January 12, 2012

First update of 2012!

We had a wonderful Christmas with our family. Two new grandbabies and a three year old really made the Christmas celebration special. How God has blessed us in these past three years. So many gifts of joy and love. Lois and I pray each morning a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of "one more day" to enjoy and serve. 

Visited Mayo on Tuesday. The pet scan revealed multiple nodes with uptake in neck, under arms and in abdomen which were small with slight changes overall. Dr Letendre said that it appears to be a "slow burner" at this time which was good news. He wants to check progression in four months.

Giving thanks and praise for a report that the lymphoma is a "slow burner" at this time. I have ongoing affects of "chemo brain". Sounds weird but it really exists.

Thanks for all the prayers and words of encouragement in this journey.
Blessings in the New Year! Don't miss the joy of each day of 2012

November 5, 2011

It has been a wonderful fall. We prepare tonight to "Fall Back" on the clock. We have been fooling ourselves that our days were longer but tomorrow reality will set in. Evening will come earlier each day until late December. I find the days between now and December 21st are some of our best days. Thanksgiving will be here soon and then we prepare for the Christmas season. It is a season of anticipation and expectation. Joy, giving thanks and celebration will fill the days ahead. Don't skip over a day or hour during these days. Savor them and hold them close. 

Lois is doing well. She had to have a hip replaced about 10 days ago. It was affecting her back surgery of last year but seems to have been a good a decision for the future. What a trooper she has been with the two surgeries in the past year. No doubt...women are tougher then guys :-)  Lois, I'm amazed by you.

October 2nd 2011

My son-in-law, Colin is currently running the Mlps-StP marathon...uff da. He has trained for the run but still the unknown lies ahead in each step of the 26 miles. His comment last night as he was doing the "carbo load" thing was that no matter what he would be ok in the fact that he "ran the race."

Life is a marathon. Will we "run the race" in the assurance that Jesus ran it first for us? The lyric from an old hymn written by a man who had lost his whole family in an ocean crossing says..."it is well with my soul." Experiencing Jesus' hands and arms in the midst of the unknown is promised by Jesus in his words..."Lo I am with you always."

Tomorrow will be the first anniversary of my father's death. It is his birth into life eternal with Jesus too. My family will remember him as one who mastered the "marathon of Life in Jesus' and one who helped us to "run with perseverance" and hope. Life is not fair. It can be cruel. Yet we run in the promise that no matter what Jesus is right there by our side or holding us. We run looking forward not back to finish the race set before us for "it is well with my soul."
Blessings and thank you for all your prayers.

September 17, 2011

Tomorrow would be my parent's 70th wedding anniversary. Wow! To be so blessed. We are enjoying having Mom at my sister's for the weekend. Lots of fun and sharing. Family is a great blessing as we are bound together in life and faith. Hope abounds today.
    9 Two are better than one,
      Because they have a good reward for their labor.
       10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
      But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
      For he has no one to help him up.
       11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;
      But how can one be warm alone?
       12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
      And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Visited Mayo on Monday. The PET scan reveal multiple nodes with uptake. Small nodes so will watch 4 months then take new PET. Blood work and exam where positive so consider it good. My oncologist felt it was a "slow burner" so was confident to wait. Pray for "fire" to go out. How's that for a metaphor?

August 10th, 2011

Psalm 118.24
This is the day that the Lord has made;
   let us rejoice and be glad in it.

What a beautiful morning in Minnesota!
Sunshine, low humidity and a slight breeze...God creation is at its finest.
Give thanks. Drink it all in. Life is everywhere you look today.
May the troubles in our lives be overwhelmed by the presence of Jesus, the Master of Creation.
May our hearts be filled with gladness and hope.
May our lives reflect Jesus' presence today.
May we remember..."Joy is the echo of God's life in us."

July 29th 2011

Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days...Deuteronomy 30.19b-20a


We have been busy with our family in July. It's summer in Minnesota so lots of family time for most of us cold weather people. Some pictures of family may help. God has provided the gift of life and healing for Lois and me. We are so grateful for these days in our lives.

June 21, 2011 God's gifts and grace shown our family...

Jaelyn and Easton out shopping with the girls

Jaelyn

Easton Napping while Mom does house work

Easton the "Puppy"

Jaelyn all dressed up

Haakon reading a book to Mom

Haakon helping Dad mow the lawn

 Haakon is a big brother

God's gifts and grace shown our family...