Back to School

We just finished a week of Easter break for Ryan in school. It was so nice to just sleep in everyday and have no schedule. I love just hanging out with my family!!! Chris had a business trip Thurs and Friday in Las Vegas and I flew out to spend 2 days with him. We caught a show and had fun just being together. His job is very demanding and his year ends June 30th, so from here on out he works all day, eats dinner and works till 11:00pm. He also helps me with the kids sooo much. Pray that he is able to with stand the stress of all this over the next few months. I have been feeling OK over the last few weeks. The most pressing problem is that the Chemotherapy has caused havac with my platelets (which are at 56, normal being 100-440). I can not be on Gemsar or Oxiliplatin right now until my platelets come up. So this Thurs. I will have to skip Chemo or get treated with other drugs that do not eat my platelets so fast. ie:Avastin/Tarceva or Avastin/5fu or Avastin/Xeloda. We will see. I did go see a Holistic doctor yesterday that took a strand of my hair and tested the DNA to find vitamin deficiencies, pesticides, metals, food allergies etc... I got some vitamin whole food supplements from him and learned a lot of interesting things from him. Dr. Robert Steiner 909-244-2489.
Some prayer requests:
1. My platelets come up.
2. The right chemo is used as we switch drugs and that it will be effective.
3. Scan in 2 weeks (good results)
4. Prayer for strength for Chris.


Thanks for your prayers.
Val

Jesus Changes Everything

Pierhead Light. Saint Joseph, Michigan

When the stone was rolled against the door of the tomb, Mary of Magdala and Mary the mother of Joses are the only followers of Jesus reported to be there. Where are the twelve apostles? Where are all the men? Except for Joseph of Arimethea and Nicodemus who carried Jesus from Golgotha to the tomb, they are all hiding in fear.

Throughout history, it has always been the women who hold society together while the men tear it apart. Even during Jesus' trial, the wife of Pilate interceded on His behalf. Women, by nature, beloved, have an attitude that is much more in tune with the heart of God. Fearless, honest, compassionate.

Since the Sabbath began on the day of Jesus' death, everyone was required by the law to "rest" From Friday sunset until Sunday sunrise.

But these same two fearless women are found violating the law. Matthew tells us (28:1) that before dawn on Sunday they were back at the tomb to anoint Jesus' body for burial, clueless as to how they would remove the stone.

We can only wonder how they felt as they approached the tomb and saw the stone rolled away. Entering, they find a young man arrayed in a white robe sitting on the right. He utters the words that the universe has been waiting to hear. The words that change everything forever, "why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not hear. He is risen."

In an instant, everything is changed. Isaiah's prophecy is true. Jesus' announcement that He is the fulfillment is true. We are forever changed. No more shades of grey, only black and white. As these women fearlessly chose to stay close to Jesus, now we can do the same. And as you do, beloved, day by day you will see the truth of the hymnwriter's words;

TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS, LOOK FULL IN HIS WONDERFUL FACE. AND THE THINGS OF EARTH WILL GROW STRANGELY DIM. IN THE LIGHT OF HIS GLORY AND GRACE.

Jesus changes everything.

Bad News

Saint Simon's light in Brunswick, Georgia was built in 1811, destroyed during the Civil war, and re-built in 1872. The light from it's 104 foot tower carries good news to mariners at sea.

In the 8th Century B.C., The Prophet Isaiah spoke of the joy of bringing good news to those desperately hoping for it.

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, Your God reigns!"

What was the good news? The answer came 800 years later in a Jewish synagogue on a Sabbath Day in the City of Nazareth. Jesus stood up to read. He unrolled the scroll of the Prophet Isaiah and read,

"The spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Then He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, sat down, and said:

"Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing"

Last night, Val and I went to "Resonate", a Good Friday Service at Emmanuel Faith Church. It was not good news. Jesus had been put on trial, illegally convicted, beaten, executed by crucifixion, died, and was buried.

What a wasted life! Nothing good would ever come from this. Isaiah's words were empty. Jesus' claim to be the fulfillment of the prophecy proved impossible.

True, some very odd things happened that day. From noon until 3 pm, a strange darkness fell over the land. When Jesus died, the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom. There were earthquakes. Tombs were opened, dead bodies came back to life and were seen by many people in Jerusalem.

But still, Jesus was dead, wrapped in linen, and buried in a tomb. Sealed and guarded by a Roman Custodian, a squad of hand-picked soldiers.

Bad news.

Update

I am feeling good these days. On my off Chemo weeks, it is crazy what normal life I lead. Kids at the park, Costco runs, B-Day parties...etc. Then Monday comes on the week I am supposed to have Chemo and I start to prepare mentally. On some days I wish I could have "Ground Hog Day" everyday. Even though I would have to do the same day over and over, at least I could stay in the moment. Anyways, I did have my blood tested this week. The platelets look good but the White blood cells were down. My doc is not worried about is. She thinks it will come back up. I have Chemo on Thurs. this week. Theraspears have been put on the back burner for now. They can not do chemo at the same time so they want to wait for a while. We are looking further into risks etc... It can damage healthy liver as well. I am going to get an MRI on my next scan and my surgeon is going to review that MRI with the one I had in Oct 2005 to see exactly where I am at. So for now, I am on Chemo. I had a few good work outs this week. They take my mind off cancer and make me feel like I am in control of my body. I have been trying to do some imagery and meditation but so far I get so relaxed I fall asleep. I might have to try this sitting up. Thank for all the prayers and thoughts. I appreciate them so much. I was at a B-day party and was talking with someone who did not know me but was friends with one of my neighbors. She said she had been praying for me. It is very overwhelming the reach of the prayers. Thank you so much!
Val