Prayer Request

PLEASE PRAY FOR MY DAUGHTER KRIS.  THINGS ARE NOT GOING WELL RIGHT NOW.

Rafting down the Tieton

Stan, Sebastian and some of the Grands made a final raft trip of the summer a couple of weeks ago.

They went down the Tieton river in Eastern Washington, near Yakima. The Tieton is fed by Rimrock Dam.  Every day water is released from the dam and sent down the river to be used by farmers to irrigate their orchards.  It's secondary use is:

The beginning of the trip.  Fairly calm, but looking at the upcoming rapids.

They are hitting the rapids here.  Everyone needs to be in their place and doing their jobs.

I am a little jealous of them, but do not go on these trips with them because although I enjoy the water, I am overly nervous when the kids are there.  I ruin all of the fun for everyone.  They go and tell me all about their close calls when they get home.

As they maneuvered their way through the rapids and between the rocks,

Brystan spotted the camera person who films the rafters as they go downriver.
He raised his ore in a sign of victory.  They had conquered the rapids.

His Uncle Sebastian had to tell him to put his ore back in the water and row.

It wasn't much later that they hit another rough spot.  Here Sebastian is flying out of his seat

As the rest of the crew flew about the raft,

Laureen went flying out.

Sebastian is checking on her and giving her instructions for coming back aboard.

Getting Laureen back into the raft.  As Sebastian helps her in, everyone else has a job to do to keep the raft  stable.

In the last leg of the trip, they hit another rough spot.

Stan was pretty sure they would all swamp this time.

The calm after the storm.

The tired crew.
Granddaughter Amanda, Grandson Brystan, Stan, Son in law Sebastian, Laureen, who is a Massage Therapist in Stan's office and Grandson Cannyn.

Maybe I will go on one of the trips.  But only if there are no children along.  I really am not any fun when I am constantly worrying about what might happen.

Seattle Sunset.

Click on the photo for a better view.

I did not take this picture, but it is too pretty to not share.  Taken in downtown Seattle by  a KOMO TV
photojournalist Peter Mongillo

Banana Grams

It is a game very similar to Scrabble, except you do not play on a board and each player completes his/her own Puzzle.  I often play this with Kris when I go to visit her.  I, as often, loose.  So.........I bought my own game and Stan and I play almost every night.  (It is good for old folks to keep their minds sharp.)  I also play it as solitaire.  Whatever I have to do to  someday beat Kris.  Lately Kris has been playing what she calls "theme" games.  Makes it harder for her and perhaps, just perhaps, I will have a chance to win one or two games.  Yesterday, I decided to play a theme game myself.  I was playing solitaire.  Makes it a little easier because you do not have to share tiles with another player.  I chose an easy theme too.  Can you see what it is?

Speaking of Kris, she had a consultation today.  I am sure I will mess it up and she will correct me, but if I understand right, the tumor has torn her lung loose.  Because it is not attached to her chest wall as it is suppose to be, she has been having troubles with fluid collecting and shortness of breath.  She does have a date for surgery, now she has to decide if she wants to go through it.  Of course her mother has an opinion, (that she has already shared) but ultimately the choice is hers and her families.  Prayers for wisdom and acceptance of whatever the decision and/or the outcome.

Why? By Kris Rosebrook Eberle

Why?

by Kris Rosebrook Eberle on Sunday, October 23, 2011 at 4:48am

 Wednesday mornings have been especially difficult. The 30 minute drive into chemo tends to be a long emotional trip. Dread is heavy. Last Wednesday I asked a few friends to pray for me, specifically to help me have a heart of gratitude. God showed up in a big way for me. I could feel Him holding me. My attitude was changed.  Friends were texting me encouragement and prayers. My sister Tricia  came from Bethel, Ak. ( knowing I would likely be asleep most of her visit). For 2 days we sat around together in our pj's. She gave our dog a bath (He stunk!), just so I could hold him. Meals were delivered. Our son Brandyn, whom we had not seen since August, came home from college for the weekend. To sit and watch the boys make pizza together was priceless and then delicious.

Why? I refused to ask this the first time around. I figured the answer was; Why not? I'm not so special that I could escape a disease that affects so many people. It was just part of life. It could be that I refused to ask because I did not really want to know....This time I'm asking. Why God? Why do I have to do this? Why do I have to hurt so much? He has not given me one answer that explains everything and I don't expect that He will. He has given me answers that help explain some things. He wants me to find strength in Him, not in myself. He wants me to trust Him completely. He wants me to let others love me. He wants me to love others without judgment. Why God? I'm ready to hear you. Why God? I'm ready, teach me.

Week 10 Chemo Buddy

This weeks artist is her husband Joseph.

Wordless Wednesday Fireworks for Homecoming

 From my back deck, through my weeping willow tree

I have been wanting to take a drive up to Mt. Rainier

Stan does not want to drive that far, so we compromised and did the Mountain Loop Highway which is a highway that connects Granite Falls and Darrington along the base of the mountains.  It is a very scenic drive that is open only during the summer months.  I was snapping pictures right and left as we drove, making Stan stop several times along the road.  These are a few of my favorites.

The South Fork of the Stillaguamish River right outside of Granite Falls.  This river also connects with the North Fork of the Stillaguamish River  in Arlington and goes from there to empty into the Puget Sound near Camano Island

One of many un-named waterfalls emptying into the Stillaguamish  River.

The last huckleberry.

A Fungus.  It was huge and I have never seen one this color.

Some of the color I was wanting to see.

I love the way the brush reflect into the pond.

A small falls on the river.

The last foxglove.

I took this picture to show the power of the river.  It looks so calm an mild right now, but these are trees that were torn from the forest.  Probably during the flooding last year.  

Just a picture of the road as we drove down it.  We liked the way it meandered.

I liked the sun shining on these sword ferns.

We stopped so I could take a picture of the Sauk Prairie area below, but I saw the way these two branches were twined together and focused on them instead.

I am not sure what this mountain's name is.  I found the sight breathtaking.

I liked the way the sun shone through the trees here and the branch that cuts right across the picture.

This picture was taken just as we left Darrington and headed south to Arlington and home.



Maybe he will take me to Mt. Rainier next week:)

One evening as I was sitting in Krissy's bedroom with her,

I saw the most amazing red sky out her window.

But by the time I got up and got my camera,

This is all that was left of it.

Chemo Buddies and Week #8 thoughts from Kris

2/3 shrinkage is significant. I should be dancing in the street.  I've been more in the mind set of I'll believe it when I feel it. #8 chemo has been a difficult one to recover from. At no point during this week have I felt good. Today as I was feeling sorry for myself I was reminded of how blessed I am.

• I am almost never alone.
• My friends and family call, text, email, fb message and snail mail encouragement to me daily.
• Friends drop in.
• Meals are delivered.
• My husband loves me.
• My sons are top quality.
• Laundry is done. House is clean. (Everyone needs a brother-in-law like mine)

What do I  have to complain about? I'm not happy about the pain, but I choose joy. My heart is full.
Psalms 28:7

Favorite pictures of my Mother.

I miss you so much.

Week Seven Chemo Buddy and a note from Kris.

Kris Rosebrook Eberle

Went to the oncologist today for the results of the scan yesterday. He came in smiling claiming to have only good news. The larger tumors are responding well to the chemo and have shrunk by about 2/3. The Dr is suggesting a procedure that will drain off the water on the lung and then attach the lung back to the walls, then the water won't continue to pool. Please pray for wisdom in what to do.
This is Angie Cope, her favorite sister reporting from Port Orchard ;)
I think this Chemo Buddy reflects our opinion of Cancer more than any of the others:)

Day 4 Blogtoberfest. Not a Wordless Wednesday post. A Miracle in our Life.

I came very close to not blogging today.  I was going to break my commitment after just three blogs.  This morning something happened.  A miracle to say the very least.  I had spent my entire day yesterday in despair, crying, praying, crying again.  Constantly telling myself that I had promised to have Faith and Trust.  I joined a new Bible Study yesterday and cried through the entire presentation.  I cannot help it, it is my makeup.  My emotions are on the surface, my tears are always ready to flow.  Sad, happy, scared, it doesn't matter.  I have the most free flowing tear ducts in the entire nation.  Today, my tears are tears of JOY!!!  I know we have rounded only one of the bends in this journey we are on.  I know also that we will shed many tears as we climb the hills and shout with joy and jubilation as we run down the other side of those hills. Today is a joyous day.  Today is the day my precious Kris learned her largest tumors have shrunk by 66%.  Today is the day she made the decision to continue with treatment instead of ending it.  Today is the day I learned that I will have my daughter for a little longer time.  The length is in God's hands and I thank and praise him for each one he gives us.  Yes, today, I am crying tears of JOY.  Thank You Jesus!!!

So much to think about.

Me, Kris and Tricia

by Kris Rosebrook Eberle on Monday, October 3, 2011 at 12:58am

I'm not much of a country music fan, in fact when I hear it,  my hair stands on end and I usually bellow out a great big TWANG! But there is one song that has given me plenty to think about. 

 Tim McGraw - Live Like You Were Dying 

I'm not much of a bucket list kind of person. Sure, I have made big plans for my empty nest years. I want to ride motorcycles all over the USA. Fly somewhere on a whim with my sister. Learn to scuba dive. Travel to Nepal with my brother-in-law. Hike the Grand Canyon. Go to a white sand beach. White water kayaking......All that seems so trivial now.

I totally believe that if God chose to He could completly heal my body. I believe that He wants me to ask Him to extend my life. I believe that He wants His best for me. I believe he will answer my prayers. The answer may be yes. The answer may be no. I believe He is faithful and regardless the answer, worthy of my praise. 

My reality on this day is that I am dying. (I don't know how I could hurt this much and not be.) So, how am i going to live while I am dying? I want to hug my husband and both sons, my parents and each of my sisters, my brother, and my friends and tell them what they mean to me and how much I love them everytime I see them. I want to make new friends and feel my heart grow. I want to declare that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, that I do not fear death. Whether it be sooner or later, I am looking forward to Heaven.

Tuesday at 10AM I will be having a CAT scan to find out if the chemotherapy is working. I will have answers Wednesday.

Please keep me and my family in your prayers. Though we know the truth about our eternity it is an emotional rollecoaster, and none of us are experienced at dealing with our emotions.