Kelly's platelets and white blood cells have improved enough for chemo! As we go into round 3 of her chemo this week, we ask for continued prayers. Today, 6 incredible prayer warriors from Memphis who are a part of a healing ministry prayed over Kelly and Tim and our family. We felt an intense presence of the Holy Spirit and His healing power and felt God's supreme authority over this cancer that ravages her body. We were so moved by their complete and total faith in God's healing power and conviction that Kelly would be healed. They encouraged us to thank God for the healing that will take place, knowing that He can do all things.

     Please continue to join us in praying for her complete healing and commanding this sickness from her body in the name of Jesus. We also pray that her cancer and ultimate healing will be a testimony for so many people who may be struggling in their walk through life, that they may know the comfort of our God. So fitting that today's gospel reading coincides completely with our desire for Kelly's healing and that we should boldly ask for what we seek in Jesus's name. 

"Amen, amen, I say to you,
whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.
Until now you have not asked anything in my name;
ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete."

"On that day you will ask in my name,
and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you.
For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God."    - John 16:23-24,26-27

     We ask you to offer up sacrifices, however small, in fasting and praying for Kelly's healing. Any time spent in adoration please offer up for Kelly. Thank you for your continued prayers and support, we are infinitely grateful!

     I want to share one of our daily prayers called 'The Miracle Prayer'. It was written by a bishop in Mexico and is a beautiful submission to God's plan for us to pray for this miracle. 

'Lord Jesus, I come before you just as I am. I am sorry for my sins. I repent of my sins, please forgive me. In your name I forgive all others for what they have done against me. I renounce satan, the evil spirits and all their works. I give you my entire self, Lord Jesus, now and forever. I invite you into my life. Jesus, I accept you as my Lord, God and Savior. Heal me, Change me, Strengthen me with your precious blood and fill me with your Holy Spirit. I Love You, Lord Jesus. I Praise You, Jesus. I Thank You, Jesus. I shall follow you every day of my life. Amen. Mary, my mother, Queen of Peace, St. Peregrine, the cancer saint, all you Angels and Saints, please help me. Amen'

*Also a big congratulations to our brother, Patrick, who graduated college yesterday! 

Update by Kelly:

“When asking for a miracle, you must never be a piker.” - Venerable Fulton Sheen

     Last weekend we were watching homilies and old tv recordings of Fulton Sheen. In one of the shows we watched, he told a story of when he went to Lourdes without a penny in his pocket. He had faith that Our Lady would take care of him along the way. Long story short, he had a marvelous trip and She took care of him the whole time. He started the story saying, “When asking for a miracle, you must never be a piker!” This saying has become our new motto! 

     In some ways, last week was a tough one. I felt pretty good, but we had to postpone chemo. Round number 3 of chemo was supposed to be last Wednesday April 27. When I went to get my blood checked on Monday, my blood counts - specifically my white blood cell and platelet counts - were too low.  I had my blood work done again on Thursday in hopes that I could go for chemo on Friday, but my counts were still too low. I am going again tomorrow (May 2) to get my blood work done. If it’s better, then we’ll head to Nashville for chemo on Tuesday.

    We did, however, find out some really good news this past week! My cancer markers (CA125) have continued to decrease at a miraculous rate. According to my brother-in-law’s calculations, they have dropped 94% since I was diagnosed 2 months ago - with only 2 rounds of chemo! Truly miraculous! We are continuing to thank God for each little miracle we have been given, and this one is no different. 

     Also last Monday, we made a quick trip to Birmingham, AL to the Community of Caritas. This community has dedicated itself to spreading the messages of Our Lady Queen of Peace from Medjugorje.  The 25th is important because this is the date that the Blessed Mother appears to one of the visionaries each month with a message for the world. Our Lady has appeared to one of the visionaries on her trips to Birmingham many times in their field, in the Bedroom of Apparitions, as well as at a cross on top of a mountain located just off the community’s property. We were able to visit the sites around the community to pray for my healing and for those who are also suffering. It was a day full of joy and prayer.

     We appreciate all of your prayers. I feel like I keep saying this, but I have been so humbled and overwhelmed by all of the support, prayers, cards, and well wishes over the last 2 months. I ask that you continue to pray for little and big miracles. In following Fulton Sheen's advice, we will continue to not be pikers in our prayer requests!