Saturday, December 13, 2008

My Markie;)

What can I say about my Markie? We met in December 1979 when my parents purchased a restaurant in a small north eastern town in California. He was first a customer then an employee and eventually my hubby. One of the things that drew me to him was our ability to talk about anything and everything. I felt so comfortable sharing life with him. We married in May of 1981 and the rest is history.

Mark is a wonderful sportsman. He loves to hunt, fish, and hike. Since moving to Arizona in December 1994 he has not been able to do much of that but if he gets a chance he is out there and fast. He was raised in a small town of about 500 and lived there most of his life. Coming to Phoenix, Arizona (the 5th largest city in the country) was definitely culture shock for him and I'm not so sure he has gotten over it. He has also spent a great deal of time doing wood work, wrapping fishing poles, tying flies (fishing hooks), and working on his 1949 Chevy Pick-Up (still needs ALOT of work). Mark also enjoys racing. Drags, Nascar, Midgets, Boats, anything that goes fast. We have been able to go to a few races but always look forward to being able to go again.


Mark showing off his NASCAR tickets in November of this year.

Mark has been employed by a gas pipeline company where he works in the warehouse, stocking, sorting and distributing parts along with a myriad of other tasks. He has been with the company for 12 years. The past 5 years have been difficult for Mark. He was diagnosed with complete kidney failure on March 29, 2003 and started dialysis on April 9, 2003. He was told he needed a transplant and so began the long process. He spent the next several months at dialysis or doctor visits making sure his body would accept a transplant. In October 2003 he made it to the transplant list and the wait began. Fortunately the wait was very short. We were quite surprised when we received a phone call a few weeks later saying they thought they had a perfect match. Little did we know that it was our oldest adopted son. With more tests and lots of prayer, Andrew, was a perfect match and on December 17, 2003 the transplant took place. What a miracle the doctor's told us was happening. It is almost unheard of for the timeline to be so short and to have an adopted child be such a perfect match was very rare. Less that 9 months from diagnoses to transplant. Praise the Lord. This next week we will celebrate 5 years since his transplant. We continue to give our God ALL the Glory. Andrew is doing very well, perfectly healthy. I'll share more about him in another post. Mark's new kidney continues to function great. He has had a difficult year though. One of the side affects from all of the medications he needs to take is a weakened immune system. He is also anemic. Last July 2007 he was injured and had a wound open up on his leg. He spent nearly 11 months going to the wound center every week for treatments. I changed his bandages every other day and now the wounds are completely healed and again we are praising God. We also continue to Praise the Lord that Mark has been able to continue to work and his company has been great about adjusting his job to meet his needs.

Mark got personalized license plates this year ~ Donate Life Plates:)

Mark became a Christian in 1986 and has volunteered many hours serving the Lord in various capacities. He always says 'behind the scenes' is best for him. Now that we are settled in our new church Mark is seeking the Lord as to where He wants him to serve. I'm sure it will still be behind the scenes ~ probably a Mr. Fix-It kind of ministry. Mark also continues to be very supportive of the call God has placed on my life for ministry. It is my life breath and I'm so thankful to have a hubby who understands me.


Mark putting up with some of my silliness!!

Mark has been a good dad and has great relationships with his boys AND...he also loves his granddaughter. She truly is a joy in our lives. If you ever think about Mark, please lift up a prayer for him and his health. One great thing about him is he does not complain about his health and he always does exactly what the doctor orders. He is a great patient as long as he is NOT in the hospital. It is so hard to make him rest!! Thank you for stopping by and getting to know Mark a little better.

Considering My Hubby All Joy!!

13 comments:

  1. Cindy, this is such a beautiful tribute to, and expose on, your Husband. What a wonderful man! God has blessed you both with each other...

    Your Son has done an awesome act for his Dad. It gives me goosies!!! I will pray that his good health continues and that God will use Him in mighty ways. Blessings to you both.

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  2. :) I need a little doovy over the last "e" in the word "expose" which should sound like "expozay"... Just thought I should clarify;)

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  3. I soooo know the power of those anniversarys. It's such a powerful joy that's hard for people to understand. Congrats! 5 years is soooo awesome!!

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  4. I am going to share Mark's story with Mom. She gets discouraged at times waiting for a transplant. It's been 2 years now. But, we know that God can, as He did in Mark's situation. I'm praising the Lord with you for Mark's testimony of the miracle's that God performs still today. Thanks to willing donors and the knowledge that God gives the doctors, the sky's the limit!
    Thanks so much for sharing more about Mark and his journey. It has given me a sense of renewed hope for Mom.
    Merry Christmas,

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  5. Cindy, thanks so much for sharing more with us about Mark. What an extraordinary man. I am asking God to bring Mark to my mind so that I will pray. I also did not know that Andrew was the donor. AMAZING!!

    Mark is as blessed to have you as you are to have him. Love to you!!

    ~Sheryl

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  6. A beautiful story for Christmastime ... and anytime! :)

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  7. Beautiful post, friend....

    I wrote a tribute to my husband on my blog a few months back. I titled it "The Character of the Man." It was what God showed me as I watched my dh go through 6 jobs in 4 years... about the character of the man I married....

    I know your husband loved this!!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  8. What a beautiful tribute of your love for your hubby! He sounds like a wonderful mate. It's so good to remind ourselves to be thankful for our spouses in the middle of day to day life.

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  9. He sounds like one special fella! We need to go on a double date one night. Cliff loves to build things, so surely they could find some things to talk about. :)

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  10. How precious. What a wonderful post dedicated to a wonderful man. I'm sure he's humbled and honored to read your beautiful tribute to him.
    Love,
    Paula

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  11. Hi!!! What a nice tribute to your hubby and what a blessing life is everyday for the two of you. I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers. So good to see you stop by. I've been crazy busy...can't wait until after Christmas to have some real blog time. Merry Christmas! Connie

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  12. Cindy, thank you for sharing more about Mark, and what you both have walked through.
    I deeply identify with the situation, I have a rare Liver disease, and the medicines I take leave me the same as Mark in a weekend immune state. Yet God has covered and blessed me and my family through it all.

    I will be praying for Mark, and you and praising God for what he's done in your life.

    xo Carol

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  13. Your hubby has such a kind face! What a wonderful post honoring him. I'm glad to know the story.

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Hi Friend, I read and cherish every single comment you leave! You bring Joy to my heart! Blessings, Cindy