The doctor called and wants to do surgery as soon as can be planned due to the size of the tumor/cyst which increases the risk of seizures. So surgery is scheduled for February 22; quite a bit sooner than the game plan we had so neatly arranged in our minds. How does one process the tailspin news like this puts me on? I’m not sure, but… well actually, I’m pretty certain Papa God is more okay with my turmoil of feelings than I am. If I can manage my feelings, neatly arrange them, I have this totally wrong idea than I’ve got it under control, that I can handle life; but if I can handle life then I don’t really need God. Yet when it feels like I’m in a whirlwind, it makes me question, Where is God? Is life safe anymore? How am I even to make future plans when this life keeps throwing me curve-balls and messing up my neatly arranged plans? And I begin to question the goodness of God which shows just how human I am… I just went to make supper and I saw a beautiful red cardinal enjoying the seeds from the bird feeder. I had not yet seen a cardinal at our feeder here in the city. I felt God saying, “See I do care about you. I am here for you. I am for you and not against you.” “Thank you, Papa God.” I was filled with a wonderful feeling of peace and comfort that even though I don’t know the outcome, God does and He can and will handle this whole thing. I just have to be willing to trust Him.

I keep listening to this song by Matthew West and am reassured once again that I don’t have to do it alone, God is more than willing to do it with me.

Prayer requests:

~ That God would guide the doctor’s hands as he does the surgery.

~ That everyone would stay healthy, especially JoAnn over the next several weeks.

~ That JoAnn would feel God’s peace over the next weeks and that recovery would go well.

~ That JoAnn’s siblings could have peace and comfort; some have been a little high-strung the last few days.

~ That God would be glorified and honored through this experience.

Thank you!