Woke up in the middle of the night in pain and doubled over from yesterday's chemo. I was told by the nurse yesterday that I only have one chemo left scheduled. 
Soon I will awaken from this midnight hour as morning is drawing near. My Lord has carried me once again through the valley of the shadow of death. 
Truth is, this has been one of the most difficult couple of years of any of the past years while in this dry and barren land. The enemy set his intentions on destroying my family in every way he thought he could and he doesn't fight fair.. he offers no mercy and incapable of compassion..he's callous and he desires only to destroy and devour the very soul of a man. 
Through it all, my God has been faithful..faithful and true. He reminded me over and over again that no one nor no thing in this world could ever pluck my family from His hand. We are free. Truth for us all is none of us are immune from the hurts of this life. Everyone has their 'cancers' and everyone has a devil to fight. We are all on the enemy's annihilation agenda. Seek the King and allow Him to serve you His living water and you will never thirst again..even in the driest of desert places. 
I haven't blogged or worked on my book for months as the distractions of my family's lives has consumed my every thought..however, over the past months during trials and tribulations as friends and my church family locked arms with me to charge the enemy's camp, I came to realize once again that the windows of Heaven had remained open through it all and all the time, in all of it, God had never moved. His eyes were on us and His arms were surrounding us. It was my focus that shifted to these things that are so temporal.. when my eyes should have remained on those eternal things. But in the presence of the King, my eyes were lifted back towards His amazing grace. I know in whom I have believed and He is the One who fights our battles for us. My life belongs to Him therefore, no man, no disease, no tribulation will ever take me or my family from the embrace of His almighty arms. I am in awe of Him and I have been showered with His favor and consumed by His love. He has kept my family, kept His promises and opened doors to my family that no man can shut and closed doors that no man could ever open. In His presence, there is fullness of joy..there is peace that surpasses all understanding. Lean on Him. The veil was torn and we can come to Him just as we are.. broken and battered. He never expects perfection..that's man's expectations. This is where I choose to live and will for the remainder of my days, which will be long and in divine health as He promised..nestled in His wings. 
Let's be honest..life is never easy and there are times..more so than not..that we don't know how we will find the strength to rise come morning to face yet another day. The only way I have been able to endure all of my adult life has been 'in the presence of The King.'

Remembering My 'Friend Dad'

I'll never forget watching my college best friend's dad teaching his daughter to change the oil in her car. I remember hearing him explain to her how he always wanted her to be independent and self-sufficient, confident. He understood the importance of a young girl's confidence in herself, her self-esteem.. and it was certain that he would instill that in his daughters. He was just one of "those dads." He knew when to listen and how to listen and the importance of both. He paid attention to the details of his family. He encouraged the dreams and hopes of his daughters and they felt secure and assurred of his support ..and the reassurance of his love, daily. I know for me, he has always been and will forever be "that dad." I was just the college buddy barging in on the family on weekends at meal time mostly but he always made me feel like one of his own.

Thank You, Lord
Thank you for the Godly impact this man, this father had on so many. He was a vessel, an example for that most valued roll as 'Father.' You blessed so many of us by the walk of this man. The footprints he has left behind will continue to bless those who knew him. Most would not think that a simple task such as changing the oil in a car would have such a meaninginful impact but I've never forgotten that day as I watched on as my friend's dad would take the time to teach her such a thing. It was way more than learning how to change the oil in a car, it was a father expressing to his daughter that how she thought about herself was of the greatest importance. It was a father gifting his daughter love. He loved his family and would move mountains on their behalf no matter the cost. He didn't display his love for his family for the world to see as to bring himself recognition. No, he expressed his love quietly and gently, thus showing the world around them.

My friend, Pat has been through the same cancer (same diagnosis) I have. She has battled for years such as I have.. we seem to have lived such a parallel life in so many ways. Pat is wise, strong, compassionate, and thanks to her father, one of the most resourceful and independent women I know. She is self-confident. She owns and runs adult day cares in a beautiful community in Georgia, as well as, raising her family now..and I see that same encouragement and quiet, gentle love that was given her being past down now to her son and her daughter.
He will be missed by so many as we carry on in this land of the living but we know we'll see and be with him again one day for an eternity with our Heavenly Father. I just wonder what Bill Powell will be waiting to teach us when we get there. 

I love you, Pat.

I want to sit at Your feet...drink from the cup in your hand...lay back against you and breathe...feel your heartbeat...this love is so deep...it's more than I can stand...I melt in Your peace...it's overwhelming.
(written by Zach Neese) 
(Book: "How To Worship A King")




The heart of a worshipper!


Lord, that we would give You all...
Lord, that we could surrender everything...
Lord, that we would know You like this...
Lord, that You would offer Yourself to us like this...
Thank You, Jesus
We love You, Jesus.
-Angie

John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."

Happy Mom's Day

This is when we lived in Florida...Gainesville, Florida. I was teaching Caleb how to ride early. Fun!


Yes, they grow up so fast...but memories can never be taken from either of you. Hold on to the memories you have made together and never stop making them with your children. There is no greater blessing from God but that He would intrust us with these little ones; the blessing of children, to be a mom. He reminds us in His Word that our children are a heritage from Him. He gifted me Caleb and allowed me to raise this precious human being. I know I haven't been the perfect mom...not sure there is such a thing but I pray my failures will be to his favor. I know he will soar in life and whatever he puts his hands to will prosper. I pray for a hedge of protection around him.. that he would always walk in safety and protection. I also pray for a hedge of thorns to surround him.. that anyone who's intentions would be to bring him harm to him or interfere with the plan God has for his life would be stopped by the very hand of God. 


Fly, son...take your place in this world. 

Pressing On

I've been thinking a lot about the future, the past and what is going on right here in the moment. Things are not as I would have hoped they would be on May 5, 2012. I did have a good report from my oncologist this week and I give God the glory but there have been a number of personal situations that have been pressing down on my husband and myself the past few weeks and it's made our situation a great deal more difficult. Lately, it would seem that we just manage to come out of one problem or "drama" and another comes along.

You know how you walk out into the beach and when you're ready to come back to the shore, the waves overtake you from behind and your feet are swept out from under you?.. You can't seem to secure your feet in the constant moving sand below so you completely loose your footing and down you go again. The ocean waves are doing what they were created to do and they're unforgiven and unapologetic which is exactly how I feel our life has been as of late.

I have realized lately that life will continue to sweep over us but that most importantly, we must press on...and I give God the glory for this, as well.

We are to rejoice in loss as we do in gain. I know God will ultimately raise up His children and He will reward those who diligently seek Him. I am making my intentions known to my God....I am here for His purpose and His purpose alone.

Keep pressing on............ 

An Empty Tomb Brought Me, Us ...Life!