We are now here at my brother, Lee's, home in Denton, Texas. They have graciously and lovingly taken us in while we wait to travel on down to Houston and the MD Anderson Cancer Center.
We had a long trip down by driving from Boise. 1650 miles here to Denton and about 300 more to go.
After some poignant and emotional good byes to children and grandchidren in the Boise area (we stopped at Beckis to see her and our two grand-daughters, Kyra and Kenna\, and then we stopped at Jeff and Jolene's...the good-bye hugs and embraces are very meaningful when you realize they may be the last you give in this mortal life), For my part, it was hard to contain the emotions. I gave Becki three very long and emotional hugs, and then gave Jeff two. Later, when I could compose myself and talk about it, I called them each on the cell phone and let them know that the extra hugs were for my other two daughters, Katie and Rachel, and my other son, Jared, should Becki and Jeff need to pass them on later.
Anyhow, we ran across some significant winter weather (some pretty heavy snow) on the first day of the trip, Friday, January 1st, 2009, from the I-86, I-84 interchange east of Burley, Idaho, over Sweetzer Summit, down through Snowville, utah, and past Tremonton, Utah on I-15. we were concerned that I-80 across Wyoming would be very bad and wanted to get as far as we could. After filling up with gas at Ogden, Utah. we got took I-84 to I-80 and up into Wyoming. We were blessed with dry roads and mild temperatures (by Wyoming standards) and spent the 1st night at Rock Springs, Wyoming.
Next day, Saturday, January 2nd, 2009, we drove across Wyoming and had dry roads, and most of the way at or just above freezing. We cut down through Colorado, taking US 287 from Laramie, Wyoming to Ft. Collins, Colorado, and then got on I-25 and drove all the way south through Colorado. we ran into some heavy corn ball snow near Castle Rock, and then again at Pueblo, but the temperature remained above freezing and the roads were dry.
We took US 87 and 64 east from Raton, New Mexico towards Texas and spent the second night at Clayton, New Mexico, about 10 miles from the Texas state line.
Sunday, January 3rd, we drove on into Lee and Branda's home here in Denton, Texas. we got there in time to join them as they watched the Dallas Cowboys play a tremendous game and beat the Philidelphia Eagles, who had been the hottest team in the NFC and atop the NFC East Division, and win the NFC East division for the payoffs that start next week. Here's a map of the trip:
Today, January 4th, has been Gail's birthday and I wish so that I could have done more for her. She is an absolute angel to me, sent from Heaven, as evidenced by her patience & love towards me these last 32 years! I wish I had words that could adequately express my thanks, gratitude, and love to her and a merciful God who brought her into my life, but sice there aren't any adequate to the task, I pray that these, however inadequate,, along with my own actions will suffice in wishing her a happy birthday with all my heart!
Today we also heard back from MD Anderson and the initial appointment is now set for next week. I was somewhat disappointed, but then realized that getting into this facility within three weeks of being diagnosed is a miracle and answer to prayer in and of itself, and am grateful for the opportunity. MD Anderson also indicated that they are trying to get me in earlier because of the pain I am experiencing. They hope to call us tomorrow with an earlier appointment, if posible, that could still get us there this week.
The Tumor is obvious to me pretty much all the time now, and especially when I sit or lay down. The pain is strong. Both bone pain, and also neurological pain associated with nerves that are being impacted. The Percoset pain medications help completely with the bone pain, and take the edge of the nerve pain when absolutely necessary...though I do not like taking them.
The trip was long, and I ended up doing the driving. I did not think I would, and Gail was more than ready to drive for me the whole way, but I found that driving took my mind off of the pain and allowed me to get here without taking pain meds...though the last couple of days here the pain has now increased again and I am taking them to get through the night and be able to sleep. Also, on the trip, Gail read me one of the Jane Austin, "Pride and Prejudice" offshoot novels, one about the entitre story from Darvy's perspective. it helped a lot too and was an interesting storoy. As I said, she is an angel for the which I am most grateful in my life next to my witness of Jesus Christ.
Again, thanks to everyone for your faith and prayers, and for your responses to me by eamil, here on Facebook, on FreeReopublic where a marvelous prayer thread has been started, and by phone. It is humbling and words cannot adequately express my gratitude, or that of my family. Faith and sincere prayer have great, and real power. Power to the revealing of God's ill in our life...whatever that will may be.
As I have stated, and reaffirm here, I have faith in God in Heaven and His son Jesus Christ. I know that they know me personally and have planned a life that is best for me, my loved ones, and those I come in contact with...indeed, for all people. It is ours to come to know them, to accept the gift of the atonement of our Savior which opens the door back to God, and to thus come to know their will for us in this life.
And then, coming to know that will, to accept it, to make it our own, and then be a strong witness for them to all around us.
I am committed to being a good witness of God's will in my life, whatever it may be, to those aorund me, my wife, my children, my grandchildren, my brothers, family, relatives, friends and neighbors.
Her'es one of my favorite Hymns, "How Firm a Foundation:"
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,These sentiments and principles are critical to all of us as individuals, and they are also critical to us as a people and nation, and will help lead our nation back to its roots, its fundamental principled roots, and restore our Constitution and Republic. Here is an essay I wrote in that regard: Why America has prospered and is Free.
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said—
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
In every condition, In Sickness, in Health
In povertys veil, or abounding in wealth;
At home or abroad, on the Land or the Sea
As thy days may demand, So thy succor shall be
Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand.
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee thy trouble to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not harm thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.
E’en down to old age, All my people shall prove
My soverign, Eternal, Unchangeable Love;
And when hoary hairs, shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in my bosom be bourne.
The soul that on Jesus doth lean for repose,
I will not, I can not, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!
To whatever extent I can help in that restoration effort, I am, and always have been committed.
On facebook I am keeping a jourrnal/blog of this experience: HERE.
For anyone not on facebook wishing to keep up with this experience in my life, I have created another site on the web: HERE, which, along with this FB site, I will keep up to date.
The FreeRepublic prayer thread for myself and my family is located : HERE on FreeRepublic.
Once again, God's choicest blessings and speed to all, and may your prayers, faith, and good wishes on my behalf be returned by Him to each of you and yours ten fold.
Sincerely, and in Christ,
Jeff
PS: We also were able to watch the Fiesta Bowl tonight here at my brother's with Gail and I, Lee and his wife, Brenda, and one of Branda's sisters and her husband. Way to go Broncos! Helped generate some respect for the BSU football prgram and make some believers out of TCU fans here in my old stompin grounds.
