~~~standing together as Ansley battles non-hodgkins lymphoma~~~

ways to serve

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"...for this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you..."

Monday, December 19, 2011

CHAPTER 2 UPDATE: A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS GIFT!!!

We just got the news that Ansley's PET/CT scans this morning were totally clear - no signs of cancer! We have taken lots of pictures this year, but those may be the most beautiful ones that Amy and I have seen in a while! We are so thankful to everyone at MUSC for such wonderful care, and we give thanks to God for this wonderful news! They will be done with her bone marrow biopsy soon and the final results of that will take a few days. But for now, everything looks beautiful! Thanks for praying!

Also, as we receive this news, we know that there are families right now where we were at a year ago this time. Please pray for them as they begin a long journey.

Chapter 2 of our Story Begins


Friends,
I had the privilege of taking the kids to see my grandparents in Florida this past weekend. We celebrated Christmas with them in the same house where as a child, I had countless fun memeories. It was one of those "WOW" moments in my life. Seeing my precious grandparents love on my precious children...

After a wonderful weekend, it is time for Chapter 2 to begin. This morning, in just about an hour, Ansley will go to MUSC for her first set of CT scans, PET scans, and bone marrow biopsies. This is the first of many this year. She will be in the best of care with the doctors and nurses who have loved on her so well during the past year. But, even more than that, she is in the safe arms of Jesus. I am resting in that fact this morning. I am not going to lie and say there isn't some bit of "what if the scans show more cancer?" coming up in me this morning, but it's not taking first place in my heart. What is first this morning is this...

God promises to never leave us or forsake us.
God promises to strengthen us and help us.
God promises to uphold us by His mighty right hand.
God says not to fear bad news, because we trust in Him.
God loves my baby girl even more than me.

And so, we move forward this morning asking the Lord for complete healing of our precious Ansley. He has been faithful throughout this first year and I know His faithfulness and tenderness will continue. Please pray today. I will update this afternoon after we know the results. May God's blessings be evident to you today!

Monday, December 5, 2011

A New Day.....A New Season

Well, friends, Ansley's year of chemotherapy treatment is officially OVER!!
Just this morning, she woke up feeling more like herself than I have seen in months. She ended her final oral chemo on Saturday morning but I think knowing there is no "next round" has boosted her spirits in an incredible way. Words can't express the emotions that fill my heart right now. I am watching she and her brothers make a fort together out of sheets and towels and whatever else they can find. Why is it that a year ago this would've driven me crazy but now it brings nothing but delight to my soul?? I see life differently now. I see how precious it really is.

We are praising God for His faithfulness during this past year. It has not been easy but He has been so gracious to us. We pray that Ansley never has to have chemotherapy again! I trust that He is completely able to make that happen.

Ansley's Attempt on Saturday was a huge success! What an amazing way to celebrate the end of treatment! She also got her first Guinness World Record! She carries around the framed certificate everywhere she goes. I feel honored that so many people desire to help other families through The Journey House. It is a beautiful thing when we use our lives for good. I want to be totally spent when Jesus comes back! I have all of eternity to live in perfection. Now is the time for work!! Now is the time for service. Now is the time for endurance. Please join me in this vision.

Ansley's first set of scans is on December 19th at 7 AM. Would you pray for our family that day? I am sure the enemy will try to capture our minds and bring about fear. Please pray he is not given control. Pray for clean scans and no complications with the bone marrow biopsy, too.

Thank you for how you have loved our family. It is because of people like you that this year is ending so sweetly.

If you want to be on the Friends of The Journey House list, you can send me your e-mail address and we will keep you updated on our progress. We would covet your prayers as we make some big decisions about building plans. Also, our website is www.thejourneyhouse.org.

Anyone interested in seeing footage from Ansley's Attempt can go to News 5 Charleston,News 4 Charleston and YouTube. Just type in Ansley's Attempt and it should come right up.

Rejoice with us today and this season!! We love you dear people so much.

Amy

Saturday, December 3, 2011

12-3-2011....

A year ago to the day we started this journey with a visit to the ER. Syringes full of medicines have become the new normal for Ansley. This week was the final week of chemo in Ansley's final cycle for the year. As we get ready for Ansley' Attempt, we pray that these are the last doses of chemo EVER for our little one!