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.

Sisters in This Healing

Jan Good,, my son-in-law's mother and my Sister in all of this has been about 2 months ahead of me with treatments and procedures.  Chemo has been effective to eradicate her Stage 3 breast cancer, as well.  On this Friday she will have surgery. My desire is for anyone reading this to pray for complete healing and minimal surgery for Jan.  Please pray for peace, strength and renewed energy for Jan

I enjoy sharing grandmothering with this dear lady

A Beautiful Day For Bethany McCleod and Andrew Thompson

Three GOOD Men

The weather was perfect and the couple is special to all of us, Bethany McCleod has been Bethany and Mat's baby sitter for the past 2  1/2 years and has become family to us. . . but especially three little Goods.

She and her groom, Andrew Thompson are a precious young couple with a bright future.

Campbell, Sydney and Jack were all asked to participate in their wedding.  Grandad and Grammy Good happened to be in town this weekend and he came along as the second shooter for the wedding.
One of the sweetest sights was when Jim was helping with the post wedding shots with Jack asleep on his shoulder and taking the additional pictures - Jack's little head bobbing up and down.

Ready and Waiting

While Mommy was busy as wedding photographer the whole morning -- Daddy tended the little ones -

Our Three Girls

Ring Bearer and two beautiful flower girls ready to get things going!

Sydney bolts -- this is too much for her!  
She wanted Momma --so Daddy spent the entire  wedding keeping her happy elsewhere.

Campbell doing her part beautifully!!!

YOU Know Who YOU Are . . . . WE Know What YOU Did For Me ... GOD Saw

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  Luke 6:30   

God has a bigger shovel!

This verse has been in my head today.

A longtime friend - who speaks so much back into my life every time we are together -- a heart-to-heart sister of my generation -- Rebecca --- picked me up after Chemo when Terry had to go teach his Friday class at TCC -- took me to lunch -- and even had a frozen meal in the car for next week when I hit the blahs.  Our lunches turn in to 3 hr. catch up times at a great little restaurant on Memorial - The Tropical-- that grows their own vegetables at the side of the building -- They end up filling our cups and glasses for hours while we talk nonstop.

Last time were were catching up over the past 12 years -- this time the past 2.  Rebecca leads a busy life as caregiver and advocate for their son Adam and grandma to two sweet little toddlers.  Her life is full of care and nurture.  Any time I can catch with her is special.  This was no accident that she texted me on Wed. about today.

I've written here quite often about the God-stops -- the timing of a particular gift-- and words spoken that HE has sent my way.

 As I skimmed the text - I saw so many verses about when you give to the least of these you have given unto me.  Well, I know I'm one of those "least of these" and friends I just want to remind you that your precious acts you have sent, done or said -- Jesus saw, and He loves your giving heart and SO DO I.

That whole verse about give and it will be given to you.  So many times friends will say "Well, Jan -- you've done such and such ____________ it's just coming back to you."
  Let's just get this straight.  Any good I've done -- probably all came back in the first month of this Journey.  Anything now is on JESUS TIME and I count it as HIS Loving Kindness that is touching me day by day.  It's not because of who I AM or what I DID one time way back there -- It's b/c of WHO HE IS AND WHO YOU and I ARE IN HIM -- His chosen ones.

AREN'T WE ALL JUST GETTING A LITTLE CLOSER TO HOME AND FEELING HIS LOVE Stronger in our lives?  

As our world  and the nightly news gets darker -- don't we want HIS Light brighter in our day to day world?

I love what I heard a minister say one day --"GOD wants a big family and HE wants us to look like his Oldest Boy."  I want that for my life.

In all this I want to be more attentive to HIS nudges.  Listen more close to HIS voice and
 Live life more simply
 throwing off all the excess that weighs me down.

I want to give more -- 
be more -- 
praise more --
but Most of ALL 
quiet down to listen.


Chemo #8 is one for the books.  

HALFWAY THROUGH TREATMENTS.  YOU HAVE MADE THE JOURNEY A TIME OF REST AND PEACE BY HELPING IN SO MANY AREAS OF MY LIFE. 
 LOVE TO YOU ALL.     Jan

MORE EVIDENCE OF THE GREAT PHYSICIAN

Yesterday Terry and  I met with my surgeon. She was thrilled with the MRI results and said that she was surprised at such a drastic change in the reduction in the size of the cancer.  She mentioned that someone who had my type of positive hormone receptor breast cancer usually didn't have this dramatic a change in the cancer.  

We stand in prayer thanking God -- thanking you all for your prayers.

Dr. LaNette Smith is a devout Christian who is well-regarded in the medical community in Tulsa.

Mondo's conclusion to Covenant living

Mondo finished up his covenant series today

And his message from John 15 was to love like Jesus loved --

In response to his question -- "How did Jesus love?"  Mondo kept it simple"

                            He showed up --- he taught -- he did for others.

He said we have to show up by being in each others lives -- teach and pass on what God has taught us -- and do something for others who can't do for themselves -- servant living.

IT WAS HAT SUNDAY . . .

AS A SIGN OF THE COVENANT OF PRAYER THEY HAVE BEEN KEEPING FOR ME . . .

These people have been standing in prayer for me -- and were equally celebrating the answered prayer in this week's MRI results.
#iamoneblessedwoman.  



This morning I read my blogs from early December and I saw how God has been changing my fears over so many aspects of this to peace.  He has been my strength and has given me joy in the hard places.  As I read the various struggle points and issues I had listed early on, I could now see how HE has made my way secure --
Nausea under control!  Little Chemo brain -- ok -- well manageable then-- my classroom issues met --financial issues met -- Natalie Warren Breast Center totally writing off expensive MRI's that my insurance refused to pay --  When I think of the peace that has overtaken the fear -- I realized HE's been healing fears in my mind as well as cancer in my body!!

At the beginning of all this --the road of 9 months seemed so long -- but I don't have to fear -- "I know who goes before me -- I know who stands beside" -- as Chris Tomlin sings -- "The God of Angel Armies is always by my side."

These dear friends have been so close during 
our years at Life Park!

#Doingmyhappydance

Treatment #7 meant that I would see my oncologist, Dr. Taylor today.  I had several questions but my most pressing was did he have the results of Tuesday's MRI?  
He did and said that there were substantial decrease in the cancer.  

            THE CANCER MARGINS HAVE REDUCED FROM 5.5CM TO 1.3 CM!!!  
                            GOD IS MY HEALER - 
          That's like change from 2 1/2 inches to 1/2 inch according to my little sewing ruler.

I have grinned all day --

Terry and I bought the yummiest lunch from the Melt Down Gourmet Grilled 
Cheese food truck outside the cancer center after treatment.

We had a fun sleepover with the Good Grandgirls -- Gparent movie / pizza night -- watching Annie

We are living loving and HEALING because of  God's Grace!

The JOY of the LORD is my strength.  Nehemial 8:10

We've gotten the first primary biopsy results from Terry's thyroidectomy -the tumor shows as benign - in two weeks we will have the complete results.  He had some heart issues they had to check out before they would do the surgery (really high blood pressure- irregular heartbeat and pulse) -- but late Wed. afternoon he was cleared for surgery on Thursday morning and by 4:45 Terry left to go set up for Kids University and worked there until almost 10 pm.  I wasn't too keen on his pushing so hard after the heart tests and high blood pressure -- but he was NOT going to cancel on the children or his Interns since we'd been out the week before for snow and this week would be a recovery week for him.

Katie arrived from Denver Wed. morn - Bethany and the kids picked her up at the airport and the girls have been tag-teaming taking care of us and have been going 90 mph since.   Bethany got Terry released on Friday about noon and got him settled in at the house while Katie took me to chemo #6 and on a few errands.

We've spent lots of time in the kitchen -- Katie came with lots of meals in mind that she wanted to prepare for us for the coming days -- so much yummy food!  We've talked -- she's done all the entrees and I've been the chatter box in the way. LOL!

We two Bell women fight over who is going to pay for the groceries -- she has a way of slipping her debit card in before I can slide mine -- so I try to devise all sorts of ways to out wit her.  (sending her on a pretzel search for me the morning before chemo - while I paid)  Any one passing Braum's on yesterday would have seen me trying to race her to get to the chicken grillers before she could get them to the check out - score one for Katie.  No sure what that looked like -- a 60-something gal in a hat - trying to outrace a cute 30-something. 

It has been special family time -- good medicine for T and Me. We three Bell/ Good women got in lots of catching up talk time at the hospital and lots of time with our little ones in the evening. Yesterday Campbell got to stay over and decorate Easter cookies with Aunt Katie and help me put up the Easter decorations around the house while Sydney and Jack went home for a nap.  As soon as she found out that I was going to be on Spring Break -- she began asking for a sleepover.

The girls are getting used to my bald head -- I've always kept it covered around them -- But Campbell looked at my wig and said "Nana your hair grew back"  I took it off to show it wasn't back yet.  She understands that my baldness is a sign the medicine is working on my "boo boo" and by fireworks time on the 4th of July my hair should be
popping out.

-- Sydney isn't sure what to think --looking at my bald head said - "Neena, (independent Sydney has her OWN name for me) take off that hat!"

It's all good here -- living, loving and healing because of God's good grace.  I did the math and time-wise I'm HALF-WAY THROUGH-- 5 MONTHS OF TREATMENTS -- 2 1/2 months down!!!  - 10 more treatments - one a week now -- but I love the thought of being halfway to the finish line.

Angels Standing in My Gap -

One of the things that kept me awake at night during all of December was  the question -what was I going to do about teaching?  In answer to my pleas and prayers -- ALRIGHT WORRY -- both of these sweet friends contacted me to let me know they were ready to fill in all the gaps that my treatments would create.
NOW -- finding just the right person could only be a God - gift.  I had promised my students right before we left for the Christmas holidays that life would go on as usual -- no interuptions -- not knowing for sure what that would mean. . . I told them we would have the best teachers to take my place.

AND WE DO!!! Long-time friends and Family and Consumer Science Teachers -- whom I've taught with over the years.

Sharon Bennett was my mentor as I started at OHS in 2000 - with a broken ankle -- in a wheel chair. .  I remember her trying to work out ways to make it easier for me.
I watched her work during that year -- even though she was retiring -- she was tireless in her efforts to create great lessons for her students in the new group she was given.  She loves students and teaching is her life -- I know that if there is a gap in my plans for the hour -- she can create interesting discussions for the students. Sharon enjoys high schoolers -- even the rambunctious ones-- and the kids love her!   She has been covering these winter months and will continue during the Spring on alternate times with Marinelle McPherson.
Even though Sharon was booked for the Ag class -- when our bad weather hit this week -- she was already trying to figure out a way we could keep Marinelle off the bad roads and she could get to my class to help.  She was already working on that before I could get my head around it --WHO DOES THAT?

Marinelle and I taught together for 13 years and our principal called us clones -- we COULD finish each other's sentences.  She is coming in from Lake Eufala to cover three March days and April and May times when I have to be out. We got to catch up Thursday night when she came for a "sleepover" before she taught for me on Friday.  We text back and forth often.  I hate this since she is two hours away but she has insisted it's no trouble to do this  -- THOUGH IT IS A LOT OF TROUBLE --  WHO DOES THAT?  She is a pro and able to create a sense of calm in the classroom and also fill in the blank spots of something I forgot in planning.  I've asked her to teach her specialty the first week of May - parenting and child development --when I have to be out the whole week.

I am so in debt to these two women -- I dreaded the thought of 18 different subs -- and chaos every time I would return from treatments.  My students love these two women -- they tell me "They ROCK!"  

I've shared over and over the gifts God has sent my way -- THESE TWO ARE AT THE TOP OF MY BLESSING LIST!!!  Not only are they teaching for me -- but are praying in my behalf and have put me on the prayer lists at their churches.

Every good and perfect gift - comes down from the Father of Lights -- James 

LIVE, LOVE & LAUGH -- THESE THREE DO IT FOR US!

This little giggler keeps us laughing.

It had been over a week since we've been with the kids so when Bethany called yesterday and asked me if I'd like to meet them for a quick bite of lunch on my "snow day"  I jumped at the chance.  The girls of course wondered where Papa was -- since he couldn't join us because of a meeting --  Busting out of "cabin fever" -- Sydney fever and virus-free -- Jack's 7 mo. birthday were all things  to celebrate.

Sydney is so taken with her Papa -- the other day she came out with her purse on her arm and informed her mom that she was going on a date with her Papa.




Last week, when S couldn't figure out a game she got at the Dentist office -- she ran upstairs to get her SUPER GIRL cape to help "conquer" it.

Campbell's little mind is always working and we can see her thoughts processing / wheels turning as she is standing there in front of us
C:  I want to meet Dr. Suess
Her Momma:  Well, Dr. Suess is dead.
C: Oh no --- and I never got to meet him. (clearly distraught!)

Her Momma: I never got to meet him either --
C:  When Did he die?  --
Her Momma: I don't know you'll have to ask Nana.
C:  She won't know -- she only knows about Jesus!

I guessed the correct decade-  and promptly googled him to learn as much as I could -- just in case I get asked!

Earlier in the week -- she told her momma - she couldn't wait for Jesus to die on the cross -- Bethany explained that had already happened -- A little disappointed that she missed it and at the same time -- her wheels were turning -- trying to figure out where Jesus and the dinosaurs fit into a time line. ..  

Look out, Jack -- Read the shirt -- it says "BOSS" -- you're in trouble buddy

Jack's jump up swing has been great past time for him -- because he can watch the girls -- grin and giggle and feel a bit independent.  The other day Bethany walked by to see Sydney give him a big push -- and a few minutes later overhead the girls arguing as to who could push him the furthest -- at that momma rescued Jack and the girls spent a little time in "time - out" learning about brother safety while Jack giggled and grinned at the whole event.

Hoping Today's treatment will be easier like the nurses and patients have said -- but knowing that

I am richly blessed and healing well 
These little "JOYMAKERS" sweeten the journey.  So thankful they are just down the road!

On the UP

This roller coaster has given me a great ride for the past few days -- I've felt more like myself in the last 4-5 days than I have since treatments started!!!  
  Every treatment has something -- this time-- Neuropathy has hit my feet --It's like walking on sharp rocks-- but hey --ibuprofen has made walking doable and when I go in a room -- I think of everything I need to do when I'm there to make that trip count. I limit my trips to the other side of the school or send a student.  I start my new chemo on Friday which is supposed to be an easier ride.  God is so good!

This little lady has been running a temp with a virus since Sunday and we've had to stay away -- sure am missing our grand-kiddos!!!