"HOW DO WE THANK GOD ENOUGH?..."

How do we thank God enough?...

....by continuing always, in offering our hearts to Him, in thanksgiving.

As we drove the freeway stretch from City of Hope today, our hearts full of gratitude and joy, I asked myself, "How can I ever thank God enough?..." Rick's "100th day" follow-up (as they call it in transplant land) was today. The clouds crisp white interrupting shades of blue and gray. Sun sparce, piercing through. How vast, yet simple, the beauty of God.
This day.
Today.

What was planned to be a 9 to 5 job today finished with abundant gifts.

I remained in the radiology lounge, with book and pencil in hand, as Rick was led to the 2 hour process of radiation dye injection and scans. I receive a text 30 minutes later "Hey Nudz, (a long-time nickname we both share...long story), they just finished injecting the radiation." My thoughts dropped all train. Once again, this is real. Immediate petition. Mercy. Grace. Total healing. And thanksgiving. Within 2 hours, Scans complete. We headed to Dr. Nades office.

As we walked through the separated buildings of familiar territory, reminiscing of weeks in the Fall past, I realize miracle again.
Transplant date- November 12th. Release date- November 26. Typical in-patient recovery, a good 4 weeks, sometimes months, challenged the sovereignty of God.

Checking in, we are blessed to see the doctor three hours earlier than our scheduled appointment. The swiftness of the mornings prior events (blood work and scans) showed favorable, our time in Duarte cut in half. Who doesn't appreciate that?

Vitals taken. Check. All is good! Dr. Nade enters, her kind love smiles confidence.
Blood work results. Check. All is real good! Right on track. Scan results in. Check. Internal searching speak clear. All is great!
Breath prayers of gratitude fill the room. Our patient, fairing better than well, hearts rejoice! Dr. Nade appoints Rick's next visit 3
months out! A bone marrow biopsy to look forward to in May, we continue to pray. To thank.

Today, a gift, a reason to celebrate. Rick and I share lunch, a favorite place, and embrace all things. Togetherness. Remission. Soft, warm bread, tart, soaking up pools of olive oil and balsamic. Memories of abundant grace. Life. Today. Now.

It is with all gratitude and love, we give thanks to you for being a big reason to celebrate.

Grace and peace, in Christ,
Dana


With deepest love, we will remember always, our sweet grandmother, Alicia Rovello, 85, full of compassion and kindness, laughter and love, who went home to our Lord February 16, 2011.
Also, precious Brielle Murray, 13, and cherished friend, Suzanne Afram, both taken by cancer into the arms of our Savior.
We are forever touched by these beautiful lives lived abundantly and out loud for Jesus. May all comfort and peace cover grieving hearts.
Thank You God.


I see as I offer sacrifice of thanks, peace floods.
Gratitude always precedes peace.
May you be given God's peace today as your heart gives thanks to Him in all things.