One week since the diagnosis

It's been one week since Jarrod was diagnosed with the malignant tumor in his spinal cord. It actually hasn't been as bad as we thought it would be. He has still been going to work and our lives have still remained somewhat "normal."

Monday was a tough day because everyone found out the weekend before. We were bombarded with phone calls, texts, emails, FB messages, and voicemails. We've been grateful for the prayers and encouragements but all the nosey questions, opinions, negativity, advice, etc. was just way too much. I had a melt down that day. I woke up the next morning having another melt down because I was afraid the rest of the week would be the same night mare. Jarrod went to work a bit late that Tuesday morning. He spent time praying with me, reading the Word, and just holding me and letting me cry. It was so nice to have that comfort--not only of having my husband's arms around me comforting me, but also having the words of Jesus whispering in our ears, softly and sweetly that He is there. When Jarrod left for work I spent a good amount of time praying and reading the Bible. I looked up all the verses in the Bible that had the word "peace." Since Monday, I kept saying over and over "I just want some PEACE!" Here are a few that spoke to me and brought me comfort:

Isaiah 26:3-4 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength. (Thank you Ashley for posting that on FB as well for us.)

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."

John 16:33 "I Have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world."

Numbers 6:26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

And this for the negative people...

Exodus 14:4 "The Lord will fight for you, and shall hold your peace."

Tuesday and on have been so PEACEFUL. The phone calls and such seemed to have paused. We've just been receiving texts and calls of encouragements, prayers, scriptures, and just good friends and close family checking in and seeing if we're okay. We've been loving that. Even Jarrod's legs have been feeling better. Monday his legs bothered him but everyday since then he's seemed to have more strength, praise God.

We've also had MANY blessings throughout this week. God is so awesome. Our friends at the school I used to work at have been planning a meal train for these couple weeks before Jarrod's surgery. You don't know how much of a blessing that is. Being at the end of my pregnancy and taking care of everything that has had to get done, the last thing I want to do is stand on my feet and cook dinner. I'd really like to just go to bed at 7:00 ha. We've been a little low on money (been having to pay co-pays and such) . I had a doctor's appointment on Thursday which is in Orange and I was super low on gas. My light had already come on. I was worried as to what we were going to do. My neighbor babysat Hannah Wednesday morning so I could get lab work done at Quest which is about 3 minutes from my house. When I came back she wanted to take me shopping. We were going to take her car but we couldn't get Hannah's car seat out. She said she would give me some gas so that we could just drive my car. We went to the gas station and she FILLED my gas tank. That little red thingy hasn't been on the "F" since...I don't even know how long! Not only did she fill my gas tank but she bought me a carwash, bought Jarrod tons of comfy clothes for the hospital, and bought Hannah and I lunch. I felt so blessed. Another good friend of mine (who is also like my sister) took me out to lunch that week and let me vent, more people are RSVPing to the fundraiser, another neighbor who works at a big grocery company is trying to put together something to get us diapers and such that can't be sold in stores for silly reasons like a wripped package, Jarrod has been getting TONS of opportunity to share his story and bring the message of the hope we have in JESUS CHRIST, and so much more. Yesterday, Jarrod shared with me some other GREAT news which I can't share just yet. After he told me, he recited that verse in Phillipians 4:19 "And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." I cried my eyes out. It's so AMAZINGLY true. We have been watching that verse come ALIVE these past few days.

This is a difficult season we are going through. We have our positive moments and our times of fear and worry but God has been coming through and has been showing His goodness and faithfulness each day. None of us know what tomorrow holds. Even the healthiest of people aren't guaranteed tomorrow. God sees our entire life. We just need to keep our eyes focused on Him, keep our lives living for Him, seeking His kingdom and righteousness first, and everything else will fall into place the way it should--even through the difficult times because that's when He seems to show Himself more mightily.

Our weekend is approaching and another week closer to his surgery date. Tomorrow Jarrod's family is coming over to help clean up our messy garage and office which will become the baby's new room (the office not the garage ha). It will be so nice to have that done without Jarrod or I having to hurt ourselves to do it. Thank you guys!

Thank you also friends and family for your support, encouragements, and prayers. Thank you for walking beside us in this. We thank each of you for obeying the Lord in using the different gifts you have to help carry us through. Some of you have financial gifts, some the gift of spiritual wisdom, some the knowledge of Scripture for EVERY circumstance or feeling, some the gift of just being a great friend, some the gift of listening, the gift of helps, the gift of prayer, and so much more. It's so awesome to see it all come together.We are so grateful for all of you.

Off to feed our spunky little girl, Hannah. We're having a pajama day with pancakes, movies, books, snuggles, and all that fun indoor stuff while it rains. LOVE days like this!