good ole' friends

I had the usual treatment today, looking forward to tomorrow – my last radiation treatment, praise God. I know some things are necessary, but you do not always look forward to them, just getting through them is your prayer and that they work. Afterwards, an old friend from College was coming through town on his way home from some business, so he stopped by for a short visit. This is the kind of guy you want your kids to meet when they go to College. I first met Doug in Tucker Hall Dormitory at SLU in January 1984. He and another guy by the name of Bray Sibley (who is now Pastor of Harvest Church) were going through the Dorm passing out tracts and invites to a Christian outreach of some type. The funny part was Doug was dressed in a clown suit. Yep, a real red nose, big shoes, poofy hair clown suit. We were reminiscing over that little historical tid-bit and a few others. When Doug drove up to my house I have to say I was severely overwhelmed by so many emotions. I have not seen him in the last 23 years but two or three times. I have talked with him over the phone, though. It was quite a teary eyed reunion of sorts, but good for the soul. I didn’t want him to leave since I drew such strength from him – he was always like my “home away from home” big brother while I was in College. We even participated in a body-building contest together in April of 1984. I only hope my kids meet people like Doug when they enter their College careers, and that they would also be like Doug in their character. After he left, I was so wiped out emotionally I had to take a nap to recharge my batteries.

I also had a call from another contemporary of Doug's - Steve and Cindy Turner. A double dip from history - what a blessing.

Mom and Dad are still here and we are enjoying our time with them.
Bryan’s last baseball game is tonight for the #1 spot.

I am going to leave it at that for the night. I have my last treatment tomorrow.
Have a blessed day.
George.

A new week....

Well yesterday was very interesting. On the way to the radiology appointment, George began having some type of reaction to some of the medicines he is on. He said it felt like his skin was crawling and he could not shake it. He immediately went up to see Dr. Patten and they gave him some fluids and stopped one of the medicines. He was better after a couple of hours and much better today. This morning he was picking veggies and feeding chickens. His mom and dad came in around noon and are staying a couple of days. It is always so nice to have them here. We have missed their visits while Granny was fighting her own battle with cancer. But she is doing great and we are excited to have them around.

Bryan and Lauren are finishing up their summer sports and we can now have a breather. George and I will be investigating some cancer options and we are just waiting for the ALL CLEAR report. We believe the report of the LORD. I know that the prayers lifted up and the fasting that has been done for the advancement of the kingdom and for us will not be in vain. Our LORD honors the prayers of the saints. THE EFFECTUAL, FERVENT PRAY of the righteous avails much.

Please also be in prayer for Ronnie the friend of George's dad who had the explosive accident. He will be having surgery tomorrow to correct several issues. Be in prayer to guide the doctors hands.

It goes without saying, but I want to say it anyway how much we love each one of you. You are literally the wind beneath our wings. Your constant willingness to go before the Father on our behalf is amazing to us and you will only know and truly understand, in heaven, what that has meant to our family. I stand in the gift of FAITH imparted to me. And know that I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. It is certainly not time for us to let down our guard but to press in even more that we see the day approaching. I know that as we do spiritual warfare things happen in the spirit. Let me remind you that in 1992 during Operation Rescue as we, the body of Christ from all walks of life began binding the spirit of murder over the city of Baton Rouge, later that summer it was reported in the Advocate that during the month of JUNE 1992 there were NO MURDERS in the city. Now you tell me that spiritual warfare is not real and that if we actually believe what we pray and actually take it serious and pray that we can change the very environment in which we live. PUSH

Keep the faith, stand strong, our GOD is GOD and there in no other like HIM
Robin

Church get together . . .

We had an awesome time this afternoon. The Hands were kind enough to host the get together at there home. The fellowship was sweet and so was the time in prayer. I told Robin I could have sat in that chair all night. The love and peace of God was so thick in the room – so much so that I could have just dozed off to sleep. We were honored to be honored by our Church family which has done so much for us over the past year and a half, joining with us in this battle of body, soul and spirit. I feel blessed and safe knowing that had something happened to me earlier when this all started, that my wife and kids would have been covered by such a wonderful family at Hosanna.

Garden Talk: I picked 16.5 lbs. of tomatoes (both slicers and cherry, yellow and red), banana peppers and bell peppers and eggplant. It didn’t take very long though. I also cut a little grass around the house – only a few minutes worth – Robin will not let me do much more than that. I won’t let myself do much more than that, I just had a little burst of energy so I acted on it while I had it. The Chickens are beautiful, fat and happy as are the bunnies, cats and our dog. Oh, yeah, the 500 pounder pumpkin patch has a couple of big ones weighing in right now at around 20 to 25 lbs. each I would guess. We are still holding out hope on that dream – a 500 pounder!

Sports: Lauren’s team won 2 out of 3 and Bryan’s team won 2 out of two.

God is so good.
George

wonderful week....

I did the usual treatment today with the addition of removing the pump for the weekend. That is nice, since it gives me a little more freedon in my mobility. The kids and Robin had the tournament all day and I basically slept on and off all day with a few chores I did accomplish around the house. I have to earn my keep some kind a way.
Are you ready for this one? Yesterday I was watching a DVD sent to us by one of Robin's cousin's. It was a sermon by Larry Stockstill about healing - and guess who was being prayed for at the end of the service? Dr. Hackler! There he was, big as day, with Bro. Larry laying hands on him. We started shouting in my house.
Anyway, ... here is a refereshing scripture I wanted to include.

Proverbs 3:1
My son, do not forget my teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;
2 For length of days and years of life, And peace they will add to you.
3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your body, And refreshment to your bones.
9Honor the LORD from your wealth, And from the first of all your produce;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.

May the Lord bring refreshment into your life and home.
George.

Doing better. . .

Thanks to all involved in my care - medical and otherwise - I am doing so much better than Monday. Tuesday was so good I think I over-worked myself around the house and yard since I was back on the couch almost all day Wednesday. Not in a bad way, just a tired way, not depressed way. I piddled around the house following treatment this morning (I only have 5 treatments left), cleaned the dishes, etc. I have had a mild increase in my appetite along with some energy level increase. The other things we don't like to discuss in public are working a whole lot smoother also. Praise God!!! So, having said all of that . . . .
Robin and the kids are running around like a chicken . . . well, just like a 'chicken'. I had better say and leave it at that, cause there are some ears outside that might hear that comment and get 'concerned'. They are busy with sports and Church. The chickens, cats, bunnies, dog and even our resident "deck lizard" all appear to be doing well. The lizard likes to sit in the middle of our door glass and only leaves that position when we walk up or if it gets to hot - we even watched him shed his skin the other day.
My parents are doing well and hopefully they will be able to come up for a visit soon. My Aunts have both gone back home today to Alabama.

Update on Dr. Hackler, he has traveled to Argentina from what I hear to have some form of "designer chemo therapy" done. Do not hold me to it, but that is in a nutshell what it is. Some type of process whereby the Doctors design the chemo specifically to your cancer to kill your cancer. He is to begin the process this Friday(tomorrow), so if you will, please be in prayer for Dr. Mike Hackler and also his wife who is with him that all will go smoothly and that it will work.

Also, Robin's cousin Barbara and her husband Don, for recovery from surgery and continued weight gain and overall healing.

Thanks for the continued prayer and praise support! We love ya'll.
George.

Welcomed change . . .

Good morning, this is me. I had – probably - the best nights sleep I’ve had in weeks, guessing 4 to 6 weeks. I slept 4 hours straight, which is almost a record for me here recently. I was so rested, and yet it was only 2:30 am. So, what is there to do but think, meditate and pray? Some people ball all three together and call it just one of the names. I’m not going to discuss semantics, so we’ll let that dog lay.

Yesterday was a very, very trying day for both Robin and I both physically and emotionally. We did not leave the clinic until around 3 pm – we got there that morning at 8:40 am. I had to get some fluids, anti-nausea meds – the usual except for the fluid part. I requested a bed as soon as we arrived since I was feeling so weak. I stayed in that same bed until I left that afternoon. My blood work, as far as liver enzymes, etc. all are in the normal range except for one, which the Dr. told us not to be concerned about. That did not line up with the way I was feeling at all. So that goes to show right there that “things ain’t always what they seem” – in this case, they were much, much better than they seemed. In other words, keep “living by faith, not by feelings”.

I finally got out of the bed around 5:30 am and took my usual pills and drink my usual stuff. I spilled some tea in the top shelf of the refrigerator – which always seems to catch the funk first since it is used more frequently. So, I then noticed it was piled full of short items that should have been stored in the lower levels and as I was making room I decided to unload the whole top shelf, remove it, take it apart, clean it and put it back. I cleaned the bottom of all items to be returned to the fridge so as not to mess the shelf up all over again. Now, I can blog, sip my drink and prepare for the rest of the day in Jesus Name.

Now for those of you who read this blog regularly, George does this sort of thing frequently – cleaning projects, etc. since I cannot get outside and do many major projects – yet. For those of you who do not read regularly or maybe this is your first time reading – I have been pretty much worthless to the world over the past several weeks, especially since the start of chemo and the new radiation treatments. For the day to start out like this for me, this is nothing short of – well – miraculous, and a welcomed change.

I hope and pray that your day will start out and continue to be as good as mine. Remember, regardless of how it is going . . . .

“This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.”

* * * Thanks for answering the call to pray for me yesterday while at the clinic. I know ya'll "got my back" and I am very grateful for that. Now, let's go and get some one elses 'back' who needs it.

Happy Father's Day....

Yesterday was a great Father's Day. George wasn't able to make it to church but we enjoyed our time together when we got home. I was a little distracted at church, I guess because of the day it was and not having George with me. It was just one of those moments when I wanted to be at home. No offense to any one at church and the message was great, I just felt divided.

Today was another long day for George. Radiation and then to the chemo room to put the chemo pump on. The only problem was, for some reason they didn't have him down for an appt. He received another 3 hour infusion of fluids and then they started his chemo pump. We met with Dr. Patten. George's liver enzyme levels are normal praise God!!! Months ago they were elevated and we went through the chemo directly to the liver and saw some improvement then. However, now the last two bloodworks have been completely in the normal range. God is good. At this point we welcome all good reports and stand on them and shout the praises.

Eight more treatments left. I am ready for George to be back to "GEORGE". He has been tired lately and not able to piddle in the garden or with the chickens.

PUSH in prayer....Pray Until Something Happens and then keep praying thru to VICTORY!!!!!

Love, RW

Jury Duty...

Well this was an interesting week. I (Robin) had jury duty. And yes I was chosen to sit on a jury for a murder trial. It was quite heavy to say the least. George has nine radiation treatments left. He has been sort of out of it. Kind of on the weak side, the chemo he is on can knock you down. That is why you haven't heard from him lately. I am sure he will be back to it shortly. The garden is still growing and the vegetables are plentiful. The chickens are getting big and we just have a regular farm going.

Thanks to all of you who are praying and lifting us up. We need your continued prayer and are so grateful for the body of Christ.

Yesterday, we ran into Mark and Tammy Johnson. It was definitely a God thing. As we walked into the oncologists office and sat down they were sitting directly in front of us. This is a couple that many of our friends know and they were also involved in Men's and Women's Discovery Weekends (which is a ministry I was involved with for years). Anyway, Mark has recently been diagnosed with the same cancer George has.

It is not a coincidence, I believe this is an attack on the body of Christ. Many of us are targeting a spirit of infirmity I believe has been unleashed against the body of Christ. Mark, George, John Mounger, these are men of God battling the disease of cancer and each will win because the battle is the Lords. We stand not only for George but believe for each of these that God's purposes will be fulfilled. Pray saints pray.

We are all enjoying our summer. Ball games have us going in many different directions but they are all fun. Soon you will be hearing from George.

Robin

"This is the day that the LORD has made , I will rejoice and be glad in it."


What a way to start the day. It was quite a wake up call – or should I say a wake up scream. Rejoicing was a tough thing to do initially for me. This reminded me of the earlier chemo days of the 1 hour plus bathroom visits. I almost gave up and cancelled my two Dr. appointments, but I am glad I did not, a lot was accomplished. I told the Dr. about it and we are adjusting things a bit to see if that will help. He commented that all of my blood work was well within normal limits.

This was one of those days when the Lord’s footprints were the only ones you could see on the beach, since He was carrying me. Sometimes He will deliver you out of it, over it or around it – and then sometimes He brings you through it. It was all I could do to just hold on for the ride, but He faithfully got me to the other side.

Not much else done other than staying in the bed resting comfortably until Vivian’s birthday party at 7 pm. She is now 13. A good time was had by all. We turned in before 10 pm – an unusual thing for us, though. More to come tomorrow, Lord willing.

George.

We made a mad dash for New Orleans Friday afternoon to see my brother’s oldest son, my nephew Oliver, who is also my Godson. I believe I was known as his ‘Paran’ (spelling anyone?) when he was little. Well. He ain’t little no more – he done moved up to Kentucky on his own and is getting married this November. He came down for his 5th year High School Reunion. A lot of people were in line to spend time with him, so I knew we needed to get down to N.O. and get in the front of the line in order to get a peak at him and his fiancé. There was one other thing too, my other nephew, my brother’s youngest son, was also having a big deal this weekend – his 18th birthday! (Happy B-day Carey). Now who do you think was going to lose out on that one? Their middle child (their only daughter), Natalie was also in from Alabama, ‘the University of’, that is……uhhmm, for the weekend. So, we had ourselves a decent family reunion of sorts, regardless of misplaced loyalties, etc. (just kidding ya’ll).
Afterwards we stayed the night at mom and dad’s house and had a serious supper – I am surprised that none of you all could smell it over in B.R. Where shall I begin? How about fresh picked eggplant, which was used in an eggplant/shrimp dressing/casserole, fresh picked green beans seasoned down with the usual goodies, corn bread (no, I have yet to get me a corn milling machine to make my own corn bread or grits, oh, but Lord willing, that is coming), fresh and some store bought tomatoes, since my ‘slicers’ have yet to mature/ripen in sufficient enough quantities. Of course, we washed it all down with some iced tea. We held off on the fresh corn on the cob – that was brought up for them to eat here after we are gone since I have a bunch to be picked in the next coming weeks. Now, did that make you think of what you want for dinner after church this Sunday? Hope so – just stick to the good stuff and it will stick with you and you will do just fine!
Thankfully, my crew likes to help in the garden (mostly moma), or I don’t know what I would do. Sonja and Gayle went Blue Berry picking early Saturday and Sonja brought some of the biggest and tastiest BB’s you have ever sunk your teeth into – yep – big enough to sink several of your teeth into – they are that big and juicey! And to think, it’s right down Greewellsprings road folks, you can pick as many as you can afford (or stand up long enough to pick). She and Wil eat really healthy and have since I have known them, so they include all of those goodies like BB’s in their diet.

Sunday morning we headed back to BR early to attend Worship at Hosanna. It was awesome, the part that I was there for. They had a baby dedication first - I remember those days for us! They were all so cute. A little later, I had to excuse myself twice unfortunately (and yet fortunately) - if you know what I mean - and I was so fatigued as a result I decided to stay out in the foyer falling in and out of sleep - until service was over - on one of the pews along the walls. Bill Icenogle kept an eye on me though, so I was in good hands. Thanks to my Hosanna family for all of the prayer while I was there today - I am covered with lots of love and prayer from you all which is very special to me an means alot to me.

Got home and have been sleeping most of the day since. Had some pretty tough breakthrough pain for a few hours this afternoon, so I decided to switch out patches a day early, which I now know a lot of people are doing to get better coverage - we learn as we go - thanks alot to Ruth K. (RN) and Kirk N. (Pharm).

The Lord is so good to us in so many ways. I have latched onto Psalm 27 along with my bride Robin – man that is a meaty Psalm to meditate on. I believe I would like to see if I can memorize that one before too long. Here is the 1st, 13th and 14th verses, you read the rest in between:
Psalm 27
1)The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

13)I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.

14) Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen
thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

I pray for us all that we will be aware of God's presence in our lives - working and moving throughout our daily activities. Not just awareness of His power - but awareness of God Almighty Himself and His great love for us. And may we then turn and share that same loving presence with those around us we come in contact with each day.

Amen friends !

P.S. Judith, thanks for sharing about your friend Gabby and her recent death (to life) in your comments under the last post. That was a blessing.

Sun tan . . .

This is part of a song I wrote years ago, both music and lyrics. It has yet to be completed, since I only have one ‘stanza’.

Live everyday,
like it may be your last
You can mold the future,
but you can’t change your past
Your yesterdays,
they are all gone,
but tomorrow,
is yet to come

(Chorus)
The grave is not the end
It’s just a doorway,
to the other side
The grave is not the end
It’s just a doorway,
to Christ

This song is a reflection of how I have had to grapple with my own personal 'mortality' and the eventual, sudden exchange of all that I have known with something, well, something that I have never known. Death. I believe part of the walk of a Christian, or at least for this Christian, is the eventual replacement of fear and doubt of the unknown, with Faith and Trust in the One to be known. Notice I did not use the term religion. We are talking about the person of Christ. It takes time to put complete trust in a God whom cannot be seen, heard or touched - yet. For it is we that must learn His ways, not the other way around. It is as if we have been suddenly 'blinded' and 'crippled' by faith (like the Apostle Paul was on the road to Damascus, struck from his horse) and then we must ‘un-learn’ the way we used to think and process spiritual information and then ‘re-learn’ things from God’s perspective – re-learn God’s ways, ways which were lost as a result of the ‘fall of Man’ in the Garden. Isaiah says it so eloquently:

Isaiah 55:6-9
6 Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way and
the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the LORD,
and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

His ways are higher than our natural ways and His thoughts are higher than our natural thoughts. We who have come to believe in Christ as Lord and Savior, and claim to be “born-again”, as Jesus put it, are still living and breathing, weak and human full of faults – just as susceptible to fear and doubt as the next non-believer. There are now many differences in the two, one of which is that we have made a covenant with the One Who Himself has conquered death, hell and the grave through the Resurrection and have now by faith opened a doorway to Christ – and another is that we are now in a different ‘position’ to receive the Son.

An example of this would be lying out to get a sun tan. You can lay out all day long under the shade of the board walk and tell all of your friends that you ‘laid out all day’ – you know what they are going to say? Where’s the tan man? You were not in the right ‘position’ to receive the sun’s rays! You wasted your whole day, as far as getting a sun tan goes, thinking you were getting something which you were in fact not getting.

I don’t want anyone to be deceived and miss all that God has for them in this life and yet so many go about their day putting off the inevitable. No, you cannot change your past, but you can mold your future. You just have to make up your mind and follow Christ and the two of you can mold your future - but you must let go and let Him take of your past. Forgiveness is one of His many specialties. It will probably not be easy, but then, anything lasting usually does have a price tag that comes with it. Especially something that is this ever-lasting.

Read in the Book of John, chapter 10 about the Good Shepherd who is willing to put himself in danger to protect the flock.
The Good Shepherd will also put the 99 other sheep on hold to go and look for that one straying sheep in order to bring it back into the fold.
Matthew 18:12-13
12 "What do you think?
If a man owns a hundred sheep,
and one of them wanders away,
will he not leave the ninety-nine
on the hills and go to look for
the one that wandered off?
13 And if he finds it, I tell you the truth,
he is happier about that one sheep than
about the ninety-nine
that did not wander off.

You want to make God and all of heaven happy? You want to 'turn-off' the fear of death and the grave? Turn to Christ Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and all of heaven and it's inhabitants will rejoice and God's peace will be yours abundantly.

Good weekend to you and yours. George

Opinions . . .

Hello from “Almost Eden”.
That is my personal name I coined for our little piece of land we are so blessed to live on. It isn’t Eden, but close enough.
Garden Talk:
Was it just me, the patient who cannot handle the heat, or was it really a hot one today? I stepped out to go and get my treatment early this morning and then after that I was in the house until after 5 pm. It was still hot after that! I could not do much of anything as a result, so I headed back inside the house for some A/C.
[Whoever invented air conditioning needs to get a “Lifetime Achievement Award” from all of us Southerners! I guess his Award could include things like a Lifetime supply of Iced tea (with or without lemon), and of course a commercial grade Ice maker to go with the tea. Also, lifetime foot and back massages, as many porch fans as his porch can handle – that is, if he wants to go out onto his porch in the first place, and lastly, a pick-up truck].
So, enough complaining, cause as we all know, okra grows just fine in hot weather!
I have 3 main garden plots - North, East and West (NEW). All are followed with “of Eden” as in “East of Eden”.
We are having a problem over here – too many veggie’s and not enough mouths to eat what is being picked fast enough. (Hint, hint). I will say though, that the immediate family gets the pick of the litter. After that, a visit and some fellowship are required. And after that, it’s whoever gets here next! The 500 pounders are growing well, some pest damage to the vines noted, but I hope they will survive. The family picked one of the most beautiful ‘Black Beauty’ eggplants I think I have ever seen. A picture on the blog will not do it justice. Eggplants, especially the ‘Ichiban’ variety, do very well around here. If any of you have a good eggplant recipe, please send it to us – grwaites@bellsouth.net. I could go on and on, but suffice it to say we are going to be enjoying some healthy eating in the next coming months. Did I tell you my son and my father in law put up a fence around the main garden (East of Almost Eden – that is one of the 3 sections).

Health Talk:
I am doing much better this week than last week. I do, however, have to carefully manage my pain issues or else that can quickly get out of hand. We are now trying the transdermal patch for 2 weeks to see how well it does. It is much more convenient than pills by far, since you only have to change it once every 3 days and you do not have to carry pills around with you or watch the clock, but then you have other issues. It can accidentally be torn off or start to leak around the edges – precautions can be taken to avoid these of course. We shall see. My next challenge is to gain some more weight.

For those of you who did not know, Doc, ‘C’ (constipation) had paid me a visit for almost 2 weeks, for sure the past 7 days with no action at all. I had to drink the ‘Golytely’ cleanse liquid nasty salty stuff all day yesterday to get me out of this crisis – praise God for that nasty stuff! I lost 6 lbs. in one day following that cleanse! Six pounds of what, I shant say. It certainly was not muscle! Wow. I had not eaten much since I was so backed up and it was only causing more pain and worry. I said all that to say that I am down to 144 lbs. That is the lowest I have ever been since this all started in 12/2005. They ‘sicked’ the Nutritionist on my tail Thursday following the treatment to give me a pile of recipe ideas that are for those going through radiation/chemo. Radiation does its own damage to your body, not usually as bad as heavy chemo, but it can affect blood counts dramatically if we are not careful. I am also on the 24/7 - 5FU chemo pump during the week days – off on weekends. So, I will be trying to eat – which never used to be a problem for me – more and drinking supplemental stuff, too.


I can do nothing but express my thanks to God Almighty for the great things He has done, is doing and is going to do. He has used so many of you to bless us and encourage us as a family and me as the patient that if all of these things were written down, the list would go coast to coast. Thanks for your continued prayer support. Sonja Howell, a friend of ours closes some of her comments with "PUSH", which stands for "Pray Until Something Happens". I would like to remind you of these prayer/physical needs:

Dr. Hackler - peace, comfort, healing and the Will of God.
My mother Patsy - she has finished all cancer treatments, but now has 'shingles'.
My dad - Mike, he is trying to lose weight and also deals with chronic pain/breathing issues related to his weight.
My dad's friend Ronny- quick recovery from the explosion.
My brother's friend Danny - recently diagnosed with bilateral lung cancer.
Barbara and Don Gerard - quick recovery from colon surgery. (and also donations to their monetary account at all Capital One branches).
Me - to gain weight, continued healing, no complications from pain meds or other treatments.

And for God to have His way in Baton Rouge - for an open Heaven - where the presence and power of God can freely move, unhindered.

Have a blessed Friday!!!

Urgent prayer request . . .

This is a urgent prayer request for one of my Doctors that I worked for while at CVT. Dr. Michael Hackler is his name, for those of you who do not know him. He was diagnosed with cancer about one week before I was in Dec. 2005. He has led a strong and brave crusade against this cancer since his diagnosis and as for me, has been an example of how to fight and continue to live your life in spite of the disease. He has also been an example as a surgeon and a employer.

A lot of people love him and many are still alive today due his work as a surgeeon. This week, he was suffering with extreme abdominal pain and had a procedure, I believe some type of a nerve block, necessary to stop the pain. I do not know if he will be taking any other treatments other than similar measures to alieviate the pain at this point. I do not know if this is "it", for only God does, but we pray none the less, "let thy will be done...".

Please pray for comfort and pain relief - and mostly for the Doc to be at peace and in the center of God's will. He professes Jesus as Lord of his life.We have prayed together several times in the past and he does have a humble and accepting heart for God and His Will. As you read this, please pray and as he comes to mind throughout your days ahead, please ernestly pray. I will update when I get any information.

Love you all. George

chemo and radiation

Well, today we spent the entire, yes the entire day, at the hospital. (Key word 'tire', as in 'tired'). We had an 8:50 radiation treatment appt. followed by a doctors appt. which then turned into another doctor wanting to talk to us about George being on chemo along with the radiation, which turned into a visit to radiology for the insertion of a PICC line which is a more longterm type IV which will be attached to a chemo pump which will run continuous for a week with weekends off. Then a trip to get the pump, back down to Mary Bird and then a trip to the Target Pharmacy (Thanks Kirk)----then of course we needed gas and finally home at about 4:30. WOW what a day. But through it all God was in it. (Remember, He's the 4th Man in the fire). We saw Ricky from church, whose mom had a bad accident and also crossed paths with several of George's hospital buddies. We then ran into Kerry W., a friend of ours who goes to HPC while gassing up at the Exxon station on Sherwood. We had a blessed day in the midst of the running around, and of course we got to be together ( just me and George) which kind of reminded me of our past trips to Houston, Texas, for M.D. Andersons appts.

Yesterday was an awesome church service. While getting ready for church yesterday, I was praying and I felt as though the Lord said the breakthrough is coming shortly you need to stand strong. Strong, I thought, Lord I don't know how to be strong anymore, you are going to have to be strong in me. I must have you Lord. When I got to church during worship I told the Lord again, "you are going to have to be strong in me and teach me to be strong". Well, we had a guest speaker named Nick Callaway who leads a Chi Alpha group in Oklahoma and he preached an anointed message on being strong. He shared on Joshua 1:1-9 NIV :

Joshua 1:1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: 2 "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them-- to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates-- all the Hittite country-- to the Great Sea {4 That is, the Mediterranean} on the west. 5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

This is and was the word of the Lord to me. Recently, I have also been meditating on Psalm 27. Later yesterday Bill and Cathy brought over a CD and said for us to listen to track 11. Well, this morning I put it on and began weeping. As the worship leader was singing Pastor John Kilpatrick (Brownsfield) began reading Psalm 27 this was the most anointed moment I have heard captured on CD in a long time.

You see, even in the midst of adversity we all must stand on the promises God has given us. As we do, we WILL see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. WAIT on the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait on the LORD. We cannot afford to grow weary or discouraged in the waiting as a matter of fact in those very times is when we MUST encourage ourselves in the LORD. And oh yes, my friend, I promise you encouragement can be found in HIM. Take the time and tell Him you need it, He will not turn you away.
Love ya'
Robin

update...

George went to have his radiation treatment this morning and then we realized that we had to see the Dr. This is Dr. Fields the radiologist. As we were meeting with him George was able to get some long awaited answers on pain management. He said to us the same things that Ruth (our sweet friend/nurse) had been telling me and I was not getting across to George. Now it all makes since and we have started what we believe to be a very effective regimine.

The last couple of days have been very emotional and I believe the level of spiritual warfare has kicked up a notch, which is fine because I believe breakthrough is on its way. You know during childbirth when a woman is in transition right before the baby is born is the most intense time. Thanks to the guys who came to pray for George the other night. Your willingness to come on a moments notice is beyond compare and I am so thankful for all of you. ( and so is George)

We had a visit today from George's parents and his uncle from Miami. We haven't seen him in seven years. The kids were 9 and 5 the last time he saw them. WOW how time can get away from us.

Again we love you all---all of you who take the time to read the blog and keep up with us and pray for us and stand with us. Only God knows the end from the beginning and He sees all things as they fit into His grand, master plan. The roles we play, and the journeys we travel are all part of something so much bigger than us.

Souls Lord we want souls saved.
Robin