At the request of my mom she wanted this recent post on my blog http://benandsamsblog.blogspot.com/ posted on this blog also.
Enjoy!!!
It was Saturday the 29th, we were cooperating a strawberry picking in Plant City Florida when we got the news. "Mom is coming home today!!!" my sister shouted as she heard the news, on Tuesday the 25th she had gone into the hospital for a complete "historectomy?". At this point on our way home Dad was warning us that she might not want to see you us today. So as I was preparing myself not to expect to see her today nor the next or the next after that. around 2:00 she was home, you could tell from her face that she did not want to talk to ANYONE! So, I was already prepared to wait to see her after a few days......."Sam..........Dad wants you."
Dad was with Mom in thier bedroom. So, Shocked, I went to go see Momma.
After I saw her, Ben Said"Lets go throw the football". As he was inside getting the football I looked up and said"Thank You God for bringing my Momma Back!". As I said those words, I felt the Lords Hands on my shoulders telling me it'll be ok! After I felt His hands on my shoulders I just felt perfect peace.
I've allways wondered how in the bible it says that God touched people, I wondered how it felt!!!
Please Continue In Prayers, I Feel Them!!!
Sam
Monday, March 31, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
More from the drill sarge:)
Well, Mom seems to be healing good. THe doctor noticed her heart rate being a little over active and wants her to get a cat scan, which I am assuming she will be put in for today.
Her spirits are a little better, but she still isn't where I would like to see her.
Please continue to pray that it all gets straightened out with her heart, and especially with her emotions before she comes home!!!!
( On a selfish note, pray the nurses remember to put an extra bed in there tongiht...Dad and I have been either sleeping on the tile floor, or in the mosst uncomfortable chair known to man kind!!!!!!:P ) Thanks!!!!
So I will let you all know when I get an update!!!
Jess
Her spirits are a little better, but she still isn't where I would like to see her.
Please continue to pray that it all gets straightened out with her heart, and especially with her emotions before she comes home!!!!
( On a selfish note, pray the nurses remember to put an extra bed in there tongiht...Dad and I have been either sleeping on the tile floor, or in the mosst uncomfortable chair known to man kind!!!!!!:P ) Thanks!!!!
So I will let you all know when I get an update!!!
Jess
Thursday, March 27, 2008
On the blog again....dum de dum:)
Howdy again:) This is Jess, and I am actually going to try to write you an update:)
Yesterday was a hard day...I shall be honest. Mom got hit with a lot of the emotional junk from the surgery and it was rather hard to shake:) Last night I stayed with her after running home and she was in much better spirits.
She is in pain, but it's not unbearable since she still has pretty consistant meds for pain. THe bad side effect obviously is the fact that when she gets the pain meds all she wants to do is sleep, thereby causing things like walking to be more difficult:)
But she did walk yesterday, and the nurses were proud of her accomplishments!!! They are planning on pushing her to walk the length of the hall a few times today instead of just in her room....
The boys seem to be doing much better, and as far as I know, don't have the fevers anymore so that's a big anwer to prayer for us!!!!
Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we keep fighting all this... Mom is still needing to do different things to make sure everything is fine after the surgery, so pray for that...
We love you all and really feel the love and prayers!!! You guys are so awesome!!!!
Keep up with us so we know you thinking about us!!! We want you to know how much it means to us!!!!
God bless you all!!!
In Christ,
Jess
Yesterday was a hard day...I shall be honest. Mom got hit with a lot of the emotional junk from the surgery and it was rather hard to shake:) Last night I stayed with her after running home and she was in much better spirits.
She is in pain, but it's not unbearable since she still has pretty consistant meds for pain. THe bad side effect obviously is the fact that when she gets the pain meds all she wants to do is sleep, thereby causing things like walking to be more difficult:)
But she did walk yesterday, and the nurses were proud of her accomplishments!!! They are planning on pushing her to walk the length of the hall a few times today instead of just in her room....
The boys seem to be doing much better, and as far as I know, don't have the fevers anymore so that's a big anwer to prayer for us!!!!
Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we keep fighting all this... Mom is still needing to do different things to make sure everything is fine after the surgery, so pray for that...
We love you all and really feel the love and prayers!!! You guys are so awesome!!!!
Keep up with us so we know you thinking about us!!! We want you to know how much it means to us!!!!
God bless you all!!!
In Christ,
Jess
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Beep Beep
The sound of beeping, smell of alcohal and phones ringing brings me back daily to the fact that I am here at the hospital. I am looking at Mom who isn't moving much, still groggy from the surgery yesterday. She is in pain and has meds to help with that, but is just really having a hard time fighting the sleepy stuff:)
According to her Doctor, he was really happy with how the surgery went. She didn't need any extra blood and as far as he can tell with the human eye, he saw nothing more to be alarmed with in coordance with the cancer.
Please continue praying, as the Doctor already wants her up and moving, sitting for a few hours and walking. This might be more possible IF SHE COULD WAKE UP:P
Our little guys are doing well, but our little boys had a fever yesterday and today, so please pray that is gone by the time Mom gets home. We can't take the chance of her getting sick once we bring her home.
We aren't getting enough sleep, but past that everything is going really well!!! We haven't had to much spiritual warfare, so we know you all are praying and can't thank you enough for them!!!!
She has requested no visitors till probably Thursday ( the 26th) if you were interested. She is just havin a hard time getting used to all this and doesn't have much energy left over afterwards. We would love to hear from you though and hope to see you soon!!!! Please feel free to give me a call if you want to know about anything and I will try to answer it for you!!!!
Email me if you dont have my phone #...
Much Love,
Jess
According to her Doctor, he was really happy with how the surgery went. She didn't need any extra blood and as far as he can tell with the human eye, he saw nothing more to be alarmed with in coordance with the cancer.
Please continue praying, as the Doctor already wants her up and moving, sitting for a few hours and walking. This might be more possible IF SHE COULD WAKE UP:P
Our little guys are doing well, but our little boys had a fever yesterday and today, so please pray that is gone by the time Mom gets home. We can't take the chance of her getting sick once we bring her home.
We aren't getting enough sleep, but past that everything is going really well!!! We haven't had to much spiritual warfare, so we know you all are praying and can't thank you enough for them!!!!
She has requested no visitors till probably Thursday ( the 26th) if you were interested. She is just havin a hard time getting used to all this and doesn't have much energy left over afterwards. We would love to hear from you though and hope to see you soon!!!! Please feel free to give me a call if you want to know about anything and I will try to answer it for you!!!!
Email me if you dont have my phone #...
Much Love,
Jess
Monday, March 24, 2008
Time of Surgery...
Hello to all!!
We found out that the surgery is scheduled for
3:30 tomorrow (Tues) afternoon. I had
hoped that it would have been much earlier in
the day. Oh well...We are doing pretty good.
Thank you all so much for your prayers, they are
sustaining us when times get tough. Jessica will
post something either tomorrow evening or Weds. to
let you know how the surgery went.
I just want you all to know how grateful we are
to you for your love and prayers.
God Bless you all!!!
Tracy
We found out that the surgery is scheduled for
3:30 tomorrow (Tues) afternoon. I had
hoped that it would have been much earlier in
the day. Oh well...We are doing pretty good.
Thank you all so much for your prayers, they are
sustaining us when times get tough. Jessica will
post something either tomorrow evening or Weds. to
let you know how the surgery went.
I just want you all to know how grateful we are
to you for your love and prayers.
God Bless you all!!!
Tracy
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Our Journey Continues...
Today is Thursday and in 5 days I should be in the hospital. I am looking
forward to all of this being behind us. I was telling someone how the Peace
of the Lord is so strong on us right now. It is very strong because I am
not even dreading or fearing the surgery!!! Sounds kind of crazy, huh???
All I can say is that it must be GOD!!!
I cannot tell you all the ways that the Lord is working in this walk. His
grace has been more than sufficient. WE CAN FEEL ALL THE PRAYERS OF THOSE OF
YOU WHO ARE PRAYING...PLEASE DON'T STOP!!! PLEASE DON'T STOP!!!!
For those of you who are wondering what the next few days beholds for our
family...this weekend will be spent being together as a family. On Sunday
will be celebrate the Lord's Resurrection. Praise be to the LORD!!! He is
risen, He is risen indeed!!!
Monday will be spent preparing for surgery on Tuesday. Please pray hard for us
on Monday...it will be a tough day, I'm sure.
God Bless each and every one of you. We love you and are blessed that you
are helping to carry us thru this journey!!!
Much Love,
Tracy for the Graves
forward to all of this being behind us. I was telling someone how the Peace
of the Lord is so strong on us right now. It is very strong because I am
not even dreading or fearing the surgery!!! Sounds kind of crazy, huh???
All I can say is that it must be GOD!!!
I cannot tell you all the ways that the Lord is working in this walk. His
grace has been more than sufficient. WE CAN FEEL ALL THE PRAYERS OF THOSE OF
YOU WHO ARE PRAYING...PLEASE DON'T STOP!!! PLEASE DON'T STOP!!!!
For those of you who are wondering what the next few days beholds for our
family...this weekend will be spent being together as a family. On Sunday
will be celebrate the Lord's Resurrection. Praise be to the LORD!!! He is
risen, He is risen indeed!!!
Monday will be spent preparing for surgery on Tuesday. Please pray hard for us
on Monday...it will be a tough day, I'm sure.
God Bless each and every one of you. We love you and are blessed that you
are helping to carry us thru this journey!!!
Much Love,
Tracy for the Graves
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Meals on Wheels???
Hey guys,
This is Jess reporting in and stealing the posting for a minute!!!
We have a dear family that has offered to take care of organizing meals
for us during Moms stay in the hospital. She goes in on the 25th and could need
to stay in for up to a week. She will be at Lakeland Regional Hospital.
Please contact Bethany Carson if you are interested in providing a meal for us during this time!!! God bless!!!:)
Much Love,
Jess
Bethany Carson
mylife4him@afo.net
813-951-5822
This is Jess reporting in and stealing the posting for a minute!!!
We have a dear family that has offered to take care of organizing meals
for us during Moms stay in the hospital. She goes in on the 25th and could need
to stay in for up to a week. She will be at Lakeland Regional Hospital.
Please contact Bethany Carson if you are interested in providing a meal for us during this time!!! God bless!!!:)
Much Love,
Jess
Bethany Carson
mylife4him@afo.net
813-951-5822
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Quick update...what a blessing!!!
Tonight is probably our last night on the road. We are in Greensboro, NC. We had
a neat day. We were able to meet some of the descendents of Peter Francisco and hear some of their neat stories. They were a precious group of people who are trying real hard to keep the memory alive of a really neat man.
Ben hasn't been feeling very good today, so we left him at the hotel and Steve and Tina and I went out for dinner. It was quite interesting trying to figure out where
we wanted to eat. Several places were ruled out due to long lines, not appealing or a bar type atmosphere. So, as any "real man" would do, Steve decided to take charge and pick where we would eat!!! He chose Lone Star Steakhouse. Sounds okay...I was in the mood for a steak. Well, when we got inside I wasn't real excited about all the beer signs everywhere...but we decided to tough it out anyway. I felt bad for Tina because I know they really try hard to avoid these type places. Anyway...
God evidentally wanted us there...it was providential!!!
Our waitress...Nicki...ended up being the momma of 9 almost 10 children!!! When she heard about both of our families she was sooo encouraged. They have no support in the Greensboro area, but continue to allow God to bless them with children. She made the comment that God has given her much grace in her life. That even though she is having to work to help make ends meet, she wouldn't do it any other way. What an encouragement she was to Tina and I as we sat there and listened to her story.
I shared with her about our walk with cervical cancer and she said I had cervical cancer, too....that was 6 children ago!!! God Bless you Nicki!!!! We tried to encourage her and she more than encouraged us!!! We are praying for untold blessing on Nicki and her family. Nicki, if you are reading this, let us know, okay???
Well, I guess I need to go to bed...tomorrow is going to be a long day...650 miles lays before us!!!!
a neat day. We were able to meet some of the descendents of Peter Francisco and hear some of their neat stories. They were a precious group of people who are trying real hard to keep the memory alive of a really neat man.
Ben hasn't been feeling very good today, so we left him at the hotel and Steve and Tina and I went out for dinner. It was quite interesting trying to figure out where
we wanted to eat. Several places were ruled out due to long lines, not appealing or a bar type atmosphere. So, as any "real man" would do, Steve decided to take charge and pick where we would eat!!! He chose Lone Star Steakhouse. Sounds okay...I was in the mood for a steak. Well, when we got inside I wasn't real excited about all the beer signs everywhere...but we decided to tough it out anyway. I felt bad for Tina because I know they really try hard to avoid these type places. Anyway...
God evidentally wanted us there...it was providential!!!
Our waitress...Nicki...ended up being the momma of 9 almost 10 children!!! When she heard about both of our families she was sooo encouraged. They have no support in the Greensboro area, but continue to allow God to bless them with children. She made the comment that God has given her much grace in her life. That even though she is having to work to help make ends meet, she wouldn't do it any other way. What an encouragement she was to Tina and I as we sat there and listened to her story.
I shared with her about our walk with cervical cancer and she said I had cervical cancer, too....that was 6 children ago!!! God Bless you Nicki!!!! We tried to encourage her and she more than encouraged us!!! We are praying for untold blessing on Nicki and her family. Nicki, if you are reading this, let us know, okay???
Well, I guess I need to go to bed...tomorrow is going to be a long day...650 miles lays before us!!!!
Friday, March 14, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Thomas Jefferson's home...Monticello
The three of us in front of Jefferson's home
A neat tree on the property...I love trees!!!!
Another beautiful view from Monticello
Jefferson did not want to be remembered as one of our presidents...but by this:
A neat tree on the property...I love trees!!!!
Another beautiful view from Monticello
Jefferson did not want to be remembered as one of our presidents...but by this:
Appomattox and Peter Francisco Museum
Steve and Tracy at Appomattox
Ben with a sword which came from Peter Francisco's home
Nice lady who let us into the museum, even though it was closed until April!!! Thank you!!!
Ben with a sword which came from Peter Francisco's home
Nice lady who let us into the museum, even though it was closed until April!!! Thank you!!!
From Francisco's Fight to Appomattox...
Ben and Steve at Francisco's Fight
Steve and Tracy at the same place!!!
Site of the ending of the Civil War
Ben surrendering to Steve...NOT!!!!
Steve and Tracy at the same place!!!
Site of the ending of the Civil War
Ben surrendering to Steve...NOT!!!!
Fort McHenry
Steve and Tracy at Fort McHenry
Sight of where British ships were bombarding Fort McHenry
Ben's "wish-list"!!!
Inside of the fort
Sight of where British ships were bombarding Fort McHenry
Ben's "wish-list"!!!
Inside of the fort
Gettysburg, PA...
Gettysburg area...site of the 20th Maine, site of the Gettysburg Address and Little Round Top. Our poor rental
car after much abuse on the highway...it got a bath shortly after this picture was taken!!!!
car after much abuse on the highway...it got a bath shortly after this picture was taken!!!!
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