Thank you Father for your many blessings, for hope and little gains along the way. Thank you all for you prayers.

As has been Theresa’s history, she may go through a rough time, but she does bounce back. This one though has been a slower return. She found the Lovenox shots to be pretty uncomfortable, so she was happy when the warfarin level was high enough she could stop getting them. Her neck pain has improved as well. As the weeks pass from the last chemo, she is finding less gastrointestinal discomfort. Her appetite is coming back and she has been able to drop the pain medications down. Her anemia is improving slowly. When she came home she could walk across the room with a cane and her heart rate would go up, she would be winded, and feel faint. Each day this has gotten better.

For this long weekend we went on our first outing in three weeks. We had lunch at Red Robin, which we all enjoyed. Today we went to Costco and she was able to make it the whole time. We both took a nap afterwards.

Theresa has been resilient. She doesn’t give up. Though that does not mean there are times when she is low, tearful, and knocked down for a time. This has been really hard. And when we think about the future, it can really overwhelm today. So we have to make those times brief, and fill the rest with enjoyment of today. We know God is in control, Sovereign, and we rest in Him captaining this ship. He truly does provide Himself and with that comes peace, comfort, and assurance.

These past 4 years fighting cancer has affected our family for sure in both good and bad ways. The kids worry about their mom. This last hospitalization was hard on them as they weren’t at the hospital and didn’t know if their mom would make it home. This has caused anxiety, trouble sleeping, and worry. Yet to be exposed to the reality of life, its uncertainty and brevity, has allowed them to grow up faster than they would have. They have chosen to be more thoughtful and helpful. Chosen to shorten adolescence and be responsible. They have matured in ways that would not have occurred without this illness. We are so thankful that their hearts have been softened during this, and that they do take seriously their spiritual lives.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” Romans 8:28 (ESV). And in the Message paraphrase, the Spirit “keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.” Yes the Goodness of God percolates through all of life’s experiences. How can we not have humble and grateful hearts?

Thank you for your prayers, your words of encouragement, and your lovingly walking with us in this. Father, thank you for your family. For we know we are lifted up to you in prayer, and their prayers sustain us and you are pleased by them.