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October 24, 2007
CT Scan Results are in
Wil insists he doesn’t need to write the letter asking for support for his trips until he knows that he is accepted to go on the Mexico trip. Thank you to all of you who asked to receive his letters. We’ve made a list of names, and when his letter is written you will hear from him. Right now, he is out trying to sell wreaths and poinsettias to raise funds for the trip to Washington, D.C. It’s a wet afternoon, so I don’t know how he and his friend will get on.
This morning while I was at a weekly prayer meeting for Wil’s school, Dr. P called with the results of my CT scan. This is the first time that the second scan on a given regimen hasn’t shown an increase in the size of the tumors. Basically, they are the same size as two months ago, so the Tykerb is holding things steady, but not decreasing the size. I see Dr. P on Friday and we’ll need to decide whether I should to go back on Xeloda to try to shrink the tumors further, or whether to continue as is for a few more months. It sure has been good to feel well for the past two months and have energy for gardening, walking, Bible studies, etc.
Wil’s soccer season ended this week. The kids played well as a team with good passing, good communication, and excellent defense. But they weren’t able to score too many goals and lost their last game. If they had won it, they’d have gone on to district playoffs, so it was disappointing to be that close and not quite make it.
We were near Rockaway Beach on the Oregon Coast with one of the church community groups over the weekend. We appreciated the teaching and fellowship, and were able to get to the first meeting of a new OMF prayer group near Banks, OR on the Saturday afternoon. Banks is about half way between Damascus and the coast, so we went from there instead of from home. Thirteen attended and Mary who shared with the group was able to clearly explain the history of Cambodia and how it affects life there today. Lots of fuel for prayer.
On Monday, we interviewed a lady applying to OMF. Another couple from her church are actually at the OMF Candidates Course in Colorado right now. We’re encouraged by the missions interest in that church. On Saturday, we will be at Multnomah Bible College and Seminary for a one day conference for people who have been on short term missions trips or who are interested in going. Pray for good contacts to come from that day. In the evening Wil and a classmate are having a joint birthday bowling party for their class. Since neither has a home big enough to invite everyone, this way they can all get together to celebrate.
Posted by David at 5:48 PM
October 12, 2007
A Busy Start to October
This has been the busiest start of a month that I can remember! In the first few days we were finishing preparations for the missions conference at Shan Creek, in southern Oregon near Grant’s Pass. Then we spent three fabulous days with the church there, the most missions-minded church we’ve been to in a long time. We were so encouraged and blessed by their interest in serving God and the amazing ways they served us. We would love to see an OMF prayer meeting start with members of that church as a core. One lady has been a prayer partner of Dave’s since before he went to the Philippines! Only God knows how much has been accomplished in and through us through her prayers. What a treat it was to meet her.
We hit rain and there was an accident on the highway ahead of us on our way home Sunday afternoon, so our visitors from Victoria, BC were here almost two hours ahead of us. They came to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving with us and we had a fabulous turkey dinner on Tuesday evening. We couldn’t do it on Monday because Wil had a soccer game. So far this month, Wil has had four soccer games (2 wins and 2 losses), his final two behind-the-wheel classes for Driver’s Ed (he passed the course!), and today his worship team lead the high school chapel. He just started playing the guitar in August and needed to concentrate hard on the chords as he played, but we were amazed that he could play in front of an audience already.
Our visitors left yesterday and this is the first chance I’ve had to sit down and do an update. I now have an appointment for a CAT scan on the 18th and will see Dr. P on the 26th so we will know whether Tykerb alone is effective in shrinking the tumors in my liver. The sun was warm this afternoon and we were able to do a bit of gardening. Wil’s birthday is in two weeks, but we haven’t talked at all about how we will celebrate it.
As well as his class trip to Washington, DC in June, Wil is hoping to go with some of his youth group to Mexico for a work project during his spring vacation. He needs to raise money for both trips and in addition to various fund-raising events, one way is by asking people to help support him. He wants us to tell him who to send letters to and this is tricky since we are used to OMF’s non-solicitation policy. If any of you would be interested in helping Wil, could you email us saying that you would like to hear from Wil and saying whether you want to receive his letter by post or email? He needs to get the letter written this weekend! Thank you!
Posted by David at 7:12 PM