Pink and prayer

If you need a church, I know of a good one. There is no way to put into words how I felt yesterday at church. The cards, the hugs, the gifts, the offers to help, the promises to pray. That was all quite enough to boost my spirits, but then to look around and see all those dressed in pink and wearing the prayer bracelets with my name on them-WOW! I have never felt so loved and just so "bathed in prayer" in my entire life. There is no way to explain this experience. Breast cancer has given me the chance to know the Lord better, to grow closer to my friends, to make new friends and to appreciate my family. It is clear to me that your prayer is what is keeping me together. I want you all to know that I appreciate all you have done for me and for what you will be doing for me in the future. You are such a blessing to me and my family. I have been thinking about what an impression this must be making on my children and I feel sure this will be a memorable time in their lives for the good care and amazing love we have felt from all of you.

I have to be at the hospital at 9in the morning. the mastectomies should begin at 11 and then the hysterectomy will be after that. The surgeries should take about 3 hours and then I'll be in recovery a couple of hours. I should be able to come home by Friday. The thing I am stressing about most is pain. I just remember standing up for the first time after my c section and it was treacherous. My stomach will be so sore and my arms will both be too, I guess, So how will I even be able to get up.
My wonderful mother-in-law is here and she'll be taking care of things with the kids and the house and food. Pete will be with me at the hospital. Please pray for Allison. She was crying a lot at bedtime tonight and asking a lot of questions. She has a substitute teacher at school this week which has her school security system messed up and she's worried about me. I was doing well talking with her until she started crying and saying she hadn't been a good daughter and how she was sorry. I can't even begin to tell you what a blessing that girl is to me. She is God's girl and He has something big planned for her,too. There is not another child like her on the planet. Today at the grocery store I could see her looking at the lady in the wheelchair in line behind us. I knew what she was thinking and when she looked at me I just nodded. She asked the lady if she could help her with her groceries. I know everybody thinks their kids are wonderful and super talented. But really, just wait. And Zoey is my middle child who is already basking in her Nana'a attention. She had her full attention tonight and I've never seen her take so long to do her homework because her Nana was right there with her. The little man has been just wild. He's jacked up on candy and no nap yesterday and he has been into everything today. Anyway, not sure why I chose tonight to try to tell you about the kids, but I am just hoping you will remember to pray for them too. And for Pete trying to be there for me and for Sharon as she holds down the fort. Also remember my mom and dad. Dad's pneumonia is still there so they didn't do the test today. He goes for a Ct scan in the morning so please remember them.

I just want ya'll to know that I really am okay. I am really nervous and I didn't get to do all that I wanted to around the house and I didn't get to call everyone I wanted to call. But I love all of you and I am just looking forward to a better day. I am just thinking so much about how God says he'll never leave us or forsake us and that the Lord is my helper and I shall not fear and that His strength is made perfect in my weakness and be strong and of good courage and for God so loved the world and I am complete in Him and oh all the many verses that comfort me and I hope comfort you in your time of need. There is so much I want to say to you. Please leave a comment here for me. Pete will have the laptop at the hospital and will be keeping up my blog. So if you want to leave a comment go to the comment line, type your message in the box, type the crazy word you see in the box, then hit anonymous and publish or submit. I would love to hear from you. I really wanted to write some profound things tonight that would be so inspirational and thought-provoking or at least something funny. Some of this is so random it doesn't even make sense. I took out half of it because I was afraid you'd think I'd gone mad, but I love you and I appreciate you and I hope to see you soon.