"A Week Of Restoration"

My disappearing act lasted almost a full week and now it's time to come back to reality.  Tony and I were blessed with a trip to Coronado Island in San Diego, CA.   We were originally scheduled for a trip back in March to Hawaii but had to cancel due to my health.   Thank you to friends and American Airlines for a postponed trip.  We left early Monday morning and stayed through Saturday.  I decided blogging, Facebook, texting and phone calls would be very limited to enjoy time away with my very best friend.  We had a full week of relaxation with no agenda each day.  I even took a step farther and decided not to take my medications.  I didn't like how tired I was feeling or the mental state of mind I was in.   The research team and clinical trial doctors might not be happy with my decision, but I wanted a vacation from everything and feel I accomplished that mission.  Tony and I enjoyed walks on the beaches, bike riding, long naps, toured the Midway aircraft carrier, riding around in a convertible car,  time with our beautiful twin granddaughters that were 2 hours away, the San Diego Zoo, eating out and an amazing sunset at La Jolla beach.  Our time together away from doctors, chemo and the craziness of everyday life is exactly what I feel my "internal" doctor would have ordered. 

My eyes were opened to more of God's beautiful creation all around us.  On the flight out, we flew over the Grand Canyon and Tony and I were listening to the song, "Soveriegn " by Chris Tomlin.

"Looking out our plane at the Grand Canyon"

Sovereign in the mountain air
Sovereign on the ocean floor
With me in the calm
With me in the storm

Sovereign in my greatest joy
In my deepest cry
With me in the dark
With me at the dawn

In your everlasting arm
All the pieces of my life
From beginning to the end
I can trust you

In your never failing love
You work everything for good
God whatever comes my way
I will trust you

God whatever comes my way
I will trust you

All my hopes
All I need
Held in your hands

All my life
All of me
Held in your hands

All my fears
All my dreams
Held in your hands

God whatever comes my way
I will trust you

"Sunset at Coronado Island"

"Sunset at La Jolla Beach"

It's hard to hear those words being sung while you are flying over one the the greatest wonders of the world and not trust in the God who created everything.   One night we were standing on some rocks along the beach as waves were crashing around us and I felt God's power and wondered why since He created such massive force, why wasn't He healing me? I know He can speak healing and it can disappear at any moment.  On our last night we drove to La Jolla beach to see the sunset.  We were in awe of God's greatness once again.  The lyrics to the song "How Great Is Our God" is all I could hum with tears falling from my eyes.  


"How Great Is Our God"

The splendor of a king
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice

He wraps Himself in light,
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice

How great is our God – sing with me
How great is our God – and all will see
How great, how great is our God

Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end

The Godhead Three in One
Father, Spirit and Son
Lion and the Lamb
Lion and the Lamb

How great is our God – sing with me
How great is our God – and all will see
How great, how great is our God

Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God

Name above all names
You're worthy of all praise
And my heart will sing
How great is our God

[3x]
How great is our God – sing with me
How great is our God – and all will see
How great, how great is our God

As we enter back into reality my heart is heavy with what lies ahead.  It's easier to "bury your head in the sand" and pretend like everything is good.  I will start my clinical trial medication tomorrow and not sure which day I will begin radiation treatments.  I do know the same God that created so many wonders I saw this week, is the same God living inside of me and I will continue to rest in His strength.  When I am weak, He is made strong.   Below is the song I was listening to as we were landing into Northwest Arkansas.  Not a coincidence but a God Wink of me knowing God is with me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbIXoPblF8Q 

Tony, Kaitlyn, Kimberly & Me

"Midway"

"Looking off the Midway toward Coronado Bridge"

El Coronado Hotel

San Diego Zoo

"Today is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it."