tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84037036349997917372024-03-12T21:30:31.784-07:00The Steps of a Good ManAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03963553687592011853noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403703634999791737.post-42483828813882978362022-01-20T06:46:00.000-08:002022-01-20T06:46:43.906-08:00HAPPY NEW YEAR?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--EWqjHIVZiU/YelxmrgYpHI/AAAAAAAAAcU/8LS6QSx_tKwgsSZkGXbwXMfWhjbZBS32wCNcBGAsYHQ/IMG_1767.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--EWqjHIVZiU/YelxmrgYpHI/AAAAAAAAAcU/8LS6QSx_tKwgsSZkGXbwXMfWhjbZBS32wCNcBGAsYHQ/IMG_1767.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div><br /> Hello, all, and Happy New Year. <p></p><p>When we think of a new year, we usually think thoughts of a new start, a fresh perspective, and moving on from old stuff to pursue new adventures. Some things from last year are better left back there, and we would just as soon put as much distance between them and us, as we can. With optimism, we imagine where we hope to get to this year. And, of course, there are also things from last year that we would like to continue to do and experience. But I believe that the thing that is most attractive about a new year is the idea of new beginnings and fresh chances.</p><p>But this past weekend, only sixteen days into the new year, I received some of the most devastating news I have ever gotten. I learned that our daughter had just found out that the cancer in her body, that we thought had been dealt with several years ago, was now back. As she told me the news, it seemed like the air was suddenly sucked out of the room. I was numbed. It was hard to breathe. My mind went blank. But the worst thing I felt was the familiar heavy feeling falling on my shoulders as I remembered the radiation, chemo, scans, visits to the hospital, surgeries, pain, infections, isolations, and just plain old sickness.</p><p>Initially, as I worked through the labyrinth of my own emotions of sorrow and anger, I also felt a sense of betrayal. The medical science that had tried to help her at the expense of the huge toll on her and her family, had failed. I thought, "Here we go again."</p><p>Medical science and treatments have come a long way, but still, they are not perfect. In contrast, the Bible says, in Deuteronomy 32:3-4, "I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God, Who does no wrong, upright and just is He." Somehow, that is where I want to be; fastened to the Rock and trusting in His perfection and faithfulness. My faith and my confidence are not in the doctors, the medicine, or the science, but on the Lord.</p><p>My hope in Him gives me optimism for our daughter, her husband, Shaun, and their kids. I can't come up with answers as to why the ugliness of cancer could steamroll over her and her family yet again. But I make a choice, a New Year's resolution, if you will. I will trust God with her life, her family, and all the things the months and years might bring.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bW9m_rGALwA/Yea_4Yl-ImI/AAAAAAAAAcM/643105PK02MzHoHmCRKqXBwmAM40VAYUQCNcBGAsYHQ/IMG_2139.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="407" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bW9m_rGALwA/Yea_4Yl-ImI/AAAAAAAAAcM/643105PK02MzHoHmCRKqXBwmAM40VAYUQCNcBGAsYHQ/w305-h407/IMG_2139.jpeg" width="305" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is Lisa with her family.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EBsPAsHpdbY/Yea99974P5I/AAAAAAAAAcE/kYh0J7_SfMMZ2X8MYEL2pnnFkOr0ROhIQCNcBGAsYHQ/IMG_3511.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EBsPAsHpdbY/Yea99974P5I/AAAAAAAAAcE/kYh0J7_SfMMZ2X8MYEL2pnnFkOr0ROhIQCNcBGAsYHQ/IMG_3511.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These are our children. Wonderful people!</div><br /><br /><br /><p></p>Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10612685781964060699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403703634999791737.post-39117825140853782522020-12-31T07:35:00.004-08:002021-02-23T04:06:43.332-08:00FOUR YEARS<p> It was just over four years ago when I asked the oncologist who had just confirmed that I had “aggressive prostrate cancer”, “What if I do nothing?” I thought it was a fair question, since neither of the treatment scenarios she was presenting sounded particularly enticing. It was hormonal therapy with radiation or surgical removal of the affected area. She said the hormones would cause hot flashes, swelling in my breast, and possibly diarrhea which could be an issue for the rest of my life. Surgery and removal could cause incontinence, impotence, and a slight risk of infection with the surgery.</p><p>So that is why I asked about doing nothing. Her answer was, “You would probably live for four more years.” </p><p>Now it has been four years. In that time I have preached hundreds of sermons, hugged thousands of people, conducted or attended several weddings, and helped several people through hard times and loss. I have traveled to Florida , Oregon, Washington and Idaho several times. I have ridden my bike thousands of miles in some amazing places; Jekyll Island, Daytona Beach, Cape Cod, the Peace Gardens, Hiawatha Trail, and even across the Royal Gorge. This week our first grandchild got engaged.</p><p>As these four years close out, I’m ready for four more. Four or even twenty four! More time with my wonderful Christina, more time to go to our grandson’s wedding, more time to ride and<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"> travel. I look forward to challenges and surprises and driving my tractor!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y_wC3qwBnUM/YDTu6pCKZKI/AAAAAAAAAZE/o1RDw4hivTcViz5dAufEJU3yuEHy0UJ7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/D41FA3EB-081B-4997-8420-54F893A5308D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="302" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y_wC3qwBnUM/YDTu6pCKZKI/AAAAAAAAAZE/o1RDw4hivTcViz5dAufEJU3yuEHy0UJ7QCLcBGAsYHQ/w402-h302/D41FA3EB-081B-4997-8420-54F893A5308D.jpeg" width="402" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Above all, I want to live every day for the glory of God. In this retirement phase, I want to be a blessing, not a burden.</p><p>God bless you in the new year!</p><p>Gil</p>Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10612685781964060699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403703634999791737.post-20259945372140878182019-11-19T15:26:00.000-08:002019-11-21T04:40:55.905-08:00A BIG ChangeI once had a lady tell me that she was unhappy with how things were in her life. I asked, "What's wrong?" She said, "Oh, it's just the 'same ol', same ol'." I think I understood what she was saying, and that she wanted more excitement and variety in her life. For a few years she chased a more exciting life, and, sadly, she realized too late how great her life had been. I have learned that when life goes along without a lot of drama, it is not such a bad thing!<br />
We have had a lot of drama and challenges in the last few years. Our daughter Lisa had very serious cancer that was discovered in 2014. That was awful! In 2015 I went to Russia and Kazakhstan with one of my Russian men from church. It was wonderful! Christina and I went on a flexuous trip to Florida in 2016, riding our bikes several times along the way. It was wonderful! At the very end of that same year I found out I had cancer myself. Not so wonderful. If you notice, life doesn't exactly follow a pattern. In between the times I mentioned, life just sort of went along, giving us a chance to catch our breath. Some of the drama that comes along, we get to choose; other stuff is put on us.<br />
And speaking of 2014, it was a hard year! In a space of twelve months, we had 18 funerals, and I officiated in most of them. Our family lost a niece and a brother-in-law. I lost 5 people from church. Too much drama! Too much pain.<br />
I think that most of us would opt for just the fun stuff and forget the sickness stuff, the painful stuff, and the loss stuff, if we could. Another cruise, another bike ride, another party, or another camping trip with friends would suit just fine, thank you! A trip to the city to see a show! That's the kind of drama we like.<br />
But that is not life. Life has its swings, its highs and lows. Ecstasy and disappointment. Bittersweet, a mixed bag, the good points and the bad. You catch happiness here and there on the way by.<br />
It's like growing old. There are blessings and perks with age, but there sure are challenges! But what is the alternative to growing old? As humans, we fight tooth and nail to hang onto life, and then we complain about how our life is. By the way, I had another glowing report from my latest blood test; <0.02 PSA!!<br />
Now, I find my life about to take another dramatic turn. I am going to retire at the end of April. After ministering in churches, prayer groups, Sunday Schools, reservations, hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons, I am going to be retiring. It is 45 years since I began my pastoral ministry. I was 23. God was very gracious to me then, and He still is! I have been the pastor of four churches and assistant in two more. Even when I was not in an official role of ministry, it seemed like God always found a place for me to be of service.<br />
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I don't know what life will look like a year from now, but I am sure that I will be working somewhere for the Lord, because whatever I do, I do for the glory of God. I look forward to the new adventures, but I am grateful for the people God has allowed me to touch through the years. I just hope this transition is without too much drama. For them, and us! A little "same ol', same ol'," please!<br />
God bless you all.<br />
Gil<br />
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Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10612685781964060699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403703634999791737.post-37931109914598577212019-09-27T07:08:00.000-07:002019-09-30T05:33:00.633-07:00A Trip to Oregon I just returned from a trip to see my sister, Ruby in Oakridge, Oregon. It was something I planned on doing, ever since her grandson died. I was going to go for the funeral, but she asked if I could come later, after the crowds and activities had dissipated. It worked out very well. I was able to jockey around the days I work at Pierce and Christina covered the Sunday service there, which made it possible to go without using any vacation time. I was able to take a Sunday vacation day off from church. So, for a very attractively priced flight, I was able to go for a whole week.<br />
One of the things we often do when our family members get together is sing. I had a good time singing two new songs with both Ruby and Wilma, although the time with Wilma was very short. One song was the one I wrote for Ruby and the other was from Jeremiah 33:3 (and verses preceding). Anyway, I got out the song I had written for Ruby and Fred that I mentioned in my last post and they both dutifully sang along. They are such good sports! Thankfully, I had the rough draft of this last part I knew the song I had written for Ruby needed. As often happens with me, During half my time in Oregon I would have edits pop into my mind just as I was waking in the mornings. Usually it was before I wanted to get up! But, thankfully, the song was ready for singing in church Sunday morning. If you'd like to hear it I believe you can find it on our church's Facebook page, or the page of the Oakridge, OR A/G Church. This is the last part.<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Refrain:</span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> But I need a miracle! I need the Lord to
undertake!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A
Divine Intervention, and my soul to extricate<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">From
the raging storms and rolling waves <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And
the fear that would o’erwhelm me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hear
my cry, hear my plea, I’m calling out to Thee.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
need a miracle from You; I need a miracle!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I search for answers when I’m
in a trial<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But in my heart I know You’re
all I need<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Instead of looking for a sign to
solve life’s mysteries<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">By Your grace, it’s only You I
see!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Refrain:</span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You are my Miracle!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You are the One who rescues me</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">From the depths of desolation You set my spirit free<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And though the wind still blows and waves still
roll<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I know that You will save me<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All my fears, all my griefs, I give them up to Thee<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You are my Miracle, O Lord; You are my Miracle!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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Whatever we face in life, I am sure that the Lord will get us through. I am blessed and amazed at how well all of my sister's family is doing. Contributing to their healing is talking often and freely about Ryan. They talk joyfully about the richness he contributed to their lives, rather than talking about how awful his loss is. There is no debate that he has left a big hole, but he also left a beautiful mark in this world, and that is their focus.<br />
A few years ago Amy wrote a beautiful piece that captures a lot of the emotion they are experiencing. I'd like to share it with you.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "lucida handwriting"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> SWEET MONTGOMERY</span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 107%;">by Amy Bourquin DiSalvatore</span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i>Death. It’s a weird thing. Predictable yet unexpected. Unexpected even when expected. Relief for some, feared by most. There are no rules. No rules for who or when or why. It is appointed to every man once to
die. Only no one knows his appointed
time. Death is part of life. And then life goes on. The hole, the pain, the emptiness remains,
but life goes on. Like I said, it’s a
weird thing.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i> My
cousin, Montgomery, had her appointment.
She was 22. It was
unexpected. She was simply getting ready
to take a shower and was gone before she hit the floor. Just like that. An autopsy showed she had a defect in her
heart since birth which went undetected.
Most people who are born with the defect don’t live past their first
birthday. Montgomery celebrated 22. Perspective is amazing. One minute you can feel utterly robbed,
thinking how could she die so young. The
next minute feeling like you struck gold to have had the 22 years, beating the
odds.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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Well, I don't want to run the risk of overwhelming anyone by having too many blogs from me. But I knew I needed to follow up the last post and finish the song.</div>
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Love to all,</div>
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Gil</div>
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<br />Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10612685781964060699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403703634999791737.post-18653161272892311222019-07-24T10:55:00.000-07:002019-07-24T10:55:10.482-07:00THE MIRACLE I NEEDI continue to thank the Lord for each day, each check-up, each appointment that shows no indication of cancer. I think of the time when I was dealing with the whole thing, including just being able to use the word "cancer" in context to me, was almost surreal. I mean, people get cancer all the time. I had to have some funky sun-damaged cells on my ears and forehead dealt with.<br />
But this was different. This was something I had to deal with. I was forced to look at my own mortality. I had to face the possibility of dying. I had to make a choice that was really trying to choose the lesser of two evils; surgery or hormonal treatment. But I was not given the choice to wait and see, or just do nothing.<br />
At the time, it was as though it was all happening to someone else, but not me! At first, it was what I read and what other people told me about prostate cancer. Right after the Gleason 9 diagnosis, but before treatment, I was thinking that it would be a great time to write a song. It was sure to be a great one! I tried. I worked at it. I could only get two lines:<br />
<i> So, this is how it feels to be somewhere in-between</i><br />
<i> A trial that could take me out and the miracle I need.</i><br />
I would drag out pencil and paper and write those same 23 words; nothing. I had them in the file of my flash drive that is called, "Songs in progress." As time went on I sort of gave up, and I had not really looked at those 23 words or anything in the file folder, for that matter, for the last several months.<br />
And then one day recently I got a call that informed me my sister and her husband had experienced a catastrophic tragedy in their family. As I got off the phone with her, my heart was heavy with their grief and sorrow. I felt some of her pain. It put me in mind of the people who were affected by my episode with cancer. While what I dealt with was <i><u>nothing</u></i> compared to what her family was/is going through, I knew there were people who were really hit with my trauma.<br />
I went back to that "Songs in progress" folder and looked at those words again. Then the rest began to come; to tell the truth, <i>Ruby's Song</i> is still a song in progress. Here is what I have so far. I'll explain what I still want to see the song do.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>I NEED A MIRACLE </u> </span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> ©2019g.bourquin</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">So
this is how it feels to be somewhere in between<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A
trial that could take me out and the miracle I need.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I
trust God’s steadfast faithfulness, and I know He can provide—<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A path
that leads me through this trial to the other side.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><sup><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Refrain:</span></span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">But I need a miracle! I need the Lord to
undertake!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
Divine Intervention, and my soul to extricate<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From
the raging storms and angry waves <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
the fear that would o’erwhelm me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hear
my cry, hear my plea, I’m calling out to Thee.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need
a miracle from You, I need a miracle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">No way
could I imagine just how hard the road could be!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The
pain is so incredible and it’s ‘way too hard for me!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Your
Word says that the darkest hour is just before the dawn,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And You’ll
fill me with hope and joy when the dark is gone.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">Several years ago, the songwriter Robert Gay wrote a song, <i>He's More Than Enough. </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was thinking that sometimes we want a miracle, even though we might not know what one would look like. We just don't know what we want and need. But all the while we are looking, hoping, praying that something will give us help, hope, and strength, it is God who is our greatest miracle. That He would come to us in our deep pain and gross darkness is nothing short of a miracle. I think the song I wrote needs some sort of response to that truth.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Another miracle in our lives is the love other people have for us. There are people who really want to share our burdens and loads. The Bible says, "Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ."<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Galatians 6:2</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, when I look at people's faces as they intently ask how I'm doing or think back to all the kindness we received during that time, I see so many miracles. Their caring and sharing is still amazing. There are still people who pray for me on a daily basis. I still have my sense of humor. I still like to eat blueberries; I hear they're good for a man's prostrate!</span></span></div>
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<br />Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10612685781964060699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403703634999791737.post-9663441312418332672019-02-23T04:17:00.000-08:002019-02-23T04:17:36.772-08:00Two years17,520 hours ago I was on my back on a gurney, listening to the bustle going on around me. I was being prepped for surgery that would remove my prostate. In 15,300 seconds I will be standing by an open grave doing the funeral service for a dear man who passed into Heaven three days ago. It is sobering, but also a source of joy to reflect that, but for the grace of God, I could be gone by now, too.<br />
I know that life is fragile from any angle we look at it. The only sure thing is God Himself. In Colossians God says, “<i>If, then,you are risen with Christ seek those things that are above where Christ sits at the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things of earth, for you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”</i> Facing our mortality from time to time is a good thing. It helps us loosen our grip on our ‘stuff’ just a little.<br />
I am still reeling in the gooseggs for the PSA tests! I’m “...walking in His power as through this life I go!” Tomorrow we are pointing our car south after church and going to Florida for a little while. It’s always good to “thaw out!” It is nearly time to tap the trees for maple sap (sugaring: another one of my vices😉) and I’m sure the peepers are about ready to wake up. Time goes along. We need to stay in the place where God wants us to touch the people He wants us to share His light and life with.<br />
Love to you all,<br />
GilGilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10612685781964060699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403703634999791737.post-43203621551153070232018-09-04T09:56:00.000-07:002018-09-10T03:42:42.281-07:00<span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">THE LONG RIDE</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">I don’t claim to be a great blogger. I am just not committed enough to it to learn the intricacies of posting pictures with ease, or even selecting </span><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">the pictures people might like</span><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> see</span><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">ing</span><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">. </span><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">And, of course, I wonder if anyone even reads it</span><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> anyway</span><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">. This post is not to amaze </span><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">or impress </span><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">people but give glory to God. </span><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">It isn’t that I don’t have anything to say, especially </span><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">on </span><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">my journey with Prostate Cancer. </span><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">I have things to say all the time, but I don’t apply myself to record them in writing. But </span><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">I am very grateful that I have come so far so successfully. Sometimes I even surprise myself!</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">I must tell you about my most recent visit with the urologist/surgeon who removed the offending member</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">, back on February 23, 2017</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">. </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">But </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">first </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">let me </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">start with </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">the Friday before that </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Monday</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> appointment. Sometimes the </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">phlebotomy</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">department </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">at the clinic </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">isn’t as fast as the one in Boston to get the results to the doctor by the time I see him. So </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">the </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">last time I was there </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">he suggested we go a day or two ahead of t</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">he appointment </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">to get the blood drawn </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">to insure he has the results in hand</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">. T</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">his</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> clinic where he goes once a month is at Foxboro</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">, right next to the stadium. That Friday there was a big concert going on at night, and the clinic would close at 1:00. </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">After a s</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">tring of amazing things </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">I was standing at the desk at 12:58! The nurse teased me and said they were </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">closed. Anyway, we just made it, and I got the blood taken.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Dr. Trinh is great!</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> I have gone to see him often</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">,</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> since I have to do periodic </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">blood tests</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">every three months </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">to make sure the cancer doesn’t come back. He is still amazed that someone who had such an aggressive form hasn’t had a </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">reoccurrence</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">. He </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">has assured</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> me that if it does show up there are treatments (Hormone </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">therapy</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">, Radiation) that can treat it. Of course, they come with</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> side effects.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">This past week’s blood test was </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">another </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">{ </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">PSA</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> <</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">0.02 } great test. As we chatted about the results he told me that since I was 1 ½ years out from surgery and I had only had good tests, even with how bad the cancer was there was only a 5% chance it would ever come back. He told me I will not die from prostate cancer!</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> I wasn’t worried, but it</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">was </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">still </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">good to hear!!</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">In fact, that called for a celebration! We did it in style, too. We drove across the Bo</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">u</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">rne Bridge at Buzzard’s Bay and rode 20 miles on the north segment of the Shining Sea bike path. We ate clam</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> chowder and stuffed quahogs. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Friday I rode (by myself) from Willimantic to East Hampton. It was 21 miles just to get there</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> and I thought,</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> “I still have to go back!” S</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">ince Christina was in Florida with her brother, I couldn’t call her to come pick me up somewhere. I was chasing around in my brain who else I could sweet-talk into ba</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">iling me out; Amy? Lisa? Bill? </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">when</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> right there </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">across the street </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">at the end of the trail was a bike shop</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">, Airline Cycles</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">I </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">have </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">this thing of c</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">ollecting socks from places that have</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> their shop name on them. I </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">already </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">have quite a few</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">, but you can never have too many.</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> <:-)</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">So, I parked my bike and went in to ask if they had any. They did and I bought a pair. </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Since I was there I told</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> the three people in there that I was a cancer survivor, and I wasn’t going to die of prostate cancer.</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> They thought that was wonderful (or at least said so) and offered me a bottle of water. I declined, but before I got back to the car two hours lat</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">er I was wishing I had taken it;</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> I had emptied my biking bottle.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">As I started that</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> ride back </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">toward the car I was filled with an awareness of</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> how great and kind the Lord was to me. There I was, riding along on the same</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> bike with the same seat that I used </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">in my </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">pre-cancer</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> riding time</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">. In fact most of my life is pretty much as it was before.</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> Those thoughts invigorated and energized </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">me for the ride back. It was my</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> longest ride since 2016, the second-longest ride ever. The other one was 53 miles, but on paved surfaces as opp</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">osed to stone dust on yesterday’s</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> ride.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Now it is the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. Tomorrow our family is going to be celebrating </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Lobsterfest</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">, a family tradition that we have been doing for </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">more than a decade. I will be there, by the grace of God! I will b</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">e able to enjoy the food and</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">many of the </span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">beautiful people that are part of my life.</span><span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> I even share DNA with a lot of them!</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">I pray your weekend is good. Thanks for reading.</span></div>
Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10612685781964060699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403703634999791737.post-86797475618480004942018-07-31T08:46:00.000-07:002018-07-31T12:47:29.844-07:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
THE RED
KNIFE<o:p></o:p></div>
Hello. It has been a long time since I have posted but I felt that I finally have something to say!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5GujfXRP3wY/W2CiDPjJo4I/AAAAAAAAAR4/eBzBfs-ih7o9RFHjbHEOj-z2AOknFl8XACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_5079.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5GujfXRP3wY/W2CiDPjJo4I/AAAAAAAAAR4/eBzBfs-ih7o9RFHjbHEOj-z2AOknFl8XACK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_5079.JPG" width="320" /></a> The picnic area.</div>
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I never cease to be amazed at how things can seem bad, but then we see it
from another angle, often hindsight, and it makes complete sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is as though things had to go the way they
went, even though we were distraught about it at the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will share a couple of examples.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Yesterday Christina and I went for a bike ride, something we like to do
when we can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This particular day we had
the whole day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We rode from East Granby
through the notch in the top of Connecticut and into Massachusetts. We made it
all the way to the northern end in Westfield, MA, at the Stop and Shop. I went
in and got a grinder, bag of chips, and Coke. We headed back down the trail
looking for a shady spot to eat our lunch of fruit and my newly acquired lunch.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
We settled on a spot where we could sit on a giant block of granite,
something left over from the days before the railroad, when an old canal ran
from New Haven to Westfield. We were within sight of the factory where Columbia
bicycles used to be made years ago. We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch and ride back to
the car.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
We drove the 20 miles to Costco, as we often do, to pick up some things. It has nothing to do with the story, but on our way to Costco we saw a bear!! Anyway, after we had shopped and we were
putting our purchases in the car I took a peach out of the box for us to share in the parking
lot. I reached into my left pocket for my knife so I could cut it…it wasn’t there!
Almost immediately I knew it must have fallen off the block as we were having
lunch. It was a nice Case knife and had a red handle.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2RYNAPGKSqI/W2CiJGO2ZsI/AAAAAAAAASA/rekC7DEk3ukAEfHql4HbTAqq8RLaXAxAACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_5091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2RYNAPGKSqI/W2CiJGO2ZsI/AAAAAAAAASA/rekC7DEk3ukAEfHql4HbTAqq8RLaXAxAACK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_5091.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">The knife</span></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">It took us 20 minutes to
drive back to a parking area near our picnic spot. As we drove I figured that
the chances for finding it weren’t that great. And like they say, finder’s keepers!! But I unloaded my bike and rode
the 1.2 miles down the path to the spot. And there it was!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
What if I hadn’t gotten the peach out of the box in the parking lot? What
if Christina hadn’t encouraged me to go look, keeping a cheerful attitude the
whole time? What if I had given up? BUT I <u>did</u> get the peach that needed to be cut,
Christina <u>did</u> gently push me along as we went, and I didn’t give up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
Another infinitely more serious event took place earlier in July. Maybe
once a year we have the Saturday night group from church over for a cookout. On July 14 we
gathered about 5 pm for hot dogs and hamburgers. As we finished eating there was a
commotion on the road in front of our house. As we investigated, we discovered
that a young man had been unable to stop his motorcycle at the intersection from going into the
path of a pickup and was struck. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
Several of our people were nearby praying. One of our men and myself
assisted a lady who was administering CPR. We were praying with him and for him
as he died. I prayed with the man’s grandfather who had walked to the scene,
and I prayed for the young lady who was driving the pickup that hit him. It
left our whole group shaken as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
But thinking back on that evening, what were the chances we would be at
our house on a Saturday night? Who would have prayed for him if we hadn't been there? We were supposed to be there so we could be praying
for that man. Only God knows what happened in those final moments of his life.
Did he subconsciously cry out for mercy, like the thief on the cross? More
personally, I wondered if I was spared from cancer so I could be there. I’m
just glad we were there. I’m glad it went the way it did. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m thankful for the wonderful people of God
who were over for the evening.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
Most of all, I am so glad that God has a great plan. I’m glad I know Him, and I pray
that I will be in His will for all my life. Whenever you are in a hard place, call out to Him. He will show you what the next step is.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10612685781964060699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403703634999791737.post-4252889352205000852018-02-07T09:42:00.000-08:002018-02-07T09:42:12.915-08:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A CONNECTION<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
When we go through something hard we might get the feeling that we’re the
only ones who have ever gone through it. In a sense, that is true. We are all individuals
with our own emotions, personalities, and previous life experiences that all
play into our lives who we are and how we react in various situations. It is
annoying to have a well-meaning person launch into a narrative about how they
knew someone in a similar situation to what we are in and how it turned out for
them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
Recently I knew of a lady who was with a friend who was waiting for results
of medical tests and, quite possibly, bad news. The friend of the sick lady said,
“I’m not worried! I’m ready to die.” She then told the poor lady all of her
plans; about the funeral arrangements, her burial plot, and headstone. Maybe it
was well-meaning but her timing really stunk!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
It is an odd thing, but now that I have survived a year beyond a cancer diagnosis
I have a lot more empathy for people who have cancer. I understand how it is to
try to navigate the mental and emotional landscape of the disease and focus on
what the next step is. Cancer is sneaky and it is not Step One, Step Two, and
Step Three; done!! It involves trying to understand the facts and pursue the
best treatment options. Then there are the blood checks and scans, seeing if
the illness is leaving, staying, or getting worse. It is looking over your
shoulder while, at the same time, trying to look ahead and be optimistic.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
I feel a connection to people who have, or who have had cancer. I have a
deep respect for them and their courage. Without saying a word, I understand
and feel comradery with them. I don’t care what brand of cancer they have. I
feel connected.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Soon we are going to be making
the drive to Florida to spend some time with Christina’s brothers, sister-in-law,
and another couple. We look forward to riding our bikes again. I am going to
work out and exercise to prepare my muscles to the idea of actually doing
something! Talking about bikes reminds me of something that happened a few
years ago. I call my story… <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">First Ride<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
We love
adventures! One of the best ways to be
assured a good time is with our bikes.
So, since the forecast was 57º for the day after Easter, I loaded the
bikes into the van before I went off to play golf with my guy from church with
the hope we could get in a ride later (if I got back from playing golf in
time). I got home about 2, and just
before we jumped in the car for the 45 minute ride to the bike path, I said
that we ought to bring raincoats because showers were in the forecast. Christina threw them in her gym bag, we got
in, and off we went.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
Arriving at the
East Bay Bike Path, the temperature was about 60º, the sky was blue, and we
were <i>so</i> happy to be breaking out of a
long <st1:place w:st="on">New England</st1:place> winter for our first
springtime ride. Raincoats? Nah!
We wouldn’t need them. We headed
down the path with a stiff breeze in our faces, looking forward to a cup of
Starbucks coffee and the ride back with the wind at our backs.</div>
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After a very
satisfying cup, we pointed the bikes northward from <st1:city w:st="on">Barrington</st1:city> toward the car. But alas!
The sky was very dark in that direction and the wind had shifted so it
was blowing right in our faces…again! After
a few minutes the rain started. I told
Christina to keep riding and I would go on ahead to get the car. She was to wait for me at an agreed-on
place. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
I rode as fast as
I could against the wind and the cold, biting raindrops. I reached the car, trembling from exertion
but happy to be where I could get warmed up.
The three mile drive to her was just enough time to get the car
comfortably warmed. As I loaded her
bicycle she said she would still like to go get something to eat to celebrate
finishing the Easter activities, as we had talked about before.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
We drove to
Haines Park to change and look for what we could put on. She had some sweatpants in the bottom of her
bag (under the dry raincoats) and a shirt.
She also had a dry Red Sox tee shirt.
I donned the Sox shirt and the pants from a suit we were intending to
drop off for cleaning. As I took off my
wet clothes I spied my Blue Tooth on the parking lot where it had fallen off my
ear. I picked it up and turned it off.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
Arriving at
Federal Hill, we prepared to get out of the car to go find a restaurant in
which to eat. I decided to take my Blue
Tooth along, but couldn’t find it. After
we ate and had a leisurely time relishing that first ride, we returned to the
car. We looked a bit more for the Blue
Tooth before we headed home. Arriving at
home we looked for it in more earnest, and then decided to look again in the
daylight.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
All searching
came up empty. Christina suggested that
we ought to go back to the Haines Park parking lot and look, so after an
evening Deaconate meeting we hit the road at 9:00 pm. Arriving an hour later, we scoured the
parking lot for about 20 minutes where we had changed the day before. Nothing.
Cold and bummed, we headed home.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
As we got out of
the car, we grabbed things that needed to go in the house; raincoats, a gym
bag, a little garbage, etc. Christina
picked up a pair of biking gloves, and there inside was the AWOL Blue
Tooth! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
Thankfully we
love each other and we put up with each other.
Also we are thankful that we consider something like going to look for a
Blue Tooth late at night an adventure, too.
Did an angel slip it into the glove?
Maybe. Did I just forget where I
put it? Maybe. But we choose to give God the glory that we
recovered it, and had fun during the hunt. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
God bless you all. Spring IS
coming!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
Gil</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CPd_OeLfyXI/Wns5twZkyFI/AAAAAAAAARg/VdNjXRG9QHo8cjDrxRd6QhXTS6j4NwU-gCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CPd_OeLfyXI/Wns5twZkyFI/AAAAAAAAARg/VdNjXRG9QHo8cjDrxRd6QhXTS6j4NwU-gCK4BGAYYCw/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10612685781964060699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403703634999791737.post-87704839924972221042017-12-29T08:28:00.002-08:002018-01-01T17:34:01.851-08:00You Call This Cold?<br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<br /></div>
<br />
We are in one of the coldest streaks in recent years, at least this early in the year. It is one thing for it to be cold for a night or two, but for the forecast to say there will only be subfreezing temps in the foreseeable future is not too inspiring. When I think of cold, my mind goes to a Sunday morning on January 9, 1977 at my first church in northern Wisconsin. The winters there were always cold, with the Jump River freezing solid and the first snow in late November still being under the subsequent layers through the rest of the winter. You could 'read' the snowfalls of the year when the snowplows cut the edge of the piles along the road. Each layer separated by a thin layer of dirt told the story of the winters' snowstorms.<br />
Cold weather was not foreign to us, either. The place where I worked part time in a garment factory asked me to help do an inventory of material around Christmas time. Since Bonnie and Lee were visiting from Connecticut, I asked Lee if he would like to pick up a little cash by helping with the inventory. It was a very cold day, with temperatures hovering around -10* all day. It is still hard for Lee to do any laughing at the mention of that day. He says it was the coldest he had ever been.<br />
But this Sunday morning was different. When I looked out the window at the thermometer attached to the outside window casing, I knew my measuring instrument must be broken. It couldn't really be -54*! We turned on the radio (we didn't have a TV then either) and heard in amazement that the sheriff's office in Cameron, about 20 miles away, was reporting -60*!! I called deacon Leland and together we decided it would be the only reasonable thing to cancel the morning service. We divided the names of our small congregation and called everyone we could think of. After I had done my calls I went outside to see what it was like. The morning was eerily and completely still. There was not a breath of wind. I could hear no motors running. I heard no voices. <br />
For a preacher to shift gears from preparing, both physically and mentally to go to church and deliver words of life from the pulpit, to doing nothing but stay home made me feel strange and guilty. Then about fifteen minutes after the morning worship was scheduled to begin there came a knock at our front door. There stood Lionel and Marylou with their two small children, Jathan and Vanessa. We pulled them inside as the icy air rolled in the door and across the room. They told us Lionel had gotten up early and milked his cows, gotten cleaned up and loaded his family into his pickup. The drive to church was 15 miles, with the four of them crowded in the cab of the red F-250. But there was no one at the church! “Where was everyone?” they asked.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UfgXYfmAlhY/WkZpcADgQzI/AAAAAAAAARQ/Zvas62xZRIkqpgxLDaOipes3CF1tkyKyQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_0756SHeldon%2BChurch.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UfgXYfmAlhY/WkZpcADgQzI/AAAAAAAAARQ/Zvas62xZRIkqpgxLDaOipes3CF1tkyKyQCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_0756SHeldon%2BChurch.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This is the church building on a much later and a much warmer day. The congregation<br />
has a very lovely new building across town where they meet now.<br />
<br />
It ended up being a memorable day as we shared a meal together and enjoyed each other. I have thought of that day so many times since, and how blessings can spring out of difficulty. I am always conflicted about canceling scheduled services. Who knows? Someone might really need to be in church that day. <br />
Speaking of that, I am so glad the congregation of the Putnam Baptist Church did what they had to in order to keep the services going during the time I was convalescing.<br />
I am doing well, with more that 10 months behind me since surgery. I know I am improving, but slowly. I plan to post on this blog, but instead of trying to come up with medical stuff to talk about I would like to share other things that might interest my readers, also. I will still share medical stuff when there is something to share. <br />
GilGilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10612685781964060699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403703634999791737.post-52244875155305450022017-12-13T10:21:00.000-08:002017-12-13T10:22:09.721-08:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
About noon on Friday, December 9, 2016, my life took an abrupt turn. I
can’t say it was a turn for the worse, but I will admit it was a defining point
in my life. As with anybody, I had been through tough things before, but this
was different. As the doctor nervously talked about things non-medical, I tried
to be patient for him to get to the point and tell us the biopsy was fine and
there were no problems. When he told us that I had a very aggressive tumor in
my prostate, I figured that meant just watch it and keep exercising and eating
right. When he further explained that I would need a scan right away, it began
to sink in that this was something else, something I had to deal with right
away. My wife and I were a numb couple as we left the office that day,
clutching a book about prostate cancer that he gave me as I left.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
In the next several hours we told family members, our congregation, and
friends and coworkers our news. Within 45 minutes my guy Bill was at the door
with a cup of Dunkin coffee. (He and I both believe that coffee helps
everything!) Christina’s brother, Lou set out from Florida to come and be a
rock of support for Christina and I. On Monday morning I called the Dana Farber
Cancer Institute in Boston. This was uncharted water for us but Lou had even
helped draw some of the charts, having been a physician at the very hospital we
went to. He knew his way around “The Farber” and “The Brigham.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
One week after the diagnosis we spent the day, from early morning until
evening at Dana Farber, meeting and getting examined by Dr. Kerry Kilbridge and
getting scans, blood tests, and in general acclimating to a place that would be
part of our lives for the next several months. I can’t say enough good things
about that place. To a person <i>everyone,</i>
from the doctors, nurses, lab people, scan techs, and receptionists…everyone
was so kind and understanding and exuded an air of competence. I cared more
about whether they were good or not rather than if they were nice or not. We
got both!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
Here we are a year later. I only need a blood test and checkup every
three months now. I am pretty well and still improving. I am told it is a two
year recovery from the surgery. I am working, bicycling, and taking trips,
among other things that were put on hold for a few months. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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This was one
of the special things that greeted me 6 weeks after surgery. This was at our
son’s house and the artwork was done by his children. Two hours before I had
just found out that the first PSA was 0! A happy day indeed!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Today, my prayer is for those
who are going through dark and difficult places in their lives. Perhaps it is a
grim diagnosis, a broken relationship, a lost job or other kind of loss. I am a
living testimony of God’s goodness and faithfulness. I refuse to live in fear and
let cancer define my life. I am surrounded by wonderful people who are <i>still</i> praying for me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
My wonderful wife, Christina has faithfully stood by my side with
absolute kindness and care, my children have been caring and helpful throughout
this trial, Lou has been and continues to be my strength and sounding board (he
speaks ‘Doctor-ese’), and the amazing team of professionals in Boston continue
to watch me. It is so overwhelming to know that our church prays, friends pray,
people in other parts of this country pray, and even in other countries, people
are praying. If God could deliver me, He can deliver you!<o:p></o:p></div>
Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10612685781964060699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403703634999791737.post-42346183925387920062017-10-25T09:24:00.001-07:002017-10-25T09:24:25.903-07:00I Choose Blessing!I am an optimist. I'm one of those annoying people who always looks on the bright side. I know I didn't get that way accidentally; I grew up in a very optimistic environment. Phrases like, "Cheer up; things could get worse", and laughing a lot helped nurture that general attitude. We were not allowed to poke at each other with hurtful comments. If I said, "I was just kidding.", Mom would say, "It's only fun if it's fun for everyone." We were taught to expect the best from people and not get bogged down in complaining. Rather, we were always aware of our blessings. Thanksgiving was just one more day that we were thankful.<br />
Having said all that, I have been faced with chances to complain about the speed of my recovery progress or lack that I still have. My poor Christina has had to hear it all. But, once again, God has blessed me with a wonderful and optimistic person to be close to me. She helps me choose blessing. I am here. I can do nearly everything I could before. I can enjoy my children, grandchildren, and other friends and family. I can bike, walk, work, make music, pastor, and love. It is important to remember my sister Ruby's birthday or a memory or enjoy a meal. It is part of life. I relish it.<br />
Every day we get up we are faced with choices. After we decide to get out of the bed, we have the choice of looking for the good or not, believing in the good or not, etc; what we eat, what we wear, how we talk, where we go, what we read, what we watch...everything and every choice affects us and everyone around us. How do we see ourselves? How do we see other people?<br />
Today I choose to be happy. I choose to love myself and others. I choose to brighten someone's life. I choose to learn something or meet someone new today. I choose to <b>live</b> life. Not just live and be alive. Life is too precious to be squandered on complaining. Consider these words: "This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him. For the Lord is your life, and He will give you many years in the land He swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." Deuteronomy 30:1-20 NIV. Actually, the entire 30th chapter is an incredible read!!<br />
God bless you all. Grace and peace.<br />
Gil<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vPqty1JrxCw/WfC0Dol-WAI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/fBLhKHn0kzwnICng-0qaJq23FwtiDcCMQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_0533.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vPqty1JrxCw/WfC0Dol-WAI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/fBLhKHn0kzwnICng-0qaJq23FwtiDcCMQCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_0533.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
This is what I call REALLY livin'!<br />
<br />
Come fly with me!<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1UvgggjCZOM/WfC0UKYMq3I/AAAAAAAAAQY/SOUVf1pV6jYVzBuR7vGizm5ghlhoLvzpACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Kite%2BFlying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1UvgggjCZOM/WfC0UKYMq3I/AAAAAAAAAQY/SOUVf1pV6jYVzBuR7vGizm5ghlhoLvzpACK4BGAYYCw/s320/Kite%2BFlying.jpg" width="320" /></a>Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10612685781964060699noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403703634999791737.post-13201375980105654952017-10-12T19:08:00.000-07:002017-10-13T13:54:37.051-07:00Long Time Comin’It has been a long time since I have entered anything on this blog. It might be thought by some that I gave up on it, or maybe that I just gave up. Neither is true. I guess it is just that my life has settled into a less dramatic mode; no surgeries, no blood clots, fewer blood tests. It has become more about more biking, more fishing, and more feeling like a “regular man,” as Mickey Rooney said in the movie <i>Bill</i>. To him a toupe and hair made him feel good and normal. I am trying to figure out what regular is. I think I have arrived there but then I get a bit better. And to be honest about it, I’m racking up quite a few years. So, I ask myself, am I slower because of the cancer deal or because I’m getting _ _ _?<br />
<br />
Our July trip to Anna’s wedding on the west coast was wonderful and we were able to enjoy both our families, Bourquin’s and Birinyi’s. <br />
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August saw Christina go to Florida to visit her friend Sue. They drove to Savannah to have way too much fun and take in the eclipse. I stayed home and rode my bike a fair amount. September it was time for Lobsterfest #13, an annual event we do with our other special family members from upstate New York. (We had about 32 people this year!) Bourquin’s and Boyd’s, a great combination. We missed the Groves and Johnny.<br />
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Everyone was on edge around that time (late August into September) as Hurricane Harvey made Chris and Bethany flee their home in Houston with their four children and two dogs. They were fine and their home was fine, but so much of the city got flooded. Since then, they have spent many hours helping others who were flooded out. Though the city was really devastated, it is recovering at a good pace, thanks to people like Chris and Bethany.<br />
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The weather, the violence, the fires, etc. make it feel like our world is reeling like a drunken man. To me it is a reminder that we need God! Anything that takes away from that truth is so shortsighted. Whether it is thinking we’re good enough already or we are too bad; we are too smart or not smart enough; too rich or too poor. It doesn’t matter. We all need Him.<br />
<br />
I will try to write occasionally and keep in touch. I met someone not long ago who told me they pray for me every day. I said, “Don’t stop!” Thank you all for the love and support you’ve given us these past ten months. God Bless! You all.Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10612685781964060699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403703634999791737.post-75242401103836746552017-07-02T18:41:00.001-07:002017-07-02T18:43:24.173-07:00Outa My Way, Bully!<div class="MsoNormal">
I have heard it said that when a member of the family has
cancer, the whole family has cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have to say that I understand the truth in that, having learned it painfully
from losing a sister to cancer in 1997, having a daughter diagnosed in 2014 and
another sister diagnosed in 2015, and learning I had it myself in December of
2016.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is still hard for me to even
use the word, cancer!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is an intrusive
bully that dominates schedules, thoughts, and general wellbeing of all those
who are close to the disease. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During those times when the bully distracts us from the
important things in life, there are things that we can fight back with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone gave me a list (I don’t know where
she got it) of things cancer <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">can’t</i> do
that I’d like to share with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
titled, “What cancer cannot do.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Cancer
is so limited…It cannot:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>cripple love,
shatter hope, corrode faith, destroy confidence, kill friendship, shut out
memories, silence courage, reduce eternal life, or quench the Spirit.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I thought about it, that could be said
about any adversary we face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It could be
health related, domestic trouble, church issues, job situation, etc. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all</i>
so limited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s another great promise to hang on to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Who
shall separate us from the love of Christ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness,
or peril, or sword?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it is
written:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘For Your sake we are killed
all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet in all these things we are more than
conquerors through Him who loved us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor
powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any
other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is
in Christ Jesus our Lord.” –Romans 8:35-39<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I received some great news from my oncology doctor on
Monday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The blood test showed, for the
third time, that there is no detectable cancer in my body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said I am “way ahead of the curve” in my
recovery, which will take up to two years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That was a great encouragement, but I wondered, if I have another 19
months to get better, I will be a super-hero!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I feel great, with very little residual pain from the injured ribs as
well as the surgery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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I’m so blessed by all my official family, as well as my
unofficial family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The outpouring of
your support, love and prayer is humbling and gratefully received.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you all.<o:p></o:p></div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03963553687592011853noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403703634999791737.post-17003922898286819492017-06-13T20:13:00.002-07:002017-07-06T09:55:13.933-07:00Rib and CompanyThe power of prayer is really amazing! I have had broken ribs before and I know that the healing process is lengthy and painful. This time, it was very painful but I am nearly pain-free after only 2 1/2 weeks...without any pain meds! I think that is absolutely amazing, and I give glory to God! We have been out on our bikes and I have to say that I have less discomfort than I have had since the end of February. It is almost like I needed to do nothing but heal for a couple of weeks. Broken ribs sure slowed me down! Well, sort of.<br />
<br />
Early Friday morning, June 2, we went to Baltimore with Bill and George, two men from church. We ate crab cakes, toured the stadium, and saw the Red Sox get beat by the Oriole's. The next morning we hit the road for home to take in a graduation party for C4. We were tired!! But what a great two days it was. Being with our wonderful family and celebrating our awesome grandson's graduation was like icing on the cake!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"I told you I'd be back!"</i></div>
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<br />
Because of the blood clot, ribs, and my well-being in general we were hoping (guardedly) to go to Seattle to our niece, Anna's wedding, but trying not to get our hearts too set on it in case we couldn't. But with all the good news and progress, we are going to go! We will fly in and out of Portland, visit family around the fourth of July in Salem, then drive up to the wedding. We will visit Richard and Becky (Anna's parents) before and after the wedding. We'll also get to see Reynold and Doris (my brother and wife) before we head back to Portland and home.<br />
<br />
The latest is that yesterday was forecast to be over 90°, the second day of a three day heat wave. Since we had the day free, we got in the car and headed for Cape Cod. We had seen on the weather channel that the temperatures would be lower out there, and that was correct. It was beautiful, and there were nice breezes. We ended up riding our bikes toward Brewster and we found a seafood shack along the path where we could eat clam chowder on the deck. It was wonderful! By the time we got back to the car, we had ridden 23.9 miles. We couldn't believe it! And the amazing thing was, we were still able to walk and move around even after we rode two hours in the car to get home. What a fun day!Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10612685781964060699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403703634999791737.post-4321682200688235372017-05-31T06:54:00.001-07:002017-06-01T10:57:26.455-07:00"Though he fall he shall not be utterly cast down." The steps of a good man verse from Psalm 37 is a wonderful promise. It gives us hope that the Lord is our safety net when things get out of hand, when things get out of control. There is never a hint of a promise that everything will go perfectly, or that we will never make a mistake or slip. The promise is that we are not destroyed or wiped out when trouble does come because we have the Lord to turn to.<br />
I had been feeling so good after the prostate surgery 13 weeks before! I had gotten back to riding my bike and doing just about everything I did before, just a little slower and a little bit more calculating. So last Thursday I decided to take some tools up to the church and fix a leaky toilet. As I was carrying my shop-vac down the rain-soaked wooden steps on the back of our house my foot suddenly slipped and I fell down seven steps. The pain was incredible on my entire left side, but especially in the flank area. After a short time Christina asked if I wanted to go have an x-ray. I gladly agreed!<br />
At the hospital they did not find anything broken but told me I was just bruised and sent me home with some medicine for pain. Since they said nothing was broken I figured my left kidney must be bruised, because that is where the pain was. Thankfully I did not hit my head, and I wasn't bleeding.<br />
Since I was still a world of hurt, two days later we went to a walk-in urgent care facility near our house. They did more X-rays, and discovered I had three fractured ribs. Somehow my pain felt more justified, but the treatment was the same; wait six weeks until they heal. I wonder if they could wrap me in bubble wrap until everything is all set?<br />
Anyway, I have been so aware of God's presence. All the calls, prayers, emails, and other expressions of compassion are deeply appreciated. Though my foot slipped, I know my steps are <i>still</i> ordered by the Lord, and He has a purpose in all this. I am not down for the count. I will rise again, because my Lord upholds me with His hand! I will be able to attend our grandson's (C4's) graduation on June 1. I will get better and be pain-free in the next few weeks.<br />
I hope to meet many of you who have read the blog, followed my ordeal and prayed for us. Prayer has gotten us through. But if we should happen to meet sometime, somewhere, I do have a request. Please don't squeeze too hard.Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10612685781964060699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403703634999791737.post-32783106319716784582017-05-23T10:07:00.000-07:002017-05-24T04:09:00.433-07:00NumbersYesterday was a cold, drizzly day in contrast to some very warm days we had last week. Christina and I went to Foxborough to have my blood drawn to check the PSA. I had to take a number. It was 13. I'm not superstious, but when they called 13 it was <i><u>not</u></i> the number I wanted to hear!<br />
Later in the day we heard the wonderful number that we <i>did</i> want to hear. We expected it and my surgeon expected it, but it was sweet to hear anyway. 0. Nada. Zilch. Nothing. Gone. As Amy had written earlier; it is finished.<br />
Anyone who has been infected by the cancer of sin (that's everybody!) can hear that too. Our sin can be gone by the grace of God, through the blood of Jesus. God, the righteous judge, declares us clean and sin-free if we ask for forgiveness and cleansing. Gone. 0. Ancient history! "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness." I John 1:9 Ask God for your number.<br />
<br />
<br />Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10612685781964060699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403703634999791737.post-37123864704322763392017-05-21T18:05:00.001-07:002017-05-22T02:59:49.327-07:00SIX MORE WEEKSWell, here it is six weeks after that wonderful day in April when we heard those wonderful words, "Well, the PSA is zero." My feeling that day was that, as good as that news was, I really wanted to be past the pain. About three weeks ago it was as though I turned the corner and the pain faded out to nearly nothing. What a relief!<br />
Though it was short rides at first, I have been getting back on the Rockhopper. It is like my old buddy. I call it my aluminum steed. I/we have ridden over 45 miles in May. I know it isn't much, but it represents a lot to me. I ought to be ready for a cross country ride by October. Don't believe me? Ok, how about a 20 mile ride by then?<br />
But I have to do tomorrow first. Tomorrow will be very similar to the April 10 visit. Except this time I am able to get around with no pain and I'll just be looking to know the score. I'll put up the numbers after that visit.Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10612685781964060699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403703634999791737.post-35005501793579373602017-05-02T17:44:00.000-07:002017-05-02T17:44:26.759-07:00Don't Miss the JourneyBack on April 10, as I prepared to go to Boston and the appointment to see what the PSA was doing, I was eager to know what the next step would be. I just wanted to be finished with this cancer business. Perhaps I was doing what many people and groups like sports teams before me have done; looking too far ahead and missing something. As I told several people, in the words credited to Roberto Duran, "No mas!" Sometimes you just get tired of the fight.<br />
<br />
So when my doctor came into the room and said, "Well, the PSA is zero," I wasn't prepared for how great it would be to hear those words. My mind was thinking of the next step...but there <i>was</i> no next step. As I later processed and thought about it, I believe the pain level was much less right away and I felt stronger, just knowing the cancer was gone. Now I know the 'Other details' is the periodic checking to make sure everything is still going well.<br />
<br />
It is now three weeks since that wonderful appointment. The pain is less and I am doing most of the things I did before, just more slowly and for not as long. I am so thankful for the incredible, competent care I have gotten from the medical staff of Dana Farber and Brigham and Women's.<br />
<br />
I have slowly accelerated to nearly the speed I was going prior to surgery; 2 Bible Studies and 3 sermons each week and ministering in the Pierce Home as well as church. I haven't quite gotten all the way back, but almost. Yesterday, May 1, was another milestone. I rode my bike up the road and back for a total of 4/10 mile. In that microscopically short ride I proved to myself that I was nearly recovered, that it didn't feel too bad (without a special seat), and that I could begin building strength in my body that has been lying around most of the last 2 1/2 months. It was sort of an iconic return to living instead of just trying to find a position that was somewhat comfortable!<br />
<br />
I see God's faithfulness every day. It is a joy to be alive. Praise His holy name!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>His mercies are new every morning.</i></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Three Sky Pilots</i></div>
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<i>Ah, the life; watching others work!</i></div>
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<br />Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10612685781964060699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403703634999791737.post-79138929481408361872017-04-10T18:04:00.000-07:002017-04-10T19:02:56.840-07:00It Is FinishedAs Dr. Trinh did at our 10:30 appointment this morning, let me just get right the results:<br />
PSA level is ZERO, which is the news we were hoping and praying for! Good news! Exhale and a fist bump from Tim!<br />
<br />
Now, as Dr. Trinh did, let me back up and unpack this a bit. Back at diagnosis in December, Dad was presented with basically two options: treat with hormone therapy or have a total prostatectomy. After weighing the pros and cons of each and praying for wisdom, he elected the surgery. It seemed logical- if the prostate is full of cancer, then get it out!<br />
<br />
On February 23rd he had the surgery. The doctor was very optimistic that day about things 'looking good' and initial pathology yielded good margins. The date was set for April 10th to recheck PSA levels via bloodwork. We were told that <u>zero</u> was the goal. Anything more than zero would require further action to be taken by means of hormone therapy.<br />
<br />
I know this has been a burden for Dad, after all, it's cancer. And cancer is no respecter of persons. It doesn't matter your age, gender, ethnicity, religion, creed, socioeconomic status, or even if you're a good, bad, healthy, or unhealthy person. It doesn't even matter if you are a pastor. It's terrible! But since surgery day, I had confidence that he'd be ok. <br />
<br />
Last night, we had our 2nd of 5 performances of "The Passion of the King" at my church. During the performance, today's appointment weighed on my heart and I began to grow anxious about the pending results. But then I watched the "whipping scene", and thought, "He took those lashes, those stripes for Dad." Then during the crucifixion scene, as they dragged Jesus to the cross, Isaiah began to prophecy,<br />
<br />
<i>But he was pierced through for our transgressions</i><br />
<i>He was crushed for our iniquities</i><br />
<i>Our sins and transgressions fell upon Him</i><br />
<i>And by His stripes we are healed.</i><br />
<br />
As the scene finishes, above the thunder and lightning and building music, Jesus screams three words. <br />
<br />
It is FINISHED.<br />
<br />
I didn't hear the audible voice of God, but He spoke to my spirit, "It is finished." I burst into tears. He took it ALL upon himself- sin, sickness, shame. The work was complete.<br />
<br />
So, we rejoice today! PSA level is ZERO. Dad walked out of the office like he was 10 years younger and 100 pound weights had shed from him. Tim, Dad, and I went to lunch to celebrate. (Christina was home sick.) When he told the server his good news she literally danced for him. Twirled and threw her arms up in victory and then threw them around Dad's neck and hugged him. And then she danced again. She did on the outside what I was feeling on the inside.<br />
<br />
So now it is our responsibility to grow from this, to learn from this, and to give God glory through it.<br />
<br />
Dad still has a ways to go in recovery. Pray for him. He's still experiencing some pain and other side effects, all of which the doctor assures us is 'normal' and should be resolving in the coming weeks. Good thing because he's anxious to get back on his bike! They will monitor him closely for a while to be sure nothing else creeps in.<br />
<br />
It's unbelievable to think that our immediate family was touched by this twice in the last couple of years. We are incredibly grateful for those of you who have loved us so well. Thank you for the cards, visits, for standing with us, for meals, for filling the gaps, and mostly- for the prayers.<br />
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Have a blessed Easter as we celebrate the RISEN King of Kings, the HOPE of all the world. Enjoy this song from another cancer survivor.<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOhh1O1MHLk">Click here.</a><br />
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<i>At the cross the work was finished</i><br />
<i>You were buried in the ground</i><br />
<i>But the grave could not contain You</i><br />
<i>For You wear the Victor's crown</i><br />
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Love,<br />
AmyAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03963553687592011853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403703634999791737.post-16502467687355229132017-03-30T08:04:00.000-07:002017-03-30T08:04:40.152-07:00Pain As the Easter week approaches, I have been thinking about how purposefully Jesus went to Jerusalem and ultimately to the cross. I think it is so amazing that He would do all that intentionally. He took all our infirmities and provided for our healing. I am trusting Him to continue the healing work in my body.<br />
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But I was thinking of another healing that is maybe bigger than physical healing, and that is healing of hearts. There are many people who walk around with broken hearts. I know there is a lot of pain with a broken heart, even though it is not evident to others. But He gave Himself for <u>all</u> our brokenness; broken bodies and broken hearts.<br />
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My abdominal pain is pretty much a thing of the past. All that is visible is six small scars on my belly. I still have a lot of pain when I sit or walk. Riding in a car is especially tough, and that really limits my going and coming. The surgeon told me the pain would last about two months, and I am counting on that! Today marks five weeks out from surgery at this point, so that is only another three weeks! I have a very important appointment with him on April 10 to have blood work done and have my PSA level looked at. I will have a consult with the doctor then, too. Still dealing with the clot in the leg.<br />
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Thank you all for praying for me and all the kindness you have shown. It really is a boost to know that people are standing with me. Many of them are people I do not even know, but they know my family or friends. What an amazing network!! I love you all and I will update again soon.Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10612685781964060699noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403703634999791737.post-8631126457114442132017-03-18T18:49:00.000-07:002017-03-19T04:41:41.815-07:00PROGRESS REPORT8"-12"! 12"-18"! Maybe more than 24"! We heard some pretty dire snow predictions which, for the most part, didn't pan out, but still made disruptions in our week. Actually, it didn't disrupt me. I had no place to go anyway. We got about 10" (they tell me), but it sure is better than Lee's 24", or the place not far from him that got 42"!!<br />
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I appreciate everyone who checked on us before, during, and after Stella left for other climes. But I have an idea; let's do spring!<br />
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I am just over three weeks out of surgery and I think I am doing quite well. Of course, when one is in a position like this, it is never fast enough. I wish progress could be quicker, but I am slowly getting back. The pain in my abdomen is almost completely gone, but I still have quite a bit of perineal pain. I guess that is not uncommon, and it varies from person to person. I wish it had skipped me! :-) I got an inflatable donut to sit on; hope it helps.<br />
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Tomorrow will be four weeks since I last preached on a Sunday morning at church, but I plan to do it! While I was out, I was blessed to have a retired pastor, Rev. Donald Nelson available to fill my pulpit for two weeks, and have my son, Maj. Timothy Bourquin preach last week. I know I will be somewhat limited, but I plan to at least <u>be</u> there tomorrow. It will be great to see everyone too. <br />
One of the really great blessings in our lives in the last few days was that our daughter in law, Tim's wife Elizabeth, went on a short term mission to Africa and returned home safely. We are sooo thankful. <br />
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I really appreciate all the calls, cards, gifts, and well wishes from everyone. People have cooked, brought coffee, plowed snow, and offered to do anything they could for us. Though my brother couldn't be too much further away (Seattle), he has been so supportive. Each of my kids have been wonderful and called and made contact regularly. Thank you for commenting on this blog and even reading it in the first place. But especially, thank you for prayer. Please don't stop praying for me.<br />
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<i>"Let's Do Spring"</i></div>
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<i>"Survivors"</i></div>
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<br />Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10612685781964060699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403703634999791737.post-76131087073283474752017-03-10T07:34:00.000-08:002017-03-10T07:53:51.415-08:00Heads Up!<i>Psalms 3:3 says, "But Thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head."</i><br />
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As the body recovers from any injury, sickness, or surgery there are some days that are better than others. Yesterday started out as a regular day and I was looking forward to seeing the babysitters Christina had lined up to come over, because she had to work. First, there was a really dear couple who live nearby who popped in around 10. Amy and Tim were going to come around 1 and do a kid exchange. The day felt optimistic at the beginning, but as it wore on, I just felt glum. It wasn't overwhelming pain, depression, or anything I could put my finger on, just a culmination of everything, including possible side effects from drugs?<br />
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In the late afternoon I was a little better. One of our grandsons FaceTime'd to me to ask if we could think about setting up a time to go fishing. It was like a breath of fresh air, out of the box, from the lips of a seven-year-old. We took a ride out to pick up the balance of the new blood thinner medicine from the pharmacy. As we were on the way, I got a call from the urologist's office to fill me in on the lab analysis of the offending prostate that had been removed. They said they were pretty sure they had gotten all the cancer out. <i>That</i> was a boost and I was feeling pretty good as we pulled up to the drive-thru at the drug store. As the girl was getting the pills, she asked if we wanted to put it on the gift card. We told her we had no gift card, and the poor girl became flustered as we tried to give her our credit card for payment and she was trying to convince us to put it on a gift card.<br />
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Finally, Christina and I figured out that someone had purchased a gift card with instructions to use it for the meds! We tried to figure out who might have done it. I told Christina, as we drove away in a daze, that God did that! God and a very sneaky friend. Maybe we will find out who someday, but I'm not counting on it.<br />
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As if to top that, we found out this morning that our Rx insurance will pay all but $27 per month going forward, rather than $408/month. These are the kinds of things I must remember if I hit one of those days when I'm glum or bummin'. Indeed, He <i>is</i> the lifter of my head!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: , "segoe ui" , "segoe wp" , "tahoma" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333015441895px;"><i>"One of my favorite people! Renna turned 5 on Monday!"</i></span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w1wIJDtgEAg/WMLHDmesQ6I/AAAAAAAB140/ACUdmRdLmIsGpUMRtUlTQfBSgvyGgjf2QCLcB/s1600/image1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w1wIJDtgEAg/WMLHDmesQ6I/AAAAAAAB140/ACUdmRdLmIsGpUMRtUlTQfBSgvyGgjf2QCLcB/s400/image1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10612685781964060699noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403703634999791737.post-45242707856996540202017-03-08T07:37:00.000-08:002017-03-08T07:37:14.743-08:00A Speed BumpOne of the main reasons for the existence of this blog is to keep people updated about my progress in my fight against prostate cancer. I think I am on track and in a normal place for this point in my recovery. I want to always be straightforward and honest in what I share, but some of the things I share are not things I enjoy sharing. Today is one of those times.<br />
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I had charley horse-like pain in my right calf so I let the surgeon's office know about it. I thought it was just a small detail that they might want to know about. Whenever they heard about it, they were very insistent that I get to a hospital and have an ultrasound, posthaste! The ultrasound revealed that, indeed, I have a blood clot in my leg. It is something that I will receive treatment for for about six months. The medicine is fairly new and therefore not covered by our insurance. Oh well.<br />
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I'm glad to be alive! I'm glad for all my family and friends who love me and are praying for me. I'm glad for the songs and verses that move around in my heart and spirit, glorifying the Lord. Those "Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" are more than catchy tunes. They minister to my spirit and soul and lift me with their high praises. All glory to God who makes me always triumph through our Lord Jesus Christ!<br />
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The other day one of our daughters told me she heard the peepers! Any New Englander will tell you that hearing them is a sure sign that spring can't be too far away. This weekend is going to be cold. We won't hear them. But that doesn't mean that spring won't come. In the same way, having a reversal in life (like a blood clot) doesn't mean that God's will won't be accomplished. It's a speed bump, that's all.<br />
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<i>I'll Be Back!</i></div>
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Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10612685781964060699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403703634999791737.post-79707168623935904202017-03-04T07:22:00.001-08:002017-03-04T07:28:13.277-08:00Home on the Range I have been home from the hospital for eight days now, and I am getting stronger all the time. Though I have some pretty intense pain in my abdomen, I can feel that I am getting better, bit by bit.<br />
I had a wonderful answer to prayer, actually a miracle, that happened this week . On Wednesday I had to go to Boston to get the catheter removed. They told me (and I had read) that it would probably be a few months, but hopefully I would regain some bladder control. Well, we decided we ought to get a large box of Depends so that we would be prepared for the long-haul.<br />
That night I had a dry night! And the next night! And the next night! In fact, I have had almost complete control of my bladder since the catheter came out, with the exception being the afternoon of the removal. Praise the Lord! I am so grateful. When I have told people about this they are amazed and say, "I can't believe that you have ANY control already." I can confidently say, "God did that!" That said, does anyone need a box of Depends? Cheap?<br />
Yesterday we got the bitter-sweet news that one of our dear ladies at church had passed away after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. I plan to do the service on Monday, but only to actually do the service. I will not be able to do many of the things I would normally do for a funeral, but I will be at the service. She was such a wonderful, lovely lady. Life goes on, and we should appreciate all of life as it unfolds. Being home makes me appreciate home so much more. I am thankful for normal, regular things in life, like food, showers, well water, temperature controls, etc. Indeed, I am thankful for life.Gilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10612685781964060699noreply@blogger.com3