Here’s a great email we recently received from our friend Marsha Tarr.

Martha, Kent, and I left after church Sunday to drive to San Francisco. We drove over the Golden Gate Bridge to have lunch in a small café in Sausilito. We enjoyed walking along the Bay and viewing the San Francisco skyline. We stopped tog et some taffy to take to Irene and Dave Dias at the University of San Francisco hospital, where she is in treatment for primary amyloid.

For all that Irene has endured, her spirits are soaring.  For the hour we were with her, she recounted all the blessings and provisions that God has given to her in providing them with the finest medical care and key moments when just the right doctor stopped by and got her the immediate care she needed.

Irene sings hymns while laying in her room and witnesses about God’s goodness and care to those (caregivers, family, friends) that come to see her.

The abundance of steroids caused bleeding in her eyes and both of her retinas became detached this week.  She is hoping that they will correct themselves after the steroids are reduced.  She could see us, though we were blurry to her.  She begins her stem cell harvesting and chemo treatments in the next few days, so will be going through a “journey,” as she calls it. Her hair will fall out, but that is of no concern to her.  She just keeps singing God’s praises!!!!!!!!!!!!

The scripture chorus we sang in our worship service at church this week reminded me of Irene’s outlook on life.  What a powerful testimony!!!!

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord,
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord.
Our God, You reign forever.
Our hope, our strong Deliv’rer.

CHORUS:
You are the everlasting God, the everlasting God.
You do not faint, You won’t grow weary.
You’re the defender of the weak,
You comfort those in need.
You lift us up on wings like eagles.