Saturday, June 14, 2008

Thank You

Loved Ones,

We wanted to thank all of you for so many prayers today. We know so many were lifting us up along with fasting and praying for healing. The conference call today was a wonderful blessing also. How sweet to hear the voices of our loved ones and their prayers for us. We know God was pleased and we await his continued answers to our prayers.

Ray had another great day with nutrition and energy. This morning he wanted to sweep the floor (we told him no) and spent time cutting the girls nails. We are so thankful for this and are looking forward to getting him as strong as he can be to be ready for the next chemo on Wednesday.

The girls had their ballet recital. They did a fantastic job and their dad received a full report. We are looking forward to a video screening soon!

We continue our heart's prayer for Ray's complete restoration to health. And, that we and our girls continue to feel God's hand strengthening us to walk the path before us.

"...and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age. Amen." Matthew 28:20

not alone and not afraid --

kristin and ray

Friday, June 13, 2008

Perfect Care

Sent: Friday, June 13, 2008 12:20 AM
Subject: Perfect Care
Loved ones,

Three good days! We are so happy to report that Ray had another good day with eating, drinking, energy and a visit with grade school friends. Even his nurse came and said that he didn't even need IV fluids. We are encouraged!

On the eve of the day that so many people will be praying, I wanted to share something with all of you.

Those of you who know me well know that I am a somewhat nervous and overprotective mother. When my kids have a sniffle or a cough, I am watching like a hawk. I want to protect them from any harm! And I am overly vigilant thinking that somehow if I can anticipate the harm, I may be able to save them from it.

Over the past year or so, God has shown me something. With each child, my own care for them has put them at risk. Not on purpose of course! But my own care, however vigilant, has not been enough.

In each and every case, God has protected my children. His care, has been far more perfect than my own, despite my very best efforts!

Here's what I know. God's care for Ray is perfect. And, as important, I can trust him to care for Ray.

We are so thankful for wonderful doctors, nurses and medicines to treat Ray and we are praying for them to be effective and powerful. However, our true prayer is for God's perfect and complete healing for Ray -- healing and care that far surpasses anything that any of us, any doctor, any medicine can supply.

We thank you so much for joining with us in prayer.

"Do not be terrified; do not be afraid... The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the desert. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son..."Deuteronomy 1:29-31

not alone and not afraid --

kristin and ray

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Resting in the Eye of Storm

Loved Ones,

We had another good day today. Ray has been eating more and more and was up and around more today than any recent day. He was able to spend some time with his sisters and with me and the girls. If we were able to get on top of some digestive track issues, he says he'd almost be feeling good!

We wanted to tell you how blessed we are by all of you. I went up this afternoon to tell Ray about the day of fasting and prayer, the prayer call on Friday and the prayer service Ray's friends in DC are planning for next week. We feel so incredibly blessed to have family and friends who are joining with us in prayer for healing.

Each one of you who emails about your prayers and the prayers of your friends and family; our neighbors who have started a weekly prayer circle; these things are like a healing balm to us. We feel humbled, honored and so grateful.

We don't know God's plan in all of this, but surely, this unity of so many of you -- some of whom we've never even spoken to about our faith or yours before now -- is part of the plan for us and is a way that glory is coming from all of it.

Thank you for joining with us in praying for Ray's healing.

"And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up." James 5:15

not alone and not afraid --

kristin and ray

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Do Not Be Anxious About Anything

Loved Ones,

Today was a pretty good day. Probably the best day we've had in this new world.

Ray had a wonderful visit from his childhood priest this morning, Father Brankin. He was able to eat a little bit more and seemed stronger.

We got some time together, both with the kids and by ourselves. What a joy!

We continue to pray without ceasing for Ray's liver and for this chemo to stop and reverse the damage. And we lift his healing to the Lord.

We so appreciate the many prayers from all of you. Not a day goes by without hearing of another person or many persons praying.

Here are our verses from today:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Phillipians 4:6-7


We feel his peace.

not alone and not afraid --

kristin and ray

Monday, June 9, 2008

Waiting for the Lord

Loved Ones,

We are waiting, waiting. Waiting to see the impact of the chemo, the halting of the harm, the healing.

We redouble our prayers for healing, particularly for Ray's liver. We know it is working so hard right now.

Ray had a pretty good day. He got some fluids from the home health nurse and it was probably one of our best for nutrition.

The girls are also doing amazingly well. Their aunt took them to their ballet recital rehearsal and they are ready! Maggie said her dad's IV looked cool. Nora thought it looked like Madeleine when she gets her appendix out.

We can't say enough how we appreciate your prayers. The prayers and their answerer give us strength far beyond our means. We continue to look to Christ for hope, courage and rest.

Here are our verses for tonight:

"We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you."
Psalm 33:20-22


not alone and not afraid --

kristin and ray

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Passing Through the Fire, But not Getting Burned

Loved Ones,

Thank you for your prayers today. This morning these verses were on my mind.

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."
Isaiah 41:1-3


Those promises comforted us this morning as we try to figure out how to do this. And God is faithful and we are learning how best to get through treatments and aftermath and how to get Ray better!

Today we continue our prayers for Ray's healing -- for the chemo to work dramatically on his liver and the rest of his cancer cells. And we echo all our prayers from yesterday for his nutrition and sustenance. And that he would be protected from infection.

A bright spot today was our new TV for the bedroom. That made Ray smile and so did the White Sox.

We feel your many prayers for us. They bolster us, our girls (even though they don't know it) and our families. While in the hospital, we got 375 emails. Each one is a blessing (even if I don't answer).

Here are our verses for tonight:

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen" Ephesisans 3:20-21

not alone and not afraid --

kristin and ray