It’s a new day!!!!

The lyrics of this wonderful hymn, Irene’s favorite, give perspective to her journey of faith, giving “strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow” ....

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Irene was out of the house early this morning with a focused “GPS bearing” toward the mall and later met Phyllis Cauwels at Starbucks for her customized “tall, soy, green tea latte, no melon, no water and 4 scoops of tea”!!!

At home she wrapped Christmas gifts and thoroughly enjoyed the rainy, windy and foggy day on the bay!!!  Irene’s nausea held at a low roar and she made a feast for two .... a very delicious turkey breast dinner with home-made stuffing and veggies .... Yum .... !!!

For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Psalm 117:2a

It’s a new day .... presenting a fresh opportunity to appropriate our faithfulness to Him .... because He is first faithful to us.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

Irene / Dave:

I’m sorry for the news you received today. . . and I’m praying for you. 

Today is the 300th birthday of Charles Wesley, the 18th child of Suzannah Wesley.  What a gift #18 was to all of us.  I thought I’d drop the complete lyrics of one of my favorite of his hymns to you today. 

May God bless you and keep you!

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood!
Died he for me? who caused his pain!
For me? who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

‘Tis mystery all: th’ Immortal dies!
Who can explore his strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
‘Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.
‘Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left his Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite his grace!
Emptied himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race.
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned sprit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine;
Alive in him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’ eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’ eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

I know absolutely nothing about sports, especially basketball, but today at the APU Christmas party the speaker was telling us a story which included a description of basketball nets. He said that when a team defeats its archenemy/rival they cut the net. When he said this, I saw the curtain in the holy of holies being torn. I thought of how when Jesus defeated his archenemy, Satan, the holy of holies curtain was torn in half – taken down because Jesus was declared the Winner. He was (and still is) the Conqueror. We don’t understand why things are happening the way that they are; we don’t know what the future holds, but I’m so glad that Jesus holds the net. He already declares victory over the enemy. We are still playing the game, but the winner has been chosen. Sometimes Satan tries to viciously take out one of God’s team members; but Jesus already declares that we will always be part of his team, this game will be won, and we will end as champions. When Jesus hung on that cross, Satan thought he had risen victoriously; but Jesus is the one who rose victoriously as He conquered the grave, and now He reigns forever. Don’t ask me why God gave a music major a sports analogy, but He did. We trust in and wait for His ultimate victory.

We had a sobering consultation at UCSF with Dr. Damon today.

By way of background, Irene’s amyloid “value” was at 652 when she had the stem cell transplant on June 15th.  In October that value had dropped to 33 with a target value of 0 which would equal remission.  On December 3rd another blood draw was completed with test results today revealing a value of 63.

Obviously, the amyloid value has almost doubled in Irene’s bloodstream since October and is trending in the wrong direction.

Dr. Damon had another blood draw taken today to test the amyloid value.  He also ordered a urine sample to measure the protein escaping her urinary tract.  Test results will be learned in about two weeks.  The obvious purpose is to trend the amyloid with a third validation date.

If the amyloid trend continues upward, Irene will be immediately started on another chemotherapy regime, taking one tablet orally once a week.  With more chemo, the chronic nausea will be even more caustic but this is the recommendation in potentially mitigating the mounting adversity.

This is not the news we were hoping for but as Irene quietly commented on the drive home, “My prayer all day has been to accept whatever news I’m told. I am not without hope; I still trust Him to completely heal me.” She remains courageous and inspiring.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men ....
Ecclesiastes 3:11a

Sobering consultations like the one today remind us that amyloid is a daunting, formidable foe and that we are made for eternity.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

Irene and Dave,
We continue to pray for you, think of you, and intervene on your behalf…

Irene, you are so loved and although we have not seen each other for a very long time, you are a part of my everyday life and always in my heart. I have not given up hope for a full recovery and I talk to God about that ALL THE TIME!

Dave, your love for Irene, your writing, and your words of encouragement are a dissertation on courage and faith. They are so full...they run over with wisdom and the kind of faith described in the Hebrews chapter that describes those who have run the race of faith. You and Irene are a team...truly. We hold up your arms in intercession and run the race with you and Irene..pressing onward toward the goal.

Your journey inspires us. We pray blessings all over you and your precious family.

Laura and Dave

A VICE is an apparatus used for holding or clamping a work piece to allow work to be performed on it with tools such as saws, planes, drills, mills, screwdrivers or sandpaper.  The vice holds, clamps, grasps, or clutches the object being held in place so that the creator’s work may be advanced.

Irene’s bronchitis symptoms appear to be diminishing and for that we’re grateful.  Shirley Churchill graciously worked with Irene for 3 hours again today.  Jocelyn was in and out; it’s nice that she lives close by.  After Irene’s dialysis treatment tomorrow morning we travel to UCSF to meet with Dr. Damon and learn more about the amyloid blood test drawn on December 3.

I certainly don’t know what it actually feels like, but my guess is that the “object” inside a vice wouldn’t “feel” comfortable but rather extremely restrained or metaphorically speaking, “kidnapped” to some degree.  Perhaps being bound in a vice could also cause panic…especially if one is claustrophobic.  The one conclusion that we confer however, is that the process and outcome of being in the vice is always constructive. 

As a metaphoric VICE, God promises that he will never leave nor forsake us.  He longs for us to GRASP how wide and long and high and deep is his love for us.  He HOLDS victory in store for us and promises to be our shield. 

“…and I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ…”
Ephesians 3:17b-18

“…He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless…”
Proverbs 2:7

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:8

Knowing these verses to be true, His GRIP is dependable and firm.  His Hand is steadily upon Irene and upon both of us for that matter, HOLDING US STEADY so that work can be performed in our hearts and minds for we are being conformed to His Image.  God is “holding us steady” but instead of saws, planes, drills, mills, screwdrivers or sandpaper being used to perform the work, it’s His ever present Holy Spirit, dispatched from Heaven to deal carefully and lovingly with each of us in His own way. 

May God’s work, in the VICE OF LIFE, be advanced to His Glory!

Caminando con Fé
Dave

This morning after breakfast, just before returning JoAnna and Brenda Reinebach to SJC, they sprung into action and performed a mini private Christmas Concert for Irene, celebrating her six month stem cell transplant.  Brenda accompanied and JoAnna sang two of Irene’s favorites with Brenda singing harmony.

• The Gift Goes On
• O Holy Night

It was a special moment for Irene to vicariously appreciate last night’s event.

Later in the day, Irene and I viewed the video of last night’s Christmas party that I had captured for that very reason.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

It is 6 months today that Irene had her stem cell transplant at UCSF.  Irene commented that the Lord has given her an additional 6 months of life.  Thank you for your continued expressions of prayer and care.

Given Irene’s journey of faith, Psalm 139 is an amazing reflection:

O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.
7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
12 even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.
13 For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.
19 Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!
O men of blood, depart from me!
20 They speak against you with malicious intent;
your enemies take your name in vain!
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
22 I hate them with complete hatred;
I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!

According to the Encarta Dictionary, PERCEPTION is:

• An attitude or understanding based on what is observed or thought
• The ability to notice or discern things that escape the notice of most people

I’ve heard it stated that perception is our reality.  Do you agree with that?

Is our perception .... REALITY?

Irene drove herself to and from dialysis today, ran a couple of errands and rested for the balance of the day.  The InterWest Christmas party is this evening, in Livermore, and JoAnna is singing several songs.  Her voice teacher, Brenda Reinebach, is the accompanist.  It’s somewhat awkward and the only sad conflict is this: Irene isn’t attending the evening’s festivities for obvious reasons.  On the brighter side, JoAnna is spending Friday night at the house before returning to S. Cal on Saturday.

Here are a few examples of who Jesus says that he is:

• I am the bread of life (John 6:35)
• I am the light of the world (John 8:12)
• I am from above (John 8:23)
• I am the gate (John 10:7)
• I am the door (John 10:9)
• I am the good shepherd (John 10:11)
• I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25)
• I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6)
• I am the true vine (John 15:1)

Whether or not PERCEPTION is reality, God longs for our perception of Him, through the person of Jesus, to be the REALITY of who he really is.

From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you ....
Isaiah 64:4a

Caminando con Fé

Dave

Finally, some timely holiday FOOD advice by an unknown author that has personal application!

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they’re serving rum balls.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can and quickly. You can’t find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 1,000 calories in every sip? It’s not as if you’re going to turn into an “eggnog-aholic” or something. It’s a treat. Enjoy it!!!! Have one for me. Have two. It’s later than you think. It’s Christmas!


3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That’s the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand-alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.


4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they’re made with skim milk or whole milk. If it’s skim, pass. Why bother? It’s like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.


5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people’s food for free. Lots of it.
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year’s. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you’ll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don’t budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They’re like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you’re never going to see them again.


8. Same for pies. Apple, pumpkin and mincemeat - have a slice of each. Or, if you don’t like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?


9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it’s loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.


10. One final tip: If you don’t feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven’t been paying attention. Reread tips: Start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by:
“Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body. But rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “WOO-HOO what a ride!”

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Irene, Dave and Family,

Irene, you continue to be in the prayers of Beth and I.  Your name and condition are mentioned often @ our mens bible study on Thursday morning.  I will ask the men to pray for you when we meet tomarrow morning.  May you continue to be held firmly in His arms.  Don And Beth Spears

I know it's not baseball season, but there's been much provocative conversation in the news, hasn't there?

Various baseball PITCHES are intended to break up a batter's rhythm and timing with the intent to make an "out" .... in other words, disqualifying the batter from getting on base and ultimately scoring a run.

According to Wikipedia there are many types of pitches:

From a human perspective, the Amyloid "pitch" has broken our life rhythm and timing and has taken us "out". Out of what, you ask? Potentially, out of "purpose", I answer.

What do I mean by that?

For years, prior to Irene's diagnosis, we were living "on purpose". In other words, as popular book author Rick Warren writes, we were living the "purpose driven" life. So, humanly speaking, at times we feel as if we're not as "effective" as we were before .... we're not as available, we're not as mobile, we're not as focused, we're not as ....?

Why not, you ask? Simply, because the amyloid journey has taken us into foul territory and "out of play".

Irene insisted on driving herself back and forth to dialysis today and afterward ventured to the "French store" called "Target". When she arrived home, the gardeners and tree crew had arrived earlier than scheduled and blocked our entire roadway/driveway to the house .... so what did she do? She parked on the street below and climbed up the hill to our house. Even for a healthy person it's a nice hike, but for someone with bronchitis? You can't keep her down!!! Irene ultimately accomplished several small projects around the house and rested as well, enjoying a very sunny day on the bay. Irene also prepared a wonderful eggplant dinner for me to enjoy this evening!!! However, here is a qualifying statement .... Shirley Churchill has recommended that Irene only uses 50% of her energy each day when she feels good .... Irene has assured me she paced herself and only used 50% today ....!!!! Irene was also pleased to have a quick visit with Marsha Tarr who came by while conducting some errands.

Humanly speaking, the Amyloid "pitch" has thrown us out of what we "thought" was the "game" of life. However, if God is in control, then, really, we're not out of the game at all, but merely "in the game" at a new level. The dimension of the game has taken on more and newer meaning. The stakes are definitely higher.

We have intense focus, even more now than before, of what "living on purpose" really means. Perhaps this is the most defining moment of our lives to literally point to Jesus Christ as the Alpha and Omega of life.

For in him we live and move and have our being. Acts 17:28

Our daily challenge is to adjust to the "life pitch" .... in whatever form it may be delivered and hit the ball in a way that is pleasing to God. Rather than our rhythm and timing being broken, if we correctly adjust to the pitch, we're ready to crush a slam into the grandstands.

.... therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1

.... and to that end we pray.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

The road between our home on the Monterey Bay and UCSF is one that has become quite familiar.  At least driving on Highways 17 and 280 are an extremely scenic drive!!

Irene had a rough night with nausea “manifesting” itself around 1.30 a.m.  We were up throughout the night .... Irene’s fever was north of 101 and she woke up this morning with breathing difficulty and discomfort in her right lung area ....

Needless to say, we called UCSF and scheduled a separate appointment with the primary medical team before the vascular surgery testing scheduled for 1 p.m.  A blood test and X-Ray were done immediately upon arrival.  The good news: the fever broke and she doesn’t have pneumonia as suspected by the medical team; the bad news: Irene does have bronchitis and will be on antibiotics.

The vein mapping was completed as scheduled.

We return on Monday, December 17, to review the amyloid blood test results with Dr. Damon.

Our drive to UCSF is one of familiarity but certainly not one that we look forward to.  What we look forward to is the day that UCSF road trips are not part of the journey at all .... hoping, instead, that Irene is on the “road to recovery”.  Now, that is what I would call a scenic drive!

Caminando con Fé

Dave

If our lives are a metaphorical drama, we would have never written the script like the one we’re “staging” ....

Irene drove herself to and from dialysis treatment and spent most of the afternoon recovering from a particularly debilitating day.  Her nausea persists, she’s got a lingering cough and was informed at dialysis of a small amount of fluid discovered in her lung; however, the team was hopeful that the dialysis process removed most of the fluid from her system.

We travel to UCSF tomorrow and meet with the vascular surgical team for the vein mapping of the arteriovenous fistula.

From Wikipedia:

An arteriovenous fistula is an abnormal connection or passageway between an artery and a vein. Patients with end stage renal failure are treated with hemodialysis. In dialysis, blood is withdrawn from an artery or vein, purified, and returned to a vein. The volume of blood is too great for veins to handle, so a vein must be enlarged. An artery and vein, usually in the arm above or below the elbow, are sewn together, to create a fistula, and arterial pressure eventually enlarges the vein. The enlarged vein can accommodate a cannula or large needle.

We are told that once the arteriovenous fistula is surgically placed that it takes up to three months before it can actually be used.  The current “tesio” port in Irene’s chest is now operating at less than 100%; therefore, the necessity of taking this next step.

We are comforted by the following truth ....

A man’s (or woman’s) steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?
Proverbs 20:24

This is what the LORD says — your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”
Isaiah 48:17

As the sun sets on today we are reminded once again that we don’t write the script for our lives but we know the One who does.  He directs our paths, knows what is best and determines the roles each of us play on this “stage” of life.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

There are public signs of Christmas Spirit all around us .... with holiday décor on almost every street corner and music ringing in retail stores everywhere ....

Our home is also filled with the Christmas Spirit .... with melody filling the rooms and décor accenting the Day of Celebration coming upon us very soon; especially Irene’s “Christmas City” that comes alive this time of the year.

We were up and out of the house early this morning retrieving a Christmas tree and made great progress getting the decorations up with more to do in the coming days to complete the effort.

Shirley Churchill spent two+ plus hours with Irene working on physiology techniques intended to wake up the kidneys.  Jocelyn was also in and out a couple of times today, helping keep our house in order.

The Spirit filled Paul declares ....

.... if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Romans 10:9-10

The Christmas Spirit may be publicly displayed and may decorate our homes but the most significant place where the Christmas Spirit resides is in our HEART.

.... and it is His heart that is manifested in the manger.

Caminando con Fé

Dave