Dear Praying
Friends,
It seems
impossible that the year 2004 has arrived...how quickly time does fly!
Our Christmas was especially blessed as all of our children were with
us. How thankful we are that each of them loves God, are thoughtful
and productive citizens, and are just generally very fun people. Laughter
and joy filled our home during the holidays.
Each Christmas
we wonder, "Is this the last year Doug will be with us?" It
truly is a miracle that he is still here. With cancer touching our home
- eternity has come into sharper focus for us. But the truth of the
matter is: none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. How that thought should
daily drive all of us to place importance on things of eternal value
by letting Christ rule in our hearts.
We have
a NEW PRAYER CONCERN for Doug. He has developed diabetes due to the
fact he is taking high amounts of steroids. The steroids are needed
to keep the inflammation around his brain tumors to a minimum. His extremely
high blood sugars have caused him to have blurred vision, extreme weakness,
and very poor concentration. He is now having four daily injections
of insulin and having to watch what he eats. Please pray that we can
get his blood glucose into or near normal range; with daily ingestion
of Decadron (the steroid he is taking) that will be a battle in itself.
We are happy to report that a brain MRI last week revealed that the
tumors in his brain have not grown, the inflammation is down, and one
of the three tumors has considerably decreased in size! Yes, he still
has over 90 tumors in his body (the majority are in his lungs).
My husband's
desire is that enough strength will return so that he will be able to
return to the keyboard and write more "Ramblings," to be able
to get out and visit with friends and family and those in need to be
an encouragement to them, to finish his life story for his children
(he's using a tape recorder), and to just enjoy life as much as possible
(by the way, his pain is under control with around-the-clock medication).
Currently
I'm working two six-hour shifts (6 AM to noon) per week as I orientate
on a new floor (Postpartum) - I love working with the new moms and newborns.
I will reevaluate this as Doug needs me more at home. Please pray for
wisdom for me and favor with the hospital.
We value
your prayers, e-mails, cards, phone calls, and acts of kindness more
than you'll ever know. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Please
remember to specifically pray for our children (Jeremy, Bryan, and Kim)
when you pray for us. We desire through all of this that God will be
glorified, our faith will be strengthened, and that many will come to
know Jesus Christ as their own personal Savior and constant friend.
As we
enter this New Year.let's try to remember to sharpen our focus on eternal
values. "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set
your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand
of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."
Colossians 3:1, 2
With love in Christ,
Becky
for the family
