Good day . . .

Praise God for a good day. Earlier this morning (early a.m. Monday) was rather tough. I had some pain issues which took several hours to get under control. Around 4:30 am to 7 am I think I finally knocked out. I’ll say it again, praise God for the things we have to help us get through the tough times – things like knowing that I have an understanding and loving wife to help me and be there for me, knowing also that I have numerous friends and family praying for me all hours of the day and night and not to forget the love of God for me and medicines God has allowed us to discover and learn to use to our benefit. I could go for a while on that topic.

We went to the clinic today to get my PICC line cleaned and flushed and also to get blood work and the results of the PET/CT scan. Robin covered that earlier today on the blog. We are trusting in the report of the Lord above all others. We also stopped by the credit union and the store to pick up a prescription. I was feeling pretty good throughout the whole day and also eating more - and more frequently. That is still hard to do – even for me. My father-in-law used to say that I didn’t eat, but that I “grazed” throughout the day. Well, I need to get back into grazing mode – I was up 2 lbs. from the last time I weighed at the Docs office. If I can gain 2 to 3 lbs. per week – that would be nice. I’ll know when I gain a significant amount – my wedding ring will quit falling off in the shower!

We are making headway with the Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Chicago. We do not yet have anything scheduled, but we will know in the next few days since they do not appear to drag their feet very much. Maybe within the next 2 weeks we can head up there if not sooner?

Here is a scripture that I have been meditating on lately . . .
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort
those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

We have received so much comfort from so many of you and the more I analyze it, it is those who have also suffered themselves in the past that can offer us so much comfort now since they know about such things on a personal level; God saw them through, and they can now testify to the love and grace of God during times of affliction, pain and loss. I have asked the Lord to allow Robin and me as both a couple and as individuals to be able to share the love and compassion of God with others who are suffering and need help.

Here is another conclusion I have come to: I do not care why someone has AIDS/HIV, an STD, Hepatitis, lung cancer or any other cancer/disease – if they are a human and suffering, then that is where the love and mercy of God is needed. I am not to judge, “oh, well if he was not living in sin, he would not be suffering, he brought this on himself”.
What a Godly attitude, huh? Didn’t we all bring down the wrath of God upon ourselves before we accepted Christ? Do any of us deserve mercy? Jesus has removed some of these stumbling blocks that were piled up in the back of my mind and I am so thankful He did. It is wasted space and useless baggage from the “old nature/fallen man” mind set. I say, “Lord, let’s keep on cleaning out the closets”.

I need to shut it down now.
Have a blessed day – and be a blessing to someone today since yours maybe the only kindness they see today.
George

results are in....

Well we have a mixed bag. The pancreas has improved but the liver has worsened and as George said some have gotten out of the barn. There is an area of concern in the abdominal lining. However the scan was done Tuesday and I believe that God has been at work even since then. The report is of little consequence if your believing the report of the Lord. We have reminded ourselves about the healing Clint Schafer received and Dodie Osteen. As the word has come forth, "I am the God of the universe that created heaven and earth, is there anything impossible with me?" Our answer to the Lord is absolutely not. We stand Lord, we believe Lord. Just like pastor preached yesterday, we walk by faith and not by sight. We may have to wait a year, what if you have to wait two, what if you have to wait five. All I know is that God said in Ps. 27 "Wait on the Lord, be strong take heart and wait on the Lord."

As we seek the next area of direction, we are confident the Lord will lead.

Robin

It's me. . . finally

You know its bad when you cannot remember the last time you blogged. But anyway . .

My parents, Aunt Eva and Aunt Ebbie are in for the weekend and we are having a great time together - as always. Plus, they are trying to ‘force feed’ me as much as they can! Now that I am off of chemo I have regained some of my appetite – but even in the best of health it would be difficult to eat something between 6 and 12 times per day and drink the amount of fluids/water I am supposed to be drinking. I ate 4 times today between 10:30 am and 6 pm and that is about all I can stuff down. I eat about 1 to 2 cups each time. Eat a little, but eat many times throughout the day is the idea according to the doc. He said 3 times a day will not put weight back on me.
This morning was a tough one to get up from. Don’t know why, but I was some kind of stiff and cranky feeling. The break-through pain meds helped a little as did the heating pad, but still a tough one. The Lord is always right there – just one call away – to come to our side and let us know that He loves us regardless of what else is going on. This all reminds me that “this present world ain’t it”. Also, having the family over helps to ‘distract’ me away from my own situation, and focus on them.
Last Wednesday at Church, I was in the balcony sitting where I usually sit (or lay, I should say) and the ‘Stars’ girls group were also worshipping up there too. A few minutes after I arrived, Cathy Icenogle asked if it would be okay if they prayed for me. She also said that I have been their ‘prayer project’ for a while now – meaning that they have singled me out as a focal point of prayer. Now that was a blessing to here! Guess what – they prayed for me non-stop for about 30 minutes or more! Wow! I was worn out from being prayed for – a good kind of worn out of course. Cathy and Gerri have got quite a little bunch of prayer warriors.
I have more to say, but I have reached my limit at this time. So, I hope to be in Church tomorrow - and hope you can make it too.

We appreciate and desire your prayers for our family. Thank you.
Remember, He is our hope.
George.

no news yet....

Well we saw the radiologist today for a follow up since the radiation treatments. He was telling George the importance of eating several small meals to get his weight up. We have an appt. Mon with Dr. Patten so we will get the results then and have some info for everyone.

George's mom, dad, and both aunts from Alabama came in for a visit. WOW Pawpaw grilled us some steaks. You talk about good. It was some kind of yummy. The A/C has seemed to resolve itself again so tomorrow we should be returning to our abode for the first time in two weeks. Thank goodness for mom and dad's and cable. I guess George will be calling Cox soon to get the hook up.

The Lord is continuing to see us through on even an hour by hour or minute by minute basis. George and I have started taking communion every night together. Man it is awesome to daily share in the rememberance of what Jesus did for us. It is certainly a time when we can focus on the price Jesus paid but also on what Jesus' death bought us. We are now the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. We are saved, healed, delivered, set free because of His death and resurrection.

Once we get settled in at home maybe then George will get motivated to blog. We couldn't set our laptop up on my dad's internet so I have been coming home to log in.

God bless to all, keep your eyes fixed on the author and finisher of our faith.
Robin

update...

Just wanted to let you all know that we are still waiting on a call from the Dr. We have an appt. to see him Mon. so George may try to call him tomorrow or we will wait till Mon. Today George called Cancer Treatment Centers of America to see what they have to offer. Of course, we are still standing believing that it want even be necessary to head that direction. George and I had a good talk this morning about fear and life and all the emotional ups and downs that have been part of this journey. All I keep telling George is that I believe and I know that he will be healed. This time waiting for the test results is different for me. There has always been a level of anxiety associated with the wait. But this time peace is truly guarding my heart. I wish I could explain to you all the expectancy I have in my heart. Not just about test results but about what lies ahead.

George spoke with Dr. Hackler last night. He had gone out of the country for some treatment and is home now. Please continue to lift him up as well.

We will let you know as soon as we hear something.
Robin

on the way home...

This stay at the hospital has been eventful to say the least. Later in all of George's literary splendor I will let him write and explain the fun we have had over the last couple of days. We will be heading home within the hour so I wanted to let you know that once we are home George will update the blog. He told me to tell y'all that he loves you all.

Dr. Patten said he may have the results later today and he will call us. As soon as we know something we will update the site. Pray, pray, pray.

Jesus our trust in every way is in you. There is nothing that you cannot do. You are the strength of our lives, our stronghold. Press is saints of God not just in prayer for us but to know Him better. He is worth pressing into. The comfort He brings, the love He gives is SUPERNATURAL.

Talk to you later,
Robin

pet scan...

We are in the hospital waiting for George to have a pet scan. Be praying with us for good results. No more tumors, Lord.

Last night at about 8:30pm things got rough. George had been having cramps all day and they were getting the best of him. He went to the bathroom and I literally did warfare in the hall while he was in there. He was struggling. I really feel that it was more spiritual warfare considering the church service that we had Sunday.

The Lord moved in our service in a mighty way. There was definitely victory in the house. The level of warfare has increased because George and I along with you have decided we are not playin'. The enemy was defeated when Jesus gave His life and rose again from the dead and yesterday I spoke it out that the Lord paid to great a price for us not to walk in the fullness of everything he paid for. That would be like a parent spending money to buy you a car lets say and you choose to ride a bike or something. Why?? the car is paid for!!!!!! Our healing, our forgiveness, our deliverance from the enemy IT IS PAID FOR. It is settled and the Lord was the victor. So I will not settle for less than what Jesus paid for so we will stand ground. As a friend Greg said it is just the devil roaring. When he thinks he can roar and shut you down he just keeps roaring. He roars with symptoms, he roars with fears, he roars with lies and deception. But the truth of the matter is he is a DEFEATED foe. Yes he is our foe but he is a DEFEATED foe.

Stand saints of God. Decide to step it up a notch and realize that most of our problems are things that we allow because we do not engage the enemy with confidence that through Christ we are the victors. WHEW!!!! I have preached myself happy.

I will let you know more later
Robin

chemo done...

Well today George had his pump removed for his chemo treatments. He was kind of tired today but that is usual on Friday after a week of chemo. However, tonight his appetite was good he sent me to get us a steak to split and each a baked potato at this steak house around the corner. It was really good and we both ate our fill. This is wild because tomorrow my brother is supposed to make us steaks again. I guess George is having a hankering for some good ole protein.

I spent some much needed time alone with the Lord today. Boy, our FATHER is good. He does not disappoint. I just have a continued peace in my heart that George is going to be HEALED. I don't know when and I don't know how, I JUST KNOW. I will not throw away my confidence which the Bible says has great recompense of reward. And what a great place to put your confidence, put it in the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He IS the Great I AM. Man that is the God we serve. He is acquainted with our sufferings so how can we not trust Him.

Monday we go back to the Dr. and will probably be put in the hospital in order to have the PET scan. We want the report of the Lord. Stand and watch the salvation of our GOD.

Robin

hello....

To all of you faithful blog readers I am sorry we haven't been very diligent at our post of keeping you informed. The last three days have been lazy days for George and I. The kids went with my parents on vacation to Colorado so we are holding down the fort. Literally, holding it down by laying down and veggin' out. George and I went to my mom and dad's the other day because our A/C started acting up. Well the A/C is fixed but I can't seem to get George back to our house. You see my parent's have cable and we don't so George has discovered the world of the science channel, discovery, animal planet and more. Well since he is kind of lying around this gives a little more variety in his TV watching.

He is on his last week of chemo. We had the pump put on Monday. He will have a scan sometime next week.

We are continuing to press is for the manifestation of the miracle we are believing for. God keeps us going and daily strengthens us. Our eyes are fixed on the author and finisher of our faith. Thanks again and again for your faithfulness to us in praying and standing. Our God is God and there is no other.
Robin

Love . . .

Sorry I have not posted in the past few days, I have been on the down side as far as energy and motivation (and also slightly constipated - that always slows me down).
You will never guess what I ate tonight. A steak. I didn't eat much, but it was a steak. My brother in law challenged me – he said if he would cook it would I eat it? Well, I took his offer and it was a good one. I am tryig to gain weight but cannot just eat like before so it is difficult to match what I have a taste for, can tolerate stomach wise and is actually good for me. Anyway, I am working on the eating more thing.
I got the pump removed today and have only one more week left till this treatment is over. We are still praying as to what to do next.

I can say that the main topic on my mind lately has been the love of God for me and also for other people. I cannot get His love for us out of my mind. It is so massive, deep, high, wide – I could go on and on. He loves people I could never understand or relate to. He loves the unlovable and I believe that is what turns us around. When I realized that God loved me in spite of me and my sin – and that He was willing and able to forgive me – talk about a turn around! His love broke through and changed my life forever – for eternity, I should say.
I want that same love shown to me by God through Christ to be alive and well in me everyday. Is it? No, but that is my goal. To love like God loves.

Have a great weekend, cause you should know by now that God loves you right where you are.
George.

What a wonderful day today. I had 3 buddies from College show up for lunch and it was such a great time of prayer, remembering the good old days, etc. They were and still are big brothers in Christ who helped guide me along the way and were such an encouragement today as always. I know the pictures looks like a local police line up and also one of those strange cell phone "bar" commercials (tall to shortest) - take your pick. God is so good to us in so many ways.

Thanks also to everyone for the love and happy birthday wishes offered under the comments. Comments are always welcomed, but not required. I also appreciate the hours of intercession and prayer offered up to heaven on my / our behalf - thank you so much for that support, too.

The pain is being managed well, thanks be to God. I have about two weeks till I am finished this chemo treatment and then we are open for the direction of the Lord - we even had a family prayer meeting tonight at the house with me, Robin and the kids about God giving us specific direction as to what to do next. We are believing for some serious physical changes in the positive direction to have happened. We will see with the next PET/CT scan (about 3 weeks from now, hopefully). Keep believing with us. Thanks.

We love you all and only hope that we can one day have the privilege of loving and serving some of you, as you have us through this affliction and trial. Continue to be a blessing wherever you go.

1 John 3:1-2 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, {2 Or when it is made known} we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

George

For many of you who knew David Box, he was killed at a train crossing earlier this morning. Here is a brief article sent to me to by a friend with some limited information. Also, please be praying Shanda and Truit (12 years old), David's ex-wife and his only child.

One person was killed today after a train and truck collided in Newton County this morning.
The Kansas City Southern train was brought to a standstill for about three hours following a fatal accident. It happened at 7:30 Monday morning on a train track in a somewhat heavily wooded area not far from Highway 80 in the Lawrence Community.
"At this point and time we don't know if someone was crossing the track. Really, we don't know what happened at this point and time. It's still under investigation," said Sheriff Jackie Knight.
This road leading to the track where the accident happened is a private road that passes a deer camp. Because this is a private road Sheriff Knight says there were no warning signs or lights at this area where the accident occurred.
The victim has now been identified as 42-year-old David Box from Meridian. He is the only one thought to have been in this white Ford Ranger truck when the accident occurred. According to officials upon impact the train pushed the vehicle about a tenth of a mile down the track.
Bobby Jackson says he had known the victim for more than 30 years.
"I called his Daddy and his Daddy said, 'Yeah, it is so!' said Jackson.
Around mid morning the body of the victim was transported to Jackson for an autopsy. Meanwhile, investigators say it could be several days before they know the exact cause for the accident.

That is all I know at this time. I will add more when it comes available. If you find out more information that is reliable, please e-mail me at grwaites@bellsouth.net

This is proof to me, one more time, that you cannot take anything with you friend, except Jesus. Have Mercy on us Lord, have Mercy.
George.
P.S. to things of lesser importance, today is my birthday, I made 43 years old by the grace of Almighty God. We had a good, calm and quiet time together. I did not get to see everyone in the family, but we did get to speak with most. I am thankful for another day of celebrating with those in "the land of the living".

My parents and grandmother are still in and we are still enjoying the visit. Today was a good day except for a few hours of pain which the Lord helped me deal with. The paw paws and older grandsons went out for the 'garage sales' this morning - they came back with a truck load of stuff, believe it or not! I just hope Bryan does not get the bug for those things too bad.

Today was pretty hot until later in the afternoon. I did not get out at all until late and took a walk down the driveway, thankfully I can do such things and plan on continuing to do such things by faith as the healing comes.

This morning I was shaving and as I glanced in the mirror, it hit me how much weight I have lost - it hit me. . . "man, I look like a refugee from a concetration camp" I thought. I started crying all over again but within a split second God told me to "Walk by faith, not by sight" and He was not suggesting it either. So, I dried it up, and started walking by faith again.

So there is a good word for the day from II Corinthians 5:7 "Walk by faith, not by sight".

No matter where you are or what you are going through, God is still aware of what is going on in your life and He does care, whether it looks like it or not.

George.

Today was a mixed day of emotions. The news of one of Lauren’s friends being shot really rattled us since Lauren and Bryan had both gone out to see the fireworks with their grandparents. It kind of hits close to home you know. As far as that goes, she is apparently doing better than expected according to what Lauren has heard. Praise God.
We continue to pray for a complete restoration of her body.

As for myself, I had a tough morning both emotionally and physically. I wonder how much of the two are tied together? But it is okay to cry, weep, whatever you want to call it, let it out before the Lord – King David did and so did Jesus. It is recorded in the Psalms that David’s bed would be wet from his tears. I believe it is good for the soul friends, so let it go. Plus the expectation of my parents and my only remaining/living grandmother coming in for a few days to visit was something to look forward to. Later in the afternoon the pain backed off a good bit, but I was still pretty much on the couch for the evening while everyone else played dominos - but that is okay, since I could lie there and enjoy their presence and hear them talking was good enough for me at this time. Just to be around them.
I am at a fragile place right now in many ways and yet also at a place of strength. I try to continually look to the Lord for my strength, because His is an everlasting strength. I do, however, gain a tremendous amount of strength from my wife and kids, friends and other family that love me and pray for me. As I think about all of those whom I love and care about, I cannot help but cry sometimes since the Lord has been so good to me through so many of you. I give Him thanks and praise.

I am in the process of investigating several other treatment options on the horizon, some in the states and at least one is in S. America. Leave no stone unturned is what I say. Would you be in agreement with me in prayer concerning this? Thanks. I want to be in the middle of God’s will on any decision I make, but especially one like this.

Good news from Robin’s cousin Barbara, she is doing well following the surgery she had several weeks ago. More details than I have room for of course, but she is doing better, praise God!

Remember, the Lord is our Shepherd! He leads us, He guides us, He restores us - and it is all for His Names sake, not ours. To God be the Glory.

George.

Prayer request . . .

Urgent request for prayer for a young lady who went to school with Lauren. Her name is Kayla Smith. She was shot in the Down Town area by the levee last night. Apparently this was a random act of stupidity. Please pray she recovers due to the severity of the injury and the location. Thank you.

We had a good time together yesterday with the family. I have been having some yucky days this week, but God is good.
Talk to ya'll later. George.

Happy 4th of July . . .

Happy 4th of July to all of our friends and family both near and far and to all of those brave defenders out on the front lines keeping America safe. Ours thoughts and prayers are with you continually.

H A P P Y 4 th O F J U L Y ! ! !

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hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh


George

The pics are in......

Picture line up:

There is my hand with the "Sugar Baby" watermelon, one of the larger Sunflower plants, Robin with the 500 lbs. "wanna-be" pumkin and lastly Aunt Margaret with the beautiful plant she blessed me with - she saw it in the store and decided I needed it at my house! She even planted it in soil and a pot she also bought.That is a blessing!

Thank God I was able to go to Church this week in spite of the way the night went. I was hurting pretty bad from Saturday afternoon until 5 or 6 am Sunday morning. It took a while to get the pain under control, but we finally did and I was so glad because Church was awesome. The rest of the day went well also with minimal problems and we enjoyed spending a lot of family time together. My nephew came up for the weekend, too, while his parents went camping.

How about this crazy on/off rainy weather? Either rain, or don’t, but stop teasing me so I’ll know what to do. The folks at Lake Tahoe are praying for rain to knock out the forest fire – I must confess so have I - I know that is asking a lot from our heavenly Father, but Jesus did say to ask and to keep asking, so let’s ask! Amen. I have so many phone calls to return. So, if you called and I have not called you back, sorry, I’ll get to it soon.
The garden is still putting out a good bit of groceries; we just have to stay on top of it. The corn has finished and the 500 lbs pumkin is still growing. The Sunflowers are really beginning to show their beautiful faces, too.

This is going to be a great week ahead. Trust God with whatever you face and you can face it together with Him, not alone.
George.