and thanks to Cher for being such a good sport!. Love, Missy

Good News!!!

We finally got a report of Mark's PET scan. We are really excited to tell that there was no cancer anywhere! The spot they were watching from the last scan was gone, and there was no evidence of spread anywhere else. WOOOOHOOOOOO! That is really exciting. It is a great feeling to be able to finally say that they don't see anything. He is making calls today to "move on" and schedule is final procedures. I will let you know dates when we have them.

Wow, the power of prayer. God is so good to us and we know it has to be because of all of the people on our team. So many people praying for His healing and His guidance each step of the way. It means so much to us to have your support.

We saw the play "Barber shop Dialogues". I really think everyone will enjoy it. I won't talk about it so I don't give anything away, but you should make plans to go. You won't be disappointed. A heads up also. I would call or go online for tickets for those who plan to come on Thanksgiving weekend. I have heard many people will be in so I think that will be a pretty crowded weekend.

Love to all, Missy

Scan tomorrow.

Okay, so I really didn't post just to remind everyone about the upcoming scan. It is important and don't forget an extra prayer, but I have another request. I don't think you could have followed the blog and not gotten to know my dear cousin "Auntie N". She will probably hurt me for this, but I know she will appreciate the fountain of prayers that are generated by many loving people. Nelda has sent word that she will be embarking on a new journey. Not necessarily by choice, but out of necessity. She suffers from Parkinson's disease and is experiencing some debilitating symptoms that don't allow her to work like she used to. After 37 years of dedicated service to Trott's drug store, she will be retiring at the end of the year. I know she has mixed emotions, but I can't help but be happy for her. She has worked so hard through the years and spent countless hours committed to her employer and her customers. They will definitely feel her loss. My prayer is that this transition will bring abundant blessings in every way. As I told her, God will provide, just as he has for us. Though we never know when or how, we can be assured that He will lead as each day comes. Our warmest wishes Auntie N. We love you. Mark and Missy.

Incognito

Just in case ya'll thought that post didn't sound like me, your right. Mark actually posted again, but I guess he didn't want anyone to know that he actually could do it! Have a great week. Lots of love, Missy

Calling All Prayer Warriors

Tuesday 11/17/09 @ 8:00 AM Mark has his repeat PET scan. Please pray that everything will be negative with no cancer to be seen. It's almost time for Deputy Don to show up at the Royal Theater in Archer City. Performances are Nov 19,20, 21, 27, 28 and Dec 4 & 5. No news is good news...till next time....

1 year

It's hard to believe marked one year since Mark's cancer diagnosis. Wow, so much has happened and it seems like it all happened in the last month. We have been so lucky. When I think of all the "ups" and downs, I am certain that the "ups" win hands down. I can remember writing about the roller coaster at certain times, but looking back on a bigger picture in the rear view mirror makes all of those valleys seems much smaller. GOD IS GOD.

Today I can't even imagine how we found time to fit cancer and treatments and surgeries and appointments into our schedule! Just like the rest of the world, we are non-stop all the time. Mark is into play practice now with production scheduled for the last two weekends in November and the first weekend in December. Landon is busy with football and piano and band. Austin also has football and is adding Wednesday night religion and Abby is still into her softball and gymnastics. She perfected the back handspring and in the same day did two in a row. She finally has some confidence with it. It's been an exciting week for her.

My kids have already started telling me what they want for Christmas, and I am desperately trying to get on the ball and be disciplined enough to get started on that - ahead of time. (ahead of time would be a little out of character for me, but we can always change right?

Mark's follow up to his last PET scan will be within the next month, but we don't have it scheduled yet. We will let you in on any new news. Thanks to all of you who continue to pray for and leave messages for us. (Thank you Auntie N.) WE ARE SO BLESSED. We love you all. Missy