The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

Friday August 24th, 2015

“It’s Friday but Monday is Coming”

Good evening friends and family. It has been a good day. Karen has felt well even though she tires very easily. We have a doctor’s appointment on Monday that is very important. Tomorrow I will tell you all about it. For now we would ask that you would please just pray that we will have wisdom for the doctor’s appointment on Monday.

Thursday Evening April 23, 2015

“There’s No News to Report and that is Very Good News!”

When you hear the Oncologist say “This is going to be a life changing situation” most folks really do not realize just how life changing it will be indeed. There will be days of feeling terrible, tastes change so that even favorite foods don’t taste very good, and energy levels absolutely plummet. Still there are appointments to keep, tests to be run, scans to be taken, pleurX catheters to be drained, and clinics to be visited.

Then a day like today will come along. Karen has had a good day, a very good day. Her numbers are so good that we took a little excursion together to pick up a few groceries. She didn’t touch anything at the store. But she was back in her element and enjoyed every moment of it. She made supper on her own. I asked her if I could help. She replied with a smile, “Not tonight. I’m good.” I looked back over my shoulder as I returned to my writing station and stopped for a minute to watch my Karen in her kitchen. It was a special sight to me.

There’s no news tonight and that is very good news. We do have a situation on Monday that we want you to pray about, but I will tell you more about it tomorrow. For tonight just rejoice with us and thank the Lord for a good day.

By the way, no sweet rolls magically fell off the shelf and into my cart like they did when I went alone to the store!

April 22nd, 2015

“Something Karen Read Today”

Karen read a note today and does it ever fit her situation and the situation of many others around us. Before I share this with you, I want to mention that sometimes when a person is informed that he or she has cancer that becomes the total focus. It is easy to become so focused with the daily situation of appointments, treatments, and procedures that it is easy to lose sight of the fact that others are going through hard times as well. This has never been Karen’s situation. I have been blessed and an amazed at how she is sending notes of encouragement to others who are sorrowing or experiencing hardships. Her ministry to others is carrying on with new understanding and encouragement.

Today she read a little quip on a note written by Dr. Charles Swindoll from his book Growing Strong in the Season of Life. He used the verses from James 1:2-4 and then wrote, “Pearls are the product of pain—precious, tiny jewels conceived through irritation, born of adversity, nursed by adjustment.” He’s exactly correct.

By the way, James said it this way, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall in various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4 NKJV).

That’s what we’re seeking to do in this present trial. Only the Lord can produce a pearl from this. Thanks for your prayers. Karen is pretty sore tonight but overall, it has been a very good day. Your prayers are so appreciated. Thanks for stopping by to check on us.

I used to tell our church families every Sunday evening, “Please remember how very much the Lord loves you. Karen and I do as well.” Please consider yourself reminded of how much you mean to us today.

Tuesday April 21, 2015

Evening Update “Good To Be Home”

We want to say thank you friends for praying for Karen. The Lord is very good to us. Sometimes Karen has been pretty sick coming out of anesthesia. This time the medication worked to keep her from getting sick. She woke up well following surgery and a couple of hours later she came home. It is good to have her home evening. We truly do thank each of our friends for their prayers and encouragement.

A couple of verses that Karen wanted to share with you are found in Psalm 139:16-17. These have meant a lot to her today. “Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them.” How good to know we are in God thoughts and plans. Nothing happens but what the Lord allows, directs, and plans for His glory.

Thanks for Praying!

We received the phone call from the hospital telling us that we are to be there tomorrow morning at 8:45. This will NOT be at the University Hospital Elyria Medical Center. Karen’s surgery will be tomorrow morning at the Mercy Regional Hospital in Lorain. Thanks for praying and be assured that we love you and thank the Lord for you.