Got “tummy” GROWL….?
If you’re like me, it’s easy to work up a very hardy appetite and have my stomach growling for food!  I am reminded that….
The laborer’s appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on.
Proverbs 16:26
....and after a good meal, my tummy busily churns with the digestive juices doing their amazing job….!!!

Irene drove herself to and from dialysis this morning.  She came home extremely exhausted and took an extended nap.  She weighed in at 106 pounds, fully clothed….losing another pound since November 19th and at this stage every pound counts!!  She’s endeavoring to eat well but is challenged to maintain and put on some additional weight….even with turkey, leftovers and pumpkin pie!! 
Also, one of the more interesting physiological reactions in Irene’s body is the very loud gurgling of food (tummy growl….l!!) being digested after each meal.  It can be heard for up to 2 hours after eating!!  Please pray that Irene can gain weight!!
Irene and I met with Jocelyn at her favorite restaurant this evening in honor of Jocelyn’s 27th birthday.  It was a time of celebration….and watching Jocelyn enjoy her Sushi….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There are a lot of lessons being learned about the body’s physiology and Primary Amyloidosis as we navigate through IRENE"S Journey of FAITH.  The human body is truly an incredible creation.
For us the one thing that continues to grow is our hardy appetite for God.  And this we’re guaranteed in the Word….that our appetite will always be completely satisfied in Him.
Caminando con Fé

Dave

A devotional reflection…

Psalm 34
Taste and See That the LORD Is Good
Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.
1I will bless the LORD at all times;
  his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2My soul makes its boast in the LORD;
  let the humble hear and be glad.
3Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
  and let us exalt his name together!
4I sought the LORD, and he answered me
  and delivered me from all my fears.
5Those who look to him are radiant,
  and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
  and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps
  around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
  Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints,
  for those who fear him have no lack!
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;
  but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11 Come, O children, listen to me;
  I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 What man is there who desires life
  and loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil
  and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Turn away from evil and do good;
  seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous
  and his ears toward their cry.
16 The face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
  to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears
  and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
  and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
  but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
20He keeps all his bones;
  not one of them is broken.
21Affliction will slay the wicked,
  and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22The LORD redeems the life of his servants;
  none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

Dear Dave, Irene and family,
I loved your Thanksgiving photo gallery!!! Do you think Irene’s wonderful, spontaneous smile is genetic!!!???
We are still in Merced, so will not be in Santa Cruz until December 7.  Looking forward to seeing you then.
Sending Love, Hugs and our Prayers,
Phyllis and Jack

Traditionally we don’t think that a “ROUND PEG” can fit into a “SQUARE HOLE”.  However, it becomes very possible using an extrusion process.

So, what is an EXTRUSION?

Extrusion is the word used to describe the process of forcing a material through a die.  The product that eventually emerges has been extruded into a useful form.

It’s my observation and experience that God may often use an “extrusion process” to CONFORM and TRANSFORM each of us into His image.

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.
Romans 8:29a

.... be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Roman 12:2b

If the goal of our faith is being conformed and transformed into His image with the outcome of Holiness, Purity and Godliness, we must not resist the forging of our character, even when it may be painful and enduring.  For only then do we become the “new form” of HIS creation.

It is ironic that a physical “die” is used in the extrusion process.  The analogies in scripture are abundantly clear…that WE must “die” and “deny” ....

I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I that lives but Christ lives in me ....
Gal 2.20

I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
John 12:24

Then he (Jesus) said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me”.
Luke 9:23

The final “form” of our lives is more useful to God when our personal agenda dies .... perhaps after being put through some form of an extrusion process.  We can then pray more openly, honestly and willingly as Jesus did, “not my will, but thy will be done”.

Irene had an early morning dialysis treatment and spent the balance of the day resting.  She was nauseated and very lethargic, but delighted to have Jocelyn and JoAnna available to her this extended Thanksgiving weekend.

In many ways IRENE’S Journey of FAITH has been similar to an extrusion process .... for her and many others affected along the way.  If the “end result” of the extrusion process is being a more useful form to God Himself, then the pain and suffering, although not pleasant, is always worth it .... for we are being conformed to His image and for His purposes ....

Caminando con Fé
Dave

Celebrating Life!

Unappreciative .... ungrateful .... unpleasant ....

Angry .... bitter .... cynical ....

Disagreeable .... pessimistic .... thankless ....

How does it make you feel when you read those words?  Read through them again .... slowly.

Beyond reading the words, how would it feel to actually express those words with intense emotion?

If you’re like me, those words and emotions are sad, negative and demoralizing.

If “attitude determines altitude” we must be intentional about our outlook on life.  But if anyone has the “right” to express those negative emotions, Irene does.  But she doesn’t.  She’s a model of HOPE and OPTIMISM.

Irene’s signature smile and buoyant spirit express it all.  The inner joy and beauty of her life, reflected by unqualified faith and confidence in God represent a lighthouse of cheerfulness and enthusiasm .... despite facing Primary Amyloidosis .... and she even maintains a refreshing sense of humor through it all!!

Beyond the decision to accept Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior many years ago, in my humble opinion, those attributes are overwhelming evidence that God’s Holy Spirit resides in her.  It’s a manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit.  It’s also the attitude of the heart that speaks His quest into her world.  Simply put, it’s inspiring .... and she models the following:

A happy heart makes the face cheerful ....
Proverbs 15:13a

A cheerful heart is good medicine ....
Proverbs 17:22a

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
Psalm 28:7

According to Wikipedia…

On December 4, 1619, a group of 38 English settlers arrived at Berkeley Hundred, comprised of about eight thousand acres (32 square kilometers) on the north bank of the James River near Herring Creek in an area then known as Charles Cittie (sic) about 20 miles upstream from Jamestown, where the first permanent settlement of the Colony of Virginia was established on May 14, 1607.

The group’s charter required that the day of arrival be observed yearly as a “day of thanksgiving” to God. On that first day, Captain John Woodleaf held the service of thanksgiving. Here is the section of the Charter of Berkeley Hundred which specifies the thanksgiving service:

Wee ordaine that the day of our ships arrival at the place assigned for plantacon in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perpetually keept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty god.

388 years after the English settlers arrived at Berkeley Hundred we keep this day holy and celebrate Thanksgiving Day.  2007 is a defining year of remembrance for our family.  Our circumstances are obviously challenging but we have grateful hearts for God’s ever continuing presence and provision.  We are overwhelmed with the knowledge of His power at work in our lives .... at deeper levels than we could have ever realized heretofore .... especially as we trust Him for Irene’s complete healing and restoration.

Irene is excited that Jocelyn and JoAnna are with us this Thanksgiving Day celebrating LIFE.  She’s paying no heed to the nausea and embracing the festivities of the holiday.

Below is a great photo of Matt, Christy and Nina Arnold who visited today from NYC, along with Irene’s sister, Carmen .... and of course, Irene!!!  Christy is Carmen’s daughter .... and obviously Irene’s niece!!!  Below that is another photo of Irene thoroughly enjoying Nina!!!!

Here’s a quick update on our girls ....

Jocelyn continues to work at Port Supply, the Wholesale Division at West Marine, loves her 2007 4 Door GMC Canyon pickup and camper shell to haul friends and dogs!!!  She LOVES living in Capitola .... about two blocks from the beach!!!  On Monday she turns 27!!

JoAnna is working at Azusa Pacific University, loves her 2007 VW Bug, attends a weekly Bible Study and sings both at church and as opportunities are created.  She loves living in S. Cal!!!

Provocative attitudes of being unappreciative, ungrateful, unpleasant, angry, bitter, cynical, disagreeable, pessimistic or thankless are simply not an option and instead we will intentionally choose an attitude of THANKSGIVING .... both for today and beyond.

On this Thanksgiving Holiday we bless YOU and pray you will experience God’s presence and provision in new and wonderful ways!!

Caminando con Fé

Dave

Dave,

Jana and I wish you and Irene and your families a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with God’s presence and His many blessings!!!

3 John 2

Steve

Psalm 104
O LORD My God, You Are Very Great

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul!
  O LORD my God, you are very great!

  You are clothed with splendor and majesty,
2 covering yourself with light as with a garment,
  stretching out the heavens like a tent.
3 He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters;

  he makes the clouds his chariot;
  he rides on the wings of the wind;
4 he makes his messengers winds,
  his ministers a flaming fire.

5 He set the earth on its foundations,
  so that it should never be moved.
6 You covered it with the deep as with a garment;
  the waters stood above the mountains.
7 At your rebuke they fled;
  at the sound of your thunder they took to flight.
8 The mountains rose, the valleys sank down
  to the place that you appointed for them.
9 You set a boundary that they may not pass,
  so that they might not again cover the earth.

10 You make springs gush forth in the valleys;
    they flow between the hills;

11 they give drink to every beast of the field;
    the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell;
    they sing among the branches.
13 From your lofty abode you water the mountains;
    the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.

19 He made the moon to mark the seasons;
    the sun knows its time for setting.
20 You make darkness, and it is night,
    when all the beasts of the forest creep about.

24 O LORD, how manifold are your works!
    In wisdom have you made them all;
    the earth is full of your creatures.

25 Here is the sea, great and wide,
    which teems with creatures innumerable,
    living things both small and great.
26 There go the ships,
    and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it.

27 These all look to you,
    to give them their food in due season.
28 When you give it to them, they gather it up;
    when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
29 When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
    when you take away their breath, they die
    and return to their dust.
30 When you send forth your Spirit, they are created,
    and you renew the face of the ground.

31 May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
    may the LORD rejoice in his works,
32 who looks on the earth and it trembles,
    who touches the mountains and they smoke!
33 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live;
    I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
34 May my meditation be pleasing to him,
    for I rejoice in the LORD.
35 Let sinners be consumed from the earth,
    and let the wicked be no more!

    Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!

We pray God’s special Blessings on the Dias family during this season. Jeanne and I love you both and while 2007 has been trying, God has you more firmly gripped in his his heart then ever before !!!! TO HIM BE THE GLORY FOR NOW AND EVERMORE!!

Hello Dias family,
I bet that you all have a lot to be thankful this year and so do we.
Richard celebrated his 53rd birthday and finally retired from Save Mart this year, hooray!!!!!!!!!!  All of us are well and healthy.  So now it is time for you blessed Irene to get better.  I have been sooo busy and felt the need to stop my busy chaos to let you all know that there isn’t a day that we don’t think of you Irene, Dave and the girls.
I hope and pray that for all of you on this Thanksgiving that it is as blessed as our Thanksgiving will be.  May God Bless you and your family.  This message is sent with love and prayers.  Take care and from one family to another loving family enjoy your day you Irene and Dave really deserve it. 
Blessings from Stephanie, Rich, Shawn/Christy, Justin/Kasey, Cory and Dieter

Hey Irene and Dave,

  I recently read a book by Ken Blue called “Authority to Heal.” One concept that really grabbed me was that we are to “contend for healing” until the Lord tells us not to. Until that time we are to battle in the heavenlies for complete healing. With that in mind, Laura and I will continue to contend in prayer for Irene’s full recovery because He has not told us to stop yet! In my mind, if her suffering has led to draw many people to the Lord, how much more would her healing!  You are in our prayers.

  Dave and Laura Gschwend

Irene has been healthy and active for most of her life.  She’s always had some sort of creative project in play.  But .... recently she expressed some minor annoyance related to some of the physical limitations she now faces with Primary Amyloidosis.  So, here’s a penetrating question for your deliberation .... what would keep you MOTIVATED if you faced a similar challenge?

Irene pragmatically answers the question this way .... her “motivation combination” are FAITH, HOPE and LOVE.

Irene’s FAITH and trust is in Jesus Christ and the Living Word .... with confidence she knows and believes that she will ultimately live in His presence forever and ever.

.... faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1

Irene’s HOPE is for now and the future .... whatever that future may look like ....

She hopes ....

• that the chronic nausea will someday subside
• that the amyloidosis will go into complete remission
• that her kidney function will return
• that she will be fully healed and restored

Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for ....
Job 6:8

Irene LOVES and is LOVED.  Irene loves God through her relationship with Jesus.  She loves her family (with her two obvious favorites being Jocelyn & JoAnna!!!).  She loves her friends.  Over many years I have seen Irene consistently express love to many people that she doesn’t even know by name.  Irene also knows that she is loved by God; that she is loved by a caring family and that she is loved by well meaning friends .... like the one reading this update right now.

You are .... O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.
Psalm 86:5

The FAITH, HOPE and LOVE “motivation combination” serve as catalysts to spur her through each day .... especially those that are long and difficult ....

Tina McIntyre was driving to SJC early Sunday morning and caught a return flight to her family and home in Boise, Idaho.  Now that’s commitment .... flying from Boise for a few days with Irene!!!  Thank you, Tina and thanks, Andy, for giving Tina an “Irene hall pass” for a few days!!  I think they had way too much fun together!

Shirley Churchill spent over two hours with Irene Sunday afternoon continuing to work on physiology techniques designed to wake up the kidneys!!  We’re so grateful for the Churchill family commitment to Irene’s well being as Shirley continues to invest her time and talent.

Irene drove herself to an early morning dialysis treatment.  She weighed in at a whopping 107 pounds (fully clothed).  I’m hoping she’ll have an appetite for lots of turkey and stuffing on Thanksgiving Day!!!  After dialysis she did some shopping at Target before returning home and spending most of the day completing household chores.  The nausea remained at a low rumble and her energy was steady.  Yay!

On March 1, 1980, Irene and I placed wedding rings with the inscription “1 Cor 13:13” on our respective fingers that we wear to this day ....

.... these three remain, faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13

God’s FAITHfulness toward us even though we are undeserving, our HOPE in Him even when circumstances are daunting .... and His great LOVE expressed to us by the manifestation of His presence .... have sustained us for almost 28 years.

There are times when all of us can be annoyed with the limitations of the day.  But if faith, hope and love are the primary motivators and catalysts, they also serve as the ongoing “sustainers” and “overcomers” of the disease named Primary Amyloidosis.  A biblical framework of faith, hope and love, in the long term, always trump every obstacle.

One final note .... God is great and He is love.  It is God himself that keeps Irene and our family looking inward, upward, onward and forward .... and for that, we love Him, pursue Him, serve Him and praise Him.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

Dave,
Your Isaiah 40 reflections today really spoke to my heart. I resonated with your words both in relationship to Irene and to the life journey we are all walking. Bless you. I think there is deep meaning and power in the eagle as a symbol for Christian living.

Irene, we continue to pray for you daily, even waking up many times in the night as we are summoned to pray for you. We are contending for complete healing and encouragement and fullness of life for the journey…we do miss you. Thoughts of you bring smiles to our faces and sunshine to our hearts…we do not waiver in our intercession for you, for Dave, and for your precious and talented daughters.

To Life!

Laura Gschwend

Thanks for checking in!!!

I had business meetings in the Washington DC area last week so Irene’s sister, Jane, and our good friend, Tina McIntyre, took turns staying with Irene while I was away.  The personal highlight of my trip was enjoying dinner with Emily, Lisa, and James Brydon in Bethesda, MD!!  Lisa is my first cousin whose mom, Carmel, is my dad’s sister.  Below is their good looking photo!!

Irene did well in my absence and really enjoyed Jane and Tina.  Certainly the nausea continues to linger but her upbeat and persevering spirit is inspiring.  We’re still waiting for the most current report concerning Irene’s kidney function. 
Several times EAGLES have been a featured theme in many of the updates.  In scripture, the eagle is often used as a majestic metaphor.  A friend recently shared the following which I offer to you today ....

The eagle is a symbol mentioned 38 times throughout the Bible.  We can learn some important lessons from this majestic creation of God.  Eagles have a wing span of 2 meters and are around 90 cm tall.  The eagle mates for life and uses the same nest for life.  This nest is built in a safe place, often on the ledge of a sharp cliff.  It is built to last and the largest nest reported is 9 ½ feet wide and 20 feet deep.
 
When the babies are born, both parents assume responsibility for their care.  They are gentle parents, sitting on the eggs for one month.  The parents bring food up to the nest and feed them small pieces of meat. Within 45 days they can weigh nearly 40 times their birth weight.  At three months they get special feathers for flying and a new learning experience begins.  The mother eagle flies into the nest and begins to thrash around causing a great commotion.  Eventually one of the babies will fall out of the nest and begin heading for the earth below.  Never having used his wings before, he’s not really sure what to do, but does do lots of flapping while heading straight down!  Just before the baby hits the ground, the mother eagle flies underneath in order to ‘catch’ the baby on her powerful wings and she flies him safely back to the nest.  This continues on day after day until all the babies learn to fly.
There are two verses in scripture that actually mention this routine of the eagle.  In Deuteronomy 32:10,11, Moses reminds the children of Israel how God cared for them and guarded them just “like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions.”  Again in Exodus 19:4, God says that “He will carry the children of Israel on eagles’ wings.”  We can get very comfortable in our ‘nest’. Perhaps that could be our way of doing things, our way of thinking, our opinions, our way of living life. Then when God comes and ‘stirs up our nest’ we get upset.  We don’t always identify this as a growing experience.  Sometimes if we were really honest, we really don’t want to grow.  We get very complacent and satisfied with where we are and any interruptions are viewed as negative.  But God wants us to fly — to become all that He intends us to become.  He never stirs up our nest without good reason!
The eagle can see a rabbit two miles away.  It can soar up to two miles above the ground and can fly at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour.  They have a separate eyelid which slides across the eye sideways in order to keep the eye clean and free from dust as they fly.  Their bones are hollow and therefore light of frame.  Their frame has cross ribs like steel bars in sky scrapers.  The eagle has 7000 feathers.  The back feathers are as long as the head feathers.  Their beak is black until age of 3 years and then turns golden.
When eagles are about 30 years old they go through a renewal process. They find a secret place high in the mountains and begin to claw at their face and tear out the feathers that have been damaged over the years.  As a result, it bleeds badly.  But this is necessary for the eagle in order to renew its strength.  If it did not do this it would not be able to live to its normal 60 years of age.
. Psalms 103:5 says, “who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.”  A time of renewal is necessary for every person.  A time when we get rid of what is weighing us down, holding us back, aging us spiritually.  A time to give up the sinful habits, to give in to the Holy Spirit in whatever way He is convicting us.  We need to do this even to the point of renewal with pain!  Some things we hold on to so tightly that to let go, actually causes us pain.  But in order to have the long, powerful, useful spiritual life that God plans for us, we need to do that.  It will renew our spiritual youthfulness.
When the eagle is free to soar in God’s creation, they are the cleanest of birds.  They were created to be free and to soar to great heights.  They were not meant to remain close to the earth in the lowlands.  They were created to soar. When eagles are held in captivity, they become one of the dirtiest birds.  God has created us to remain pure and holy and conformed to His image.

Eagles do not fly like other birds they don’t flap their wings but rather soar.  Flapping their wings would use incredible amounts of their own strength and endurance and they would require so much more food as fuel if they didn’t soar.  Instead they sit on a high ledge and wait for the right wind currents to come.  When the time is right, they take off and soar upward.  Effortlessly, because they have waited for the right time.  There is a special ‘up going’ wind, that they ride as it circles higher and higher toward the sky.
What a lesson to learn.  How often do we waste strength by jumping out too soon and ‘flapping our wings,’ instead of waiting for God’s timing.  Waiting is not a popular concept in these days of instant everything! But when we wait on the Lord — wait for His timing — wait for His answers — wait for His direction then we can soar to new heights and fly to new places.  Isaiah 40:28-31:  “Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles: they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.”

During this surreal season of our lives, we’re grateful for people who have rallied around us with such amazing demonstrations of love.  We’re grateful for the symbolism of the eagle which spurs us on. 
Thanks for caring and joining us on this amazing journey.
Caminando con Fé
Dave

Are there circumstances that would cause you to “jump to your feet” with excitement and anticipation?  Clearly, in the following passage, there was reason for this man to do so ....

As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Mark 10:46-52

Banishing the nausea, Irene was up and out of the house early this morning, shopping at Beverly’s for more holiday accents.  She returned home and “raked the dirt” for aesthetic purposes in the front yard where fresh deer prints had been left from the invigorating rain last night.  Another motivation for being outside today was that the air was so incredibly fresh that she wanted to inhale deeply and savor the occasion. 

Shirley Churchill graciously worked with Irene for two+ hours related to physiology techniques designed to wake up the kidneys.  Irene’s strength is growing daily and we remain hopeful that sometime soon we’ll learn evidence of increased kidney function.

Irene’s sister, Jane, arrived late this afternoon and will be staying at the house for a few days.

Irene is beginning to “jump to her feet” as each day begins.  Her energy is returning and the biggest challenge of the day is the ongoing nausea.  But it is getting better than what it was.  She’s able to occasionally sleep on her side which was impossible until just a few weeks ago.  She’s looking forward to the holiday season because she can begin peering beyond “the existence” of today. 

As we anticipate God’s continued activity in Irene’s life, she’s “jumping” into each day with a renewed enthusiasm.  We continue to boldly ask Jesus to heal her completely in the same way that the blind man asked to see.  We rest in Him. 

Thank you for supporting IRENE’S Journey of FAITH. 

By the way, for regular visitors to Irene’s website, due to extenuating circumstances, there won’t be an update again until Monday, November 19th.

Caminando con Fé
Dave