9 a.m.

Thanks for checking in.

Irene’s amazing sister Jane is spending the weekend with us.

Jane delivered an envelope to Irene with the following label:

“for Kidney Walk
To: Tia Rini
from: Tresemay Briceno.”
Inside the envelope was $79.00 in mixed bills.  Tresemay is 8 years old.  She’s been saving for the last year.  She’s Jane’s grand-daughter.  Jane explained to us that Tresemay asked, “How much does a kidney cost?  Can I get a part time job doing dishes or cleaning houses so we can buy Tia Rini a kidney?”  Jane patiently explained the research purpose behind the the “Kidney Walk”.

We’re humbled and inspired by an 8 year old with a HUGE HEART for giving…and hoping for her “Tia Rini” to get a new kidney. 

We’ll convert the cash to a cashier’s check and apply it toward the kidney walk on on June 4, 2011 at the CityView Plaza in San Jose.

Thank you, Tresemay, and may God richly reward the longing of your heart…!!! 

Thanks for caring,
Dave

Take A Life Saving Step...raise money to fight kidney disease!

Irene will be participating in the Kidney Walk on June 4, 2011 at the CityView Plaza in San Jose. 

You can support her efforts by visiting this website:

2011 Kidney Walk

Be a DIFFERENCE MAKER...and act now…!!!

Thanks for your support,
Dave

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh…Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-5:4 (selections)

The last few weeks have been an intense purging of my heart. God has been showing me my weaknesses, my disappointments, my hopes, my idols, and my needs. There are times when I wish that I never signed up for this intensity of following Christ, and there are times when I celebrate the painful purging and rejoice at the fruit of his love, for me and for others. This morning I was pretty discouraged, and this verse came to me: “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.” The pain that I feel, the hopelessness of my broken self, is eclipsed in the glory of God. The glory that I can’t see yet, but I will see it.

We do groan. It’s painful to live on earth. People disappoint us, darkness still tempts us, sickness darkens our door, and all we can do is groan, lament, and cry out to the God who can save us. We don’t want to be clothed in these earthen vessels. We want to be clothed in the righteousness of Christ, righteousness that has purged all of our disoriented desires, our sin, and our pain. We are burdened by pain. We are burdened by life. We want our mortal body to be swallowed up by life, eternal life.

For today, I find comfort in these verses. Tomorrow I may be once again singing my lament. But I’m learning to trust the one who knows the song. He’s not afraid of key changes, minor keys, repeats, and ritardandos. He is teaching me this beautiful song, but to be honest, sometimes I hate the song he’s teaching me. It doesn’t sound beautiful, and it’s stretching and challenging to my limited ability. But one day, I will know the song to sing with the masses in heaven, and it will sound beautiful in the chorus of redeemed creation. I may not understand it right now, but one day I will. One day, I will.

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Bayside Church is celebrating Easter Service at the former ARCO Arena (now re-named Powerbalance Pavillion) in Sacramento.  Louis Zamperini’s life will be celebrated.  He is 94 years old, lives in Southern California, and still mows his lawn once a week!!!
Here’s part of his story:

The book UNBROKEN has been written about Zamperini’s life.
As we celebrate LIFE, we rejoice in Him .... ”for in him we live and move and have our being”. (Acts 17:28)
Happy Easter!

7 p.m.

We received official word from UCSF today that the Primary Amyloidosis remains in remission…!!!  YAY…!!! 

The official values are as follows:

Kappa Light Chain: 43.9
Landa: 58

The ratios are even better than the last report.  This is GREAT news…we’re celebrating…!!!       

THANKS for caring,
Dave

Dr. Lloyd Damon, Irene’s amazing oncologist at UCSF, is all grins because Irene continues to defy the odds; the Primary Amyloidosis remains in remission.  It’s now approaching 4 years (the stem cell transplant was in June of 2007)!!!  He’s so pleased with her progress that her next appointment is scheduled in October ...!!!

“X” the chronic nausea (which is manageable but brutal at times) and 3 days a week of dialysis treatment, one would never suspect that Irene is plagued with a debilitating disease.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

We sang this song (written by Keith Getty) at church tonight. I thought the lyrics were appropriate to suffering. None of us want to suffer, and some of us have been called to suffer more than others, but God’s ultimate goal in suffering is that we be conformed into the image of Christ, spending eternity united with Him. Not something easy to hear, but when we open to Him, His love helps us through somehow.

Jesus, draw me ever nearer
As I labour through the storm.
You have called me to this passage,
and I’ll follow, though I’m worn.

May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart’s testing,
With Your likeness let me wake.

Jesus guide me through the tempest;
Keep my spirit staid and sure.
When the midnight meets the morning,
Let me love You even more.

May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart’s testing,
With Your likeness let me wake.

Let the treasures of the trial
Form within me as I go -
And at the end of this long passage,
Let me leave them at Your throne.

May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart’s testing,
With Your likeness let me wake.

7 p.m.

Thanks for checking in…and thanks for caring so much about Irene’s Journey of Faith…!!!

Irene experienced a really good weekend.  The nausea remained at bay and her energy was good throughout each day.  Yesterday evening we attended church @ Venture in Los Gatos and enjoyed the teaching of our friend, Chip Ingram, http://www.lote.org.  It was also great to see his bride, Theresa…!!!

Today we enjoyed a local nursery and spent the afternoon planting some flowers and ground cover.  I went on a bike ride and, from all appearances, one would never even know that Irene had health concerns at all.  It was a great reprieve.

This Thursday Irene has her quarterly trip to UCSF for blood panels and to see Dr. Lloyd Damon, her Oncologist.

Irene continues to walk in victory…certainly living above her circumstances…for which we’re grateful.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

Yesterday Irene and I had a great day in the San Simeon area and stayed overnight at one of my client’s hotels, The Morgan. We produced a short commercial advertising The Morgan so were able to mix business and pleasure.  The Morgan is very close to Hearst Castle and a variety of other fun areas to explore .... Harmony, Cayucos and Morro Bay to name a few.  The Morgan is named after Julia Morgan, the architect of Hearst Castle.

Looking at Irene’s photo one would never know she has Primary Amyloidosis, struggles with 24/7 nausea and has kidney dialysis 3 days a week!!!  She’s certainly living above her circumstances ....!!!

We also enjoyed a brief visit with long time friend, John Heading, who owns Cambria Drug and Gift Store.

Thanks for caring,

Dave

8.30 p.m.

Thanks for checking in.

Irene’s sister Jane was notified by UCSF that her kidney won’t match Irene’s need.  We DEEPLY appreciate Jane’s willingness and know that this development is disappointing for all parties.  We hope for a positive development soon.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

Thanks for checking in.

Jane Smalley, Irene’s sister, is scheduled for another round of tests at UCSF on March 24th to continue on the path of kidney donor eligibility.

Irene’s nausea remains “at bay” today…it’s tolerable state is a welcome relief.  Her blood tests have been good. 

We’re enjoying a relaxing day on the bay. 

Thanks for caring,
Dave

Irene and I are celebrating March 1st with her sister, Jane, who is pictured below.

When the photo was taken in 2007 Jane was among the throng of blood donors supporting Irene through the stem cell transplant process of Primary Amyloidosis and the 45 transfusions which followed.  I’m sure that Jane had no idea that she would be at UCSF on our 31st wedding anniversary going through the qualification process of donating her kidney to Irene.  As long as the amyloid remains in remission, Irene remains eligible.

We don’t know where this journey is going but we are on our way ....

Thanks, Jane .... and to all of you that care so deeply,

Dave

6.30 p.m.

Thanks for checking in…Irene’s experiencing much of the same and hoping for a better tomorrow.  Her perseverence continues to amaze me and we hope for a BOUNCE tomorrow…

She continues to “live above her circumstances”. 

Thanks for caring,
Dave

7.30 p.m.

Thanks for checking in.

Irene had dialysis today…because her dialysis treatment was cut short again…yesterday.  She was experiencing a significant amount of fistula/arm pain and needle complications. 

So, 4 days of dialysis this week.
She’s back at dialysis again tomorrow….and definitely challenged by the ill effects…today.

Thanks for caring,
Dave