Feeling the love and prayers!

Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

This is long overdue, but I hope to put in to words how much love and support we have received since diagnosis.  I don’t even know if it is possible to explain how blessed we have been and what it has meant to me to have been showered with love from so many.

Prayers

We know there are so many people praying for me and my family.  We are on prayer lists for so many churches that extend not only all throughout Illinois but also to other states as well.  This just blows my mind to think about how many people are supporting us through prayer!  Thank you!  God hears those prayers!  I am convinced that I have done so well through chemo because of your prayers!  I thank God for them daily!  May He bless you immeasurably!

Messages

The messages that I have received have come in many forms.  I have received so many encouraging text messages daily from so many friends.  The texts have been scripture, encouraging words, an encouraging picture/video, or just someone checking up on me for the day.  I have also received a lot of public/private Facebook messages/comments. (Also those who have ‘liked’ my statuses which is a way that shows me support!).  I really want to print out all of the texts and Facebook messages!  If I made a book of them it would be huge!!

Screenshots

This may be something that hardly anyone knows about but now they will!  Since day 1, if I have seen a status on Facebook that I found encouraging to me, I would screenshot it with my phone.  I have also done this with many of my text messages.  There have been so many encouraging messages, and they may have spoken to me perfectly in that moment and I wanted to be able to refer back to them at any given time.  Rather than scrolling through a text conversation (or Facebook) to find the message, I just screenshot it and have it ready to access easily.  I would say I am up to about 200 screenshots of messages.  At least a couple of times a week, usually at bedtime, I go through all of them.  Nothing like just completely filling my head with positive, encouraging words/scripture right before I go to sleep!

Meals

We have received a great deal of support from people bringing us meals!  Thank you friends!  The meals have been delicious and have spoiled us!  There have been Sunday school classes from church who have rotated bringing us meals and there have also been individuals who have brought us meals.  We just cannot thank you enough!

Money

People are generous.  I just cannot get over how generous.  We have had people give us money, gift cards, and gas cards.  Sunday school classes at church have given money for our gas for every treatment.  I am telling you it has been unbelievable.  I just keep thinking about how I know these are not easy economic times and now the holidays are approaching and people are more concerned with our needs.  I am overwhelmed.  I am grateful.  I hope I can give back someday.

The picture

I thought I would show in a picture some of the ways that we have been shown support and encouragement.  Many people have given gifts of encouragement which are very sweet and appreciated. (If I left anything out of the picture, I apologize!  I use so many of the things I have been given so something could be currently in use!)

 You will also see 3 different shirts. These were all done for me and sold in order to raise money to help us with medical bills or other expenses.  Again I am overwhelmed!  Unbelievable!  The shirt on the left is from Woodlawn Grade School where I teach math.  The shirt in the middle is from Stark Total Body.  The shirt on the right is from a group of friends (some of my mighty warriors!).  I just cannot thank each group enough!  I know it takes a lot of work to organize and take care of something like this.  I was amazed at the number of each style of shirt that was sold!  You can also see “Karen’s Krew” bracelets. A group of friends collected the money to purchase 1000 of these to sell.  The money from sales is also to help offset our expenses.  One side says “Karen’s Krew” and the other side says “Judges 6:12”.  The support is just truly appreciated and humbling. 

In the picture there is also a notebook (on the left).  I don’t know if it shows very good but this notebook contains all of the cards that I have received.  I don’t think the picture does justice to just how many cards there are!  That is a 3 inch binder and it is packed!  Can I use the word overwhelming again!  Seriously I do not even know what to say.  People are so kind and they live love.   They (you) have shown so much love to me and my family. 

In the background of the picture you will see a linked chain.  This is a message chain from Woodlawn High School (my former students!).  Each link has a message written by many of my former students.  So sweet and so touching!  Even high school students who did not attend Woodlawn Grade School still sent a message with encouraging words.   That chain is taped to a windowsill so I can see it daily.  I have read through the messages many times!

Needless to say, the Neal family is feeling very loved, very supported, very much prayed for, very blessed, and very thankful!  God has “Shown out” through so many different people and so many different ways!  We are extremely thankful for everything.  

During the first week of finding out about having cancer, my emotions were all over the place.  I cried several times thinking about this being my new reality and how it would affect my family, friends, church, coworkers, students… everyone.  I cried when days went by and I still hadn’t started treatment and didn’t know when treatments would start.   Even though I gave it all to God and felt at peace with Him in control, there were still moments of tears.

Since that point, I have shed many tears but it is different now.  My tears now always come from being touched at someone’s kindness; a card, message, call, whatever it may be.  My emotions can run high but I don’t cry because of the cancer.  I get emotional when I think of how others love us and want to do whatever they can to make things easier for us.

Thank you! 

Two very little words but they are being delivered with a great deal of sincerity, gratitude, love, and prayers.

 Phase 2 of chemo starts tomorrow (Dec 3^rd)

God is Good!  All the time!