Today is Irene’s 3 month BIRTHDAY!!!! 

It was three months ago today that Irene had the stem cell transplant at UCSF, giving her hope for living!!  We recall the event as if it were yesterday.  (See the June 15, 2007 Update).  It is very sobering to realize that without the stem cell transplant, given the diagnosis and all that Irene has experienced, that she would probably already be in Heaven waiting for us to arrive. 

We are also reminded that Irene was discharged from UCSF on Friday, July 20, 2007.  That was another day which will be remembered in our household forever ....

Thus, we celebrate LIFE on this earth, fully appreciating the truth that our permanent citizenship is in Heaven.

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”
Philippians 3:20

As stewards sojourning the planet for a brief period of time, we live for one reason .... to glorify our God and Creator, Jesus Christ. HE gives us life and breath and purpose because we belong to Him. 

Irene and JoAnna were shopping and running errands early this morning and then rested the afternoon.  Irene’s nausea was at a low rumble .... it’s been a good day.

As we celebrate Irene’s 3 months of life since the stem cell transplant, we pause and celebrate the ONE who gives us life .... and earnestly praise Him in Spirit and Truth for all that He has accomplished in and through this experience.  Our LOVE for God has increased exponentially, our TRUST has grown momentously, our FAITH has gone to unfathomable depths.  We are confident that He orders and directs our lives .... including every step of Irene’s journey as he heals her day by day.  He is with us; He will never forsake us.  We are eternally grateful that He first loved us that we may love him in return by intimately walking with him and serving him with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength.

“Great is your faithfulness”
Lamentations 3:23

Caminando con Fé

Dave

6.30 p.m. ....

Author Bob Buford makes the following "confessions" related to the CONTENT used in his "Musings" e-newsletter entitled, "Life as a State of Perpetual Disorder" (September 14, 2007)

Does it ever seem that life just won't fall into place the way you planned? I keep calendars, I make appointments, I have daily plans, weekly plans, plans for my whole life .... But, much of the time, perhaps most of my time my life, and the lives of most of those I know, are much more spontaneous than our linear plans would describe.

.... I never plan for what comes next. Well, that's not entirely true. I make all sorts of plans, but what I use just happens. Stuff happens and I react to it.

I've been working with an editor trying to make an orderly, linear book out of these musings. It's very frustrating. Peter Drucker, the management guru of all time, once shocked me by saying, "....opportunity is unpredictable. Most of the time, opportunity comes in over the transom. And opportunity doesn't stay long. If you don't respond to an opportunity, it moves on." The same is true for problems. If you don’t change plans and react, they just get worse. As Shakespeare said, "Readiness is all." It's readiness and reaction.

Bob continues ....

So the nature of these musings is spontaneous and reactive. They can't really be put in order. I tried it and it didn't work because my life — like yours I expect — just won't conform to my plans. It is messy. It is disorderly. It is one surprise after another.

Bob goes on ....

My beautiful wife, Linda, has watched with bemused sympathy as I have twisted and turned in the breeze trying to solve this making-order-out-of-chaos issue. She came in this past weekend at the farm to tell me that she's taking a course on the Psalms. She said, "Your musings don’t have any order. They are more like Psalms. They are reactions along the road of life. The Psalms are not theology. They are more how people relate to change." Then she read me this (from the course material prepared by her friend, Verdell Krisher):

PSALMS —
Are they poems?	Are they conflicting?
Are they prayers?	Are they experiential??
Are they praises?	Are they majestic?
Are they songs?	Are they dark?
Are they laments?	Are they intense?
Are they personal?	Are they accusing?
Are they communal?	Are they comforting?

The answer is "YES."

Philip Yancey: "the 150 psalms are as difficult, disordered, and messy as life itself."

I really value what Bob has shared above given where we’re living today .... !!!

Thus, by now, you understand my point .... which is that many times my UPDATES could be described as ....

• "Difficult, disordered and messy as life."
• "They are reactions along the road of life"

....targeted especially to Irene's journey. The UPDATE is our best way to keep people abreast of Irene's ongoing progress (yes, progress, stated intentionally) as well as sharing her journey within the context of our confident faith in Jesus Christ.

Irene had a restful and relaxing day following dialysis treatment this morning. Sue Martinez, again, graciously picked Irene up and brought her home. Her nausea subsided somewhat and whenever that occurs there is significant relief to her well being .... JoAnna flew in this evening for the weekend so we're looking forward to having her and Jocelyn around the house!!!

So, when it seems that the author of the UPDATES is spontaneous, reactive and doesn't appear to have a linear view of how they come together, please realize that right now life is rather disorderly and we're doing a lot of "reacting" as we traverse along this new road we're learning to navigate called the Amyloid Highway ....

Caminando con Fé

Dave

8 p.m…

El-Roi (EL ROY) (The God Who Sees)

“Hagar referred to the Lord, who had spoken to her as ‘the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have seen the One who sees me!’” 
Genesis 16:13

We’re so grateful that El Roi sees and knows everything.  The all seeing God knows and understands all that is happening surrounding Irene’s circumstances and we’re confident that he is pleased with her response as she walks through this ordeal.

Irene was challenged by nagging nausea and lethargy most of the day.  Marilyn Miller graciously spent some time with her this morning. 

El Roi is never surprised by anything. 

“From His throne He observes all who live on the earth.”
Psalm 33:14

“Nothing in all creation can hide from Him.  Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes.
Hebrews 4:13

We exalt the all seeing God who can sympathize with us and manifests His presence in our midst every day.  We trust in Him.

Thanks for caring.

Caminando con Fé
Dave

8 p.m. ....

A brief but strong impression hit me yesterday as I set the house alarm and left Irene at 4.30 a.m.  I was preparing to drive to Sacramento for a series of business meetings that obviously began very early in the morning!  To frame the intense feeling, here is some background and please forgive the personal reference ....

I’ve always been athletic, extremely competitive, was a cop (SWAT Team, undercover narcotics and major crimes task force) for 10 years, an elected politician and the breadwinner of our home.  I’m in the “risk transfer” business.  I have always perceived myself to be the spiritual leader (actually, the family priest) and consummate “protector” of Irene and our family.  For the last 20+ years every time I leave the house, I “bless” my family .... by literally raising my right arm and open palm in the direction of each person wherever they may be .... Irene, Jocelyn and JoAnna, and ask God to bless and protect each of them that day. 

So, here’s what hit me as I was SETTING THE BURGLAR and FIRE ALARM, LOCKING the door, and entering the garage .... I thought, “I can’t protect my family against amyloid”.  I can set the alarm and endeavor to do all that I can within my power to “protect” but this worthy enemy called amyloid is a very significant threat to overcome.  Even the “risk transfer” component of a healthy diet and exercise mantra is irrelevant.  The disease does not discriminate.  Healthy or not, it can strike anyone at anytime.  Candidly, it was a hard hitting, frustrating feeling, which was, truthfully, extremely overwhelming to consider. 

I thought again about Eldredge’s book, “Wild at Heart”, which identifies the three core needs of a man ....

• A battle to fight
• An adventure to live
• A Beauty to rescue

Jumping into “WARRIOR” mode was the natural response when Irene’s symptoms were first diagnosed and we were in “emergency mode” throughout the three month hospital stay.  My initiative was to fight the enemy and was literally in “a beauty to rescue” mode .... fitting perfectly into a man’s greatest needs .... but it dawned on me yesterday .... “I couldn’t protect her from amyloid ....”

Sue Martinez picked Irene up from dialysis treatment today. Irene rested this afternoon and ate a light dinner that Jocelyn fixed for her before going home from work.  It’s very convenient for us to be right in the middle of Jocelyn’s apartment and her office!!!

So what do we do when we encounter something completely out of our control?  Something so immense, so enormous, so colossal, that we’re unable to make any progress overcoming the challenge on our own.  In fact, the mere stature of the beast is intimidating and overwhelming to even contemplate.  So, what do we do?  For me, we completely surrender to Him who is in control.  We entrust ourselves to Him who is faithful.

Thanks for caring.

Caminando con Fé
Dave

9 p.m…

When I returned home this evening around 7 p.m., I couldn’t find Irene in any of the living areas of the house… as I continued to scurry through each room calling out her name many thoughts flooded my mind related to her safety and welfare…that is, until I saw the back door wide open and discovered her, water hose in hand, fertilizing plants, smiling ear to ear and enjoying the “wisteria garden”!!

I later learned that after spending time earlier in the day with Phyllis Cauwels and also enjoying an extended telephone call with Margie Anderson, she became restless, despite the nagging nausea. So, she did two loads of laundry, ironed, mopped the kitchen and vacuumed the entire house before proceeding outside. Perhaps her recovery has been stifled because of me?

Irene received a call late in the day from UCSF with more good news. Her bilirubin count is 1.9; the lowest it has been since the stem cell transplant. With a target of 1.5, she is making significant progress!!

Thank you for your continued support for Irene during this recovery season. Hopefully she’s “coming down Everest”. We know that there are going to be really good days like this one, challenging days like we’ve seen before, and through it all, we see the Hand of God in our midst. He is in control.

Caminando con Fé
Dave

9 p.m. ....

The UCSF team has told us over and over again that if there was a critical path related to Irene’s medical treatment protocol, she’s the patient that took the radical departure .... on almost every occasion.  If there was a prescribed medication noting that it “may cause side effects”, Irene was the patient that did, in fact, have those side effects!! Irene’s medical case is already being used over and over again in the UCSF Resident Program classroom. 

The degree of complication related to her journey has baffled many and has been, at times, almost overwhelming.  I say almost, because, in my humble opinion, Irene is a walking miracle .... today.  We are seeing God at work and answering prayer.  We haven’t seen her body completely healed of this disease, yet, but what we do see is that she has overcome significant obstacles and is making slow, but steady progress.  Despite it all, she still maintains an amazing and positive attitude with the same gentle spirit.

For those who have followed the updates closely, you’re aware that I have often used the “Mount Everest” illustration.  To briefly elaborate, I have stated that Irene, with very little cold weather clothing or equipment, had to take this journey to the top of the mountain.  My job, and that of many others, especially the primary medical team, has been to set up base camp for her along the way and support her along the journey.  Today I am willing to say that she has made it to the “Summit of Everest” and is now heading down the snowy, icy and dangerous mountain.  It’s still a treacherous journey, with known and unknown risks along the way, but Irene is hopefully over the most difficult part of the trail. 

Here is what we do know after the UCSF outpatient services exam today which also included seeing Dr. Lloyd Damon:

• Irene has very high blood pressure but is on medication; it is not unusual for abnormal kidney function to cause high blood pressure
• Chronic nausea is still an ongoing issue but hopefully it will subside over time
• Weight loss stands at 28 pounds since hospital admission
• Amyloid is still in her bloodstream, but hopefully the manufacturing of new amyloid has stopped; tests will be taken in about 30 days to ascertain the amount of amyloid still in Irene’s system or hopefully we’ll find out it is in remission
• The kidneys still need to wake up; MWF dialysis will continue. The longer Irene is on dialysis the more likely that the kidneys will not respond
• All of the blood counts were acceptable today; the additional good news is that the Dapsone was causing an abnormality (hereditary and once again a medical tangent specific to Irene) which raised the concern about internal bleeding.  The medication was changed last week and there is no further evidence of internal bleeding!
• Irene doesn’t go back to UCSF for outpatient services again until October 1st!

I have told Irene for years that she is “one in a bazillion”.  With all of the medical tangents she’s been on she has proved it over and over again!!!!  She has taken the dangerous journey to the “Summit of Everest” and is an inspiration to many of us along the way because of her gentle yet determined spirit.  We continue to pray that she now makes it down and completely off the mountain soon.  Thank you for your continued care, prayer, concern and support for us during this incredible season of our lives!!

Caminando con Fé

Dave

8 p.m. ....

I perceive many astonishing and intriguing similarities between the psalmist’s prayer and Irene’s experience as I read several verses of Psalm 102, from The Living Bible version.  Simply read through it slowly; my observations follow.

1 Lord, hear my prayer!  Listen to my plea!

2 Don’t turn away from me in this time of my distress.  Bend down your ear and give me speedy answers, 3 for my days disappear like smoke.  My health is broken and my heart is sick; it is trampled like grass and is withered.  4 My food is tasteless, and I have lost my appetite.  5 I am reduced to skin and bones .... 6 I lie awake, lonely as a solitary sparrow on the roof.

11 My life is passing swiftly as the evening shadows.  I am withering like grass ....

17 He will listen to the prayers of the destitute, for he is never too busy to heed their requests.  18 I am recording this so that future generations will also praise the Lord for all that he has done.

23 He has cut me down middle life, shortening my days.  24 But I cried out to him, “O God, you live forever and forever! Don’t let me die half through my years.  25 In ages past you laid the foundations with your hands!  26 They shall perish, but you go on forever. 

28 But our families will continue; generation after generation will be preserved by your protection.”

Can you, like me, see Irene’s “fingerprints” all over these verses?  Could it be that the psalmist was also afflicted with Amyloidosis or ESRD? Obviously, without empirical evidence, here is how I humbly interpret the above:

Verses 1,2,3: Irene petitions the living God as she faces Primary Amyloidosis

Verse 4: Because of the chemotherapy, nausea and ESRD, Irene’s food is utterly tasteless (there’s even a metallic taste to it)

Verse 5/11: Irene has lost 28 pounds from the disease and treatment

Verse 6: Irene is plagued with nightly insomnia; a direct side effect of ESRD

Verses 17, 18: Irene continues to petition the Lord for His healing touch and has full confidence in him, trusting that he is never too busy to heed our requests

Verse 18: http://www.irenedias.com is way to record Irene’s journey as a testimony for generations to come ....

Verses 23, 24, 25: With symptoms and diagnosis of incurable Primary Amyloidosis at the age of 50, with a lifetime expectancy obviously much higher, Irene prays to God for him to preserve and extend her life

Verse 28: Irene is confident that God will preserve our family through this ordeal

I would recommend that you re-read the first section overlaying Irene’s symptoms to the psalmist’s prayer .... it’s fascinating to think about ....

Irene’s day started very slowly and with intense nausea, but as the day progressed she felt better.  We enjoyed Ahi tuna steaks and spinach for dinner and have settled in for the evening.  We travel to UCSF tomorrow after Irene’s early morning dialysis treatment in Watsonville.  It will be a big day for her.

Please join me and pray that Irene’s symptoms subside, her petitions and desires are fulfilled, and that she is completely healed and restored.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

9 p.m. ....

What have I taken for granted ....?  What is my “highest and most significant calling” at this juncture of life ....?  How do we move forward in a “world” that is suddenly turned upside down and a paradox to that which we were experiencing ....?

Those are just a few of the many questions that I have grappled with since Irene was hospitalized at UCSF and where I was literally living for almost three months.  Now that Irene is recovering at home, this peculiar and mysterious season has caused me “pause” related to many of our existing commitments and that of maintaining a well functioning house and home. 

During this pause, I reflect upon the many times that I would come back to an empty house about once a week when Irene was at UCSF.  It was very peculiar and surreal, knowing that Irene was lying in a hospital bed with an extremely rare disease, in harm’s way and about 100 miles away.  I would hurriedly scramble through the “lonely” house to take care of necessary duties, i.e. laundry, water plants, pay bills, check for leaky faucets etc., dart here and there for local errands and finally rush back to San Francisco. 

These new circumstances also cause me pause vocationally and avocation ally.  It’s caused me to ask myself “To what am I giving most of my waking hours and my most productive years?” and “Does what I do really matter?” “And, if the answer is yes, to whom does it matter?”

The pause has especially caused me to further contemplate the TEMPORAL as opposed to the ETERNAL.

I appreciate what Ken Boa shares in his book, Conformed to His Image:

“People think they want pleasure, recognition, popularity, status, and power, but the pursuit of these things leads to emptiness, delusion, and foolishness.  God has set eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11), and our deepest desires are fulfillment (love, joy, peace), reality (that which does not fade away), and wisdom (skill in living).  The only path to this true fulfillment lies in consciously choosing God’s value system over that which this world offers.  This choice is based on trusting in a Person we have not yet seen.”

“And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”
1 Peter 1:8-9

Irene had a great day, even amidst the chronic nausea battle.  She is not one to hold a pity party and wants to get on with life!  Our first objective this morning was to purchase an ergonomic bed wedge which we located at a nearby medical supplies store.  After that we casually strolled through a local nursery where she took great delight in the aroma of various plant and flower varieties.  We then meandered through the new Home Depot and bought a garden hose for her “wisteria” garden.  Finally, we grabbed a slice of Pleasure Point Pizza and ate overlooking the Art & Wine Festival and beautiful day in Capitola Village.  After the busy outing Irene took a very long, satisfying nap!!  Then, to my surprise, she was in the backyard flower garden for two more hours!!!  The only challenge was when she slipped and fell onto her tailbone on the garden hillside; certainly a scary moment as I gathered her up in my arms but she “shook it off” and went back to the “wisteria garden” for more .... see the photo below (taken after her fall)!!!!  What’s that ad?  “.... takes a lickin’ but keeps on tickin’ ....”

Life can be full of challenging questions.  It’s how we contemplate, navigate and answer the ultimate questions of life that determine the measure and quality of our true fulfillment.  Circumstances may cause us pause, but we cannot “TiVo” life.  But pausing occasionally is good thing, for to deeply reflect and meditate is something that many of us rarely do with discipline.  The “noise” of life simply gets in the way.  For Irene and me our “pause” is put into “play” when we intentionally choose God’s ways over our ways and the eternal over the temporal.  We know that our days on this earth are numbered and that our finite understanding can only be fully realized as we walk by faith and not by sight, loving, believing and trusting in the Person we have yet to see face to face.

Caminando con Fé
Dave

9 p.m. ....

God has created us to be in relationship with not only Him but with each other. 

“The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’”
Genesis 2:18

Irene has been more than a “suitable helper”.  In fact, she is a model wife and mom.  Her servant’s heart has made it easy to reciprocate.  We have, however, been intentional about learning more specifically about how to serve one another’s needs and, as mentioned in a recent UPDATE, have utilized a variety of resources over the years.  One of my favorite memories is reading select passages from the Song of Solomon to Irene at our 20th wedding anniversary dinner at a romantic restaurant in Monterey. 

What about you?  Have you discovered the secret to a man’s soul or unveiled the mystery of a woman’s soul?  If not, we have added two incredible books to peruse in the Spiritual Resources section.  We have done this for one reason; it’s incredibly important.

• Wild at Heart by John Eldredge
• Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge

Here’s a very concise, high level overview:

A man needs:

• A battle to fight
• An adventure to live
• A Beauty to rescue

A woman has three core desires:

• To be romanced
• To play a role in her own adventures
• To display beauty

Sue Martinez picked Irene up from an early morning dialysis treatment and took her to Starbucks.  They came to the house, enjoyed the wisteria garden and had a great visit.  Irene enjoyed a better “tummy” day than yesterday and rested most of the afternoon. 

By the way, it happened again!!  This evening while picking up a “to go” order from a local favorite of ours, I was overwhelmed with several of the restaurant employees who inquired about how Irene is doing .... asking for her by name!!!  What can I say?  She touches everyone she meets ....

I am so thankful that God has created man and woman.  Irene and I have enjoyed “peeling the onion back” and discovering each other afresh and anew each day.  Besides that, life would be so boring if all I did was hang around the guys ....

Caminando con Fé
Dave

9 p.m. ....

In Attitude 101, John Maxwell points out how the use of vocabulary can influence our outlook on life. He recommends the following:

Eliminate these words:	Use these words:
I can't	I can
If	I will
Doubt	Expect the best
I don't think	I will make the time
Maybe	Positively
I'm afraid of	I am confident
I don’t believe	I do believe
(minimize) I	(promote) You
It's impossible	All things are possible

ATTITUDE is so much of where Irene is living everyday. Despite the nausea, lethargy and MWF dialysis regime, she continues to amaze me with a joyful and upbeat attitude. Her word choices have always been weighed with discretion. She has strong faith and hope in Jesus .... and personifies this passage of scripture in her prayer life:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he (or she) should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him (or her). But when he (or she) asks, he (or she) must believe and not doubt, because he (or she) who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man (or woman) should not think he (or she) will receive anything from the Lord; he (or she) is a double-minded man (or woman), unstable in all he (or she) does."
James 1:2-8

While I was in Sacramento today attending an InterWest board meeting, Irene enjoyed a nice visit with Marilyn & Fred Miller who also brought her lunch. We're so grateful for how family and friends are supporting us in many wonderful ways!

Irene's careful vocabulary choices, combined with a joyful ATTITUDE and significant confidence in God's Word & Ways, represent a powerful combination on this journey. And talk about attitude .... she continues to smile through it all ....

Caminando con Fé
Dave

8 p.m. ....

We have added a new category to IreneDias.com: SPIRITUAL RESOURCES.

According to Dictionary.com:

SPIRITUAL is defined as:

• Of, relating to, consisting of, or having the nature of spirit; not tangible or material
• Of, concerned with, or affecting the soul
• Of, from, or relating to God

RESOURCE is defined as:

• An available supply that can be drawn on when needed
• The ability to deal with a difficult or troublesome situation effectively
• Means that can be used to cope with a difficult situation

We hope that you find this new category helpful.  Our goal is to provide relevant information at your fingertips.  If there are questions related to anything we post, please send us an email!!  We’ll be adding content to the category over time.

After an early morning dialysis treatment, Sue Martinez picked Irene up and they made a “bee line” to Erik’s Deli before coming home.  Although she was able to keep her sandwich down, she’s been extremely nauseated and lethargic all afternoon and evening.  Thank you for your prayer intercession .... Irene really needs comfort on days like this one!!!

We know that God is the INFINITE RESOURCE.  He can and does sustain us.  We can draw upon him 24/7.  So if and when you don’t have access to Irene’s website, you still have immediate access to the Father, through Jesus, His Son. To access Him, you don’t need a dial up, DSL, T-1 or cable connection!!  All you need .... is a receptive heart.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

9 p.m. ....

We launched IreneDias.com on June 4, 2007.  Google Analytics emails some fun and interesting information to us each week.  Here are the stats from this last week:

• 574 visits, with 196 absolute Unique Visitors (a Unique Visitor refers to a person who may have visited the site more than once in a week — they are counted only once no matter how many times they visit)
• 1438 page views
• 2.51 average page views
• 5.55 average time on site (five minutes, 55 seconds)
• 10.45% new visits to the site

Each visit represents a person and we’re grateful that so many continue to “track” Irene’s journey. 

Phyllis Cauwels brought Irene a Starbucks drink with a treat this morning and spent a couple of hours with her.  Beth, a gifted physical therapist, spent an hour with Irene this afternoon .... Irene’s strength is growing .... despite the lingering nausea and sleepy kidneys!!  We filled the blood pressure Rx today and will be monitoring potential side effects including “dizziness”.  Hopefully it will make a difference!!
While stats and web analytics are fun, we’re not a number with God, for he knows each of us by name.

“.... The Lord knows those who are his ....”
2 Timothy 2:19

It’s comforting that he knows each of us by name and that we belong to Him.

Caminando con Fé
Dave

Got REST?

As we celebrate this Labor Day holiday in many different ways including picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays, water sports, public art events and travel, I know few people who weren’t looking for a few “down days”.  The pressure and speed of life’s demands are exponential which often times stretch us beyond that which we desire or are capable of maintaining.  Most people were looking for a way to “get their batteries re-charged” and a three day weekend is often times an appealing way to do so!!

Labor Day began in 1882, originating from a desire by the Central Labor Union to create a day off for the “working man”. It is still celebrated mainly as a day of rest and marks the symbolic end of summer for many. Labor Day became a national holiday by Act of Congress in 1894.

As it relates to LABOR, where do we find respite and restoration .... and how do we find TRUE REST in the busy lives that most of us lead ....???

Jesus gives us the relevant answer in Matthew 11:28-30 ....

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

King David, in Psalm 23:2, also spoke to this issue in one of the most well known passages of all time .... “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, He RESTORES my soul”.

Irene woke up this morning with lingering nausea and did have a dialysis session.  While driving to the treatment and referring to the Monday, Wednesday and Friday routine, she softly lamented, “I wish that we didn’t have to do this so often.” My heart instantly melted in empathy and I asked her if she was feeling somewhat discouraged.  With heartfelt emotion, her tender response was simply, “I see how much this is taking out of YOU and I feel really bad about that ....” 

Candidly, you could have blown me over with a feather .... Here she is, “hiking up Mount Everest with very little cold weather clothing or equipment” and Irene’s concern is more about how this journey is affecting me than her own suffering and hardship.  It’s very humbling and yet inspiring to live with a person who has such tenderness for others.  Irene isn’t self centered; she is completely and absolutely “others-centered”.  I have told her many times over the years that some people have been “Touched by an Angel” (as per the television program title); I was fortunate enough to marry one. 

Irene’s blood pressure has been high .... in the 170-180/95-105 range for about three weeks.  Her pulse has been running in the 90-110 range per minute for about 2 months.  Obviously, it’s another side effect of the Amyloidosis and ESRD.  Dr. Kumar, her renal doctor, ordered a prescription today.  We’ll be checking with Dr. Damon’s office tomorrow to make sure they’re in agreement with the medication type and dosage.  We want to make sure that both medical groups are on the same page before she starts yet another medication ....

JoAnna flew back to S. Cal today while Jocelyn spent the afternoon and evening at the house.  It’s been a quality weekend for our family.

On this Labor Day, as we relish family, friends, food, recreation and an extra day off, let’s remember that TRUE and lasting restoration for our bodies and soul can only come as we’re nourished by God’s Word daily and REST in Him. 

Caminando con Fé
Dave

9 p.m. ....

We were a couple of “kids” in 1978 .... with high hopes and dreams like most dating couples in their early 20’s ....

And where were we spiritually? Unfortunately .... absolutely nowhere!!!!!!

Nonetheless, Irene and I were married on March 1, 1980 and in late November of that year our world was “rocked” when our first daughter was born two months prematurely.  She had a severely deformed esophagus attached to her lung .... referred to medically as a TE Fistula which required a life saving emergency surgery in order to survive.  It was that experience that catapulted us toward faith in Christ.  Today, we’re eternally grateful for Jocelyn’s 26+ years of life which made it through such traumatic beginnings!  God also blessed us with a healthy JoAnna three years later and we’re forever thankful for her 23+ years! 

But these opening comments are merely a prelude to the crux of today .... We hear that when two people marry the “two shall become one flesh”.  You may know of married couples that separate or divorce when crisis strikes.  So, here are some questions to consider:

• Can a couple unify SPIRITUALLY and RELATIONALLY so that they not only overcome adversity when it strikes but actually “ .... become more one ....” through it?
• Is it really possible for two people to “become one” in today’s world .... or is becoming one in heart, mind and soul merely a distant fantasy or fairytale dream?
• Is it possible to still be on your “honeymoon” years after the wedding date?

Asked yet another way, how does a marriage get strong and grow even more robust, even when facing dire life and death circumstances?  The easy times are just that .... “easy”.  It’s when circumstances get TOUGH that often times make life and relationships very difficult to successfully navigate. 

I ask these questions because some people are graciously complimenting the way in which we’re dealing with this “little matter” confronting Irene called Primary Amyloidosis.  Please forgive the personal reference, but what we want to carefully communicate is HOW we’re managing through the crisis together.  How we’re doing it may or may not surprise you .... because it isn’t about us at all….

Irene and I have been married a short 27 years.  Because of the normal stress and strain of relationships, early on we had to become intentional about growing and cultivating our marriage.  And we did.  We began using Biblical tools and working on our marriage intentionally, EVERY SINGLE DAY.  There is no “auto pilot” for a successful marriage.  It’s a journey, not a destination.  It is a road that is always under construction and never complete.  I’m grateful that we are making the “investment” in each other .... 100% of the time.  Our growing intimacy and relational fulfillment today is in direct proportion to our growing spiritual walk in obedience to Christ.  He is the answer.  It is Christ in us that allow us to walk victoriously through this chapter in our lives.

“....God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Colossians 1:27

Irene and I also love “windshield time”.  Simply riding to any destination is okay with us .... it’s just the notion of being together .... it’s this place that often allows us to share our ongoing hopes, dreams, joys, struggles, fears, pain and sorrows.  And after all these years we’re still getting to know each other with an exciting new discovery almost everyday.  How is this so, you ask?  It’s because we go into each day with a great sense of expectation that something new is going to be learned.  By the way, windshield time is also a great way to pray together .... just make sure that you keep your eyes open if you’re the one driving!!

We know that without Christ in the center of the relationship “holding it together”, our efforts are futile.  Ecclesiastes 4 is very clear:

“Two are better than one,
    because they have a good return for their work:

If one falls down,
    his friend can help him up.
    But pity the man who falls
    and has no one to help him up!

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
    But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered,
    two can defend themselves.
    A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Christ is the third strand in the cord, holding us together.

Today’s been another good day for Irene.  She even remembered how to use the credit card at Trader Joe’s!!!  Her nausea was at a “low rumble” today .... Irene, Jocelyn, JoAnna and I joined Jack, Phyllis, their daughter Denise and Phil Tuttle for a light and informal dinner at one of our favorite restaurants and have now settled in for the evening.  Irene does have dialysis early tomorrow morning, which, of course, is Labor Day.

We’re grateful that while facing another “life and death” crisis we’re better equipped and prepared this time around.  We couldn’t “TiVo” life when the crisis hit to suddenly begin working on our spiritual life or marriage.  We had, for years, been consistently investing in our relationship with Jesus at the core of our union.  He is our foundation and He is who we lean on today.  But please don’t misunderstand .... we certainly haven’t arrived .... and never will .... but we are in process.  We’re still growing daily and working on our marriage 24/7. 

And we are certainly not holding ourselves out as an example .... but we are lifting up CHRIST and His Word as the ANSWER.  If there is anything good in us or our relationship it is Him. 

“....they may see your good deeds and glorify God….”
1 Peter 2:12b

To God’s glory we are “becoming one”. Our marriage is more vibrant today than on our wedding date.  We’re grateful for God’s grace .... combined with His powerful Word and Work in our lives making our joy filled marriage an abundant reality.

Caminando con Fé
Dave

9 p.m. ....

“See, the LION of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.”
Revelation 5:5b

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the LAMB of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’”
John 1:29

Jesus is described as both the “Lion of Judah” and the “Lamb of God”.

The manifestation of this reality is captured with this unique art display, a gift to Irene from artist Heather Gebbia and her sister Cheryl McKay.

The Lion of Judah has its origins in the Book of Genesis where the Israelite tribe of Judah had the lion as its symbol.  In our Christian tradition, the lion is often representative of Jesus.

The Lamb of God is a title of Jesus in the New Testament.  It refers to Jesus’ role as a sacrificial lamb atoning for the sins of man, hearkening back to ancient Jewish Temple sacrifices in which a lamb was slain during the Passover.  The Biblical significance of the title is understood within the context of earlier lamb symbolism.  The blood of the lamb of the Old Testament protects and saves the Israelites in Exodus 12. Christians are saved by Christ as the true lamb.

Irene had a great day.  She was up this morning canning raspberry preserves, later went to the store with JoAnna and was also up to a “take out” dinner this evening which we enjoyed “bay side” near Capitola Village.  The nausea was tolerable.  I took a bike ride; Jocelyn was enjoying being with friends; JoAnna took a run on the beach.  Irene took a nap this afternoon and enjoyed a short visit from Kent & Marsha Tarr with John & Karen Malinowski.  We’re so grateful for the day.  There was such a sense of “normalcy”. 

When visiting Irene in the hospital, our friend Laura Gschwend, commented about taking “Judah” Street to the top of the hill where UCSF gloriously overlooks the San Francisco Bay and skyline.  She would boldly pronounce that the “Lion of Judah” was “roaring” on Irene’s behalf.  Those were days of great emotional uncertainty and Laura’s comments were especially meaningful and comforting at the time.  We see the evidence of His “roaring manifestation” in Irene’s body as it heals day by day.

We are forever grateful that God, through Jesus Christ, has provided the “Lion and the Lamb” as the “Gateway to Heaven”.  He stands alive today in a resurrected body and gives all who receive Him eternal life.  Our confidence is in Him.

Caminando con Fé
Dave