Saturday Full of Strength

Loved Ones,

Again, a good day. Nora's soccer game. Visiting Ray's mom. A special dinner with friends.

While Ray was resting in a quieter period of the day, I took Lucy for a run. Though I most often find myself too busy to run, it is such a good quiet time for reflection. And, I find God's strength and assurance is often the top of my mind while running. No wonder they say it is good for you.

Today this verse came to mind:
"The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it" Psalm 24:1

Verses like this have new meaning as we learn the meaning of true submission to God's will.

When I returned home and looked this verse up, later verses of the same Psalm reminded me of why and how this trust is possible. And life giving:

"Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty— he is the King of glory. " Psalm 24: 8-10

Tonight we pray for the healing power of the King of glory to be on Ray.

not alone and not afraid --

kristin and ray

Visitors

Loved Ones,

I fear it will grow boring to say that we had another good day! Except for the White Sox, all else was in line.

We had wonderful visits with friends from DC. We had emails with prayer for Ray and commiseration over the Sox. The girls and Ray had time for some much needed rest. All were much appreciated.

We know God's healing hand is on Ray. We cherish your prayers.

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." Matthew 25:35-36

not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray

PS At long last, the beet soup recipe:

Russian Cabbage/Beet Borscht (Adapted from Moosewood Cookbook)
1.5 cups thinly sliced potato
1.5 cup thinly sliced red beets
4 cups water
1-2 Tbs olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 scant tsp caraway seeds
1.5 tsp salt (+/- to taste)
1 stalk celery chopped
1 med carrot sliced
3-4 cups shredded cabbage
Fresh ground pepper to taste
1 tsp dill
1-2 Tbs cider vinegar
1-2 Tbs brown sugar or honey
1 cup tomato puree

Put potatoes, beets and water in a med size saucepan. Cover and simmer overmed heat till tender (20-30 min). Heat oil in kettle or dutch oven. Add onion, caraway seeds and salt. Simmer over med heat, stirring occasionally till the onions are translucent(8-10 min). Add celery, carrots, and cabbage plus 2 cups of the cooking water from the potatoes and beets. Cover and simmer over med heat till vegetables are tender. Add remaining ingred (incl all the potato beet water) cover and simmer another 15 min. Taste to correct seasoning.

No Eye Has Seen

Loved Ones,

Well, despite the White Sox loss, Ray is still feeling good. And this change to cold weather is the perfect time for more beet soup!

We had a good day today. We were joined by several visitors and spent time praying with our pastor as well. How blessed we are to be able to spend time praying for Ray's healing and God's wisdom on our journey.

We look forward to this weekend and to God's healing power in Round 9 on Monday.

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"

1 Corinthians 2:9

not alone and not afraid --

kristin and ray

Another good day

Loved Ones,

This was another good and normal day. We are so glad for the fact that Ray had a break from the chemo while we were in Houston. We know that break makes his recovery this time so much easier! And it has been! To our great delight!

This summer was such a time of adjustment. And now with Ray doing so well, but knowing he has lots of chemo ahead, we find our task to be figuring out our cancer fighting "normal." How to pace ourselves in this journey and establish new routines that include chemo, recovery, and life! So we pray for wisdom and guidance in all things related to this new phase.

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven..."
Ecclesiastes 3:1

not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray

A Really Good Day!

Loved Ones,

What a joy it is to write emails on a day like today. Of course there is the Sox win to celebrate. Ray told me when he watched the game tonight with friends he felt completely normal. Better even!

An equal joy for us today were times spent in prayer with friends. We spent time in prayer this afternoon with a college friend who visited Ray and me. This evening I was able to pray with a neighborhood group who has been praying for us since the very beginning.

In their prayers for and with us these friends expressed assurance in God's healing power and plan for Ray. What treasured moments are these. They lift our spirits and stay with us always.

We are so grateful for the hands joined in prayer that encircle our family. We know these prayers are being answered in Ray's continued healing and the strength that enables our family on this journey. We pray for continued healing until Ray is completely healed.

"In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Phillipians 1:4-6

not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray

The White Sox are winning...

Loved Ones,

Well you have to know that Ray is feeling good today, the White Sox are winning!

In all seriousness, he is feeling pretty good, still tired, but he enjoyed visiting with his family today.

We pray for Ray's body to recover from the chemo to prepare for next week's round 9. And we pray for God's continued guidance for our family -- in all things -- as we make our way through this illness.

"This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."
Jeremiah 6:16

not alone and not afraid --

kristin and ray

A better day.

Loved Ones,

Sometimes it all catches up with you and you fall asleep putting your kids to bed at 8 pm!

Sunday was a good day. Ray is really doing well this chemo round. It seems like his recovery has been faster. Still tired, but he was able to go to church and had a visitor in the afternoon.

We are so grateful for our friends. When they come and visit. When they come and help us clean and do laundry and organize. When they email us a special thought or verse. Thank you. We are so grateful for the care from all of you in this time.

On days where Ray feels good we think of the healing going on in him and we pray that God is restoring him to total health and life!

“God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. ’Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!’” Psalm 66:19-20

not alone and not afraid --

kristin and ray