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!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Thursday, March 21, 2013
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...
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...
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Five Months In...
Today Jenny spent another four hours in the Infusion Center today. She has done really well handling the new chemo and avastin, for which we can be very thankful. Please pray that she continues to progress and gains energy in the coming weeks. Her blood test showed that her body is holding up well.
The next MRI is scheduled for April 21st, which will be after the third IV chemo treatment, we are hopeful that that MRI will show a reduction in the size of the tumor, or at least that it has not increased in size.
I was looking back at the first post on this blog, which was October 2nd, 2012 - only 5 months ago, so much has changed in our lives, we know about things of which we would have preferred to remain ignorant, we have also experienced a totally unbelievable outpouring of God's grace, mainly through those that God has put around us. Your support, prayers, and constant care sustains us and gives us a picture of the body of Christ, with all parts working together to bring glory to his name.
We sang "Great is Thy Faithfulness" last Sunday, and they words have never been more true for us:
Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!“
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Amen!
The next MRI is scheduled for April 21st, which will be after the third IV chemo treatment, we are hopeful that that MRI will show a reduction in the size of the tumor, or at least that it has not increased in size.
I was looking back at the first post on this blog, which was October 2nd, 2012 - only 5 months ago, so much has changed in our lives, we know about things of which we would have preferred to remain ignorant, we have also experienced a totally unbelievable outpouring of God's grace, mainly through those that God has put around us. Your support, prayers, and constant care sustains us and gives us a picture of the body of Christ, with all parts working together to bring glory to his name.
We sang "Great is Thy Faithfulness" last Sunday, and they words have never been more true for us:
Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!“
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Amen!
Monday, February 25, 2013
Post Infusion Report
Jenny is doing well handling the new chemo + Avastin. She is ramping down her steroids, which reduce the swelling, which we have found she is very sensitive to, so we have to monitor that closely. There have been no major side-effects of the new treatment, just some minor stomach upset and a little up-tick in fatigue, so that's wonderful.
The next treatment is next week (3/7), so we are hoping for a quiet few days here. Really nice visit with Jenny's Parents and my Dad, and the boys are doing a great job of taking time out of their busy schedules to spend time at home, which Jenny really enjoys.
Thank you all so much for your continued prayer and support.
The next treatment is next week (3/7), so we are hoping for a quiet few days here. Really nice visit with Jenny's Parents and my Dad, and the boys are doing a great job of taking time out of their busy schedules to spend time at home, which Jenny really enjoys.
Thank you all so much for your continued prayer and support.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Today at the Infusion Center
Today is the first infusion (medicine given by IV) for Jenny. The infusion center is kind of unbelievable (see picture below). The staff here have a real kindness and compassion about them, and every effort is made to make the treatments as comfortable as they can be. Because this is the first treatment, they have to give the medicine at a very slow rate to be able to determine if there are any reactions to any of the new stuff, so we will be here for about 4 hours today.
God has been providing grace for each step along the way, please pray that the Chemo (CPT-11) and Avastin work the way that they should, with minimal side effects . We have Jenny's parents here, and my Dad has re-arranged his travel plans to be able to spend the night with us. So, this morning while we are at the infusion center, Joe (our 13 year old) and Jenny's mom are making a huge pot of spaghetti sauce and meatballs for a family dinner tonight - which might be better for the soul than anything that modern medicine has come up with....
 |
| The activity room at the infusion center, looking out towards the wellness garden... |
God has been providing grace for each step along the way, please pray that the Chemo (CPT-11) and Avastin work the way that they should, with minimal side effects . We have Jenny's parents here, and my Dad has re-arranged his travel plans to be able to spend the night with us. So, this morning while we are at the infusion center, Joe (our 13 year old) and Jenny's mom are making a huge pot of spaghetti sauce and meatballs for a family dinner tonight - which might be better for the soul than anything that modern medicine has come up with....
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
2/13 MRI Follow-up Results
We just got back from the last update with the oncologist, looking at the last MRI, taken on Monday, it seems that the pill based chemotherapy was not being very effective. It was clear that the tumor has
started to grow again. Clearly, this is not the news that we were hoping for, but we were not terribly surprised based on Jenny's energy level over the last week or so.
The next treatment option is the IV
chemotherapy, so starting on the 21st we will start the IV visits every two weeks.
This down-side of this new treatment are potentially more side effects and more time spent in hospitals, since each IV visit is roughly 3 hours long.
Please pray that Jenny continues to experience God's Grace through this time of transition and change (which is not her favorite thing). One observation of God's Grace that we experienced today was a very kind nurse that shared with us her faith in God's healing power and sustaining grace, which was very encouraging and timely.
Thank you all for your continued care and concern.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Back from Mexico, Busy Week Ahead
This was the view of the beach in Mexico! 
We had a wonderful time, it was very relaxing and a nice time together away from the cares of the world. This week is a busy one for Jenny. Tomorrow morning (2/11) we go in for an MRI in the morning. The doctors are hoping that this will provide a clearer picture of what is going on than the last one, since the last pictures were a little cloudy - due to the impact of the radiation treatments. On Wednesday (2/13) we will go in to get the results and discuss any changes in the MRI from last month. I'll let you know what we find out. Thanks for your continued care and concern!
a very tan Ray and Jenny...
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