I Will Praise You In This Storm

Yay it is Friday!  I hope you have had a good one.

Pat had a better day today and actually worked about ten hours.  Gosh, I do not know how he does it.  I admire his determination and will to push through the pain.  He and I were chatting today at his office and he says his whole body hurts.  My prayer is that each day gets better and that he has some really good days before we return to Tulsa on Thursday.

I bought my Change Your Life Bible from Becky Tirabassi in 2007.  It is a special edition of the 365 day Bible that she produced.  I was thinking today how God has used this Bible to transform me and strengthen my relationship with Him.  Before I bought this particular Bible, I read the Life Application Bible, but I would just jump around and most of the time I would avoid the Old Testament because at the time I thought it was boring.  After I started reading my 365 I watched His word come alive.  In this past year, the Lord has spoken to me the most through the Old Testament.  I love the fact that I can read it year after year and look back at the notes and the scripture that I underlined these past three years and see where we have been.

This morning like many mornings I felt the Lord had a special word for me.  I have been reading in Isaiah this past week and it has been rich.  Today I read chapter 61:8: "...I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them.  Their descendants will be recognized and honored among the nations.  Everyone will realize that they are a people the Lord has blessed."  My prayer from the beginning of this journey, which is now one year ago, is that my children would become Men and Women of God and that they would fall deeply in love with Him.  I pray that their lives will glorify God.  The above verse comforts me because I know He hears my prayer and He has my children in the palm of His hand.   

I then read in the New Testament Philippians 1:27, "I will know that you are standing side by side fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.  Don't be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him."   This words are sweet as Pat and I are standing side by side.  On Thursday morning after I got up out of my chair and was headed to the bathroom to get ready I started to sing Casting Crowns' song, "Praise You in the Storm".  As I was putting my makeup on that song came on the radio.  I knew that Pat was driving to work at that time and he was listening to the same radio station.  I texted him, "We will praise Him in this storm."  He replied, "Yep...no doubt". 

There is no way I could survive this journey without Him, His strength, guidance and His precious word.  He is so intimate with me and I am humbled and in awe. 

Sweet dreams,
xoxo  . 

He Bends Down To Listen

Just wanted to pop in a say a quick hello! Pat and I had one of those hard days and unfortunately we both had one on the same day.  He has not felt good today, but did go in for just a bit.

Today my heart is heavy and hurting because it is so hard to see him in pain.  Oh, how I wish I could trade places with him. My friend sent me this verse this morning, "

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;  great is your faithfulness.  I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3: 22-24

So, I cry out to God and I know He hears me which reminds me of one of my favorite verses in Psalm.  "Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!"  Psalm 116:2. 

In His Grip, 

xoxo

Hard Days

Hello!  I just got in from running and I am dragging and feeling a little stiff.  Oh how I hope to one day enjoy this.  I laughed at my sister today when she called.  She asked me how my run was last night and she was happy I enjoyed it.  I asked her what made her think I enjoyed it and she said she saw my FB status when it said, "I just ran the Couch to 5K with Joy and Wendy."  I said, "Kelly, Joy is a friend of mine who lives down the street from me!"  Bahaha!

Pat has not had a good day today.  He went to work this morning early, but had to come back home.  He is in quite a bit of pain, weary and frustrated. The hardest part of this journey for me is to see him hurting.  Please pray the pain lifts and the next few days will be better ones. 

I loved what I read today in my devotion and needed it so much.  While in prayer we are to stand firmly on a promise of God.  By doing so you will obtain enough power to throw open the gates of heaven and to take it by force.  Jesus desires that we would be very specific in our requests asking for something definite.  "What do you want me to do for you?" (Matthew 20:32) is the question. He asks everyone who comes to Him during trials and affliction.  Make your requests earnestly and specifically, if you desire definite answers. It is the aimlessness of prayer that accounts for so many seemingly unanswered prayers.  Be specific in your petitions. Fill out your check for something definite, and it will be cashed at the bank of heaven when it is presented in Jesus' name.

Well, I am making my requests and writing my check to my Father asking for healing for Pat.  He continues to remind me of the scripture he gave me a year ago (Exodus 14:13)  Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” So, I claim and stand on this promise.  Your promise gives me peace.

Hugs! xoxo

I'll Say It Every Single Time - Home Sweet Home

We arrived safely home around 1 PM today and we are so happy to see our kids (except Matt because he is at school) and Cash. I feel like we have been gone for more than five days. Pat had a really slow start this morning and was apprehensive about getting on the plane due to some nausea, but he has his wonder drug, Zofran, that does the trick. Thankfully, the flight is just 45 minutes long. As the day grew on he felt a little better. He had to have the Neulasta shot last night so the bone pain is beginning.

I am looking so forward to my bed tonight as sleep did not come that easy this last week and what a great week to start having hot flashes! Geez! I have always been the one cold around this house, but Pat and I have switched places.

The scripture 2 Corinthians 5:7 says "We live by faith , not by sight." I have to remind myself that I cannot judge my faith by my feelings although it is very difficult. We are to look at the facts and not the feelings. In my devotional today the author says that God never gives us feelings to enable or encourage us to trust Him and He never gives them to show us that we have already completely trusted Him. God only gives us feelings when He sees that we trust Him apart from our feelings, resting solely on His word and His faithfulness to His promise.

That is all I have to keep me focused on this journey. That is why I spend a long time in the mornings reading His word and praying because I have to be refueled before I start my day. I have to cling to God's promises when I see Pat hurting or watch him try to put one foot in front of the other when he is having a bad day. When I look around at the patients in the cancer center, read the statistics of this horrible disease or watch a friend bury her husband who lost the fight, my feelings can easily win. This is where I have to focus on God's facts and His promises that he gives me when I read His word. I have to look back at what I know and that is God has never, ever failed me and he is the same yesterday, today and forever. It isn't easy, so I try to take one day at a time and pray my friend's, Becky, favorite prayer that I have adopted as my own: Father, go before me and go behind me.

I hear the bed and my very own pillow calling my name!
Sweet dreams, 

xoxo

Sunday in Tulsa

Hi from Tulsa.  We will be here until tomorrow morning.  Pat has had an okay day today.  He has extreme fatigue, moving slow and just doesn't feel good.  We will go to infusion tonight to disconnect the chemo at 10.

I got another God hug today.  My friend, Andrea Lyles, drove over from Edmond to spend the afternoon with us.  She and I were at college together at Southeastern and we have not seen each other since 1982.  Thanks to Facebook, we have become very good friends and she is definitely one of our prayer warriors.  I love you, Andrea and thank you for dinner.

I got on the dreaded treadmill today and actually found it easier as I was able to run further than when I am outside.  I am making progress, but I have only eight weeks and much more to go before I get in shape to run that 5K without walking.  I am determined, but I don't like it yet.

We feel your prayers and I know that is why I have such a peace today.  This journey would be so hard without you walking it with us.

Tootles!
xoxo

Hello from Tulsa!

Hello from Tulsa!

Last night Pat started his new chemo at 4:30 PM which also includes lots of fluids and other drugs, but I couldn't believe that we would leave infusion at 12 midnight.  We got back to the hotel room a little after that and then about 1:00 Pat had severe stomach cramping, which can be a side effect during chemo, so we had to go back to Infusion.  He received some drugs and pain meds and we were able to return to our room at 4:30.  I could not wait to close my eyes and when I did I remember thinking "this was what if felt like to have a newborn baby again".  You know, that exhaustion that just makes you want to cry.  We were able to sleep until 10 this morning and eat a wonderful breakfast.  The rest of the day was literally lying around.  Pat slept most of the day.  We spent a lot of the morning in front of the big screen in the lobby where I watched Wyatt Earp! I am enjoying the westerns!  Speaking of Wyatt Earp, which Kevin Costner played in the movie, Pat has been told for many years that he looks like Kevin and sometimes I can see the resemblance.  i even had someone tell me that Garrett could be Kevin Costner's son...not kidding.

I am so grateful for sister Kelly's company Thursday and my friend, Misty's company last night.  She got here about 7 and stayed until after 11 PM.  They were just what I needed. 

Tonight Pat and I had some special visitors.  Addie, Pat's care nurse, brought her husband, James and a sweet couple from Brazil, Raphael and Beatrice, to the hotel room to meet us and pray with us.  Raphael is studying here and also teaches at Oral Roberts.  James is also a professor there.  What a divine meeting and one I will never forget as they encouraged, shared and prayed with us.  Another testimony of how blessed Pat and I are to be here in Tulsa and how He has surrounded us and provided for us people to love and support us when we are so far away from home.  

Pat and I miss our kids and Cash, and I know they miss us.  It is hard to be separated from them, and I am thankful for my friends and family  who have loved on them and made sure their okay.  I even heard of the many friends of ours that loved on ours boys during the football game last night.  Again, I am humbled by the support and love we have received this past year.

I didn't know what today would be like for Pat and I in the hotel room, but it has been nice for me to just relax and not have to worry about getting things done or being somewhere.  Although Pat has felt very groggy today, he has felt pretty good and has not had any pain or nausea.  This new chemo has some quirky side effects and will present some challenges.

In my scripture reading today God encouraged me with Isaiah 44:2, "The Lord who made you and helps you says:  Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, O dear Israel, my chosen one.  For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields.  And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children.  They will thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank. 

In the New Testament, I read one of my favorite versus that I like to pray for others, and particularly my kids.  Tonight I pray this for you:  Ephesians 3:16-19, "I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.  Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.  Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that come from God."

Goodnight!
Paige & Pat
xoxo 

Thank you Shelly

He is good!

Scan results at 1:00 My scripture of my daily reading in my 365 day Bible was Isaiah 41:20. I am doing this so all who see this miracle will understand what it means that it is the Lord who has done this, the Holy One of Israel who created it. Oh how awesome that would be!! 

TEAM STP

TEAM STP has surpassed our PurpleStride goal of $2500.00!  Thank you so much....let's shoot for $5,000.00!  I am wearing purple today! 

Made It Safe and Sound

We made it to Tulsa safe and sound!  It was nice to fly this time and get it here at a decent hour and not be too pooped from driving.  We are staying in the Hilton across the street, which is a nice place with good food! 

Pat and I are so excited that Modern Family debuted their new season tonight and two episodes at that!  It is so nice to watch a show that just makes you crack up laughing! Cam is my favorite.

I am excited that my sister is coming to hang out with Pat and I tomorrow.  It will be great having her with us.  There is nothing like a sister!

Pat's scans are at 10 and 1, so please lift him in prayer tomorrow..  I also ask that you pray for us to have peace as we wait for the results.

We love you!

xoxo

Whirlwind

What a whirlwind it has been the past two days with deadlines at work to meet before we leave town tomorrow.  It is also that time of year for meetings at school so I can make sure my junior is prepared for college and his basketball booster club has social media! 

As I sit here writing, a commercial for the Cancer Treatment Center just came on TV.  It was Peggy Kessler, a pancreatic survivor. Several people have asked me if those are real cancer patients or actors in the commercials.  They are real.  You might remember that Pat chatted with Roger Stump via a phone call, who is on a CTCA commercial and is a seven year pancreatic survivor.  What an amazing place!

Pat and I decided to fly to Tulsa tomorrow. Thursday he will have his CAT and PET scans and Friday will be a day full of appointments.  Also, we will find out his scan results and see if he is a candidate for the microwave ablation on that liver spot again. Our plan is to return on Saturday.  Needless to say, this a very important week for us and we covet your prayers.

How wild is this? Pat just sat down and turned on today's recorded show by Dr. Oz.  The subject is cancer and the first segment is pancreatic cancer.  Since you are reading this right now, I am going to give you the highlights of important factors of this disease.

• Pancreatic cancer is the cancer doctors fear the most.

• This year 44,000 diagnosed people will be diagnosed and 38,000 will die.

• Warning signs are: stomach and back pain; weight loss, and lightly/clay colored stools.
• There is no effective screening efforts.

• If you have two or more family members with pancreatic cancer, ovarian and breast you are at risk.
• Research shows those who drink a lot of alcohol is at risk and also research shows those who drink two or more sodas a day.  He did mention that researchers need to learn more about sodas.
• Those with type II diabetes are high risk.
• Blood tests can be done to check liver enzymes and blood.

Solutions:

• Cut fatty red meat and processed meats

• Two servings of red and yellow vegetables to dinner

• 750 mg Curcumin (a supplement)  twice a day.  Shown to inhibit the growth of pancreatic cells.

I wasn't planning on writing about this, but maybe someone needs read this and I could conveniently type while Dr. Oz "dictated".  I can also look at this as a nice segue to Donate to Team STP!

Gotta go pack!
Hugs!
xoxo

On Mission With God

I hear thunder outside and saw lightening on the way home from Life Group tonight. Bring on the rain!

It was nice getting together with our life group. Summer activities caused us to meet less these past few months, so what a joy it is to be with our group again. Pat and I are so thankful for this group of believers who have walked alongside us these past four years. Hey, Life Group, Happy Anniversary! God certainly knew what he was doing when he formed our group in 2007 and he most certainly knew what The Easterlings would need and take up most of the LG reward points!

On Mission With God Living God's Purpose For His Glory by Avery T. Willis, Jr. & Henry T. Blackaby is a new Bible Study I started this morning. I popped into Life Way Friday afternoon and was just wandering around. I am always praying for God to show me what He has for me to read or study next and I felt he led me to this particular study when I read "God is moving in unprecedented and exciting ways through the world today and He is calling believers to live His purpose for their lives." The first study today was good. "God is at work all the time, and He initiates a personal, loving relationship with you and invites you to join Him in His work. As God speaks to you, you experience a crisis of belief that calls for major adjustments in your life so that you can relate to Him ad His mission. As you make the adjustments and obey Him, He moves you into the middle of His activity--as part of God's mission. As you look at God's mission through the eyes of His chosen servants, be assured that it is God who is on mission. The mission is His, not yours. But He has determined to accomplish His mission through His people. He is actively working to involve His people with all the peoples of the world so that they may know Him and worship Him."

I wrote in the margin, "I've seen it." I know that God has a purpose in our journey, so I would just soon join Him. This experience has certainly caused me to examine what I believe, stretch my faith and make major adjustments in my life. Gosh, I struggle internally with the fact that I know that God chose us to walk on this unknown path, and I feel honored. But at the same time, I want my healthy Pat back. I want to see him healed, happy and pain free.

God is definitely at work in and around us. Just the blessings and God hugs he has given us would absolutely amaze you if I had the chance to sit with you and share just how faithful God is. That is why I journal, as I want to read about them again and remember. I never want to forget. He has so much more to teach me about Himself and so much to change in me.

Hope you have a good week.

Hugs!

xoxo

Saturday Ball

It is 9:30 PM and I just got in for my jog/walk.  It is very unusual for me to do any kind of exercise on a Saturday, much less Saturday night.  I guess it is motivation and Pat was encouraging me to also.  It has been  a great day today!  The only two things that was wrong with it was one, Pat wasn't with Garret and I, and two Garrett wouldn't go to the mall with me!

Today Garrett had three basketball games at 11, 4 and 6 in Carrollton and they won all three!  Pat couldn't go due to work, so he missed out on some good games.  We had such a big break between games one and two that I was hoping Garrett might go hang out in the mall. No!  He is like is dad that way.   I am glad I brought a book to read and it was the best fiction that I have read in a long time.  It is called Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay. It was one of those books that I could not put down and was good from the beginning to the end.

Pat and I tried to go to Centennial's homecoming football game yesterday.  We waited until the last minute before we into the stadium and the rain died down, but as soon as we sat down, it started to pour and the lightening began, so everyone was asked to leave the stands.  That was enough for Pat and I, so we left.

Pat felt good today.  He had some appointments and then he finished the retaining wall that he and Matt started this summer.  That Patrick just amazes me!  

I am looking forward to seeing Matt tomorrow as it has been two weeks.  Even though he was here all summer and lives only an hour away, I miss him so much.  When I walked over to turn up the thermostat one morning this week, I glanced into his clean room and I just teared up!  Emptying the nest one by one is hard and it doesn't matter how many times you have said goodbye.  Right moms?

It is going to be a short week next week as Pat and I have to be in Tulsa by Wednesday evening and it looks like we will be there until Saturday as of right now.  We can't decide what mode of transportation we want to take since we really like to have a car when we are there for three nights. 

I have several people who have asked what the link is to donate to Team STP.  It is: http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=483398.  Another way to find the link is google Purple Stride Dallas.  You will then go to the website and look on the left hand side to join or donate to the team.  Paigeme590@aol.com is my email if you want me to email you the link.  I will be happy too!  We have surpassed our $2500.00 goal!  Woo hoo!

The weather is getting better and better!  Loved the rain too, but Lord, we need more, please!

Hugs!

xoxo

I'm Up

Everlasting

Hello there!  Have you been watching the show, "Americas Got Talent"? Our family has and the finals are on now.  My favorite is the Silhouettes. It does feel like this show has been on for a very long time this summer!

Pat had a really good day yesterday and today wasn't that bad.  Some days he has more pain or may be just a little more fatigue.  I am so proud of how he just pushes through the day and just deals with it.

I did talk with our Care Manager yesterday in Tulsa and Pat's CAT and PET scan are scheduled for next Thursday with a follow up appointment with the oncologist on Friday to get the results.  Please join us in praying for great scans and that the liver spot has shrunk.  Even gone would be good wouldn't it?  

My training has begun on the 5K for PurpleStride and I can't wait for the cooler weather to get here and I hear it is on its way.  It did feel a tad cooler after we ran tonight.  Wendy is training with me, so we are huffing and puffing as we slowly try to run a little further each night. Thank goodness for accountability partners. 

I have been wearing out my favorite song each morning on the way to work, the Everlasting.  The following lyrics stayed in my head all day:  

Jesus, we set our hope on you, we set our hope on the love, we set our hope on the One who is the everlasting God!

Hugs!

xoxo

Dragging Monday

How was your Monday?  I was dragging all day as this weekend wore me out.  I did just do a little jog/walking a while ago.  I started out using my Couch to 5K app, but I got a better offer to walk with my friend, Joy. What a God hug to catch up with her!

During my quiet time this morning, I felt God reminded me to be quiet and be still just like Abraham.  Abraham was tested for a very long time, but he was richly rewarded. The Lord tested him by delaying the fulfillment of His promise. Satan tested him through temptation, and people tested him through their jealousy, distrust and opposition
 to him.  Sarah tested him through her worrisome temperament.  YET (there is that wonderful three letter word) he patiently endured, not questioning God's truthfullness and power or doubting God's faithfulness and love.  Instead, Abraham submitted to God's divine sovereignty and infinite  wisdom.  And he was silent through many delays, willing to wait for the Lord's timing. Having patiently endured, he then obtained the fulfillment of the promise. (Streams in the Desert). 

Gosh, it sounds like it was easy for Abraham. Lord, I am trying!

Hugs!
Paige
xoxo

PS:  Team STP....thinking Purple People!

Birthday Party

Hello!  Wow what a busy, busy weekend and that is why I did not stop in for a hello this past few days.  Saturday morning I left for Oklahoma and returned about 4:00 this afternoon. 

I didn't talk much about it here on CB because my dad reads this, but Michele, Kelly and I threw dad a surprise 80th birthday party yesterday in Madill.  We have been planning this for sometime and had it on FaceBook, in the church bulletin and in the newspaper in Madill as we thought that would be the fastest and best way to invite all of his friends.  We did put SURPRISE on all the media, but some people slipped up, and he started to suspect something was up.  Michele had to lie a little bit and tell him it was going to be on Sunday as he said to her one day people kept mentioning his birthday to him and randomly wishing him a happy birthday.  That is okay though, as we had not planned for it to be a surprise at first, but he seemed oblivious at first, so we ran with the idea.  It really doesn't matter because he was surprised because he had so many friends and family that attended and a few faces that he had not seen in years.  Michele, Kelly and I want to say thank you to those who came, sent a card or sent their best wishes.  Kelly did a memory book for him, I did the slide show and Michele did the rest!  We had a really good time and there is nothing better than seeing his face when he walked into the room.   We love you, dad!  What an inspiration you are are to me and so many others.  The comment that I kept hearing around the room was "Boy, I hope I look that good at 80"!  I think the song, King of the Road, that  played on your slide show describes you well!

After the birthday party, Elizabeth and I went to Erica and Cory's wedding near Durant.  Cory's mom, Misty, and I met in our first freshman class, Dr. Pat Robbins, at Southeastern and have been best friends since.  It was a beautiful outside wedding and we had such a good time.  I am praying for many years of blessings for Cory and Erica.

This morning I went to church with dad at 9 and then with Mom at 10:30.  Mom's church, a cowboy church, have lunch after their service on Sunday, so that was fun.  Brian and Kelly were there along with Brianna, Kelton and Elizabeth.  We also celebrated Mom's birthday which was a few weeks ago.

So, it was a great weekend and Elizabeth and I were pooped and I couldn't get her to drive home today!  Pat couldn't go to Oklahoma because he had the Dallas Home and Garden show and Garrett had basketball games with his team from school. They were both missed!

Many of our friends and family in Oklahoma asked about Pat and were disappointed he wasn't able to go.  I am humbled when I hear of those who read our CB and pray for us.  We covet your prayers and we are thankful for those who are walking this journey with us. 

Today before the service started at the Cowboy church, my girlfriend from grade school, Kim, grabbed my hand and told me she had someone she wanted me to see, Duane Elwood.  She said when she first saw Duane she asked him if he knew who she was.  He said yes, Paige McNatt.  Well, her response was no, I am actually Kim Jones.  So, when I arrived, she walked me to the back row and told Duane that I was actually here this morning.  Duane is fighting pancreatic cancer also and was diagnosed not long after Pat.  Our mutual friend, Roy Godfrey, told me about Duane when he was first diagnosed because he wanted to see about assisting him in getting Duane into the cancer center.  Since that time, I have prayed and prayed for Duane and to see him today was a  blessing to me. For him being at church today was a God hug as he hadn't been to church there in a long time.  Actually, I am not sure if he has ever attended that church.  I ask that you pray for Duane as his journey is a lot worse than ours right now and it breaks my heart to see someone else fighting this same disease. 

Pat has been feeling fair.  He was able to work most of the day at the home show yesterday, but this week he has been having a lot of back pain.  I am ready to have those scans done so that we can see exactly what is going on.

Team STP is on a roll and I am so excited!   Thank you to all that donated these past few days. 

I hope you have a great week.  Hug those you love...life is precious!
Paige
xoxo

Happy Anniversary 27 Years

Happy Anniversary to me and Pat...27 years!  How Amazing and what a journey! 

I wrote the following in my journal this morning and I thought I would share with you:

Looking back over the past 27 years, there were some rough spots, but not many.  When I say that I mean between he and I.  I can truly tell you that I never remember either one of using the word divorce in any of our arguments or heated discussions. After 1992 when Pat accepted Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior and I rededicated my life, our marriage became sweeter and sweeter. Oh, how I wish I had my intimate walk with Christ at the beginning of our marriage rather than waiting until my mid 30's. 

The sweetest, memorable, and most touching moments in our life began in 2007 when our Life Group was formed which challenged Pat and I in our walk.  We studied God's word, prayed and lived life authentically with our friends.

In 2008, Pat was diagnosed with his first cancer, esophageal.  I saw slow, spiritual transformation begin within us.  Miracles were seen in situations that I could never imagine being "fixed".  As Pat and I fell more in love with God, we fell more in love with each other and we watched our marriage blossom.  God has been in the center of our marriage which gives us security of being who He created each of us to be. He knew what our future held and what we as a couple would need to endure our future walk in the wilderness.

Both of us are from divorced families and I think that caused us to fight harder for our marriage.  I believe that God's favor and blessings flow abundantly when you have been married for as long as we have and He blesses us as a couple as we search for His will and His desires for our family.

As I read in Streams in the Desert this morning, he made the comparison of gold versus iron.  He talked about Joseph when he was in the dungeon "iron entered his soul". And the strength of iron is exactly what he needed for earlier as he had only experienced the glitter of gold. We all need iron in life to enlarge our character.  The gold is simply a passing vision whereas, the iron is the true experience of life. The chain that is the common bond uniting us to other must be one of iron. The common touch of humanity that gives the world true kinship is not joy, but sorrow--gold is partial to only a few, but iron is universal.  Your life will be enlarged in proportion to the amount of iron you have endured, for it is in the shadows of your life that you will find the actual fulfillment of your drams of glory.  So, do  not complain about the shadows of darkness--in reality they are better than your dreams could ever be. 

Gold was present in our marriage as I lived a very charmed life prior to 2008.  I remember thinking one day that I should brace for the worst as I hadn't not seen much death, suffering or many trials. Now I can look back and see how he was preparing me for the journey this family would take. So, the story of gold versus iron beautifully describes how our marriage was formed and how it is playing out in our lives today. We have endured iron, but truly not until 2008 when Pat had esophageal cancer, left his career after 30 years, I started working again after 16 years, we start a new business, and then Pat is diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer along with other major events tousled in the mix.  I can say this marriage is made of iron.  You can see beautiful flecks of gold, but it is solid iron.

 I tell my kids often that they are so blessed because their mom and dad are still married and love each other.  What a gift!

God giving me the story of Joseph to read today on our anniversary shows me again how He intimately loves me and that He continues to circle His arms around me so that I can feel His huge God hugs.

I am thankful for these 27 years and pray for 27 more so that we can continue too live out our love story. 

Pat, you hold my heart and I love you more each day. You are my Hero and my best friend!

Paige

Purple Stride Donations Needed

A  quick hello!  Pat is feeling better each day.  Yesterday was a rough one, but it is a new day!  Today he just complained about being really tired. Everyone else in the household is doing fine.  Matt is settling in to school as well as Garrett.  Elizabeth is working her pretty little fingers to the bone! 

It is pretty uneventful around here, which I like.  Right now I am fired up about PurpleStride and need more team members or donations. Click here to get information. I began running last night and I am sore today.  Our team conditioning coach, Brian (my brother-in-law)  said I could rest today! Running is not my thing, but finishing a 5K is on my bucket list.  So, let's go purple together!  Email me at Paigeme590@aol.com and I will email you the link to sign up as a team member or to donate.  Thank you to those who have supported Team STP!

Sending big hugs! 

xoxo

Sunday in the Ozarks

Hello!

Darn, Pat doesn't feel good today. His fever broke about 8 this morning but has a low grade tonight.

He and I drove to Berryville to get wiper blades at Auto Zone for the jeep which was a nice drive. We spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out in the RV. Our plans were to go to the Passion Play tonight but he just isn't up to it. We did cook out some hamburgers a bit ago and enjoy this beautiful weather. I hope it is this nice at home. What a nice change from the sweltering heat.

Happy birthday to my daddy on his 80th. You are an amazing dad and I am so blessed to be yours. I hope you have had a great day and I wish I were there to spend it with you.

I am thankful for the down time and rest that Pat and I were able to enjoy these past few days. I know he wants to feel better, but hanging out in the Ozarks in his RV offers healing too.

We will head home tomorrow so praying for His hedge of protection.

Hugs!
Paige
Xoxo