Thank you!!!

Last night we had the honor of going to the chili feed fund raiser for going to California. The last time I looked at a thermometer it was 12 degrees with very icy roads. That didn't deter people. I couldn't believe how many people still came out. I feel very blessed and loved.

The most frequently asked question was "How was California?" Awesome! was the answer. We learned so much. The trip was best described by educationally putting a fire hose in your mouth and turning it on. I'm so thankful Brett was with me. I couldn't do this by myself. Honestly, I couldn't. It took both of us gaining understanding and me doing the therapy to get it down. Brett has become an expert green juice maker. I am taking my new supplements. Brett gets them all lined out for me. It was pretty amazing how they are able to tailor supplements to my body's needs. I am off sugar...and feeling so much better! We also found out I was pre diabetic. It's all 100% curable with diet. Sweet! That just inspires me all the more to stay away from sugar. Balancing food is also new for me. I have to make sure I balance my carbs with proteins. You're probably thinking, oh my gosh!, what can she eat? You better not loose any weight! I've actually gained a couple of pounds and Brett actually has lost...the perfect combination. I've been eating and feeling very satisfied and full. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to go to the Oasis of Hope. I knew God would make it obvious when we should go...and he did.

Oh, I have to tell you that a man stopped by the Oasis when we were there. He was diagnosed 36 years prior with stage IV cancer. I hope to go back to encourage others like that 36 years later too. :)

Thank you all for coming last night. Thank you for your hugs, unconditional love and support. We are so blessed to live in such a valley. I appreciate all of you!

Well, I'm heading off to teach my Kinders this morning. They are pretty amazing.
God bless!

Looking up,

Sheri

Last day in Cally.........

Well....it has been an experience. A new leg in our journey has begun. Sheri and I are excited and thankful for the future, for healing, and for God bringing us here. That being said, we are ready to go home too, and see our kids and friends! Probably the most difficult part has been focusing so intensly on cancer for so many days in a row. We didn't realize how nice it is sometimes to be distracted by everyday life. It has been great for both of us to focus on getting better. We still have a lot to learn....especially about our food...I won't bore you with details....but I never knew food could be so complicated! But it all makes common sence, so we push forward and learn. We found a clinic in Seattle to help us with some follow up treatments, so we don't have to fly back down here every 2 months, though they want to see us back in a year. You can tell the way the nurses and Doctors talk with Sheri that they have a confidence that she can get better....it's all doable they say. We agree! Thanks Oasis team, and thanks be to God for calling you to do what you do here.

Looking up!
Brett

Wow, tomorrow will be our last day at the Oasis of Hope. It has been extremely helpful. Yes, I'm off of sugar...and learning how to balance any carbs with protein. We're at the beginning of the learning curve and excited to learn more.

When we first arrived the hardest part was concentrating on ME. I'm much more comfortable focusing on others...that's fun. Then we really got into the therapy on Monday. By Wednesday I was sure therapy made teaching Kindergarten full time like a slow walk in the park. Therapy is work! What we've learned makes me feel better physically. Considering I already felt good, this should only help.

I'm missing our kids, home, friends, family, school, class, church and whole community! Can't wait to get back to our beautiful valley.

I am continuing to ask God for healing. I have always believed that He expects us to do all we can and leave the rest to Him. That is what we are doing. Sometimes God expects us to pick up a hammer and get to work. That's where we are. We have hammers in our hands ready to do our best as we come home. Having said this, I know He works through the prayers of His people, so we continue to pray with faith that He heals.

We'll be home Saturday!

Looking up!
Sheri

Clarity......and peace....

Well we are a few days into Sheri's treatments here in California at the Oasis of Hope clinic. There is a lot to learn and absorb! It's all doable that's the good part. Sheri continues to feel great and has lots of energy. The staff and doctors here are very encouraging and full of hope!

We had a great time with the kids at Disneyland. They flew in Friday night to meet us here. They did great on the plane by themselves. Uncle Bret took them to the Seattle airport, and we "caught" them down here...I'm sure it's an experience they will remember for a long time. Now they are back home with Grandma Gardner....doing the school thing. We fly out Saturday, and look forward to being home...though we see it might be snowing when we get there. We are liking the 70+ temperatures here.

God continues to assure us of his hand on us. It has been encouraging to both of us to be down here. Yesterday a man spoke here. He told his story of coming to the Oasis of Hope 36 years ago after the Mayo clinic gave him 6 weeks to live. Very powerful stuff....similar to my Mom's story. We know God can work through the Oasis of Hope and provide healing for Sheri....we trust him in that. We also have our part in this journey...which will begin when we get home, and for years to come.

Thanks for all the prayers and support....we feel it from here!

Looking up!

Brett and Sheri

A Couple of Country Bumpkins

Did you know they have four lanes on a regular road going one way for miles and it's not a highway? Real freeways have at least seven going one way! I counted tonight. And just to keep up with traffic it's 75 mph! Malls must be measured in acres here! Yes, I know I'm not in Kansas any more.

We had a splendid day. I now understand why this therapy is alternative and also so good for me. It should truely compliment everything my doctors are doing conventionally. Basically, it detoxes my system and helps my body heal better. We have much more to learn, but I believe we are in the right place. They are very supportive to both Brett and I. They also have a strong Christian base, believing that God is in control holding us throughout the journey. We agree. He's the ultimate healer.

We're back to the clinic tomorrow and then to meet the kids. I can't wait to see them! I miss them so much already and it's only been a couple of days!!

Thanks for the faith and prayers.

Looking up,
Sheri

We Made It!

After school Brett and I flew down to California. The flights were peaceful and smooth. We arrived about 11:30p.m. to a beautiful apartment that we will spend a couple of days at until the kids get here. Thank you Dean & Kaki! We woke up to magnificent sunshine and are about to begin our new adventure at the Oasis of Hope.
Driving down here is an experience, even with a Tom Tom. We are starting out early for our appointment so we have plenty of time.
We are thankful for the restful time this morning.
Well, here we go!! We know God is holding us in all your prayers. God bless.

Looking up,
Sheri & Brett

We're Off

Today Brett and I will leave right after work for the Oaisis of Hope Clinic. It's hard to explain how we are feeling. We are hopeful, yet I understand this will be very life changing. So my question is just how... We know it's the right thing to do. God made that VERY clear. So off we go! We're packed and ready for a new adventure in life.

The kids are packed and ready to join us on Friday evening. We will do Disneyland with them on Sat. and Sun. We are looking forward to the family time down there. We want the kids to feel a part of the whole situation in a positive light.

Currently I'm feeling great. I've been teaching full time, even the day after Gamma Knife surgery. I have great doctors and nurses. I'm just getting over a cough...it's almost gone!

Please pray for safe travels and healing.

Looking up,

Sheri

Gamma Knife.....

Yesterday we went over to Seattle and did another Gamma Knife treatment. Sheri's doctor over there was very thorough in attacking the spots. The good news was, after looking at all her previous scans, there is only one new spot. Originally he thought there were many new ones. However, several of her old spots, some almost two years old now, grew a little which concerned him. The largest spot is the size of a pencil eraser...about 3/8" across....the rest are all very small...about 1/8"....so the doctors are trying to stop this very early. All in all it went well.

A few of Sheri's friends are starting to call her Wonder Woman. While waiting for her treatment she was doing her report cards for her Kindergarten class....which amazed the doctors. "You must love your job?" he said. "Ya think?" I quipped (I can be a bit of a smart %&# at times). We think it helps her to keep pushing onward. Today she is back at work.

Sooooo....we were asking God for a sign as to when to go to the Alternative Clinic in California. God spoke very clearly with these last scan results. OK God we got the message, we are going. We leave next week on Wednesday night for the Oasis of Hope. We'll be there a week and a half, coming home the following Saturday. They give us the weekend off....sooooo...we decided to fly the kids down and hit Disneyland for a few days. They are very excited. She and I are excited about the hospital too. Thank you Charltons and Moreheads for helping us with places to stay! We will undoubtedly need help with food and stuff when we return....so we may need to tap any of the "let me know how I can help" offers out there.

All in all we are doing better mentally....a plan always seems to help with that. Pray the Gamma Knife does it's job, and pray as we head south to the Oasis of Hope. We are looking up and moving forward.

Brett and Sheri (Aylssa and Bryce)

The Night After the News

When we arrived home I was having a hard time looking up. I'm far from perfect ya know. In the middle of the night when I was still feeling devastated, a song popped into my head that I don't think we've sung in forever. It was like I could hear "Sheri, sing this." The song was perfect for the situation. It provided peace and I must have sung it in my sleep 5 or 6 times in my sleep. I knew I wasn't singing alone. The song was I've Got a River of Life Flowing Out of Me. Wow, what a powerful song and where did it come from when I was feeling so down? You guessed it! God never leaves us or forsakes us. He holds and comforts us when we hurt. Then the sun comes up. It took me a day and a half, but I'm out of the funk and ready to fight! He is also providing for our every need. We are very blessed.
Thank you to everyone who is and has supported us through this trek of life. It means a lot.

Here are the words to the song: I've Got a River of Life Flowing Out of Me
I've got a river of life flowing out of me,
makes the lame to walk and the blind to see,
opens prison doors, sets the captives free,
I've got a river of life flowing out of me.

Spring up O' well within my soul.
Spring up O' well and make me whole.
Spring up O' well and give to me, that life abundantly.

We're looking up and still praying for complete healing. Thanks for praying with us! Another request would be to please pray for our travel for our trip to the Oasis of Hope in CA. We'll be leaving the 10th of November. Thanks! (more on that later)

Looking up again,
Sheri