The Importance of Family and Friends

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

Websters defines adversity as; a state, condition, or instance of serious or continued difficulty

Proverbs 18:24  A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Throughout the different stages in life we see friendships and relationships (yes even with family) change and grow. When my kids were small I had friends that I could call if I needed the kids watched for a bit... and they could call me for the same. I knew there were some people that I could go to for anything, from a cup of sugar to a deep heart to heart talk. Though many of the names of those in my closest circle have changed over the years-- though there are a few that, have been in that most intimate level for decades, whether I see them every week or once every few years; there is just something in our relationship that never changes. Some friends we aren't necessarily as close to as those in the smaller circle, yet without them our lives would have some serious voids. I have found that there are some people that only touched my life for a short period but without them, there are things I would never have learned. I am thankful for each and every person that is a part of my life, each one is a gift from God.

Each of us has seen those around us at moments, where someone we care about has hit a crisis point in life- these points vary for all of us. Sometimes it may be a rough patch at work, maybe with a child or spouse or like in our case they are facing a truly life and death situation. I think that most of us have a heart to reach out when we see things happen to those that we care about. I have tried through the years to reach out and be there for others when they needed support, and probably better at some times than others. But until recently I really never understood just how much those gestures meant. Since we entered the cancer battle, I can honestly say that, now I know how much it means when someone reaches out.

We have been blessed by an amazing outpouring of support in this battle, and it all-- and I mean ALL, has touched me in ways I can't even express. Sometimes my response to a question may seem kinda low key, due at times to my being in kind of a, 'I just have to get through this day on an even keel' mode. Other times more enthusiasm may be shown, honestly please know this... regardless of what you see on the outside, know this, it all matters! The support of family and friends- those we see in person, and the more extended base of friends on Facebook has been a blessing and a strengthening to us.

In the early part of this battle a friend of ours referred to the prayer support of those around us in a way that really stuck with me. He correlated it to the support that Moses got when he grew tired.  Exodus 17:12 But Moses' hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. The prayers of those around, encouraged and strengthened us when we were so tired that it was a challenge to press on.

We continue to trust in the Lord daily walking by faith. We know that it is only through the Grace of God and the prayers of those around us that Glenn is here today, so thank you, each one that has prayed for us, spoken a word of encouragement, been there to listen or reached out to us... Thank You!

We have learned a lot through this walk and one of those things is the importance of those around us, and being there for others. When we are asked for prayer, hear of a prayer need or see a prayer request on Facebook we don't wait, we pray immediately. We know the importance of that, no longer do we put it off... it's too easy to forget.

We really do know that each day truly is a gift from the Lord, remember, no one knows the number of days that they have been given to live on this big blue marble so ENJOY life! Don't sweat the small things, remember 90% of the stress you feel today will be irrelevant in a week or two. So reach out and be there for your family and friends, both intimate and acquaintances. A word of encouragement at the right time can literally change a life. Be a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

In closing, on this one, if you need prayer, reach out! If you ask, we will pray!

Forward in Faith and Celebration

Psa 108:2 I will praise You, O LORD, among the peoples, And I will sing praises to You among the nations

We serve an amazing God, His love and mercies are unending. It is through Him that we live and move and have our being! Each day that we live is a gift from Him... never take it for granted.

August was truly amazing! We have been blessed by the forward gains that have been made in this battle, and Praise God, September has been a good month also!

We finished August with a wonderful trip to the coast and then after the Holiday weekend it was back to chemo. A part of Chemo days is bloodwork, well the bloodwork on Sept 4th showed more positive news. The tumor marker that had been so close to 'normal' in August had moved into that 'normal' range! We were now looking ahead to Glenn's CT on Sept 10th. This time we were believing for big changes, changes reflecting what the numbers were saying, and what we were (and are) believing for in the spiritual. I won't say that there weren't moments of anxiety just before- and until we got the results on the 17th, there were... the enemy likes to try to play head games, but I remember the words of Christ - John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

The Wednesday between the CT scan and our appointment, Glenn got to teach the Wednesday night service, this is another victory in the battle, because on top of sharing the Goodness of the Lord, he was able to speak the whole service and not have to use the stool they had up there for him. This was right about the 6 month anniversary of the diagnosis, a time for celebration- 75% of those diagnosed with this cancer do not see this mark. We hold to the promise of the Lord for many more months and years in Glenn's life, celebrating each day along the way.

The CT went well, the tech even commented on Glenn's outward appearance, how much better he looked, now 20 pounds heavier and good color to his complexion. A week later, September 17th was a wonderful day!! It started with a text, that our son Jeremy and his lovely Whitney are expecting and we were back at the doctor's for Glenn's usual chemo appointment and to get the results of the CT... A CT that showed that the tumor on the pancreas was now well less than half the size that it had been in June! And to top it all off, our newest granddaughter was due anytime, yep it was a great day!

The month has been a good one, Glenn was back on the bass for worship on the 26th, and is returning to his previous worship schedule! His strength is returning and we rejoice in everyday victories. God is faithful and we do as is spoken in Phil 3:14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. We press forward in to the call of God in our lives, where ever that will lead.

Shortly after I started writing this today, and before I posted, (yes I exited for a bit) another victory, our newest grandchild has arrived, another blessing to celebrate... we look forward to more victories to come. 

These first 7 entries have given a compressed look at the last 7 months, I will continue to post about the battle, I have some more reflections to share, but I also look forward to sharing more victories. 

Here is the link for Glenn's teaching on "What Make's Good Soil Good."

Amazing August

Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Learning to fully lean on the Lord is an amazing thing... we always want to be in control, but when we learn to release it to Him we begin to really understand that He is Faithful and we never had control to begin with.

August really was an amazing month, as I said the month of July held a key turning point in this battle. It was at the darkest hour that the Lord flipped a switch and the fog began clearing. Getting Glenn's nutrition back on track was crucial. If he wasn't eating then his body had nothing to draw on for the physical part of the battle. I give thanks to the Lord for the clarity, vision and plan that we began to implement during that month.

As I mentioned, we created a spreadsheet and tracked everything he took in, when he reached a steady 2000 plus, calorie intake, I quit tracking things like Gatorade and 2am PB and cracker snacks. He was gaining weight steadily now, and with it, he was gaining energy. We began taking walks, and he began doing light exercises to regain the lost muscle. (One of the Physician Assistants had told him that he more than likely wouldn't be able to gain much weight back and probably never regain muscle.) I am so glad that our faith is in the Lord, the doctors do what they can, with the knowledge they have... and we are thankful for that. But what we know, is that our Lord is the Great Physician, and He knows far more!! So our minds were continuing trusting in the Promise and aiming for the goal.

Goals, that is something that we were told are good to have, even from the natural standpoint. Well our first immediate goal was Glenn's birthday... Aug 24th. I don't know what kind of odds the medical community would have given him of reaching it back in June, but now the doctors were certain he would make it, no problem, and the next CT scan was set for a couple weeks after. It's nice to know that they are seeing what the Lord is doing. Glenn made his birthday, and his health continued to improve through out the month. He was also feeling good enough that he was able to play bass on one of the Wed services at church in August.

We both really saw in July, it is important that periodically, we find a way to get away, to get a break from the house and a change of scenery.  It helps to refresh us, and help fight becoming stir crazy... so we booked a delayed birthday trip. We were celebrating both our birthdays because my birthday falls about a week before Glenn's. We decided to head to the coast.

We both love the coast and Glenn's folks were camping over near Gold Beach and spending the days at a park that we really enjoy over there, Arizona Beach. Mind you, I love the Oregon Coast but I hate the canyon on 199 that you go through to get there, a steep cliff to the river on one side of the road and a mountain wall on the other side. However, since we had another victory in August, and Glenn had begun driving again. (Not very much but sometimes, something he hadn't done since March.) He was able to drive from the tunnel all the rest of the way to the beach. Yeah, I didn't have too!! 

We spent the day hanging out with them and Glenn's sister, and some of the cousins--we just chilled. I took my camera and spent some time snapping pix,  We had booked a room in the older part of a hotel and it turned out to be perfect for us. It was a corner room and we could see AND hear the ocean, so we opened our windows a bit and enjoyed the air and the sounds of the ocean. The next day we found a little restaurant to have breakfast at... turns out we used to square dance with the owners, lol. Then we began our wandering trip home, stopping along the way to look at the beaches, take some pictures and we even went to the Aquarium in Crescent City before heading back inland.

During the month of August we saw the cancer numbers continue to drop, and by the end of the month we were looking at only 2 above "normal"- and one was within a gnat's breath of it. The other had dropped from a high of 1027 down to under 300! We were happy, Glenn was feeling good, the next CT was set for Sept 10th. We were anticipating the goals ahead. Those immediate goals, by dates, were 1st- the CT to reflect what we were seeing. 2nd- Glenn was going to be speaking at church on a Wednesday night, and 3rd- He was set to play bass again. There was one more but it was more of a Sept-Oct thing not goal... we have another grandbaby set to arrive... in her own timing.

Yes, August was amazing, thanks be to the Lord on High!! Through this journey that we are on, we have learned better how to rest in His peace... it is always a learning process. We have a greater appreciation of the Lord, of life, and I think of each other; for this I am glad. No, I'm not glad that it's coming this way, but I hold to the promise of God and the scripture in Romans that tells us: "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Rom 8:28 NKJV).

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Here are a few more of the pics from the trip......

Dad and Mom

Debbie and Russ

Arizona Beach locals

Sunset from the hotel beach