Loved Ones,
It was another good day. We had some special visitors who were greatly enjoyed.
Ray and Lucy had some good naps and the rest of us did errands and played outside.
Dear friends have given us their condo on Lake Michigan for the next few days so we will take up residence there tomorrow.
We are looking forward to some quiet time together as a family making summer memories! And we are hoping to fatten Ray up before his next chemo round on Wednesday.
Thank you for your continued prayers and encouragement. Your prayers are so vital to us.
As we prepare for Round six of chemo we pray that Ray's continued miraculous healing will be evident through his lab work and liver numbers.
In addition, we pray that his body will be restored to allow chemo to progress as scheduled.
And for this weekend, we pray that our time together as a family will delight our own hearts and the hearts of our girls.
"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."
Psalm 37:4
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Friday, August 8, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
The Message
Loved Ones,
Of all nights, tonight seems like a normal night. I am writing this on my Blackberry while we watch the Sox game downstairs. There is something about even this small location change that makes the night seem like any other night.
This is encouraging. Just to feel like this makes it seem that there is
even more progress, though we can not yet see it. And, that normalcy,
albeit with more gratitude, is on its way.
A diagnosis of cancer causes many complex emotions. We are doing our best to sort through all of those feelings and find the message within. We do not believe that the message for us is about cancer. Rather, it is about faith, trust and freedom from fear. It is a journey, and we do not possess all these things at every moment. But like our prayer for Ray's healing, these are the deep desires of our hearts.
We are grateful for all of you whose prayers strengthen our hearts. And, more grateful for a God who whispers quiet healing for our bodies, minds, hearts and spirits.
"This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it-the LORD is his name: 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
Jeremiah 33:2-3
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Of all nights, tonight seems like a normal night. I am writing this on my Blackberry while we watch the Sox game downstairs. There is something about even this small location change that makes the night seem like any other night.
This is encouraging. Just to feel like this makes it seem that there is
even more progress, though we can not yet see it. And, that normalcy,
albeit with more gratitude, is on its way.
A diagnosis of cancer causes many complex emotions. We are doing our best to sort through all of those feelings and find the message within. We do not believe that the message for us is about cancer. Rather, it is about faith, trust and freedom from fear. It is a journey, and we do not possess all these things at every moment. But like our prayer for Ray's healing, these are the deep desires of our hearts.
We are grateful for all of you whose prayers strengthen our hearts. And, more grateful for a God who whispers quiet healing for our bodies, minds, hearts and spirits.
"This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it-the LORD is his name: 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
Jeremiah 33:2-3
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
All Our Needs
Loved Ones,
We had a lovely quiet day. There was time for a few naps (Ray), but more importantly, time for quiet time with each girl. How much we value those minutes and hours together.
We also had a cherished visitor from DC. How we love our visitors! It is so wonderful to feel the support and love of our friends and family in person.
We thank you for your prayers today. They are powerful and effective. Daily, hourly, by the minute, God shows his answers and his promises to our many requests. We know that he is faithful indeed.
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Phillipians 4:19
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
We had a lovely quiet day. There was time for a few naps (Ray), but more importantly, time for quiet time with each girl. How much we value those minutes and hours together.
We also had a cherished visitor from DC. How we love our visitors! It is so wonderful to feel the support and love of our friends and family in person.
We thank you for your prayers today. They are powerful and effective. Daily, hourly, by the minute, God shows his answers and his promises to our many requests. We know that he is faithful indeed.
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Phillipians 4:19
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Prayers and Praises
Loved Ones,
Ray had more energy today and we were able to spend more time with the girls, this evening walking to our neighborhood pool's ice cream night. That was great.
Ray's appetite has not yet returned to normal but he is doing his best.
With Nora beginning kindergarten in two weeks we are enjoying the rest of our summer! Trying to swim and play on the swingset as much as we can.
We continue our unswerving hope and prayers for Ray's total healing. That God would work miraculously through this chemo to heal Ray of cancer entirely.
We also continue to pray that Ray would stay free of illness and that his body -- platelets especially -- would be able to recover in time to continue treatment as scheduled. So far so good. He does not appear to be catching the girls viruses! Praise the Lord!
Last, we pray for wisdom and guidance in all things -- our time, our decisions, our family, Ray's treatments. We ask for perfect wisdom in all these things. And, for freedom from any anxiety or fear.
Lots of prayers. And we are comforted by our amazing God.
A few verses from Psalm 138:
"I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart. When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life... with your right hand you save me. The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever." Psalm 138: 1,3,7,8
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Ray had more energy today and we were able to spend more time with the girls, this evening walking to our neighborhood pool's ice cream night. That was great.
Ray's appetite has not yet returned to normal but he is doing his best.
With Nora beginning kindergarten in two weeks we are enjoying the rest of our summer! Trying to swim and play on the swingset as much as we can.
We continue our unswerving hope and prayers for Ray's total healing. That God would work miraculously through this chemo to heal Ray of cancer entirely.
We also continue to pray that Ray would stay free of illness and that his body -- platelets especially -- would be able to recover in time to continue treatment as scheduled. So far so good. He does not appear to be catching the girls viruses! Praise the Lord!
Last, we pray for wisdom and guidance in all things -- our time, our decisions, our family, Ray's treatments. We ask for perfect wisdom in all these things. And, for freedom from any anxiety or fear.
Lots of prayers. And we are comforted by our amazing God.
A few verses from Psalm 138:
"I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart. When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life... with your right hand you save me. The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever." Psalm 138: 1,3,7,8
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Monday, August 4, 2008
Progress
Loved Ones,
It was another good day. Ray's fatigue was a little less and his appetite was a little more. Progress!
The girls are better too.
Ray's family took care of the girls while we sorted through some of the many details necessary to manage this illness.
Our prayers continue, for healing, for trust, for wisdom, for joy.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Psalm 139:23-24
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
It was another good day. Ray's fatigue was a little less and his appetite was a little more. Progress!
The girls are better too.
Ray's family took care of the girls while we sorted through some of the many details necessary to manage this illness.
Our prayers continue, for healing, for trust, for wisdom, for joy.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Psalm 139:23-24
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Sunday, August 3, 2008
A Quiet Sunday
Loved Ones,
It was a good day. Everyone was tired, the kids and Ray. With Nora and Maggie asleep on the couch at 5 pm we thought we could just leave them and sneak upstairs to watch a movie. But their ears perked up when we said "movie" so it ended up being Peter Pan.
Kids still fighting fevers, etc. Doing our best to keep everyone apart, but not succeeding! Ray however, is fever free, thank goodness.
We feel your prayers.
"Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance."
Phillipians 1:19
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
It was a good day. Everyone was tired, the kids and Ray. With Nora and Maggie asleep on the couch at 5 pm we thought we could just leave them and sneak upstairs to watch a movie. But their ears perked up when we said "movie" so it ended up being Peter Pan.
Kids still fighting fevers, etc. Doing our best to keep everyone apart, but not succeeding! Ray however, is fever free, thank goodness.
We feel your prayers.
"Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance."
Phillipians 1:19
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
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