Two Great Weeks

It has been a wonderful 2 weeks for me.   Even though my mind keeps me from remembering all the details, I will try to remember a few.  The first week we were planning Agustin's 80th birthday party which our kids helped organize.   A complete success! Although it was not a surprise, he was thoroughly surprised when old friends from over 50 years ago, traveled down from northern VA just for the party and spent part of the next day with us.  He was good friends with Judy Stehling and Edgar Ariza...such a great surprise!   We also welcomed Juan Esteban back who had spent 4 months with us 2 years ago as well as Jessika, his girl friend who works as an au pair in Raleigh.  So grateful for all the folks that could wish him well on his 80th. birthday:)
 Such a busy week it was.   During the week, we visited  Veritas Vineyards and Agustin, Kathy, Ruthie and Juan enjoyed wine tasting. (I did not get into that:)
Deciding against surgery and having it confirmed by Dr. Oberholzer and the surgeons at UVA  has taken a load off of my mind and heart.  I looked over my early "blog" entries and realize how sick I was last year at this time, not yet knowing I had a mass of adenocarcinoma in my pancreas and minute spots on my liver.   It has been a tough year with chemo but God, in His time and in His will, has brought me to this day through the prayers of friends and relatives, the care of my devoted husband and family and the shrinking of the tumor with the chemo.  Of course, there is still the remains of a tumor and as I have been told, it never goes completely away, but for now, feeling healthy and energetic 2 weeks out of 3 is my gift of quality of life.  I will continue to have chemo as long as it works and as long as my body can tolerate the side effects, every 3 weeks.
This past week I joined the Y again and have gone swimming 3 times.  So far so good with not contracting any viruses:):) 
I felt well enough this week to take the big "plunge" tomorrow morning and sing a hymn-solo at our church.  The hymn I chose has lyrics with my journey.  The thought of singing over this past year has not been appealing with all the energy, drive, hydration and desire that it takes...I am depending on God's continuing inspiration to get me through this challenge of singing again. 
This is the song I will sing.

Day by day, and with each passing moment,

Strength I find to meet my trials here;

Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,

I've no cause for worry or for fear.

He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,

Gives unto each day what He deems best,

Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,

Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day the Lord Himself is near me,

With a special mercy for each hour;

All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,

He whose name is Counsellor and Pow'r.

The protection of His child and treasure

Is a charge that on Himself He laid;

As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure, 

This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then, in very tribulation,'

So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,

That I lose not faith's sweet consolation,

Offered me with Thy holy Word.

Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,

E'er to take, as from a father's hand,

One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,

Till we reach the promised land.