Just wanted to update you on Jodi!  This is her recent email to me:

Dear friends,

I just got a phone call from my dermatologist in Dubai, and he told me that the pathology report came back showing that he got all of the melanoma out.  I’m clean!

 Have I mentioned how incredible our God is?  J

 Peace (and joy, and thankfulness), Jodi

God is good.  Thank you for your prayers.  I have continued to hear so many stories this week, of good and bad.  God is with me through all of it.  Not that I always remember to speak to God and verbally give thanks to the incredible ways that I am taken care of….but (when I pay attention) I ALWAYS see God in the faces and voices of others.  I can see God in the way people look at me, when they talk to me, what they say..and how they behave (particularly my children; they are so beautiful and cute).   I am surrounded by such good people and I am so blessed.  And for this, YES, I am immensely grateful.  Thanks to all for you for sticking with me, even when I didn’t feel up to dealing with myself.

Sincerely,

Peri

Dear friends,

My friend Jodi whose family has been living in a number of countries and locations, providing service and medical assistance to so many, has now found a melanoma on her cheek.  It is a melanoma that is confined to the skin.  Tomorrow (Monday) she will be having the lesion completely removed.  It will be sent to the pathologist to check that the melanoma hasn’t spread outside of the lesion itself.  Please pray tonight right before you go to bed, that the surgery goes successfully and the cancerous place is entirely removed.

I have shared with Jodi my experience and my belief in the power of prayer.  I know that God will be with her family no matter the outcome.  I have so appreciated your support and love.  Jodi, her husband Brent, and her two gorgeous boys are very special to me.

Sincerely,

Peri

I was speaking with my mother, pondering…”I wonder what happened.  I just haven’t felt like writing in my caring bridge.”  My mother replied, “Summer happened!”

‘Tis true.  Having the children at home this summer has been a blessing and an incredible journey.  We have been very busy, and I am so grateful that I have felt up to the adventure.  Each child participated in at least one camp or youth trip.  We visited family and friends.  It was great fun!  There have also been tests of faith that come in the course of life.  My sister in law Cecilia lost her nephew (Nick) unexpectedly (age 21), and it was a real blow to the family!  And, we recently lost Gordon’s father, “Dat.”  He was the true patriarch of our family and we are crushed by his unexpected death.  He will truly be missed.

Now the children are back in school and I am more structured in my time.  I recently had another scan and AGAIN there is no evidence of cancer.  Yea.  We are all so excited with this good news.  It is strange how life can bring both elation and pain that tears at your very soul.  I am glad that God is in my life for all of it.  My faith in Him helps me to recognize my blessings, and gives me strength and courage to live the life He would want for me.

My journey continues.  I will receive chemotherapy for approximately 30 more weeks (1x every 3 weeks).  It continues to leave me fatigued, and the shots for WBC production leave me achy and weary.  AND, I have the strength and energy to participate in life knowing that I have been given a second chance for now.  Things are looking so positive and I must seize the day (each and every one) while I have the chance.  A brush with death has done that to me.  I now see my world so differently.

It is beyond words that I express my love and gratitude for each and everyone of you.  You pray for me, write to me, call me, hug me…I am lifted up by your kindness and encouragement.  Thank you my family and friends.

Thank you Jon for your support, to continue this journal.  I am very sorry about Suzanne, your beautiful wife.  I know you miss her. Hang in there.  Hugs to you.

Sincerely,

Peri