Flying High - A week off

What a week it has been! Our wonderful friends, Gary (Beetle) and Pam Bailey, flew their plane in from Tucson to visit on the way to Pensacola. They managed to beat the t-storms and then God gave us the perfect day to fly. We elected to pull Elizabeth out of school on Friday right before lunch and Beetle took her up for a plane ride. Mike was a proud daddy to buy her a Pilot's Log book and Beetle logged her first hour for her! Elizabeth got in the plane after some coaching from Mrs. Pam and off they flew. Now this plane is fast and very maneuverable. They flew low down the runway and they shot off up and to the right of the field. They flew over Lake Lavon. He pulled 3 G's with Elizabeth. She thought is was very cool that she couldn't lift her legs or feet. She did an eolian roll (360 roll) and even took the stick and flew. That is until they came across some birds and Beetle then took command again. It was great!

After Elizabeth, Mike had a turn. He got in the plane and said, "Now I am home." They were off and Beetle let Mike fly most of the time. I sat on the ground and teared up beside Pam. Mike deserves this. He deserves the joy. He has fought so hard. Endured so much. This ride was more than a ride. It was joy to his person. He loves to fly. He loves it. I pray someday God will remove obstacles that will allow him to use his passion again to further God's plan in this world. Mike landed and had absolutely no medical issues. None. He had no pain, no gas, no woozy feeling, nothing. It was a thought in the back of our heads. Who knows how things would react?? Mike was so happy and I was so happy to see him so happy!

To Beetle and Pam, thank you for stopping. Thank you for loving our Belle. Mike said that as they were flying Mike said to Beetle, "Not bad for someone who was supposed to be dead 10 months ago." Beetle responded in prayer. Mike and Beetle flew through the sky praising Jesus for His incredible gift.

As this picture shows, life is good right now. Thumbs up in a way. We have managed to stay out of the hospital for 3 months now. Mike is holding. His weight is holding. His blood is holding. Mike saw the doctor again this morning and he did a extended belly feel session. Again, nothing. His liver is soft and no obvious signs of cancer tumors. It is a huge miracle. We are in fact doing something that we haven't done in a very long time... dream and plan. At first, you couldn't even commit to tomorrow, much less next week. I noticed the change a few weeks ago. We started timidly back into the pool of next week, next month, and now even 4 months down the road. It is scary. The best visual I could give would be like getting into the pool for the first time in the spring. The pool is cold so you start by putting your toes in. Then your feet. Then your legs. You might even step out of the pool and then venture back in. You get up the courage to get your belly wet and then take a deep breath and stick your head under. I am not sure where we are at in the "pool process", but we are definitely getting wet. We are still thinking of houses, of Thanksgiving, even Christmas. All dreams. Thank you sweet Jesus... Thank you.

I will end this blog with the best picture of all... a picture that by all medical means shouldn't be (Someday, I will quit saying that!). A beloved Father and his precious daughter captured by a "on her knees rejoicing Jesus for this day" mother and wife!

Prayer needs:

Mike's health and blood counts

Health for entire family as the flu season kicks into high gear

A home for us

Jesus will continue to battle back this cancer

Titus and Evelyn

Dave Beaver and his ministry in Cleveland

Praise:

Beetle and Pam

Family

Friends far and wide

One more day as a family!