Blessed Redeemer, Jesus Divine

Chemo #4 is finished!! Thanks for the prayers, truly! I was a little anxious going in because chemo #3 was not a good experience --I slept the entire time in "the chair" and then I went home and slept until our Small Group arrived.  I hate feeling tired all the time...urghhh! I didn't want to sleep the day away Friday and then go home and sleep more like chemo #3.  It was Good Friday and we were expecting to host a special Seder Meal with about 20 some people, so we needed to finish setting up the dinner table and making food.

Prior to the day's treatment, we meet with the Doctor or PA for a report on my blood counts and a decision of "yes" or "no" to go ahead with treatment for the day. The PA reported that my blood work was nearly normal and that was encouraging news! However, she wants me to come back Monday for another Neulasta shot to avoid a severe drop in white blood cells like before. Praise God that we have insurance to pay for this shot. I understand it's about $6,000. I pray for those people who don't have insurance. What do they do when faced with these diseases and high medical costs?

Although I did what I most did NOT want to do and that was spend my day in "the chair" sleeping!! Even though the cancer center was very busy and I had never seen so many chairs occupied, I just could not stay awake to be part of many (or any) conversations. Fortunately my bladder awoke me several times so I could visit with people as Tim and I walked to and from the bathroom.

Friends from church were at the center too. Unfortunately they were not there to visit. Steven is getting treatment for cancer too. Steven gets treatment 5 days a week and then he is "off" for 2 weeks then back to treatment for 5 days. It's grueling and taxing physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Please keep the Roundtree family in your prayers. Steven's wife Jennifer blessed me with a foot massage that put me to sleep! We met this couple nearly 2 years ago when their 3^rd girl was just a newborn.

We left the center later than expected and I was indeed tired. During the drive home I tried to figure out how I could avoid going to bed and sleeping because I wanted to be perky for our guests! We were so grateful to get home and know that David had been well cared for all day.

THANK YOU ALYSSA for watching David all day! What would we do without your love and friendship?! You are a blessing to David, Tim and me!

I settled on the couch, ready to watch Tim pull the tables together, dress them, and get dinner started. A knock on the door soon came and it was another huge BLESSING -- Stephanie and Miranda!! They were delivering the prayer shawl for the Seder Meal. They brightened our day and lifted my spirits 100 fold!! They helped Tim set up the tables and chairs, played with David, visited with me, and loved on us! Thank you God for the little things that mean soooo much! Next thing I knew time flew by, my energy was high, and guests for Seder began to arrive. It was time to get my wig on!!

As Tim had reminded me all week, "God will work it all out", God indeed worked it all out! I had been so occupied with what was on my plate that I could not rest in God and His provision. (What's up with that?!) Our Passover Seder Meal unfolded beautifully and praises go to God! We had the perfect number of chairs for each guest. It was a wonderful evening of participating in the oldest, continuously celebrated holiday in history! It is said that some 16 million Jews and untold believers of the New Covenant join in the celebration which goes back 3500 years!! What a blessed evening of remembrance and sweet fellowship!!

The Seder ("order of service") retells the story of Israel and their deliverance from Egyptian slavery by God's mighty hand. The Seder was also prophetic in nature, looking forward with great insight to the deliverance of man from his slavery to sin through the death of Yeshua (Jesus) (Hebrews 10:1). Once again, God stretched forth His mighty hand to deliver those who were both helpless and helplessly trapped. Thank you Lord again for sending Your Only Begotten Son to die in our place on the cross. We deserve death and instead You offer us life. You are truly amazing, generous and merciful. We need You desperately and we pray that we love You Lord each and every day!

The Seder plate - each element is a portrait of redemption.

Small Group HUG!!! We love you guys!!

The kids had a space of their own.
Thanks Mike and Michael for keeping an eye on them! 

The 3 tables are set.

There were 3 "Mamas" who had minor speaking roles and
were recognized by wearing a scarf on  her head.
Thanks April and Annie!

Chaplain Mary led the entire ceremony and
explained why Jewish people celebrate the Seder
worldwide on Good Friday.

Tim played the role as one of the 3 "Papas"
and wore Stephanie's authentic prayer shawl.

Thanks for bringing my mom here safely too! She arrived just in time to share a meal with us and catch up with our Small Group family. What a beautiful Good Friday for us.