A meditation…

...25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:25-33

For those of you who are following the updates you have probably noted that Irene’s days are mixed with both good and not-so-good days.  It really does beg the question .... how much progress is being made?  Can we measure it?  Can we always see it?  Do we need to see it in order to believe it?

From a human perspective we long for answers to those and many more questions .... but there is a God perspective that we need to appropriate into our lives.

.... we live by faith, not by sight
2 Corinthians 5:7

.... when told about Jesus being present in their midst, Thomas challenged his friends ....

.... unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.
John 20:25

.... but a graciously Jesus accommodates him ....

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
John 20:26-28

.... and Jesus told him (Thomas) ....

.... because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
John 20:29

Irene was solo all day today, driving herself to and from dialysis and afterward went to Safeway.  She worked in the yard this afternoon and enjoyed the beautiful day.  The nausea persists but she pushed through it ....

Though we do have many questions surrounding Irene’s progress and hope to have answers soon, our challenge is to BELIEVE .... even when we can’t see .... especially on the more challenging days.  We will, however, take Jesus at his word and believe, not only in Him as Lord and Savior, but in the hope of Irene’s complete healing and restoration.

.... Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy ....
1 Peter 1:8

We desire to be among the faithful to whom Jesus refers .... “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Caminando con Fé

Dave

“The Lord of Hosts”

David referred to God using this term when confronting the giant, Goliath…

David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin.  But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied”. 
1 Sam 17:45

David was confident that “the Lord of hosts” would bring him victory .... and that he did by slaying Goliath!!!!

If yesterday was a challenging day for Irene, today was a very good day!  Thanks for praying!!!  Although challenged by the nausea she ventured to the mall and came home to some gardening in the front yard.  She worked on several personal projects around the house today and feels a sense of accomplishment.  Yay!!!

As “the Lord of hosts” came to David’s aid, so He comes to Irene’s (and all of ours) when facing a personal crisis.  We praise Him because he delivers us from fear, failure and defeat.

You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble.  You surround me with songs of victory.
Psalm 32:7

Caminando con Fé

Dave

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.

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

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

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

The “I Love You” sign has been part of our family tradition for a very long time flowing from the days of yesteryear when Irene, Jocelyn and JoAnna became proficient in sign language.  To this day, every time we part ways we quickly flash each other the I LOVE YOU sign.  It’s become a staple to the literal expression of our LOVE LANGUAGE to each other.

It was a good day for Irene because she was able to connect with both of her daughters!  Jocelyn and Irene spent some time on the phone this morning and of course Jocelyn lives close enough that she comes by the house several evenings a week to check on her mom.  JoAnna flew in early this morning and sang at the funeral of a Monte Vista Christian High School classmate who recently lost her 7 month old daughter.  Irene was able to spend some additional time with JoAnna before we took her to SJC so she could return in time for a pending evening event and for scheduled activities again tomorrow in S. Cal.

One literal expression of our family love language is the I LOVE YOU sign.  We’re so grateful that God has also given us literal expression of His love language by sending his son to die on our behalf.  He flashes the I LOVE YOU sign to us every time we think of the cross.

Caminando con Fé
Dave

It is my experience that many people have misunderstandings or misrepresentations of who God really is.  Two traditional concepts might include ....

• A “genie in the bottle” that should grant our every wish
• A grumpy old man that’s pointing his angry and accusing finger

However, to the contrary, did you know that God takes great DELIGHT in you?  Did you know that he promises to quiet you with his LOVE?  Did you know that he will REJOICE over you with SINGING?

The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.
Zeph 3:17

Irene drove herself to and from dialysis treatment today and enjoyed breakfast with Sue Martinez.  She flouted the nausea and had a productive day decorating the house with holiday accents.  We had an early dinner at Carpo’s with Jocelyn who provided the remarkable photo titled, “A Smile from God”.

Irene, too, has a “signature” smile that represents an abiding Holy Spirit and the hope for healing and restoration.  What we believe is this .... that if God DELIGHTS in us, LOVES us and REJOICES over us with SINGING, which we know he does, we’re very confident that he’s doing it with a smile!!

Caminando con Fé
Dave

You keep him (or her) in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he (or she) trusts in you.
Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.
Isaiah 26:3-4

It’s no secret that Irene’s name means “peace”.  And that she is.  The manifestation of peace in her heart is a clear indication that the Holy Spirit resides in her.  Who else could go through this type of journey and still be optimistic and expectant about the future?

Irene is purpose driven, trusting Jesus and truly looking to the future with confidence. Today she purchased her 2008 calendar and continues to re-organize around the house.  For years I have nicknamed her “MO” which is a silly acronym for “mission organization”, clearly referring to the television program that helps disastrous homes get their lives under control by showing people how to organize their space more efficiently.  Irene is so organized that she labels just about everything .... even my color coordinated socks carefully positioned in descending order of the dresser drawer!!  (There’s a reason that my life is so organized .... now you know why!!!)

Nausea withstanding, she’s had a satisfying day. 

Because Irene’s mind and heart is on the Lord and she trusts him so, He demonstrates his presence in her life with his “perfect peace” .... and she was certainly named correctly at birth!

Caminando con Fé
Dave

GRIEF is defined in dictionary.com as: “keen mental suffering or distress over affliction or loss.”

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross proposed these stages of grief:

• Denial: “This can’t be happening to me.”
• Anger: “Why is this happening? Who is to blame?”
• Bargaining: “Make this not happen, and in return I will ____.”
• Depression: “I’m too sad to do anything.”
• Acceptance: “I’m at peace with what is going to happen/has happened.”

Without question, we have experienced every stage of “grief” and the broad range of human emotion expressed within the context of IRENE’S Journey of FAITH.  Admitting less than that would simply be insincere.  Our experience is that the stages are not necessarily sequential, because one will tend to vacillate between them.  I do find the last stage of grief quite absorbing: ACCEPTANCE.  Acceptance of what, you ask?  For the sake of this discussion I will identify three specifics:

Acceptance of:

• Irene’s diagnosis and current medical condition
• The radical change of circumstances in our daily lives
• The loss of our previous active and physical lifestyle

Irene drove herself to dialysis treatment this morning and afterward went to breakfast with Sue Martinez at the Silver Spur.  She was lethargic and nauseated this cold and foggy afternoon.  She took a very long, two hour + nap!!

We deeply appreciate the following poem addressing “acceptance” which was recently sent to us by our friend, AC Musgrave, who resides in Dallas, Texas, with his bride, Mary.

He said “I will forget the dying faces, the empty places,
They shall be filled again
Oh voices moaning deep within me cease,
But vain the word, vain, vain
For not in forgetting lieth peace”

He said “I will crowd action upon action,
The strife of faction will stir me and sustain
Oh tears that drown the fires of manhood cease
But vain the word, vain, vain
For not in endeavor lieth peace”

He said “I will withdraw me and be quiet,
Why meddle in life’s riot
Shut be my door to pain
Desire thou dost befool me, thou shall cease
But vain the word, vain, vain
For not in aloofness lieth peace.”

He said “I will submit, I am defeated
Life hath depleted me of it’s rich gain
Oh futile murmurings why will you not cease?
But vain the word, vain, vain.
For not in submission lieth peace.”

He said “I will accept the breaking sorrow
Which God tomorrow will to His son explain
Then did the turmoil deep within him cease
But not vain the word, not vain, vain
For in acceptance lieth peace.”

-Amy Carmichael

And we are not without HOPE that Irene will be restored ....

“.... we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.”
2 Corinthians 4:7-10

Irene is the absolute expression of that verse.

As we vacillate between the various stages of grief, we are grateful to know and serve the God of all comforts, whose compassions fail not. Great is His Faithfulness.

Caminando con Fé
Dave

Greetings!!

We have just posted four unedited inspirational messages on the topic of SUFFERING. You can listen to them from the sidebar of the website. These relevant messages were delivered at Mount Hermon last weekend by our good friend, Reed Jolley, of Santa Barbara Community Church.

Irene’s energy was much better today and she was able to run several errands in town. She had dinner with Jack and Phyllis Cauwels at Carpo's Restaurant while I was in Southern California on business today.

We hope you enjoy listening to the unedited and yet, very applicable messages!!

Caminando con Fé

Dave

There’s a treacherous stretch of Highway 99 just south of Fresno, CA, where, a few days ago, there was a significant pile up and series of multiple traffic accidents involving over 100 vehicles where two people were killed.  The culprit was a suspected drunk driver operating in very foggy conditions. 

But even without the impairment of alcohol, I occasionally find that I am operating “in very foggy conditions” that are life itself.  We’re inundated with activity and data points and are forever trying to interpret their meaning.  Daily we attempt to sort out the circumstances that unfold in front of us, and, either correctly or incorrectly, navigate through the maze.  As we muddle through the “chaos” of it all, we better know our sources of information....and our Source for direction. 

As it is true with the JOURNEY OF FAITH that Irene is traversing, we try to bring order out of the confusion and related questions surrounding our transitional and perplexing circumstances. 

Irene drove herself to an early morning dialysis treatment and returned home contending with a massive headache which she carried with her most of the day.  She is surmising that it may be caused from dehydration from the dialysis treatment because they removed such a large amount of fluid.  Nausea also accompanied her day.  Irene napped and rested most of this dreary and foggy day.

As we sort through the illusory “fog of life”, we know that God’s Word is abundantly clear:

• He gives us LIFE:  “He gives all men (and women) life and breath and everything else....” Acts 17:25b
• He directs our STEPS:  “....the Lord determines His (or her) steps” Proverbs 16:9b
• He LOVES us unconditionally: “....nothing will be able to separate us from the Love of Christ....” Romans 8:37b
• He will never FORGET or forsake us:  “....never will I forsake you” Hebrews 13:5

And finally, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
Matthew 10:29-31

As we try to untangle the sometimes confusing days related to the journey we’re on, foggy circumstances or not, we lean upon the Word and acknowledge that He loves us so much that he numbers the hairs on our head.

Caminando con Fé
Dave