It came without ribbons. It came without tags.

“It came without ribbons.

It came without tags.

It came without packages, boxes or bags. ...

What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

~Dr. Seuss

That’s what I quoted after our Christmas morning to myself with a bit of a chuckle.   I must admit, I was almost as surprised as the Grinch in Dr. Seuss’ tale.  You see, we decided earlier in the year to have a Christmas vacation instead of Christmas presents.   We went to Wilderness at the Smokies in Tennessee and we had a blast.   It was a wonderful time with our family.   We even got to stop to see more family on the way home.   The kiddos went sledding in the ....leaves and did a bit of swinging.   Great fun!

I still worried how well my smaller ones would do when they woke up Christmas morning and just had the things they bought or made one another.  Every year I remind them it’s not about the tree, the gifts, etc…it’s all about Jesus.   Once again I found myself preaching to me.   

Christmas morning came.  The kiddos were great.   They talked about where we would go next year.  CrAzY!!   It was the most relaxed Christmas ever.   We enjoyed breakfast and lunch together with my daughter Cindy’s family.   It was a wonderful Christmas!!

 

Unfortunately, my Uncle Wally passed away during this Christmas season.   My Dad picked me up Tuesday and took me to my Uncle Billy & Aunt Alice’s home in Duluth, GA and we rode together up to my Aunt Sara’s home in Ringgold, GA.   It was a sad time, but I must admit I loved the time I got to spend with my Dad and his family.   I loved hearing their stories.  

Hoping your Christmas was merry.   Happy New Year to you all!

2012 Tordoff Holiday Letter

Greetings to the saints, faithful friends and family.  Grace, mercy, and peace to you all from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.    2012 has been the hardest and best year ever.   A week before Christmas last year I found out I had colorectal cancer.   It should have filled me with incredible fear knowing 2 of my grandparents died of the same cancer at ages not too very far from my own, but God.   I had also been laid off from work a couple of months earlier, and I wouldn’t be able to look for more work for a long time.   How would we make ends meet?  He gave me an incredible peace even from the beginning.   The tumor was too large to operate on right away so I went nearly six weeks of chemo and radiation to attempt to shrink the tumor.   On April 11^th I went in and had surgery.  I complained to the doctor about how painful it was weeks afterwards.   I let him know I did much better after my c-sections and did not understand why I wasn’t feeling pain free and energetic yet.   He laughed and let me know that my comparison of my surgery and a c-section was like comparing it to having my teeth cleaned.   Well then, I guess I was on track, :D!   The tumor they removed was as big as a large man’s fist.   About six weeks out from surgery, I began chemo again this time with an iliostomy….a cruel and unusual combination.   I’ll spare you the gruesome details.     After 8 treatments over about a 10 week period, I rested another month, and then had my reverse ostomy surgery (basically got my plumbing fixed) the day before Thanksgiving.   While you were eating turkey and fixings, I was sucking on ice chips and just as thankful as could be.   I was alive and cancer free.   Praise God!  Since then, I’ve just been recovering from surgery while getting back into the swing of school, home making, and caring for my family.  Somehow, we made it this year without me working.   I didn’t even cook from January through April due to meals given to us from friends and family.  We were given various financial gifts throughout the year.   A golf tournament was

given for us in June that paid for our heating and air conditioner to be replaced.  And even when the meals and money gifts quit, God provided!  Books that sat on Amazon for over a year would sell in a week that we had pressing needs, or an insurance check we didn’t even remember would show up just in the nick of time.  

Even our tax refund was just what we needed to give us the suburban without getting into any debt.   This was a tough year, but God taught me so much.  Overwhelmingly, He blessed me with all the above including His peace and Hope when I felt so sick that giving up didn’t look too bad.   The love shown to me through Rusty & the children through their constant care for me and all the details of running a home will never be forgotten.  Thanks to all for the prayers and support.   We definitely felt the love!  Now to update you on the munchkins.

John Russell, 19 and working, moved out this year.  How’d he grow up so fast?  He works stocking at Kirklands a few days a week, and builds cabinets with his Dad the other days.  He continues to enjoy working out, and hanging out with friends and visiting us!  

Nicholas is 17 and a senior in high school this year.   He is allowing me one more year to be sure he finishes well.    We are looking into him dual enrolling in college this next year while we tie up all the loose ends.   He has been a great help this past year in keeping things in order.

Timothy, 15, is in his freshmen year.   He and Praise were the tag team chefs many days this year.   He and Nicholas have enjoyed the “Lord of the Ring” marathon this month and were both excited to see “The Hobbit” when it came out last night.  He’s a hard worker, and he keeps us laughing.

Praise, 13, is in 8^th grade.   She is still a voracious reader.   She has just begun getting into the “Lord of the Rings” series so she can watch the movies.  She has gotten so much taller this year along with her brothers.   She was also a huge help this past year.

Michael, 11, is in the 6^th grade.  He is playing basketball this season and loves it.    He also got glasses this year and looks quite studious.   He still enjoys riding bikes (usually with Praise).   He is a hard worker, and tag teamed with the others to keep things on track this year.

Emily, 7, is in second grade.  She loves for me to sit with her so she can read to me.   She enjoys playing babies with Rylie, coloring, and playing outside.

Christopher, 3, is our silly fella.  He keeps us in stitches with all his antics.   He loves to eat, be read to, and play hard with Jackson and his brothers.

Cindy's family is doing great.  I had the privilege of pinning Cindy during her graduation ceremony from nursing school.  Rylie is in first grade at Augusta Christian and excelling.  Jackson, all rough and tough boy, is a happy, smiley 4 year old.

Our family is doing something very different this year.   We are not doing Christmas gifts but going on vacation for 3 days, 2 nights in the mountains.   We planned on it early in the year.   Honestly, I wanted to make sure we made a great memory just in case things didn’t turn out as well as they have.   My family including my grown ones and grandbabies, my mom & Randy, Sandi’s family, Brian’s family, Aunt Fran & Uncle Mike, and Aunt Joan will all be there.   I’m getting pretty excited.   I’ll let you know next year how it all turned out.   I have a feeling it’s going to be the best Christmas ever.   Love to all.  Be sure to keep in touch and if you are in the area, please stop by!

Merry Christmas to All

from the Tordoff Troop and

Blessings for a Wonderful New Year

P.S.   There was also a spaghetti dinner for us early on that I forgot to include that we were blessed by.

P.P.S.   Nicholas and Timothy are going on a mission trip in July to Jamaica.  They are looking for extra work.   Have anything they can do, please let us know.   If you feel led to donate, thanks in advance.   Please pray for their safety and divine appointments.

Ways to Keep In Touch

SNAIL MAIL:  140 Summerfield Circle, Grovetown, GA 30813

BLOGS:   Michelletordoff.blogspot.com, Now Michelle’s Cooking @ MichelleTordoff.wordpress.com

FACEBOOK:   Michelle Williams Tordoff, Rusty Tordoff, Cindy Rutherford, JohnRussell Tordoff, Nicholas Tordoff, and Timothy Tordoff

FACEBOOK GROUPS:   Live a Life of No Regrets, Big Happy Family Books

TWITTER:   OurBigHappyFam

IN PERSON:   Stop on by y’all!

Do Everything As Unto the Lord

It is wholly impossible to live according to Divine order, and to make a proper application of heavenly principles, as long as the necessary duties which each day brings seem only like a burden grievous to be borne.   Not till we are ready to throw or very life’s love into the troublesome little things can we be really faithful in that which is least and faithful also in much   Every day that dawns brings something to do, which can never be done as well again.   We should therefore, try to do it ungrudgingly and cheerfully.   It is the Lord’s own work, which He has given us as surely as He gives us daily bread.  We should thank Him for it with all our hearts, as much as for any other gift.   It was designed to be our life, our happiness.   Instead of shirking it or hurrying over it, we should put our whole heart and soul into it.   ~James Reed

Thanksgiving and Advent

This Thanksgiving was the first Thanksgiving I have spent away from family.   I was in the hospital recovering from my reverse ostomy surgery.   Thankfully, the children spent time at their sister's home with the Rutherfords, and were well taken care of while Rusty and I stayed at the hospital.    Fortunately, Cindy brought in leftovers for Rusty while I continued on a teaspoon of ice per hour that day.   Yet, I was so thankful to be on the other side of this cancer journey and on the way to recovery.   Now, I am home and this is our first "real" full day back in school.     I wanted to share some things we are doing.    For years, we have done "Family Celebrations" which we will continue this year in the evening.  I had thrown the worn out book two years ago thinking I'd pick up before last year to find out it was no longer being sold.   I found some used copies on Amazon or ebay last year and bought a copy for myself and my daughter to use with her family.  We usually do that in the evening before bed times.  Rusty created the whole felt tree and the ornaments when Cindy was young and we have used it over the years.

In the morning devotionals in December I believe we will do Anne Voskamp's Jesse Tree from her site that you can get to here.  I also ran across a site for advent wreath that you could could use by clicking the button below.



Also, we usually learn hymns after Bible time in the morning so of course we will be learning and singing great Christmas hymns in December.

This weekend the little ones and I are going to make a countdown to Christmas craft that I got from Sheri Graham's site "Homeschool Freebie of the Day."   You can see this craft by clicking here. 

We will also work on our speaking or presentation skills by the children taking turns each day reading John Piper's advent book which you can find for yourself here. 

We will also do lots of crafts and baking along with school this month.   We usually make lots of gifts in jars to give away to guests and family.   Praise found a great pinterest idea that I cannot post in case my family reads this and knows what we are up to for simple family gifts that we want to make.  On my calendar today, I plan to write in days to make goodies for our neighbors, our post office workers, and the fire/police station that is less than a mile away.   Otherwise, I may just travel that road of good intentions.  

So, that's what things are looking like in the Tordoff home.  My Aunt Joan, Fran & Mike left back home the beginning of the week after staying a few days to help the children out with the painting projects around the house, and meals while I was recovering.  Thanks again for all the prayers and support.   Looking forward to all the Lord has for us this coming season.   May we all live expectant lives seeking our Savior Jesus, and that our excitement for the things of God reaches far past the Christmas season because He is the God of every season, day, and moment.

"To prepare our hearts for Christmas, 

we must cultivate the spirit of expectancy."
[Handel H. Brown]

Free Free Free.....Thanking Jesus I am Cancer Free

Well, the results are in.   No more cancer!!!   We are so excited and so thankful for all those who supported us on this cancer journey this past year.   I have one more surgery next Wednesday to reverse my ostomy and then regular crazy big family days will be back in order after I heal up and probably after the holidays.   The prayers, gifts of food and money, the love shown to us this past year has been a blessing to me and my family.   I wouldn't suggest getting this ill to find out how much you are loved, but it was a plus when things seemed so dark.  Meanwhile, praying whether to go back to work after the holidays part time or grow my book business to make up for lost income and growing medical bills this past year.   Would appreciate prayers for wisdom.  

Thanking Jesus today for walking this road with us and opening my eyes to the world of cancer.  Hoping to be a support to others as folks have been to me from here on out.   Part of me would like never to enter the doors of the oncologists office again, yet I hope to make it a part of our family's ministry to visit with snacks regularly.  

Cat Scan Thursday....Results pending

Waiting is so hard.  You would think of a year of interruptions (chemo appointments, radiation appointments, more chemo appointments) that I would be more patient.   My cat scan was Thursday and I really wanted the results right then.   Oh well, a few more days and we will hopefully find out I am cancer free!   Woo hoo.  

So what will be different?   Facing death I realized that although I had total peace if I was to meet my Maker there are still many areas in my life I would like to improve.   Improve because it will get me into heaven?   NO!    Jesus already made a way for me by calling me to Himself and me answering "YES Lord!"   But I want to be a better wife, mom, daughter, sister, teacher, niece, Christian than I have been.   I want to be a better steward of my time and money.   I want to laugh even more, give more, stress less, work on being more organized while juggling all my responsibilities.   I want to be more like Jesus and leave this world a better place because of His great love for us.   I want to point to Him more and me less by considering my motives in all the things I do.   I want to be more thankful, because I have been given much.  

Stay tuned, I will hopefully posting good news Tuesday.   Hope you are all enjoying this beautiful fall day.    We are LOVING this weather...open windows, fresh breezes, sunny skies, and starry nights.

For All The Blessings Of The Year Hymn

For all the blessings of the year,
For all the friends we hold so dear,
For peace on earth, both far and near,
We thank Thee, Lord.

For life and health, those common things,
Which every day and hour brings,
For home, where our affection clings,
We thank Thee, Lord.

For love of Thine, which never tires,
Which all our better thought inspires,
And warms our lives with heavenly fires,
We thank Thee, Lord.

Packing Away My C Card

What a wonderful day!   Thank you Lord Jesus.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

~Dallan Forgail (8th Century)

Today I went to the surgeon.   I dreaded it because they have to check me out in the "exit only" area, but at the same time I was ready to make an appointment for my reversal.   However, during the check up he said he no longer saw any cancer.  WOOO HOOO!   The definite report will come with my cat scan.   My blood pressure was also awful during chemo, but today it was in the normal range 125/84 (although still high for my normal 110/60 or 70).   The one side effect I hoped for was weight loss from all the throwing up, but that sure didn't happen, sheesh.   I still don't enjoy anything but water, juice, and warm tea to drink.  Unsweetened tea, milk, and any soda tastes awful to me now.  I think the oxyplatin they gave me that messes up your throat and hands when you try to eat, drink, or touch anything cold has done something to my throat.   I still have some recovering to do from when the radiation cooked my insides and possibly some scar tissue issues, but we'll work on those issues after surgery and recovery.   I am so excited that I will soon be eating fresh vegetables and fruit again!  (Although, I did cheat and ate some fruit because I craved it so badly.   I even snuck tomatoes from my sister's garden and chewed them up and spit them out like a bulimic just to get that fresh tomato taste this summer.)   I just was careful to chew a lot and not eat too much.   My Praise says when I'm healed up and can go out, we are getting a huge California Dreaming salad.    I can't wait!!   

So the next month looks something like this:   Thursday Oncologist appt to check blood levels, and give me date for the Cat Scan and chest x-ray.    Then on the 12th pre-op and some yucky glow in the dark enema procedure (eww!)   On the 21st surgery.   The surgery should take about an hour and a half (versus ~5 hours last time) and only 2-3 days in the hospital (versus 5 days last time.)  I will be in the hospital with a lovely liquid diet on Thanksgiving and you know what? I am not complaining, because I have too much to be thankful for this year.    

Life is precious, life is sweet
Like the earth beneath my feet
Though I know I'm passing through
I know I belong to You
Life is precious, life is sweet
And this truth makes it complete
Knowing Jesus died for me
Life is precious
Life is precious, life is sweet    ~Wes King

What am I  preaching to myself these days?   When I am weary and tired, I've encouraged myself by finding things to be thankful for in my life.   When I was discouraged at what needed to be done, I'd just make plans for when I was better and do little things to make me feel like we are getting closer to getting things done.  When I got too weary and ill, I'd usually tell my sister knowing she'd encourage me in the Lord and pray for me.   We're still studying revival on Wednesday nights which has been so good.   How I've been praying to be revived.  We've been learning the words to the hymn I began with in this post  "Be Thou My Vision".    Filling my heart with thankfulness and my mind with hymns that speak Truth, reading books that challenge me, studying the Word, praising the King of Kings, serving my family and allowing them to serve me A LOT this past year, being encouraged by family and friends kindnesses and prayers for our family, and enjoying every moment the Lord has given me has strengthened me this year.   My body is much weaker, but my faith has grown.  So after today's news, I'm packing away my C card.   I can no longer blame cancer on my laziness, unfinished projects, and slow moving school days.   I can no longer tell my family that I can't believe they are letting their mother with cancer (sniff, sniff) lose a game, unload the groceries, or be wrong...about anything, lol.   I gladly pack this card away, and continue to pray for my growing list of friends in their own battle with this awful disease that they too will pack away their C card and live healthy lives.