Dear Praying Friends,
First of all, let
me say a big THANK YOU to all of you who blessed my husband with an
incredible 50th birthday. Your e-mails and cards touched him deeply.
A wonderful surprise party was given him by precious friends on November
1st at a local restaurant (we were told eighty-eight people were in
attendance). Friends traveled from near and far for the party. Our sons
also came as a great surprise to Doug. The theme that night was "Celebrating
Life." What a blessed event it was to see my husband honored as
many stood up to share how he had touched their lives in one way or
another over the years.
Last week concluded
Christians in Action annual missionary conference. It is always great
fun to see and have fellowship with many of our fellow missionaries
who sacrificially serve year after year in foreign countries. Doug was
presented with a certificate in honor of his 30 years of serving with
Christians in Action Mission International.
Recently we met
with another Radiologist Oncologist for his opinion about whether or
not Doug could receive further radiation for his brain tumors. Doug
did not meet the two criteria for the radio surgery: one brain tumor
(no more than two) and stable cancer in the rest of the body. (He has
3 brain tumors and the last chest CT revealed the kidney cancer in his
lungs "have increased in size and number.") So, it was decided
that we've done everything medicine can offer - outside of experimental
therapies which my husband does not feel strong enough to try. Even
though it was the answer we expected, it was a tough ride home after
hearing the news - we were both letting the tears flow down our cheeks.
Thank you for your
continued prayers. We are taking this one day at a time and cherishing
each one of those days. We feel secure in the love of God and are relying
on His strength to get us through what lies ahead. Psalms 91:1-2. He
who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of
the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
Resting in His
shadow,
Becky (for the family)
P.S. For the first
time I've attached pictures: our family at Doug's 50th birthday party;
our children - Bryan, Kim, and Jeremy; and Doug receiving his certificate
from our Christians in Action's president and long-time friend, Dave
Konold.
