Look at the great news that I read tonight! ....

"The Lord will fight for you; You need only to be still!" Exodus 14:14

Yep ... that's it. All we need to do is be still!

That's easy ... this walk will be a breeze if all we have to do is, be still. The Lord will do all the heavy lifting, fighting and work! It is so awesome to be a Child of God. He makes it all so easy for us. I feel so blessed to be in the arms of Jesus! Let's sit back, pray fervently, rest and let Him fight this battle! Woo Hoo!

I Love You all!

So Blessed and filled with Thanksgiving!

Hello to all our incredible friends, family and loved ones! I apologize for the delay in corresponding, but I don't have "a plan" in place yet. This new truth in my life has been an interested thought process for me. I feel great and go about my days forgetting my recent diagnosis. When I sit quietly for a moment and remember ... it is almost surreal. Is this really happening?? Then I quickly remember that "God is my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1). He is always there to help us, providing refuge, security and peace. God's power is complete and his ultimate victory is certain. He promises, He will not fail to rescue those who love him. Ahhhh ... love those sweet, loving words filled with so much hope.

Quick update ... We met with Baylor College of Medicine last week. I want to get two opinions and Dr. Osborne with Baylor has come highly recommended by several amazing women who have walked this journey. He was wonderful, I really liked him. While I was at this appt. I had a genetics mutation test done to see if I am a genetic carrier of the cancer gene. Since my sweet, wonderful Mother died of Ovarian cancer this test was at the top of the important "to do list!" (this is critical, as we have 3 amazing daughter whom we love and cherish with all our hearts). If I am a carrier, it is a blessing to know this ... the girls can be super pro active in going to the Dr. and getting their mammograms and annual check ups. PRAYER REQUEST: Please pray that I am NOT a carrier, it will mean a much easier journey ahead and such a blessing for the girls! Technology is amazing now and God is even better - He has given us all peace beyond understanding!!

I have my first appointment with MD Anderson March 29th (at a fun 6:30 am!!) and another appt. with MDA on March 30th. I will have a much better idea of what the Drs. feel is the best medical plan. Will let you know when I hear more. Another huge blessing of Gods hand in this ... I was able to get into MDA with the doctor I really wanted in an "MDA reasonable" amount of time. It's difficult to get into this place ... everyone wants to be there!!! HA!

I am doing everything humanly possible to feed my body all the right things (but none of this would matter if we didn't have every fiber of our being in the trusting arms of Jesus ... knowing without a doubt that His plan is and will be absolute perfection). BUT ... I have cut out ALL sugar (yowza ... no more skittles or twizzlers), have boosted the leafy greens to a level my body has not eatten in a year combined, super lean protein, no wheat and water in huge abundance. Exercise has kicked in ... as this is critical when one enters a new journey like this one. If you are an expert in yummy foods with no sugar and no wheat - would love to hear from you!

Quiet time alone with God is precious. He is a God of tender moments and loving assurance. I have learned a valuable truth lately ... I know that really knowing GOD is better than knowing the outcome! "Be still, and know that I am God; I will will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10. Being still has been amazing, something that is not easy for "fast little me!"

If you love to pray ... please pray for the outstanding tests we are awaiting and my upcoming appts. with MDA. (Outstanding tests: genetic test, and a few others). The Lord knows all about them ... and also what we pray His will might be. I am calling out for wisdom as many decisions will need to be made. Thank you, thank you, thank you prayer warriors!

Thank you for your love, concern, prayers, cards, calls, emails, facebook messages. I wish I could respond individually and hope to do that in the future. This walk would be so lonely without each and everyone of you. And I must say to my precious, sweet family ... I Love You with the love of the Lord. The joy, blessings and love you give to me every moment of each day ... is indescribable. I am one blessed woman to be given this amazing, incredible family ... God is toooo good to me!

I Love You all ... Blessings to each of you!

Where do I even begin to thank all of you for the numerous calls, emails, facebook msgs., cards and encouragement. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you ... it means so very much to me and my family. We have been overwhelmed by the love and support. Keep your prayers lifted to the risen King! We could not ask for anything more than your sweet prayers. Thank you so very much.

I am going to try and keep you updated on our new journey thru this blog. The most precious Marina created this blog ... I wanted something happy, fun and filled with hope ... she did it! Thank you Marina. I hope to meet you soon!! Your the best. You can reach her at: simmonsmarina@gmail.com

I want everyone to know we are walking this journey in complete FAITH, not FEAR. I am blessed beyond what I deserve. I have the most wonderful husband ... who serves our family so unselfishly, I have the most amazing daughters ... God worked overtime when HE created them, I have the most Godly son in laws and the perfect "angel" of a grandson (I love him so much its scary!!), I have the most amazing extended church family and friends that only God could bring into my life! I may not have a cancer free body ... but HOW BLESSED AM I???? Blessed beyond what I deserve!! God is soooo amazing. He is MY healer. He is all I need!

If you are a praying person, please pray for Richard and the girls. As we walk thru this journey, above all else ... I want the Lord to be glorified and my family to find peace, comfort and joy. While we have specific prayers medically ... my main prayer is for my family. Cover them in your prayers!

Gaynor sent me this scripture ... "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." 1 Peter 4:12-13.

I couldn't help but reply ... Ya think something strange is fixin to happen to me!!!!! But I find so much comfort in knowing God is in control ... not me! He is preparing a place for me and my family before I even go before the doctors, surgeons, oncologists and radiologists! That brings me so much peace ... I know the Lord is already there ... waiting for me to enter the doors of the medical facility. How great is that???? I pray and hope HIS glory will be revealed thru this trial.

Once again, I want to thank each and everyone of you. YOU have blessed me, my family and the Lord Jesus Christ with your encouragement, your words, your scriptures and your love. Words cannot express how helpful you are as we walk thru this trial ... if the the kingdom of Christ is glorified ... than it is all worth it.

I believe that Jesus is all I need (and my family .... if I can be selfish!!) ... but Jesus is all we need to carry us thru this.
Again, I thank you for your support and love ... Jill

PS... Nothing is impossible with Jesus ... and that brings a huge smile to my face! Woo Hoo!

Updates coming soon...

Thank you all so very much for the outpouring of love, prayer, encouragement, and kindness on my behalf as we learned the news last week that I do have Stage 1 Breast Cancer. I am hoping to use this blog as a way to communicate "with the masses" as I simply am not able to keep each and every one of you up to date on a regular basis. An update with the specifics on what is ahead is coming very soon... love and blessings to you all!