Halleluia! He's a Survivor!

Jack is all DONE with his last chemo treatment! To celebrate he had an ice cream cake. My pictures are actually in reverse order... this was after church today. I love his smile in this picture. This is the Jack I know and love! :-)

In case you were wondering if he went hog wild... this is his portion of the cake! :-)

It was such a blessing for Jack to celebrate Sabbath at church and see the ones he loves and the ones who love him. Fellowship is sweet! Here is Jack and Chas. She is sporting one of her latest Special Olympics medals! What a special and wonderful friend she is to our whole family.

Here's Mr. Jack getting ready to go to church... all dapper in his new clothes.

He says he is not only a survivor but a "Liver". He is going to LIVE! Praise God for the ability to wear the survivor shirt!

Ready to go... with HOPE. The battle is not completely over. But the does of poison are! Please continue to pray. We can't say enough how much we appreciate your prayers. I will close with a verse that has been encouraging Jack:

but those who hope in the LORD

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

Here We Go Again!

Last week was a false alarm, not the beginning of the last week of chemo. Jack had not had sufficient time to recuperate from the other chemo treatment, so his doctor did not feel it was wise to begin the process all over again! This week has been a good time of recuperation for Jack and time for Ruth and Jack to spend together.

The great news is that while he was waiting this week, Jack had a body scan and it came out clear, showing NO signs of metastasized cancer! Praise God!

So, here we go again, tomorrow, Monday, will begin Jack's last week of chemo. We are praying with HOPE and asking for God's mercy and healing. Please pray for Jack as he heads into the battle again. Also pray for Ruth as she cares for him and all those who are helping.

THANK YOU! I'm looking forward to sharing pictures later in the fall of us celebrating Jack's recovery together! We already bought some sparkling pear and sparkling peach juices at Ikea for the occasion. We're looking forward to just being together.

We love you Grampa!

Beginning The End!

I know the title sounds ominous, but it really is reason to rejoice! Tomorrow, Monday, August 10, 2009, Jack will begin his last chemo course! Yeah!!!!!! This of course means that he is standing in the need of prayer. He will go five days, Monday through Friday.


Jack would never complain and probably doesn't like me typing so here, but I have to say that this has been very HARD. (It has been hard on those of us who love him and we aren't the ones having it!) I thought of him this morning when we began our Sunday School study of James with "Consider it pure joy brethren when you face various trials..." I'm sure that there is little joy in chemo or radiation or dry heaves or exhaustion beyond belief. But through it all, I do believe God has been giving both Jack and Ruth moments of Joy. These moments will be their "ebenezer" stones that they can look back on and see what God has done in them, through them, to them and for them. And in this, they certainly will be able to rejoice. (In the photo above, Jack is tending their grapes.)

As Jack begins his chemo this week, please pray that God will heal him totally of the cancer and if you feel led, that somehow miraculously he would not have to endure more side effects. Pray for strength, encouragement and endurance. This is the heat of the battle! It will feel endless while he's in the middle. Please lift him up to the Father daily and moment by moment. (Photo shows Jack with his cousin Dwight and wife Mary looking at the scrapbook of Jack's life that I made for his 60th birthday.)

As Jack faces this battle, please pray for those who love him... his wife Ruth, who is still working during this time, his mother Doris (in the photo above) and for all those who are helping out with rides, visits, meals and care. Pray that they will endure, encourage him and be strengthened for their parts of this battle too. Please pray an extra measure of strength for Ruth.

This is the beginning of the end. This is a reason to rejoice. There are good things to look forward to. We are selfishly excited for a late fall visit with Mom and Jack in our new home. Here Jack is having fun at one of his favorite things... a garage sale!

Thank you to all of you who have touched our lives. Thank you for all the prayers. They are appreciated beyond what we can express. (Here Jack snuggles baby Ezra Jack in church.)

Praises!

Jack's procedure today was quick and efficient. They were able to easily widen the esophagus a little more. While 'in there' they could see a little irritation so the doctor gave him what I presume is some type of ulcer/acid preventative medication. He's home resting now and has this week to gain strength before chemo begins next Monday. Thank you for prayers!

New Prayer Request and Pictures

Here's Jack with his Relay For Life shirt on. He was not able to walk, but he's a big supporter! It's funny for me to see pictures of Jack now since I am so far away and don't see him in person. I can see that his face is thinner and his arms look like they shrunk in half! And his beard looks whiter. He sure looks good after all he has gone through!

This is Barry, the gastroenterologist. Um, Barry, most of the things you do... noone is even *thinking* about doing at home! LOL

As anyone who knows Jack knows, he makes friends wherever he goes! :-) This is one of his nurses Sandra. They "matched". She is also a survivor!

Jack's last procedure was on my birthday. When they got home, this is what they saw. Mom says it's my birthday present! I'll accept that!

So, yes, on June 19, Jack did have another procedure to widen his esophagus. It had shriveled back down to about 8mm, mostly due to the "nuking" it got with the radiation treatments. In the procedure they widened it to about 12mm. He will need to have it widened in two more procedures, in fairly quick succession.

The procedure did go well, but was difficult for Jack. There was an issue with the anesthesia, possibly too much and it was hard to come out of it. So one of the requests is, that the anesthesia will work right and that Jack will be safe during the procedure.

Next procedure is this coming Friday, June 26th. The following will be July 7. And then it will be time to start chemo all over again.

There have been some residual side effects of either the treatment or the narrowed esophagus. Please pray for relief and complete healing. Pray that Jack's body would strengthen and build back up before the next treatment and chemo. Pray for encouragement and energy for both Ruth and Jack for all that needs to be done, dealt with and endured. God has been faithful and encouraging them both through Scripture and song, but we would be lying if we said it wasn't a difficult journey. Thank you all for your prayers and support.

Prayers For Jack Update and Blog On The Move

Hi everyone! Sorry I haven't been hear to blog much the last few months and especially lately. After a lot of frustrations, I have decided to try Typepad for blogging and so far so good. Hopefully this is the last time I have to move. If you look around the blog you can see it is pretty spare... I lost all your comments, my links, widgets etc. But I'm starting over.

Jack's updates will stay right here. That way we dont' have to worry about a lot of people switching blog addresses to check.

My Blog is now at Along The Way. I invite all my friends and family to join me there.


A long overdue update on Jack. First of all he did complete the six weeks of chemo and radiation and it was NOT fun. Lots of side effects, most, but not all of which are subsiding. That is something he will continue to need prayer with in the long haul.

A week or so ago he had testing done on his heart to make sure that the radiation did not cause damage and it initially looks okay! We are praising God for that. They will have the full report from the doctor next week.

The next step in the journey is tomorrow, Friday, June 19, 2009. Jack will be having another balloon procedure to stretch his esophagus. At that time the doctor will also be able to view what or if there is any damage from the radiation to the esophagus and the throat as well as sort out any other issues that may be causing or compounding eating issues. Please pray for Jack in this procedure that involves anesthesia, as well as for wisdom for the doctors in discerning what to do.

After these things are all sorted out, Jack will be chemotherapy again in a couple weeks. This will be the type that he receives via IV at the infusion center for five days. Then there will be another month wait and then one more round of that... then hopefully the "torture" will be done!

Thank you all for praying. I'm sure you know this has not been easy at all, BUT it's nice to know there is a whole army of prayer warriors around the world interceding on your behalf! We love you!

True Love... Jack's Journey

If you're not from the Pacific Northwest or a beach comber, you might not recognize what these are. Any guesses? Agates! Agates are a semi-precious stone and they come in all colors, shapes and sizes. Agates found at the ocean are often unique from God's own stone tumbler - waves. My family has been looking for agates about 100 years now. Some are more obsessed than others (I think I fit in the middle). My Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Doodlebug love to hunt for agates and awhile back Marilyn told Jack that when she went on their next trip, she'd bring him home a gallon bag of agates.

True to her word - ONE GALLON ZIPLOC BAG FULL OF AGATES! Sorry to shout, but my lifetime supply of agate hunting could maybe fit in two gallon ziplocs or maybe even a gallon and a quart... but never on one trip and never did I dream of giving away all those that I found. But Marilyn did.

Love is not self seeking. That's what we read in 1 Corinthians 13. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to canonize my Aunt! But what an incredible work of love she gave to bring joy into Jack's life, which at the moment probably seems pretty weary. His goal now is to find that many himself! :-) Or at least a few beauties like the one above.

I think that the whole gift is so amazing because most collectors hoard and do not share, even if they are kind and generous people otherwise. And it struck me how we all have different gifts. We are studying Job right now in Sunday School, so I've been thinking a lot about the things we do and say when someone is suffering. Many people are gifted in ways that allow them to serve and help and some of us aren't sure what to do. Or, I think sometimes we are immobilized by thinking that we don't have the gift we should. We think we should have the gift of nursing and don't even think that giving agates is a gift. Perhaps there were 9 nurses/nurturers/caregivers (all of whom are appreciated!) and only 1 agate giver - would not that one brighten the day?

For me, the lesson learned is that there are many ways we can give and be used by God and that I should not put Him in a box thinking it can only happen in certain ways. Does that make sense? I know what some of my gifts are, but they don't always seem practical or I don't think they are like other people's gifts. They are not. They shouldn't be. God has given me my own gifts and in Ephesians, Paul tells us that He created good works for me to do even before I was born! I don't have agates to give to Jack. Well, I do, but I'm not gonna! :-) LOL And that's okay. Because God isn't asking me to be Marilyn. He's asking me to be me!

So, what's my job now? I think I'm the squeaky wheel... will you grease me? My job is to ask for PRAYER!

Please pray for Jack. Tuesday is his last radiation treatment. When I talked to him today I asked him how he felt and he said, "Like I'm in the middle of a battle." All that poison of the chemo and radiation takes it's toll on a person. And the side effects don't stop with the last treatment. Please pray for relief from dry heaves and other ill side effects. Ask the Father to be restoring his body, healing it, mending it, rejuvenating him. There will be about a month for his body to recuperate before chemo begins again. I will keep you all posted.

Thank you! Jack and Ruth thank you! We love you! Please keep praying!

Jack's Treatment Phase 2 Home Stretch

Please join our family in continuing to pray for Jack as he enters the home stretch for this second round of treatment which has included chemo 24/7 and radiation 5 days a week for six weeks. He has just about a week to go. As you know, treatment is not without its side effects and Jack is beginning to feel them. He is weary and waiting on the Lord to lift him up on Eagles' wings! Please pray for not only Jack's healing, but his peace, encouragement and endurance. Ask God to help him keep his eyes fixed on the goal. When he finishes in about a week, he will have some time of recuperation before the next phase of chemo treatments begins.

(Photo courtesy of Laurel Community Baptist Church, layout created using Digizines by Teri's Anastasia kit available at Heritagescrap.com)

Update on Jack

Sorry I haven't posted an update for awhile. Everyone has been exhausted! Jack found out this week that he is half way through his treatments! YIPPEE!!!! I know he will be so glad when this is done! He continues with chemo 24/7 via a pump and receives the radiation five days a week. The effects of the medication are exhausting as you can imagine and he is having some side effects and "sun burn" from the radiation. His attitude and faith are strong and God is carrying everyone throughout each step of the way, every day, even on the hard ones.

Please continue to pray for Healing, Strength, Endurance and Mercy throughout this process. We all appreciate your prayers. Thank you.

Change...

2009 has definitely been a year of change. The house is a BIG change, that is for certain. Between migraines and fatigue and so much to do in unpacking, I haven't had opportunity to post many pictures or really write much lately. So today, I thought I would give it a start.


This is our black walnut tree... or I should say about 3/4 of it. I took this photo on April 11. Today you can see no sky through the branches. It is droppy yellow sticky "helicopters" at the moment and is an amazing site. Every time I look out that window I think, "This is God's gift to me for not balking at staying in the smoggy city!" I do have some anxieties as the power lines run through it. In August or September the power company is supposed to come and prune. However, we are responsible for the branches over the wires coming to our house. About 1/5 of the tree may have to be removed at our expense because it lies right on the wires going to our house and the neighbor's house. This photo doesn't show how big the trunk is. It would take all five of us holding hands around the base to go full circle! On the left is a grapefruit tree that is taller than Hubby, so more than 6'3".

And these are grapefruit blossoms!

Our orange tree is budding as well. It doesn't have as many blossoms as I would like to see. I'm hoping more are coming. I need to do some reading on the care of citrus fruit.

Maisy and Heidi are doing better. Abbie does NOT want them in the house! We haven't let them out of the master bedroom yet. We are waiting until the boxes in the main living areas are more unpacked because we don't want them to get hurt or corned by their bullying big sister who likes to HISS at them! :-) This is Maisy in one of the bookcases, before it was loaded with books!

Here is Sunshine laying on our bed with Heidi. Both are affectionate but Heidi demands eye contact and is very sweet. Not only does she want affection from us, but she also gives it back! Both kittens have attached to me as their "mama"! Heidi is laying across my chest and arms as I am typing right now and her favorite place to sleep is next to my monitor! She definitely has the Siamese eyes and body shape (though obviously not the points) and Boogie keeps telling me, "I really think you have a parrot Mommy!" because she often likes to sit on my shoulder. Maisy was afraid of us at first but then one day it was like a switch was turned and she started purring and loving us and demands her affection time! lol There is no way that these kittens were strays. I think the owner just said that when he relinquished them so that he wouldn't have to pay. Four month (now 5) old kittens that are strays are not this affectionate or wanting to be with and on people!

Here's Hubby painting my kitchen for me. I couldn't get the orange out of his skin on this photo... sorry he is not orange, though he was this scruffy, being a "bum" on his time off! :-) The kitchen is a light custard or buttery yellow. I have chosen a blue and white patterned quilter's cotton from Hoffman to make valances and accents. Pictures coming later. We haven't done any more painting because 1) $$$ 2) time and 3) we are having our windows replaced on Cinco de Mayo. We have the original 1961 aluminum frames with non tempered glass. Since we essentially have a whole wall (140" of sliders and another 42" of window) in the living room going out to the back that is non tempered, we felt we should replace it before any bad accidents happened and the children were hurt! The new windows have Solarban70. I am not thrilled about having vinyl because pvc definitely has fumes. However wood windows are definitely cost prohibitive! It's bad enough with what we got, but it will be an investment in the house and hopefully our future. I'm a little apprehensive, we'll see!

I bought some plants for the yard but haven't planted yet... a hydrangea.

I wish I could say this was our yard, but it's not! This is our neighbors. The photo is taken from our front walking looking over the property line. It's so beautiful and I would love to start working towards something like this at our home.

Blogger won't let me rearrange the order of the pictures, so this little Princess face is out of order! Princess begged to have her hair cut, so we got it in a bob again. It's kind of scruffy here because we just had it cut, but it has more body now and looks adorable. It's odd that they are identical and yet Sunshine looks funny with short hair. Hers is still long, just got the bangs cut as she decided she was tired of growing them out long. It's nice to see her face again! :-)

I also bought two rhododendrons. Rhododendrons are my home state's flower... this is so I can have a piece of home at home. I love these kind with the speckled throat!

This is the second one. The sun was really intense. They are a little bluer purple than these photos show.

On the 14th I went for my biannual eye exam. I had been telling Hubby that it was getting more and more difficult to read and that I could see my floater. Everytime I read the floater moves back and forth over the page as my eye roams. Annoying! Fortunately it doesn't hurt. I think he thought I was just being melodramatic or looking for a reason to go get new frames! :-) Turns out, it IS more difficult for me to read. My nearsightedness and astigmatism are improving. That's not uncommon especially for people like me who have extreme nearsightedness from childhood. As we age, the changes that cause the need for bifocals tug and pull on the eye to shape it another direction. So, tomorrow I go in for my new glasses... he told me I may feel sick the first couple days like when I first got bifocals because they are 3 levels stronger on one side and 4 levels stronger on the other. But, get this! I have cataracts! Okay, maybe I am getting old... it dawned on me that possibly I blogged this earlier?? LOL How can I have cataracts at 42? Well, he said could be hereditary (all my Grandparents had them but not until their 70s and 80s!) and that because of all the environmental polutions out there in today's age that he is seeing it younger and younger. Wear sunglasses! The sun also causes them. And he advised me to take Vitamin C and lutein. They are just beginning so hopefully will not progress too quickly. And I will probably quilt seeing the floater once I get the new glasses. I see it now because my eyes are working hard to find the right focal length. Okay... if the gray hair in the mirror and the bum knee didn't already make me feel old... that did!

Jack just had his second procedure to widen his esophagus and it went well. He's home sleeping it off today. The chemo and radiation is going okay. Naturally it is quite exhausting. Please pray for him... continued prayer for healing and also the stamina that it takes to go to his appointments. I know I get exhausted when I have two or three appts in one week's time.

I've been thinking about writing some of the thoughts that God has been giving me lately. His message repeatedly has been "emptiness". How odd I thought at first, but the more I have meditated on Him and this topic, the more I feel He has been changing me.

I still haven't been able to deal with the comments... I may just switch back to the regular blogger comments, but I'm not sure. I hate it when all these companies buy and sell each other. It was working so well and I got your email address with the comment and I could click, write, send. Now I just get a name. I have thought about switching to Word Press, but they are not as easy to use as Blogger for designing and they don't allow much picture usage, which is obviously a big issue for me. We'll see... I hope to be blogging more soon! I miss you all!

Prayer Updates

Hi Everyone. Thank you again for all the prayers for Jack! This has been a busy week and it is only Wednesday.

Today Jack underwent a procedure to widen the esophagus at the point where there was stitching from the surgery. Amazingly Jack was getting some soft food down with only a 3 mm opening! That's about an 1/8"! Today the stitches were removed using endoscopic scissors... the first time the doctor had used them! And the opening was stretched to 10mm.

It was so much fun (lol) that they are going to repeat the procedure next Thursday. Please pray that Jack's recovery from this will be quick and as pain free as possible. Also pray that it will be successful so that not only can he eat more, but that there will be less gagging and issues with the chemo.

Next Monday begins the biggy and lots of prayers are appreciated. There is 6 weeks of both chemo 24/7 via a cartridge pump and radiation five days a week. The Lord has brought him and our family this far, guiding each step of the way and we don't expect that to stop any time soon, but it is still a big thing to face.

Grandma is working on rehab and doing pretty well all things considered.

Thank you for your love and prayers.

Prayer Update

We have had some good news this week and thank you all for prayers. Grandma Doris is much improved from her pneumonia. She is out of the hospital now and in a rehab center where she is in therapy to gain strength so that she can go back to her assisted living apartment. Please continue to pray for her recovery.

Jack received good news today too. From Mom/Ruth:

JACK… we are PTL! that last week’s CT scans of chest, abdomen & pelvis showed no evidence that the cancer has spread at this point… and Friday’s Upper GI or barium swallow x-rays confirmed that there is a narrowing of the opening at the surgical site joining Jack’s esophagus to his intestines, likely due to scar tissue. Since Jack is soon to begin radiation combined with continuous chemo therapy, the doctor moved quickly in scheduling an EGD (upper endoscopy) procedure for Wed, 4/15, at 10 a.m. here in Bellingham, where he will use a balloon to gently dilate and enlarge the opening for food to pass through more easily. Please pray for God’s hand to guide the surgeon, strength and healing for Jack’s body as well as protection during the aggressive treatment in the weeks ahead.

Calling All Prayer Warriors!

Hello everyone,

This morning our family is standing in the need of prayer. Please pray for Jack's Mom, Grandma Doris. She is in ICU with pneumonia and related heart issues. They have not yet stabilized the heart concerns. Aunt Kristine has been with her all night - she's an awesome caregiver, but human and exhausted. She has been taking care of both Jack and Grandma and could use a huge prayer hug as well!

Also this morning, Jack is going in for a barium contrast CT of his pelvic, abdominal and chest regions to determine the cause of his decreased ability to swallow and eat. Friday he will do barium again as they have to re-form the "cradle" that will be used for his radiation treatments that will be administered along with chemo in a week or so.

We appreciate you all praying. Thank you.

Quick Check In and Jack Update

Hi Everyone. ATT and I are not getting along at the moment. 9 days and counting without DSL. We are NOT happy customers. I thought I would just check in and let you know that we got all moved with the help of some wonderful guys at church (who will probably never volunteer to help us again! LOL). We're exhausted but doing okay. I have lots of pictures of the girls' 6th birthday, the move, the kittens (who are sick with kennel crud) etc.

Please pray for Jack this coming week as he prepares for the second round of chemo in conjunction with radiation. No starting date yet, but he is going to have the prep appointments and we will know more next week. The sickness with smells has passed and some of the other problems have improved. Still sorting out others. We appreciate your continued prayers.

More soon!

Waiting, Adopting, Updating

We were hoping to hear about getting keys by now but that hasn't happened. Hoping to hear something today so we can get started cleaning! Waiting, Waiting, Waiting.

Jack is doing much better than over the weekend and we are so thankful for the prayers. Yesterday when we chatted on Facebook, he had been able to eat some "mush" and soup. Hurray! Continued prayers for strength as his body works with the chemo and for healing of the mouth/tongue sores would be greatly appreciating.

And no, we are not adopting a child. Just children! :-) Fur children! LOL

Meet Heidi on the left and Maisy on the right. They are four months old and though they were brought in as strays, the animal officers think that they were actually surrendered by the owner because they have been bathed and well taken care of and appear to be quite healthy. I hope and pray they stay that way. When we brought Abbie home 10 years ago (from the very same cage at the shelter!) she had a respiratory infection and was really sick and on antibiotics.

This morning we are going in to adopt them. This is the first day they are available so we haven't had a chance to hold them (they don't allow that until they are available to adopt). This will be my girlies birthday present but the whole family is very excited. We chose their names together. Heidi... we just read that book. And Maisy is from the children's cartoon with the little mouse named Maisy. Today we are supposed to be able to hold them, so I'll take more pictures. :-)

Jack Update

My Mom (Ruth) wrote this, but I wanted to explain one thing. She mentions problems with Jack's mouth :-) and I don't think we have discussed that here. His tastebuds are effected by all the medications and have left his tongue swollen and sore. This began before the chemo and is also effecting his ability to eat. I'll let you read the rest in Ruth's words...


Thank you to all you faithful prayer warriors… and please don’t stop now!
Time goes so incredibly fast I can’t believe it has been a week since the last post and so much has happened that our faith walk seems more like a faith “run” yet I keep reminding myself of how faithful God has been, is, and I know will continue to be.


The week began with Jack’s first round of chemo… Monday through Friday and then 3 weeks for his body to rebuild before radiation begins mid April. I took Jack for the 1st treatment which we had been told would be about 3 hrs… however it only took about an hour since they can inject the chemo into the saline IV & directly into his port. Due to the shorter length of treatment, Ruth had another opportunity to practice spontaneity… and began the process of revising the transportation plan for the week.


Next came another glitch when Jack’s feeding tube clogged… So plans were made to change out the old tube and replace it with a more durable variety. The procedure was done on Wednesday by the same doctor that did the port implant which was a real blessing. Later in the day was chemo number 3 where we had a picnic lunch and enjoyed “together time” while Jack was rehydrated and received his treatment. Then we were off to Option Care where one of the staff, Shari, took out her “bag of tricks” and brainstormed with Jack to adapt the new tube and sent us on our way… a very long and energy draining day for Jack.


By the end of the day Friday, Jack was feeling the effects and intensity of his week. Between mouth issues, tube change procedure, and chemo, he was extremely fatigued. We are thankful that we were able to work with the dietician to increase his supplemental feeding to support him while he is only eating cold stuff to keep his mouth as comfortable as possible. In the evening we sat reflectively as I read scripture from the Psalms and talked about the path the Lord has taken us these past 21 years of Jack & Ruth’s Most Excellent Adventure.


This weekend we are keeping a low profile here at home so that Jack has opportunity to rest and right now he needs to stay away from crowds. Next week we have a couple appointments including a “swallow test” to help sort out Jack’s eating challenges on Monday morning and another with the Radiation Oncologist on Thursday as we look ahead to radiation treatments beginning mid April.


P.S. It is now Sunday afternoon and Jack is resting while dealing with a number of side effects from the chemo and extreme sensitivity to odors and food smells that impact his desire and ability to eat. As of now, we have decided that the swallow test will need to be postponed as it involves eating and the outing would be too taxing for him as he must go out for lab work tomorrow afternoon.


Please pray for healing of his mouth issues and his ability to take more nourishment and liquids by mouth to help his upper system be hydrated and soothed... and that God's healing touch will help his body fight the good fight against the cancer and it's treatment.


I would leave you with the song that God brought to ease my heart this week as we walked through the many challenges of Jack’s health. May it bring blessing to you in whatever you are dealing with in your own lives as you hold us up in prayer.


DOES JESUS CARE?
Lyrics ~ Frank E. Graeff, 1860 - 1919
Music ~ J. Lincoln Hall, 1866 - 1930


Stanza 1:
Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth and song;
As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?


Chorus:
O yes, He cares- I know He cares!
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary,
The long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares. (He cares.)


Stanza 2:
Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?


(Chorus)


Stanza 3:
Does Jesus care when I've tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief I find no relief,
Tho my tears flow all the night long?


(Chorus)


Stanza 4:
Does Jesus care when I've said goodbye
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks ­
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?


(Chorus)

Ruth's Update On Jack - Pray for Start of Chemo

My apologies for the delay in updating information regarding Jack. This past week and a half has been a busy in many ways. Medically, God opened doors and Jack’s port was successfully implanted on Friday the 6th and Jack received his schedule for chemo therapy to begin here in Bellingham on Monday, March 16th… Daily for 5 days, then a time for his body to rest before radiation begins in mid April. There is a lot to absorb and learn about as we step into the treatment phase.

Jack sitting at the back of the church for service.

On Sunday the 8th we were finally able to make it to church. It had been a long month since Jack’s surgery… and it felt like we were home at last. That was the thought that brought tears of joy as I drove down Laurel Road on our way to worship that morning. It was the first time since Feb 1st that Jack and I had been able to make that journey and oh how we have missed the sweet communion with our home church family.

Jack and his "girlfriends" Susan and Joy

What joy to walk through the back door and encounter our “son” David who engulfed “Dad” in a hearty gentle embrace that lasted a long time and blessed them both. For the next half hour, Jack held court as dear ones greeted him during the fellowship time between the services… young and old alike were ever so glad to “see” Jack and know how faithful God has been in answering their prayers… to God be the Glory, Great Things HE hath Done.

Jack and Sangae (I hope I spelled your name right!)

Jack keeps a set of twin girls wherever he goes! LOL (You girls look just like your Mommy when she was your age!)

Jack continues to do well and took advantage of this week to be out and about for short stints. Tuesday, his sister Kris took him to his Carving Group at the Ferndale Senior Center and Wednesday morning I took him to Denny’s where he surprised his men’s Bible study group by joining them for their weekly breakfast meeting where he enjoyed God’s Word and Christian fellowship over a cup of tea.

Jack at woodcarving class at the Senior Center.

The Wednesday Morning Gang - Jack's Bible Study meeting at Denny's for breakfast.

Later in the week we sharpened our knowledge of the care of Jack’s feeding tube as we worked through a couple of clogging episodes with the caring support of the Option Care staff. The week also included praying Jack’s mother Doris through some very painful back issues which necessitated a doctor visit and very long day of medical tests. An MRI shows that she has a couple of bulging discs that complicate her other health issues, along with a urinary tract infection. We are praising the Lord that she is gradually improving with pain medications and TLC from Kris and her wonderful caregivers. Please keep Doris in your prayers, as well as Kris who is doing double duty caring for both her and supporting Jack’s needs.

Today is Friday and we are looking forward to the weekend… We have a “date” planned for Saturday… a foray to Jack’s favorite shopping spot to pick up some really good deals on his new found food favorites and a cup of egg flower soup for lunch at “David’s” our special Chinese restaurant. Lord willing we will again be in Worship on Sunday to fortify us for next week.

As you can tell… Jack is “living” his motto of “Being a Liver!” and we continue to praise the Lord in and through it all. Our hope is in the Lord and we are trusting Him to carry Jack physically through the treatment, asking for His healing and protection from side effects, as well as looking to Him to be our strength and peace as we walk hand in hand with Him.

Thanks to all of you who are supporting us in prayer and so many other ways. We love you and ask God to shower each of you with His blessings.

Jack Update

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to check in and update on Jack. He had a good appointment with the medical oncologist yesterday. Hard not to like a guy in cowboy boots! :-) Things are moving forward and we are now waiting for a port placement and the beginning of the first chemo course.

Please continue to pray for Jack's healing and that God would be in all the details. Thank you!

Blast From The Past - Jack Update

I found this photo when I was looking for high school friends to post on Facebook. It's a pretty bad photo but I had to laugh. This is Jack and I in 1988. I was at the end of my medical assistant training and was learning how to draw blood. I'm practicing with a tourniquet, trying to find Jack's veins for a blood draw! Back in the 80s if you wore glasses you didn't have to have OSHA goggles or shields to draw blood! LOL Look at those things. They could be windshields! These were my FAVORITE glasses! Burgandy and nerdishly cool! :-) It looks like I'm calf roping Jack and neither one of us are thrilled with Mom interrupting with a picture. I'm also wearing my favorite concert tshirt from Steve Camp, not that you can see it, but I wore that thing to threads. It was from the song "He Covers Me" and had a black pen drawing of a huge tree with a person sitting at the base - the idea is the tree is sheltering just as He shelters and protects us. Isn't that great to know?!



Oh Lord, I feel so barren and ashamed of who I am
How I often felt I hid it well, it is a lie I cannot defend
So I lean upon Your mercy as I confess my sin to You
There is no easy way, no saving face, when I finally see the truth
So let my life be filled with only You


Chorus:

I know someday I will be free
The weight of sin shall be released
But for now He covers me
And though the trials never end
I've learned to take them as my friend
For each day He covers me


Sometimes the pressure builds around me and I feel about to break
I suffer painfully from wrongs done to me but vengeance isn't mine to take
So let me glory in my weakness till Your strength's revealed in me
It is Your grace alone that helps me carry on to be the man I long to be
So let Your life be perfected, Lord in me
Until it's You they see.


CHORUS


And though heartache surrounds me
I know Your love is around me
Nothing can separate me from You
And I know it's true


repeat CHORUS and fade

Artist: Steve CampCopyright: 1986 Birdwing Music (ASCAP) / River Oakes Music Co. (Tree Group) / Sparrow Song (BMI>


Not only was Steve Camp a "hot commodity" in the mid to late 80s contemporary Christian music scene, but I related to him on a personal level because as a teenager he lost his Dad to cancer. Having lost my Dad my senior year, just 6 weeks before graduation, I felt very isolated. Even in college I had great friends, but only one of them could understand what that was like. When Steve sang about learning to count his trials as a friend because God covered him during that time, I could believe Him and my faith was strengthened. I knew when Steve sang it, he meant it and it was true!

Okay, that ended up longer than I thought. Both Mom and I have really been comforted during this stressful time by songs of faith that remind us just how much He loves us and how we are not alone and how no matter what God is covering Jack.

Thanks to everyone who was praying for Jack's appointment on Friday. They had a very good visit with an awesome radiation oncologist who took time to answer a lot of questions about things in general as well as the specifics of the radiation therapy. Radiation won't begin for about two months because chemo will be the first round of business.

This coming Wednesday, Jack will be meeting with the medical oncologist who will be overseeing the chemotherapy treatment. Please keep this in prayer too. After Wednesday we will have a clearer picture of what is happening and hopefully a schedule.

Jack is doing quite well with his surgery recovery. Thank you for praying! It is a whole new adventure discovering what he can eat and how they can make it taste better. His sister Kris is a skilled nurse and is pampering him! :-)

If you are local, Jack is up to short visits and phone calls. He does get tired easily, but has a little cabin fever and misses his "faces"!

Please pray that Jack's body will continue to grow strong and that God will prepare him for his upcoming treatments.

We appreciate all of you!

From Ruth's Heart... Jack Update

God Answers Prayer… As a child I learned the song about “God answers prayer in the morning, God answers prayer at noon, God answers prayer in the evening, so keep your heart in tune.” Today, I learned it anew.


I have been abiding in Christ and praying without ceasing as I walk this faith journey and both are precious, however, sometimes I need to remember to use our resources, you our prayer warriors. That is what happened on Tuesday. As I was praying and waiting upon the Lord in regards to the role and heady responsibility “I” have happily received from Jack, to serve as his advocate in the medical arena… I suddenly realized that we have prayer warriors, so I quickly shot an e-mail to our church for distribution to our Prayer Chain and Church Staff… then was able to let it go.


By the end of the day our local gastroenterologist’s nurse called me and Jack had 2 appointments scheduled here in Bellingham... this week Friday afternoon he will have a consultation with the Radiation Oncologist and next Wednesday afternoon, 3/4 he will see the Medical Oncologist regarding chemotherapy. Not only did God answer our prayers… but he gave us the doctors that were recommended to us, appointment times that were not only expedient, but the best possible for Ruth’s work schedule… and, and, and… immeasureably more than we can ever ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).


I was blessed to be able to go home and share the news of God’s answering prayer with Jack who continues to improve daily, gaining strength and enjoying new foods and the “concoctions” that he and sister Kristine have come up with that maximizes his protein intake and nutritional needs as well as providing tasty eating. His spirit is a joy to behold, blessing everyone he comes in contact with. He is the light of my life and the encourager of my heart.


Jack is looking forward to an outing tomorrow to the Senior Center in Lynden to share in his wood carver’s display of their current projects, followed by a visit to see his mother Doris. We are also planning to make an appearance at church on Sunday as we both have greatly missed worship and fellowship with our church family.


Our Daily Bread devotions yesterday were from Ruth 1:15-22, The first part of the passage is familiar and was part of our wedding vows, “urge me not to leave you… where you go, I go…” Later verses speak to Naomi’s faith and knowledge of who was in control of her life and journey through difficult times. She refers to God as the “Almighty” (Shaddai) which in Hebrew indicates God’s sufficiency for any situation… and also as “Lord (Yahweh) which refers to His faithfulness as the loving covenant-keeping God. In the midst of Naomi’s lament (you can supplant my name right here, LOL!) she never lost sight of the fact that her God was capable and faithful. I pray I will continue to “see” my Almighty Lord, El Shaddai Yahweh, in the midst of each day as Step by Step we Follow Him… and that we will daily remember His faithfulness. Again and yet again, God gives us the daily bread of himself that we need for the strength for that day. He promises not to give us more than we can handle, I am learning that what He means is to live in the moment which we can handle, not attempting to look beyond what He has giving for this day… when I do I can quickly become overwhelmed and it becomes more than I can handle, but when I am obedient to His word, it is never more than He knows I can handle. Our devotions ended with this quote drawing me back to Psalm 46:10:


“Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last. – von Schlegel


Once again we thank you for your faithful prayers! We continue to covet them for healing and strength for Jack… wisdom for the oncology doctors in how best to proceed with radiation and chemo therapy… protection against treatment side effects… peace and encouragement for the long haul… and that God will be glorified in it all!


We never cease to be amazed that God in His sovereignty is meeting our needs, as well those of people we love… providing Tim & Theresa’s a new home, contact with Jack’s daughter Ysenia, being with Bruce & Linda as they move to a new duty station in Virginia, and watching over each of our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, each and every precious one wherever they are.