The Sigh of Relief Heard Around the World

Yep that sigh was from Johnathan and me as he received his Masters of Arts in Counseling from Missouri Baptist University on Tuesday night. There were 22 of us there to cheer him on as he walked across the stage at St. Charles Family Arena. This walk ended a three and a half year school adventure for both of us. The week before we met I signed up for my Masters program. I finished it in August of 2008 and Johnathan started his program that fall. So one of us has been locked in the back bedroom studying from the very beginning! We're pretty excited about being finished with school for awhile (at least until Johnathan begins his doctorate program in a few years. He's not talking much about it because he wants to savor the Masters first!)
Johnathan makes me a little sick. He studies more than anyone I know...except for Suz. He earned a 4.0, so it paid off for sure! Mo Bap. is located in St. Louis and John attended their Troy/Wentzville Campus which is two hours away from us. He worked full-time and drove back and forth to class two days a week plus the rest of his church and community activities. Let me say there is one happy wifey who is very much looking forward to actually seeing more of him!
During his internship, he began working at Preferred Family Healthcare and thankfully that internship connection paid off and he began working as an Adolescent Counselor in January. John works with drug and alcohol addicted teens in his office at the rehab center and on an outpatient basis at their schools or homes a couple days a week. He's doing wonderfully and we're so proud of him. He's really enjoying finally working in his field.

So we congratulate Johnathan on finishing his degree and now wish him the best as he sits for his boards in June to earn his LPC (licensed professional counselor).

Jaime

THE GOOD NEWS

The good news today comes from my surgeon who tells me I'm good to go to Jordan in June to see Scott, Suzi and Cooper!  "Just continue to eat a well-balanced diet and do what you are doing."

In my visit with the doctor, we discussed my options for the next 6-12 months. He told me if we did chemo, it would be an aggressive cocktail of 3 drugs and would only extend my life expectancy maybe 12 months with the usual bad side effects of chemo. In the end, it would not cure the cancer and in the last months I would be very sick. 

We have had a family conference and told the doctor that we are choosing "quality of life" over "quantity of life." There will be no treatments just as last year. We need a miracle of God's healing power, so we have chosen to trust Him to do what only He can do.

Most days I am feeling better although my stamina is not up to par yet. I'm still in the process of reeducating what remains of my colon as to how to deal with what I'm eating. 

Last week I taught a 3 hour seminar to ministerial license applicants in Springfield on Thursday evening and took care of Princess Heidi Suzanne for Jaime and Glynnda on Friday and Saturday while they attended the Ladies Seminar.  On Sunday, I preached the morning message, attended the Mother's Memorial fundraiser luncheon and auction, lead the singing and gave the message at Loma Linda Nursing Home, and was in service that evening to support our newly licensed minister as he preached. I did sleep well on Sunday night. 

Monday through Friday, Princess Heidi spends all day with her Papa and Grammie, and I am able to take care of her while Glynnda teaches piano lessons to her thirty plus students.  Heidi is an adorable princess who demands my full attention when I am on duty, and I can't seem to get anything else accomplished.

I thank you all very sincerely for your thoughts and prayers and generous support to me and my family. The outpouring of cards, notes and calls is truly amazing, and we are grateful beyond words.

Blessings,

Vernon McGarvey

Cooper Alexander McGarvey

Scott & Suzi's Baby

As we approach our due date (and start counting those contractions!), there may be cries for details and pictures.  In order to make it easy for us to keep you in the loop, we will be posting all updates to our blog.  Switch channels and we'll see you over there for the rest of the weekend.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers as we jump off into this next great chapter!

Scott & Suzi

Easter 2010

Just a quick update on our Easter weekend. Daddy was able to make it to both services. Dustyn preached a wonderful message at the morning service and during the evening service Daddy sat in a chair and gave a short, but extremely inspirational message to the church family entitled, "Invincible". He shared his diagnosis with his congregation and said even though the doctors' have given him a very real time frame, he is invincible until God is finished with him whenever that may be. He encouraged them to pray as Jesus did in the garden, "Let this cup pass from me, but NEVERTHELESS Thy will be done."  After the message, he lead the congregation in Easter Communion. It was a very special service with a beautiful presence of the Lord filling the place despite a raging storm outside and the lights flickering throughout the service! 

We are grateful for God's blessing on our family this Easter as we celebrate the resurrection power that will unite us all with Him one day.

Jaime