More Homecoming pictures

Kate and CJ ready for the dance

Pappy the proud escort and Kate

Blessed Beyond Measure

Kate with mom and Mags

Stay tuned for more pics from an awesome weekend!!!

Another Amazing Gift from God

Joy absolutely filled our hearts to overflowing this weekend with Kate being crowned Riverside's homecoming queen. We are truly rejoicing at the good things God has done for us. The overwhelming sense of love from Kate's classmates and friends touched our hearts so deeply. Family, friends from school, church and the community have shared hugs of congratulations and tears of joy with us through out the weekend. What an incredible gift to be loved and cared for so much. We are blessed beyond measure!

Friday night was cold, but clear. The girls were introduced pre-game as they rode around the field in convertibles. Special thanks to our friend Joe - Kate's first class driver and to our friends at McElwains who graciously shared their silver Cadillac XLR for Kate's ride around the field. Kate was able to keep warm through the first half of the game thanks to the kindness of our friend Brian, who graciously provided a portable propane heater in the stands for her. My dad had the honor of escorting Kate onto the field for the half time ceremonies. I don't think Pappy could have been prouder. He laughingly teased Kate that amidst all the hugs and kisses from well wishing friends when she was announced queen, that he was the first to kiss the queen.

Saturday was a fun and busy day with the girls on court helping decorate at the school for the evening's dance. Kate enjoyed an absolutely wonderful evening at the dance with her friend C.J., a truly kind and considerate young man and fun date. God once again showed his grace in allowing Kate the strength to dance and the stamina to be able to stay for the whole evening. I was amazed when she came home looking fresh and happy and not exhausted.

Kate truly looked beautiful as the inner beauty of the Spirit within her heart shown in her eyes. She glowed with happiness and an overwhelming sense of joy. It was truly a weekend to remember and one that we will treasure for years to come. Thank you God for blessing Kate with such a precious gift!

CONGRATULATIONS KATE !!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS KATE !!!!!

RHS

HOMECOMING QUEEN 2007

Finally Feeling Better

The weeks since my last update have passed slowly as Kate had persevered through each day, despite battling persistent nausea and being weary with fatigue. Day after day of feeling this way was beginning to take it's toll on Kate physically and emotionally. Last Friday Kate came home from school spent and told me she was tired of feeling this way and it was time to call her oncologist and go up on the dose of her steroid. She had hoped the dose she was on would address the nausea and that she could avoid the chubby cheeks and other side effects that come with the higher dose of the steroid. Saturday, was the hardest day, when Kate's spirits plummeted and she said with discouragement, "I don't think this is ever going to get any better." She spent Saturday in bed and feeling down and out on all counts. The prayer of my heart Saturday night was that God would touch Kate's spirit.

Sunday morning Kate was a new person. With an expression of peace and a countenance glowing with a renewed spirit, she recounted to Maggie and me that when she had woken up, she felt God had spoken to her about "grace". She shared that she had begun thinking about how we came to get our dog Grace at the point of her re-diagnosis of cancer last fall, and how she had chosen Grace's name as a visible, daily reminder of the grace God has poured into our lives on this journey and how that grace has carried us through each day. Her heart was overwhelmed with a keen awareness of how often God has shown His grace to her through friends, family, teachers and people she doesn't even know. She said with confidence, "God didn't give me the cancer, but He gave me the grace to walk through it." Not only did God touch Kate's spirit, but His physical touch was also evident in the significantly noticeable improvement in the areas of nausea and fatigue. For the first time in weeks she felt well enough to go to youth group. She was thrilled to be once again engaging in life, so much so, that she asked the youth group leader if she could share with the group about God's reminder to her about grace. How my heart rejoices that Kate is giving the glory to God for His touch on her life.

Kate has had the opportunity to visit several college campuses and enjoyed each experience, thus far. The tours of each campus have been taxing on her physically, but we trust that her strength will continue to be renewed and that she will know new energy and stamina by next fall. These are busy days visiting schools, completing college applications, keeping up with school work, amongst the other things of life.

Maggie's basketball season is in full swing. While there have not been a lot of wins, we are seeing improvement in the girls and their ability to work as a team. In a recent game Maggie had her best game of the season so far, scoring seven points, including a couple of nice lay ups. Maggie has also been blessed with a special experience of taking some special ballet classes. She was thrilled with her first session and excited about spending time learning under an older teacher with years of professional experience.

Homecoming weekend is upon us. How thankful we are that Kate is feeling so much better and will truly be able to enjoy all the festivities. The football game is Friday night and the dance on Saturday night. We enjoyed shopping and finding a beautiful suit for the football game and a gorgeous dress for the dance. Our hearts are overwhelmed and deeply touched by the people who have desired to share a part in Kate's homecoming. We are blessed beyond blessed and grateful beyond words for each and every dear person who has touched Kate's life through their participation in preparations for this weekend.

Surrounded by grace,
Elaine