Is it August?

Is it seriously already the hottest month in Texas that we inaccurately call “fall.” Once again, my favorite season of summer has gone by in a hurry. It’s been a busy couple of months, but I apologize for not updating this site. In my defense I’ll give 3 good reasons for my blog drought: 1) there have been no traumatic health issues to update you on, which is a good thing. 2) I’ve been busy falling head over heels in love. 3) So much has happened that I don’t know where to start! Hopefully that’s legit… I don’t know.

(I really like these bullet points, so I’ll stick with that format)

1) My health: Since surgery #2 on May 1st, all things on the cancer front have been really good. All tissue removed in surgery #2 was completely cancer free which has blessed me with a radiation and chemo free recovery. All MRIs of my leg post-surgery have been clear of any tumor recurrences and everything inside looks like its healing well. PRAISE THE LORD for His healing! It’s been a long recovery process. The swelling has gone down so that I can see what my leg will look like from now on. It’s about a 7.5” straight scar and where your biggest quad muscle usually bulges out – mine now craves in. I brought this cosmetic issue up to Dr. Casas and he openly said, “my bad.” This made me laugh! I mean, the man saved my life from a rare form of cancer. If he leaves a dent behind, than I can live with a dent.

2) Europe: In June, I had planned a 2 week trip to Europe with my best friend, Stephanie, and 3 days before the trip I was diagnosed with mono. This caused our trip to be cancelled and me to be in bed and out of work for another 2 weeks. Stephanie still made it to Barcelona, but I unfortunately didn’t get a replacement trip for the summer. However, this fall I have a weekend-getaway to Eureka Springs, AR, and a trip to Las Vegas!

3) My pursuer: Just before my first surgery I reunited with an acquaintance from college, Jonathan Wade. At this point I was completely buckled down as a single gal, ready to take on cancer for the next couple seasons of life. I felt as though I had a curse (cancer) in front of me and God wanted me to learn perseverance through trials. I never expected such tremendous blessing to fall on my life in such strange (but perfect) timing. Jonathan began persistently pursuing my heart and needless to say, he has captured it. It’s been an abnormal, but extraordinary dating experience and our love story is one I wouldn’t change for the world. Through sickness and health, deep roots of appreciation and commitment were planted in a short amount of time. I’ve never seen a man actively pursue Jesus Christ and encourage and challenge my walk with Christ like Jonathan does. He is selfless in caring for me and making me feel like a princess. We are currently praying and seeking the Lord about an engagement and (God willing) Jonathan will be my husband in 2009!

Big lesson learned is that God is good through all circumstances. His plan is sovereign and way greater than my own happiness, but He is also my loving Father that delights in seeing me smile. How great is He that while shaping the Universe, He looks so deeply into the detail of my own life.

Jonathan has the following verse reference tattooed on his wrist that fittingly says: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11.

Blessed are His people!