Yay Yay Yay!!!!! God is SO good!

Yay yay yay! I just got a great text message from Aj to share with you!!! "The Doctor just phoned, only took 2 hours after test completed, the scans show the tumor is localized and has not spread!!!!! Port and chemo start next Monday the 7th. Praise God"! This sister has some big tears of thankfulness running down my face!!! What a wonderful note to end the school day on! Thank you Father for hearing our request today and so quickly answering them!

Scan is over...Now Steak and Shake

Test are over for today! Wahoo...Now for the good stuff...Steak and Shake. Thank you for praying for good results. Those should be in within 24-48 Hours. Aj just sent this prayer request: "Please pray for the radiologist interpreting my tests. Pray that it would be a fast turn around time and the results will be accurate."

Scan Day

Aj will be having her scan today to check and see if the cancer is contained. ---Things to pray for Pray for peace on Aj's behalf. Pray the Doctors will have a clear plan of how to treat this. Pray for strength. The Tillery/Laird Family is so humbled by all the prayers, concerns and love we have received. THANK YOU! Love to all,

Update from Aj

Hello Prayer Warriors! I just received this text message from Aj to share with you. I wanted to answer a few questions I have had and give you a few days to please mark on your calendar to be praying for sure. My cancer is at a stage 3 September 30th – I will be having some test ran to check and see if the cancer is contained. October 7th – my port will be installed and my chemo treatments will be starting that day. Main Prayer concern for today is to please pray for clarification for the doctors on how to treat the cancer. Thank you for praying! Aj “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, “Destroy him!” --- Deuteronomy 33:27

Team Laird -- Long Week

Good morning friends and family! What an out pouring of love we have all received this week. I think our whole crew would agree this has been one long week. But, what a blessing you have all been to all of us. We know this will be a long hard walk but with the out pouring of love from each of you it will make the journey so much easier on AJ. We are working to help Aj limit so many phone calls and text message as in the coming weeks it will be harder for her to respond and as a sweet friend pointed out it just isn't heathy for her to have to repeat the same information over and over. We know each of you are interested in the best way to love on her and if you want to shoot her an email with an encouraging word or leave a message here she will be checking those as she feels up to it. As we all process this journey we are about to walk along side AJ join us in praying for Bobby and Bailey as well in a very special way. Thank you to AJ and Bobby's church family for the outpouring of love and care in arranging a plan to minister,help and walk this journey with them. In these times in our life the body of Christ is so very important. Aj is working the next few days as a welcomed distraction. As I start to get ready this morning I am learning to recite this verse over and over. "For God has not given us a spirt of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

This picture always makes me smile! Have a blessed day! Love to all,

AJ Laird -- Let's do this Team Laird

Friends, Family and Prayer Warriors, I set this blog up when my kids were babies. I have enjoyed blogging as I have time about different things they say and do and just about events within our family. As my Dad and I were talking last night we decided this might be a good way to update on things to do with Aj. It is with a very sad heart I share that Aj has been diagnosed with breast cancer. We all have heavy hearts this week but we know that during this time in Aj life and our family’s life God will show, teach and help through so many trails and hard days. We look forward to many of you walking alongside of Aj during this hard time. She will go Monday for more tests and for her port to be put in. She will start a heavy chemo treatment the following Monday on October 7, 2013. She will have Chemo two days in a row and then have a break of 3 weeks. She will receive 6-8 cycles of chemo. Many of you have walked this journey before and thank you to those that have reached out to Aj and her family. It is amazing how God uses people from past and present to minister to his children. We are so blessed. As things come up that need prayer I will post them on here. I can post from my phone that way if you have a special time of day you spend in conversation with the father you can check and see what is on forefront that day. ---Prayer for today • That her insurance will be accepted without much trouble and all treatments will be a go. • For Aj’s strength and peace of mind and she starts this process • That the test they are doing Monday will show the cancer is contained • For Bobby and Bailey as they start this journey as a family “The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him the Lord is with you, O valiant warrior” Judges 6:12 Love to all,

Never a dull moment

I can promise you this much...at the Cook house we are never looking for things to do...they just seem to fall in our lap...we love every second of it. The 3rd week of school Kaileigh started the week off with a NASTY cough. I sent her to school that Monday because I just really thought she had the Monday blues. Well, seeing that my classroom is in the first grade hall I could hear her loud and clear! I called our doctor by 8:30 and had her an appt. that Monday afternoon. We went and the first thing the Doctor said is...I think she has Whooping Cough...What???? Is that even still real? Is that even still around well the answer is yes! They tested KK for it and treated her for that while we waited for the results. So her and I got a two day vacation because the one week out of the year that Chad works :) the kid had to be sick and I had to take off. I enjoyed it I cleaned the whole house trying to get all the germs killed, washed, cooked, cleaned again and gave breathing treatments. Tuesday was rough. But, by Wednesday she felt better. The school was all freaking out but we didn't know for sure that she had it. On Wed. afternoon they called and the test was back in...negitive! Whew! She is still coughing like a 90 year old women but is getting better by the day. We were back at school by Thursday and giving some of the school a heart attack. But, live and learn!

Exciting Weekend For many years...over 10 we have driven many miles, spent many hours cheering, rooting, supporting lots of students in their sports. Which this time of the year is football. But, last Saturday September 14, 2013 we got to go watch our very own son Kalebh play tackle football. It was such an exciting day. He was nevervous. He told me that he was worried he would get hit so hard that he would live his body figure in the grass and he would wake up in china. Bahh! But, none of those things happened. He played a good game and we only got beat by 2 touchdowns and we scored 2 or 3...who's counting. I was proud. Chad is helping coach and I thought he was going to have only one heart attack so it was a good game. The game started out in the low 60's and finished in the low 90's wow! He was great and it was a blast to watch my very own kid!

Sunday On Sunday September 15th many of our family members drove into town. My mom and dad, Aunt Bevery, Steve, Alica, Ben, Matt, Callie, Avery, Cindy, Greg, Allie and Ashley and Richard and Maxine. (hope I didn't leave anyone out) But, Chad's family and my family both made a huge effort to make this day so specail. Kaileigh was baptized. My dad who dunked my mom, me, Kalebh and now KK. It was so sweet and such a blessing to our famliy. It was so nice to have everyone here. It was one of many events I am sure where my heart ached for Granny. She had spent my whole life praying for me, my family and my kids to come to the saving grace. She would have been so pleased that everyone came and made such an effort to be together. But, man I sure missed hearing her sing sitting next to me, laughing as we ate lunch and crying as everyone drove away...sure miss that sweet sweet Granny!

Speaking of Granny -- She knew how much we loved our church family and she always told me what a gift it was to be loved by so many. Well, Sunday after church FBC Lockney hosted a meal in our honor of Chad's 10 years of service. It was very yummy and so heart warming and touching that they would work so hard to just make us feel loved. While we were eating they made a presentation to us. One of the kids that graduated this last year talk for a few minutes and it was so sweet to hear all the things he had to say about his time in Youth. It just came full circle for me at that moment. The presented us with two so pretty painting that I can't to get hung in my entry way and a money tree. To our FBC family we love each of you so much and could not have asked for a better body of Christ to support us and walk alongside of us this past 10 years. Thank you.

In other news....Pig news -- WE...ARE...DONE... for the summer...just in time to start looking for pigs for the Houston show and the Ft. Worth show. Chad is hauling the 3 pigs to Muleshoe today. KK shed a few tears when I told her last night but, that was it. There might be multiple melt downs over it but only time will tell. We were suppose to be at the Lubbock Fair today but one pig wasn't walking right, Chad wasn't home all week until dark and I know this will surprise everyone...I am not much on washing/working getting pigs ready. Kalebh and Chad talked about and both agreed we learned we don't want to do the pig thing again in the summer. So...lesson learned. We still have Amigo and I can feed a sheep. Or I can drop the kids off to feed a sheep I should say. We loved Midnight, Neon (spook), and Cupcake but it is time to go back to their Brothers and Sisters (as far as Kaileigh is concerned)

As always have a great weekend. We have a weekend full. Kalebh has a game this morning, we are headed to Lubbock to the Tech game tonight and then we will be ready to start a busy but not as busy as last week....week. Oh and Wreck 'Em Tech! Love to all,

Back to School/Kaileigh's Vacation

Well we are now in full swing of a new school year. Lots of things have happened in the Cooks household! I think I will hit them one at a time. On August !8th Chad announced his resignation to FBC here in Lockney. Chad and I have been praying for some time as to if it is time for us to let someone younger with more time to commit to these kids take this ministry we have poured our hearts and souls into for 10 years. This was the hardest decision we have worked over our 11 years of marriage. It was hard to do. It has been hard to move on. We are trying to pray and seek God's will for what is next in the life of our family. Please join us in praying what God has for us in this new Chapter. Also, please be praying for the new youth minter God already has lined out to come and love on these kids. Change is hard for me. I don't know where we belong or what we should do or where we should go. But, I am confident that God called us to serve and I can't wait to see what he has for us in the next few months. 2013-2014 School year --Kalebh On August 19th I went back to work to prepare for my students that would be coming on August 26th. On Aug. 26th Kalebh started his 5th grade year at Lockney Elementary School. Chad pointed out the first day of school "Kalebh this will be the last first day of school that you go to the same building as your mom." Wahhh...I hate it my baby is getting so big! Kalebh is having a great year so far. He is working hard and for the most part enjoying it. Kalebh has also started tackle football this year. He has practice Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays from 5-7. I feel like I never see him. Chad is helping a little so he is gone as well. I am excited to watch him play at his first game this coming Saturday. He is learning a lot and really having fun. Just praying his asthma stays under control. Only time will tell.

--Kaileigh KK started 1st grade this year. She is loving school. She loves seeing her friends, play time, recess, oh I am not sure if she loves school or just loves socializing. She is so funny! They get to change classes in 1st grade so that is something new for her and she loves it. Kaileigh and I get to spend a lot of time together just the two of us since the boys are at football most nights. We have some really great conversations and she is becoming a great help in the kitchen. One little "event" the first week of school. She fell and hurt her arm and we thought it might be broken again but turned out thankful to just be sprained. All is better now. Meet The Teacher Night

1st Day Of School

Sad 3rd day of school -- Hurt arm

Kaileigh's planned Vacation Since Kaileigh didn't get to go to Panama this summer with Chad, Kalebh and I. Chad told her she could plan family vacation but it would have to be after school started, and it had to be within driving distance. So, on Friday Aug. 30th (Labor Day weekend) we headed to San Antonio Texas. We drove Friday after school and got there in time to eat at County Line BBQ. One of our old favorites. We then got up Saturday morning and headed to SeaWorld with half a million other people. We had so much fun. The shows were so cool, the kids had a great time and the rides were fun too. It was so much fun to watch Kaileigh as she took it all in. The last show of the night was Shamu Rocks and she got soaked by the Whales. It was great fun for all of us. I had never been so it was a first for me too. Kalebh got to plan Sunday and he wanted to go to the Alamo and eat on the River-walk and swim. So, that is what we did. We went and saw the Alamo and it was fun to see Kalebh asking lots of questions and putting things together that he has learned in school. We then walk to the river walk and at a Casa Rio. Yummy. Problem was it was 104 degrees. By the end of the meal everyone was ready for the hotel. So, we headed back to the hotel where we laid by the pool for the rest of the day. It was so relaxing and nice. Such a fun way to spend the day. Monday we got up and headed home. It was such a nice get away. We had a blast and already talking about where our next trip will be. Started Vacation out with a Big Red Float and then breakfast a Crackle Barrel

Sea World, Alamo and pool fun!

Cheer Camp The second week of school the high school cheerleaders hold a cheer camp. At our house this is a big deal. Kaileigh looks forward to it all year. So, as always it was a big hit. They cheered at the pep rally on Friday and then before the football game Friday day!

This next week is a busy week. Chad has lots of field days, Kalebh has practice, the fair where Kaileigh will be showing pigs, Kaileigh is being baptized so our whole family with be here as well as a meal at the church to honor our 10 years of service. Busy but exciting week and weekend. And just FYI...the Cook's still have NO goats! Just saying :) Until next time,

Missing Panama

Man my heart is a little "home" sick for Panama. I miss the people, the Louderback Family and really just the country. Like I have said before we did the kids camp every day until 4ish. Once we would be done we would either go back to the hotel and then go places on foot or we would keep the bus and sight see. On Saturday after the kids camp we went and toured the Panama Canal. How cool is that? It was neat to watch a boat come in and the whole process. While we were there 2 boats came in and the second one was leaving while we were there. It was a long process. We also toured the part where it had lots of information as well as examples of how everything worked. There was a short 3-D movie we saw about the history. I was so thankful the Louderback's worked this in for us. I would have hated to be in Panama and not get to see this.

After the canal the Louderback's and bus picked us back up and we headed to the Causeway (spelling??) It was on the water! It was soo pretty and we got to see the bridge of the Americas, got to have a coconut and eat some yummy seafood. It was a great time. It was nice to just relax and enjoy the beauty. We loved it! Thanks Tim and Tina for showing us this part. It was alot of fun

Sunday...Church... The bus and some people from La Boca Baptist Church went back to where we were having the kids camp to pick up some kids and a few adult to come to church with us and the people of La Boca. What a blessing that church was to our team. They were so welcoming and so much fun. Roberto joined us as well. Roberto had to take a bus about 2 hours to get to where we were every day. We were so thankful for his willingness to serve and join us. We miss you Roberto!

The church was packed.

The kids that had been leading music did so at church on Sunday and they were wonderful. Chad did the preaching

And if I say so myself he did a great job! The church planned to feed all those kids after church and it was so organized and blessed those kids I know. It was so fun to watch them and to serve them. It was a meal like they hadn't had in a long time. One part that really touched my heart is one table of kids waited until everyone had been served at their table to eat. It touched my heart because you know all they wanted to do is dig into that food...

The bus then took the kids back to their village (once the bus was found) in the meantime some adults played with the kids out front and others of the team helped clean up in the kitchen and visited with church members. One family in the church had some kids that were burned many years ago. They are now in Texas the Galveston area receiving treatment. Join me in praying for this family as they are out of their country and getting treatment they need. God is faithful and this service was a true example of what it will be like in Heaven. Soccer Game!!!!!! Wow...what a big deal it was for Panama to be playing the USA... Talk about passion.

As we headed out after church to do some sightseeing we were making a "short" walk up a "small" jungle "hill" that over looked the City of Panama. As we were walking you could hear the whole city in a celebration of the start of the game. It was a really neat experience to see.

After the Jungle we went to the Presidential White House...We got to tour the outside and then is started raining. Some were ready to go but it seemed that something really neat was about to happen. And well eventually it did. They were about to have the exchanging of the Guards. This happens every 15 days. But, none of the translators had ever seen it happen. It was really a neat thing to see. We were so close. The band, the military. So cool. Even though we weren't "special guest" for the seats and water we had a great time....Thanks for the great laugh Tim! Once we were done and back on the bus we went to the Hard Rock in Panama. So neat and fun. And it was a blessing to be with each other visiting and enjoying American Food. Monday --- WAHH....the last day in Panama we had a little time before we had to leave for the Airport so we did some last second shopping, got some more "U shaped" pastries and enjoyed the Louderback's....there were lots of tears that morning. It was sad to leave them because in the short time we were there everyone fell in love with each one of them. If there was a way to sneak them on a bus...we would have. But, the fact is we are so thankful our paths crossed and we are so very thankful for all the sacrifices they make each day to be on the "field" telling the Panamanian people about Jesus. Thank you Tim, Tina, Trinity, Noah, Gracie, and Eden for being the hands and feet of Jesus in Panama. I pray God is working out a time for us to join you again soon in the effort. Until then we pray for you daily, think of you often and remember all the things God showed us in and through you. We love you!

Until the WHOLE world hears,