April 20th

April 20th was a wonderful day! Because Jennifer took me to the hospital for my LAST time to get remicade ever! When I was home over Christmas break, the doctor said that everything was looking good, so I would be able to stop receiving treatment. A year ago today I had just gone back to the hospital for the fourth time and was starting the longest stretch of being there. I put some pictures on here from then. Both of the pictures are actually from the first time I was in the hospital over spring break. (but that's because as time went on, I wasn't really up to pictures except for when the activity ladies would come with a dog, or the easter bunny to visit me :) hee,hee! then they would take pictures of me with them, and I would give them to mom to hide them for me. haha!) Anyways, the picture on top is from when Laura came to visit me. She's so sweet! Many times her family would take a day and come see me, and let Laura stay and chat with me as long as she wanted. She ALWAYS brightens my day! The teddy bear was from her for when she couldn't be there ;) The other picture is from later that day when the Schofield girls stopped by. We're all up in the library looking for movies to watch. :) That was a nice thing about the hospital is that they had a really nice library. Mom and I had fun having a movie night pretty much every night - eventually, though, we even got kinda tired of that! Anyways, I am so thankful that I can look back and see all that the Lord has allowed me to do since then. He has worked everything out according to His perfect will. At the time it was hard to understand why He was doing what He was doing, yet He gave us the grace to trust that He knew best. I learned so much last summer, and as much as it was a difficult thing to go through - I would not trade the experience. I just remember being overwhelmingly grateful to the Lord when I finally came out of surgery - He truly does do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think. The timing was perfect, too, because I was able to be in Jenn and Jordan's wedding in July without having to be escorted by my iv pole! haha! And then I got to go to college, and now I'm almost done with my first year! PTL! I am SO thankful! God is SO good!

April 20th also would have been Dad's 49th birthday. I cannot believe how fast time has gone. I miss him so much - but am so thankful that I will see him again someday in heaven. It was neat that it worked out for Jenn and I to schedule my appointment on that day, because then we could spend it together. We had a really sweet time together. Jenn made word puzzles (one of them was specialized with crohns lingo. haha!) on the internet - so that helped to pass time while we were actually at the hospital. Afterwards, we went shopping and got matching dresses (buy one - get one half off) :) and went out for supper at Applebees. It was so fun to actually have time to just sit and talk together. It's been so busy at school - it was nice to have an "excuse" to take a day off and have some sister time :) Thanks, Jenny! I love you!

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater;

He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;

To added affliction He addeth His mercies,

To multiplied trials His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,

When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,

When we reach the end of our hoarded resources

Our Father's full giving is only begun.

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,

His power no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

He giveth and giveth and giveth again.

- Annie Johnson Flint

"My grace is sufficient for thee..." II Corinthians 12:9 a

"Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you." - I Peter 5:7