Is it October already? I was planning on sending out a birthday missive but my birthday was exactly a month ago and I have written nothing!

I turned 38 years old on September 2nd. It was a birthday I was told not to expect to see this side of heaven. God, in His wisdom, has seen fit to let me celebrate another year of blessings and joy. I am deeply thankful that I am still here to see my baby, Lachlan learning to talk, Conlan discovering about World War II, Hannah enjoying the life of Ben Franklin, Aidan learning to read an liking it and Ethan experimenting with pieces of wood to make catapults. Every day is difficult but never is a day without reward. Every day, God finds some way to remind me how much He loves my children; how much He loves me.

Now, just in case you think I run around in a billowy dress, smiling at the sky and smelling roses, I don't want to give the wrong impression. Into every life a little rain must fall. I am still fighting with dizziness and a big helping of fatigue. It makes me more agitated than anything else. I can't even remember what it was like to not be tired and dizzy. Did I really go grocery shopping with all the kids, by myself, and then come home to make dinner? That couldn't have been me, could it?

The neurologist told me that it could take 18 months after the end of my radiation for the symptoms to peak and then I will start to improve. That means I will start improving in February of 2007. Hey, it's not that long from now. I am just praying that God would show me what I need to do right now to be smack in the middle of His will.

"I want to be where you are. Dwelling in your presence. Feasting at Your table. Surrounded by Your glory." I don't know who wrote that worship song, but that is my prayer.

All in all, it was a happy birthday. Thirty-eight years. Loved by God. Surrounded by my children and awesome husband. Yeah, God is good.

My latest MRI shows no growth in the tumor. Now, we are seeking ways to improve my quality of life, so to speak. Trying to get rid of the dizziness and fatigue. Please pray that God would remove this thorn or continue to supply me with mounds of His grace.

Stay tuned for more mind wanderings.

Joyfully,

Elyse