Pain+Prayer=Peace

     It was a huge shock for both him and the family. He thought he injured his back and decided to visit the chiropractor. Eventually he wasn't in anymore pain and life moved on. Suddenly the pain came back with a vengeance, so much so that he thought he popped a rib out of place. He went to the Emergency Room, who sent him to a chiropractor. It consistently grew worse and worse and he was miserable. They finally sent him to a specialist after they realized that something more was going on. Shortly, they found out the truth. Travis had a cancer tumor growing on the outside of his lung. Struggling with the reality of this discovery, he, along with his family, also learned that he had cancer in his bones. 

         This was he beginning of a journey for my cousin Travis Chandler who was recently diagnosed with stage 4 lung and bone cancer. He got the bad news right before his 37th birthday and has been, along with his family and friends, waging a war with this disease. He had a very bad cure percentage, which was about 10% with radiation followed by a surgery and chemo, not to mention the meds he would have to be on for the rest of his life for his heart, liver, and kidneys. He decided not to do any treatment. If he was to live, God would have to do a miracle either way.

        Family, friends, acquaintances, and loved ones from all over the U.S. began to pray for Travis as soon as they found out. Churches were open every night for prayer for anyone that wanted to come pray for Travis. Even if they didn't believe the same things. If you loved Travis and wanted to pray, the doors were open. Churches began collectively fasting and praying for a miracle. Individuals also joined in. A benefit dinner was held with an incredible turnout. People that loved Travis began popping out of the woodwork and the love and support that was shown was unbelievable.

    On Sunday, January 12th,  Travis was strong enough to go to church. A couple came to that service. They were friends with Travis and had come previously to pray for his healing. During that
service Travis helped pray them through to the Holy Ghost. That night, Travis was again, to weak to attend church.

  On Sunday, January 19th of 2014, Travis went home to Jesus. While we mourn because we miss him who we so dearly loved, we rejoice because he is truly happy and pain free. Many weep with the sorrow that they feel at seeing the wonderful man finally see his creator face to face. I am one of those people. So is his wife Brandy, and his two daughters, Whitney and Haley. And his parents, brothers, and in-laws. Along with many friends and family members, too many to name.

  Rest in Peace Travis. I love you. And while I grieve your loss, I rejoice at the legacy you have left behind. I miss you already. I miss your laugh. The way you smile. The way you lit up the room right when you walked in. The way that you could make me laugh even when I didn't feel like it. The corny jokes you told. Your STOMP imitations. Your prayers. Your hugs. I miss you a lot. Give your little boy a hug from me. I love you.

   

Raindrops, Soap, and Watermelons...

Yeah...the title is random. I like it that way. :D
(I know, I know! Two posts in two days?? Take a deep breath and please don't faint away! Lol)
I actually can relate the title to some recent happenings! We (the LCA middle and high school girls) played Fruit Basket Turnover with a twist. OH MY WORD! It was torture! The theme was 'Random' and everyone was named either a raindrop, soap, or watermelon...(hence the title). We spread our chairs out all over half of the gym to play so that we would get more exercise. It worked! And apparently that wasn't enough so we added twists.
Random Twists meant that everyone had to jump up and race to the farthest wall of the gym and keep their hand on it while Sis. Rocha counted to three. Then we raced back and found a different seat.
Raindrop Twists meant that all the raindrops had to skip to the farthest wall and back and then find a chair.
Watermelon Twists meant that all the watermelons had to run a lap around the gym and then find a seat.
And Soap Twists meant that all the soaps got up and did five measly little jumping jacks and then found a seat. Yeah. Go soaps! Lol ( I was a raindrop)
Randomly in the middle of the game, Sis. Rocha and I came up with a new twist but we couldn't find an appropriate name. Therefore it was called the Everbody-Watermelon-Twist-with-Raindrops-running-backwards Twist. Yeah. *cue crowd control* This twist was hilarious! Mass chaos immediately followed every time! So yeah! That was our spin on Fruit Basket Turnover so that we would have fun AND get good exercise. Trust me and all the other LCA girls. It worked! We were all sore the next day! (Dontchu be making smart comments about how out of shape we are! We were aggressive! lol)
Anyways, P.E. has been really good lately!

NOW! Onto the point of this post! :) the long awaited poem! *ba dum tss*
For those of you who don't know,  wrote this about Pastor Howard for a Bible Assignment...anywhoo, here it comes! :)

The Hands of this Man

Wrinkled, calloused,
Scarred and worn.
Tender yet rough,
Caring and warm.
Always working,
Reaching, moving,
Never stopping to rest.
Searching and helping,
Always giving his best.
Never ending struggle,
To protect and defend,
I know God is working,
Through the hands if this man.
Teaching and encouraging,
Sharing the truth,
Reaching lost souls,
God's love to prove.
Never giving up,
Never backing down,
And though he will receive one,
It isn't for a crown.
Trusting in God,
And letting him lead,
Knowing that in Christ,
Is all he'll ever need.
Sometimes his path is rough,
And hard to continue on,
His strength comes not by man,
But by his God alone.
My respect he has earned,
And doesn't demand.
I have fallen in love,
With the hands of this man.




Anyways, that's it... :) I know it isn't an amazing poem but it is what I felt while I was writing... I am so thankful for my pastor and all of his many prayers for me! He is such an amazing man of God and I am very blessed to have the privilege of calling Pastor Gary Howard MY God-given Pastor. He has played many important roles in my life and the impact he has made will strengthen me. I am proud to say that this man has his fingerprints on my life and on the lives of my future children. He has played a huge part in making me to be who I am today and love him so much! (After all, I am his adopted granddaughter AND his  PB&J) :D

Hope you enjoyed!

Poetic Encouragment

I found this old poem the other night...I wrote it in 2012 and totally forgot about it! When I was flipping through one of my many notebooks the other night (actually looking for a specific poem for a friend of mine) I came across it and thought I would share...it is untitled as of yet so feel free to offer suggestions! Lol

*place nonexistent title here*

I know it hurts you,
This process of mine,
You're feeling crushed,
Weighted by time.
In a hurry to move,
To go and to do,
But be still and know,
That I am with you.
Chipping, sanding, grinding away,
I am the potter,
You are the clay.
Be patient my child,
Do not be afraid,
For by me,
All things were made.
I'll carry you,
And hold your tears,
And if you'll let me,
Dispose of your fears.
When this process is through,
You will be fine,
And my diamond-in-the-rough,
Forever you'll shine.


Anywhoo, there it is. Be encouraged! :)

Also, I know many of you are already aware but my cousin Travis Chandler was just diagnosed with lung cancer and needs a miracle!! Please keep him in your prayers! Thank you!