Lindsey

August 7-8:  Shortly after our Michigan trip with Andy & Lindsey, Lindsey called with some hard news.  She had a follow up from a lump she found while she was nursing from last spring.  They told her to have a re-check in a couple months but at the time, her doctor thought it was likely a change from nursing.  At her re-check she had an ultrasound and a mammogram and things became much more serious.  She had to wait a few days for the results and I remember getting the call from her after she was diagnosed with breast cancer... It was such a hard phone call and was followed by some equally difficult calls.  It is easier to look back now because as I type this (on February 18th) she completed her last chemo treatment just days ago.  Her journey although it was not easy was filled with so much hope and joy.  As much as God has used her up to this point, I know he is not nearly done with her.  She has let God shine through her during this journey and been quick to give all the glory to HIM.  (More on that to come!)

As soon as we found out we knew we needed to plan a surprise visit to be with her.  Sarah was in the middle of a huge garage sale fund raiser for her Africa trip and simply couldn't get away (but we facetimed her in!) Liz and I were able to coordinate our schedules and with a little help from Lindsey's mom we were able to pull off a surprise visit!  We loaded up a basket of goodies, stopped on the way for cupcakes and showed up at her door on a Friday evening.  Nothing beats a hug in person...

We had a fun-filled two days.  We went to the cutest little place for dinner Friday night.  It was a pizza restaurant that is about the size of the first floor of my house.  They served wood-fire pizzas that were AMAZING and they had live music!  It was the best!  On Saturday we had a leisurely morning and headed downtown to Newbo City Market in Cedar Rapids.  We stopped at a popcorn shop for some goodies and we had lunch at the market.  We picked out several yummy items and had a buffet for three!  It was a short trip but so good to see Lindsey, to cry together, to pray together, to give hugs, and to know that even though we are divided by distance God has connected our hearts in a way that would allow us to walk through this journey together.  

   

One of the items we got for Lindsey was a bracelet with an anchor.  Liz, Sarah, & I all got the same bracelet for ourselves.  The anchor became a symbol of Hope and Friendship for all of us!