Family Life – Page 5 – The Metastatic Breast Cancer Journey

August 12, 2020August 17, 2020

Rejection

“Rejection hurts at any age,” said my wise 22-year-old daughter. We were just talking about a missed opportunity for a mutual friend.

A toddler playing with toys babbles and cries while pointing to a sibling, who won’t play with him…rejection hurts.

A child is the only one not invited to a birthday party…rejection hurts.

Middle schooler does not get picked to be on the team…rejection hurts.

A high schooler gets turned down after finally gathering the courage to invite that special someone to prom…rejection hurts.

Young adult hears “no” or “not now” when popping the proverbial question…rejection hurts.

A mom’s child is not accepted into the desired private school…rejection hurts.

Divorce papers are served…rejection hurts.

A person in the prime of life is passed over for a promotion…rejection hurts.

Man with just over a decade from retirement discovers that his age is now a factor in not getting that dream job…rejection hurts.

An older couple invites the family for a holiday, but their children have other plans…rejection hurts.

Rejection hurts at any age. It doesn’t feel good to hear the word “no.” Our human side jumps to “I’m not good enough,” or “I’m not pretty enough,” or “They don’t love me,” or “_______________” (you can fill in the blank).

We’ve all been there. We’ve all experienced rejection in some form or another. Some have a longer lasting impression, but the hurt is hurt regardless of age or circumstance.

Jesus understood rejection. The prophet Isaiah spoke of this many years before his birth. He is familiar with the pain and suffering that rejection by another human being delivers. He was rejected to the point of being murdered. He can empathize with you when you hurt. When you are feeling rejected, go to the one who knows us best. He will never leave our side.

“He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.”
Isaiah 53:3a (NIV)

Oh, sure, we may take a day or two to feel bad, and we may even bemoan the rejection and throw ourselves a self-pity party. That’s human nature. That’s normal. But…it isn’t healthy to stay there. We must pick ourselves up, go the Lord in prayer, and listen. He may have something even better in store. Remember the old saying:

“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”
(attributed to Alexander Graham Bell, although many have been credited for this seemingly anonymous saying)

Way to go Alex! But in reality this concept appeared in the Bible way before Alexander Graham Bell, Helen Keller, or anyone else wrote it. Paul may not have used the words windows or doors, but the idea is right there in Romans. The suffering we experience from rejection can make us stronger if we look to the Holy Spirit for God’s will in our lives. Suffering (and one might say suffering from rejection) builds endurance, character, and hope… the other door.

“But that’s not all! We gladly suffer, because we know that suffering helps us to endure. And endurance builds character, which gives us a hope that will never disappoint us. All of this happens because God has given us the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts with his love.”
Romans 5:3-5 (CEV)

Gladly suffer? Gladly? I may need to work on that.

So, yeah, rejection hurts at any age. But the pain and suffering will lead to strength as we learn how to embrace it.

Á la prochaine…until next time.

June 12, 2020June 12, 2020

Passing Time at MD Anderson

Another day … another dollar … spent on medical treatment. 🤑My out-of-pocket expenses are typically met within the month of January, then I can just let things happen. It’s about $10,000 per year just for my portion. I don’t bother to keep track of what the insurance company pays. But it is a LOT.

This week alone I had multiple scans on Wednesday (CT of chest, abdomen, and pelvis, and whole body bone scan), blood work, and today I had a mammogram, more blood work, and now I’m waiting for chemo to drip. It is very much like a full-time job managing all of my doctor’s appointments and such. I’m not complaining, especially now that I am “semi-retired.” haha. The doc called yesterday to let me know my bone scan and CT were normal! Yay! My body is still stable. Thank you Jesus. Keep plugging away as it is working!

The mammogram was earlier this morning. This is the first time I’ve had one at this center, and the first mammogram in two years. They only do the left one, since the right one is basically belly tissue. Combination lockers conveniently store my valuables. They gave me this freshly pressed, monogrammed robe that has been stored in a warmer. So cozy! I felt like I was in a spa, until the s m a s h i n g began 😂. Ladies, if you have never heard Barbara Johnson’s “How to Prepare for Mammogram,” it’s worth the read.

After that torture chamber I had some time between appointments to eat breakfast, shop, and get some lunch. Oatmeal breakfast was inside Panera Bread, as they are open and allow people to sit at socially distanced tables. That was much better than what I did (am doing) for lunch. After shopping for some fun stuff to keep the grandkids busy (more on that later), I was running out of time to eat out. So, I thought I would pick something up at the clinic. The coffee shop here is less than desirable. Even the nurses talk about how they miss the cafeteria in St. Luke’s. They were out of salads and Diet Coke, so I got a Coke Zero and the last “gourmet” peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

As far as I can tell, the only thing gourmet about the PB&J was the price! They did include granola to the center for a bit of added crunch. I went to the cash register but the clerk was out to lunch, said the technician sitting by the cafe. He asked what I had and offered to pay for it when the clerk came back, since I had to get to chemo. 😃 Aww! That was sweet, but I told him I would pay when I get finished. Who knows whether I’ll have a bill when I get back down there. 🤷‍♀️

Nurse👩‍⚕️just came in and we commiserated about the new patient chairs after I pinched my finger 🤨. They are better than the ones at St. Luke’s, but they have some quirks when you try to lift the footrest. At least I can put up my feet while I’m writing this blog.

Rats! I forgot to apply the Lidocaine cream 😩😩. That’s what numbs the port so when the needle goes in I don’t feel it. Rats. Rats. 🙀🙀 Double Rats! Oh well, too late now. I have to apply it at least 30-90 minutes prior or it doesn’t work. I got so busy shopping I totally forgot. This nurse is pretty good. Nice and quick. She did fine. It only feels like a brief pinch.

Still forced to wear masks every time we come. They give me a new one each time, so I’m starting a whole collection 😂. No one can come in except the patients. I’ll be so glad when this pandemic is over!

On a fun note…

When I’m finished with chemo, we will be picking up Elizabeth and Anthony’s kids (Paige and Gabriel) 🤩🥳 to keep them for the weekend so mom and dad can celebrate their anniversary. They have been married FOUR years. So hard to believe! I went shopping to buy some fun stuff for them to play with. Stuff ALL the grandkids will enjoy 🥰🥰. I’m so excited to have them for two whole sleeps. Hopefully they will sleep and let us sleep as well.

Á la prochaine...until next time!

June 10, 2020June 12, 2020

Buy My Book!

I’m so happy to announce I have started a Kickstarter Campaign to publish my new book: “One Day I Tried to Rhyme a Word with Onomatopoeia!” It’s a story of a young girl who sets out to rhyme a word with this very big, six-syllable word. She asks for help along the way, from friends, family members, and even pets! Some are more helpful than others, but at the end of the book she realizes all the sounds and rhymes she has heard in her adventure.

This story was started by our family. To pass the time on a road trip with our high-school sophomore, I said, “Let’s write a poem! Finish this phrase…One day I tried to rhyme a word with Onomatopoeia,” and from there the book was born. It has fun sounds and phrases, colorful pictures, and diversity. Diversity is a hot topic right now, which I am pleased to include in the book. The family is multi-racial, and the main character has colorful friends. This is one of my bucket list items, which I have finally taken the time to pursue. I am SOOOO excited to finally be at this place.

This is the first in a series entitled, I Can Say Big Words: The Six-Syllable Series. It will be published in multiple languages as well. Please review my Kickstarter video and consider making a pledge! This is an all-or-nothing campaign, meaning I must meet my goal in order for your credit card to be charged. I have SIXTY (60) days to meet my goal, so hurry!

You will find the book, some teacher rewards, as well as some rewards with a plush Bumble Bee toy. The Bees are crocheted by a friend of mine, who is donating the bees in honor of her mother, who also has metastatic breast cancer. We share that in common, as well as love for our Lord Jesus Christ.

What is on your bucket list?

Á la prochaine…until next time.

February 29, 2020March 9, 2020

Last Flight for Chemo

It’s not my last treatment, as I am a lifer, but it is the last time I will need to fly home from Vero Beach for my triweekly infusions. Tomorrow is our last service. Then Monday we will say good-bye to the staff. Or, as one parishioner so aptly put it while quoting Tigger, “It’s not good-bye. It’s TTFN.” I loved living in Vero Beach, and I imagine we will be coming back for visits from time to time. Good memories here.

The flight home was … interesting. It was a full flight with more wheelchairs than the norm, so boarding took some time. The incoming flight was delayed as well, so we had to clear a path for those deplaning. Orlando flights are always filled with children, some of them happy and some in need of a nap, so you never know who will be sitting beside you. I did get the extra legroom thanks to my Premier status, and I always hope for someone small. A child is not so bad, and we typically get along.

I was on the aisle, and in the middle seat next to me was not a child but a large gentleman who would, from time to time, break into a violent cough. He ordered a Bloody Mary for himself and his female companion in the window seat beside him. He downed the first one, ordered another, and fell asleep before drinking it. The full cup sat on his tray, with his hands snuggled beneath the tray, head slumping further and further forward as the flight continued. At one point the cough startled him and woke him up. His reflexive hands sprang upward, stopped short by the tray, and resulted in a Bloody Mary tray. How it stayed upright I have no idea, except for the grace of God, as it only spilled onto the tray and managed to keep the rest inside the glass. I don’t even know what goes into a Bloody Mary, but I was glad it didn’t take flight and make its landing on me as I envisioned the red stains would be difficult to remove. I sat with my hand over my mouth for most of the flight.

Tim, on the other hand, rode the motorcycle home. It took him two days, in the rain and cold weather. On the first day he rode over 700 miles, which he could not have done with me on the back. I wimped out, as he would say, and decided to fly home. The beginning of the trip looked promising, but the thunderstorm he rode through was reminiscent of some scary rides, so while I would have preferred him as a riding companion, I was glad I didn’t have to bear the storms.

Thursday evening we went to dinner with two of our little JEDIs. Alison is turning FIVE on Tuesday, and we will not be home for her birthday, so we celebrated with dinner, a gift and some fun. All we were missing was a cupcake, so she made one with her play-dough and we sang happy birthday with her imaginary candle. What a great kid! I can’t believe our oldest granddaughter will be five years old. Time flies before your eyes.

Treatment yesterday went pretty smoothly. I was originally scheduled for the afternoon, but I had called and rescheduled to the morning so I could come to Dallas with Tim (he led a church Vision conference). And boy am I glad I did! A water main broke in downtown Houston, flooding 610, as you’ve probably heard. This resulted in at least two of MD Anderson campuses closing. They diverted many of their nurses and patients to The Woodlands where I go for treatment. They were starting to trickle in as I was waiting for lab techs. Who knows how long I would have waited if I didn’t reschedule to the morning? Whew! Crisis averted. My nurse was aware of our tight schedule, so she got me out in plenty of time to go with Tim to Dallas where we spent last night. He started the conference in the evening, and he is finishing up as I am writing this blog.

Last night was an interesting experience. We don’t see this very often. I was awakened at 3:38 AM to the sound of people talking. At first I thought it was a television set, and then I realized a couple was arguing in the room next to us, or in the hallway. I wasn’t for sure. He was cursing at her and calling her names for not letting him see his kid. This went on for a while so I called the front desk, who subsequently called the police. It did calm down, but I lost more than hour of sleep. They gave us our money back for the room, with several apologies. I was not the only one who had complained.

I woke up early and came to the airport, after dropping off Tim, saying hello to the church folks, and returning the rental car. I was on a much earlier flight than him to Houston (the same flight to Orlando), but the water main break resulted in my favor. I asked them in the United Club if I could get on Tim’s later flight. Because of the water issue, she moved me to his flight and didn’t charge the change fee. This made it worth my while to use my United Club pass, where I am enjoying free tea, soft drinks and snacks all day, in addition to breakfast and lunch.

It’s been a crazy busy few days, but one thing I know for sure is this…Christ came to this earth that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. We are living life daily and enjoying each step of the way. I don’t want people to see me. I want them to see Christ in me. It is His strength you see, not mine. It is His peace I feel. Without Him I would not feel very peaceful at times. It is His healing that touches my body. He is keeping me alive for a reason. No matter what your circumstance in life, give Him the glory. As we focus on Him we are at peace with all things…family, health, work, and ministry. God has it all in control.

Á la prochaine…until next time!

January 25, 2020January 25, 2020

Old Love

I witnessed old love at my aunt’s funeral today. Sixty-two years of marriage, and a few years of knowing each other before that left my uncle feeling a bit lightheaded and quite uncertain about the future, as well as unclear on what we were about to experience. One thing was clear…these two were very much in love. ❤️

I came to Ohio to ensure my uncle (my mother’s brother) had company on the nights before and after the funeral. I’m really glad I came. If mom was alive, she would have been the one to stay with him and keep him company. So, I came for her as much as I did for him. She would have wanted me here.

Last night I helped the family mount family photos on the display board, which would provide a gathering place for many stories during the viewing. Many memories were shared around the table as pictures continued to fill the display. More memories continued from some old pictures from my mom’s middle school photo album, of people and cars and houses. Pictures of ancestors to whom we could all relate.

One request she had was for the family (men) to wear suits. We got up early this morning, with plenty of time to eat and get ready. I had to check on him a few times. His frustration had mounted after numerous failed attempts to button the top button of his newly pressed shirt, which turned into changing clothes twice and a few meltdowns along the way. I managed to get it buttoned despite my own neuropathy ridden fingertips, only to have it unbutton itself a few minutes later. Perhaps the tie will cover up the top button, he decided, and thus we left for a long day at the funeral home.

He insisted on driving, and I was not going to let him go by himself, so I rode with him in his Cadillac SUV rather than taking my car. He’s a pretty good driver for 84, quite frankly, although a bit slower on the reflexes as one might expect. This one thing continues to give him a sense of independence. He said the family should be there at 10:00 (viewing at 11 and funeral at 1:00), so 10:00 it was.

When we first arrived, he went straight for the casket. I gave him space to be alone with his wife, as we were the only two there. This is where I witnessed old love firsthand; it broke my heart to see them separated by the eternal mortality of life and death. He said several times through the sobbing, “this is the last time I’ll see her.” Even though he knows they will be together in Heaven one day, it is not quite the same. I was brought to tears as I thought of my own husband, and what he might have to endure if the cancer decides to take me Home. I saw an image of him sobbing over my body, feeling sad that he had to let our future on earth together end at this moment.

Most of the time I was able to hold it together, and support my uncle with whatever he needed.

Several of my cousins were there, and it was wonderful to see them again, or for the first time. My first cousins, first cousins once removed, spouses, and close friends of the family. I have not seen some of these people in many years, and I might not have recognized some of them if they were not introduced to me. It seems I might even be related to the officiating pastor. He is related to many Centers out of Mount Sterling, Kentucky, so it is quite possible we are distant cousins.

I was asked to read the obituary, and so I did. Several friends and family gave some remarks, a couple of songs were played, and the pastor provided a message of hope to the congregation. The minister was confident my aunt was going Home based on conversations they have had in the past few weeks. He described her as a Proverbs 31 wife and was so glad to get to know them and support them in this time of need.

I regretted not having my car, as there was the question of how I would get to the cemetery from the funeral home when it came time. The family was riding in the limousine but there would not be room for me to ride. I was blessed with my cousin’s wife’s offer to drive her car, and even more thankful it had a good heating system. There was a light snowfall, barely visible, but cold enough to wear a coat and gloves and turn on the heated seats (if one had them).

She will be placed in a mausoleum with her son who has been gone for more than ten years, and where my uncle will join her one day as well. The area was covered where we all gathered to pay our last respects and leave our handprint. The pastor’s message was brief. Psalm 23, another message of hope.

I chased the limo back to the funeral home, where lunch was waiting for us. The caterer prepared a nice meal of lasagna, chicken breasts, salad, mashed potatoes (comfort food), veggies, and some bread. Of course, there were cookies and brownies for dessert. I was glad to see my uncle eat a full meal, to know his appetite is back even if temporarily.

As I write this, he is sitting in his room, their room of at least 15+ years in this particular house, their shared space for 62+ years, where he hasn’t come out since the funeral. At first, I thought he was changing clothes or taking a nap, but then I realized he was just sitting at the foot of their bed…staring…thinking…still dressed in his suit. I think he fell asleep while sitting there, staring into space. I did check on him to ensure he is okay, and I will continue to do so. I can’t imagine how hard it will be after I leave tomorrow. The house already feels empty without her here.

Á la prochaine…until next time…

December 25, 2019January 17, 2020

Four Christmases

I’m not a fan of Vince Vaughn, but this year we related to the movie starring him and Reece Witherspoon 😂. Travel and family circumstances made it impossible to have one Christmas with everyone present. It was different, but not necessarily bad. Just…different.

🎄Christmas #1: On Christmas Eve morning we had our own Christmas with just the two of us in our temporary Florida home. We felt a little like snowbirds who winter there. We exchanged gifts and had cinnamon rolls for breakfast. This was the first year we were able to return shirts that didn’t fit…on the same day they were opened. It was a little weird not waiting for Christmas Day, but we enjoyed having a quiet Florida Christmas by our little tree decked out in Harley-Davidson ornaments.

We did enjoy a Christmas Eve service, which is part of our tradition. Tim spoke in both services, and the church had a great turnout of over 1,000 people. I believe this is the highest attendance since the split occurred over a year ago. Hearts are starting to heal, and it was a wonderful night of worship. Immediately after the service we headed out for an all-nighter. We drove straight through to our Texas home so we could see our family on Christmas Day. This is the first time I have pulled an all-nighter like that since…I don’t remember when 😆 . We made a bed in the back of the SUV and I slept for several hours. I also drove for a few hours, so Tim could get some shut-eye.

It was a peaceful ride, as the roads and the sky were both clear nearly all the way home. The stars ✨ ⭐️ 🌟 shone through the moonroof, and the hum of the engine provided a nice rhythm while laying horizontal on our makeshift bed in the back. We got home around 10:00 in the morning and I immediately started cooking.

🎄Christmas #2: Our son’s divorce was finalized this year, and the girls were with their mom for Christmas this year. Bryan brought his girlfriend Gabriella (Bree for short), for lunch with us. It was odd not having all the grandkids together, and not seeing him with the girls, but we were so happy they stopped by. And there were presents, of course.

🎄Christmas #3: Out daughter Elizabeth and her family arrived just about the time Bryan and Bree were leaving. For a fleeting moment it felt like old times 😔 . For the next couple of hours we got to focus on Liz, Anthony, and their kids, and of course watch them open 🎁 presents. I think I can get used to the new “normal” for our Christmas; it was less chaotic having two children instead of four opening gifts. Paige started tearing into presents (that were not hers 😂) before it was time to do so. She has definitely gotten the hang of it! An Einstein piano for Paige, and a Little People track for Gabe, along with a few other things. They loved their new toys!

🎄Christmas #4: At the end of the day, Maggie brought the girls over and we enjoyed seeing them open gifts as well. Frozen is the theme of the year, as it is Alison’s favorite. Hannah is the sister, so she gets all things Anna, while Alison gets Elsa. They seem to make it work, and they typically get along well. They know how to open presents 🎁! I love those girls! Maggie had them for Christmas this year, and they will rotate holidays from hereon, so Bryan will have them on Christmas Day next year. We are so glad Maggie has chosen to keep us in her life. We love her; although she is no longer married to our son, we still consider her our “daughter-in-love.”

Whew! That was quite a day! It was fun but I am so glad it is over. It was different because I truly enjoy having the whole family together. Yet, in some ways it is a bit easier to manage as we could focus on one family at a time. I suppose we will get used to this new normal. One thing I would like to try within the next year is to have all the grandkids together for a picture with Nana. I am hopeful we can accomplish this task! Now…time for bed!

Á la prochaine…until next time!

October 30, 2019January 17, 2020

From Texas to Florida and Back Again

When we were asked to go to Florida for the months of November through January, I said, “Those are the best months of the year to be in Florida! Why not?” Of course we had to ask God if it was okay, and He confirmed this was the place as He had a special assignment for us. I have felt such a sense of peace about this decision from the git-go. It is definitely a God-thing.

We packed the car and drove the distance just before Thanksgiving. Long story shortened…my husband (and I) accepted a short-term assignment in Vero Beach, Florida. This is a joint effort between Texas and Florida Ministries of the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana) to help a large church in crisis. Tim is the “Bridge-Interim Pastor” for Pathway Church, formerly known as the First Church of God, in Vero Beach, Florida. They have been through some leadership issues and are in between pastors. They have lost members due to the crisis. Their interim pastor wasn’t able to come until after winter, so they needed someone to help fulfill the recommendations of their recent consultation and fill the gap. Tim was a good choice because the Texas ministry slows down this time of year, and this is what he does with churches all over the state of Texas. It’s a great fit for this assignment.

But what about chemo? Doctor’s visits? How will all that work? The church was most appreciative of the opportunity to have a state administrator serve during this time. They agreed to our conditions. They found us a house in Sebastian, with a garage and everything. I will travel back and forth to Texas every three weeks for treatment and scans or doctor’s visits as needed. Because it is one week out of three, I am scheduling everything during the week I am home. Sometimes Tim will go with me, and sometimes he won’t. We may fly or we may drive, depending on the circumstance. We will take the bike to Florida so we have it to ride, and it gives us two vehicles in each state. (My bike will remain in Texas.) We will be in Florida every Sunday as Tim is preaching, and they will live stream his sermons. While all the details are not yet determined, one thing is sure…I will see the grandkids while I am home!

Á la prochaine…until next time.

September 20, 2019January 10, 2020

Road Trip!

Never let cancer get in the way of living life! We took our two oldest Granddaughters on a road trip to see Great Mama and some of their cousins in Arkansas. We took one from each of our kids, to give both families a break, and because they are the oldest. They play well together, so why not? LOL.

McDonald’s Fun. Paige likes to mimic her older cousin.

The oldest is potty-trained, and the second is not. After a major blow-out that involved taking the car seat through a nearby car wash and bathing in the McDonald’s bathroom sink, we decided not to do that ever again, until they are potty-trained, that is. Here are a few pictures from our fun time together. (These were later put into a book and given to them for Christmas.)

Á la prochaine…until next time.

August 21, 2019January 10, 2020

Home Sweet Home!

We moved in! We have watched this house go up from the moment they tossed the dirt. It’s exactly one-half mile from our other home, and one-half the size. We downsized to decrease our stress as well as the mortgage.

We thought we were going to travel in a fifth wheel for a while, and even bought the truck to pull it. But after a bunch of reality checks we determined we need a home base and are looking for another way to travel. For example, my flight home on one of our trips was cancelled due to inclement weather, and my treatment was also cancelled. This made us realize the importance of flexibility as well as having a home base near MD Anderson. So, we closed today and started the slow process of moving from the storage unit to our brand new “smart” home.

Alexa, turn off the lamp.

Á la prochaine…until next time.

May 26, 2019

Mad Hatter Hotel Hopping

the metastatic breast cancer journey banner

Downsizing has evolved into homelessness. At this writing we are hopping from hotel to hotel until we land on a decision for the next chapter in our lives. Some days we feel like the Mad Hatter is speaking directly to us to run down the rabbit hole!

A brief history reminds us; we bought our house at a great deal, as an investment for retirement. It was way too big for the two of us, but the price we paid could not be passed up. We certainly enjoyed living there. Many family nights were spent playing pool in the game room, watching a movie in the media room, or sitting in the dining room playing games. Several Christmas photos were taken in front of the gas fireplace. The grandkids loved climbing the stairs, and Yoda got annoyed finding ways to stop them from doing so. Friends and family members have enjoyed our guest rooms. Many beautiful spring days were spent working on the back porch, as I watched my bluebirds raising their families from one season to the next. When we bought this house on the cul de sac, we thought we would be there until we retired. Our plan was to sell and downsize at retirement, as the profit would surely pay for a smaller home by that time.

Two months after the home purchase, I was diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer. Our retirement plan was turned upside down.

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” We continued to seek God’s will for our future.

Retirement comes for most folks in their mid-60s, or even 70s. Terminal cancer has a way of changing perspective. Will I live long enough to retire? Will I feel good enough when I retire to travel and enjoy the retirement life? I hope so! I believe so! But there are no guarantees when you have a terminal illness. I am now half-way through the “average” 5-year lifespan for patients with MBC. Perhaps I will live to my 70s, and God does give me hope that I will! God is not a god of statistics. Even still, we are examining options for my early retirement to make this journey a bit easier to manage. As I said in my last blog, we are not merely existing; we choose to live.

As soon as we heard my body was stable, we put our house on the market.

It took a while to get an offer on our big, beautiful home, but when we finally did it happened very quickly. Mid-March we received a cash offer. The buyers wanted to close in three weeks as they were between homes and living with her aging parents. We had planned a trip to Scotland the following week…yikes! But when a buyer comes knocking, you don’t say no. We immediately started packing the house, and then packed for our trip. It relaxing and enjoyable in the midst of this tumultuous time, but we came home and hit the ground running. Two days after we returned from our trip, the house closed. It was April 4th. We bought back a few days for $1.00, as part of the negotiations…just enough time to finish packing and move out, with the help of several friends.

It’s almost June, and we are still living in hotels and a couple of storage units. Fortunately Tim gets good deals and we travel a lot for his work, so this is not a totally new experience. We have been weighing all the options, but the final decision was based on a call from God. He said he has a plan for us. It’s a mobile plan. We will be living a nomadic lifestyle for a while, as we do ministry from the road. After much debate and indecisiveness, we finally bought a truck. Not just any truck, but a Super Duty Ford F-350 Dually, with 4.10 axle ratio. We also have a Heartland Cyclone 4007 (Fifth Wheel) on order, and if all goes well we will pick it up on July 5th. Between now and then…more travel.

À la prochaine…until next time.

“You’re entirely bonkers. But I’ll tell you a secret all the best people are.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland