2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

I think it has finally sunk in...I'm done with chemo!!!!! I can't explain the feeling that I have. I have been able to sit and reflect a little about my journey and how lucky I am. I am probably sounding like a broken record by now. This has definitely changed my life forever. Every life experience I have had up until now, I think, how can the Lord top that one! He manages do it every time. I feel closer to Him than ever before. There were many days laying in that bed, that the only one that was there listening was Him. It brought a closeness in our relationship that I haven't ever felt before. I look for a purpose in everything now! Don't get me wrong, I still have my "mindless" activities that I will enjoy...such as shopping!! But, my everyday relationships have changed. I have learned to slow down and "be strong in the Lord, never give up hope...forgive and forget...don't forget why you're here..." I will NEVER forget why I am here ever again!!! It's not to aquire earthly things...it's to let His light shine every day and thank God for each and every day that He chooses to give you, regardless of the circumstances!!!

I wanted to post some shots of my pink party at my last chemo! The people that you hear me talk about all of the time. The one's that I couldn't have gotten through all of this without!!! The last shot is with my "kindred spirit" , my niece Rory. She is such a little spitfire. I can't help but feel a connection with her. (besides the fact that we have the same hair-do going on!! I love you Rory Morgan!! You make me smile!!

Cinderella....

Most of you will probably think that I am losing my "marbles" after you read this post, but the people that this is really meant for will totally understand!!

As a mother, I pray that I will never hear the words that one of my children has cancer. At the beginning of this "journey" I guess I didn't really stop and think about how this all affected my mom. Even though all of her kids are grown, she is still a mom. Now, she was dealing with one of her children fighting cancer. My mom is the most amazing woman that I know. This has probably been the hardest on her! I could not have done this without her. She has totally put her life on hold, for me and my family. We have a standing joke around here.... Mom's nickname is "Cinderella" . She is always running around this house, working while I lay in bed. She is either making dinner, doing laundry, vacuuming, running to the store for my latest cravings, just sitting on the edge of the bed, rubbing my legs. From the very first day of chemo, she is available to do whatever is needed of her. And that is usually a lot!!

Cinderella, today was your last "chemo" day to work. I can't thank you enough. Words can't even BEGIN to express how much help you have been to me and my family!!! I love you!!!!

An end to chapter of Jen's Journey....

Well, it's hard to believe that this chapter of my journey is coming to an end. It's been quite a journey, but a purposeful one. I am so blessed with so much support around for me AND my family. I can't imagine doing it any other way. From my sister organizing soooo many meals, my husband for supporting me at my treatments, my mother-in law being the taxi cab driver, my other sister being the cheering squad ( well really Rory and Abby), and ALL of the prayers!

When I set out on this journey, I was determined to not be "defined" by this cancer. I can't say that our lives haven't been affected dramatically by the cancer, but it definitely didn't define me. The Journey did. It has become my ministry. The sermon in church today was about Paul and Silas and their ministry. How they used every opportunity to minister to people. Whether it was a woman on a corner or the prison guard that had beaten them moments earlier! While I was listening to the pastor, I was thinking of how my story related to theirs. They did not have an easy time of it, that's for sure, but they never quit. They were determined to turn their hardships into good for the Glory of God. That is exactly what my goal was and still is. I pray that when people hear my story they don't feel sorry for me. I hope that they see how I have turned a pretty grim situation into a ministry to win people to Christ. Thank you Lord, for this opportunity!!

Still here.....

yes...in case any of you were wondering, I am still alive and kicking. I guess things have been so busy with trying to keep "normal" life going, I haven't had the energy to sit down and blog about it. I can't believe that I only have one more chemo treatment left! When I was told in August that I was going to have to go through this, 5 months seemed like such a long time. Don't get me wrong, it has been a long road, but it really is going by fast. The last treatment went pretty good. I was definitely more physically exhausted, but not quite as sick. I think my last one will be better because of the mental victory, knowing that I have completed the battle! What a feeling it will be when I can stand up and claim VICTORY!

Things have been challenging at home trying to maintain a sense of normalcy. When that week of chemo is over and I start feeling better, I want nothing more than to be a normal wife and mother. But, my body just doesn't allow me to do that. The simplest of things, like going to the grocery store, are physically exhausting. It is really easy to start feeling really depressed. That's when I have to remember, I might be feeling better, but the battle is still raging inside my body. I just picture all of those cancer cells (if there are any) getting destroyed by the chemo. That pumps me up. The hardest part is when my baby girl is sitting on my lap crying, because I can't go watch her program at school because I'm too weak from the treatment and just can't be around all those people. That breaks my heart. She is so young and she doesn't understand all of this. She just wants her mommy back. Little does she know that when I am done with all of this, she is going to be sick of me. She will want me to stay home once and awhile! I can't wait for that day!

God has provided me with some amazing opportunities to share my story with people that would normally never hear it. I got a call from my pastor at church and was asked to share my story at the Thanksgiving service last week. People prayed all week that I would have the strength to make it, just 5 days after my treatment. I made it and managed to make the entire church cry. I just pray that my story touched just one person and made them realize that with God all things are possible....! Even the most impossible situations! This week, I am going to speak at my nephew's class at Boulder Creek High School class and share my story. Thanks you Lord for enabling and equipping me! It's all for your honor and glory!!

I will try and be better about updating. It will be a busy week, trying to get the house decorated for the holidays. Bye for now.

Happy 9 month birthday J!!

I was so excited to go up north and get some great shots of my beautiful grandbaby in the fall colors! He is so precious. That smile just melts your heart!

Pretty in Pink....

O.k. I know that it has been a long time since I have done a post. I guess I have been a little busy. I had my third treatment last Monday. It went much better than the others. Don't get me wrong. It still wasnt a barrel of fun, but at least I wasnt doubled over in pain. I am halfway through!!

The Race for the Cure was on Sunday. I was nervous that I wouldn't have the strength to make it there. It meant a lot for me to get there. So, we got a wheelchair from the church and my sisters and mom made these awesome signs. And we prayed a lot on Saturday because I really wasn't feeling very good. God is amazing! I woke up Sunday morning feeling energized and ready to go. Thank you for all of your prayers!! It was the most awesome day. Jenn's Journey of Faith team is awesome. That's all I can say. To see everyone there to support me meant so much! Oh and the best part, John's mom, a 20 year breast cancer survivor, flew in from Michigan the night before to surprise me! What an awesome surprise! Now I had someone to push me in the Survivor's parade! It was an awesome day! One that I will not soon forget. Next year, I will definitely be running the 5K! So, start training for next year everyone!!

Here are some shots from the day and a link to the news interview of Jadyn and I! Love you all!!! We are the Cure!!!

The news interview

http://http//link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid41699786001?bclid=35150280001&bctid=44473220001

This one's for you Mom....

When I got diagnosed in July..one of the first things I thought of (and John) was what about my elk hunt in September?! Most families wouldn't understand that, but in our family, hunting is pretty much our favorite activity. I do love to go. I know it's hard to believe. I just love being with my boys in the wilderness enjoying all of God's amazing beauty. I know I'm supposed to be looking for elk, but I'm usually looking at the sunrise and the flowers still blooming, and hearing the peace is very therapeautic. So, when I found out last week that I wouldn't be allowed to shoot my gun because of the risk of doing some damage to my reconstruction, I was very disappointed. But, as it always does, God's plan turned out to be much better than what we had in mind. I was able to pass my tag down to my 15 year old son, Jake. So, hear I was...able to go on a hunt with John and two of my boys. We really had a good time. John has done an incredible job with his boys and teaching them how to treat a lady. I never felt more protected and taken care of before. They were constantly concerned with how I was doing. It really touched my heart.

To top it all off, I was able to be there when Jake shot his first bull elk! Not many mom's get to see that moment. The look on his face was priceless. And to see the pride on his big brother Josh's and his dad's face made it that much more special. Jake was worried that he would feel really guilty shooting an elk with my tag. I told him not to feel bad, just get a big one and make me proud. Do it honor of me!!! He did a great job!!! The pictures don't do it justice. He shot it right before dark, so a lot of the pictures turned out a little blurry. But, I think you'll get the idea. I love you boys! You're the greatest. I'm the luckiest girl in the world!!!