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Thursday, March 31, 2011

A Little Rain....

I am such a music person. Music has been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember and it moves me in ways that nothing else can. I especially love music that brings me into worship and reminds me of God's amazing love for us and his ever present grace in our lives. One of my very favorite songs is Bring the Rain by Mercy Me and I've put the video for you see and listen to at the bottom of this post.

I share this with you today because yesterday morning, it started raining big time in my life, and to be pretty honest, I'm just reeling from the news.

If you've followed my blog for a while now, you know that my Dad has had some major health struggles over the past two years but he's like the Energizer Bunny - he keeps going, and going......
But after his most recent hospital stay where some tests were run, we were told that not only had his Prostate Cancer returned, but he also had cancer in his lung.
After meeting with his oncologist on Tuesday, he was told that it was Stage 4 and in his Lymph Nodes as well. Devastating news to say the least. I'm still trying to process it all.

Here's a photo of my Daddy with Emma this past Thanksgiving. He's doing what he loves best, eating, spending time with us and watching football on tv. I think his expression here says "hurry up and take the picture, I'm hungry!" Yep, that about sums it up!

Now if you hadn't guessed it already, I'm a Daddy's girl. I've written about it many times here before. He and I are so much alike and I can't imagine a world without him in it. He's my hero in so many ways. To be really honest here, I'm scared to death and I know that many of you can relate. But I'll tell you what gives me hope - two things actually - my Dad's determination to beat the time limit the doctor has given him and the hope, confidence and faith we have in Jesus. My Dad knows the Lord and I know that when his time does come he'll be in heaven waiting for us.
But, neither my Dad, or any of the rest of us are ready for him to go just yet.

So, he's decided to begin chemo this coming Tuesday - five treatments in all - that the doctor says will get him through Christmas. Dad told me on the phone last night that he's going to make it way past that - he's "made up his mind." I say "Yay, Dad!" I know if anyone can do it, he can. He's so stubborn and handles adversity better than almost anyone I know, but he also has the best attitude - he just loves life! No, he's not going to take this sucker punch lightly - he's a fighter - and that gives me hope too.

I hope you don't mind that I've shared something so deeply personal here today - I'd really intended on just letting you know that I was going to take a break from blogging for a few days to get myself together. But as I started writing, it felt so good to just let it out and I feel like I've taken a deep, cleansing breath. If you've read this far, thanks for that.

I am going to take a few days off from blogging, but I'll be back - I promise. In the meantime, would you pray for us? I know you will without me even asking, but well, there it is. We need all the prayers we can get and I'm not going to be shy about it. I know that God is lifting us up right now and holding us close. My faith tells me that he "will never leave or forsake me." and I believe that with all my heart and am clinging to that promise today.

In the meantime, I hope this song blesses you and gives you peace as it has for me today.
Stamped blessings,
~~Robin

29 comments:

  1. Robin-

    I'm so sorry. Hope that your are able to find comfort and Joy in the coming days. You'll be in my prayers. (((Hugs)))

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  2. I'm sorry that you all have to go through this. All we can cling to is that our Father God knows what He is doing. You have my prayers too.

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  3. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. A positive attitude is half the battle! I am glad that all of you can be together at this time. Family is so important.
    Gale

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  4. I'm so sorry to hear about this. He and your whole family will be in my prayers. Jean

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  5. First of all: I'm so sorry for you and your family!
    I discovered your blog for a few days, but I understand very well how you and your family are doing now.
    I'll keep my fingers crossed and will pray for your Dad.

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  6. So sorry to hear the news, Robin. Will be praying for you all. Hugs, Michelle

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  7. Robin-You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. May God give you all strength on the difficult journey that is ahead of you. Love ya-Chas

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  8. Robin-You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. May the Lord give you all strength and courage during this difficult journey ahead.
    Love ya-Chas

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  9. Prayers for you and your family during a tremendously difficult time! Even though you don't know me...I send you a big hug!!

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  10. Robin,
    I'm so sorry to hear this! You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers!
    Shelly

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  11. Hi Robin, I am praying for you and your dad during this hard time. It sounds like he is a man with the chutzpah to fight this disease! If you haven't read Randy Alcorn's book Heaven, I would highly recommend it. I did it as a Bible study with some other gals a couple years ago and we STILL talk about the ideas and impressions and the longing for Heaven that we have as a result. Our eternal destiny with Jesus is going to be amazing beyond our understanding!

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  12. Hi Robin. So sorry to hear that your father has received such a difficult diagnosis...but his positive attitude and fighting spirit will go a long way towards helping him beat it...and i think prayer may very well take you all the rest of the way. Best wishes to you all.

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  13. Robin -
    I am sorry to hear your news today. Your dad sounds light a real fighter! Keep hope alive and know that you, your dad and your entire family will be in my prayers.
    Judy

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  14. Robin,
    I don't know you very well but what I do know is that in all you do, your "true" heart always shines through. I felt it in this post big time, shed a tear and immediately said a prayer for you, your dad and your family. Your faith will sustain you--this I know. Just hold on tight to that love -- your love of the Heavenly Father and the love of your father. After all, no matter the outcome, that is what we will always remember.
    For you, I know the Prayer Warriors will come out! Have faith!
    Big Hugs!
    Amanda

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  15. So sorry Robin. The best encouragement I can think of is what I have said to myself through many trials: "it's no surprise to God". I don't know if that will help you, but it always helps me. It reminds me that He knew this day was coming for you, He equipped you for it, He will be with you on the journey.

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  16. You are all certainly in my prayers!

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  17. Robin I am so sorry to hear about this latest battle for your Dad, yes I will lift him up in prayer for strength to undergo the horrors of chemo, for you and your family to be strong for him, to bring you comfort when you feel overwhelmed and to feel God's loving arms around you always.

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  18. Lifting your dad, you and your family up in prayer.

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  19. Dear Robin,
    I am so sorry to hear this. Please know that I will be keeping your dad and your family in my prayers.

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  20. Dear Robin,
    I am so sorry to hear this. Please know that I am keeping your dad and your family in my prayers. Blessings to all of you for strength and healing.

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  21. I love you! You and your family will be in my prayers!

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  22. Huge prayers are headed your way and with your dad as he fights this. I know the Stampin' Up community is collectively praying for you all. Hold tight to your faith.

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  23. Robin,

    I hope your family finds a peaceful place and is able to enjoy your father. These days we are all busy with everything when something like this comes up it brings us back down and grounds us.

    I wish your father an uncomplicated chemotherapy course and for as many smiles as he can handle.

    Stephanie

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  24. Oh Robin...I am so sorry to read your heart-wrenching post today. My prayers are with you and your family. Hang in there...God is good!

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  25. I will most definately pray for you! I lost my mother this past October. She was only 68. She had breast cancer when she was 38 and had a heart murmur. She survived the cancer for 30 years, but had heart surgery in June of last year to fix her valve. The congestive heart failure she endured the year before did to much damage. I was at my 1st convention while she was in the hospital. She too was an energizer bunny! Lived life to the fullest! I am praying for God's healing hands to do their work! Give it to him and he will take care of it! We may not understand now,but I feel he just needed a really good angel for heaven! GOd bless and take care of you too!

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  26. So sorry to hear about your dad. I know what you are talking about being a "daddy's girl", it is so hard to know you are so helpless to do anything. But take comfort that you know the One who can, allow God's word to comfort you and give you the strength thru this. I will be praying for you and your dad and your family.

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  27. Robin....I"m a Daddy's girl also and I so understand what that means. Praying for your Dad and the rest of you. Hugs, Mindy

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  28. Robin- Thinking of you... This is such a hard road to go down. My world was turned upside down in Feb 2009 when my father was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a blood cancer, at the age of 61. Remember, family is everything... and stamping will always be there... spend time with your dad, as much as you can. :0) - Jen

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