Friday, October 17, 2008

Giving

Loved Ones,

It was a good day. We are so thankful for these good days when the chemo seems to have worn off. Ray seems so much better. Those are often the days when we get a "Is Daddy better?" from the girls.

We continue to be so grateful for the incredible assistance from our many friends. We thought of it today when the lawn service from our neighbors mowed the grass and then blew off the leaves. Through the seasons your gifts are unceasing.

Our new routines continue and feel more comfortable. And we are thankful. Even something as small as making a nice meal for my parents who were at our house to help out, felt so wonderful. One of the things about being on the recieving end of so many gifts is that it is such a JOY when we can give! It feels great.

Our hearts are full of joy in the gift of today, and the hope of a miraculous tomorrow.

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever for the Lord, the Lord is the Rock Eternal.” Isaiah 26:3-4

not alone and not afraid --

kristin and ray

Thursday, October 16, 2008

New Routines

Loved Ones,

I think we shared awhile back that we are working on trying to establish new routines in our fighting cancer life. Today was a day for that. Ray was feeling so much better today (it is Thursday after all!) so he had more energy to do some things. And taking advantage of the current stability, I did my best to actually work for a living!

It's a strange thing. To go back to some things of the old world while still living in the new.

We ask for continued prayer for guidance. That together, knowing not what the future will be, we can order our days in the way that is the most right for our family.

And, we continue to pray for strength for Ray. In all ways. Today and this weekend especially building up his weight and stamina for Round 10 around the corner on Monday.

We pray for great hope for the future, knowing not what it will hold.

And we give thanks for the joys of the day. Talking politics with old and precious friends from DC. Finding the perfect Indian Princess Halloween costume at LAST for only $9. The kids beating the parents at the soccer scrimmage at Nora's last practice.

As always, we are more than grateful for you.

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

1 Peter 1:6

not alone and not afraid --

kristin and ray

Thursday From Ray

Loved ones,

This is Ray. Thank you again for your constant prayers and support, they mean so much to me and my family. We are constantly amazed at how much people are willing to do for us in our time of need. We know God is watching over us and protecting us.

I am doing well this week, my non-chemo week. Last week was a little difficult, lost more weight than I should have and now have to fight to put it back on and get some strength back. It is a constant battle. Today for breakfast I had a 560 calorie breakfast drink, some fruit and a piece of pumpkin bread. As close to a breakfast of champions as I can get. Even after almost 5 months of this, I still find it hard to remember to eat when I don't feel hungry.

Today I was able to talk to some old friends on the phone and we had some friends come over and bring us dinner. Hopefully it wil fatten me up!

I am still responding to the many of you who sent birthday emails. We read through them and enjoyed the funny stories and the reminder that we have a lot of people praying for us.

I think I am over the Sox losing, honestly I was just happy they made it to the playoffs. But that Bears game..ugh.

This passage was sent by a friend of mine.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

not alone and not afraid --

Ray

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Tuesday Prayers

Loved Ones,

We had a good day. We went to a pumpkin farm in the morning as the girls are out of school for fall parent-teacher conferences.

Ray is still feeling pretty tired. He is easily fatigued. We pray tonight for restoration of his healthy blood cells. Low platelets make him so tired. We also pray again for weight gain. He is at the very low end of what we like to see. We need to fatten him up this week!

Thank you all for joining in these prayer requests, large and small. As always, we beseech all of heaven for his healing.

"In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light." Psalm 18:6, 16, 17, 19, 28

not alone and not afraid --

kristin and ray

Tuesday Prayers

Loved Ones,

We had a good day. We went to a pumpkin farm in the morning as the girls are out of school for fall parent-teacher conferences.

Ray is still feeling pretty tired. He is easily fatigued. We pray tonight for restoration of his healthy blood cells. Low platelets make him so tired. We also pray again for weight gain. He is at the very low end of what we like to see. We need to fatten him up this week!

Thank you all for joining in these prayer requests, large and small. As always, we beseech all of heaven for his healing.

"In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light." Psalm 18:6, 16, 17, 19, 28

not alone and not afraid --

kristin and ray

Monday, October 13, 2008

Happy Birthday to Ray


Loved Ones,

Today was Ray's 37th birthday! We celebrated him all day. From a smiley face pancake at breakfast, to lunch with his family, and cupcakes for all, it was a great birthday.

And, the birthday boy was feeling ok. He is a little light this week! So we hope he got enough cake to gain lots of pounds. And, we were glad that he was able to rest part of the day.

Two people sent us this verse today. I've used it before, but it is the right one for our beloved birthday husband, daddy, brother and friend.

"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

Last, we have a blog! Special friends have slaved to put together a spot with all our emails.
www.rayfitzgeraldfamily.blogspot.com. I'll still send the daily email to all of you, but it will also be posted on the blog. Perhaps it will help some of you who forward on to others. Or, if anyone wants to check the blog instead of receiving these emails, I can always take you off the list. We appreciate your care, concern and most importantly, your prayers, and want to keep you posted in the way that is most conventient for you.

not alone and not afraid --

kristin and ray

Sunday, October 12, 2008

A Good Weekend

Loved Ones,

We had a very good weekend at Taylor University. For those who may have dropped off the email while we were there, we attended my 15th reunion. It was wonderful to see our dear friends whose prayers and care have helped to carry us on this journey.

Ray is feeling better. Sunday seems to be the day that he starts the upswing from the chemo round the week before. We are so glad! And now we have a good week to anticipate before Round 10!

We are grateful for safe travel to and from Taylor, for wonderful and encouraging conversations with friends and for time in heartfelt prayer.

"O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way."
2 Chronicles 6:14


not alone and not afraid --

kristin and ray