Prayer Alert! God has made it clear...

... that Jody is to have stereotactic radiosurgery... and have it soon! God provided a cancellation that allows us to have this procedure much sooner than we could have imagined - and we are so grateful.

We leave town tomorrow night, appointments Friday and maybe Saturday, then the surgery is booked first thing Monday morning, June 5th.

Please pray that:

• The love of God and the gospel permeates us, and is contagious to those we meet.
• Discernment and patience reign while we navigate the medical maze.
• We exhibit strength to honor the Lord by not giving in to the temptation to fear anything other than Him.
• The protection and peace of Christ is manifest at all times while we are there, especially for Jody.
• We receive a skillfully rendered procedure. A team of doctors is required to perform this type of radiosurgery. I pray that they do the best work of their careers when my Jody is there!
• Travel and lodging is straightforward.

Psa. 28:6-7 Blessed be the LORD, Because He has heard the voice of my supplication. The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.

God's mercy in the war room...

Yesterday - after returning home from Alabama - Jody, Logan, Helga and I set up the "war" room - where we could make calls, fax records, analyze options, and most of all pray and thank God for His presence and His leading.

Our goal, mentioned in the previous post, was to discover God's will for who, where, when, and how to get Jody treated as soon as possible. Coming off the holiday weekend added to the difficulty in reaching our targets.

But nothing is difficult when our trust is rightly placed in Jesus Christ, who is almighty God.

We had a tremendous victory yesterday by the grace of God, in that by the end of the day we had made contact with every doctor on our list (except one who is out of the country) - and with the combined talents of my buds Nick and Don (research) along with Logan and Helga, we were able to transmit information and records quickly - all of which added up to us getting a date for radiosurgery with our preferred specialists!

We were able to get additional appointments too - thus making good progress on the molecular targeting agent front. One of those will be today! I praise the Lord for the encouragement and help - He is the "Captain of the heavenly host" - and is in complete control in our time of need. He is so merciful and faithful.

In my study this morning, I came across these words by Spurgeon commenting on Ps. 34:1 as my tears flowed during prayer:

"He who praises God for mercies shall never want a mercy for which to praise."

Thank you, Lord.

"O for grace to trust Him more..."

Hello from Alabama dear ones!

Many wonderful blessings have been ours since we arrived here. God has guided every step! We've had two incredibly helpful consultations. Both exceeded our expectations in ways that were profound.

On arrival we needed supplies, and frankly had low expectations of finding "fancy" organic foods for Jody - I mean - we're in Alabama! But our great Lord took us to the "Fresh Market", not unlike our favorite neighborhood market "Whole Foods"! We walked in and tears began flowing! Folks must have thought we were really odd. It had everything... and the market has only been there a short time! Talk about "beyond what you can ask or think!"

Is. 30:18 Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him.

Psa. 27:5 For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.

Matt. 10:29-31 "Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows."

In God's providence, Jody did not have the CT-Guided RFA procedure yet because the Fusion PET/CT revealed metastases that need to be dealt with first. I admit that sounds ominous, but it's really not when you compare our challenges with how great our God is!

Here's the news from the PET/CT Fusion which is by far the best diagnostic technology on the planet. It shows everything stucturally (CT) and metabolically (PET), then fuses those hundreds of images into hundreds of more images with staggering diagnostic detail. In the hands of a radiologist like the one we were blessed to see, you can learn anything you want to - about any part of your health - brain to toes.

1. Jody's mass in the lung has hardly grown in 10 weeks. It was 6.0 cm on diagnoses, and it is 6.2 now. By the standards for this type of cancer, it should be well over 10 cm by now! We praise God.
2. The other lung is perfectly clear. We praise God.
   
3. There are no other metastases ("mets") from the bottom of her lung to her feet. We praise God.
4. Jody is clear through her neck and glands right up to the brain. We praise God.
5. There's a small "met" in a rib that will need to be treated systemically. We praise God.
6. Jody has three isolated, small "mets" in the brain. These are treatable with specialized radiation technologies. We praise God.
   
   Ironically, Jody's only discomfort is her shoulder, which is not involved in cancer at all - just a little bursitis. And for that we praise God!
   

Psa. 16:8 I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

We'd appreciate your prayers along these lines...

No. 6 is the immediate priority. Please pray we'll find the right "Gamma Knife/Cyber Knife" specialist for her quickly. We have been told that - although serious - these lesions can be remedied in more than 80% of cases that look like Jody's. Lord willing, with those "mets" under control, we'll be able to refocus on CT Guided RFA for the lung.

In our second consultation we learned about all the newest molecular targeting treatments (systemic) for Jody. We will need to get updates on her pathology to find out if she is genetically likely to benefit from these. Please pray that the details in this regard come together quickly.

Jody and I have been blessed with Logan's company during this trip. The three of us have been praying and singing and laughing and crying and doing every normal thing that happens when trials test our faith - but God in His great mercy is here, and "He leads His dear children along." We are so blessed, and His praise shall continually be on our lips!

Is. 49:13 Shout for joy, O heavens! And rejoice, O earth! Break forth into joyful shouting, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people And will have compassion on His afflicted.

"Tactical Team" to Alabama

Dear Praying Friends,

We covet your prayers regarding our upcoming trip to Mobile. The Lord has provided us so much information, miraculously at times, with regards to a procedure we believe to be of significant benefit for my sweet Jody.

Mentioned earlier, it looks like Jody is a candidate for CT Guided RFA. It's not a picnic, but it is no where as invasive or complicated as surgery. It is a considerably new technique that has been gaining solid momentum for people in Jody's situation.

We have been speaking with doctors all over the country about this, including the pioneers of the field. Amazingly - in one case - with one who "never answers the phone!" He just happened to pick up when I called! (God is so good.)

We are leaving for about a week, with our dear friend Logan who has been so sacrificial (her husband Don too) - she has been running point for us since March, and Jody and I praise God for her giftedness. She has a way of making people that don't even know us fall in love with my precious wife! I guess that makes Logan our pre-publicity love slave or something. Ha ha!

Anyway, our mission is to neutralize Jody's primary lung tumor. We would sure appreciate your prayers along these lines...

• For a solid testimony. That God alone would get the glory as we attempt to live out Psalm 34... That our lips would constantly praise Him for what He is doing in our lives.
• For discernment. I so desire to be wise and alert for Jody's sake and God's honor.
  
• That our trip would be a success... even that our expectations would be exceeded! Along that line, that our praise would be constant even if the going gets rough, or if it doesn't work out, for some unforeseen reason.
• Smooth travel to and from.
  
• That the insurance aspects work out. Cutting edge treatments are synonymous with "not covered".

Thank you for your faithfulness to read this blog and to pray for us! Every day I beg the Lord to reward your prayers - for His glory, and our joy in Him!

God bless the bug man...

From my beloved Jody...

Q: What do John Wesley and our Orkin man have in common?

A: Well, not only do they share faith in Christ, but John Wesley is also the name of our Orkin Pest Control man!

He came the other day to do his monthly spraying. I have not seen him since my diagnosis, but a few months ago we did have a delightful conversation as we discovered that we were both born again believers! That day we praised the Lord, and before he left I gave him a copy of "Saints in the Light".

This time he asked me how I was and I told him that I was having some very serious health problems. Before he knew any particulars he said, "Wait, just a minute! Don't go away!"

He quickly took off his gloves and the tank of pesticide that was strapped to his back. Again he said, "I'll be right back!" He hurried out to the Orkin truck, and he met me back at the front door with a worn, green spiral notebook. I told him that I was sorry to take him away from his work and he said, "This IS my work! This is my prayer notebook and I'm going to write down this request and we will pray for you at the Wednesday prayer meeting." I thanked him profusely.

Still on the front porch he started to take off his shoes telling me, "I'm going to pray for you now. I wouldn't just put you on the prayer list!" adding, "But I like to pray on my knees!", so I replied, "Well, come on in!"

We knelt at the ottoman in the living room and when I told him it was lung cancer he said, "That's no secret to God." He grabbed my hand and prayed a wonderful prayer about glorifying our Lord and being a great testimony in this trial. I was so blessed and elated!

Quite honestly, the previous Sunday evening had been a tough time for me. My husband held me as I cried out to the Lord for His grace to endure. And wouldn't you know it, the Lord provided a blast of gracious encouragement on that Monday morning as I was prayed for by one devoted, godly Orkin man named John Wesley! Thank You, Lord Jesus!

Please pray for John Wesley's son, John H. Wesley III. He is currently serving with all of our courageous troops in Iraq.

Endurance...

James 5:10-11 As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.

This week we pursue the will of God regarding CT Guided Radio Frequency Ablation. This appears to be a promising treatment and might apply to Jody. We covet your prayers. We have contacted the pioneer of the field (Dr. Sewell), and are following other leads as well.

God bless all of you who pray for us, and thank you for your comments - they are so very encouraging!

Prayer Requests #4

Dear Praying Friends,

Jody continues to do well and for that we humbly praise God. Your prayers are so needed and appreciated. We are overwhelmed by the peace of God in our home, which I can only attribute to the goodness and mercy of God, and your labor in prayer on our behalf. Jesus Christ, almighty God alone gets the glory for all that is happening in our lives!

1. Our next major "checkup" is June 14-15. Please pray for efficient travel and a good report.
2. Please pray for our ability to make every part of Jody's strict (and somewhat monotonous) regimen an act of worship!
3. Please pray for those who are being exposed to the gospel, some for the first time, some in more profound ways, as a result of our trial, that they would believe!
4. Please pray that Scott can continue to make sense of all the daily research; that God would make even contradicting evidence clear.
5. Praise God with us for the tremendous helps we have continued to receive! Pray that God would secretly and generously bless each person that prays and cooks and shops and gives and accomodates and visits and writes and on and on and on it goes!
6. Please pray for Jody to get consistent, restful sleep each night.

[ This photo is an outake from the "Saints In The Light" CD art photo sessions that Jody took; this image comes from our foyer, where the sun refracted through a sidelight window and created this image on the tile floor! It only lasted from 9:30 am for about 20 minutes, and only in autumn! ]

Jody's Blog Diversion #4

Once again, I humbly submit this blog diversion from
my beautiful Jody's inexplicable lens.

This one is unique not only because the subject is our beloved poodle Gladys,
whose tail moves so fast it defies all known shutter speeds,
but because of the naturally occuring optical artifact caught herein.

It needs a caption though... your thoughts?

The Faithfulness of God...

1Chr. 16:8 Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples.

1Cor. 1:9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

God has been so near to us - (I know it because I sense how sinful I am!) - and I'm so grateful. We are entering a new phase these days. A sort of "groove" has developed over these last few weeks, largely because God has placed loving supports all around us - through your prayers - to make our days more and more manageable. If the first phase resembled a shock filled whirlwind, during which floods of grace, supernatural helps and pure adrenaline helped us find the "groove" we should be in... this latest phase is more about staying in that "groove".

Jody and I were on a walk today praising God that staying, trusting and resting in the Lord is not achieved in our own strength. It was so freeing to rehearse with one another that the joy of the Lord is our strength. We continued to praise God for all the folks who have told us they are taking stock of their own lives - their own "blueberries" ;-) - and are seeking the Lord more diligently, or sharing their faith more freely as a result of our trial. What an unexpected joy for us!

[Photo is circa '91... not certain who took it... but as I go through our photos I am shocked how many of them occur in studios! I guess it's because, like Ray said, "It's what we do."]

I gaze at the Shulammite...

Prov. 18:22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing And obtains favor from the LORD.

Psa. 5:11 But let all who take refuge in You be glad, Let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, That those who love Your name may exult in You.

Psa. 150:3* Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre. Praise Him with the bellows whilst singing a holy song.

(* The best manuscripts include the italicized line.)

Photo from KKLA 25th Anniversary Event on the Queen Mary taken by Deborah Davis.

Prayer Requests #3

1. Still #1 - We praise our Lord God more and more each day, for His grace and mercy, and for entrusting this gift in the form of a trial to us! What a blessing it is to be weaned from the mundane concerns of this world. Rejoice with us!

2. The Lord has provided us clear direction in assembling a team of excellent doctors and practitioners. Please pray for the best wisdom and counsel from them.

3. Praise God for the outpouring of prayers, love and helps from the body of Christ towards us - this wonderfully honors the Lord and humbles us - and continues to daily! Thank you each and every one!

4. Pray that we can continue to organize and adjust our daily lives in such a way that Scott can go back to work... Answered! I am back to work. I am not back full force yet, but am so thankful that God has allowed this progress to happen. Spectrasonics has been so loving and accommodating - all I can do is thank you Lord Jesus. Please pray I can continue to ramp up my productivity back to normal, while still serving Jody. So far, so good!

5. Praise the Lord with me that Jody still has no pains or major symptoms. Her quality of sleep has been inconsistent, so we ask for prayer in this regard. We are trying some new things that will hopefully help.

6. Pray that we would not give in to any temptations to dishonor the Lord in any way during this time.

7. We are continuing our ongoing research into the latest treatments for lung cancer, digesting several books, and are asking the Lord for discernment. Pray for our ability to maintain our discipline through the current regimen which is so beneficial - but is challenging to maintain. We only want to glorify God, and not give in to our flesh!

Encouragements

Another week has begun. The Lord encourages us constantly through your prayers and correspondence. Jody and I are learning so much about holiness lately - particularly about how unholy we are! It has been a revelation - to be stripped of most everything of our former way of life and to realize how little we *actually need* in a temporal sense; how blessed we are; and how magnificent God is.

Had another wonderfully encouraging conversation with our pastor John MacArthur today. Such a loving, prayerful, helpful time. Among many things, we rehearsed the idea how trials prove one's faith. It made me particularly grateful that Jody and I - who are incapable of maintaining our faith in our own strength - are blessed by the Lord - even with the strength to believe and trust Him! Hallelujah, what a Savior.

1Pet. 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.