I'm enjoying the quiet...

not that my home is physically quiet today... after all we have 5 college students here along with DD1's friend and in a short while I will head out to pick up DD2's friend...

but it's quiet because in the midst of the many happy sounds that surround me I have found a quiet place...

and I have retreated to this quiet place, if for just a moment, and it allows me an opportunity to ponder this thought: the words "listen" and "silent" are spelled with the same letters....

Thus, in the midst of the cacophony of sounds, I eagerly retreat to a silent place deep within which gives me an opportunity to listen... for that which I eagerly wait to hear will make itself known through a still small voice...

In anticipation, I silence my heart and enjoy the quiet found therein.

i've been thinking...

that I love & appreciate so much all the encouragement & support that I/we have received through all my dear friends as we've walked this path these last months.

But... I'm left with a nagging thought. Have I been "real"? I found myself posting only once I had worked things through in my mind and that may have left a slightly skewed perception that I have it "all together".

What is 'real'?

Reality is that I certainly don't have it 'all together'!!!

Reality is that I absolutely cannot do this on my own...
I struggle...
I question...
I doubt...
It's only as I turn my thoughts to the One who walks alongside me that I realize that He alone can calm my fears and give me strength to carry on.... (if I let Him!!!)

Reality is that, only as I acknowledge Him, I am not afraid... (well, not all the time anyway!!)

a different view...

this morning as the sun is shining!

Yesterday we met with the specialist. I realized as we were heading into the appointment that we were both expecting to hear good news. But what if... ? Florian's response was just so right. What if? We have no control over what lies ahead - we walk the path that we have been given. So very pragmatic!

The doctor had just good news for us. Although one small area remains, the CT scan results were excellent. He was very pleased with how well Florian had responded to the chemo. We will have a follow-up appointment in about 2 months.

We have so much for which to be thankful. Thank you to all you our friends and family who have stood by us these months, supporting us and upholding us in prayer. We know without a doubt that you have made our journey easier by sharing it with us in these ways.

What a journey! Yet we know that, even though it may have seemed that way at times, the sun has never stopped shining.

What lies ahead? We don't know, but we do know that He knows and for now that's good enough for us.