Thank you so much for your nice comments.  Does wonders for the self-esteem!  It made me sad to put my dress back into storage in the garage.  Maybe I'll take it out again for our 25th.  That goal ought to keep me in good shape!

Now that you know what my handsome husband looks like, it will make it easier to pray for him.  Todd had several surgeries for melanoma (a potentially fatal skin cancer) about 15 years ago.  And several weeks ago, he had a mole removed from his arm that turned out to be melanoma again.  This one is unrelated to the first but just as scary.  A second surgery has been recommended, as well as removing two lymph nodes for inspection.  This is a precautionary procedure, to make sure the cancer has not spread.  We do not believe it has but it is still unsettling.  He is having this done in Portland, which means a trip overnight, with the kids, and all that entails.  Not an easy task, for me, anyway.  Some moms sail right through things like this but I'm not one of those moms.

I would very much appreciate your prayers for Todd.  Please pray that God would cover everything involving the surgery and the hospital staff.  Pray that it would be God's will that there is no more cancer anywhere and that it would not return.  Please pray that the Lord would give Todd a long life (this is not only for his sake but mine, too.  Is that selfish?)  Also pray for me, that I would be able to focus on Todd and not be stressed out by the trip or the kids.  And for our safety (I'll be driving us all home).

Thanks.  The surgery is scheduled for Aug. 22.  Then we'll have to wait for the lab results.  I hate the waiting.

I am taking a positive outlook on this until I have reason to think otherwise.  God is good and He is in control.  But I am weak and often allow stress and fear to affect me.  "Little ones to Him belong .. they are weak but He is strong."  Now I understand why we are taught "Jesus Loves Me" at a young age.  To prepare us for what's ahead.  I want to be strong.