Praise!

I heard from the doctor's office today, while I don't have the official report, the good news is that the cancer is 'stable'. This means that the cancer has not grown or spread to any other areas. This is very good news, and an answer to prayer. I will see the doctor on Monday when I go in for my fourth chemo treatment, and I will know more details then. Helen, his nurse that I spoke with today, says she expects him to be pleased. Thank you for your prayers and please keep them flowing! Pray that my blood levels will be good on Monday and that I remain healthy so that I can continue to stay on track with my treatments. Please continue to ask for a miracle on my behalf, we are asking for the cancer to be completely defeated. Jillian is on her way home now, she should be here around 11 p.m., and Alex is flying in tomorrow, please pray for their safety. We are very excited to have everyone home for a few days, and we realize how truly blessed we are! We wish you all a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving. The Vincent family has much to be thankful for! Psalm 36:5 "Your lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies."

He is Faithful...

I had my PET scan yesterday and we are somewhat anxiously waiting for the results. I am very grateful for the peace that I have. That is not to say that I am without fear, a little, but I am not paralyzed either. Last night Mason and I went back through the blog from the beginning, remembering where we have come from and the blessings along the way. We cried and laughed and treasured the scriptures that we found and that you all sent to us. All of it reminded us of how good God has been to us, and we are clinging to that as we await yet another test. I have highlighted a few of the scriptures that were a comfort to me along the way, and today. We are amazed at how our Savior has pursued us, blessed us, encouraged us, strengtened us, and loved us through this journey in so many beautiful and creative ways. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.
Psalm 18:1 - 3 "'I love You, O LORD, my strength.' The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies."
Isaiah 42:16 "I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, in paths they do not know I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them and rugged places into plains. These are the things I will do, and I will not leave them undone."
Hebrews 4:15, 16 "For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Today, as fear tries to creep in, I will seek my Lord and find comfort and strength in Him. I am thankful for Mason, who has been so strong and yet gentle. He has encouraged me and loved me and his faith has kept my faith strong. I am thankful for Jillian, Mason Thomas, Alex, and Madi. I love them so very much, and am blessed to watch them trust the Lord as they walk this journey with their parents. I am touched by how God has blessed them with His grace and mercy, and at how they are learning so much about the Body of Christ and community at such a young age. I am thankful for so many people who have surrounded us and have loved us through prayers! I remember where I was at the beginning of all of this, terrified, frozen, in utter darkness. The day we 'went public' with our diagnosis, the prayers of so many were immediately felt. I watched a peace come over our home and our hearts, and witnessed personally the power of prayer. Thank you for your prayers and your perseverence with us. I am thankful that we have a God who is relational and who is so detailed and sovereign that He directs the prayers of His people. I have heard people pray things that I never even thought of, but was so thankful that they did! I am thankful for so many answered prayers: a strong heart, Alex adjusting at Ohio State, Jillian blossoming in Tallahassee, Mason Thomas being so strong and encouraging to me, Madi still shining bright, no rain delays!, the season being over, strength in chemotherapy, cancer that is being defeated, Dr. Limintani, family and friends, peace that passes all understanding, and kisses from God!
Please continue to pray for good news from the PET scan and for peace as we wait. I continue to cling to God and love this passage from Genisis 15:1 " After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.'"

Oh, how He loves us!

Tomorrow I have to be at the hospital at 6 a.m. for my PET scan. I have to confess to feelings of anxiety as I face yet another test. Tests on this journey have not been kind to me. Everytime I think I know everything there is to know, it seems that I am facing another test to search for more cancer, just in case. I know that I serve an amazing God, who loves me more than I can ever imagine. He is faithful and good, and He has so tenderly attended to me throughout this journey. I have learned so much, I feel like my brain is spinning as I try to take in all that God is showing me and has done for me in these last few months. I have had a hard time trying to contain my thoughts into words that I could share with each of you. Last week we went to see the David Crowder Band in concert. They played a song that expressed so clearly where I am. As I listened to the first few lines, I was overwhelmed with how personal those words were to me. I am sharing those words with you here, it is a beautiful song and I urge you to find it. This is where I am, and what I know about my God.



He is jealous for me
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy
And all of a sudden
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
And I realize just how beautiful You are
And how great Your affections are for me

Oh, how He loves us, oh
Oh, how He loves us
How He loves us all

Yeah, He loves us
Oh, how He loves us
Oh, how He loves us
Oh, how He loves

We are His portion and He is our prize
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
If His grace is an ocean, we're all sinking
Heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don't have time to maintain these regrets
When I think about, the way...

That He loves us
Oh, how He loves us
Oh, how He loves us
Oh, how He loves
Yeah, He loves us.

I am going to spend the next couple of days remembering the ways God has shown His love for me along this journey. I am going to let His word affirm to me His amazing grace and His faithfulness. I am going to beg for His Hand to protect me from the enemy stealing my peace that He has given to me, and trust that He will deliver me. Psalm 94:19 "When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul."

Answered Prayer!

I'm sorry it has been so long since my last post. Madi is improving, but not rebounding very quickly. We took her to the doctor today, they gave her an antibiotic that will hopefully boost her recovery. I am very grateful for the protection God has placed on me, it is truly a miracle that Mason and I have not gotten sick! My third chemo has been very bearable, I am also very aware and appreciative of God's grace in this. I did not have any heartburn that has been plaguing me, and at worst I felt yucky and tired. I walked everyday, which I am so thankful for, but was often in bed by 8:00! Thank you for your prayers, they are truly powerful! I have so much to be thankful for. Mason and I were talking this morning about how truly blessed we are. We ask for your continued prayers for my healing and protection physically. I have my ten day lab apppointment tomorrow, and we ask that once again my levels amaze the doctor. On Monday, the 23rd, I have a PET (?) scan. We are asking that it reveals that the cancer is being defeated in a way that will amaze the doctor and glorify God. Please pray that Mason gets home in time, that the race is not rain delayed. Please pray for Mason's perseverence as he goes off one last time for this season! As always, please continue to pray for our children. They are doing so well, we do not take lightly the prayers that are so faithful on their behalf. We will all be together next week, so please pray for them to all stay healthy, for travel mercies for Alex and Jillian, and for a sweet time together. Please continue to pray for Madi's healing. I am so thankful for all of you, for the privilege of being able to pray for you, and for rejoicing with you over answered prayers. I am thankful for Mason and my children. It is a blessing beyond words to be surrounded by this family who support and love me and each other so very much, and who love the Lord above all. I am thankful that I know what a gift this is. I am thankful for the opportunity to fellowship and worship with Mason Thomas and Madi as they enthusiastically take us to experience the David Crowder Band tomorrow! I have learned so much on this journey and I am thankful for the unfailing love of my wonderful Savior. Isaiah 26:4 "Trust in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock."

Praise and Prayer

Praise for today, I had my chemo treatment as scheduled! I do not take this lightly, with Madi being sick I shout praises for answered prayer as God has continued to protect me. I watched several people today being sent home because their blood levels were not ok to receive treatment. My prayer request is for sweet Madi. She is still sick. Every time I think she has turned the corner she either has a spike in her temperature or she vomits. She has not been running as high a fever today, but she threw up everything she ate all day at about 4:30. She feels like she will never be well again! (I confess to those same sentiments at times!) We have a college student living with us who was sent home from work sick today. Please pray for their healing and for continued protection of my health. As always, we are asking God to completely heal my body and destroy every cancer cell. Today I am thankful for my son, who has been so helpful throughout this journey. He hung out with Madi all day today, and he spent all day yesterday here so he could help me. It is not a coincidence that he chose UNCC for his education, and I am thankful for a sovereign God who cares about all of the details. I am thankful that there are only two races left, and that there have been no rain outs since all of this started. Thank you for your very specific prayers! This brings another prayer request. I have a PET (?) scan on November 23, the day after the last race; extra prayer for a safe and timely return for Mason. I am thankful for all of our wonderful children, who continue to amaze us as they trust in the Lord through this trial. Please continue your prayers for them, they are working and greatly appreciated. We continue to covet your prayers and encouragement. The beautiful picture the Lord has painted for all of us of the Body working together and of all that we have in Him has been a blessing beyond what we could ever think of or imagine. Isaiah 12:5 "Praise the Lord in song, for He has done excellent things; let this be known throughout the earth."

Needing Prayer. . .

I am recruiting all of you prayer warriors. Madi is very sick, she has been running a fever of 103+. The doctor says there is nothing he can do, it has to run it's course. Please pray for her healing. Mason is leaving today and has been trying to protect me from getting too close. this is not easy as a mom. I will be taking over today. She has been sick since Monday and has barely eaten anything this week. As you pray for her healing, please pray for God's hand of protection over me. I have a chemo treatment on Monday, please pray that I will be able to take the treatment as scheduled. Also pray that this flu is stopped here, that it does not run through this house. I am thankful for your prayers and support, and for a God who we can turn to. Psalm 34:4 "I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears."