Sorry that I have been away...

Sorry for the big gap in posts. Here is the update: We spent last week at Hilton Head as a family and had a great time with wonderful weather and a very relaxing time! It is truly a expression of God's grace to be sitting by the ocean, with the family all around and Jenny feeling well.  Because of the vacation, Jenny got to skip a week of Chemo, which was a great break. This week, I had to go out of town for a couple of days and Jenny's sister. Maria was here to take her to the infusion center.

After that infusion as well as the last dose a few weeks ago, Jenny was hit with some pretty strong nausea, which had not happened with any of the previous sessions. So, please pray that her system would allow the chemo to work without making her get sick.
We just finished cleaning-up from Grace's (our daughter) high school graduation party, where we had about 50 of her friends over for Jones Soda, Pizza, and Homemade Pies. It was a wonderful time of sharing how Grace's friendship has impacted those around her, and sharing in this rite of passage. The picture below is Jenny with some of her girl friends at the party:

Jenny and Her Girl Friends (Jenny 3rd from right)

Maria is getting ready for the cross country bike race and was out training this morning right after the sun came up. Continue to pray for her as she prepared for this massive undertaking - there has been a facebook page set-up for those that want to pray for Maria as she rides - https://www.facebook.com/groups/371043566340255/ so that you can stay involved the whole way across america.

Everything is going well!

Jenny went in for another round of Chemo yesterday, and everything is going well. I was out in the mid-west traveling on business, so Jenny 's parents were here, and they took her over to the appointment, which was very much an evidence of God's grace for us. Another kindness that we experienced this week was having out dear friend of over 25 year, Bob Kauflin be able to stop by and visit with Jenny, it was a very encouraging time. 

We hear from Charlie and TIm as they are working their way back across the country, they are catching up with some of our Paparella and Troncale cousins in Pennslyvania for the last couple of days, ending up in Washington DC with the a huge event to support the

2013 Race For Hope - DC 5k Run/Walk - Sunday, May 5 - Washington, DC

We are looking forward to having them back...

Thanks for all  of your care and concern. Finals week for all of the mulligan scholars next week and then it is off to Hilton Head for a family vacation! 

Really Good News on Today's MRI

So we got a look at the first MRI since Jenny started the new Chemo + Avastin and everything looks really good. We contrasted it to what things looked like after the first month of just Temador, and there was a great deal of improvement. The activity around the tumor was greatly diminished and the swelling that is caused by that activity was reduced substantially. So, this is great news, and really the best for which we could have hoped. The dosage of Chemo is actually going to be reduced a little to see if the side effects (mostly fatigue) can be reduced, while still enjoying the full benefits of it's impact on the tumor. 

What this means for Jenny is that the impact of the swelling and tumor activity, which include a diminished memory and increased apathy will continue to be manageable as long as this combination of medicines continue to be effective.

God's grace continues to be showered upon us as the new medicines seem to be doing their job. Thank you for all of your prayers and support! Much to be thankful for!

The Pre-Race Drive Across America

Here is that Charlie, Tim, and two of their friends have put together to discuss their drive across america to raise awareness for the race across america.

We're going to be on a Radio Show Tomorrow (4/10)!

We have been given an opportunity to share our story on a blog radio show tomorrow between 3:00 and 4:00. It will be an opportunity to share our experience of God's grace during this journey. Along with us will be Jenny's sister Maria, our son Charlie, our pastor Nick Swan, as well as the Oncologist that has been treating Jenny. 

Pray that it will be a great opportunity to both increase awareness for the cause of brain cancer research and impact the listeners for the gospel. Thanks

You can listen in at http://www.hallicasser-jayne.com/ - anytime after 3:00 tomorrow.

Oh Happy Day!

It is a catchy little song that we sing at the Sunday service - "oh happy day". As we go through today, the day that we celebrate Jesus' victory over sin, death, and the plans of the enemy, I want to remember that 2000 some years ago, God changed history forever. History to us - to Him, a sovereign plan...Yesterday, today, and forever - the difference is monumental to us, but to Him... the act of His son on the cross is as effective today - for the trials, difficulties, and temptations, as it is to whatever tomorrow will bring, and is comprehensive for anything in our past causes us question His love for us.
Today we celebrate the complete work of our Savior, who died, rose, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, providing provision for our past, present, and future... Oh Happy Day!

God's Faithfulness

Today was the third visit to the Infusion center to get another round of the cancer fighting cocktail. Today's visit was much shorter than the last two, for which we were very thankful - a small grace of God, which we enjoyed. 

We have been covering Genesis in the Sunday morning messages, we just finished chapter 17 and the first half of 18. It starts with God declaring himself Almighty (17:1) , showing that he is able to uphold is promises to Abram and ends with Him proclaiming "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (18:14)

It is not a wonderful provision of the Lord to know that his promises are sure, because His ability is without bounds? We continue to see his faithfulness everyday, in his work in our lives, in our family, and in our community. Regardless of the trails that we face, his love endures forever! It is not a complicated truth, Lord, help us simply trust you...