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This year was the best Superbowl Party by far! My dad, mom & I sat watching the game. We had a great time just spending time together, mom and I learned a LOT more about football, and dad was in his glory teaching us! :)
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Best Superbowl Party!
This year was the best Superbowl Party by far! My dad, mom & I sat watching the game. We had a great time just spending time together, mom and I learned a LOT more about football, and dad was in his glory teaching us! :)
Another Update!
It has been a month since the brain tumors were found. I think back to that day, and it feels like a year ago! I can't believe how much life has been lived in one month.
On January 4th, 2009, we got a fresh start. Just a few days earlier, my dad and I sat on our heat storage unit in our basement (one way we can warm up in the cold!), and I asked him "Daddy, what are you excited for this year?". I looked at the pain in his eyes, and he said "I honestly can't think of anything....how about you?". As a chatty daughter, I went on and on about the things I was excited for, and asked him "Aren't you excited for those things too?". He just looked tired, and gave me a half smile. This wasn't my father. It wasn't the man that throughout my whole life had been genuinely filled with excitement about the littlest things. This was a man that was tired. Exhaustion was written on his face, on all of his features. He was not looking forward to anything about 2009.
That all changed after January 4th. I just reminded him a few days ago about our conversation on January 1st. I asked him again "Daddy, now what are you excited for this year?". And the list went on and on, with light in his eyes instead of pain, with excitement in his voice instead of exhaustion. He has become a new man. He wakes up refreshed every morning, whereas before he would wake up because of intense pain. I can't tell you how amazing it is to see his cheery face so early in the morning (and throughout the whole day!). He has such a positive attitude, even though some could view this as the worst thing in the world. Even though he has been through much pain, and will continue to, it is God that defines him, and not his ailments. I am filled with so much love and pride for him as a daughter! I cried last night thinking about the overwhelming love I have for him, and God just said "Sheena, its not even CLOSE to my love for him!".
Dad spoke at Sheldon Church of Christ on Sunday, on some things he's learned in this last month. If you would like to hear the message, you can visit: http://www.sheldonchurch.com/sermon-archive. Dad also has a new blog, to post some of his older messages, as well as some new thoughts. If you would like to see the blog, it can be found at: http://kevinbaughman.blogspot.com/
We thank you so much for your prayers and support, the amazing comments you've left and cards you've sent. If it weren't for the wonderful community God has placed us in, this would be a much tougher circumstance!
Things to pray about:
- Dad starts treatments on Thursday, both radiation & chemo at the same time.
- Dad has finally been able to taste food, and this is such a blessing! Its hard to understand how something so simple can be SO valuable, and we'd like prayers for his taste and appetite during treatments.
- Dad still has double vision, although he's found when he tips his head way down, the images come together into one! We are praying for all the circuits to "weld" together again soon!
- We pray that the treatments zap this cancer, and that it will be completely gone! We know God is SO much bigger than cancer!
“My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.”
(Psalm 63:8)
On January 4th, 2009, we got a fresh start. Just a few days earlier, my dad and I sat on our heat storage unit in our basement (one way we can warm up in the cold!), and I asked him "Daddy, what are you excited for this year?". I looked at the pain in his eyes, and he said "I honestly can't think of anything....how about you?". As a chatty daughter, I went on and on about the things I was excited for, and asked him "Aren't you excited for those things too?". He just looked tired, and gave me a half smile. This wasn't my father. It wasn't the man that throughout my whole life had been genuinely filled with excitement about the littlest things. This was a man that was tired. Exhaustion was written on his face, on all of his features. He was not looking forward to anything about 2009.
That all changed after January 4th. I just reminded him a few days ago about our conversation on January 1st. I asked him again "Daddy, now what are you excited for this year?". And the list went on and on, with light in his eyes instead of pain, with excitement in his voice instead of exhaustion. He has become a new man. He wakes up refreshed every morning, whereas before he would wake up because of intense pain. I can't tell you how amazing it is to see his cheery face so early in the morning (and throughout the whole day!). He has such a positive attitude, even though some could view this as the worst thing in the world. Even though he has been through much pain, and will continue to, it is God that defines him, and not his ailments. I am filled with so much love and pride for him as a daughter! I cried last night thinking about the overwhelming love I have for him, and God just said "Sheena, its not even CLOSE to my love for him!".
Dad spoke at Sheldon Church of Christ on Sunday, on some things he's learned in this last month. If you would like to hear the message, you can visit: http://www.sheldonchurch.com/sermon-archive. Dad also has a new blog, to post some of his older messages, as well as some new thoughts. If you would like to see the blog, it can be found at: http://kevinbaughman.blogspot.com/
We thank you so much for your prayers and support, the amazing comments you've left and cards you've sent. If it weren't for the wonderful community God has placed us in, this would be a much tougher circumstance!
Things to pray about:
- Dad starts treatments on Thursday, both radiation & chemo at the same time.
- Dad has finally been able to taste food, and this is such a blessing! Its hard to understand how something so simple can be SO valuable, and we'd like prayers for his taste and appetite during treatments.
- Dad still has double vision, although he's found when he tips his head way down, the images come together into one! We are praying for all the circuits to "weld" together again soon!
- We pray that the treatments zap this cancer, and that it will be completely gone! We know God is SO much bigger than cancer!
“My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.”
(Psalm 63:8)
Thursday, January 29, 2009
caution: not for the weak kneed
My eye looks better! You can tell how awful it is if THIS is better! I'm just thankful its not AS painful as it has been the last couple days....and now....I'm just waiting for it to explode! :)
p.s. my blog background matches my eye perfectly!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
ouch!
I returned to Wisconsin from a week in California on Saturday. I was able to finish up my classes and had an incredible time with my California friends! It was an amazing week, and I'm so blessed to have had the chance to get to know people out there.
Ouch #1: I returned to the frigid temps (and ouch, it hurts!), but my family makes it so worth it. When I got to my house, I felt so excited to see my dad. I ran downstairs to see him, and he stood up from his chair at the computer, and gave me a huge hug. He pulled me away and looked at my face, touched every part of it, and tears were in his eyes. He said 'Welcome Home Sheena, I am SO happy to see you, my heart feels so incredibly happy, and I've been waiting for you!'. He rubbed my cheek and pulled me close to give me another hug, and just told me how much he loves me and cares for me. He said he had been pacing all day, just waiting for me to arrive. He kept on saying to my mom, 'I think I hear her, please go check the door to see if she's arrived!'.
I've thought of this precious time all week, will wake up thinking of it. And as it's played through my mind over and over, all I can think of is my Heavenly Father, and how he waits to greet us into his loving embrace in Heaven. He paces and can't wait to say 'Welcome Home, I'm SO happy to see you, my heart feels so incredibly happy, and I've been waiting for you!'. What a homecoming that will be!
Ouch #2 is.....I have an extremely infected eye. And it hurts. Bad. Possibly the most pain I've been in. I got an infection in the same place when I was in South Africa in April, and this is much like it, but worse. When I wake up in the morning, I can't open my eye because it is so swollen, and a red-purplish color. The doctor gave me some antibiotic creme to put in my eye. I also was able to pick out new glasses, since the only ones I have are very old and I can't see out of them!
Ouch #3: I have been very attacked spiritually. I have dreams where I'm being attacked, but have someone close to me with me. I wake up with bruises on my arms, and just feeling down and heavy. Things are going great at home, and we're constantly having conversations with God, and Satan does not like it. So....the attacks are strong. But, I have a huge support network praying for me and my family! "Bad days" from pre-January 4th seem like a joke now! :) My family's new circumstances puts everything in perspective.
I'm thankful that God is the Great Physician, and heals this "ouches", whether it is here on earth, or in heaven!
Ouch #1: I returned to the frigid temps (and ouch, it hurts!), but my family makes it so worth it. When I got to my house, I felt so excited to see my dad. I ran downstairs to see him, and he stood up from his chair at the computer, and gave me a huge hug. He pulled me away and looked at my face, touched every part of it, and tears were in his eyes. He said 'Welcome Home Sheena, I am SO happy to see you, my heart feels so incredibly happy, and I've been waiting for you!'. He rubbed my cheek and pulled me close to give me another hug, and just told me how much he loves me and cares for me. He said he had been pacing all day, just waiting for me to arrive. He kept on saying to my mom, 'I think I hear her, please go check the door to see if she's arrived!'.
I've thought of this precious time all week, will wake up thinking of it. And as it's played through my mind over and over, all I can think of is my Heavenly Father, and how he waits to greet us into his loving embrace in Heaven. He paces and can't wait to say 'Welcome Home, I'm SO happy to see you, my heart feels so incredibly happy, and I've been waiting for you!'. What a homecoming that will be!
Ouch #2 is.....I have an extremely infected eye. And it hurts. Bad. Possibly the most pain I've been in. I got an infection in the same place when I was in South Africa in April, and this is much like it, but worse. When I wake up in the morning, I can't open my eye because it is so swollen, and a red-purplish color. The doctor gave me some antibiotic creme to put in my eye. I also was able to pick out new glasses, since the only ones I have are very old and I can't see out of them!
Ouch #3: I have been very attacked spiritually. I have dreams where I'm being attacked, but have someone close to me with me. I wake up with bruises on my arms, and just feeling down and heavy. Things are going great at home, and we're constantly having conversations with God, and Satan does not like it. So....the attacks are strong. But, I have a huge support network praying for me and my family! "Bad days" from pre-January 4th seem like a joke now! :) My family's new circumstances puts everything in perspective.
I'm thankful that God is the Great Physician, and heals this "ouches", whether it is here on earth, or in heaven!
Monday, January 12, 2009
I thought I was ready for '09....
I didn't realize when I was excited for 2009 that it could be this tough, right from the beginning. Last Sunday, I took my dad to the E.R., after he passed out in my arms, and they found he had two brain tumors. A whirlwind of a week later, they have removed both tumors, but found he has the most aggressive brain cancer, Glioblastoma.
In the uncertainty of life, I lean on Jesus. In the uncertainty of if/when I will return to California, I lean on Jesus. In the uncertainty of my father's life, I lean on Jesus. And I know He will get my family through this.
Here is the Caring Bridge website I set up for my Dad: www.caringbridge.org/visit/kevinbaughman
In the uncertainty of life, I lean on Jesus. In the uncertainty of if/when I will return to California, I lean on Jesus. In the uncertainty of my father's life, I lean on Jesus. And I know He will get my family through this.
Here is the Caring Bridge website I set up for my Dad: www.caringbridge.org/visit/kevinbaughman
Friday, January 2, 2009
Happy 90th Grandma!
Wednesday night was my Grandma Baughman's 90th Birthday! I love her so much, and have such a special bond with her. She took care of me many times as a child, and I loved going to her house to spend time with her and Grandpa (and they only live a few miles away!). I have so many memories of playing at her house, cooking with her, watching cartoons she had, going camping with her and grandpa, listening to her records, and more. This summer I was able to spend a lot of time with her, having deep discussions, talking over pictures, and then road tripping to California. Even though I'm in California now, I still get to talk on the phone with her at least once a week! I was blessed to go out to eat with her tonight, and was blessed to be able to see her a few times while I was home for Christmas! Love you Grandma and I wish you MANY more years, and can't wait to spend time with you again!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy New Year!
New Years Eve is always a good time for some reflections on the year. For me, 2008 was filled with adventure, hard-decisions, feeling peace after making hard decisions, painful stories from those I worked with, joy from the many children in my life, fun and random times with old friends, fun and random times with new friends in a new place, and ending it with some great memories with a hometown Christmas. Most importantly in 2008, I saw God's love, His power, His grace, and His dream for me more than I have ever seen or experienced. I learned more about myself, more about relationships, more about the field I'm going in to, and more about the Jesus who loves me and gave Himself for me.
I am so ready for 2009 though, I'm awful at writing 8's.
AND I'm excited to see what God will do in me and through me and others this year. Bring on more exciting adventures, hard times, and growth!
My resolutions for 09'
1. Find a way to get to country #24
2. Learn more Spanish
3. Learn how to whistle (Lena, I already bought the lifesavers).
4. See Disneyland at every season.
5. Use my gifts in ways I haven't before.
I am so ready for 2009 though, I'm awful at writing 8's.
AND I'm excited to see what God will do in me and through me and others this year. Bring on more exciting adventures, hard times, and growth!
My resolutions for 09'
1. Find a way to get to country #24
2. Learn more Spanish
3. Learn how to whistle (Lena, I already bought the lifesavers).
4. See Disneyland at every season.
5. Use my gifts in ways I haven't before.
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