Thankful for days like this...

I had a busy day, not side-effect free, but definitely more functional than most. Kristen is starting a job! So, we ran around a bit today, getting her working papers in order and getting forms back to the store where she will be working. Squeeze in a doctor's visit to my favorite surgeon and lunch out with both Kristen and Bob in there somewhere, and that was my day from 8 this morning til around 4:30 when I finally got to sit in my comfy chair for a bit. I was exhausted, but so thankful that I had the energy (and the driver!) to accomplish all that. Next week is treatment 3, so I know I will be staying put quite a bit. 

Of course, 8 is not when I got up. Awake at 5:15ish again, and just can't seem to sleep later than that, so a nap felt great. This round of treatment has proven to be pretty much the same as last, with more fatigue and a couple of other side effects showing up or slightly worse than last time. I have started with some mouth sores, which aren't too bad yet and we will see. At least my family is spared my rambling for a while since it is tender to talk!  :)  All of them are still pretty manageable, and I am thankful for that. It is amazing what you can do when you have to and how you adapt! 

Thankful thoughts:

• Broccoli/Chicken/Rice soup - thank you, Carolyn!
• Accomplishing something for my dear youngest, instead of her doing something for me...which she did anyway!
• Playing games with the fam.
• A surgeon who makes me so comfortable and cared for.
• Lunch with my kids. Doesn't happen often enough.
• Warm naps
• Chatting with a neighbor today...way too long since that!

Again, something from Joni and Friends devotional this morning. Our Lord is never resting, never unaware of what is going on and what He has planned in our lives...

"He is a God of intention -- he has a purpose, a target, a goal, and a plan. God was a giant step ahead of Joseph's brothers, aborting their evil intentions to suit his own purposes. Joseph's problems did not catch God off guard, presenting him with situations he wished would never have happened. From the beginning, God calculated for Joseph to experience all these things. Why? For the salvation of others.

God is not a sweep-up boy who follows you with a dustpan and brush, second-guessing how everything will fit into a divine pattern for good. He does not put on a hazmat suit so that an evil situation doesn't contaminate his holy reputation.

Think of disappointing or bad things that have happened to you. God's hands stay on the wheel of your life from start to finish so that everything follows his intention for your life. This means your trials have more meaning -- much more -- than you realize. Your problems have more purpose than you can imagine. Not because God merely used bad things, but because God intended them so that others might be brought to Jesus through your example."

I hope this encourages you as it does me! God bless your night and your day tomorrow.  Christmas tree is coming down tomorrow, I hope. Always saddens me, but I love the clean house left behind!

Love you. Thank you for your faithful prayers.

Andi