Saturday morning update

Chris says: we are to rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice! Therefore, I try to find reasons every moment of every day for rejoicing, and I don't have to look far. I am rejoicing in the Lord's nearness this morning and His unfailing lovingkindness. I thank Him for such peaceful sleep, so few side effects from the chemotherapy, a two-day break from radiation oncology and some wonderful hours spent with our daughters last evening. I felt well enough to even risk a visit to a burger place called the Purple Cow, where I had food my doctors might have second guessed, such as a patty melt, onion rings, and a chocolate shake. Now you can see that the anti-nausea medicine really does it's work. The Purple Cow doesn't come close to Macs, but it was the nearest substitute! We came back to our temporary apartment and nestled in, and Lauren and I exchanged some musical favorites off of YouTube to each other. One of those I would like for you to hear is Faith Hill's "A Baby Changes Everything" from her new Christmas CD, especially as she sings the last lines that show how that special Baby changes our lives. Lauren has sweetly told me she would like to watch some college football on television with me today. We are making plans to attend Stonebriar tomorrow morning for worship (Chuck Swindoll's church), but again, we'll wish we were with cherished friends in McCook to worship and express our love too. Words continually fail me to express how grateful I am for you.

Please continue to pray that insurance issues are resolved quickly, and for safety as we drive a borrowed vehicle. Thank you to all of you who have had a part in loving and caring for our precious daughters. They are beginning to see why we are so in love with you all. Continue to thank God for Mike and Linda Hemp (my sister and brother-in-law), who seem so devoted to our family's well-being and my health. They made wonderful arrangements for us to stay in Dallas for treatment.

My life verse is Romans 8:31, "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?" What shall we say to hearing the shocking words, "You have a brain tumor," especially words fraught with such severity as glioblastoma multiforme? Words that tell us we'll be in treatment with radiation and chemotherapy, future uncertainties, present limitations, financial challenges and questions, time away from family, loved ones and ministry. What we can say is, "If God be for us, who can be against us!" It is not a question, is God for us? He categorically states He is, and asks rhetorically, "who can be against us?" He proved that as stated in the following verse, "He...did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?" Amen to God's promises.