July 9, 2011
God continues to bless us every day. Each day is better than the last one and Gary is healing nicely from his surgery on June 27. We had a bend in the road on July 4 as his a fib decided to rear it's head big time. His pulse normally is mid 50s and he recorded 150. So doctor thought a visit to the ER was appropriate. He had had 2 minor events in the days before that resolved themselves at home. All were due to the surgery and stress on his body. So the doctors and nurses at FL South again took great care monitoring him for 2 days. He is slowly building up his energy level. It has been a real eye opener for us....as we were only prepared for an outpatient event. Will have doctor appts in next few weeks and hopefully head back to cabin in GA. Need to get stronger as nephew, Dave, gets married in Chicago in September. Just heard from brother, Jim, who moved out of house he and Gretchen had lived in for 26 years. Sounded like a monumental task of down sizing. But as my Dad always said..."Life goes on" ...and it does. Granddaughter, Kara, made it home from WY for month's visit. Grandkids Terri and Tyler will head to beach for a church retreat in Daytona Beach where Kristin is involved with her 2 months of outreach training. Not sure when we will see Dorsetts this summer as their sports will start up again soon and they will have a week of family camp at Pinecove in TX. God certainly has lots of plans for all of our lives. ..and they are all for our good. Saw a quote recently that said, "Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly." Liked that one. Thanks to all our friends who have been lifting us up. Love and hugs, Gary and Carol Lynn
Requesting prayers for friend Judy and her family, Julie's father in law Richard, Linda , Don & Ivonne.

June 30,2011
Have not made an entry to our blog since I finished my cancer treatments in November...but we had more excitement in our family to record so we can remember. Anyway I am playing nurse for Gary as he went through TURP surgery on Monday on an enlarged prostate. Was to be an outpatient procedure, but it turned into a 4 day and 3 night episode because of blood clot issues. Had marvelous nurses and doctors who cared for him and got him over several very rough spots . We were blessed with news from pathology that there is NO cancer in the prostate and his bladder showed no tumors. So we praise God for that and for holding his hand through the last few days...just like He promises that He will do in Is. 41:13. We had been enjoying a visit at cabin with dear former neighbors, Dick and Diane, when all of Gary's issues began on June 6. We drove to FL so he could doctor with his local urologist who was marvelous. Also had a great time with Kathy, Sam and Anna who drove to FL for a visit....since we had to renege on our babysitting offer due to medical problem. We pray that each of you are staying healthy and enjoying fun summer time activities. We cherish our friendship and send our love to each of you.
Prayers are requested for Judy, Don, Linda, Christa, Debra, Dawn for the medical issues that each one is facing. Love and Hugs, Carol Lynn and Gary

January 26, 2011
Dear Friends,
It was such a pleasure to receive your Christmas greetings and news. Thanks for keeping in touch. We treasure that connection between us. Christmas was wonderful in the mountains as we celebrated His great gift to all of us. We drove to Atlanta to the Cottons with our turkey and had a terrific time together. The snow started falling and did not stop for 4 days. We could not get back to the cabin because of the ice and snow (12") and stayed at Comfort Inn for 2 days...a real bonding time for all. Dorsetts drove from TX and loved the sledding and snowmen, etc. Julie's family came for a week of fun and we had great dinners with the Lamberts and Uncle Steve. When a 3rd snowstorm was predicted we decided it was time to head back to Florida. Good decision...as schools closed for another 1 1/2 weeks because of weather. We were greeted with a new year and a healthy January after two previous January's that included surgery. A mammeogram was declared CLEAR and we expect a positive report from Gary's upcoming routine stress test. Yes, God has continued to stand beside us through the peaks and the valleys...just like He promises. Our discipleship Bible study lesson this week reminded us in James 1:2-8 to "consider it pure joy...whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance....so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. When you ask for something..you must believe and not doubt." It would be difficult to say last year was "pure joy"...but God did bring much good out of my trial. Thank you all again for standing by us. We are in the process of planning a 95th birthday family celebration with Roger and Sandra for Gary's Mom who is as spry as ever. What a blessing she has been to all of us. Been attending granddaughter Terri's basketball games where she has been scoring 20, 19 and 19 points in recent games. She is a deadeye with her 3 point shot. It is so much fun being grandparents and watching and encouraging our wonderful grandkids along the way. We request prayers for Pastor Mulder, Suzanne, Judy, Mark, Dawn for health issues and also Christa and Mike who will be on transplant lists shortly. We pray that all is well with you and your families and that 2011 will be a beautiful year for all.
Love and Hugs, Carol Lynn & Gary