Dear Friends and Family,
I am beyond happy to say that Mark is officially cancer free!!!! Did you hear the shout about 4:00 today from Marietta, GA?? I'm not surprised if you did - I told the kids that NED - "No Evidence of Disease" are my new favorite letters! What a wonderful thing to hear prior to leaving for Thanksgiving.
To be honest, neither of us were surprised. Mark had total faith that God had healed him. Last night I went to bed praying for a good report and a word from God...I fell asleep praying and then I woke up in the middle of night as I rolled over toward Mark and the words from the song "God of this City" were as clear as a bell as I heard "greater things are yet to come and greater things are still to be done..." and then I just knew that God wasn't finished with us yet and that God had taken away the cancer!
No matter how, why, when are where we are just praising God for ALL He has done and for the miraculous healing that we have experienced!!
This morning the verses that I read were Exodus 14:13-14 “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today... The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
THANK YOU for all your prayers!!!
Next steps - routine colonoscopy to be done December 3 - it had to be rescheduled from last week - then the port will come out December 8 and then we don't have to go back to Cancer Center for 3 months!
In January we are prayerfully considering going on the Hallelujah diet to be proactive in keeping the cancer cells away. We both believe nutrition is a huge part of the puzzle.
We wish you all a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving.
Much love and appreciation,
Mark and Lee
Psalm 121:5-8
The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm—
He will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Psalm 100
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before Him with joyful songs.Know that the LORD is God.
It is He who made us, and we are His;
we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving
and His courts with praise;give thanks to Him and praise His name.
For the LORD is good and His love endures forever;
His faithfulness continues through all generations.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Praise the Lord! Chemo is finished!
Friends and Family,
Mark came through the last round of chemo and we are more excited than I can say to have that behind us!
Next step - On Wednesday, November 17 he will have a colonoscopy and an endoscopy and then on Thursday, November 18 they will scan him. We meet with our oncologist on Tuesday, November 23 in the afternoon to get the word on how things look!
Please join your hearts with ours and pray for great test results and in that, for God to get all the honor and the glory!
We have so much to be thankful for - God has truly been with us this whole time and we have felt so much peace and strength made possible only thru Him. The prayer support has been huge and we couldn't feel more blessed to have you praying for us and keeping up with us. I truly do not know how anyone can go thru hard times without faith and trust in God. The body of Christ has surrounded us and supported us in every way.
I could tell story after story about something "going wrong" or something being upsetting to us or just plain "having a bad day" when something would happen - a card with signatures of people praying for us, a phone call, an e-mail or God sending someone in various ways at the very time we needed it - that is something only our loving God can do and we thank Him and we thank you for being vessels and allowing Him to work through you.
I will post after we meet with our oncologist to tell you the great news! We are excited to hear what the doctor has to say and are trusting God for the results of the testing.
Thank you again for your prayers - we love you and we truly thank God for you!
In Gratitude,
Mark and Lee
Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that triublations produces perseverance,
and perseverance, character, and character, hope.
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Mark came through the last round of chemo and we are more excited than I can say to have that behind us!
Next step - On Wednesday, November 17 he will have a colonoscopy and an endoscopy and then on Thursday, November 18 they will scan him. We meet with our oncologist on Tuesday, November 23 in the afternoon to get the word on how things look!
Please join your hearts with ours and pray for great test results and in that, for God to get all the honor and the glory!
We have so much to be thankful for - God has truly been with us this whole time and we have felt so much peace and strength made possible only thru Him. The prayer support has been huge and we couldn't feel more blessed to have you praying for us and keeping up with us. I truly do not know how anyone can go thru hard times without faith and trust in God. The body of Christ has surrounded us and supported us in every way.
I could tell story after story about something "going wrong" or something being upsetting to us or just plain "having a bad day" when something would happen - a card with signatures of people praying for us, a phone call, an e-mail or God sending someone in various ways at the very time we needed it - that is something only our loving God can do and we thank Him and we thank you for being vessels and allowing Him to work through you.
I will post after we meet with our oncologist to tell you the great news! We are excited to hear what the doctor has to say and are trusting God for the results of the testing.
Thank you again for your prayers - we love you and we truly thank God for you!
In Gratitude,
Mark and Lee
Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that triublations produces perseverance,
and perseverance, character, and character, hope.
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
One More Round to Go!!!
Friends and Family,
Mark finished a round of chemo last Thursday so now he is recovering and gearing up for his last treatment, next Tuesday, November 9th!
This last round was OK - he didn't feel very good toward the end but for the most part it was tolerable. Now we are so excited that he only has to do this one more time! After the last treatment he will have a scan to see how things look as well as a colonoscopy. After those two tests and we get the all clear he will have his port taken out and won't have to go back for 3 more months!
We are praising the Lord that we are almost to the end! God has allowed Mark to come through this treatment in a remarkable way! There are so many people that meet him that don't even know what he is going through! A couple of weeks ago we had "Fields of Faith" with FCA and when Mark was up at the microphone speaking I could see his pump - I sat there listening to what he was saying, seeing how good he looked and knowing that pump was every few minutes pumping more chemo into his blood - I sat there in awe of what God has done for us and in us - it truly has been amazing to see God work in so many ways!!
Please pray for Mark on this last leg of the treatment and for a cancer free diagnosis after all testing is complete!!
We don't know what we would have done without all the prayer support that we have had - we are humbled by the support and grateful beyond words!
With love and gratitude,
Mark and Lee
Jeremiah 32:27
Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
Psalm 92:1-2
It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord...to show forth Thy lovingkindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness every night.
Luke 1:37
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
James 4:8
Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you.
Psalm 104:34
My meditation of Him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Mark finished a round of chemo last Thursday so now he is recovering and gearing up for his last treatment, next Tuesday, November 9th!
This last round was OK - he didn't feel very good toward the end but for the most part it was tolerable. Now we are so excited that he only has to do this one more time! After the last treatment he will have a scan to see how things look as well as a colonoscopy. After those two tests and we get the all clear he will have his port taken out and won't have to go back for 3 more months!
We are praising the Lord that we are almost to the end! God has allowed Mark to come through this treatment in a remarkable way! There are so many people that meet him that don't even know what he is going through! A couple of weeks ago we had "Fields of Faith" with FCA and when Mark was up at the microphone speaking I could see his pump - I sat there listening to what he was saying, seeing how good he looked and knowing that pump was every few minutes pumping more chemo into his blood - I sat there in awe of what God has done for us and in us - it truly has been amazing to see God work in so many ways!!
Please pray for Mark on this last leg of the treatment and for a cancer free diagnosis after all testing is complete!!
We don't know what we would have done without all the prayer support that we have had - we are humbled by the support and grateful beyond words!
With love and gratitude,
Mark and Lee
Jeremiah 32:27
Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
Psalm 92:1-2
It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord...to show forth Thy lovingkindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness every night.
Luke 1:37
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
James 4:8
Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you.
Psalm 104:34
My meditation of Him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Friday, October 15, 2010
One more round behind us - Two to go!
Friends and Family,
It's Friday and the Lord has given us beautiful weather here in Georgia! The blue skies and the fact that fall is in the air sure helps to put us in good spirits!
This week Mark completed another round of chemo which means we only have 2 to go! After his last round they will scan him for any evidence of the disease - will you join me now in praying for this test and for absolutely no signs of cancer anywhere in his body?? I know that our God can heal and so no matter what the odds usually are in our case it doesn't matter because we are not dealing with a usual God! We have put our faith and trust in Him and we continue to do that. He gives us the peace and the strength that we need day by day!
The next round of chemo will be October 26th - 28th.
Thanks for your continued support and prayers!
Much Love,
Mark and Lee
Psalm 103:1-3
Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
3 John 1:2
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Romans 10:17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
It's Friday and the Lord has given us beautiful weather here in Georgia! The blue skies and the fact that fall is in the air sure helps to put us in good spirits!
This week Mark completed another round of chemo which means we only have 2 to go! After his last round they will scan him for any evidence of the disease - will you join me now in praying for this test and for absolutely no signs of cancer anywhere in his body?? I know that our God can heal and so no matter what the odds usually are in our case it doesn't matter because we are not dealing with a usual God! We have put our faith and trust in Him and we continue to do that. He gives us the peace and the strength that we need day by day!
The next round of chemo will be October 26th - 28th.
Thanks for your continued support and prayers!
Much Love,
Mark and Lee
Psalm 103:1-3
Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
3 John 1:2
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Romans 10:17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Counting Down...3 Rounds of Chemo to Go
Dear Friends and Family,
I apologize for not keeping you updated for a few weeks - life certainly got busy with the FCA golf tourney, our biggest fundraiser of the year, and just getting back to normal life after the wedding, etc.
Enough excuses - back to business - Mark is doing well - since the wedding he has gone through two more rounds of chemo which he tolerated pretty well and was also able to take the trip of lifetime to Laramie, WY to go antelope hunting! We praise the Lord that he was physically able to do this! Just to let you know how great this was, there are days when taking a walk in our neighborhood is difficult because of the heaviness in his gut from the surgery, etc. Out in Wyoming he walked for miles in a day and went hunting 3 days in a row! He LOVED being out in nature and getting away from it all and we are so thankful he was able to have this opportunity! And, oh, yes, he did get an antelope!
Mark's side effects are minimal and comparatively we have absolutely not complaints. He does have some trouble with taste and with cold - there are days when he doesn't feel like eating anything and he absolutely has to force food down. Thankfully it stays down and he has been able to keep his weight up.
I sometimes forget that there are those in similar circumstances who are not near as well off as we are - they are not able to work and are constantly sick. I forget that not all of you are around and do not know that Mark keeps a relatively normal schedule. It is not unusual at all to see him on the week of chemo show up at schools, meeting, etc with his chemo pump on. You can tell he's not feeling 100% but he's not giving in and he keeps going. One of the things he doesn't like about the week of chemo is that on Tuesday he is "stuck" at the cancer center waiting for them to do all they do to him so that he can take off! I know while he is at the cancer center he works on FCA business but he also visits with the other patients. I honestly think he looks around at all of the cancer patients and forgets that he is one as well! That's just the kind of attitude that he has has through this whole ordeal! We praise the Lord for the strength in body and in attitude that God has given him and realize that not everyone in this circumstance can say that. We are very blessed!
Please continue to pray for complete healing! In November when they are finished with the chemo they will re-scan and see what is going on inside. We look forward to good results!!
With much Gratitude,
Mark and Lee
John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your food works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Isaiah 41:31
But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Psalm 147:1
Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.
I apologize for not keeping you updated for a few weeks - life certainly got busy with the FCA golf tourney, our biggest fundraiser of the year, and just getting back to normal life after the wedding, etc.
Enough excuses - back to business - Mark is doing well - since the wedding he has gone through two more rounds of chemo which he tolerated pretty well and was also able to take the trip of lifetime to Laramie, WY to go antelope hunting! We praise the Lord that he was physically able to do this! Just to let you know how great this was, there are days when taking a walk in our neighborhood is difficult because of the heaviness in his gut from the surgery, etc. Out in Wyoming he walked for miles in a day and went hunting 3 days in a row! He LOVED being out in nature and getting away from it all and we are so thankful he was able to have this opportunity! And, oh, yes, he did get an antelope!
Mark's side effects are minimal and comparatively we have absolutely not complaints. He does have some trouble with taste and with cold - there are days when he doesn't feel like eating anything and he absolutely has to force food down. Thankfully it stays down and he has been able to keep his weight up.
I sometimes forget that there are those in similar circumstances who are not near as well off as we are - they are not able to work and are constantly sick. I forget that not all of you are around and do not know that Mark keeps a relatively normal schedule. It is not unusual at all to see him on the week of chemo show up at schools, meeting, etc with his chemo pump on. You can tell he's not feeling 100% but he's not giving in and he keeps going. One of the things he doesn't like about the week of chemo is that on Tuesday he is "stuck" at the cancer center waiting for them to do all they do to him so that he can take off! I know while he is at the cancer center he works on FCA business but he also visits with the other patients. I honestly think he looks around at all of the cancer patients and forgets that he is one as well! That's just the kind of attitude that he has has through this whole ordeal! We praise the Lord for the strength in body and in attitude that God has given him and realize that not everyone in this circumstance can say that. We are very blessed!
Please continue to pray for complete healing! In November when they are finished with the chemo they will re-scan and see what is going on inside. We look forward to good results!!
With much Gratitude,
Mark and Lee
John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your food works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Isaiah 41:31
But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Psalm 147:1
Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Wedding over - getting ready for another round of chemo
Friends and Family,
Nathan and Kristen's wedding was this past Friday night and it was amazing!! We loved seeing so many of our friends and family and celebrating this union!
We got to spend so much time with friends and family this week-end and Mark gave his testimony at church in word and song and that went well - all in all we just had a great week-end with many answers to prayer.
One huge answer to prayer was how well that Mark felt - I know so many of you prayed for that and to look at him Friday night you would never know he was in the middle of chemotherapy! We praise the Lord for that!!!
Tomorrow, September 14th start another round of chemo - after this one he will have four more to go.
Thank you for your continued prayers for his complete recovery and for his side effects to be minimal during this time.
With much love and appreciation,
Mark and Lee
Psalm 100
Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Wedding Ahead!
Friends and Family,
Well, Mark completed round 7 of chemo so we have 5 to go! He did have some side effects this time so we may need to adjust the chemo a bit - had some numbness in his hands when they got cold and a few other things. Overall it wasn't a bad round and for that we are so thankful.
This week Mark is feeling better and we are getting VERY excited! Nathan is getting married on Friday night so we are gearing up for that! It's hard to believe that the wedding is already here but it is and we have tons of family and friends coming in for the event. We are so anticipating seeing everyone and just having a great time on Friday.
Mark has been given the opportunity to share our testimony in word and in song this coming Sunday morning at our church. If you are in the area and would like to stop by he is singing and sharing his story in both services this coming Sunday morning, September 12th at Wildwood Baptist Church, 4801 Wade Green Road, Acworth. Services are at 9:30 and 11:00.
We feel so blessed as people continue to pray for us - we got a card this past week from a church in Pensacola, Florida with signatures of people who have prayed for us! I can't begin to tell you how much that touches us. We FEEL the prayers and know that we have been forever touched because of them! Keep it up!!! :)
Because He Lives,
Mark and Lee
Genesis 18:14
Is there any thing too hard for the Lord?
Psalm 25:4
Show me Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths.
Psalm 62:8
Trust in Him at all times...pour out your heart before Him.
Jeremiah 29:12
Call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you.
Psalm 104:34
My meditation of Him shall be sweet; I will be glad in the Lord.
Ephesians 1:16
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.
Well, Mark completed round 7 of chemo so we have 5 to go! He did have some side effects this time so we may need to adjust the chemo a bit - had some numbness in his hands when they got cold and a few other things. Overall it wasn't a bad round and for that we are so thankful.
This week Mark is feeling better and we are getting VERY excited! Nathan is getting married on Friday night so we are gearing up for that! It's hard to believe that the wedding is already here but it is and we have tons of family and friends coming in for the event. We are so anticipating seeing everyone and just having a great time on Friday.
Mark has been given the opportunity to share our testimony in word and in song this coming Sunday morning at our church. If you are in the area and would like to stop by he is singing and sharing his story in both services this coming Sunday morning, September 12th at Wildwood Baptist Church, 4801 Wade Green Road, Acworth. Services are at 9:30 and 11:00.
We feel so blessed as people continue to pray for us - we got a card this past week from a church in Pensacola, Florida with signatures of people who have prayed for us! I can't begin to tell you how much that touches us. We FEEL the prayers and know that we have been forever touched because of them! Keep it up!!! :)
Because He Lives,
Mark and Lee
Genesis 18:14
Is there any thing too hard for the Lord?
Psalm 25:4
Show me Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths.
Psalm 62:8
Trust in Him at all times...pour out your heart before Him.
Jeremiah 29:12
Call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you.
Psalm 104:34
My meditation of Him shall be sweet; I will be glad in the Lord.
Ephesians 1:16
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.
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