Update on Karen for Saturday October 17, 2015

“Do You Ever Feel Bombarded?”

“This will be life changing” the doctor told us when Karen was in the hospital in February. He was so correct. While we are determined to make every day as “normal” as possible, cancer is a life changing situation. Our grandson Hunter is here for the day. Any grandchild is very good medicine indeed. While we were eating breakfast Hunter very thoughtfully asked, “Do you ever ask the Lord why Grandma has cancer?” It was a special time talking with him about how easy it is to ask “why?” I concluded the moment by explaining to Hunter, “I’m trying not to ask why as much as I am asking the Lord what He wants us to do.”

It’s so relevant. When I see my Karen who is not feeling well and struggling with the effects of chemotherapy, it is so easy to have the “why?” come to my mind and heart. It is in these times that I have to bring my thoughts and questions back to the Lord.  “Cast thy burden on the Lord and He shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22). “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Do I really believe these verses? YES! Do I really need to continue to cast my cares upon Him?  YES! YES! YES! Do I always do this? NO! Do I need to remind myself to cast my burdens on Him? You already know the answer to that!

Bombarded.  Merriam-Webster defines it as “to hit or attack someone or something repeatedly or constantly.” I’m not sure about you; but we are being bombarded with mail asking for help. On my writing desk is an appeal from the March of Dimes, American Institute for Cancer Research, American Diabetes Association, National Foundation for Cancer Research, and The Friends of Israel. That’s from the mail yesterday. Add to this all the letters from insurance companies because I’m turning 65 in January. We are being bombarded.

I’m hoping that you do not feel “bombarded” with our updates and call for prayer. We really are so overwhelmed with the love and encouragement of so many dear friends. Here are a four prayer requests that I would ask you to remember.

1. That the Lord Jesus would be greatly glorified in this part of our journey. All of her life, Karen has wanted to please the Lord and represent Him well. In this season of her life she so wants to glorify Him.

2. She is feeling the effects of her chemotherapy today. The terrible taste in her mouth really makes her nauseous. Foods no longer taste the same. She doesn’t let on very often. However, I know this is very difficult.

3. Please be praying that the mass will be responsive to the medication that she gets every twenty-one days. It is great that the last CAT scan demonstrated that the mass is “stable.” But if it could please the Lord we want it to be “reduced” or better yet “disappeared.”

4. Many want to know when the next scan will be. The next scan is scheduled for October 27th. We will find out later in the week what the mass is doing.

Thanks so much dear friends. We find great encouragement knowing that you are walking along with us.