Loved Ones,
Ray was pretty tired today. Perhaps it was his week of fun. Nonetheless, we took in Nora's soccer game and this evening he visited with a friend.
Our whole household is busy preparing for Halloween! So we did errands while Daddy rested.
We are so grateful for your continued prayers.
A friend sent us this verse. It reminds me so much of how I feel when we are at chemo. I thought it was good preparation for our trip on Monday.
"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me... He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted... to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor... to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:1-3
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
A Very Good Week
Loved Ones,
Ray is really doing well with the calories. We are on a quest to find the highest calorie drink! That tastes good of course! Talk about gaining weight without really enjoying it!
We had another great day filled with friends and family, topping off a very good week.
Ray continues to feel pretty good and we are confident that his numbers will be high enough for chemo Monday! But what do we know, we thought the same last Monday!
Thank you for your many prayers.
"We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:3-5
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Ray is really doing well with the calories. We are on a quest to find the highest calorie drink! That tastes good of course! Talk about gaining weight without really enjoying it!
We had another great day filled with friends and family, topping off a very good week.
Ray continues to feel pretty good and we are confident that his numbers will be high enough for chemo Monday! But what do we know, we thought the same last Monday!
Thank you for your many prayers.
"We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:3-5
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Faith
Loved Ones,
It was a good day. This week we are really focused on weight gain for Ray while he has this opportunity without chemo. He is working hard and eating well.
We are noticing how many times great persons in the Bible are called to obey in faith, to go on a journey without knowing where it will lead. We love reading these stories, drawing strength and wisdom from the great faiths of those who have gone before us.
"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise." Hebrews 11: 8,11
"Is anything too hard for the LORD?" Genesis 18:14
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
It was a good day. This week we are really focused on weight gain for Ray while he has this opportunity without chemo. He is working hard and eating well.
We are noticing how many times great persons in the Bible are called to obey in faith, to go on a journey without knowing where it will lead. We love reading these stories, drawing strength and wisdom from the great faiths of those who have gone before us.
"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise." Hebrews 11: 8,11
"Is anything too hard for the LORD?" Genesis 18:14
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
A Normal Day
Loved Ones,
Today is a day that cancer just did not seem present. Certainly there is the fact that Ray is at home. But besides that, it was a normal day. Even by our old standards.
We pray continually for Ray's healing. We pray continually for the "impossible." We pray with diligence. We pray with hope. We pray with confidence.
We are so grateful that our voices are not alone, but a chorus.
"Praise be to the LORD, who has given rest to his people just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave. May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us. May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep the commands he gave our fathers. And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the LORD, be near to the LORD our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people according to each day's need, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God and that there is no other."
1 Kings 8:56-60
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Today is a day that cancer just did not seem present. Certainly there is the fact that Ray is at home. But besides that, it was a normal day. Even by our old standards.
We pray continually for Ray's healing. We pray continually for the "impossible." We pray with diligence. We pray with hope. We pray with confidence.
We are so grateful that our voices are not alone, but a chorus.
"Praise be to the LORD, who has given rest to his people just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave. May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us. May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep the commands he gave our fathers. And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the LORD, be near to the LORD our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people according to each day's need, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God and that there is no other."
1 Kings 8:56-60
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Steadfast Love
Loved Ones,
As always, we thank you for your steadfast prayers and encouragement. It is such a gift to all of us.
Of course we had a great day! Ray is feeling so much better and he is able to be so much more active with the girls -- playing webkinz, giving baths. It is wonderful time for them.
Our prayer for this week is that Ray's healthy cells would be rejuvenated for two reasons. Of course, so that his chemo can continue. But also, to fight the cancer on their own! Ray's chemo is most effective on a two week cycle -- but after nine rounds his body is finding that hard to manage! So we are praying extra hard that this break to restore his body will not give the cancer time to grow, but rather, will strengthen his natural immunity to keep fighting!
We pray always for God's hand on Ray in every way. Healing his body, lifting his spirit, giving him great joy in each day.
And, our prayer is one of thanksgiving for the week ahead with him feeling good. It really is special time for us.
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
As always, we thank you for your steadfast prayers and encouragement. It is such a gift to all of us.
Of course we had a great day! Ray is feeling so much better and he is able to be so much more active with the girls -- playing webkinz, giving baths. It is wonderful time for them.
Our prayer for this week is that Ray's healthy cells would be rejuvenated for two reasons. Of course, so that his chemo can continue. But also, to fight the cancer on their own! Ray's chemo is most effective on a two week cycle -- but after nine rounds his body is finding that hard to manage! So we are praying extra hard that this break to restore his body will not give the cancer time to grow, but rather, will strengthen his natural immunity to keep fighting!
We pray always for God's hand on Ray in every way. Healing his body, lifting his spirit, giving him great joy in each day.
And, our prayer is one of thanksgiving for the week ahead with him feeling good. It really is special time for us.
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Monday, October 20, 2008
No chemo
Loved Ones,
I am writing early to say, no chemo today. Ray's counts were too low. The doctor thinks it is just too hard to do it every other week so we are going to test out a three weeks, then two weeks schedule. So we are scheduled for next Monday for Round 10 instead.
Thank you for your prayers. The meeting was so helpful with our doctor. We had lots of questions and she had lots of answers.
We also thank you for the prayers for our girls. We know that they are helped so much by this. The prayers and their answers keep us going everyday.
Though we are always glad for the chemo, we are also thankful for a week without it and we know that each thing is according to God's plan.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
I am writing early to say, no chemo today. Ray's counts were too low. The doctor thinks it is just too hard to do it every other week so we are going to test out a three weeks, then two weeks schedule. So we are scheduled for next Monday for Round 10 instead.
Thank you for your prayers. The meeting was so helpful with our doctor. We had lots of questions and she had lots of answers.
We also thank you for the prayers for our girls. We know that they are helped so much by this. The prayers and their answers keep us going everyday.
Though we are always glad for the chemo, we are also thankful for a week without it and we know that each thing is according to God's plan.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Ready for Round Ten
Loved Ones,
We had another great day. Ray got to spend lots of time with his family and we had a nice dinner with friends. We are so glad that we were able to make the most of his weekend before chemo! It's like finals week. We're cramming in all the fun we can have.
So tonight we pray for good numbers tomorrow: good white blood cells and platelets to allow chemo to proceed. We pray for wisdom and guidance as we talk to Ray's doctor. We pray for God's healing power in Round 10!
An additional prayer request tonight is for our girls. They are buoyed by the fact that Ray is feeling so much better. Yet, their dad is still sick and it wears on them a little bit. Though at first we talked just about Daddy being sick, Nora now knows that it is cancer, and a little of what that means. We are reassuring, and we are honest. We are talking about God's plan for our family, which is different from any other. So tonight we pray for those little minds, that God would rest and keep them. That they would remember their job is to be five, and three, and one. And that they can leave the worries behind.
"But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Luke 18:16
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
We had another great day. Ray got to spend lots of time with his family and we had a nice dinner with friends. We are so glad that we were able to make the most of his weekend before chemo! It's like finals week. We're cramming in all the fun we can have.
So tonight we pray for good numbers tomorrow: good white blood cells and platelets to allow chemo to proceed. We pray for wisdom and guidance as we talk to Ray's doctor. We pray for God's healing power in Round 10!
An additional prayer request tonight is for our girls. They are buoyed by the fact that Ray is feeling so much better. Yet, their dad is still sick and it wears on them a little bit. Though at first we talked just about Daddy being sick, Nora now knows that it is cancer, and a little of what that means. We are reassuring, and we are honest. We are talking about God's plan for our family, which is different from any other. So tonight we pray for those little minds, that God would rest and keep them. That they would remember their job is to be five, and three, and one. And that they can leave the worries behind.
"But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Luke 18:16
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
Surprise!
Loved Ones,
It was a really good day today. This evening we had a family surprise party for Ray to celebrate his birthday. It was great to have a chance to remind him how much we love him!
He's feeling so very good today -- and judging from the amount he consumed tonight -- I think the appetite is about as good as it gets!
We enter this last day before chemo with joy! And we look forward to Round 10 on Monday. We will meet with Ray's doctor and have a chance to actually look at his last scan on the computer and ask all our many questions. We can't wait.
"O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name. You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever."
Psalm 30:2, 4, 11, 12
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
It was a really good day today. This evening we had a family surprise party for Ray to celebrate his birthday. It was great to have a chance to remind him how much we love him!
He's feeling so very good today -- and judging from the amount he consumed tonight -- I think the appetite is about as good as it gets!
We enter this last day before chemo with joy! And we look forward to Round 10 on Monday. We will meet with Ray's doctor and have a chance to actually look at his last scan on the computer and ask all our many questions. We can't wait.
"O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name. You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever."
Psalm 30:2, 4, 11, 12
not alone and not afraid --
kristin and ray
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