prayers for sweet Summer

I've blogged about Summer before. She is battling

Stage 3 cervical cancer. Today is a big day for her.

They are asking everyone to pray. Here is the 

update her best friend Lori wrote last night...

Good Evening, Friends!!

The time has come for us to be as bold and courageous as we can before the throne of God, approaching Him with thanksgiving and confidence as we present our requests to Him on behalf of our precious sister in Christ and dear friend Summer.  

Tomorrow morning at 9 am Summer will undergo a major surgery to remove the cancer that is in her kidney, spleen and lymph nodes. Please stand in agreement with us that her Doctors will be able to remove ALL THE CANCER!!!  They will also remove the kidney that is no longer functioning.  They are estimating that her surgery will last approximately 5 hours.  

Yesterday, during our church's 21 days of Prayer, Pastor Chris shared this verse from Isaiah 62:6-7, which says, "I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest".  Based on this verse, along with Luke 18:1, "One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should ALWAYS PRAY and NEVER GIVE UP" and 1Thess. 5:17, "NEVER STOP PRAYING", we want to cover tomorrow in prayer, from sunrise to sunset, especially during the hours of her surgery, approximately 9 am - 2 pm (ish).  Please take a certain hour during that time and pray your heart out for Summer, as well as her oncologist, Dr. Straughn and the liver transplant surgeon, Dr. Dubay as they operate on her.  Pray for wisdom, focus and patient endurance as they meticulously remove the cancer.  Pray for their rest tonight and for God's supernatural favor and presence to guide them tomorrow.  

Tonight as they were getting settled into her room and preparing for her blood transfusion we talked about staying focused on His goodness, the promises of His word and not allowing the enemy any room to invade her or Jeremy's thoughts.  It's amazing how God's Word truly comes to life and it is our daily bread, it's all we need.  A few things to join us in prayer on...

Continue Have Faith in God's Word to Heal Summer 

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us". 1 John 5:14

"So is my word that goes out from mouth; it will not return me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.  You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace" Isaiah 55:10-12

"Everything is possible for him who believes" Mark 9:23

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more that we can ask or imagine" Ephesians 3:20

Pray against Fear for Summer, Jeremy, and the entire family

"Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD is the one who goes before you. He will be with you; He will neither fail nor forsake you". Deuteronomy 31:8

"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand".  Isaiah 41:10

"Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go". Joshua 1:9

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear. " Psalm 46:1-2

Pray for the Supernatural Peace of God to cover Summer and her family and for their thoughts to remain on the truth of His word. 

Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" John 14:27

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by praye and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Whatever is True, Noble, right, Pure, Lovely, admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things". Phil 4:6-8

Pray that they would continue to have Joy and Faithfulness as they endure this season.

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us". Romans 8:18

"Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength". Nehemiah 8:10

"You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence". Acts 2:28

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit". Romans 15:13

Pray for Strength for Summer

Summer is tired.  She is tired of feeling yucky and she needs His strength to continue this battle.  In our weakness, He is made strong!!

Pray for protection over Taylor, Savannah and Jaylen as they continue school and activities in Auburn and supernatural strength for Jeremy's mom and dad as they watch over the kids.  

And of course, never forget that Summer Wins!  And we all win when we choose to be in a loving, intimate relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.  "In ALL things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in ALL creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord". Romans 8:37-39 

As you spend tomorrow fasting and praying for Summer, as well as Jeremy, her doctors, and her family I pray that you remember that joy that you have in your own salvation and the peace, love and joy that comes from an intimate friendship with the Holy Spirit.  Phil 3:8-10 says "I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.  I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteous of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ- the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.  I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings".  

Jeremy has set up a Facebook page, at http://www.facebook.com/IWINsummer, where he will update quickly on her surgery and recovery.  

Summer will recover in the hospital in Birmingham for 4-6 days, then back to the Levant home for another week and then hopefully back to Auburn the next week.  We have set up meals for the Kempfers in Auburn, if you'd like to provide a meal, please visit their meal site, 

http://www.takethemameal.com/meals.php?t=DTUS4986

I stand with you all, agreeing for complete healing for Summer and Praising Him in Advance for the glorious works He has done and will continue to do through this journey.  

Love you all and be sure to PRAY FIRST!!!!

Lori 

Fall...please hurry up!

I am really ready for summer to be over! I know I should be living in the moment and enjoying each day.......it's hot!!! I'm ready to open the windows and raise the blinds. We have a ton of windows in our living room. In order to keep the temps down during the day I normally keep the blinds closed. I am a much happy and productive person when I have windows raised. It's a proven fact.

The bedroom/bathroom redo....trying to decide if I even want to type about it. It's going. It may be more like a bathroom redo instead of both. B is having to do a lot more than we planned in the bathroom. 
On a positive note...I'm constantly amazed at the stuff B can build. He is building completely new and customized bathroom cabinets. I love that I can draw him a picture or have a ten minute conversation and he's got it. I don't give him near enough credit for this. If you read this blog tell him that I tend to brag on him from time to time. This may shock you...he maybe reads this blog twice a year. If you know B you won't be surprised.

I have a ton of pictures but I honestly don't think anyone needs to see the mess! Here are a few from this weekend...

I know these are the most boring pictures ever! 

baby w

welcome to the world baby w!

you have a lot of people that love you and are looking forward to getting to know you!

lamp surprise!

I had no idea how cute the little orange lamp was until I turned it on!! I almost squealed when I saw how darling it is with the light on! The pattern on the inside of the shade shines through!

let the demo begin!

The bedroom remodel has now turned into a master suite remodel. It's still a remodel on a budget so don't get too excited. Our shower needed to be re-grouted and sealed since we haven't done it once in the past five years (I think you are supposed to reseal your tile every year or so...I could be thinking about granite...we haven't resealed that either. ) Bryant is finally building me a custom vanity cabinet that has all of the storage bells and whistles I've wanted since we moved it. It is SO awesome having a husband who can build anything. Our goal is to be completely finished with the bedroom and bathroom by the end of August. I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed.

I know I said we had picked out a wall color...well that wasn't true. We just thought we had picked out a wall color. This is what our bedroom wall looks like tonight.

I really do think I've picked out a color now! Bryant said I'm not allowed to buy any more paint samples.Hopefully, I will have pictures of a finished upholstered headboard to post tomorrow or Sunday.  

Two awesome finds tonight at Lowes...

The white lamp is solid white glass. The picture doesn't do it justice. These darling lamps where on the clearance shelf! I got both lamps for under $30 total!

Now it's time to start demoing the old vanity and getting all of the old grout out. Let the demo begin!

nine years

'

Happy nine years to us! 

We were so young and so excited to get married.

 

B,

Happy Anniversary! Thank you for making this year full of laughter and a ton of fun! I am so blessed to be your wife. You are my best friend! I love you to the moon and back!

Love,

CC

whirlwind weekend

We went home this weekend to celebrate my sweet Papa's 90th birthday. Our family is still in a transition period since Grandma passed away last December. I hope that our time with Papa helped him to not feel so sad...even if it was for a day. 

 All of the girls (minus Sister Woman)

We couldn't leave Sister Woman out! Yes, that is a huge wall portrait of Raven when she was a kid. It hangs over our grandparents couch. 

All of the kids and spouses (Dad was outside)

My sweet Mama!

Happy 90th Birthday Papa!!