Tuesday, October 28, 2008

8 weeks today.... God is in control

Today is Mike's Birthday! It has been 8 weeks now since our diagnosis and Mike is still with us. By now, Mike is supposed to have died according to our diagnosis. But he is alive, both on this earth and in his walk with the Lord. We are having a small gathering tonight to celebrate. God is so full of mercies. Not only is Mike alive, he is walking, talking, and apart of life. We all know it is by God's grace. I have always believed that there is not one child conceived on this earth that God didn't intend. However, now I know that God is also the one who knows when He calls us home.

There are so many things to tell everyone about. Mike signed the MEB paperwork and I faxed that back today. So the process begins. We hope to have our retirement on Nov 4 or 5. We will be selling back 60 full days of leave, so that will help us in the meantime until we can file all the paperwork at all the different agencies. Once we get the official orders, we have to go down to the VA in Dallas and "sign-in" and they will determine disability from there. I am unsure how long that process will take. Hopefully not long.

Hurlburt is working so hard for us. I have been working with this great lady at TMO and she is handling all the details of getting the house packed up. At first, I was going to fly back there and pack it up. Mike was uncomfortable with me leaving for 4 days so we have asked friends to handle that for us. The Webbers, the Hickmans and the Maxwells will take care of it. How weird is that? I can't believe that I have gotten to the point that it is only stuff and God will take care of it through friends. It is amazing the lessons that I am learning on this journey. I can replace furniture, clothes, etc. Time with Mike and Elizabeth is at a premium right now and that is where our focus needs to be.

I will also eventually need to go to the Social Security Administration and file for disability there. There is an online form, but they need all kinds of medical records, documents, and phone numbers. So that is going to take some energy to get that accomplished. That process can take 3-5 months. But it will be an additional source of income for us so I am going to have to find the time to get it done.

We are putting our house on the market. I am a little sad about that. I just loved that house. I loved the layout and the feel of it and the neighborhood. Of course we are doing everything remotely and handing power of attorney to the Maxwells for those details.

Once we get the official move dates, the good news is that we can do a door to door. The house we will be staying at for at least a year is empty and ready to go. If any of our friends in Abiliene want to drive across and help with the unloading and unpacking of the house, feel free. I know my family will help and some friends here, but the more the merrier and the quicker the job.

I can not believe it has been 8 weeks already since that day at Eglin. Yet as I look back, all I can see is God's provision for us in everything. I can see that He carried us when we couldn't walk. He breathe for us when we couldn't breathe. He held us when we cried. He sent us angels to protect us. He placed people in our path to make decisions for us. He strengthen our faith. We felt His humbling presence. He spoke to us through His word and through visions. He has given people visions and messages for us. This is all real. This is all REAL. God is so REAL and He has yet to leave us. Aren't we lucky? I can't imagine being on this road without him. He is our rock and our fortress. There are times when we have just said, " I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens us." Mike would be throwing up, in pain, or worse and he would say in over and over again.

So that is where we are... I can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. You can just read the blog and see the amazing amount of paperwork and hurdles that will be coming in the next few weeks. This is on top of taking the medicine, IV's and doctor's appointments. And of course that is on top of buying groceries, paying bills, getting Elizabeth to school and activities. But Jesus will provide a way through friends, family, and his perfect timing.

Please continue to pray for us. Your prayers sustain us like you do not know. I haven't gotten around to emails just yet. I will start to work on them soon.

Pray for:
The cancer to decrease and his body and health to increase
For Sleep
For no pain at night
For Mike's swelling in his feet and legs to decrease
For the Cancer Antibodies test to come back strong
For Elizabeth at school as she tries to find her way in her first public school
For me to have extreme organizational skills with all this paperwork that is very important. That is a hard task with our living situation right now.
God's provision for us and that we can sell our house quickly without a huge loss.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mike, Deanna and Elizabeth,

Know that we are celebrating with you in spirit tonight. We are thanking God with you!! We send lots of love and big hugs to Texas. Still praying...
Max, Roxanne, Landon & Payton

lynn / kev said...

"And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus." Our love & prayers are with you. Glad you're back in Texas, sounds like God has you right where He wants you. Don't worry about anything, pray about everything! You know you're always in our prayers. Love to you all, Lynnette & the CG! XXXOOO

Anonymous said...

Paperwork on the Horizon...Deanna it is going to be a nightmare, the VA, the AF, and Social Security. Just be patient, keep a log of where you go, who you talk to, forms you have completed and sent in and when. WRITE it all down. When the VA comes back and says...BLA, BLA, BLA, you can say "I sent that on such and such". Keep tract of ALL correspondence with the VA especially, but all of the organizations.
AND: Keep trusting in the Lord...He will direct your path. Praying for all of you everyday,
Mary

Unknown said...

How sweet to hug your Elizabeth tonight at church! The girls are so anxious for y'all to be across the street...everytime a car slows down by the house they start screaming "I think that's Elizabeth's car!"
We've been praying for y'all and will be here to continue the journey with y'all. We've been praying for our new neighbors...didn't God answer our prayers in a much better way than we were even hoping!
Our thoughts are with y'all.
Deeann