WEDDING and HONEYMOON

Matt and I got married on 11/29/08 at 10am at Harvest (http://www.hbclz.org/) and our reception was at Makray Memorial Golf Course (makraygolf.com). It was a wonderful time and we loved every minute of it. The ceremony had a lot of meaningful moments in it (Lori placing a rose and Dave's Bible on the piano; my Dad performing communion and a prayer; good friends Happi and Jerry singing (bergerbuzz is their blog), a wonderful wedding party and best of all- the MAN of my dreams becoming my husband!!! Matt and I had our first dance to "Bless the broken Road" by Rascal Flats, then Dad and I danced to "I loved her first" and then Matt and his mom danced to "What a wonderful world." We did a garter toss which Matt completely hammed up and was AWESOME, and then, for the boquet, we had a married people's dance, where people were eliminated until the longest-married couple remained (happened to be my parents who have been married 52 years.) It was a tribute to marriage and they got my mini bouquet. The cake was yummy, as was lunch, the toasts were so sweet and all in all it was a great time! We went to Hawaii for our honeymoon-- The Big Island and Oahu. We saw waterfalls, went to the active volcano and walked through a lava tube (the main thing was closed), went on a tour of Pearl Harbor, the Arizona memorial, and on a battleship and later toured Honolulu while driving through it. We went parasailing, snorkeling, and kayaking. AND, we got to swim with dolphins~!!! They actually swam with us hanging on to their dorsal fins.... way too fun!! I will put a few pics here, but if you want to see more you'll have to ask..... It was a wonderful time and Matt and I are thoroughly enjoying married life!

David Bishop-my brother: 4/19/1968-9/17/2008

Last week, surrounded by family, my brother, Dave, went to be with his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Though we know he is in a better place, the loss leaves a huge hole in our hearts. Dave was an amazing man, though very humble. He was gifted in so many ways- he could take apart anything and rebuild it, he painted, played guitar, he had a mechanical and artistic mind. He was kind, gentle, wise, and meek. When he spoke- it was either very true and wise, or absolutely hilarious! More than that, though, he LOVED. He loved his country by serving in the USAF. He loved his family so much- he often told me of his love for mom and dad, our siblings, and especially for his wife, Lori, and his kids, Christopher and Brittany. He was so proud of them and his love and care for them overflowed in so many ways. They put a smile on his face and lit up his eyes. He loved God, so much. In that last year, Matt and I often visited them and we recal spending a lot of time listening to Dave tell of his love for his Saviour, and he would share so much wisdom with us. He was a kind, gentle, strong man, who will be missed forever.

There are so many memories that come to mind when I think of Dave- and my brother Larry was sharing some of his many many memories as well- including one that Dave had talked about recently: simply driving through the mountains of NW Georgia, years ago, with his brother, windows down and John Denver playing. It's the simple things. The time. Not the big grand plans, while wonderful, but the simple things, the time with family and friends that counted. May we all remember that in the days ahead- what's really important.

We have lost an incredible brother, son, husband, father, and friend. We mourn this loss, but rejoice also at heaven's gain.

We love you Dave and always will.

MATT PROPOSED!!!!!!!

August 9, 2008: Matt surprised me with a trip to Galena, IL- a cute little town built in the 1800's in northern Illinois, full of little shops, B&Bs, and cobblestone streets. He had the whole trip planned out, every moment was a surprise! First we found a little breakfast nook to eat at, then we got in our swimsuits and went on a 5-mile kayak ride down the Galena River. After we tipped the kayak and I freaked out, Matt saved me, the boat, and an oar. We got back in the boat and made the rest of the trip back to town. After freshening up we walked around town, we had a "6:20 appointment" that I had no clue about until I saw the horse-drawn carriage pull up.... so we went on a nice ride, enjoyed the weather and it stopped at our dinner spot- a beautiful italian restaurant. Before getting out of the carriage, Matt asked the driver to take a photo, then he got on one knee, and asked me to marry him!!!!! Of course I said yes and we heard the crowd that had gathered on the street cheering and clapping... I think the whole town of Galena heard the news! I'm still on cloud nine that I get to spend the rest of my life with this wonderful man that God has blessed me with. God's plans amaze me, his timing, his working in our lives, and his grace and blessings in our lives. We have so much to be thankful for. The big day is 11/29/08, nothing like a Thanksgiving weekend wedding full of thankful hearts....

Well, it's been a wild ride since I've written. In July Matt and I went on vacation to visit my brother Larry and family in Georgia, then on to Myrtle Beach to spend a week with the RVA (class from Kenya) crew for the 15 year reunion. (see photo!) We got back to Chicago just in time to host a BBQ at Matt's place to raise funds for Dave to help with the medical etc.. bills. Last weekend we went to mom and dads and Dave, Lori, Brit, Jeff and Julie all were there so we just had a good weekend together! I've been in Dallas this week for work and am headed to Chicago today.

My main reason for this post is to ask for prayer for Dave. He's at the docs this morning to get more tests and talk about a spot they found in his lung last night- not sure if it's near the original tumor or not, but needless to say, Dave and the fam need our prayers- for healing, comfort, peace during this storm. I'll keep you posted.

It's been a while... update

Wow, it's been a couple months since I updated this... here's the short version:
1. Dave recently found out some good news, and then some tough news: the cancer has not spread past his lungs and brain (where it went in Jan)!! PTL! The brain tumors are shrinking. Again, PTL! There is a new growth on his original tumor which is not growing as fast as most small cell cancer grows, but they've already started a 5 month regimen of low-dose radiation for it. He's in good hands- the Lord's, the docs, and his family's. Dave's faith is strong, despite his weak body, and he continues to be an encouragement to all around him. Matt and I will go visit him this weekend.
2. Matt and I have had some adventures recently- a trip to Denver to visit Steph and Phil ("Christie House" is their blog) in March, In April another visit to Dave's for his b-day; a wonderful day at the Morton Arboretum with Matt picnicing; the beginning of the painting of Matt's home interior- looks great!; and some family gatherings with MAtt and some cousins. In May I spent many days in the dentist's chair getting fillings and a crown- still not recovered; my parent's came up and spent a weekend with Matt and I after we ran a 5k; Matt and I spent a lovely day at Cantigny (cantigny.org); I hosted a wedding shower and travelled all over for work; we celebrated mother's day with some of Matt's fam, then mine; and then Matt and I went to a CUBS game followed by a day in the city!!! It was a blast and we did all the touristy things. June thus far has been filled with my friend, Beth's, beautiful wedding for which I stood up in and played a song I wrote during the unity candle; Matt and I just got back from a trip to Kansas to see his sister and her fam- we had a blast; this weekend we're off to see Dave again before he and his fam leave for vacation- another PTL!!! =) So, that's where I've been. Once I figure out how to post more photos, I'll put a few up here.... in the meantime, please continue to pray for Dave and the family, and praise God for the wonderful work He's been up to in Dave's body and in our entire family's lives.

Update on Dave!

This month has been an eventful one in the Bishop household.
The first weekend in February Matt and I visited Dave and Lori, and celebrated Matt's Bday as well as the Super Bowl. Mid February, Dave's check scan's came back indicating that the original tumor and the potential trouble spots in his lungs were now scar tissue, and even shrinking! Then, last week Dave had a brain scan which indicated that his hemmorhage (from Dec 31, 2007) is healing, and the 2 tumors in his brain look like "shadows"! So, all he has to do is go back in 3 months for a body scan to see how things are going, and for the docs to keep an eye on everything!

PTL! Thank you all for your prayers and support!

Thanks again for all of your support and prayers, please continue to keep Dave and the family in your prayers and he begins to regain his strength and make plans for the future, job, etc....

Pray for Dave

Please continue praying for my brother, David Bishop (39), in Appleton, Wisconsin. In August he was diagnosed with Small Cell Lung Cancer, which is agressive and typically inoperable. They treated him aggressively with chemo and double doses of radiation and the cancer seemed to respond.

(The photo: Dave and I are sitting, Matt is behind us)

On New Year's Eve he was admitted to the hospital and they found that the cancer has spread to his brain. He is now in the midst of cranial radiation treatment for another couple weeks, after which they will see where things are at. The prognosis is not good, but we are hopeful because the docs are treating this aggressively and we serve an amazing God, the Great Physician. Dave is in good spirits, laughing, talking, etc. My boyfriend, Matt, and I drove up to be with them on New Year's Eve, and spent last week just spending good time with mom, dad and Dave and his family (Wife Lori, Kids Chris-18 and Brittany-13). It was good to be together, laughing and talking. PLEASE pray for Dave-for healing and peace through this; for his wife and kids, and for all of the family as we walk this path and face reality but live with hope. Please also pray that their financial needs will be met, as many of you are familiar with cancer and the mounting medical bills. We covet your prayers at this time. Please spread the word, and if any of you knew Dave and want to contact him, you can get his info through me at charity_bishop@hotmail.com

Thanks so much for your prayers at this time.