Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]
John 14:27 Amplified Bible (AMP)
It is difficult to put the past week or so into words, so I apologize now for the randomness of this post as I try to recap recent events. I would like to just get this off my chest first; I REALLY DO NOT LIKE THE TIME CHANGE. Can we just leave it as it is? I like having a little more light at night. Rant over…
On October 22nd Melinda and I traveled to Austin for MRI and doctors visit. I posted about that adventure on the 23rd. On October 24th, Melinda’s parents took her to Austin for the Avastin treatment. During that visit, they got held up after treatment waiting on the oncologist fighting with insurance to get the Temador filled at their pharmacy so Melinda could get started right away. I bet you can guess how won that fight; insurance. The Temador has to come from a specialty pharmacy under Melinda’s insurance. Melinda was told that it would be shipped and should arrive Monday or Tuesday.
Melinda spent the next few days at her parent’s house. This gave me a chance to do a deep clean of the house, especially her bedroom, as well as kick on the heater and burn off the summer dust. According to our Awair, I really stirred up the dust but by Sunday afternoon it was showing an almost perfect score.
Monday came and went and no Temador. Tuesday after 5 PM, I contacted the oncologist as the Temador still had not arrived. I left messages each day this week with oncology and staff. We still have not gotten a reply from anyone, we still do not have the Temador, and thus we still have no idea when the Temador will arrive or when Melinda will start it.
On Thursday, I received a phone call from Austin Cyberknife to set up the radiation treatments. Melinda will have five treatments. They wanted to start on Monday. I asked about doing chemo and radiation on the same day as Melinda has another Avastin treatment that week. They said it should be fine. Austin Cyberknife called back on Friday to clarify the chemo schedule. They decided it would be best to wait and start radiation the day after the chemo treatment.
Melinda is still in good spirits. She is eating well and I even found some elderberry candies that she and I both like. I am not sure if elderberry will help but some recent studies show elderberry compounds can help to minimize flu/cold. Friday was even a greater blessing as Brian and Megan came home from college to spend some time with Melinda. We all had a good time with some food, laughs, and Bible study. It was a great visit. Both kids seem to be doing very well.
This week at work has been wearing on me and many of my co-workers. Construction has now touched all areas of the building. We have very few staff that have not been relocated. Almost all office areas have been demolished to make way for new carpet, paint, and furniture. Our administration team has been working on how to handle recent changes from the last legislative session that are impacting us as an organization. We have already had some resignations that may be a result of the higher pay many districts are now offering. I am praying for those directors that are trying to hire new staff in the middle of all these changes.
We also found out this week that Robin Roe, a staff member that had been at the ESC for almost 25 years passed away from a heart attack at the age of 54. It was unexpected and has made a lot of us stop and think. I did not know Robin well but based on some of the conversations we had in the break room over lunch I do believe she is with Jesus today.
I would like to end this post by finally posting my testimony. Back on August 19, 2018, I was rebaptized and said then I would post my testimony once I had it written. It took me a lot longer than I planned. I pray it helps others to reflect on their testimony and whether they are truly saved.
Many people call themselves Christian (I was one of those people), yet have no idea what it really means to follow Christ. Mathew 7:23 says, “And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” I pray that you truly know Jesus. If you have not written your testimony out you should and share it with others. You might be surprised to realize you do not have a personal relationship with Christ. If you need help writing your testimony or if you don’t know for sure you are saved we would love to share the Gospel with you and pray for the Holy Spirit to change your heart.
Please pray for Melinda, pray for me and both children, pray for and support your local church, pray for and support missions, and pray for our country to come back to Christ.
