Movement...

When I worked as a nurse I worked mostly with elderly people. One of the daily topics of conversation was their bowel habits. I always thought it was funny this fascination with constipation, regularity, etc. And I thought it was especially funny that they always wanted to discuss it.

Well, now I totally understand! I have become an elderly person in that respect! LOL! Now, I know this is more information than you ever wanted to know, and it probably shouldn't be published on the world wide web, but here goes...

I had a bowel movement this morning! Yes! My colon is awake and functioning after two surgeries, radiation, chemotherapy and eight months of rest. Isn't that amazing? Our bodies are "beautifully and wonderfully made" just like Scripture tells us!

I had my first regular meal last night. I don't think I'll ever eat jello again!

The surgeon just came by to see me and he said I can go home today! Humpty Dumpty is back together again!!

Thank you so much for praying. Mark says your prayers started a movement! Sorry - I had to say it! Please continue to pray for complete healing as I recuperate at home.

Betty's Farewell!

Hey everyone!

Mom asked me to update her blog to keep everyone updated with her surgery today. She just came out of surgery and is now in the recovery room. Her parents, in-laws, and my dad have been camped out in the waiting room since 10 this morning and are waiting to see her. Dr. Cali told them that the surgery was a SUCCESS and there were no complications! Mom's portacath was removed from her chest, and her ileostomy was reversed. This means "goodbye" "Betty" the ostomy bag and "hello" Chili's southwestern eggrolls!  Although the surgery was finished relatively quickly, it is still considered a major abdominal surgery, so Mom and Dad will be staying in the hospital for 3-5 days.

Thank you all or your prayers and encouragement; you helped make this surgery such a success! Please continue to pray for minimal pain and a quick, complication-free recovery.

When I hear any more news, I'll let y'all know!

-Sarah

Surgery, Round Three

Tuesday morning we will head back to the hospital for one more surgery. I will have my ileostomy closed and my intestinal system put back in working order! I will also be having my port removed from my chest. The surgery shouldn't take long, about an hour, but I will be in the hospital for 3-4 days. Surgery is scheduled for noon.

Please pray for successful surgery with no complications, pray that my resting colon will kick back into gear without trouble, for pain relief, and a quick recovery.

I will try to have someone update my blog after surgery.

Thank you so much for your faithfulness to pray for me! You guys are the best!

Keep on...

The past six weeks since my last chemo treatment have been interesting for me. With the end of treatment and the good report from my PET scan everyone is very happy for me and excited to see how God has answered so many prayers. Lots of smiles, lots of hugs, lots of celebrating. 

And then there's me... somehow I'm just not quite able to completely celebrate. Don't get me wrong; I am so grateful for what God has done. But it is hard for my brain to wrap around the idea that this ordeal is really over. Ninety-nine percent of my brain is celebrating, but that nagging one percent keeps flashing "warning" signs. Don't get too happy. Don't celebrate too much, it could come back. You won't be considered "healed" until you've had five years of clear PET scans.

These thoughts stop me in my tracks. What do I do now? How to I move forward? How do I go on with my life without living in fear? And what exactly should my next steps be? Part of me thinks I should spend the next period of time getting ready - just in case - cleaning out the closets, getting rid of the clutter, organizing paperwork. The one percent tells me that I better get things in place while I'm healthy and feeling strong. Just in case.  But the ninety-nine percent screams, "I don't want to live like that! I don't want to live in fear." How do I put those two thoughts together? How do I prudently get ready, just in case, while at the same time moving forward with faith and trust?

Those have been my thoughts over these weeks, and my prayers. God, please show me how to move forward without fear. Show me what to do now.

Then, over the last few days, God begins to answer my prayer. I read the same thing in several different places (that's always a sign to me that God wants me to hear something!):  "Keep on." "Champions don't quit." "Keep on." It's that simple. If I want to move forward without fear, I just keep on.

"Study my words and carry them out unflinchingly, unflinchingly." (God Calling)

"Jesus told the people who had faith in Him, 'If you keep on obeying what I have said, you truly are my disciples. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.' " John 8:31-32

That's it. Continue to walk in obedience. Studying His words, putting them into practice in my life. That's the secret to moving forward and living without fear.

He is Risen!

Thank you so much for praying for Easter weekend! We had an amazing weekend at Community of Faith! All six services went well. The kids enjoyed a great animal show and teaching where God's plan of salvation was clearly shared in a fun way that the kids could relate to. 249 people in the adult worship services said that they prayed to receive Christ as their Savior this weekend! And many more heard about God's love for them, and are interested and seeking. Our volunteers were awesome, our staff did an amazing job in spite of difficulties with the air conditioning in parts of the building, a broken ice machine, and other fun challenges! We heard so many good stories from people who were there for the first time! AND it didn't rain!! God certainly heard and answered your prayers this weekend!  Please pray now for those who are just beginning their relationship with Christ, and for those who are still processing all they saw, heard, and experienced this weekend.
 
To our Houston staff, congratulations on a job well done! Enjoy your Monday off!! We love you guys! Thank you for living it out!

Bye-bye Betty!

Well, I am enjoying my last few days with Betty. As of next Tuesday afternoon, she will no longer be a part of my daily life! She has served me well, but I will be happy to tell her good-bye. 

For anyone out there who is facing the challenge of living with an ileostomy, I can honestly tell you that it has not been near as awful as I imagined it could be. The cleaning and care have become routine, just another part of my day and my week. I have had absolutely no issues with leaking, blockage, or with breakdown of my skin. I know this is a result of so my people who have prayed about these things. It doesn't hurt, doesn't itch, doesn't interfere with my life at all. So, if an ileostomy is in your future, take heart, you can live with it easily!

Bye-bye Betty! 

Our God is here!

I had the joy of going to our weekly COF staff meeting on Tuesday! This was a normal part of my routine until last June. I continued to attend staff meetings as I was able, but over the months, as my treatment became more intense and my immune system was weakened, I was not able to go. I have missed these sweet times! We have the most amazing group of people who work with us at COF! They are fun, they are funny, they are real, they are honest, they struggle like all of the rest of us, and the desire of each one is to know God better and to love Him more. They serve with humility and gratitude. They are my family and I love them very much! Thank you, God, for the honor of meeting with them and praying with them this week!

Some of my COF staff girls! Love 'em!

We are preparing for six Easter services at Community of Faith, beginning Friday evening. Traditionally, Easter is the largest attendance we have all year. We have 40,000 Easter eggs ready for the Easter egg hunts! We have done everything we can do to prepare for the crowds and the chaos. Now we are asking God to meet us there with power and strength. Please pray with us that God's Spirit will move in an incredible way in the hearts and lives of those who attend. 


Please pray specifically for the following:
1. Please pray for sunshine! Indoor Easter Egg hunts are not very fun!
2. Please pray for all of our volunteers to show up!
3. Please pray for no accidents, no injuries, and no waiting in the parking lot.
4. Please pray for safety of all the children who will be at COF this weekend.
5. Please pray for our worship team as they lead out this weekend.
6. Please pray for all our technical equipment to work without any issues - every cable, every connection, every computer, every switch, every plug, every bulb, every headphone, every microphone, every camera, every screen - you get the picture!
7. Please pray that God would give Mark exactly His words to speak.
8. Please pray that our first-time guests would feel comfortable and welcome.
9. And please pray that God's presence would be felt and recognized and that this weekend would prove to be the day of salvation for those who are seeking.


Thank you!

"The LORD has saved us! Let's celebrate. We waited and hoped-- 

now our God is here." Isaiah 25:9  

HAPPY EASTER!