Great news!!

We have wonderful news regarding my brother JIM. Yesterday he received the results of the CT scan he had on Monday and it was CLEAR—meaning no sign of a tumor or cancer activity!! We are SO relieved and thankful to the Lord. He will likely have a CT scan every few months to keep a close watch on his status.

He drove out to Palm Springs yesterday to work on his income tax at our folks’—a tedious task that will be lightened considerably by this good report!!

KIM had her fourth chemo treatment this morning and Super Auntie Barb has moved back into their home for a few days to help take care of the kids while Kim rests. She’s anticipating that the next week to ten days will be difficult, so your continued prayers are much appreciated.

And BOB and I are doing well and enjoyed a few walks in the sunshine this week. Here’s a picture of Bob when we walked on the promenade and pier in White Rock on Tuesday. For those of you who aren’t familiar with our lovely coastal city, the famed “white rock” can be seen in the distance just to the left of Bob.

Bob's new second home!!

Last week BOB was introduced to his new "second home" as he began to get his dialysis treatments at a community clinic just five miles from our home. Here he is all hooked up and relaxing in a lovely recliner instead of a hospital bed!

He goes to Panorama Community Renal Unit three evenings a week--Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Since Valentine's Day was on a Tuesday this year, we had a special dinner the night before. Bob barbecued steak and it was delicious. That was topped off with his all-time favourite dessert pictured below!!

We continue to marvel at God's love and goodness to us and for the gift of one another's love and companionship on life's journey.

KIM is beginning to count the weeks until she will be finished with chemo. Her third chemo (two weeks ago) really took a lot from her, but after nine days, her energy and enjoyment of life slowly returned and this week she even rode her horse!! Her fourth chemo will be next Friday, Feb. 24th, with two more chemo treatments following that. Tim is holding down the fort amazingly well, and with the help of Auntie Barb and the support of friends and church family, they are doing well.

JIM is gaining in strength and is riding his bike almost an hour each day. Getting out in the sunshine on his bicycle is great therapy for both body and spirit. He's trying to eat several small meals throughout the day and is managing to maintain his weight (which is at least 25 pounds under what he used to weigh). Next week he'll have a CT scan and bloodwork, and we're hoping and praying that there won't be any evidence of cancer activity.

We'll update the blog again next Friday, unless there's something special to report sooner. Thanks again for your love, support, and prayers for us.

1000 Gifts

In her book, 1000 Gifts, Ann Voskamp has helped many including Carol and me to cultivate an inner posture of thankfulness. One year ago this month I checked into the Emergency Dept. of the hospital in White Rock, feeling increasingly unwell. That began the saga of the past year that has included many weeks in hospital, needle pokes, surgery and health-care professionals attending to my needs. And today dialysis is a regular part of my week, and chemotherapy is on hold until my bloodwork and body suggest it is needed again. My strength is increasing, renewed each morning, and I am without pain. I believe God has been at work giving me his health for each day, and I feel as though I have 1000 gifts for which to be thankful. Beyond the physical renewal, I'm grateful to have experienced the reality of the presence of Christ in my life. A couple of years ago it was my deep desire to experience this at a new level, and God designed the right "school" for me.

A year of laying low, being dependent on the direction of others, takes a lot, but it also gives a lot. I'm immensely grateful for the many wonderful caregivers in our amazing health-care system: I don't have any complaints. I'm indebted to a host of friends who have expressed their concerns and prayers on my behalf. My amazing wife Carol and my kids and grandchildren have been gifts to the spirit without equal: I'm blessed.

Now the challenge is to "get on with my life." My health is stabilized and improving, and it is time to re-engage. I'm reflecting on and listening for the clues of what that should be. For each day that God gives me I want to be His influence for good in this world.

God is completely trustworthy and good. His best gifts are never withheld but given freely the moment they are needed.

Bob (for your regular 'reporter' Carol).

Back Home

I arrived home late this afternoon after a wonderful nine days with my folks in Palm Springs. Mom is gaining in strength as her ribs heal and the bruises on her face are fading too.

Jim came out to the desert for three days and it was so good to see him again as well. He's gaining in strength--a little more slowly than he'd like though. Here's a picture of the two of us with Mom and Dad and also a very good friend from my high school years!

While Jim was with us, he and I picked over 100 pounds of grapefruit in about 20 minutes from trees in the backyard of a friend's home!! I brought home a suitcase full of grapefruit. Oh, they are SO good!!

Bob just phoned from Edmonton and he sounded amazingly well considering the busy weekend he's had. It's been over a year since he's had this kind of involvement and we were wondering how he would fare. Apparently the workshop went very well and everyone, particularly the lead pastor, was thrilled with what he presented. The board all gathered around Bob and prayed that God would restore his health so that he could continue to use his gifting to enrich churches and help promote board health. He was so encouraged!!! He flies home tomorrow morning and will go for dialysis in the afternoon.

Kim had her third (out of six) chemo treatment yesterday and is again finding that it makes her extremely tired for the first week. Barbie's there to help Tim with the children and friends and their church family are once again bringing a meal every day for a week.

God is GOOD!! Yesterday when I was shopping at Target, I talked to a black lady who was collecting money for a shelter for battered women in the desert. She was a sweetie and in our conversation I shared about the challenges we've faced this past year and the fact that God is good. She gave me a marvelous retort when she said, "Honey, food is good, GOD is GREAT!" I couldn't agree more!!