Wednesday Weigh-In

Due to my weight gain this week, there will not be a Wednesday weigh-in post.  Bleh!  That little hungry monster GOT ME!

ANYWAY -- Here's some news from Hungry-Girl that I thought you might find interesting.

Hungry Girl,

What are some foods that people assume are pretty good choices but really aren't? By now, everyone knows that tuna salad is a bad choice because of all that mayo. But what else is lurking out there?
Warn Me

Dear Warn Me,
There are definitely a lot of fattening foods around that people THINK are good choices. The biggest offenders, in my opinion, are as follows:

1. Wraps. Try a little experiment: unfold a wrap and see how HUGE the tortilla is. A lot of times the tortilla itself contains 300 - 400 calories. And that doesn't include any of the filling!

2. Salad dressing. This isn't really a "hidden" source of calories, but most people don't realize just how bad it can be. Full-fat dressing can easily add 500 calories or more to your meal. (Don't believe me? Click here!) Wasting that many calories on some goo is just silly.

3. Grilled veggies. In THEORY these are good, but often they're loaded up with oil, so WATCH OUT. (Case in point? The Cheesecake Factory's 1,133-calorie Grilled Portabella on a Bun!) Order veggies steamed or grilled DRY. If they arrive looking shiny, blot them with a napkin to soak up some fat.

Other things to look out for -- low-fat muffins (they're usually too big and have too many calories), cottage cheese (ask if it's low-fat or fat-free -- if it isn't, it's more fattening than you'd think), and smoothies (often have 400 - 700 calories each... Eeeks!). Be careful out there!

Oh, on a different front, I'm listening to Christmas music.  Nothing to get you in the mood for Christmas than listening to Christmas songs in September!  (I have my work music on random play and I never know what's coming up next - keeps things interesting - that's for sure.  Oh, now it's Mandisa's Not Guilty!  AMEN girlfriend!)

Ok, so watch out for those hidden calories and that crazy HUNGRY MONSTER!  Have a good day!

Changes in Attitudes

Attitudes of the flesh:

Pride asks: “How will it make me look?”
Greed asks: “What can I get out of it?”
Indifference asks:”Why should I bother?”

Selfishness asks: “What about me?”

The Cross of Jesus Christ puts to death the following attitudes:

SPITE “See, I told you so.”

REBELLION “I want my own way.”

IMPATIENCE “I want it now!”

CONTEMPT “Who do you think you are!”

PRIDE “You can’t treat me that way!”

REVENGE “I’ll get even.”

DEFIANCE “You can’t tell me what to do.”

SELFISHNESS “I did it my way.”

Heart Attitudes of the Kingdom:

“How may I serve you?’

“I will wait for God’s time.”

“I will not carry a grudge.”

“I am not my own.”

“This job is not beneath me.”

“I extend mercy instead of judgment.”

“I honor you.”

“Will this please the Lord?”

“By the grace of God I am what I am.”

“Thy will be done.”

“I did it God’s way.”

From the blog of Roy Lessin

A Slow Burn by Mary DeMuth - Blog Tour

A Slow Burn by Mary DeMuth - Defiance Texas Trilogy (Book 2)

I am pleased to share A Slow Burn with you.  This is the second book in The Defiance Texas Trilogy.  I really enjoyed the first book, Daisy Chain, and I feel honored to have been asked to participate in the tour for A Slow Burn.

Daisy Chain is the story of the abrupt disappearance of young Daisy Chance which haunts the small town of Defiance, Texas. Fourteen-year-old Jed Pepper searches for answers in this gritty and compelling story of love and sorrow, revealing God’s hand of redemption in impossible situations.

A Slow Burn is also about the disappearance of Daisy, but we learn more about her mother, Emory Chance. 

(An excerpt)  Emory Chance touched Daisy’s shoulder. So cold. So hard. So unlike Daisy.

Yet so much like herself it made Emory shudder.

Burying her grief, Emory Chance is determined to find her daughter Daisy’s murderer-a man she saw in a flicker of a vision. But when the investigation hits every dead end, her despair escalates. As questions surrounding Daisy’s death continue to mount, Emory’s safety is shattered by the pursuit of a stranger, and she can’t shake the sickening fear that her own choices contributed to Daisy’s disappearance. Will she ever experience the peace her heart longs for?

The second book in the Defiance, Texas Trilogy, this suspenseful novel is about courageous love, the burden of regret, and bonds that never break. It is about the beauty and the pain of telling the truth. Most of all, it is about the power of forgiveness and what remains when shame no longer holds us captive.

About the Author:

Mary DeMuth is an expert in the field of Pioneer Parenting. She helps Christian parents plow fresh spiritual ground, especially those seeking to break destructive family patterns. Her message guides parents who don’t want to duplicate the home where they were raised or didn’t have positive parenting role models growing up.

An accomplished writer, Mary’s parenting books include Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture, Building the Christian Family You Never Had, and Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary God.  Her real-to-life novels inspire people to turn trials into triumphs: Watching the Tree Limbs (2007 Christy Award finalist, ACFW Book of the Year 2nd Place) and Wishing on Dandelions (2007 Retailer’s Choice Award finalist).

Mary is a frequent speaker at women’s retreats and parenting seminars, addressing audiences in both Europe and the United States. National media regularly seek Mary’s candid ability to connect with their listeners. Her radio appearances include FamilyLife Today, Moody Midday Connection, and U.S.A. Radio network. She also has articles published in Marriage Partnership, In Touch, and HomeLife.

As pioneer parents, Mary and her husband Patrick live in Texas with their three children. They recently returned from breaking new spiritual ground in Southern France where they planted a church.

My review:

I really loved this book.  I picked it up and I just could not put it down. The story of Emory Chance can be the story of every mother and the guilt we sometimes feel when we try to raise our children, and yet feel as if we fail.  Can we change our failure?  Can our pasts be forgiven?  With God, nothing is impossible.  We were able to witness that in Emory's life.  We also saw that Emory did not have to be a product of a mixed up mother and neither do we.  While you can read this book without having read Daisy Chain, but I would highly recommend reading it first.

If you like fast-paced, suspenseful novels, then you'll really enjoy this one.

I received a copy of the book so I could write a review.  I intend to pass the book along to others so they can enjoy it as well.  Since I've marked in it and doggie eared the pages, I will not be offering it as a giveaway.  BUT, click on this link and buy your own or check out some of these other pages on the blog tour.  I guarantee someone is giving it away.

Thank you, Mary, for another great look at the citizens of Defiance, Texas.  I'm looking forward to the third book.

Another One Where She Talks About Her Friend's Giveaway

Another sweet friend has a giveaway going on!  Mocha with Linda is my bloggy friend who has helped connect me with different publishers who allow me to read read read books and post an opinion about them!  AWESOME!

Go on over to Mocha with Linda's for a chance to win Randy Alcorn's newest book - If God is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil.  It's quick, easy and best of all FREE!

Go on now!  Hurry!

The Blog Where She Talks About a Friend's Giveaway

Does anyone else besides me have the hardest time coming up with catchy and witty titles?

I'm digressing and I've barely started!  My sweet friend, Cathy, is hosting her FIRST giveaway!  She is such a precious lady and I would love for her to have so many entries she doesn't know what to do with herself!  So, please, go on over to her bliggity blog and enter her giveaway.  While you're there, look at the pictures she posts.  I love them!

Good luck with the giveaway Cathy!

(Addendum: I receive extra credit for blogging about her giveaway, BUT I would gladly promote her even if I didn't.)

Wednesday Weigh-In

Hey, guess what day it is?  Wednesday Weigh-In...

I don't have "I lost weight" this week.  I gained .6 lbs, but considering Hungry got a hold of me and wouldn't let go, I'm not surprised or disappointed.  I'm still down a total of 6 lbs.

My goal for this week is to WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN.  (It makes a huge difference.)

I'm sharing info this week from Hungry Girl and she's talkin' about bagels.  YUM!

If you want bagels that are low in calories and you're not a total bagel snob (NY bagels are great, I know!), check out Western Bagel Alternative Bagels and Kim's Light Bagels (each of those has about 110 calories). They both can be ordered online, come in lots of flavors, taste great, and are low in calories and high in fiber. All excellent things. They're not huge, obviously, but they're not too small either. Another good find for a bagel fix is the Kraft Bagel-fuls line -- bagel-ish pockets with cream cheese inside for around 200 calories each.

If you insist on buying your bagels while you're out and about, you're entering into another category completely. Bakery-bought bagels typically have 350 - 550 calories, depending on how big they are. And NYC is known to have giant bagels, so watch out. If you scoop the dough-y part out from inside your bagel, my guess is that you'll easily shave off 100 calories. Your bagel will still be pretty high in calories, but I say, save where you can!

As for the cream cheese? Swap it out for a wedge of Laughing Cow Light -- that stuff tastes just as good but has way fewer calories and fat grams. But if that's not available, at least opt for reduced-fat or fat-free cream cheese, and try not to use a crazy amount of it. My personal favorite bagel treat? A low-cal, high-fiber bagel packed with smoked salmon, sliced tomato, and red onion. Yummmmmmmmm!!!

Ordering treats online takes a little more planning than I usually do, so I buy little bagels at the store.  I usually pick up a bag or two of Lender's Little Bagels or 100 calorie bagels.  Weight Watchers has a line of cream cheese.  If I want bagels and cream cheese, I use 3 to 5 points and have one or two little bagels and a serving of cream cheese. 

What about you?  Have any substitution tips you'd like to share?

Sunday in the Scriptures

During the Beth Moore simulcast, she briefly mentioned Micah 7:8 and it was one of those verses that just resonated with me. Probably because I just always seem to be in a season of working my way through "junk".  I feel like I sometimes I just give Satan too much reason to delight in my ways when it's only God I want to delight in me and in my ways.  Look at what Micah says here:

This is Micah 7:8-10 from The Message (I love http://biblegateway.com)

 ^8-10Don't, enemy, crow over me.
   I'm down, but I'm not out.
I'm sitting in the dark right now,
   but God is my light.
I can take God's punishing rage.
   I deserve it—I sinned.
But it's not forever. He's on my side
   and is going to get me out of this.
He'll turn on the lights and show me his ways.
   I'll see the whole picture and how right he is.
And my enemy will see it, too,
   and be discredited—yes, disgraced!
This enemy who kept taunting,
   "So where is this God of yours?"
I'm going to see it with these, my own eyes—
   my enemy disgraced, trash in the gutter.

(emphasis mine)

I love it.  I might be down, but don't you count me out.  And Satan, you taunt me now, but my God will discredit and disgrace you and His judgment is just. 

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy 17th Birthday to my Meagan.  I couldn't wait for you to come into this world and was so happy when I found out this would be your birth day 17 years ago.  I was calling friends and family saying something like "Today is a good day for a birthday!"   After the whole process got started, I'm not going to lie, I really wondered what in the world I had gotten myself into!  You know I had some problems with delivery (that I didn't find out about till later) and I have to say, you were so worth all those problems! 

I'm so proud of you and the woman you are becoming.  I enjoy the time we spend together just chatting.  I thank God for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of your life.  Keep on in current path and You Father will continue to smile down on you!

I love you!

Wednesday Weigh-In

Time again for Wednesday Weigh-In!  Check out last week's post for more information.

Yesterday at the big weigh-in, I lost another 1.6 lbs!  This brings my total up (or down) to 6.6 lbs.  Yippee!

From the Weight Watchers' site, here's a recipe for Chicken Salad (yum)!

POINTS® Value: 3

Servings: 6
Preparation Time: 10 min
Cooking Time: 0 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Weight Watchers lightened up this sandwich favorite with reduced-calorie mayonnaise and sour cream. (For a Waldorf-like chicken salad, stir in 1/3 cup of diced apples and 2 tablespoons of chopped walnuts.*)

Ingredients

3/4 pound(s) cooked chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 cup(s) celery, finely diced
1/3 cup(s) dill pickle(s), or sweet gherkins, finely diced
1/4 cup(s) reduced-calorie mayonnaise
2 Tbsp reduced-fat sour cream
2 Tbsp parsley, fresh, chopped
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground


Instructions
Place all ingredients in a large bowl; mix until blended. Yields about 2/3 cup per serving.
Notes
*Could affect POINTS values.

You remember the shake recipe I posted from HungryGirl?  I haven't tried that particular shake, but I have been using Vanilla Soy Milk in my smoothies!  Soy milk, at least when mixed with fruit, isn't so bad.  It's much better for you than milk.  Give it a shot.  If I get around to being brave enough to use it in cereal or lattes, I'll let you know.
 
I challenged one of my fellow co-members to make something new before we saw each other again, and now I'm issuing the challenge to you too!  If you're stuck in a food rut, pull out those cookbooks and try something new.  Or, try one of the recipes I have listed up here.  Then, come back and tell me about it!
 
Until next time, bon apetit!

Scripted Sundays *repost*

Complete Details Here

I Would Call My Autobiography........Because......?

If I had autobiography, what would I name it and why is the question being asked at Blog Stalker Unite. Go check out all the details over there and play along!

My autobiography would be titled You Can Only Get that Cup of Grace from God So Stop Looking for it Everywhere Else. It seems like most of my life I've been looking for approval, acceptance, forgiveness and freedom from everywhere and every person. Oh, I guess my autobiography at one time would've been "Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places" (remember that song?)

Very recently, God showed me that only He can give me the unconditional approval, acceptance, forgiveness and freedom that I'm longing for. When I get discouraged or down, I go to Him and tell Him all about it. He doesn't let me down. He never leaves me nor forsakes me. He holds me in the palm of His hand and I'm the apple of His eye!

He fills my cup with His Grace and He is the only one who can. So, look to God to fill up your cup and not everywhere else!

(Reposted September 14, 2009 because I need the reminder.)

Warning??

If you receive an email

from the

Department of Health

telling you not to eat

canned pork

because of

swine flu............

Ignore it.

It's just Spam.

She Did What She Could: Five words of Jesus that will change your life (blog tour)

She Did What She Could: Five words of Jesus that will change your life by Elisa Morgan (Tyndale House Publishers)

Most of us care. We really do. We care about poverty and injustice, about orphans and the sick. And yet, weighed down by the everyday load of bringing home a paycheck, putting food on the table, and taking care of our family demands, we question our ability to make a difference. Bombarded by one celebrity help-the-world-athon after another, we shrug our shoulders in futility and do absolutely nothing. Enter SDWSC. Based on the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume in Mark 14, SDWSC provides overwhelmed, yet service-seeking, significance-starved readers a realistic response to the seemingly unmeetable needs around us.

Five letters. Unthinkable power.

Elisa Morgan

Most of us care. We really do. We care about poverty and injustice, about orphans and the sick. And yet, weighed down by the everyday tasks of bringing home a paycheck, putting food on the table, and shuttling kids around, we question our ability to make a difference. Bombarded by one celebrity help-the-world-athon after another, we shrug our shoulders in futility and do absolutely nothing.
But what if we did . . .
Something?
Just one thing.
The thing that matters more than anything else in that one solitary moment.
What if we did just that?
What if?
S•D•W•S•C
Five letters that have the power to change your life, free your spirit, and transform your world!

About the Author

Elisa Morgan is a nationally recognized speaker and the author of more than fifteen books, including the best–selling What Every Mom Needs and Mom's Devotional Bible. Elisa has served as CEO of MOPS International since 1989. She is also the publisher of MomSense and FullFill magazines and is a frequent contributor to Christianity Today. Elisa is married to Evan (vice president of strategic development for RBC Ministries, known internationally for Our Daily Bread, and founder of christiancourses.com). They have two grown children and one grandchild and live in Centennial, Colorado.

You can buy the book at allbookstores.com.

Short Term Goal ~ Immediate Need

Here's an email I received from our India trip coordinator just a few minutes ago regarding my trip to India:

As most of you are aware, ½ everyone’s mission trip costs ($1800 of $3595) have been requested “submitted to e3 Partners – Plano office” by September 19th (IN09G). One of the reasons (other then being an e3 Partners Ministry requirement) is so we can purchase airline tickets for what we budgeted for when we planned our mission trip almost a year ago.


Well God has surprised us incredibly in just the last few days as Mary has received airline quotes at a much reduced rate then what we anticipated for the route we normally travel (through Frankfurt, Germany) – glory to God! Therefore Mary will be purchasing airline tickets on Monday for all team members who have a minimum of $1300 in their mission trip account (or in our hands) by Monday morning, September 14th.

If the prices hold to us, everyone (whose ticket is purchased by September 14th) will receive a $200 mission trip cost reduction ($3,600 to $3,400)!!!

WOW!  When you have $3,600 to raise, a $200 reduction is HUGE!  I am about $300 short of meeting the $1,300 goal and being able to have my ticket purchased on Monday. 

Would you prayerfully consider donating money for the trip?  If you feel so lead, would you do so now.  It's really easy to donate online and honestly, no amount is too small.  The Lord can do mighty things with our gifts, no matter the size.  (Remember the little boy with the fish and the loaves.)

Here are the directions:

Go to http://www.e3partners.org/

Click on “Make a Donation”

File in your information

Click “I’d like to support a friend going on an e3 trip”

Enter my name (Cathy Morgan Davis) and my code IN09G

Print a receipt for your tax records!

I do not receive notification of online donations, so please let me know if you were able to donate, so I'll know if I've met my goal.

Thank you so much for journeying with me to India.  Truth be told, I think I'll be more comfortable in the middle of a village surrounded by people who don't even speak the same language I do than requesting for money from people.  If you're unable to donate, would you consider joining my prayer team??  Without prayer, I can do nothing.

THANK YOU!!!!

Happy Blogoversary!

Today is my blogoversary!  I think my blog is officially 2 years old.  Thank you Teena for letting me know today is the day! (If I wasn't so tired, I'd do some fancy post about it, but it's just not going to happen today.  I love my peeps and I'm so glad we're doing this thing called LIFE together!)

Wednesday Weigh In

I joined Weight Watchers on August 4, 2009, about a week after I found out I had hypothyroidism.  If you know anything about hypothyroidism, then you might think that my joining Weight Watchers is a little counterproductive and you'd be right!  If you don't know about hypothyroidism, the short of it is that my thyroid just doesn't really work anymore and as a result I'm REALLY tired and I have a very slow functioning metabolism.  Slow metabolism/desire to lose weight = difficult!  Exercise/being extremely tired = impossible!

When I found out I had hypothyroidism, I knew I couldn't use this as an excuse to just gain weight.  (Shew, I had gained enough!)  SO, I joined Weight Watchers to help keep me accountable and so I would eat healthy (and not munch on fried chicken, because we love each other, but it sticks around too much).

I am enjoying making new friends and having the encouragement of other women battling this crazy enemy called weight loss. There's another lady who has battled with hypothyroidism for about 20 years.  It's nice to have someone to talk to about both of my issues.

As of Tuesday, I have lost 5 pounds.  It's almost discouraging, but then I think combine all the weight I've lost since March.  Like the little tortoise, I'm just running a steady race and at least I'm running, right?  In total I've lost about 23 pounds.  Yippee!

As to the hypothyroidism, I was put on medicine and now the doctor just works at getting the levels tweaked.  My first follow up blood test was last week, so I'll find out if I need to make adjustments.  

(I love the little Hungry fella!)

(PS -- Feel free to email me if you have questions about hypothyroidism :-)!)

Lands’ End FeelGood Donations, Twitter Party and Contest (from SheBlogs)

Lands’ End FeelGood Donations, Twitter Party and Contest (go to this link for complete details on contest, if you'd like to enter)

From SheBlogs:

I am reaching out to the blogging community to spread the word about the Lands’ End FeelGood Campaign. This initiative is a terrific way to shop and feel good about giving to homeless individuals and families across the country. For every Lands’ End FeelGood sweater purchased, the company will donate signature FeelGood yarn to One Heart Foundation’s Warming Families, a nationwide knitting charity. Lands’ End expects to donate thousands of pounds of yarn to the charity where volunteers plan to knit up to 25,000 hats and other items to warm the homeless and displaced.

How You Can Help:

Help us spread the word about the campaign and the FeelGood collection. For every blog post about the campaign from now until September 16th, we will donate a cone of FeelGood yarn to volunteer knitters at Warming Families! One cone of FeelGood yarn is enough to make 28 hats to be donated to homeless individuals in communities across the country.

Upcoming FeelGood Twitter Party:

Join Lands’ End and Vickie Howell, host of TV’s Knitty Gritty, for a Twitter Party to celebrate the kick-off the FeelGood Campaign! The party will feature more than 20 fun giveaways ranging from the FeelGood sweater and Vickie Howell’s books to Lands’ End gift cards and FeelGood yarn.

Lands’ End FeelGood Twitter PartyDate:

Wednesday, September 16th

Time: 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. CST

Location: #landsend

Prayer Request *Update*

9/3/09
This if from McShane's myspace page that I have just seen. 

Sep 02


Michael ... Just got some bad news::::: i have to get surgery tommorow.... there are 2 spots on the upper head of my femur and they are going to to do a biopsy on the site.
Mood: scared

--
The surgery may have already happened - I don't know.


Please pray for him and the surgeons. Oh Lord I would pray for a complete healing now, on this earth, in this time and for YOU to receive all the glory and that lives would be turned around and brought to YOU. I'm so humbled by your prayers, you just can't even know. On behalf of all of us, thank you. ~ Love, Cathy


8/20/09
I didn't realize it had been so long since I had updated anything about McShane. I guess it's because I don't really know a whole lot. He's having a rough time with the chemo and it's having some adverse affects on him. The last I heard his heart wasn't getting enough oxygen (because of the chemo drugs). His mom has been staying with him and Mike has been looking for work. (He came and helped us out with our kitchen a couple of weeks ago!) McShane had a Make-A-Wish day on 8/15/09. I believe he was picked up by a limo and taken to Best Buy where he was able to purchase a few things he really wanted (computer and games, I think). I think the reason we don't know more is because James & Mike talk about everything else but this. If you've ever been hit with cancer or a really sick person , I think you understand this statement. (I hope so because it's really hard to explain.) I know he still needs all sorts of prayers and we appreciate all the support and love.
~me

Scroll to bottom for latest news:

2/2/09
My husband's 13 yo nephew, McShane, has an abnormal growth behind his knee that appears to be some type of tumor. The doctors aren't sure if it's growing out of the bone or if it's wrapped around the bone. McShane & Mike (the dad) went to the doctor Thursday thinking it was something minor and were stunned to be referred to specialists. They are on their way today to New Orleans (they recently moved to Baton Rouge) for a biopsy. Mike was told he could expect to be there at least 2 - 3 days.
_______
2/5/09
Just wanted to provide y'all with a quick update on McShane.

Here's what he's facing:
Although McShane hasn't had a biopsy and cancer has not been confirmed, the initial thought is that he has osteosarcoma or ewings. Or, it's quite possible that it's a benign tumor that will need to be removed.

Mike & McShane checked into St. Jude's Hospital in Memphis yesterday. The hospital immediately started lab work. M & M will have a full day of lab and diagnostic tests.

McShane had a slight fever and a sore in his nose (I think that's right), which they aren't sure was the beginning of chicken pox, too much nose blowing or a fever blister. McShane was being quarantined last night and the hospital said they should know this morning why he was running a fever.

Mike says that McShane is just taking everything so far in stride. Mike, as you can imagine, is a wreck!

That's all I know for now. I'm praying for God to reveal Himself in a BIG WAY to Mike, McShane & James. We know how much God loves to show up and show off! James & I are planning on going to Memphis next weekend for a quick visit.

Thank you for your prayers. I know Mike, McShane & James appreciate them too.

From the American Cancer Society website:
Osteosarcoma (also called osteogenic sarcoma) is the most common type of cancer that develops in bone. Like osteoblasts of normal bone, the cells that form this cancer produce bone matrix. However, the malignant bone tissue of an osteosarcoma is not as strong as that of normal bones.
Ewing tumor is the second most common malignant bone tumor in children.
______
2/9/09
Thank you for bearing with me through all of these prayer requests and updates. Honestly words just escape me of how appreciative I am, and I'm unable to express my gratitude with you. (This is sorta discombobulated because I'm trying to write it and work!)

McShane is scheduled to have a biopsy today. At some point (hopefully today), we will find out what all of his scans have shown, whether the tumor has metastasized and what the course of treatment will be. Best case scenario, this isn't osteosarcoma (bone cancer) and only McShane's kneecap will have to be reconstructed once the tumor is removed. I'm not even going to think about worse case :-). They were told Friday to plan on being at the hospital 6 to 9 months. Also, Mike will need to be with McShane 24/7. (Anyone have family in the Memphis area?)

I'm looking forward to seeing McShane this coming weekend! I'll continue to keep you posted on him. (If you don't want updates, please do not hesitate to let me know. I don't want to overburden anyone with constant emails.)

Here are two verses I'm claiming for them:
Mark 11:23-24 (HCSB)
23 I assure you: If anyone says to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore, I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for—believe that you have received them, and you will have them.

2/12/09
McShane is having his biopsy today at 10:00. He will be having tissue samples from his knee and his lungs. (They found three spots on his lungs.) So, today is the day we find out whether he has cancer or just a nasty tumor. McShane’s spirits are good.

Thank you in advance for your prayers!

Everything always changes around from when it's supposed to happen to it actually happening. I'll keep this post updated as I know something.

2/16/09
We had a good time hanging out with McShane & Mike this past weekend. St. Jude's is HUGE! McShane finally got discharged from inpatient at 7 Saturday night, so we all headed over to their temporary home at the Ronald McDonald House (which is HUGE too!). While we were waiting, the boys (James, Mike, McShane & Daniel) played Wii Golf & Bowling. Each of the rooms had a Wii! I knew better than to even try to play, plus I didn't think I could handle all the abuse they were dishing out to each other!

I had the tumor placement wrong in my initial email. McShane has a knot on the front of his right knee, which is why he went to the doctor just a short 2 weeks ago! His knee was pretty swollen from the biopsy - I was assured it didn't look quite so swollen before the biopsy.
Mike went down to Baton Rouge today to get some work done and move their stuff out of the house they are renting. McShane's grandfather is with McShane. I bet he didn't quite know what all he'd have to do! Shew - they were going to be all over the hospital today.

One of the sweetest things McShane said to me was Saturday night before we left. I was giving him a hug and he said, "Please pray for me". Oh it still tears me up. I assured him there were many folks praying for him and I told him I'd give him the website address to see what people have written. (For those of you who couldn't comment, I added the comments to the post!) *waves to McShane* Hey sweetheart!

I imagine it'll be a few days before there's anything new to report. I'll update when I know. Until then, thank you again for your prayers and sweet comments. It's so appreciated.

2/23/09

I don't have too much to update you on. Mike is still in Baton Rouge trying to get a job finished up, and we've been trying to leave him alone so he can concentrate on the job. In comparison, we're probably just a minor annoyance, but you get the drift.

James called Mike Sunday night and found out that McShane started his chemo on Friday, 2/20/09. He really wants his dad back with him. He's in the hospital while he's receiving treatment. Mike is trying really hard to get back to Memphis.

Some people have asked about sending them cards or things. If you'll email me at cathy.m.davis@gmail.com I will gladly let you know the address and contact information.

3/1/09
I don't have a lot to update you on, which is why I've put off adding an update. Here's what I know - McShane has had 2 chemo treatments on 2/20 and 2/21. When I talked to Mike on Friday, 2/27, he said that McShane wasn't feeling well and the doctors would wait to see how he reacted to the chemo before they scheduled more chemo. They run tests after the chemo, but Mike didn't know what the results of the tests were.They were moving from the Ronald McDonald House to the Target House. I don't know if that move has happened with all the snow Memphis had (8 inches last I saw!).

Mike got back from Baton Rouge on Tuesday/Wednesday and is headed back down there tomorrow for a week. There is a sweet woman named Lynn who has stayed with McShane in the past (when Mike had to work out of town) who is in town for the week.

So, this is what I know for now. Thank you for your continued prayers for McShane, Mike and our family. I wish I could be huddled in a circle with each of you, holding hands and praying out loud. Now that, my sweet friends, is some fellowship!

3/2/09
This morning I receive a text from James which says...I forgot to tell you that McShane has a staph infection in his leg and is back in the hospital. FORGOT TO TELL ME??

So, I'm telling you - McShane is in the hospital with a staph infection. I don't think I need to tell you how serious this is for someone with a compromised immune system. So, I'm just going to ask for extra prayers!

3/4/09
We found out that yesterday morning, McShane had emergency surgery to remove the infection. The infection wasn't deep (from what I understand).

Mike is down in Baton Rouge wrapping things up and moving out of their house.

I'm praying for McShane's healing so he will be a beacon of God's light and for Mike & McShane to have courage to face the journey ahead of them. All ALL for God's Glory!

They did get moved in to the Target House, which is set up like apartments! So, they have 2 bedrooms and their own kitchen. The RMH was more like a hotel room with shared open spaces.

3/12/09

Good morning! I wanted to give you a quick update on what I know about McShane and Mike.

McShane's recovered from the staph infection, I'm guessing, because he's being admitted to the hospital today to start another round of chemotherapy. Mike told James they were going to try a different drug this time.

This will be McShane's second round of chemo. Mike said McShane has started losing his hair so they cut his hair short. (Chemo - it's no one's friend and it doesn't care what it does to you.)

3/30/09

All the tests show that the tumor has NOT grown! We are ecstatic about that! My mom (a/k/a GiGi) is spending the week with McShane while Mike closes shop in Baton Rouge. McShane & GiGi have never met, but GiGi figures if he's my family, he might as well be her family. I hope they don't wear each other too much. You might keep 'em both in your prayers.

I don't have really any more information other than this and this is really the first update I've gotten since the last one! Thank you, thank you for the continued prayers. God loves it when we come to Him in pray and doing so on behalf of someone else is so special to Him.

5/4/09

I'm sorry it's been so long since I've updated you on McShane. His treatment has just been steady going with some minor bumps along the way. James & I were able to go to Memphis a couple of weeks ago and it was good to see how well McShane was doing.

He's lost his hair and the place where he had his leg biopsy is nasty wound. He has some type of wound sucking machine hooked up to his leg. The chemo has made it so it's hard for him to heal so he's just keepin' on keepin' on. His spirits are pretty good. Also, he knows exactly what is going on and is determined to not be a statistic of defeat.

Pretty soon, he'll be having surgery on his leg. I do not know all the specifics, but here's what I do know...The doctor will be cutting his leg open from above the knee to about midway down his shin. They will be removing the tumor and his knee parts (but not his knee cap). They will be inserting a steel rod into his femur and one of the other bones (I don't know if it's the fibula/tibia/both) and they will rebuild his knee. He will be in a wheelchair for a number of weeks. He wants to be able to walk by June 22, which is his 14th birthday. He seemed scared and apprehensive about this surgery (and who could blame him)?

He was supposed to have surgery this Thursday, 5/7; however, the chemo has left his mouth full of painful sores and they want him to heal from those.

As soon as I know more, I will let you know. If you want his mailing address, please let me know. I'm sure he'd love to receive cards and things! If you know of people in Memphis who you think would be willing to go and visit with McShane & Mike, please email me for the contact information.

5/16/09
Next week, May 22, 2009, McShane will be having his "limb-salvage" surgery. As you can imagine, this is an extremely invasive surgery. All prayers are appreciated. More details to come as I know more.

Thank you for praying for McShane and Mike. It means more than we'll ever be able to tell you.

5/22/09
McShane is out of surgery. Doc was optimistic. More tomorrow.

6/4/09
Here's my request for McShane. Please keep him in your prayers and lift him UP. I know God can do ALL THINGS and I'm believing Him and thanking Him for those answered prayers. ______________________________

I just got off the phone with James, who just got off the phone with Mike, regarding McShane. (James is doing his "field" thing and talking to him right now is very sparce.) The skin graft that McShane had during his surgery did not take. (I don't know what the skin graft was for.) The plastic surgeon came in a bit ago and said that McShane has got to have emergency surgery because it looks like the muscle in his leg is dying. He wanted to have surgery today but McShane had ingested some milk today.

The plan as I understand it to have surgery tomorrow morning on his leg. McShane has been having trouble healing since the chemo started and this was one of the concerns we had following the surgery. Just that he'd be really slow to heal. I'm not surprised the skin graft didn't take, but I am surprised to hear of the problems it is causing. There is a chance that he will lose his leg. (You might recall that the surgery was called limb salvaging surgery so there has been that fear anyway.)

Please pray for the surgeon's hands to be guided by the Ultimate Healer! I pray for McShane's healing and I really hope he'll be able to keep his leg and will have full use of that leg! I'm believing God and I know He's got McShane in the palm of His hands. Thank you dear ones for your continued prayers. I love you so!


6/8/09
McShane is supposed to go back in for more surgery today. I'm praying praying praying. Thank you for praying with me.


6/10/09
The surgeon has recommended an amputation of McShane’s leg because the muscle that was moved around during his first surgery is dying. In lieu of amputation, McShane could have another type of surgery where they take a muscle from his back and put it in his leg (to replace the dying muscle). Mike has to make a decision today. Last I heard, he's waiting to see a pathology report that should be ready today, and he’s leaning towards amputation. McShane said he would like to keep his leg, but understands if he can’t. Can you even imagine? (I hope you can’t.) Without stating the obvious…I’m not male, nor is this my son or daughter going through all of this. I can’t imagine the stigma of not having a leg and maybe legs means more if you’re a male. As a mother, I would just want what is best for my child and I would follow the surgeon’s advice ~ especially when he said “If this was my son, I would amputate his leg.” My heart hurts for them. I’m tender about all the things they are going through that I have so many prayers that I just can’t seem to put them in words to share with anyone. I’ve asked for a lot of prayer during this situation and I honestly appreciate the fact that you allow me to ask. I thank each of you from the bottom of my heart. So, instead of asking for someone sorta specific, I’m just asking you to pray as you feel lead. May God bless you and smile down on you for interceding on their behalf.

6/15/09

Here's what I think I know. I say it this way because my information is coming from voice mails and "myspace" status messages. This isn't the most reliable way to relay information and it surely isn't detailed. BUT, I wanted to let you know what I know because so many of you have been so sweet and kind and asked about Mike and McShane (and James and me).

This is what I know: "McShane had his right leg amputated on Thursday. On Saturday or Sunday, he was able to get out of bed and get on crutches!"

I know that God has a plan for this family and He will do what is best for all of us. While I keep feeling like I have to carry the load, His word tells me that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. All I have to do is ask. He sure knows I can't do anything without Him and I cannot change the current situation. I'm believing God will answer our prayers and that the answer we receive will be for His glory.

I thank you so much for your prayers and the care you have shown to each of us. On a side note, McShane's 14th birthday is next Monday. His goal (before any of the surgery) was to be able to walk by then. If he's already gotten out and gotten on the crutches, I believe he's well on his way!

6/16/09

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. This picture speaks volumes.

8/20/09

I didn't realize it had been so long since I had updated anything about McShane. I guess it's because I don't really know a whole lot. He's having a rough time with the chemo and it's having some adverse affects on him. The last I heard his heart wasn't getting enough oxygen (because of the chemo drugs). His mom has been staying with him and Mike has been looking for work. (He came and helped us out with our kitchen a couple of weeks ago!) McShane had a Make-A-Wish day on 8/15/09. I believe he was picked up by a limo and taken to Best Buy where he was able to purchase a few things he really wanted (computer and games, I think). I think the reason we don't know more is because James & Mike talk about everything else but this. If you've ever been hit with cancer or a really sick person , I think you understand this statement. (I hope so because it's really hard to explain.) I know he still needs all sorts of prayers and we appreciate all the support and love.

~me

Cathy
Mark 11:23-24 (HCSB)
I assure you: If anyone says to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for—believe that you have received them, and you will have them.