Today I am at chemo with Dad. It's the first day of his 5th treatment. We met with the doctor this morning before the chemo started. All seems to be going well. The next treatment schedule (that starts in 21 days) will be when he has another CAT scan and we find out if the chemo is doing its job and/or if God has gifted us with a miracle. You can imagine what I am praying for!
As is typical for Dad's first day of chemo, he is fast asleep in the chair beside me. He wakes up for a couple of minutes at a time and watches TV (he watches the price is right, bonnie hunt, and Steve Wilkos - who is a Jerry Springer spin-off). CRAZY TV.. but I still love him! LOL
I was away for the weekend on a worship team retreat (which was a fantastic time of learning and spiritual reflection) but while I was away Mom and Dad went to Patriot Place in Foxboro. They had a great time! They went shopping and walked through the Hall of Fame. DAD LOVED IT! Well, I think Mom did too.. LOL. He went with a couple of his friends (Sonny and Cindy) and met up with Uncle Russ down there. I can't wait to see the pictures. I think they liked it so much they are going to plan another trip. I love to hear this kind of stuff.. because it means that Dad hasn't given up hope! PRAISE GOD! As soon as they got home I called and went over to visit so I could hear all about it. He was tired, but excited while he was sharing about the weekend. It was awesome!
He told us that Uncle Russ may have a contact that will let Dad go to Foxboro and walk out onto the field. He is pretty excited about it. It would be super awesome if he could meet a player and get a tour.. but we are SUPER HAPPY with anything that brings him such JOY. God is answering prayers in bringing Dad JOY in lots of small ways since he got the prognosis in Sept '09. We are THANKFUL to God for the simple JOYS he has given Dad throughout this. We aren't sure yet when Dad will get to experience this particular thrill.. but we are hoping it will be soon.
Heavenly Father, thank you for Your presence in Dad's life - and in all of our lives! Today I purposefully pray for continued joy in Dad's life, for peace and comfort, and most importantly for HEALING of soul, spirit and body! I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, AMEN!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
January 15 2010
The new year is upon us and I haven't posted in two weeks.. Sorry about that. My intentions were to keep this blog up on a more regular basis. With the holidays behind us, I hope to pick it back up.
As I have expressed before, I am overwhelmed with emotion on this journey. There are days when I feel like I am a blessing to Dad and that I am able to be there for him physically, emotionally, and spiritually.. and yet there are days that I feel all hope is lost. I can't express clearly how my emotions unfold but I can tell you that it's been challenging.
My hope is that through all of this Dad will find the Glory that resides in God. I want him to know that His Heavenly Father loves him and is there for him. I know in my heart that all of that is true but my challenge is expressing it in a way that Dad can know it. My family is in constant prayer for him. He knows we are but I don't think he knows how to process it. He has never been a man of faith in anything other than what he can do and see. Like most of us, it's hard to live by faith. It's hard when so many people are lifting prayers up and the answer isn't clear. Wouldn't it be easy if when we prayed there was an immediate conclusive answer. Alas, God and faith do not work that way. John 20:28 tells us: blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. Doesn't that say it all. God made flesh knew the weaknesses of the human mind. He knows how frail we are. He knows how full of doubt we are at times. Today, I am praying that Dad will be blessed with assurance- that his and our doubts will be lifted because we believe.
Father in Heaven, thank you for being in our lives. Thank you for the blessing of family. Thank you for your word living in our lives. lord, in a world full of doubt where so many of us only believe in what we can see, feel, touch, and know I ask that Your presence will be made known to my Dad and my family. As we lift our intercessory prayers for Dad;s health let us NOT doubt that YOU ARE WITH US. Let me and my family remember the word you have given us in Deuteronomy 31:8 "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Father, I ask for healing for Dad. I pray that we will not be afraid or discouraged. I pray that Your presence be felt by us and that we live lives that will bring You glory! I lift this prayer to you, Oh Lord, in the name that embodies all that You have to offer us, Jesus Christ. Amen
As I have expressed before, I am overwhelmed with emotion on this journey. There are days when I feel like I am a blessing to Dad and that I am able to be there for him physically, emotionally, and spiritually.. and yet there are days that I feel all hope is lost. I can't express clearly how my emotions unfold but I can tell you that it's been challenging.
My hope is that through all of this Dad will find the Glory that resides in God. I want him to know that His Heavenly Father loves him and is there for him. I know in my heart that all of that is true but my challenge is expressing it in a way that Dad can know it. My family is in constant prayer for him. He knows we are but I don't think he knows how to process it. He has never been a man of faith in anything other than what he can do and see. Like most of us, it's hard to live by faith. It's hard when so many people are lifting prayers up and the answer isn't clear. Wouldn't it be easy if when we prayed there was an immediate conclusive answer. Alas, God and faith do not work that way. John 20:28 tells us: blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. Doesn't that say it all. God made flesh knew the weaknesses of the human mind. He knows how frail we are. He knows how full of doubt we are at times. Today, I am praying that Dad will be blessed with assurance- that his and our doubts will be lifted because we believe.
Father in Heaven, thank you for being in our lives. Thank you for the blessing of family. Thank you for your word living in our lives. lord, in a world full of doubt where so many of us only believe in what we can see, feel, touch, and know I ask that Your presence will be made known to my Dad and my family. As we lift our intercessory prayers for Dad;s health let us NOT doubt that YOU ARE WITH US. Let me and my family remember the word you have given us in Deuteronomy 31:8 "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Father, I ask for healing for Dad. I pray that we will not be afraid or discouraged. I pray that Your presence be felt by us and that we live lives that will bring You glory! I lift this prayer to you, Oh Lord, in the name that embodies all that You have to offer us, Jesus Christ. Amen
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