She is His

This morning, we can give thanks that God is before her. She is His. 

Wendy got a "yes" from her Dr. this morning and is receiving treatment! Her red and white counts are still a little low, but this week the battle is His! 

She will need to continue receiving white count booster shots for a few weeks, and he will continue to monitor her hemoglobin and advise another transfusion if needed, but today we give THANKS for His best yes. 

Thanks to you all! Please continue to pray specifically for:

- blood counts (this is a normal side effect of chemo- nothing short of God's hand can "fix" it)

- muscle soreness (we are hoping it will start to get less and less. Otherwise she pushes through it like a champ!)  

- family and her most important job as mom! 

Bless you!! 

K

Be Still

As I think about tomorrow and what it holds for Wendy, I bask in the realization that even though I just don't know what it holds, the King of Heaven's armies is fighting for her! Tonight, let's be still and let GOD. 

Pray for Wendy tomorrow- for her white blood count, her hemoglobin, her patience, her muscle soreness, her husband, her mom, her kids, her Dr. and her nurses! Hoping with everything to give you all a positive update next time we chat! 

Blessings- K

Think Pink

As you probably know, October is breast cancer awareness month. It is a simple calendar event to many, and a reason for pink everything in the retail world, but now, it's a face. It's our daughter, wife, mom, sister, aunt, best friend, co-worker, loved one. It's a reminder to pray. It's a reminder to be thankful. It's a reminder that behind every pink ribbon, pink t-shirt, pair of pink socks, pink head band, pink hat, pink phone case, or pink whatever is a person whose life was interrupted; whose life story now and forever involves pink. 

I want to challenge you this month to THINK PINK. Choose a day or two this month to proudly show off your pink (or your orange Wendy-Woo gear), and if you feel so led, share a pic with Wendy by text, on Facebook or comment on the blog. Remind her why her battle is worth it to you! Why SHE is worth it! 

Wendy was able to receive chemo yesterday, and is doing well overall. Both her white and red blood counts were lower again, and she is receiving a booster shot for her WBC today and tomorrow. We are praying over the RBC, hoping still that she will not need another transfusion. Her labs will be rechecked before her chemo appointment next week. The muscle soreness has let up a little, and the physician reports that it should lessen with each consecutive treatment, so here is hoping for LESS soreness this weekend!!!

Please continue to pray for: 

• Wendy's blood counts to rebound (WBC and RBC). 
• Wendy's side effect of muscle pain and soreness to GO AWAY or be tolerable/significantly less!! 
• NO ADDITIONAL SIDE EFFECTS of chemo, including fatigue or loss of appetite! 
• Peace over Wendy's heart - it is hard for this busy wife, mama, realtor, friend and ministry leader to be idle!! I don't think any of us can fully understand the extent of this loss, so please pray for her heart!
• The Helton family as they lock arms and care for one another during this battle! 

Blessings to you all. It is a privilege to walk alongside Wendy on this journey, and get to know all of you who love her as well! Thanks for your ongoing prayers and support. They are worth millions! Don't forget to THINK PINK and send your pics to Wendy via Facebook, text, or the blog! 

K

The Present

My kiddo, Ruby, watches Kung Fu Panda like it is her JOB. (Aunt Wendy loves to ask her what her kung fu name is.) Sometimes Disney throws some nuggets of wisdom in their movies that make some sense. I am particularly fond of this one: "Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery, but TODAY IS A GIFT. That is why it is called the PRESENT." (It's too bad if your brain doesn't read the quotes with the voice of Master Oogway though! )

Lately, I am reminded to be thankful for TODAY's blessings. A hug around the neck. A sweet text from a friend. A roof over my head. A moment of quiet. The beauty of God's creation. The list could go on and on. I pray this often for Wendy-Woo, also, that she could have eyes to see the blessings of today in the seeming chaos and mystery of tomorrow. That she could experience little moments that are like a kiss to her cheek from God. Ones that remind her He loves her and hasn't left her side.

As we head into Week 2 of Phase 2 of chemotherapy, we certainly do not know what it will hold: her lab report, her Dr. report, her side effects- all a mystery. But today, I am thankful. Thankful that my friend got to hang out and cook food with me on Saturday. Thankful that she got to doll up Ashlyn for homecoming and watch her "baby" grow up before her eyes. Thankful she taught Sunday School on Sunday. Thankful she could host small group Sunday Night. Thankful she is heading out with me in a bit to cheer on her favorite softball team. Sure- there are things to complain about. Seasons of hard parenting.  A husband with a sore back. Nasty muscle and joint aches. Mid-week treatment. Leaving her cleats at home tonight. But she won't. She rarely does. That kind of awesomeness is rare.

Thank you for praying for Wendy and her crew:

• She has had some significant muscle and joint aches with this new medication. It is a common side effect, but we want to pray for RELIEF if not REMOVAL of this symptom! 
• For her blood counts tomorrow, specifically her WBC, RBC and potassium, all which have been a little out of whack the last few appointments! 
• For NO additional symptoms of chemo! 
• For the cancer to continue to GO AWAY! 
• For Andy, as he cares for her and the family right now (and for his back! Crazy Orange Leaf cooler!) 
• For Ashlyn, Taylor and Lukie as they go about their jobs this week: school, church and homework! 

Thank you for your ongoing prayers, notes, texts, and love! Remember there is ORANGE GEAR available HERE if you want to wear your support! Wendy has an amazing team behind her! 

Blessings- K

Won With Prayers

Thank you to all the prayer warriors who have been praying for Wendy's white blood cells this week. With her booster shots on Monday and Tuesday, her levels were sufficient for her to receive chemo yesterday. The treatment went well, overall, which is yet another reason to give thanks! She was a little drowsy from some medication they have to give her with treatment, but who doesn't like a little nap every now and again, especially when you are stuck in one place for several hours!? Her next treatment is currently scheduled for next Wednesday. 

In other news, these are my "Hallelujah Balloons" that we are sending to God today in thanks that...drum roll please...the Dr, can BARELY feel the area where the tumor was!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I could seriously fill the page with exclamation points, but I will spare you. Please join me in giving thanks to GOD that HE is waging AND WINNING this battle with and for Wendy! **Cue thankful tears that our wife, mom, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, co-worker, teammate, lover of root beer is STRIKING OUT CANCER!!

Please continue to pray for Andy and Wendy in this season. The next 12 weeks hold a lot of weight in time, waiting, and uncertainty. Let us remember to encourage them as the seasons change, her needs frequently at the forefront of our minds. Specifically now, let's pray for them as the normal aspects of life's demands continue in the face of cancer: parenting (oy vey, parenting), work demands, household chores, ministry, and did I mention parenting!? 

• Pray for Ashlyn: for school, for friendships, for good health, for her ministries at church, and for God to give her peace over worries and uncertainties in her heart.
• Pray for Taylor: for school, for friendships, for ongoing stability of her medical needs, for church and for God to touch her heart in a special way. 
• Pray for Luke: for school (which he loves!), for friendships, for good health, and for God to watch over his precious heart.  
• Continue to pray for Wendy's health needs: her counts to remain stable, NO SIDE EFFECTS, NO SICKNESS, and for the chemo to continue working! 
• Continue to pray for Andy: the weight of care-giving (you know, the one we mostly self-impose) is sometimes more than we think we can bear. Andy is doing a great job being a husband, dad, and receiver of the brunt of worries, but we need to lift him up and encourage him often!
• Pray for Hal and Nancy: Hal is quickly approaching retirement, and Nancy continues to be persistently at Wendy's side; pray for them both as they support their daughter. 
• Pray for one another: we are all affected by this illness in one way or another, and some it touches deeply. We are Wendy's posse, and the posse must pray for one another! 

Blessings! K

(P.S. Ordered bracelets went out in the mail! T-Shirts are on order and will be mailed soon! If you haven't ordered your Wendy-Woo Wear, visit the store today!!!) 

The Deep End of Faith

Days like today are those where God is pushing us to the deep end of our faith. Ones where we are challenged to remember He is good. He is for us. He loves us. He is mighty to save. His ways are higher. Specifically, His delays are not denials.

Wendy was not able to receive chemo today, as her white blood count was too low to receive it safely. It was certainly a disappointment for her. She had to receive a booster shot today (for her WBC), and will receive another tomorrow in hopes that treatment can occur on Wednesday. Our white blood cells protect us against illness, and when they are too low, we are at an increased risk of infection. Because chemo naturally threatens the white count further, it is a no-go until they are at a healthy level. Friends, mid-week treatments are NOT on Wendy's wish list! She wants to get it DONE, so she can enjoy the weekends with her crew! But, we MUST keep the faith- God's ways are HIGHER than our ways. I loved this reminder that I found today from Daily Bread as I was searching the Word for relief of the "why Wendy, why today" questions that were circling in my head and heart this morning...

"It was natural for Martha and Mary to send for Jesus when Lazarus became seriously ill (John 11:1-3). Perhaps they looked anxiously along the road for signs of His arrival, but Jesus didn’t come. The funeral service had been over for 4 days when Jesus finally walked into town (v.17).

Martha was blunt. “If You had been here,” she said, “my brother would not have died” (v.21). Then her faith flickered into certainty, “Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You” (v.22). I wonder what she expected. Lazarus was dead, and she was wary about opening the tomb. And yet at a word from Jesus, Lazarus’ spirit returned to his decaying body (vv.41-44). Jesus had bypassed simply healing His sick friend, in order to perform the far greater miracle of bringing him back to life. Waiting for God’s timing may also give us a greater miracle than we had hoped for."

My Savior hears me when I pray,

Upon His Word I calmly rest;

In His own time, in His own way,

I know He’ll give me what is best. —Hewitt

Let's thank God tonight for giving Wendy her best chance at striking out cancer, for giving her HIS best. Time spent waiting on God is never wasted. Our faith is far more valuable than gold. Whether today, or Wednesday, He is working and worthy of our praise.

Please specifically pray for: 

• Wendy's white blood cell count! NO MORE DELAY'S and NO ILLNESS!
• NO SIDE EFFECTS with this chemotherapy! 
• PRAISE for an increase in Wendy's red blood count after her recent transfusion. It is amazing how much better you feel when your body is receiving oxygen!
• Wendy's heart as she faces trials, disappointments and discouragements. 
• FOR COMPLETE HEALING! 
• Andy as he cares for Wendy through these trials, as well as his care over his family and work.
• Ashlyn, Taylor and Luke as they each deal with life in their own ways, and for Andy and Wendy as they parent them with their best during this time. 
• Andy and Wendy's families and friends to have eyes to see their needs and encourage them often! 

Many blessings! I will update you soon! In the meantime, wear orange (or buy orange in the store). Send a text or a note. Drink a root beer in solidarity. Pray. Most of all, pray.

K

I Am Doing a New Thing

...thus says the Lord who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters. 

In light of Wendy starting a new treatment on Monday morning, I have been sensing this Scripture in my spirit. Phase I is behind her, a closed door. Phase II before her, and I choose to believe in it a promise; God is already there, and He promises to stay. He promises to move. His work will cause us to praise Him. He is faithful, and on Monday morning at 8 am, His mercies will be new. Have hope; for behold, I am doing a new thing. 

Lord, thank you for your promises in Scripture. Thank you for your never-ending, never-earned grace through Jesus Christ. Thank you for placing your loving arms around the one we love, Wendy-Woo. Thank you for holding her up and carrying her during times she is too weary to walk. Thank you for selecting a helpmate for her whom you have equipped to love her in a way only Andy can, and thank you for holding him up when he feels like he cannot serve her adequately. Thank you for the three special children who call her mom, and for all the ways you are tending to their hearts. Thank you for teaching all of us what being a Christ-follower means when times are scary and uncertain. Thank you for the way you love us when we are hard pressed, and for the armor you surround us with when we feel consumed. We cannot be crushed. We will trust the truth of this Scripture over our feelings- great is your faithfulness. In the name of Jesus Christ- we will look forward in hopeful anticipation of this NEW THING- victory over cancer! And, in the meantime we will remain alert to what you are doing, with a willingness to be refined, that when it is time we will shout your PRAISE. Amen.

Wendy-Woo, my sister, be brave. No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for you. God is opening a new door on Monday morning, and the devil cannot shut it. Our all-powerful God is preparing for victory. Phase II, strike 2, here we come! 

K