Greetings and thanks for checking in!!!!
Azusa Pacific University is an amazing place where God is “on the move” and FIRST in every way!! The Board of Trustee all day meeting dates of September 27/28 have been on my calendar for quite some time and I missed the last time we convened in May for obvious reasons!!! After consulting with UCSF and checking with friends and family that could look in on Irene, I ventured to S. Cal late Wednesday afternoon to attend those meetings. Irene was “home alone” ….!!!!
…. and she did extremely well. In fact, so well, that perhaps my ongoing presence has been a detriment to her recovery!
Early Thursday morning she drove to Safeway and later met Phyllis Cauwels at Carpo’s for lunch …. Early Friday morning she drove herself to dialysis which is about 15 miles away and includes freeway driving. Sue Martinez met Irene at the conclusion of the dialysis treatment, followed her to the house where they dropped Irene’s car off and set off for lunch at the Red Apple Restaurant. She was a “girl on the move”!!
On Friday Irene’s sisters Carmen and Jane arrived and stayed Friday night and Saturday with Irene …. bustling here and there. They were just settling in for the evening when suddenly I crashed their “pajama” party!!! Carmen and Jane spent Saturday night at the house and we watched The Ultimate Gift, one of our recent favorites! Irene and I were fortunate enough to attend the opening premiere in Charlotte, NC, just weeks before Irene was stricken with symptoms of Primary Amyloidosis.
Early this morning (Sunday) Irene was again “out and about” with Carmen and Jane, making a shopping run to Trader Joe’s. After returning, they “played in the dirt” (gardened) for several more hours!!!! A very long nap was in order after her busy weekend!!!! It’s a good thing that I was in S. Cal for the last few days …. I probably couldn’t have kept up with her ….!!!!!!!!!
All kidding aside, Irene still clashes with nausea virtually 24/7 but she is “managing” the chronic discomfort in terrific fashion. No pity party here! Her courageous attitude and determination facing this challenge are inspiring and hopefully the annoyance will soon subside. She is obviously not going to let it dissuade her from engaging life. She is determined to let the “fullness of Christ” richly indwell her. With growing strength and confidence combined with the ability to be more independent we’re hopeful that her steady progress will maintain without complication in the days ahead!!
Irene was SOLO on Wednesday and Thursday night with the exception of family and friends calling to check on her and for that we’re grateful. Solo, also and except for God’s ever abiding and healing presence. Her physical struggles continue but we’re appreciative of His abounding provision and your intercessory prayer. It stirs me to look on with wonder and amazement at God’s miraculous activity in Irene’s rousing life.
Caminando con Fé,
Dave
