2012 has been a very difficult year for our family in a number of ways, but we still have so many reasons to be thankful during this Thanksgiving holiday.
It was difficult watching Glen suffer through his esophageal cancer surgery, the weeks of recovery, and then through 6 rounds of chemo to fight the lymphoma. However, we are praying that with good results from his PET scan and a good follow-up visit with the esophagus cancer surgeon, he will regain his strength and be able to manage his cancer with maintenance doses of chemo. He is a man that I admire very much and I am so thankful to have him as my father-in-law. We look forward to spending many more holidays with him.
It was difficult watching Peggy suffer through her back problems while Glen was recovering from his surgery and starting chemo. However, she has now recovered and been able to travel to Jackson for events for her grandchildren and went on her annual Christmas shopping trip with Jennifer, Christy, Judy, and Caryn for her birthday. She is such a blessing to our family and is responsible for so many holiday memories and traditions that we will always treasure. I am so thankful to have her as my mother-in-law.
It was difficult to hear that Courtney would need to have her heart valve replaced. However, with new technologies that were available, the doctor was able to replace the valve through a catheterization process that did not require open heart surgery. As a result, she only spent 1 night in the hospital, only missed 3 days of school, and was back bowling 1 week after the procedure. It is such a joy to watch her participating in a team sport in high school and having so much fun. I am so thankful that the efforts I have made to raise money for the American Heart Association have helped fund the research that has directly affected Courtney's life.
It was difficult to watch Kelsey struggle with her decision of where to go to school this year. However, in the end it has been a real blessing for her. She decided to transfer from Western Kentucky University to Union University, as well as change her major from Musical Theater to Nursing. She has made new friends and is enjoying being at Union. Since Phillip is a youth minister at a church in Jackson, Kelsey is able to live off campus with them and is only 3 miles from campus. She is adjusting to having 3 small kids in the same house with her and finding the right mixture of studying on campus and at home. She is also singing with a praise band at church and enjoys being a part of their youth group. She also just started working at Macy's in the mall in Jackson. She has had troubles with her shoulder for quite awhile and recently discovered she will need surgery to correct the problem. Fortunately the surgeon is a friend of Phillip and Christy and was able to work her in for surgery in December. She will be recovering through Christmas and while she has classes through her J term. Prayers for her during this time are definitely appreciated. I am very thankful to have her at a Christian school, being involved in a local church, and for Christy and Phillip allowing her to live with them. I am very fortunate to have them as my brother and sister-in-law.
It was very difficult losing my job back in May. I had known for awhile that it would happen, but I have no doubt the timing was in God's plan. Since I was not working, Jennifer was able to go to McMinnville and help Peggy and Glen during his recovery and while Peggy was down due to her back problems. I was also able to spend more time with Kelsey and Courtney. In fact, Courtney and I bowled about 5 days a week for most of the summer during the Kids Bowl Free program. I will admit it has been harder finding a job than I had anticipated, but I also know that God has a plan for me and I have to be patient and continue to seek His guidance to find my next job. I am very thankful to have a loving wife, a supportive family, and faith that God will see us through this.
I am also very thankful to have friends and family like those of you who read this blog faithfully. I thank you for your prayer support and pray that God blesses you and your family during the holiday season.
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