NOVEMBER 3

Just wanted to give a few updates on what is going on in Gary's life and others that I have asked you to pray for. Get ready .... it's a long one! *smile*

Gary and I spent the majority of October in the State of Ohio. We were visiting several churches that support our ministry in the Philippines. This was exhilarating and exhausting at the same time. Gary had the opportunity to preach many times and although it was tiring, he enjoyed it tremendously. He still has a long way to go, to get back the same level of energy and strength he possessed before getting sick.

His hand continues to improve with physical therapy. I have noticed small changes that has brought back a certain level of independence for him. In a few weeks, Gary will be getting a checkup. They will be doing all the scans and MRI to see if he is still free of cancer. We appreciate your prayers concerning this.

We have booked our flight back to the Philippines and will be leaving December 1st. Please continue to pray for Gary's health to improve. He is anxious to return to what God has called him to do.

In my last post, I asked you to pray for our son-in-law, Andy. He was diagnosed with Clark level 4 melanoma that was large, ulcerated, and vascular. (meaning into the veins.) After surgery to remove more tissue in his arm, remove a lymph node and PET scan, the doctors say there is NO active cancer elsewhere in his body.

We praise the Lord for this good news, but also know that Andy's journey with cancer is far from over. This kind of cancer is very aggressive and has a high return rate... 85%. It is something that he will need to keep an eye on for the rest of his life. Please pray for Andy, for our daughter Becky and three kids as they take this journey with Andy. If you would like to read more about Andy, go here Andy Wileman

A few post ago, I mentioned Zach Smith and how miraculously, his cancer was gone. The cancer is back now, in a different spot. My heart just aches for Zach and his family, knowing what emotions they must be feeling at this time. Please pray for Zach. This week he starts a new chemo program. Here is Zach's writing about this new development. Zach Smith

And last, an update on myself. I did have surgery on my rotator cuff. They sewed one tendon back together, moved another back to it's rightful place and cleaned out all the areas that "old age" had creeped in. *smile*

I am one and a half weeks post-surgery, no longer needing prescriptive pain killers. I will have to keep my arm in a sling and sit in a rehab chair that raises my arm for me 6 hours a day for four weeks. I can not use my arm whatsoever, which makes it hard to do most things ..... like typing one handed at this moment.

I have learned that I am much better at being the caregiver than the patient. I told Gary the other night that God really didn't need to bring this into my life as a lesson for me. I understood full well the difficulty and frustration that he has felt these past two years not having the use of his arm and hand. The truth is.... I did need a lesson....

I admit I have felt sorry for myself. I have voiced daily my concerns of not being able to fix my hair. Of how hard the seat of the rehab chair is, and how uncomfortable I am trying to sleep at night with this crazy sling on.

Shame on me. My difficulties do not come anywhere close to what Gary has gone through or what Andy and Zach are going through now. Most of all, they don't compare to what Jesus went through to pardon my sin and the sin of the world.

"Lord, help me daily to count my blessings and give You honor and glory each day!"

SEPTEMBER 26

I have several request for you today....

1. Please pray for Gary.  He has not been feeling well this week and has had to cancel the three physical therapy sessions.  His eyes are painful and the right one continually tears.  He is just experiencing extreme fatigue and a general feeling of malaise.

2. We also need to you pray for our son-in-law, Andy Wileman.  This week, he received the news that he has melonama.  They will be doing further testing to find out the extent of the cancer.  As you can imagine, this is hard on our daughter Becky and her kids, after going through it with Gary.  Andy is a policeman for Collinsville, OK.  We are praying that this has been caught early before it has spread to lymph nodes or organs.

3. And last, for me. I will be seeing a specialist on Tuesday and will need to have surgery on my rotator cuff. I am having a hard time dealing with the thought that I will be unable to help Gary for a time period.  There is never a good time for surgery, but with Gary feeling so bad this week, I really am dreading it.

I appreciate your prayers!  It is so wonderful to be connected to believers all over the world that know the importance of prayer! What a comfort.

ANSWERED PRAYER

God answers prayer. Sometimes it is not the way we may expect or want, but He does answer according to His purpose and will for our lives.

A month ago, I asked you to pray for Zac Smith (see in archives). He had been diagnosed with stage four cancer and had been undergoing chemo treatments. To most of us and even medical doctors, his prognosis did not look good.

Today, halfway through his proposed treatment plan, Zac heard the news that he is FREE of cancer! His doctor said he had never seen anyone react to the treatments like this. All because of the thousands who lifted Zac up in prayer! You can read here Zac's own words on his wonderful news.

I can rejoice with Zac, his wife, parents and sister so much more, understanding what those few words meant to us when we heard them such a short time ago. Thank you for praying for Zac and thank you for continuing to pray for Gary.

SEPTEMBER 13

This weekend marks the one year anniversary since Gary received his diagnosis of cancer. As many of you know, Gary had been ill for a long time before doctors had figured what was causing his pain and paralysis.

Today, at our sending church, Lifepoint Baptist in San Angelo, TX, Gary was able to preach for the first time since April 08. This was a very momentous and emotional day for Gary. He loves preaching and has missed doing it this past year and a half.

He told me this weekend that he was nervous about preaching because he was not sure if he would be able to. Partially because it had been so long since he had been behind the pulpit, but also because the paralysis that he still has on the side of his face sometimes affects his speech.

I told him that Lifepoint was the perfect place to do this for the first time, because the members would be listening to him with ears of love. It would not matter to them if he preached the same as he had done in the past.

Gary was very emotional after the services today. Being a preacher has been his life and he loves it more than anything. He told me he was just so happy to be back at it. If you would like to hear his message today, you can go here , click on video for the September 13th service.

God has been so good to us to give Gary the opportunity to continue serving Him. We appreciate your prayers! We know he would not have been here today without them!