(The Stanley Gazette)
October 21, 1999
We can do all things through
Christ Who strengthens us!!
This newsletter will certainly be different than the last letter we sent out. But before the current news, we give God the glory for everything He is doing in our lives. On September 30th I had surgery for a 'solid sizable mass' in my abdomen and it was colon cancer with a tumor about the size of my fist and spread pretty much every where. In the midst of it all, the Lord has blessed me with so much peace and joy. Yes, I've grieved with Gary from time to time and I definitely have my bad days, but the peace is loud and overwhelming sometimes. Gary and my family really need your prayers more than ever as they learn to accept what is happening. Our church family has stepped up to the plate and batted home runs with visits, food, prayers and all manner of support. My whole family came running and my sister from Colorado Springs was able to stay with me for a couple of weeks and then my mom came for a week. We've got a close friend coming in today to stay for a couple of days as well.
Anyway, I'm back to work for half days starting this week and Gary and I have told my boss/best friend that she'll need to look for someone full-time before tax season starts. As time goes by, I'm not real confident of how much help I'd really be. My oncologist gave us 3 options to consider. I could go back on chemotherapy like I was; I could try a chemotherapy pill that has side effects too or we could watch and wait. The weird thing is my cancer is not measurable, so the Cancer Institute wouldn't accept me for experimental testing until the cancer is such that it would show more in my blood tests or on the CT scan. All of that to say that we're right back where we started 2 1/2 years ago just trusting and waiting on the Lord. We
Please take time to smell the roses every day...
...and hug those you love!
...and maybe even some you don't.....
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don't regret for a moment getting off the chemo this summer because we were able to live. I even got to sing a solo in church on Oct. 17th to convince those that needed it that though the storm rages all around, if you know Him, it is well with your soul. I know I've said this before, but this cancer has given us many blessings. We have so many new friends and prayer warrior support that it amazes me. To think I was worried before we moved whether or not God lived in Ponca City! ha Our Sunday School teachers opened up a guest home they have for my family to stay at and loaded it with food as well. Our pastor came by several times to pray with us.
More and More Blessings......
My boss/best friend came by sometimes 3 times a day to check on us. Flowers, food, goodies, prayers. You know the Word says He will fill your cup to overflowing and He has certainly done that for us. We are so humbled, as we were with my first surgery, by the outpouring of love and prayers. Even the hospital staff from the surgeons to housekeeping were wonderful to us. We received a visit from a pastor and his wife from our church in Lubbock (out of their way on the way to Branson) and they brought wonderful cards from our friends there. Then we even got one in the mail signed by just about everyone on staff there ... it was great! Matthew 25:40 says it all: 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Another one of my favorite passages is Revelation 21:3-4: "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away." Enuf said?
We love you all!!
Gary and Jo
P.S. Please be in prayer for our financial need as well - thanks!