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A Monster of a Month

January 28, 2022 by Lauren 31 Comments

monster If you have been reading this blog for the last couple of weeks, you know that my husband has a new cancer diagnosis.  So I can call January a monster of a month.  We actually received his diagnosis by phone call on December 29 – while driving back from a visit with our grandkids in Illinois.  Most of the days since tonsil cancer has consumed us.

 

Chuck visited a speech language pathologist for a swallow study.  His surgeon wanted a baseline for comparison should surgery and treatment damage his swallow function or vocal cords.  He will do exercises to keep them in the best shape possible.  He squeezed in a dental cleaning (he will have to be much more diligent with hygiene due to the harsh nature of his radiation).  Two wisdom teeth came out on January 7th for this very reason.

 

On Monday the 10th, Chuck had his tonsils removed.  Boy does he wish he had them out as a kid.  The recovery kicks adults in the teeth (or throat to be exact).  During recovery, he ended up in the ER with elimination issues and kidney stones.  Bless.

 

He met with his radiology oncologist to lay out plan of treatment, followed by a planning/ imaging appointment to prepare for radiation.  We met with his medical oncologist and got the 411 on his chemo plan.  The basics anyway.  We still have an education session to come.  Several other appointments, the details of which I won’t bore you with, comprise the preparation phase of his treatment.  And while I finish this, he is having his third surgery – this one to place a feeding tube to ensure he can get the proper nutrition once this regimen starts to take its toll.

 

Radiation starts on Monday the 31st and chemo the next day.

 

Monster Outings

 

Now that you are all caught up, let’s talk about the non-cancer stuff.  Whew.  We drove down to see my in-laws the last few days of December.  They babysat for Chuck and I to go out with his brother and sister-in-law for New Year’s Eve.  They are much younger and cooler than us, but we hung in there the best we could.  Yummy dinner, putt-putt at Putt Pub and dessert at a wine bar.  Then “Happy New Year”!  At 11pm.

 

On New Year’s Day we watched my Baylor Bears beat Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl!  And we got to do it with friends.  Sic ‘Em!  We saw American Underdog at a theater.  Fantastic movie.  I only wish I had enjoyed the Dallas Cowboys for a football trifecta.  But alas, they disappointed again.  I did attended a lovely couple’s wedding shower a week later for the daughter of a dear friend.  Chuck stayed home recovering.

 

Monster Entertainment

 

We celebrated our 23rd anniversary with two different dates.  One before Chuck’s oral surgery.  Some sweet friends gave us a gift card to a steak house so nice that we had never been.  Honestly one of the best meals I’ve ever eaten.  Then 5 days after his tonsillectomy, we bit off more than we could chew.  Chuck chose pasta (soft and slippery), but he still couldn’t choke it down.  We boxed it up and went to a drive thru for a milkshake.  Then we hit up West Side Story.  He slept through most of it.  But I enjoyed the music and dancing.  My other half just needed to rest and recover a little more.

 

The girls’ school got canceled for two days due to covid, so I took Shelby to see Sing 2 to get us out of the house.  If you love music, it is darling.

 

Our church held Prayer and Praise nights every Friday this month and the youth led one week.  Which means our Allie helped with worship.  One of my favorite things ever.  And dear friends came with us to share the experience.

 

At home we watched the Netflix original movie Yes Day.  Was a cute and silly distraction.  Jim Gaffigan’s new comedy special, as well as one from Nate Bargatze,  made us laugh and we started the series Imposters (also on Netflix) and The Book of Boba Fett on Disney+.

 

As this goes to press, I anxiously await my daughter’s first school theatre production, Thoroughly Modern Millie.  She has worked hard, long hours but loved every minute of it.  And we have many family members coming to cheer her on as well.

 

Monster Comfort

 

I can’t conclude without sharing what has gotten me through this monster of a month.  The company and thoughtfulness of others.  Chuck’s parents pulled their RV up the highway and moved into a campground close by to help us with the kids or appointments and anything else we’ve needed.  A visit from my parents and my twin sister and Chuck’s brother and sis-in-law boosted our spirits, and so many sweet friends provided meals for us.  And prayers.  The prayers of many encourage us more than I can express.

 

What else is sustaining us?  Our powerful and loving Heavenly Father.  No matter what we go through, He walks alongside us.  More accurately, He carries us.  With Him, we can do hard things.  If you feel led to petition Him on my husband’s behalf, I would be so grateful.  And as always, I love you, I thank you, and I pray February treats you well.

 

And now for this month’s featured post from the link up!

 

Lois Flowers wrote about my Wednesday focus for the last 9 months – praying God’s Word – in When We’ve Run Out of Words to Pray.  My pastor is preaching on it right now as well.  When God speaks to me multiple times on the same thing, I listen.  Maybe if I listened the first time He wouldn’t have to.  But that’s neither here nor there!

 

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

Grace and Truth_Meet Hosts

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LAUREN SPARKS
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

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8 Books You Should Listen to Instead of Read

June 11, 2021 by Lauren 22 Comments

Happy Audiobook Appreciation Month!  What?  You didn’t know?  It’s ok.  You don’t need to get me anything.  But I am gifting you a little something.

 

I usually keep multiple books going at a time.  And I don’t play favorites with formats. 

I like paperbacks and hardcovers, audiobooks and electronic.  I buy, borrow and check out.  It usually makes no difference to me.  A good story is a good story.  But there are a few books I’ve consumed over the years that I’m partial to on audio.

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 So here are:

 

8 Books You Should Listen to Instead of Read

 

  1.  Chasing Vines:  Finding Your Way to an Immensely Fruitful Life by Beth Moore  In addition to it being the winner of the Christian Book Award for Best Audio Book of 2021, I just love her southern drawl.  Sometimes soft and often passionately exuberant, I loved hearing about how her once in a lifetime trip with her daughters inspired her to dig deeper into scripture.
  2. I Ain’t Doin’ It:  Unfiltered Thoughts From a Sarcastic Southern Sweetheart by Heather Land  Listening to this book was like seeing a stand up comedian.  Laughing until crying, tears running happily down my face and my leg.  Give yourself this gift!
  3. The Polygamist’s Daughter:  A Memoir by Anna LeBaron with Leslie Wilson.  This true story is so unbelievable that hearing straight from the source lends credibility and also empathy from the listener.  Both add so much to the overall experience.
  4. Love Does:  Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World by Bob Goff  The author’s childlike enthusiasm and sheer delight in other people both encourages and inspires me to love others better.  You can hear it in his voice and feel it in your heart.
  5. Unbroken:  A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand  It’s been years since I put this audiobook on CD in my car to listen to while running errands.  It is so gripping that my then 11 year old daughter requested I not listen to it without her in the car!  It was almost like watching a movie of this story – which you can do now too.
  6. Food:  A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan  I know Gaffigan’s humor isn’t for everyone, but I think he is hilarious.  And he relishes nothing more than making fun of his chubby eating habits.  It’s a master class in comedy.
  7. As You Wish:  Inconceivable Tales From the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes  If you love this cult classic movie as much as I do, these behind the scenes details are a true delight.  But I consider hearing them from farm boy Wesley himself icing on the cake!
  8. Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen Although I liked Springsteen in the 80’s, like everyone else, I would not now consider him a favorite artist.  It may have something to do with the hour we waited for him to start a concert we attended.  But that’s neither here nor there.  His story, read in that unmistakable voice, reminds me why he’s The Boss.  From humble beginnings to living legend and personal failures in between, I almost felt like I knew him.

 

I realize that these are all non-fiction books – with the exception of Unbroken (which is based on a true story).  I tend to gravitate that way, but I consider it a character flaw.  I’ve made it a personal goal to read more fiction.  So I would love recommendations in the comments.  What novels should I listen to (or read)?  And again, Happy Audiobook Appreciation Month!

 

 

Now for this week’s featured post from the link up!

 

Instaencouragements.com kicked off their summer bible study using the book Seeking Him by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth and Tim Grissom.  The first post in the series, written by Julie, called Revival:  Who Needs It had me talking back to the screen.  “I need it!”  “Our country needs it!”  “We ALL need it!”  Read it.

 

Grace and Truth_Rules

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate)

 

Grace and Truth_Meet Hosts

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

HEATHER HART & VALERIE RIESE – Candidly Christian
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LAUREN SPARKS
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Now Let’s Link Up!

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Click here to enter

 

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About Me

I love Jesus, my husband and caffeine. The order of these can change depending on how tired I am. When my two daughters, stepson, and 4 grandchildren get to be too much, I practice yoga. God graciously allows me to share our adventures, victories and flub-ups from my laptop. May He be glorified here.
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