Our Good - Bell Get Away -- 7 Days of R & R in Peurto Viallajarta

Mat and Bethany surprised us before Jack's birth in August of 2014 and said that Christmas for the whole family this year was a family vacation in Puerto Villajarta, MX.  We got our calenders coordinated and May 3 was the time we all found we could go.
This was long before Jan and I had a diagnosis of cancer or Terry had his Thyroid issues.
Little did we know what a welcome respite this whole week would be for the entire family.

Traveling together was lots of fun -- 

Pappa has a way of making every trip an adventure.

Syd never wants to be very far from him

Bethany had been packed for a week, there were snack bags in back packs for each girl.  Syd ate most of hers before we were out of Texas headed for Mexico.
There were plenty of toys for Jack, ipads, stickers, craft packs and color books --- Bethany had been scheduled to shoot a wedding for over a year so had only 3 hours sleep but stayed her same calm self the whole trip.  She and Mat worked so hard to make sure that all of us had all we needed --hosting this family vacation beautifully.

We started texting our CO family as soon as we hit the airport -- they were in an earlier time zone and good naturedly put up with our dozens of texts -- sending pictures of all of us at 5 am.

On the other coast, Marshall was completing his last interview for his 2016-2019 Fellowship in CT surgery.  We didn't hear much from him until all the interviews were over.

He couldn't arrive until Monday afternoon.

Marshall's birthday dinner of steak, prawns asparagus and the most delicious sweet potato / white potato combination
Mat and Bethany had wanted Lobster for his b.day - but it wasn't available in PV -- they had hoped to hire Mariachi singers to come for the evening.  Marshall loved all their plans.  If only we'd found a pinata -- Marshall thinks they should be a part of every celebration where kids are.

Jan's gift to Marshall -- A Harley headband -- I'm thinking it will show up with his surgeon's cap in the OR

Every meal was a feast!  Marco made the most wonderful Mexican breakfasts.  However we did love his pancakes the best!

His appetizers were AWESOME

Our view the whole time.  I sat and watched the coast for hours and found myself  thinking NOTHING

We loved getting time to spend with Marshall and Katie -- we tried to make up names for Baby -- but they weren't super excited about our suggestions.  We also tried to give our input on where we thought they needed to move for Marshall's fellowship next year. That was a decision they had to make by week's end. 

The girls lived in their swimming suits and vests the whole time.

Spa Day for the four Bell/ Good Women --
Pedcure for Katie, Facial for Jan, Massages for B & Me

I loved the time to cuddle with the kids and 
let them play jumpy jumpy off the edge of the pool till I wore out.  Sydney was our early bird, waking up most mornings at 5:15.  Pappa listened for her trying to help everybody else stay asleep.

Jack was such a trooper -- as long as
he had someone to hold him -- he was all giggles and grins

Jack taking Syd's baby captive!  Syd's never far from BABY.

Bethany and Katie take an early monring beach run.

Papa found the best tide pool with crabs -- 

This was the end of Terry's TCC semester so he had to do a lot of grading and he has an on-line class that is ongoing this month -- but he was still able to work in lots of family time.  We had a perfect view from our room.  I had to rest up a lot the first few days -- and by Tues afternoon was able to be in the pool and make it to the beach once.

The trip home on Saturday for Tand me  and on Sunday for Mat, Bethany and the kids meant lots of time in customs at the Houston Airport.  Their's included a runaway two year old -- our's included two hours clearing customs.

Alyce

Today's treatment and doctor visit took a different turn when I had to have a CAT scan instead of chemo.
I've had shortness of breath and a cough that interferes with my speaking.  Terry has been concerned - so it was a relief to both of us when Julie, the Nurse Practitioner, ordered a scan today with us getting results before we left.  We spent about 6 hours there -- but what a blessing to get test results the same day and on the same co-pay (LOL!!!)
  Best news is that there is no pneumonia and no cancer in the lungs!!! . . . just asthma flaring up -- triggered by all the pollen and mold I assume.

Down in Radiology, one of my nurses mentioned that she was a two-time cancer survivor.

As we waited this morning on our visit with Julie we met Alyce a 70 + volunteer who is also a cancer survivor as of last year. 

She was so chatty -- almost more than I had words for when we came to the physicians waiting room both times.  She told of her church, her dogs she'd adopted, people in her family, how many scarves she'd knitted. 

 When we came back to wait for my CAT scan results Alyce was still at her post and told us that her doctor had just sent word to her that he wanted her to come back into his office today while she was on duty for a consult. She wasn't sure what it was for -- but had some tests last week. Her husband arrived as we were waiting to join her for this doctor visit.  As she left her doctor visit,  she joined us a third time and mentioned that her cancer has resurfaced and she was going back into treatment.


As she left I promised we'd be praying for her.  She genuinely seemed grateful.

It was only after she left, that Julie came with our results.

I'm glad our paths crossed Alyce's today.  
I'm adding her to my "Cancer Kickers" list.

Happy Birthday, Marshall T

I found this Sonagram picture in my album of 33+ years ago during my pregnancy with you.

This was our Christmas present to our family in 1981 -- a picture of their grandson!

On the first day of chemo - I got this picture on my phone from you, Marsh.

At the end of all of this journey a precious treasure awaits us as we welcome -- little Miss Bell!

That day I had just counted up the weeks of treatment, surgery, recuperation, radiation and thought that's 9 months!  A woman could have a baby in that amount of time!!!

Marshall you have given us so many reasons to laugh -- you were always quick on the comeback!  You were always the center of lots of activity.

You always had a thousand questions -- "If God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit got in a race -- who would win?" 

You give us insight and we love your sense of adventure.  You've always found some where in the world to go study.

I have so appreciated your counsel and listening ear --- I find you stop to carefully answer me - when I'm rambling on and on.

As you await God's greatest treasure on Sept. 1, we want you know what a treasure you have been to your Dad and me.

R & R - Soaking up Family and Sun

Long before any of us heard the word "cancer" and "treatments" and "surgeries" Mat and Bethany gave us our Christmas gift last August.  It was a vacation this next week in Peurta Vijarta - at a vacation Villa they had reserved.  The whole Bell/ Good Clan gets to go be together for one entire week.  I had been saving my personal days -- my school has graciously allowed me to get away for the rest time and to renew my strength this close to the end of school-- the doctor has given me a "get out of jail" card from treatments next week and we're headed for Mexico in the morning - with lots of food warnings and masks.

The past few weeks the fatigue and dizziness have been more intense on days 3-5 -- but ibuprofen helps the body ache. The numbness in my feet has  improved and I can use my fingers much better.

Bethany and the kids dropped me off at TCI for dr. visit and treatment yesterday and I asked Sydney what she was going to do yesterday -- she shot back, "Go to Mexico"  I don't think she even KNOWS what or where MX is -- but she's in!  

We get to celebrate Marshall's 33rd birthday with him and Katie --
Get lots of cuddle time with the kids --
Walk the beach with the kiddos exploring all God's creation and critters -- looking for sand crabs --
Make lots of memories ---
REST up --and RENEW - and READY ourselves for what's ahead.

Jan Good (my son-in-law's mother) is healing well from her surgery and treatments.

God is in the daily and in the details.  HE's the provider of everything -- HE's my healer -- HIS timing is perfect.  

Happy Birthday, Bethany Janeese

Bethany picked me up from my 11th treatment yesterday and then we were able to go to lunch for her 35th Birthday -- We Bell girls love to celebrate our birthdays for days so we need to start early.

One of my favorite pictures -- Terry was on duty
the whole time of Bethany's birth!





It seems like only yesterday.

Cousin Angie and Nonnie

We don't know where the time has gone! 
We love you for so many reasons -- you have always lit up the room with your smile and laugh -- you bring us such joy! 

 Love you so, Mom and Dad!

From the Mouths of Babes

We're enjoying watching Sydney's language develop -- 

Early this morning when Syd was  sneaking down the hall before time to get up -- Campbell was heard instructing her sister, "If you don't get back in this room , you're going to lose kids' day with Daddy-- To which she responded "Campbell quit copying me" (the only response this 2 yr could think of) -- don't know how that fit -- but it was her only comeback!  

She loves to tease Campbell with anything that she thinks will make her annoyed -- and her sense of humor is laced with impishness.  When  C is having a melt-down or grippy about something -- Syd sings "Gretta Grumpy, Gretta Grumpy  . . ."
then looks at her momma and says, "I happy Momma. . ."

 She is picking up so much that she hears and wants to be in preschool so badly with big Sis -- yelling "Drop me off, drop me off" when they are in the drop off line at Redeemer Covenant.

- When they put Jack's helmet on for the first time today -- Sydney ran to the garage to get her scooter helmet to wear to support Jackers. 

Daddy Day came off as promised and planned for all three Goods
The Jenks aquarium was packed - so Daddy opted for Barnes and Noble -- a fav for them and Daddy.

Tonight at bedtime Campbell said to Sydney "I want to wash your feet like Jesus washed the disciples feet".

When Sydney heard big sister say it was Pink Tuesday -- she ran to the costume closet to create her very special look.  The top is a Strawberry shortcake costume of her momma's at that age.

Campbell is so focused on all topics related to Jesus return.  It's all very real to her and she wants it now.
The other day she was clattering away in the back seat when her momma heard her say as she gave the side of the car a swipe with a wet wipe -- "Jesus is coming back, and He likes a clean car."

And on a deeper theological note she asked her momma- "what happens if God breaks his own laws?"

Surrounded by lot of lovin'!

10 down and 6 to go!!!

The verses that struck a chord with me today are: 

"Who am I and what is my family that you have brought us this far?"  2 Samuel 7:18

"All day long I will proclaim your saving power, for I am overwhelmed by how much you have done for me.  I will praise your mighty deeds." Psalm 71

Everything came together when Campbell realized that dress up today was "Western Day" not "Restroom Day"
She cracks me up!!!  Still laughing! 

Easter Buddies

I just have to post my favorite Easter pic of our three Grands. 

Easter started for us with a dynamic message by Mondo on the last three days of Jesus life.  He made it all come to life in his only-Mondo-could-do-that way.

Campbell was touched by her Sunday School lesson and kept saying -- "Mom, I just want us to all die and go be with Jesus -- Mom, Jesus is coming back to get us -- let's just all go to Heaven -- Mom, is Parker Jesus' Mommy?"

Sydney found her basket from Mommy and Daddy at 6 am and before breakfast had eaten all her candy.

Campbell couldn't wait for the Easter Bunny and left a carrot on the door mat out front -- so sure that he'd take a  bite when he showed up.  

Major Decision:  (WHO was going to take a bite out of that veggie on the stoop?") oh well, somebody had to do it-- thanks Nana!

With all the rain and drizzle we opted for an inside Egg Hunt --

Sydney couldn't quite get the hang of  the hunting eggs routine until she discovered Reese's peanut butter cups in her eggs.

-- S was really taken with the huge magnifying glass we put in her Easter Bucket 

Bethany and I both had stuffed eggs resulting in twice as much sugar for two already-energetic little girls, which made for a meltdown at bed time and a much-too early wake-up on Monday morn.  I'm calling it the "NO SUGAR - EASTER BUNNY RECLAIMED IT ALL"  MONDAY"

Campbell always keeps us laughing -- still a bit wired from Sunday's sugar high on Monday afternoon - she was jumping off the ottoman and her mom had asked her to stop.  She did -- but forgetting, returned to jumping once more and fell and got a goose egg on her head.  Her momma explained that misbehaving had caused her to get a goose egg.  
Clearly scared and upset -- not ever having heard of a goose egg,
she cried, "Is it going to hatch?"
I guess it's an Easter throwback from all the eggs of the season.

It's Not GOOD KARMA, It's the GREAT PHYSICIAN

Treatment #9 is one for the books -- 7 more to go!!!  
Dr. Taylor asked if my surgeon was excited about the MRI results -- I mentioned that she said with the chemistry of this cancer typically the diminishing of the cancer was not this drastic --He looked at me grinned and said -- "But it is!"  
I love the names of Jesus and how in different phases of my life - those names have come to be dominant -- I know Him as my Jehovah Rapha, in a way I've never known before.

Thank you, Jesus!  

With YOU, Jesus, we caught this before it became even more agressive -- Not knowing where to go in this cancer journey -- YOU  led us to wonderful faith-filled physicians who can appreciate and understand answered prayer.
So many prayers for Jan Good's surgery were answered so completely yesterday!

Terry and I watched Killing Jesus, the National Geographic rendition of Bill O'Reilly's book last night.   Lots of the miraculous was left out -- Bill's books have tended to be very accurate to the historical account. For some reason NatGeo left out some of the significant God-connecting-to-physical-earth-in -a-supernatural-way portions.  I'm thinking that was more them than Bill O'Reilly.

As they show Jesus starting his ministry and approaching John for baptism -- it's John trying to convince Jesus that God has this cup for HIM.  If Jesus didn't know HE had a heavenly calling, then what was the 12 yr. old Jesus in the temple about, anyway?  

When he baptizes Jesus -- there's no voice from Heaven. I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED THAT PART!

No feeding the 5000.

There are a few healing ones -- mainly the catch of fish to call Peter and reinstate Peter.

There is no angel in the garden coming and ministering to Jesus as HE is praying for the cup to pass.

The sun doesn't darken during those 3 hours of the crucifixion.

The tombs don't open up and the dead walk around in Jerusalem.

The veil of the temple isn't split in two - signifying that now all disciples can have a direct relationship to God.

The angel isn't at the tomb telling them Jesus is risen and He doesn't appear to the disciples.


WHAT I DID LOVE. . .

Was showing Jesus relationship to HIS mother and brothers and their questioning what he was all about --

The Last Supper and HIM washing their feet

Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea - as members of the Jewish ruling council and their defense of him -- how they are interwoven into the back story of it all secretly being his followers.

The scene of Jesus mother wrapping him for burial--- 

The scenes of the trial and flogging tore at my heart.

That evental Friday  that sealed our eternal destiny was horrific --Saturday was a dismal day -- but Resurrection Sunday came.  

HE WENT THROUGH ALL THIS SO THAT WE CAN LIVE FOREVER IN HIS FAMILY.

GO TELL PETER

He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.'  Mark 16

This phrase resonated with me throughout the day after I heard it on the radio driving to school this morning --

    "Go tell Peter"  i.e.  Let Him know that wasn't the end of me --  I want to see him  -- It's not over . . . 

I got to wondering --When He hung on the cross, did His eyes search the crowd looking for Peter?  He saw the women, His mom and John -- was he straining to see if this man who was one of his closest and first chosen was on the fringe of the crowd?  Where did Peter go on that Good Friday?  

Peter had let the crowd know "this guys's not with me"---  3 TIMES!!!  (not too different from those times we sell out to a lesser passion or our pride.)  

But Jesus knew the plans He had for this man and that Peter would serve the Kingdom in mighty ways.  Sure, He knew all his shortcomings -- but He loved that big hunk of a fisherman as deeply as He loves you and me.

And Peter didn't stay away for long -- on Resurrection Morning he went to the tomb just after the earliest disciples.  He went to see.

When Jesus reinstates Peter-- he takes him back to the first place he called Him to follow Him.  Puzzled Peter had decided to go back to fishing when along comes His Jesus who once more tells him to throw his nets out -- and once more they catch such a huge catch of fish the nets break.

In front of a fire after catching fish -- 

Jesus presses in, asking 3 times in 3 ways -- "DO YOU LOVE ME, PETER?"  He wasn't letting go of this man!

Easter is about coming home . . .

       Jesus has the lights on waiting for us -- 

                  We're always on His mind.

I loved a song in my early years . . .

                        Keep so busy servin' my Jesus
                               Keep so busy servin' my Jesus

                               Keep so busy servin' my Jesus

                                     Ain't got time to die!!! 

                       It takes all of my time to praise my Jesus
                            All of my time to praise my LORD
                     If I don't praise him -- the rocks are gonna' cry out
                                              GlORY AND HONOR
                                             GLORY AND HONOR

                                                                 Ain't got time to die.

I was thinking of this song one day after a fun time of teaching Sunday school when I told Terry that when I see Jesus -- I want to know that I have totally exhausted the gifts HE has given me.

But in all my DOING ---  I want PRAISE to have prominence.
 . . What is it that in all the doing -- and being so BUSY for HIS BUSINESS -- that we lose our PRAISE?   Maybe even get a little grumpy while we're DOING?  It's like we lose sight of the UPPER STORY.  

Notice that the REAL business in this song is PRAISING.

That last week on Sunday they were praising Jesus and by Thursday they wanted him dead!!!  I dare say in both crowds were some of the same on-lookers -- who just couldn't make up their minds . . . so easily swayed.

--  I love reading everything Jesus did His last week on earth -- cursing the fig tree -- healing -- teaching -- covering all the bases for the passover meal with his closest.

 Jesus knew what was ahead -- yet at dinner, He took time to affirm and serve them.  They were clamoring to be the best in His Kingdom and at that time He knew that in the coming months and years their lives would be forever turned upside down in Kingdom Living. He gently washed the feet of  the men would change the world. 

In this Passion Week -- may we slow down to PRAISE
PRAISE,  PRAISE!

It's the language of Heaven.