Christmas Fun!

Today I visited Grapevine TX, the Christmas Capital of Texas!  I had never been to downtown Grapevine before today and I must say that I was impressed.  I was very festive.  All the businesses on Historic Main Street were all decked out.  Christa and I met up with Steffi, Tad and Beau for afternoon. 

The down town area features shops, dining, the North Pole Park with train ride and great lights display set to music. 

Beau was excited to see Santa!

                                   

 The light show was great and Christa got a chance to mail her letter to Santa.

 We saw lot of beautiful trees, wreaths and other decorations.

Other fun stuff.

                                          

 A possible Christmas Card pic??

Just for fun:)

Look for new Holiday background and banner coming soon!

Sorry I've been away again.  I've been sick this past week.  I went back to school today and I'm feeling better. 

 KXA Girls

A couple of weeks ago I headed down to Baylor to attend the 20th Anniversary Luncheon for my Sorority, Kappa Chi Alpha.  It was fun seeing all the girls and I was pleased to see how well our little group is doing now.  The current KXA girls planned the lunch and the program and it was very nice.  I hope I can stay in touch with some of these girls from now on.  It's shouldn't be to hard with Facebook and Blogs and Email.  We've come a long way :)

Ashlee Ross and Me

On Halloween I stopped the  Trunk or Treat at Steffi and Tad's church.  Beau went as a dragon.  Somehow I didn't get a still picture of him in his Dragon Cape.  I had switched my camera to video and the only pics of him in his costume are videos, which I didn't know I was taking so they are a little weird.  Sorry.  Beau also really enjoyed the bounce house.  It may be a good Birthday party idea for the future.  I tried to load what pics I did get to the blog, but they wouldn't work??? I'll try again later.

This next weekend I was supposed to take off Friday and go with Amy to Arkansas, but I've missed so much school lately being sick that I really need to save my days.  I'm sorry I'll miss the road trip but I'm sure she and her cousin Page will have a great time.  GO HOGS!

I'll probably just hang around here and maybe catch a movie. 

Sorry I've been such a bad blogger lately. I'll try to do better.

Silence of the Lambs. . . .

My parents gave Zoe a little lamb a couple of years ago and she loved it.  I told my mom that it was her new favorite toy.  So like any good grandmother,  Mom went out and got her a few more.  Zoe has a big basket of toys and she will dig out just the lambs and bring them all into the living room to play with them all at once.

I'm really back this time.

Sorry it took so long to get everything back up and running.  I was working on the new header a couple of weeks ago before I got a bad sinus infection.  So I just decided to close the blog until I could finish it and get it all together.  As you can see there is a new header and new background. 

My goal is to post at least twice a week. 

I'm glad to be back.  Stay tuned for new posts. 

I'M BACK!

Sort of. . . .

I've been on a little blog break - as if you didn't notice:)

I promise I'll be back this weekend with a new look and new regular posts.

See you soon.

Betsy

Don't Forget!

Just a reminder:

Celebration Sunday

Procter Baptist Church

4401 Jimmy Johnson Blvd.

Port Arthur TX

10:00AM

Potluck Lunch in the Family Life Center following the service.

Also, check the Port Arthur News in the morning. They are planning to run an article on dad.

I'll post pictures of the celebration tomorrow evening.

Celebration Sunday!

This is a little article I wrote about what my family has been through this summer. I know that many of you have been following along and already know many of the details it describes. I have sent it along to a few media outlets and we'll see if it gets picked up or not. I figured it's always nice to print some GOOD news!

Also If you live in the Southeast Texas area or can make it there this Sunday, August 1st. Please plan on worshiping with us at Procter Baptist Church. They will be hosting Celebration Sunday! I am going to share a word of testimony, Steffi is going to sing and Dad will be preaching. There will be a potluck luncheon in the Family Life Center following the service. This service is open to everyone, especially those of you who prayed for dad. We know that you were part of this great miracle. I hope to see some of you there!

Here is the Article:

When God's People Pray

Rick Erwin, longtime pastor of Procter Baptist Church in Port Arthur, returns to the pulpit Cancer Free.

On May 26th, Bro Rick checked into MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for a routine prostatectomy. He, along with his doctors and his family, had decided on this particular course of treatment after being diagnosed in January with prostate cancer. The doctors were able to remove the prostate and test for any signs that the cancer had spread. During the 6 hour operation the small intestine was accidently nicked and immediately repaired. Initially this was considered a minor glitch with no repercussions; however, within a couple of days Bro. Rick’s condition took a turn or the worse. He had developed a terrible infection in his blood. As a result, he developed pneumonia and acute renal failure which required him to have dialysis for 3 hours a day. During this time it was also discovered that there was a small tear in his bladder, causing poisonous waste to leak into his lower abdominal cavity. Bro. Rick spent the worst of these days in the intensive care unit at MD Anderson on a respirator, his family unsure if he would ever be the same or even make it at all.

It was during these dark days that Bro. Rick’s wife, Lynn, and daughters, Steffi and Betsy, decided to organize a massive prayer effort. First, they began contacting every church that Bro. Rick had ever been associated with in any way. This included churches where he had served on staff, preached revivals, and churches that have current staff members that he has mentored. Bro. Rick has been in full time Christian ministry for over 40 years and has served at churches in three states. There were many churches and individuals to contact. Betsy began posting updates and prayer concerns on her personal blog which was linked to the Procter webpage. Over the next few days the word spread and before long people in as many as nine states were writing to let the family know how they had heard about Bro. Rick and that they were praying for him. In many cases the Erwin family heard from churches saying that their whole church family was praying for his healing. Local mid-county churches were a big part of this, too. First Baptist Church of Nederland’s Adam Pardue, who grew up at Procter, helped call local churches to get them praying as well.

Over the next few weeks, as so many people prayed for Bro. Rick, his health slowly improved. First, the test results returned from the surgery regarding the cancer. The doctors were able to get it all. There was no need for any further cancer treatments. Next, his kidneys began to function again. Then, the tear in the bladder healed. After a long struggle to find the right antibiotic and 39 days at MD Anderson, followed by 14 more days of IV therapy at home, Bro. Rick is not only Cancer free – but infection free! What a blessing! Bro. Rick and his family want to stress that his healing came from God. They feel that is was the constant prayers of so many that make it possible for him to be where he is today, at home getting back in the swing of things.

Bro. Rick as been more than just a pastor in this community for the past 22 years, he has been a leader and a friend. Bro. Rick has served on many community boards such as the American Red Cross, The Caplin Center, St. Mary’s Hospital and most recently he has served as president of the Port Arthur Community Home. He is also a former member of the Port Arthur Sertoma Club.

This coming Sunday, August 1st, at 10am, Procter Baptist Church on Jimmy Johnson Boulevard will be hosting Celebration Sunday. Bro. Rick along with the Procter Baptist Church Family would like to invite all to attend. It will be a great day of rejoicing in what God has done and what He will do next! There will be a potluck luncheon in the Family Life Center following the service. All are welcome to attend.

Bro. Rick and his family would like to thank all of you who had a part in his healing. They know that many of you were praying for him and for his family. They appreciate your heartfelt prayers. They also want to remind you that you were part of God’s miracle in saving his life.

Just think what else is possible – when God’s people pray!

Good News and Some New Clothes!

Before




After

Dad's check up at MD Anderson today went really well. He will still be on IV drugs at home for at least one more week - but this drug is still working.

The hole in the bladder has healed so they removed the catheter. He returned home this evening BAG FREE. He has had one or more drain bags hanging around for 6 weeks now, so he is really glad to be free from all of that. Praise the Lord.

These pics were taken yesterday. Needless to say, he has ordered a new suit.

For Amy and Christa. . . .

While in New Orleans Christa tried Crawfish for the first time. Both Amy and Christa tried Boudin for the first time. They were both introduced to some good Cajun food. I was telling them that I love fried Boudin Balls from Market Basket in Nederland. We got some last week. They were good.

Shrimp and Grits!

I got this recipe from http://www.allrecipes.com/

Spicy Shrimp and Grits

Ingredients:
4 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup quick-cooking grits
2 tablespoons margarine
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound peeled and deveined small
shrimp
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
3/4 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and
green chilies
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
Directions:
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x12 inch baking dish.

2.Bring chicken broth and salt to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat. Stir in the grits, return to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking for 20 minutes, stirring frequently.

3.Meanwhile, melt the margarine in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the green onions, green pepper, and garlic; cook until the peppers have softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the shrimp, and cook until they begin to firm.

4.Stir the Monterey Jack cheese, 3/4 cup Cheddar cheese, shrimp and vegetable mixture, canned tomatoes, and black pepper into the grits; pour into prepared baking dish and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Cheddar cheese.

5.Bake in preheated oven until the cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown, 30 to 45 minutes.

New Orleans Fun!

I never got around to posting the rest of the New Orleans pics. Amy, Christa and I had a great time. I have traveled with both Amy and Christa separately but we have never taken a trip together until this one. I have to say it was one for the best trips. We really had a great time.

We stayed at Country Inn and Suites on Magazine Street. It was lovely.

Here is a picture of us with the crazy mule, Onyx.

We enjoyed our visit to the National World War II Museum. We all three had a grandfather that was a WWII Veteran.

We rode the St. Charles Trolley seeing the Garden District. It was a great way to spend the afternoon.

We ate at one of our favorite places, Bubba Gump's!

We took a day trip to Avery Island and toured the Tabasco Factory. We got to taste Tabasco ice cream, Tabasco Soda, and Tabasco Chili. I highly recommend the chili, but would pass on the others.

Also on Avery Island, we drove through the Juggle Gardens. We say several live alligators. The lady who sold us our tickets suggested we get out and walk around - We decided against this.

After our trip to Avery Island, we returned to the city and stopped off at Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro for dessert. It was awesome.

All together it was a great trip - Can't wait for next summer! Good Friends - Good Times!

Home Sweet Home!

Dad was able to come home this past Friday. Those of you in Southeast Texas will remember that Friday was the day Houston got the tail end of Hurricane Alex. They closed I-10 and we ended up stuck in traffic for over 3 hours. We were finally able to back track and get over to Humble. The trip home took right at 6 hours. Needless to say, it was a rough trip for all of us.

Dad is doing well. He is still on Antibiotics 3 times a day and he has to go back to visit the infectious disease Dr. later this week to review the cultures again to make sure this drug will continue working. He has had a couple of visitors from the church and that has cheered him up. He plans to go to the church office for a couple of hours tomorrow just to get out of the house a little.

Please continue to pray with us that this drug will kill the infection for good. Sorry I have not updated the blog lately but I've been kind of busy.

Mom and I made Shrimp and Grits tonight - Yum! I'll post the recipe later.

Reminder: If you read this blog, please become a follower! Just click "Follow" on the right side of the blog and register. When I get 50 followers I will have my first Blog Giveaway!

I know there are a lot of you following, I ran in to three people in Nederland today that told me they have been following.

I'll post to new pics of dad soon too. He's really looking much better!

Update

They were able to drain almost 10 cc from the area. It has been sent for testing. If all goes well he'll be headed home soon.

The whole family is here, we are all going to have dinner together in the indoor park here at the hospital.

Steffi, Tad and Beau are going to Nederland tonight - the rest of us (including Dad) will hopefully follow soon.

Have a great weekend.

News on Dad!

They came in yesterday evening and told us it appeared that there was not enough fluid to put in a permanent drain but that they would still try to go in and pull out whatever they can for testing. The doctor thinks it is just a little left over fluid from when the other drain was there but they want to try to get it all out and test it just to be sure. They did say that they would do this procedure some time today.

This morning he was told that they would come get him around 2:30pm to have this done.

He had no food all day yesterday, until supper because they thought they would do the procedure. Now they have withheld food all day today - so he's kind of cranky.

They tell us that if they get all the fluid out and the test show that it's nothing new, he will most likely go home tomorrow.

Please pray that all goes well today. We thank you so much for all of your prayers through all of this. It has taken a toll on our whole family and certainly on dad the most. He has lost about
40 lbs. this past month and he is still pretty weak. He is getting around a lot better and our prayer is that once he gets home he will improve much faster.

Tad and Beau are on their way to Houston so we can all be together for the weekend. I'll try to post here or on facebook later this evening.

Dad Update!

As many of you know, Dad has been back in the hospital since last Tuesday. The infection he had during his first stay is back. They thought they knew what it was and were treating it accordingly, however once he returned home, he started to get very sick again - just like in the days following surgery before he ended up in ICU.

He returned once to the ER with concern that it was just the picc line that was infected. The line was checked and he was sent home. They returned to the ER last Tuesday and were admitted. It seems that the picc line was infected and the original infection in the blood was still present.

They have done new cultures on the blood infection. They thought they had identified the infection and started to treat it with a new drug. Within 48 hours the culture had grown into something new, so they changed to yet another new drug today. Only time will tell if the culture will continue to grow.

We really do want him to come home, but not until the infection has been clearly identified and there is a clear course of treatment. Please continue to pray that these things will work out soon. He has been in the hospital 27 days total and he is a little stir crazy.

We all appreciate your prayers so much. I'm sorry I've been a little out of touch. I returned from New Orleans and went to Houston to be with Mom and Dad. I just got to their house in Nederland tonight and I'll be here or back and forth to Houston for a while. Dad has read all of your sweet facebook notes and we are still getting many of your cards in the mail. As I have said before, we have faith for Dad's complete healing. This has been quite a journey.

Sidenote: Great trip Amy and Christa - more NOLA pics soon.

More New Orleans and Dad Update

After our plantation tours we had to go back to the hotel to rest. Later we visited a New Orleans classic, Cafe Du Monde for coffee and beignets. They were wonderful!

After Cafe Du Monde we took a carriage ride. Our driver was named Louis and his horse was Onyx, both were characters. Onyx has a habit of stepping out in front of moving cars. Lets just say it was an interesting ride.

Tuesday we visited the National WWII Museum and then road the famous St, Charles Street Trolley through the Garden District. We ended the day with a seafood dinner at Bubba Gump, one of our favorite places.

Today we traveled to Avery Island to tour the Tabasco plant and drive through the Jungle Gardens. I'll post pictures of the past two days soon. We head back to Dallas tomorrow.

My dad is back in the hospital in Houston. He has more than one infection that they are treating. Mom is there with him. Please pray that they will be able to return home soon.

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Christa, Amy and I arrived in New Orleans yesterday. We headed to Mulate's for dinner and to listen to the live band!

This morning we drove over to Oak Alley Plantation for a tour. The home has been featured in many movies and on a few TV shows.

This is the view from the veranda.


Cooling down with some Mint Juleps!

Next, we toured the Laura Plantation. This was a Creole plantation. Both Laura and Oak Alley were sugar cane plantations.


I love the glass bottles at the base of this tree. It's a cool idea for flower beds.

Ups and Downs.

Dad came home from MD Anderson last Wed. He will be on IV drug therapy for 3 weeks. He has a picc line in his arm for this. Mom as been trained to administer the drug twice daily. This morning my mom noticed that the line looked infected. They are now back in the ER at MD Anderson. Please pray that this can be resolved and that they can go back to Nederland tonight.

I just got back to Dallas yesterday afternoon. I have a trip planned for this week and then I will go back to Nederland and just plan to stay for the summer if I need to do so.

Pray for my mom and she is handling all of this herself. It's going to be a rough week for her.

Singing His Praises All The Day Long!

We are praising the Lord tonight. Dad is out of ICU and in a regular room. He is doing much better. We can't not thank you all enough for all of love and support and most of all for your heartfelt prayers.

I was reminded this week by one of Dad's doctors that "There has to be a test to have a testimony." What a great testimony our family has always had and even more so now.

Please continue to pray for complete healing. He is still very weak. He is having to adjust to real food seeing as he has been fed through IV for the last week. The infection is still draining from the abdomen and that situation will have to improve. He is also having to adjust to some new medications with several side effects.

I wanted to post earlier today, but I couldn't get a connection at the hospital today?? Sorry for this being so late.

With Love and Appreciation,
Betsy

News!

Dad had a good day today. The took him off the vent and took the breathing tube out. He woke up and stayed awake talking to us most of the day. His kidneys are still working and there will be more answers about the infection in the abdomen when we speak with his team of doctors in the morning. He is still a little confused about what all has occurred, but who wouldn't be? Please continue to pray for the doctors as they come up with a plan to treat this infection and it's cause. Please pray that the kidneys will continue to function and that his lungs will improve. Also pray that he will continue to rest and have peace of mind.

Thank you so much for your continued prayer and support of our family.

Weekend Update!

My has written a letter to the church family that is posted on the church website and Steffi also posted it on Facebook. We are not expecting any changes through the weekend. We are thankful that he is able to rest. We hope to see the team of doctors again Monday morning and move forward.

Please continue to share this blog site and the church website with those who are praying and wanting updates. Steffi and I are also trying to post on Facebook daily. If you are a member of a church please continue to ask your church family to pray as well. We love and appreciate each of you.

Procter Baptist Website
www.procterbaptisthome.org

Update on Dad!

He has had some improvement today. He has a small amount of urine output which shows us that the kidneys are trying to work.

They are taking him down to drain the fluid of the abdomen this afternoon.

He is less agitated so his heart rate has come down, it goes too high when he gets upset. There has been a change in shift here for the weekend and the new nurses and aides are really getting along with him well. I this is also helping the agitation today.

He has had some periods of rest, not exactly sleep, but rest with eyes closed. Probably about 2 hours total, off and on.


Thank you Lord for these improvements. I've also noticed that my mom seems better today I know it's the encouragement of these changes.

His breathing is a little worse, they are giving him treatments more often. He still needs SLEEP! Our hope is that they will be able to treat infection and the abdominal fluid - And of course that the Kidneys will continue to improve. He will have dialysis again tomorrow, he didn't have it today which could be why he is less agitated.

Steffi stayed with him last night and they had a really BAD night, she was a mess when I picked her up this morning. But things seem to be going better today. I don't know why it is that when you are sick they nights are worse?? Mom or I will stay tonight, Pray that the night is better.

Thank you all again so much. I know you will all encourage your churches to continue praying. Your prayers and encouragement are keeping us going. We love you. Please pass the blog address along to anyone who is praying and wants updates.

Thank You

Thanks to everyone who participated in the special prayer time for dad last night. Steffi and I were able to go in and pray with him just before 6pm. We are working with Drs from a new department today. He had another 3 hours of dialysis today and I think they are planing for more tomorrow if his numbers don't improve. I've been told that the hospital patient advocate is planning a family meeting with all of us and the main ICU Dr. I hope that will happen sometime today. Please continue to pray for rest. He has had about 3 hours of sleep total in the last 2 1/2 days. They cannot give him anything to help due to blood pressure. I needs sleep. I know it would help his body heal. That is our main prayer focus today.

Again, Thanks to all of you who prayed last night and are still praying. We received messages from churches in Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama and Texas that were praying for him. Mom and Steffi and I really felt all of your prayers. While Steffi and prayer over him he was calm (which he had not been all day). Thanks again, we love all of you. We will stay in touch.

After today my mom will turn the power off on my dad's cell phone, it's just too hard to keep up with two phone and keep them both charged. Tonja will have updates at the church office 409 722 8097. Steffi and I will be updating facebook and blogs.

Special Prayer Time for my dad.

My dad has been in part time ministry since 1965 and a full time pastor since 1969. I know over the years he and mom, and Steffi and me too have been so blessed with Christian families through out churchs We really do consider all of the people in these churches family.

I will not lie, things do not look good here. Last night at the hotel I was restless and sat up praying most of the night. I read thought the scripture in James chapter 5 verse 14-16. It says that if anyone is sick to call together the elders of the church and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And a prayer offered in faith will make a sick person well.

We know that the elders of the church cannot gather in the ICU but we are asking that all of our Christan family and the Elders of all of these churches where my dad has served will gather and pray between 5:30 pm and 6 pm will we as a family anoint him with oil and ask in faith that he will be healed.

I know alot of churches have their services after 6 but we will have to leave the ICU at 6 pm and so that is why I am asking you to pray at 5:30 so that we can be with him at that time. Of course if you pray when your church meets thats great too. I hope the Procter Family will start praying at 5:30.


Though the years you all have allowed my dad to be part of your lives in a special way. As your pastor he has been there in the good times and the bad. We ask you to join us in this special time of prayer weather you are with your church family or at home alone. We we all be gathered in the name of Jesus and He will be present!

If you are reading this and are a member of a church with a prayer list and a wed. night prayer meeting and they would be willing to call his name "Rick Erwin" up to the lord in their service tonight we would appreciate it. If you have a group of friends, coworkers or neighbors that will gather at 5:30 that would be great. Please contact Tonya at the church office and let her know that your church or small group will be praying We want to keep a list of all the people who will be involved in this special prayer time. Her # 409 722 8097 or email her ont he church website www.procterbaptisthome.org

With the help of Tonya Hurt I will be contacting these churches today. Churches Dad pastored or was on music staff in seminary

Latania Baptist Church, Latania La
Eastside Baptist, Ranger Tx
FBC Dawson Tx
FBC Basile La
FBC Olney Tx
FBC Dumas Ark
Southside Baptist , Pine Bluff Ark
Procter Baptist, Port Arthur Tx

I will also be contacting other churches in SouthEast TX seeing how my parents have been a part of that community for over 20 years.

FBC Nederland - Adam Pardue Procter Family
FBC Hemphil - Aaron Pardue Procter Family
FBC Port Arthur
Memorial Baptist Port Arthur
Harvest Time - across the street from Procter
Mt. Sinai, Port Arthur
Triumph Church - Nederland
Triangle Baptist
Church on the Rock
Fellowship Baptist - Nederland

If you are a member of any of these churches or know someone who is, please call the church office and let them know about the special prayer time and at least ask them to pray in the wed. night prayer meeting.

Other churches I will contact.
FBC Alpine - mission church
FBC Dallas - I have many friends there
Lakeside Baptist Dallas - My church
FBC Woodvile tx, my moms home church - already spoke with Raymond Parker this morning.
Wilsure Baptist - Dallas - Gannon Sims Baylor/Procter Family on Staff
Denman Ave Baptist - Lufkin, Aunt Mon's Church
Aunt Pat is calling her church in Denham Springs LA
Uncle Mike is calling his Church in Baton Rouge LA
FBC Nome Tx, I was on staff there in college
Cornerstone - Rowlet tx, Friends
Mimosa Lane Baptist - Steffi and Tad's Church

I know that Amy Sadler will call her parents who will share this with their church too.

Ok if you are counting I think we are up to 30 churches that will be praying for Dad tonight. I know that many of you will add churches to this list.

Again I ask that if you can please pray specifically for these things at 5:30pm today.
Pray that his kidneys will start to function.
Pray for the swelling in the abdomen that they don't think is related to the kidney's??
Pray for the pneumonia to gone.
Pray of his mental health and his mood.
Pray for my mom and our family.
Pray for these Doctors, Pisters, Grossman, Sahay(said Say-Hi), Salahudeen, Haong.
Pray for my grandmother Mama Thelma (she's been at home waiting on news)
Pray for Tad and Beau while Steffi is away - that baby is really attached to mama.

If I think of anything else to add to this I'll update later in the day. I'll also update facebook.
If you are in Southeast Texas please make plans to attend the service at Procter tonight.

In Houston

I ended up driving to Houston instead of Nederland. Things are really bad here. Please pray for us. I will be trying to talk to the Doctors tomorrow and get some answers. Dad is in ICU. I got here too late and didn't get to see him tonight. I'll try to see him in the morning. We really need all of your prayers right now. Steffi is also coming tomorrow, pray for her safety. We will be updating Tonya at the church through out the day. I don't see how things started off so well and ended up this way.

Update on Dad!

They are starting dialysis this afternoon. I am headed to Nederland after school today. I'll be able to spend a little time with Mama Thelma and regroup before going to Houston to be with mom or give her a chance to come home. Please continue to pray that his Kidneys will kick in and start working on their own. I appreciate all the prayers.

Pray Pray Pray!

My dad is still at MD Anderson in Houston. We thought they would be home by Friday or Saturday, however he is having some complications. He is having serious kidney problems. Please pray for healing. Pray for the doctors. Pray for my mother. I believe in the power of prayer and I'm asking you all to pray for him. I know so many of you are prayer warriors and I thank you for your love and friendship. I'll be in touch when I know more.

A few things. . .

A few things I need to say.

First - We serve a mighty God! I give all the praise and glory for today to Jesus Christ. I am so glad that He will continue to use my dad for His work. I am also so grateful that He gifted some amazing doctors and nurses who have chosen to use their talents for His glory.

Second - I have to give a SHOUT OUT to the people here at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. They have got their act together. The doctors are brilliant and caring. The Nurses Rock! Even the parking attendants are kind and ridiculously helpful. All of these people made a very hard day much better.

Third - Update on Dad. He is doing well. They got all the cancer. It was small and contained. It doesn't look like it had spread. They are testing the cells in the area to be sure. He is in an overnight recovery area where my mom could stay with him tonight. He stood up for a short spell. He is doing pretty well at keeping down clear liquids. They think he will move to a regular room tomorrow. Things are looking great. Thank you all for your prayers and kind words.

Fourth - Thanks to all of you who took the time to say a prayer on our behalf today. I believe in the power of prayer and I really appreciate you praying for us. Also thanks to Aunt Beth, Uncle Jerry and Phil Croft who came to sit with us during the LONG surgery. Mom and I really appreciate it.

Fifth - 10 years ago on May 27th Daddy Red went home to be with the Lord. I was so blessed to have such a wonderful and caring grandfather. I miss him all the time. I have so many great memories of him. I often think about how he would take us grand kids out to the Airport Road to get sand for the sandbox. I have great memories of swimming in Red and Thelma's backyard. I loved sitting on the front lawn of the Methodist Church with him, watching the Dogwood parade pass by. Most of all I loved to hear him read the Christmas story form the Bible on Christmas Eve. His life was such a wonderful Christian example for me and all of his family. I'm still in Houston and on my laptop, so I don't have any pictures of him that I can post - but I wish I did. I hope all of you have a "Daddy Red" in your life.

I head back to Dallas Tomorrow - Just a few more days and school is out!

Please Pray!

Please keep my dad and our family in your prayers. He is having surgery at MD Anderson in Houston Wed. Morning. I am with them in Houston tonight. We check in at 5 am. The surgery should start around 7am and last around 5 hours. I'll try to post an update sometime tomorrow, Steffi may have an update on her blog before I do. Please remember to lift up my dad, mom and the team on doctors.

Summer TV!

I'm excited about the Summer reality shows. I've really enjoyed Food Network and HGTV's competition shows, The Next Food Network Star and Design Star.

The Next Food Network Star premieres Sunday June 6th on Food Network. Design Star premieres Sunday June 13th on HGTV.

I can hardly wait!

I love that these networks are trying to bring something new for viewers during the summer months seeing as everything else goes into re-runs:(

In other news: School is almost out! I'm planning a trip to New Orleans with Amy and Christa.

I've been taking an art class for the past month. The last class meets Monday night. I'll post about the class soon and maybe include some pics of my art work.

If you follow my blog, PLEASE become a registered follower. When I get 50 followers - I'll host my first Giveaway! As of now, I only have 6 registered followers but according to my Live Traffic Feed I know there are more than 6 of you that follow me - So become a follower!

Friday Favorites!

It's been a while since I posted a "Friday Favorite", so here it is.

Vera Bradley has been around a long time - 1982 to be exact, but I've recently fallen in love with their patterns all over again. This is my new favorite VB pattern. It's called Symphony in Hue. I really like all the brights on the black background.

I have two items in this pattern. The Let's do Lunch Tote and the Wristlet. I'm looking to expand my collection soon.

The Store in Lake Highlands carries a wide variety of Vera Bradley among other things. I've gotten lots of cute stuff there. They also carry Yellowbox flip flops - which might have to be my posting for next week's Friday Favorite:)

Have a great weekend.