So Much To Thank Him For

I truly have so much to thank Him for. This week has been so hard, but He has abundantly supplied all the grace that was needed and more. We have truly felt the prayers of God's people and have seen His mighty hand at work. I honestly don't think I could list all the ways we have seen Him work. From the littlest thing we were concerned about in arrangements to the bigger things such as how He's worked in Debbie's life and allowed the pain to recede so that she could get ready to attend Mom's funeral. He has allowed so many people to bless us with their presence and their words, their kind deeds, but most of all their love. Pastor Jones, Pastor Parrot, Pastor Pallotta and Bro. Harvey have been there all the way from the hospitals to the graveside and everywhere in between. We are truly blessed with pastor's and preacher friends. And the church families who have supplied so much food that it is unbelievable! From the Tabernacle, Fellowship, Mill Baptist and so many more. The have delivered food to our homes and to Dad's. And then there are the special friends who have supplied food and services, but most of all a shoulder to cry on! We thank God for you, and know that He will richly reward you! Their were over 512 people who came through the church when we received friends!! This is but a beginning of all the things that I have to thank Him for, and I am truly grateful and humbled that He should care so very much and show that care through each and every one of you!! May God bless you all!

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TO GOD BE THE GLORY, GREAT THINGS HE HATH DONE!

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Dad

Please remember our family in your prayers today. We will be having Mom's funeral tonight and I know it's gonna be especially hard on Dad. He has done so well, so far. Remember Debbie as she will be there and it will not be easy for her physically or emotionally. Also remember Rachel, she is recovering from the c-section and is going to be there and Misty from the miscarriage. Aaron will not be able to attend the funeral as his plane will be leaving right before it starts. This has been a really hard week for me and my family, but we have felt your prayers and have seen God's hand even in the smallest details. We could never praise Him enough for His goodness!

Arrangements For Mom

Debbie was able to come home from Vanderbilt today. She looks good considering everything she's been through. Please continue to pray for her as she's gonna have a long rough road ahead of her. Especially this weekend. We have set the arrangements for mom. We will receive friends Sunday evening from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Harriman Baptist Tabernacle and the funeral will be at 6 p.m. Graveside services will be at Swan Pond Baptist Church Cemetery at 11 a.m. on Monday. Please continue to pray for my family.

GOD IS SO GOOD!

Abigail Joanna Harmon

Abby Jo was born on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 7:31 a.m. She weighed 7 lbs. 5 oz. and was 19 inches long. She has chubby cheeks and a head full of black hair. Even through all this sorrow, God has truly blessed me!

Another Update From Steph

I texted Steph to check on Debbie. She said "She's hurting. Probably from them cutting the muscle. But nothing really to report." Please pray for the pain, and that God will give her His grace to deal with it.

Stephanie Posted Update

Steph has posted an update on Debbie's blog, www.therewillbegrace.blogspot.com and will try to update more later today.

After talking to the Doctor

The doctor told the family that the tumor, although larger than origianlly thought, was contained. The pathology report will determine if any other treatments are required. They are trying to get her to drink, and if she is able to, she will not have to have a feeding tube. PLEASE PRAY SHE"LL BE ABLE TO DRINK! When she gets to come home depends on being able to take the fluids and tolerate the pain. The doctor also said out of all the cases of this cancer he's seen, this was the best one. He said she had a bright future and we'd be stuck with her for a long time.

~TO GOD BE THE GLORY, GREAT THINGS HE HATH DONE!!!~

Please continue to pray for her!

Out of Surgery

Debbie is out of surgery and in recovery. That's all we know now. They haven't spoken with the doctor yet.

Update on Debbie

Debbie is still in surgery. They took her back at 11:30 our time. All appears to be well at the moment. I will post any new updates when I get them. Please keep praying.

New Home

My mom moved into her new home in Glory last night at about 7 p.m. and my sister is at Vanderbilt in Nashville being prepared for surgery right now. I wanted to be with her, but stayed behind to be with Dad. Please pray for her & dad today! Rachel will be bringing little Abby Jo into the world on Thursday and Aaron will be traveling home on Wednesday. Malachi and Luke are not going to be able to make it home. We could really use your prayers this week.

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GOD IS SO GOOD!

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O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

I Chronicles 16:34

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Elijah's 5th Birthday

Elijah's 5th birthday is Wednesday, March 25th. Since Abby Jo should make her appearance on Thursday, Rachel had his party yesterday.

This year, Elijah requested a Wall-E cake. This is what I came up with. I believe he was tickled with it.

You can tell by the expression on his face that he liked the gift from me, Charlie & Seth. The only thing he asked me for was a Club Penguin membership card. Made shopping easy.

He told Aunt Misty he wanted a volcano. So, he got a volcano and dinasours. You can even grow real grass with it.

Uncle Jace and Taylor got him hot wheels cars and a hot wheels garage. They were a hit with Elijah and everyone else. Owen liked the hot wheels too.

Here's Uncle Jace showing them how the garage worked. Hot wheels cars were Uncle Jace's favorite toys when he was little. He would sit and play with them for hours on end.

For Elijah's birthday, Kyra had picked him some flowers and put them in a cup of water. You can tell he liked the present from his big sis. Elijah with his gift from Kyra. Owen

Kyra and Elijah playing with the hot wheels garage. Owen and Mamaw Geraldine watching.

Taylor & Kyra playing with hot wheels.

Elijah and his Wall-E cake while we sung Happy Birthday!

Blowing out the candles.

Part of Elijah's gift from Mamaw Velvet.

Mamaw Velvet & Owen

~ I think Elijah had a really good 5th birthday party. He seemed pleased with everything. He's a really sweet boy and we love him lots!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELIJAH!

WE LOVE YOU!!!!

Spring Fling Sale

If anyone is in Wartburg tomorrow, we are having our annual spring fling sale. I will be set up selling my hand made jewelry. We'd love to see you there.

~ You’re invited to our 8th Annual SPRING FLING SALE ~ Come join in the fun and excitement, fellowship with friends, and do some summertime shopping in one stop! Shop for Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduation, wedding gifts, or for yourself! Lots of products that you can take home with you that day! ~

WARTBURG CIVIC CENTER Solomon City Park – Boys & Girls Club Gymnasium ~

Saturday, March 21, 2009 From 9:00 am – 1:00 PM ~

Door prize drawings and lots of SALES! Please come and bring your friends! ~

Featuring:

~ A Touch of Country Décor (by Glenda Galloway)

~ Avon (by Katie Knox)

~ Bead-Attitudes Handmade Jewelry (by Teresa Francis)

~ Beauti-Control (by Marcia Stringfield)

~ Close to My Heart Stamping/Scrapbooking (by Marjorie Barnett)

~ Creative Memories Scrapbooking (by Cathy Bird)

~ Good Ol’ Country Scents Homemade Candles (by Tammy Pallotta)

~ Home Interiors and Gifts (by Tuti Thomas)

~ La te DA Bebe (by Amanda and Regina Underwood)

~ Lake House Creations (by Valerie Lake)

~ Mary Kay Cosmetics (by Missy` Longmire and Judy Redmon)

~ Pampered Chef (by Misty Biddle)

~ Premier Jewelry (by Rosie Brown)

~ Silpada Jewelry (by Jennifer Collins)

~ Tastefully Simple (by Charlene Silvey)

~ Tupperware (by Becky Tapp)

~ Two Too Cute Boutique (by Jennifer Mullins) ~

Directions: HWY 62 in Wartburg: Turn directly across from the Wartburg Central Elementary School into Solomon Park. Take a sharp right up the hill and gym will be at the top of the hill beside the baseball fields.

Weary

Today, I am weary. Weary of the things that I cannot change, weary of the things I have no control of. Weary of well meaning people (who have not walked in your shoes) who say things that attempt to steal your hope. I am struggling for balance. I know that God is not finished. As long as there is life and breath, there is hope. He is still in control and He has a plan. Sometimes, with His plan, bad things are allowed to happen in order for His good and His glory and His honor to be brought about.

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My hope is in Him.

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For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God. ~Psalm 38:15~

Surgery

My aunt, Bonnie, will be having outpatient surgery on Tuesday, March 24 at 2 p.m. in Maryville. Please pray for her. She has had a battle with mouth cancer and has had some new places come up. They will be removing these and checking them to see if the cancer has returned. I know she would appreciate your prayers.

Date for Debbie's Surgery

Debbie will go to Brentwood, near Nashville, Wednesday, March 11 @ 1:00 to the prosthodentist to get started on making the obturator. From there she will go to Vanderbilt for an appointment with the anestheseologist @ 3:05 pm and then for a CT scan a @ 4:40. Her surgery has been scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, 2009 @ 9:00am.

Please continue to pray for her and her family.

Visit her blog at www.therewillbegrace.blogspot.com

Update on Debbie

Talked to Wendel earlier and he gave me the update and Debbie posted this on her website:

Back From Vandy. We arrived back home from Vanderbilt at 11:30pm. It was a long day. We were very impressed with Dr. Netterville and his associates. The resident came in first and took pictures of me and my tumor, actual pictures! He used a dentists mirror to look down my throat, felt of my lymph nodes, checked my ears, and then the big unexpected surprise…..he ran a camera up my nose and down my throat! Are you holding your nose while reading this? I’m still holding mine when I think about it!!!! He sprayed numbing stuff up my nose first and it wasn’t physically painful at all, just psychologically uncomfortable!!! Stephanie thought it was cool watching it on the screen, Wendell couldn’t watch at first, but was rubbing my leg so hard I thought he was going to shake me to the point the camera was going to pop out my ear!!! The good news is there was no sign of tumor on the back of my tongue (too much internet researching let me know this would not be good), or my throat, or my vocal cords.Then Dr. Netterville and another Dr. joined him and they all hovered over my mouth like I had ate an alien or something! (That’s when I wanted to tell Stephanie to get behind me and take their picture from my prospective:)After all their poking, prodding, and my gagging, this is what we found out…The tumor is large. It has involved my hard and soft palette, which is unusual. It goes to the center of my hard palette. We will not know which cancer it is until surgery. The best out come: Low Grade Adenocarcinoma…The tumor is contained and all cancer can be removed during surgery, no radiation will be needed. The not so good outcome: Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma…The tumor has spikes that spread out, radiation will be needed. Either way, after surgery, I will be left with a big hole going up into my nasal cavity which will make eating difficult. So I have to see a prosthodentist to have an obturator made (a devise kind of like a retainer ) to cover the hole left in my mouth, where the tumor is currently residing, all this, in the hope that I won’t be left blowing spaghetti out my nose :) (another thing Stephanie would think cool!!!) Then I need another CT scan, Dr. Netterville believes the tumor is moving bone. I didn’t ask if this was the reason for my massive head aches lately? I also have to meet with the anesthesiologist. Then surgery will be scheduled. All of this hopefully within the next two weeks. No appointments were scheduled today because it was so late, they will be calling me in the next few days to set things up. Hopefully things will move a little faster now, the future of my bathroom scales depends upon it! You see, for the first time in my life I am eating everything I want, not worrying about the weight gain, because after surgery I will have a feeding tube for at least two weeks, probably longer. I’m thinking unless I can figure out a way to shove a white chocolate Reece’s down the tube I will lose the extra poundage!!!All humor aside… I still desire your prayers. Although I know this will not be an easy journey I am still trusting God. His grace continues to be sufficient in my life. And for this I rejoice. God is good

http://www.therewillbegrace.blogspot.com/

Nashville

Today is the day that my sister, Debbie, goes to Nashville to speak with the surgeon, Dr. Netterville. Please pray for her. She's not sure what to expect, whether they'll schedule the surgery or order more tests. Pray God will give her His grace to face whatever lies ahead. You can check her blog here www.therewillbegrace.blogspot.com

Truly Amazing!

I was truly blessed the other night to attend this Senior Recital at Carson Newman College, and witness the amazing talent that God has blessed Livvy with.

I've known Olivia since the day she was born. Her mom is one of my best friends. I also taught Olivia from Kindergarten to 2nd grade at Fellowship. She was a timid, shy, beautiful little girl, and when she had a question, I would just about have to put my ear to her lips to hear what she was saying. Olivia was an excellent student and went on to graduate as Valedictorian of her class at Coalfield High School. Livvy also used to come to my house after school sometimes, and when I was working for her Mom & Grandma at Just Olivia's in the Oak Ridge Mall, she would ride to Oak Ridge with me. Once, Charlie had to pick all the kids up at school and Olivia was supposed to come to my house that day. I told him several times before he left not to forget Olivia. So, he got to school to pick up the kids, made sure he had Olivia, counted heads, got the usual number, and promptly left Malachi at school! I used to aggravate Olivia on the way to Oak Ridge and call her "ornery Olivia". There was absolutely not one ornery bone in her body.

I love this picture. We had a play at school and all the little kids were animals. Livvy is the pink flamingo. Bet you can't guess who the skunk is!

(Yep, you're right, that's my Jason.)

This beautiful little girl Grew up to be this amazingly talented, beautiful young woman.

Tears filled my eyes as I sat and listened to Olivia, and watched the movement of her hands across the keys. I was amazed and in awe again of the talent the Lord has given her. Not only is Olivia an intelligent, talented young lady, but she is also a fine Christian with a sweet spirit! This is Olivia's family. Her dad Ronnie, mom Gina and her brother Joe.

And hey, did I tell you?

I taught Livvy to read!

Valentine's Day-The Banquet

The guest speaker for the Valentine's Banquet was Bro. Tony Clower from Salem Baptist Church in Ten Mile. He brought an excellent devotion.

After the devotion and a skit done by Pastor Pallotta, Bro. Jonathan and Ms Becky, (sorry, no pictures, I was making salads) dinner was served (by me). Ms Barbara made an excellent meal for everybody. It started off with salad, then Hawaiian chicken, green beans, baked potatoes and rolls. Dessert was brownies with vanilla ice cream and hot fudge sauce.

Ms Barbara

The Diners:

Pastor Pallotta, Bro. Tony, Ms Kim, and Ms Tammy

Alyssa, Faith & Lindsay Skyler, Joe, Pamela & Seth

Bro. Jonathan & Bro. Ryan (Ms Becky & Ms Robin were getting ready for the games)

Everybody participated in a couple of games. One was a memory game, and then this one you had to ask questions and guess who you were and who was supposed to be your partner. For instance, David & Bathsheba, Micky Mouse and Minnie Mouse, Salt & Pepper, etc. After that, door prizes were awarded and pictures were made.

All the kids: Back row, Lindsay, Skyler, & Joe. Front row: Emily, Faith, Alyssa, Seth & Pamela.

Seth trying to appear taller than Pamela

Seth still trying to appear taller than Pamela

Seth giving up and accepting facts as they are

Skyler & Joe

Faith, Lindsay, Alyssa & Skyler A normal picture of the girls being silly (and influencing Emily) Faith & Alyssa

Alyssa really likes having her picture made Bro. Tony and Sis. Kim Clower

Bro. Ryan & Sis. Robin Sparkman

Pastor & Mrs. Pallotta & Emily

Joe showing off his muscles to impress Skyler One last picture of Seth & Pamela

Valentine's Banquet-Decorations

We had a Valentine's Banquet at church for our teenagers on Valentine's Day. I spent two days decorating and getting everything ready for it. Here are some pictures of the decorations.

Leading into the building, we had lights strung down the walkway (sorry, no picture)

You came down the hallway and under the arch of balloons and hearts (later used for pictures)

Immediately on the left is the bulletin board and counter space. Below is a close up of the arrangement on the shelf in the corner.Ms Roxie made this beautiful arrangement for our youth month three years ago. (I know it was three years ago because there is a picture of my granddaughter, Kylie, as a newborn, and she was born January 25, 2006. I think the kids enjoyed seeing the old pictures of everybody and how much they had changed. Going on around the room I decorated this wall with this verse from Jeremiah and used hearts with the kids names. This is the end wall of the lunchroom. I used the second part of the verse in Jeremiah on the opposite wall and more hearts with the kids names.

This was the table arrangement. I also used white lights on the floor all the way around the room, as you can see in some of the pictures. The table decorations, all lit up. These pictures are from the far end of the room, with the lights on. But I didn't have the candles lit, except in the last one.

I was real glad when I got everything finished, especially with all the computer and printer problems I had. I thought everything looked nice. Hope everyone else did. What do you think?