Not Giving UP, Just Not Giving In!

“Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word - Psalm 119:37, NIV”


“You have to be very selective about what you give your time and attention to in order to live the life of victory God has promised. You have to recognize which thoughts to ignore, which comments to ignore, and sometimes, which people to ignore.

Every “battle” that comes across your path is not a battle that you’re supposed to fight. Many battles are simply distractions to try to lure you off course. If that battle is not between you and your God-given destiny, it’s a battle you should ignore.

Many people get thrown off course because they are always trying to straighten everyone else out or win their approval. If that’s your focus, you are wasting valuable time and energy that you should be using to pursue your dreams. Turn away from that distraction! You don’t need the approval of everyone around you; you only need God’s approval!

Friend, it’s very freeing when you realize you don’t have to fight every battle. You don’t have to straighten people out. You don’t have to pay somebody back. Instead, focus on what matters; focus on God and His Word so you will live in peace and happiness every day of your life – Joel Osteen”


As always Joel hits it right on the head and out of the park! Those exact words and the reference to those “battles” is just what I needed to hear today. I know a while back, I blogged about internal battles with ourselves that are placed within and seem to arise when life’s normal going ons are happening and sometimes you may not be sure of what side to take and doubt sets in. The battles I speak of today are more of battles of all circumstances in life. Trying to change things or people in your life that you just cannot change. Trying to analyze every detail to come to some sort of conclusion as to why things are the way they are.

For me, this is one of the toughest battles, because though I do have a happy disposition and I feel I am liked and loved by many, I do know, not necessarily because of me personally, but I am probably not liked by others, maybe many --- and FINALLY after a year of back and forth thoughts and self-doubt of my worth, I am OK with someone, anyone, whether it be a friend or family, just not liking me :) I like me, and actually LOVE me along with my GOD above and that is all that matters! I have been blessed with a wonderful husband, loving “doggies and kitties”, family & friends who continue to love Mike and I unconditionally without conditions till the day we are passed and gone from this earth.

I noticed for the longest time, even since this journey with cancer, we allowed ourselves WAY TOO much time on focusing on the “why’s” of our relationships with others, and for us doing that, it took away from OUR relationship. We were too busy trying to appease others and strive for approval that it took away from our relationship with each other and the ONLY one that matters and will be our judge in the final days – Our GOD!

As this weekend passed, Mike and I had time to reflect on his mother and the cherished time he spent with his family this weekend going through items that his mom cherished and were kept to pass on to Mike and others. Mike and I turned some music on Saturday night, shared a bottle of wine and went through all these treasures. I was so thankful to see so many memories of his mom. She is someone I have only heard stories of but to see first hand letter she wrote, perfumes she wore and items that were once close to her, it is a time that I will forever cherish with my husband. At that moment, I looked at him and said “nothing else matters.”
He knew what I spoke of, and we both agreed that we both will have so much peace moving forward, being OK with knowing, so to say, “it is what it is.” Though is hurts to come to terms with this, it is going to continue to hurt a lot more dwelling and focusing on all things out of our control.

We attended church this weekend – Biker Church, and as always, just sort of like getting these daily emails from Osteen, it was JUST the right message we needed to hear. Granted Mike and I do not attend church like we should, but when we do, it is so worth it! It is an amazing congregation of just normal, GOD fearing people that rather pulling up in an SUV or auto, they line the church parking lot with Harleys, Yamahas and all other sorts of scooters!

Mike has gone back to work OFFICIALLY full time today, and praise GOD for this! Its been a tough year with only one income (of sorts), BUT Thank YOU JESUS for this ability to have such wonderful Family, Friends and supporters through this time! For Mike, I know this is a monumental day for him – he feels stronger than ever, full of pep & re-focused – Both of us are focused in the RIGHT direction!

In closing, Mike will under-go one more PET Scan this week, and this will be the final determination of if he is ready to get on the maintenance chemo moving forward or if he will continue with the Mega-Chemo. Doctors continue to say it looks like “Sunshine with a chance of No Cancer!” in Mikes future --- we WILL continue to focus on this as well and know It ALL Remains GOD’s plan, and for this we are thankful and full of praise!

We wish you all a wonderful week ahead – I feel a slight change in the air and hope it stays – BRING ON THE HOLIDAYS!!

XO Lyndie

The HYPE Known As SKYPE!

HI Everyone!!

Mike and I hope you are all doing well and enjoying this ‘Fall’ weather ---its getting a little better for us here in Houston!

I wanted to email you all and let you know Mike and I now know how to Skype! I never imagined Mike or I would understand it (just because we are so not tech savvy) but we tried it out last night and it was really cool!! We were able to talk to a friend in Japan and even a local friend from Houston!

Even though some of us live in the same area, I know it is hard for us to see each other as often as we’d like – it seems we are missing out on seeing the kiddos grow, or just catching up on the latest and greatest! Granted, I am not really much on talking on the phone, but I love to Text, email and now SKYPE! I have Mike and I’s user name below and we hope if you have the capability you will log on from time to time and “SKYPE” with us!


Skype User Name: lyndienmike


I hope to utilize this with our nephews, cousins and all family and friends we have!!

We love you all and wish you a wonderful week!

XO Lyndie

PS – Praise GOD, today is Mike’s first official day back at work FULL Time – work release from MD Anderson!! Amen!!

A Month of Memories!

“A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie - Tenneva Jordan”


What! It is already the end of September? We just scheduled our Christmas Décor Installation for our building – I am a bit Giddy over this! This time of year, once that weather changes (well slightly) and the leaves change colors (well ours our dead from the drought) but you get my drift. This time of year just puts something in the air, a time of celebration with Family & Friends!

This time last year, there were so many ups and downs with Mike and being so new to the Cancer. We anticipated him to be completely sick and had scheduled for family to fly in, friends to move in and whatever else we were going to need to ensure he was taken care of 24/7. Well as GOD had planned Mike was not going to take this cancer “lying” down and indeed he did not! A year a few months later from his original diagnosis, he is healthy, back to work and kicking Cancer’s Booty! As much joy as I have in my heart today, it is incorporated with a little sad as well, for this month holds many emotions for Mike and I both.

12 years ago this week, Mike lost his mom to Cancer. She was only 46. I never had the opportunity to meet her, but I have heard so many stories, and I feel in my heart she is with us still today watching over Mike. A year ago this week, Mike was in the hospital on this very day, fighting for his vision to be restored due to a tumor that affected his Optic Nerve. How ironic to be laying in MD Anderson 11 years on the anniversary of your mother’s passing, battling the same disease. Mike and his family have so many wonderful stories to share of his mom, and as I said, I see a lot of his mom in Mike and for that I am thankful. He is a free-spirit, has a huge heart and an old soul that just offers such comfort in his presence. Mike still holds his mom very close to his heart, and for this I am happy. Mike was in a different place 12 years ago, and at the time, as we all did, still had a lot of growing. He is sad that his mom is not here to see him today, but I ensured him, that she is sitting on the sidelines of Heaven routing for him and this journey he is on today. She is surely up in Heaven bragging about him to all she meets!

In my heart, I feel family is, in the end, all you have. Though I do not see my own mother nearly enough, we talk often and I am so thankful for our relationship. We do not always see eye to eye, and I don’t think we are supposed to – it’s just like a parent rule…right? The same goes for our family. We do not always see eye to eye, may not agree with decisions we make or the choices we choose, but Family is to love unconditional with no conditions. Though Mike and I have a huge family now together, at the end of the day, Mike, Myself, our 3 doggies and 2 kitties ARE our family. I know we are not ALL we have, but we have a bond that cannot be broken.

Through this journey that Mike and I have been on, I realize life (literally) is too short. The older I get, the more and more people are taken from this earth (to me before their time), but GOD is the ultimate time keeper and it ALL remains HIS plan, even when we do not understand. The old cliché saying about “You Never know what tomorrow holds” is so true. We cannot change our past, we are given today, but for tomorrow, we have no control. It is a lot easier said than done when there is crisis within a family, but I will admit on this journey with Mike, our family, our extended family and our friends are SO needed right now. We cherish all of our relationships and the encouragement we receive from you all! I know many of you are busy with your own goings on in life, but to make us even a little part of your thought during the day to us is priceless and we are forever grateful.

In closing, do not let an argument, a grudge or hard feelings keep you from telling someone you love them. I believe we do not always have to like who we love, but it does make it a lot easier sometimes. On this week of many memories, good and bad, I lift my glass to all who are fighting cancer, have lost their lives or have beat it! I lift my glasses to all the caregivers, families, friends, MD Anderson and ALL involved in the research and studies to rid the world of this disease!

I thank you GOD for all of your blessings. I sometimes stop and know that many times, it could have been my time…but you had bigger plans for me. Thank you for allowing me to touch others with my words and EVEN my Kart-Wheels ;) Thank you for the continued strength you provide Mike and I through this journey. Thank You LORD for believing in US!

XO Lyndie

Happy Happy - Joy Joy

"Joy Is Not In Things; It Is In Us - Richard Wagner”


“Jesus came to give you joy and joy to the full! When your joy is full, it can be seen by others. Joy is supposed to be displayed. As believers, we should have a smile on our face and a spring in our step. We should be kind and friendly. We should be fun to be around. We should be full of His supernatural joy!

Have you allowed the pressures of life to push you down? Have you been more focused on your circumstances than on your God? If you’re not enjoying your life or relationships, it’s time to refocus and tap into the full joy within. It’s time to draw the line in the sand and say, “That’s it. I’m not going to live another day negative, discouraged, sour or grumpy. I’m going to put a smile on my face. I’m going to let my joy be seen so I can brighten somebody else’s day. I’m going to live my life happy and full of joy! – Joe Osteen”

Again! I receive a message from Joe Osteen ministries in the same time that it is connecting with what is happening in my current situation. In my previous blog, I expressed how joyful I was for Mike’s current results and through this journey that has consisted with many ups and downs, one thing I have stayed true to is my faith and with that my happiness within has maintained!

When I started my blog I had intended it to just be an outlet for me and a way to keep in touch with others of Mike’s journey – a way to touch everyone at once. As of today, I receive emails and messages from all over from people that are following my blog and thank Mike and I for being such an inspiration. Heck, anytime I get a chance to meet someone new, I offer my blog address and invite them to take a peek and come back whenever they want. I love to share our journey with others and hope while doing this I continue to spread the joy I have in my heart to others.

I know that we all have different circumstances and beliefs, but we ALL have the ability to have joy in our hearts. With Mike’s disease one of the most important things that we were told in the beginning was how important his mentality was going to play a part in this, and they were never so right. The minute Mike gets down about anything, I allow him to sulk, but remind him he’s on a time line and we must get back to focusing on the good things in our life and how well he is doing. In the flip, he always feels better and especially with the visits that we have had lately with MD Anderson, the joy is very apparent!

Mike and I don’t have much. We are simple people with goals of having a family one day, owning our own home and just continuing to be happy. We are like most out there, we sometimes live paycheck to paycheck, but by the Grace of GOD we have NEVER been without, even when we were down to a one income household after his diagnosis. Thankful to family and friends that have helped us along the way, but the majority has been done by us and provided to US by GOD above – for this my inner joy becomes outside joy and I hope to continue to project that onto all who I come in contact with.

In closing, when you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders and you are feeling knocked down, dig deep for that ounce of happy that brings joy to your heart – allow that to outshine any negative in your life and you will surely come out on top!

XO Lyndie

Short and Sweet!

“Faith is believing that the outcome will be what it should be, no matter what it is - Colette Baron-Reid”


Hey Everyone!!

I promise you this is REALLY short and sweet!

Leaving MD Anderson just minutes ago, we met with Mike’s Brain/Spine Doctor to go over MRI results of this brain and spine. As of 9/15/2011 Mike’s Brain, Spinal Fluid and FINALLY Spinal Bone are Cancer Free!! I inquired to the Doctor of the spots that we see on the bone in the images, and he explained that these are scars or damage to the bone from the cancer. He said at this time there is no signs of cancer showing on the scans that show any activity. As for the PET Scans last week, I mentioned, Mike still remains to have 2 lymph nodes that have the cancer cells, but are shrinking with the chemo.

I have so much thanks to give to GOD above, MD Anderson, Our Team of Doctors, The Staff, The Volunteers, Our Family and Friends! You ALL continue to be amazing on this journey and we continue to love you all! Dr. Groves went on to tell Mike this visit that he is TRULY Amazing and in all honesty with his beginning prognosis and with his patients, he does not see this, he has not seen this but a few times – Thank You JESUS!!

I promised this one to be short and sweet, and just provide the bare minimal…so in closing:

AS OF 9/15/11 MIKE IS CANCER FREE IN SPINAL FLUID, SPINAL BONE, BRAIN and only has 2 spots in his lymph nodes!

I will end this email with a little shimmy to the left, a shimmy to the right and a one handed Kart-Wheel!!

XO LYndie

Staying Steadfast Through ALL Trials

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him - James 1:12”


Through this journey that Mike and are on, I can ONLY continue to thank GOD above for the miracles he is working in our life. I thank him for allowing us to be inspirations as others are to us. I am thankful that through this journey he has allowed us to meet people of such great faith, faith that I feel maybe even rises above mine, and believe me -- I have A LOT of faith instilled in me.

We joined Biker Church of Manvel last summer after Mike’s diagnosis. I do not recall if I have blogged about them before, but if not, here you go. The minute we walked into the church, it was a complete welcome. Bikes parked along the front of the church, people mingling outside and hugs and handshakes all around. Mike and I were thankful that we knew someone there, so it made it easy and completely comfortable. We were introduced to Pastor Dave and his wife, and immediately felt such love. We shared our current journey with them, and the very same afternoon Mike was baptized. The love that continued to grow from this congregation was amazing and just right for Mike and I.

While there, we have met many special people, and one that Mike became close to. Thomas was diagnosed with Cancer as well, and not much older than Mike. He was 3 years in remission and was such an inspiration to Mike and I for his strength and belief he held for GOD for all of his circumstances. Every church service or gathering, Mike and Thomas would buddy up and talk “cancer” and all other stuff. Yesterday evening we just learned from our Pastor that Thomas’s cancer has come back and is raging through his system. The doctors have given him a prognosis of 4 weeks. My heart immediately dropped when Mike called me and after work we both went to MDA to visit with Thomas and his family.

All that know me, know my disposition and how I see the Silver-Lining in ALL situations, but on the way to MDA I started to cry, because in the seat next to me was my husband that is defying all odds, being called a miracle and I still have time with him. I felt my self asking GOD, why? Why do others not do so well, yet Mike is kicking Cancer’s butt, has not been sick or put down for any length of time and is continuing to defy all odds? I know people think I am in denial at times, and wonder how can I have SO much faith in our GOD and have confidence Mike will continue to do so well. I am completely realistic. I know this disease has its own mind and at any moment, can change direction and take you down. I know that Mike is doing so well right now, but it could change – I know this, and it is my thoughts often…BUT on the flip side, Mike could also be taken from this earth any other way, so for me to dwell on the disease at hand, I know that it continues to be GOD’s plan for him to be here and for that I can only be thankful and praise him daily and have MUCH confidence Mike will Cancer Free.

As we sat and visited with Thomas, you could see he was tired, his body was tired, yet he did not shed a tear and remained in good spirits the whole time. He has much confidence in GOD and his faith, he knows that he is here for a reason and if it is his time, then he knows it is GODs plan. In all honesty, at my age, other than grandparents passing away at an older age, I have never sat with someone in the final stages. I think I was nervous about seeing Thomas and how he is reacting to GOD’s plan. I have never sat and spoke with someone knowing in just a few weeks, you may be laid to rest – to lay there and be ok with it. As we sat there, I was more inspired than anything at that moment and felt complete peace. Thomas knows his GOD and knows GOD knows his heart and he has continued to serve his GOD above and does not question his plan laid out for him.

As we left and walked through the halls of MDA, halls that have become so familiar to us, I held Mike’s hand just a little tighter. We drove home and discussed GOD’s plan for us, and we both agreed, we continue to have no regrets and have complete faith that GOD is using us daily, and he is not nearly finished yet. But we also know when that day comes, whether it be the cancer or just GOD’s chess move for us, we know while here on earth that we strive to be the best people we can be. Though we make mistakes, we know that GOD has forgives us, and our time here on earth will continue to glorify HIM and only HIM.

I commend you Thomas for your strength and courage. Though your journey isn’t over yet, and these next 4 weeks may take you into the next 4 years, please know that you are a complete inspiration to Mike and I, to many others as well.

XO Lyndie

Where Were You?

“That some good can be derived from every event is a better proposition than that everything happens for the best, which it assuredly does not - James K. Feibleman”

I cannot believe today is 10 years since the 9/11 events of 2001. I know it is a date that occurs every year, but the actual 10 year remembrance of this event is so huge – almost like a high school reunion. (of course NO close comparison just an example).

Waking up this AM and hanging our American Flag, I noticed it was all the same down our street. We live in a mainly primary Hispanic neighborhood, and we are surrounded by a huge diversity of culture, but again today just as 9/11/2001, seeing the majority of all homes raising the American Flag, it just confirmed that no matter the turmoil the economy is in, nor what each of our political views are, we are indeed ONE Nation Under GOD and this day, this time to reflect on it all, only confirms that we still all believe in our America!

I love this song of Alan Jackson and was so happy to have this video pop up in my email this AM – sitting watching it my Hubby, though we were both in different places that day living different lives, I feel in spirit as Americans we were together, sharing the horrific moments of this National tragedy:

Alan Jackson -- Where Were You?


In closing, my heart and ALL my thanks go to all that were involved on this day 10 years ago. Thank you to ALL the firefighters, the policemen, the men, women and children and the soldiers that continue to risk their lives unselfishly to strive to continue to keep our nation from undergoing another attack.

Take a moment today, to count your blessings. Look around, whether it be the smile from your Hubby/Wife, your children or even a kiss on the nose from the “wet-nosed” kiddos, take an extra moment to hug them and ensure they know beyond a doubt that you love them.

XO Lyndie

PS - This video shows the very moment President George W. Bush received the news of the tower attacks. I know he has gotten so much flack about this moment, but I commend him for keeping his composure and handling the way he did. GOD Bless.