The Reynolds
Friday, December 4, 2009
New ministry newsletter
For those interested, the latest version of The Calvary Compass, our ministry newsletter, is now posted on the website (http://www.calvarycampus.org/) and available for reading online. The paper version should be back from the printer and mailed out sometime next week.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
What a great Thanksgiving!
What a great Thanksgiving Weekend we have had! Austin got in from school on Tuesday evening and we had dinner together as a family for the first time in quite a while. Wednesday and Thursday were spent relaxing, talking and enjoying good food together and (of course) helping Austin get caught up on his laundry. On Friday afternoon some good friends from Greenville, SC arrived to visit for the weekend and we had a great time with them.
On Saturday we drove over to The Stables at Creekside Glen (Meridzo Equestrian Ministry) to help unload 200+ bales of Coastal Bermuda and to get 20 bales to help feed Rolex and Spices. More good food and fellowship last night was followed up with a great worship service this morning, including another "hit the nail on the head" sermon from Brother Mike. Our friends are now headed home to SC, Austin is headed back to school, Heather is practicing her piano, Rachael is napping, and we'll head out shortly for choir practice and evening church. How blessed indeed we are - our cup overflows.
On Saturday we drove over to The Stables at Creekside Glen (Meridzo Equestrian Ministry) to help unload 200+ bales of Coastal Bermuda and to get 20 bales to help feed Rolex and Spices. More good food and fellowship last night was followed up with a great worship service this morning, including another "hit the nail on the head" sermon from Brother Mike. Our friends are now headed home to SC, Austin is headed back to school, Heather is practicing her piano, Rachael is napping, and we'll head out shortly for choir practice and evening church. How blessed indeed we are - our cup overflows.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
North Greenville U. Family Weekend
This past weekend we got to go down to North Greenville to visit with Austin during their "Family Weekend". We had a great time, and Rachael's parents even drive up for the festivities. Friday night was prime dinner followed by worship led by "Joyful Sound" and then some skits by ActII, both are BSU groups on campus. Saturday we had a great parent's session, brunch in the dining hall, visited a gun shop in Greenville that Austin had been wanting to check out, and even stopped by for a visit at the UpCountry History Museum (which was pretty kewl).
After that we went back to the Campus and played some pool in the student center, and then headed over to the stadium for our "Low Country Boil Supper" (shrimp, sausage, corn, potatoes, chicken, etc) and to watch the Crusaders play Wesley College. Grandpa wore his Methodist hat with his NGU t-shirt, but he behaved and we didn't get tossed out or anything. :-) Sunday morning we worshipped together on Campus and then Sunday dinner in the dining hall. It was a great weekend and very good to see Austin doing so well.
Before we headed back, we made a stop at Campbell's Covered Bridge, just a few miles from the Campus. This is the only covered bridge left standing in South Carolina. It was quite nice - cool in the shade and quiet stream flowing. Nice ending to a nice weekend.
After that we went back to the Campus and played some pool in the student center, and then headed over to the stadium for our "Low Country Boil Supper" (shrimp, sausage, corn, potatoes, chicken, etc) and to watch the Crusaders play Wesley College. Grandpa wore his Methodist hat with his NGU t-shirt, but he behaved and we didn't get tossed out or anything. :-) Sunday morning we worshipped together on Campus and then Sunday dinner in the dining hall. It was a great weekend and very good to see Austin doing so well.
Before we headed back, we made a stop at Campbell's Covered Bridge, just a few miles from the Campus. This is the only covered bridge left standing in South Carolina. It was quite nice - cool in the shade and quiet stream flowing. Nice ending to a nice weekend.
Austin in the museum
One of several 'ministry' statues on Campus...Christ washing Peter's feet
Beautiful stained glass adorning the main entrance to the football stadium
Heather at the covered bridge
Austin coming to Sunday AM worship
Austin the 'pool shark'
The family after Sunday worship
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Smell the roses
Having been here in Kentucky for 5 1/2 years, we have learned to appreciate a lot of new favorite things. It's funny how your perspective and priorities can change so subtly that you aren't aware of it at the time, but in ways that can be quite profound. One of our new "favorites" is our new favorite time of the day.
Regardless of how busy the days are and what important things have to be done, and the myriad of places to go and people to see, one of the things that remains constant...every evening we feed the horses. Yes, we do know that you don't have to feed horses every day, especially in the summer, but it's a great way to "keep 'em comin' to the barn", if you know what I mean. We also give them supplements they need through their feed as well. Anyway, so every day we feed horses. Rain, heat, sunshine, thunderstorm, late at night, snow or ice (yes we do get that), and extreme cold aside, regardless of the weather or how tired we are, we feed horses.
Even though it is a chore in a sense, we find ourselves looking forward to it most days and lingering for a while at the fence after they are fed almost every day. There's just something very special about a 1,500 pound bundle of affection rubbing their nose on you and hanging their neck around your shoulder and leaning closer so you'll scratch the top of their head. They love to be loved on, and we love to do it. Tonight was no exception, but as we were walking away I couldn't help but notice the picture I was seeing. I didn't have a good camera with me, but I did have my phone, so here it is. Hope you enjoy the picture and hope you have moments like this in your life. Not necessarily with horses, but here's to stopping to smell the roses.
Regardless of how busy the days are and what important things have to be done, and the myriad of places to go and people to see, one of the things that remains constant...every evening we feed the horses. Yes, we do know that you don't have to feed horses every day, especially in the summer, but it's a great way to "keep 'em comin' to the barn", if you know what I mean. We also give them supplements they need through their feed as well. Anyway, so every day we feed horses. Rain, heat, sunshine, thunderstorm, late at night, snow or ice (yes we do get that), and extreme cold aside, regardless of the weather or how tired we are, we feed horses.
Even though it is a chore in a sense, we find ourselves looking forward to it most days and lingering for a while at the fence after they are fed almost every day. There's just something very special about a 1,500 pound bundle of affection rubbing their nose on you and hanging their neck around your shoulder and leaning closer so you'll scratch the top of their head. They love to be loved on, and we love to do it. Tonight was no exception, but as we were walking away I couldn't help but notice the picture I was seeing. I didn't have a good camera with me, but I did have my phone, so here it is. Hope you enjoy the picture and hope you have moments like this in your life. Not necessarily with horses, but here's to stopping to smell the roses.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
New Chapter
We have started a new chapter in our lives. Austin is now a Freshman at North Greenville University in Tigerville, SC. We moved him into his dorm room yesterday morning, ate lunch together in the "caf", picked up a couple of last minute items at the campus bookstore and then went to a parent/student meeting. After the meeting, we drove back over to the dorm and said our goodbyes, admitedly with a few tears shed.
While we are excited for him and looking forward to the opportunities the future holds, we are still missing him already. Pray with us that the Lord will do great things in this new chapter in his life.
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phillipians 1:3-6
While we are excited for him and looking forward to the opportunities the future holds, we are still missing him already. Pray with us that the Lord will do great things in this new chapter in his life.
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phillipians 1:3-6
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Chuggin' along...
It really HAS been almost a month since I have updated. For that I apologize. I did have my shoulder surgery on July 9th and was home that night and into therapy the next day. Dr. Visk got the bone spurs scraped out of the AC joint and found that there was actually no tearing or visible damage to the rotator cuff or any tendons or ligaments. PTL! He did find, however, that at some unknown point in the past (years ago), I had broken my collar bone and there were bone fragments floating around in there and he cleaned that out was well. I am doing fine, although I find myself wishing I was already 100% back to health and strength and endurance. Ha. The Lord has a sense of humor.
We are all doing great, continuing to enjoy some great mission teams and seeing the Lord do some pretty amazing things in and through them. Austin is down to just 23 days until time for us to move him into the dorm for freshman orientation at North Greenville University. He has met (over the phone) his roomate and he sounds like a really nice guy. Austin is certainly excited and looking forward to going off to school, but also has some first-time jitters. Heather is still enjoying seeing old friends on the mission teams and making new ones as well. Rachael is holding us all together with her superior juggling skills.
We hope this finds you doing well and making a difference in your neck of the woods.
We are all doing great, continuing to enjoy some great mission teams and seeing the Lord do some pretty amazing things in and through them. Austin is down to just 23 days until time for us to move him into the dorm for freshman orientation at North Greenville University. He has met (over the phone) his roomate and he sounds like a really nice guy. Austin is certainly excited and looking forward to going off to school, but also has some first-time jitters. Heather is still enjoying seeing old friends on the mission teams and making new ones as well. Rachael is holding us all together with her superior juggling skills.
We hope this finds you doing well and making a difference in your neck of the woods.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Here we go again... God is still on His throne!
When I started this blog a year and a half ago, the intention was to make it like a daily journal (or at least a couple of times a week), where anyone who wanted to could kinda look over my shoulder and see what was going on with our family and what the Lord was teaching us. I never imagined that it would turn into a medical journal! LOL
Indeed, it is time for more surgery. Some of you may know that I have been having problems with my right shoulder since around Christmas, but may not know that it has gotten progressively worse in the last month and a half or so. When I went down to Spartanburg in May for my kidney surgery check-up, I stopped in to see my orthopedic doctor, who gave me a cortisone shot and said that it might “hold me” until the summer was over. Unfortunately it hasn’t. I have an arthritic bone spur in my AC joint, creating an “impingement”, which will tear the rotator cuff if left alone. So, on July 9th, I will have arthroscopic surgery (outpatient) to correct this.
The doctor says I will only have to take it easy for a week or so, but that I will pretty much be out of doing any “hard labor” for six weeks or more. As you can imagine, this will insure I will finish out my summer “sabbatical” from working with mission teams here.
I wish I could tell you that I knew the significance and deeper meaning of this one, but right now I am just accepting that that Lord is saying “I said… sit down!” Once again, I find myself saying that I know God is able, that He is walking through the fire with us, and that we submit our lives for His glory. Let’s keep our eyes on the Father as we wait to see where He leads next. To God be the glory, great things He has done!
Still living one day at a time with eternity in view,
Jamie
Indeed, it is time for more surgery. Some of you may know that I have been having problems with my right shoulder since around Christmas, but may not know that it has gotten progressively worse in the last month and a half or so. When I went down to Spartanburg in May for my kidney surgery check-up, I stopped in to see my orthopedic doctor, who gave me a cortisone shot and said that it might “hold me” until the summer was over. Unfortunately it hasn’t. I have an arthritic bone spur in my AC joint, creating an “impingement”, which will tear the rotator cuff if left alone. So, on July 9th, I will have arthroscopic surgery (outpatient) to correct this.
The doctor says I will only have to take it easy for a week or so, but that I will pretty much be out of doing any “hard labor” for six weeks or more. As you can imagine, this will insure I will finish out my summer “sabbatical” from working with mission teams here.
I wish I could tell you that I knew the significance and deeper meaning of this one, but right now I am just accepting that that Lord is saying “I said… sit down!” Once again, I find myself saying that I know God is able, that He is walking through the fire with us, and that we submit our lives for His glory. Let’s keep our eyes on the Father as we wait to see where He leads next. To God be the glory, great things He has done!
Still living one day at a time with eternity in view,
Jamie
Monday, June 15, 2009
Wow, it's hard to believe it has been so long since I last updated the blog. We have been so busy I didn't even realize... Things are going very well, we have already had 4 great mission teams in and out, lots of progress on several projects, 2 kids saved in VBS and and we now have a great team here this week from Rockford, IL doing VBS at 2 churches. Pray for us! LOL :-)
Thank you so much for your encouragement, cards and emails and most especially for your prayers throughout my cancer diagnosis, surgery and recovery. I am now about 90% recovered from the surgery and feeling better every day. Most days I do pretty good at following the doctor's and Rachael's orders, but you know how it is when things need to be done. I go back in November for another CT scan and blood work, but only as a precaution to insure I am still cancer free. We are blessed beyond measure to have God as our Physician and Provider, and you as our brothers and sisters in Christ. Many blessings to you and yours!
Thank you so much for your encouragement, cards and emails and most especially for your prayers throughout my cancer diagnosis, surgery and recovery. I am now about 90% recovered from the surgery and feeling better every day. Most days I do pretty good at following the doctor's and Rachael's orders, but you know how it is when things need to be done. I go back in November for another CT scan and blood work, but only as a precaution to insure I am still cancer free. We are blessed beyond measure to have God as our Physician and Provider, and you as our brothers and sisters in Christ. Many blessings to you and yours!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Quick Update
Things are going well this week, just crazy busy as always. We had a great time visiting with Tabernacle Baptist in Pelzer, SC on Sunday and even discovered we had been praying for their pastor for the last two years, but had not made the connection that he was their pastor until we got there! How "small world" is that?! He is doing great and we are looking forward to their visit to the Campus in July and seeing what the Lord will do.
Austin got registered on Saturday at NGU, and he is really starting to get excited about starting school in the Fall. Rachael and I are wondering where the time went. After 18 years, our buddy is going to be moving into the dorm in 83 days. When did THAT happen?
We were able to get The Calvary Compass (our ministry newsletter) in the mail on Tuesday, so if you have not recieved it by now it probably means we do not have you on our mailing list. If you would like to be, just shoot me an email with your snail mail address and we will get it out to you. If you would like, you can also read it online at www.CalvaryCampus.org
We are going to try to get our garden planted this weekend, so hopefully we haven't waited too late. (Here's a couple of pictures of Austin doing the last round of tilling yesterday.) After the temps (low 40's) we had a few nights ago, maybe it's OK. Many blessings! Have a great day!
Austin got registered on Saturday at NGU, and he is really starting to get excited about starting school in the Fall. Rachael and I are wondering where the time went. After 18 years, our buddy is going to be moving into the dorm in 83 days. When did THAT happen?
We were able to get The Calvary Compass (our ministry newsletter) in the mail on Tuesday, so if you have not recieved it by now it probably means we do not have you on our mailing list. If you would like to be, just shoot me an email with your snail mail address and we will get it out to you. If you would like, you can also read it online at www.CalvaryCampus.org
We are going to try to get our garden planted this weekend, so hopefully we haven't waited too late. (Here's a couple of pictures of Austin doing the last round of tilling yesterday.) After the temps (low 40's) we had a few nights ago, maybe it's OK. Many blessings! Have a great day!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Updates and such
Well friends, we are delighted to tell you that my 3-week checkup Thursday went great! Dr. Kinard said I am progressing fine (not as slowly as I thought), and that I am right on schedule for where I should be recovery-wise. He did say that he missed the fact (when I was still in the hospital) on my path report that it was indeed a stage-3 tumor, but he said even that was good news in that it was a HUGE blessing that this stage-3 cancer was caught and removed before it could get outside the kidney. God is sooo good! My next visit will be in November for a CT scan and blood work, just to make sure everything is still as it should be. Praise Him, Praise Him, tell of His excellent greatness! Sing, oh earth, His wonderful love proclaim!
Yesterday we were at the orthopedic doctor for my right shoulder. Yes, I am falling apart at the seams...LOL. Even this was great news in that the problem is my AC joint (where the collar bone meets the shoulder) and he gave me a steroid shot in the joint and he said that should clear it up. If not, he will need to go in and scrape away some of the rough stuff in the joint, so pray with me that the steroid shot will be all the cure that's needed.
Right now I am sitting with Heather and Rachael in Einstein's Cafe, across the street from North Greenville University while Austin is going through placement testing and pre-registration. We walked around the Campus for a bit and even bought a NGU coffee cup in the bookstore, so now we are enjoying a cafe mocha and free wi-fi. Thank you all so much for your prayers, notes of encouragement, emails, cards and everything. I am blessed beyond measure with the best family, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ. My cup indeed runneth over!
Tomorrow we will be at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Pelzer, SC. A mission team from their church will be coming to the Campus this summer and we will be sharing the ministry slide show with them during Sunday School and I will be preaching in the morning worship service. After lunch at the church we will be headed back home. Pray with us that we can be an encouragement to the folks at Tabernacle and that the Lord will give me the right words to say from His Word. Pray also that we will have safe travel home. We love you all! Many blessings to you and yours!
Yesterday we were at the orthopedic doctor for my right shoulder. Yes, I am falling apart at the seams...LOL. Even this was great news in that the problem is my AC joint (where the collar bone meets the shoulder) and he gave me a steroid shot in the joint and he said that should clear it up. If not, he will need to go in and scrape away some of the rough stuff in the joint, so pray with me that the steroid shot will be all the cure that's needed.
Right now I am sitting with Heather and Rachael in Einstein's Cafe, across the street from North Greenville University while Austin is going through placement testing and pre-registration. We walked around the Campus for a bit and even bought a NGU coffee cup in the bookstore, so now we are enjoying a cafe mocha and free wi-fi. Thank you all so much for your prayers, notes of encouragement, emails, cards and everything. I am blessed beyond measure with the best family, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ. My cup indeed runneth over!
Tomorrow we will be at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Pelzer, SC. A mission team from their church will be coming to the Campus this summer and we will be sharing the ministry slide show with them during Sunday School and I will be preaching in the morning worship service. After lunch at the church we will be headed back home. Pray with us that we can be an encouragement to the folks at Tabernacle and that the Lord will give me the right words to say from His Word. Pray also that we will have safe travel home. We love you all! Many blessings to you and yours!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
3 weeks and headed for a check-up
Today marks three weeks since my surgery and I am happy to say I am feeling better each day. Well, I can't exactly say that I sense a noticeable improvement every day, but progress is certainly being made. I have taken advantage of this time to catch up on all the "sitting down" things that I never seemed to have time for before.
Late last night I finished the newest edition of our ministry newsletter and it is at the printer and will hopefully be in the mail by Thursday. It is also posted on the ministry website, www.CalvaryCampus.org if you would like to read it online. Thanks to the invaluable help of Austin, the calendar on the website is also updated to reflect all the goings-on that are in the weeks and months ahead. I have also begun to catch back up with the ministry blog, and should be up-to-date with that by Thursday also.
We will be headed back to SC Thursday. I have my post-surgery check-up with Dr. Kinard on Thursday, another doctor's appointment on Friday, Austin will be attending pre-registration at North Greenville University on Saturday (including placement testing), and we will be visiting with Tabernacle Baptist Church in Belton, SC on Sunday. It sounds like a lot, so please pray with us that I won't overdo it and that the Lord will give us plenty of rest inbetween each of the appointments. Pray with us also for Gil and Debbie as they remain here to take care of the Campus, and horses, and dog, and cat and... well, you get the idea.
Please also know that we are very grateful for your continued prayers as I recover. When Dr. Kinard said that recovery would take 4-6 weeks, I really thought I would be farther along at this point in time than I am. Hopefully we will find out on Thursday that everything is right on schedule. As always, we continue to rest in the Lord.
Late last night I finished the newest edition of our ministry newsletter and it is at the printer and will hopefully be in the mail by Thursday. It is also posted on the ministry website, www.CalvaryCampus.org if you would like to read it online. Thanks to the invaluable help of Austin, the calendar on the website is also updated to reflect all the goings-on that are in the weeks and months ahead. I have also begun to catch back up with the ministry blog, and should be up-to-date with that by Thursday also.
We will be headed back to SC Thursday. I have my post-surgery check-up with Dr. Kinard on Thursday, another doctor's appointment on Friday, Austin will be attending pre-registration at North Greenville University on Saturday (including placement testing), and we will be visiting with Tabernacle Baptist Church in Belton, SC on Sunday. It sounds like a lot, so please pray with us that I won't overdo it and that the Lord will give us plenty of rest inbetween each of the appointments. Pray with us also for Gil and Debbie as they remain here to take care of the Campus, and horses, and dog, and cat and... well, you get the idea.
Please also know that we are very grateful for your continued prayers as I recover. When Dr. Kinard said that recovery would take 4-6 weeks, I really thought I would be farther along at this point in time than I am. Hopefully we will find out on Thursday that everything is right on schedule. As always, we continue to rest in the Lord.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
2 weeks out and holding
Yes, it was just two weeks ago today that I was taking a nap on a table at Spartanburg Regional. In some ways it seems like much longer and in some ways it seems like it was just a few days ago.
I continue to get a little bit better each day, although most days I don't really notice any improvement over the day immediately prior. We continue to be amazed at how your prayers and the Lord's strength have sustained us. I am still spending most of the day on the couch, although I have found that it helps tremendously to go lay down for a short time a couple of times a day. Last Friday I was way too energetic and spent too much time on my feet and sitting in a hard backed chair. I certainly paid for it the next day...I could barely move, and was not able to spend any time outside during Kid's Day. I thought I had been doing good until I woke up Saturday morning! LOL
It has been raining here off and on for over a week now, and they are calling for more rain every day this week. The cooler temps are nice, but that grass sure will be a bear to cut (for Gil) when it finally does quit raining. A local ministry passed on a tremendous blessing to us last week that had been given to them, but they could not use. It is one of those string trimmer lawnmower things...like the DR Trimmer Mower you see on TV. It's not self-propelled, but it sure does the work on weeds and trimming along the fence line. Gil has already been out there with it a couple of times and says it's great. I'm looking forward to getting back up to speed so I can get MY turn on it, too.
Rachael's folks headed home yesterday and we are sad to see them go. What a great help they have been and we have really enjoyed having them here. They "forgot" a couple of things, so maybe they will have to come back soon to get them.
Hey, don't forget (especially us guys) what this coming Sunday is! Make this Mother's Day the most special one ever.
Many blessings to you and yours!
I continue to get a little bit better each day, although most days I don't really notice any improvement over the day immediately prior. We continue to be amazed at how your prayers and the Lord's strength have sustained us. I am still spending most of the day on the couch, although I have found that it helps tremendously to go lay down for a short time a couple of times a day. Last Friday I was way too energetic and spent too much time on my feet and sitting in a hard backed chair. I certainly paid for it the next day...I could barely move, and was not able to spend any time outside during Kid's Day. I thought I had been doing good until I woke up Saturday morning! LOL
It has been raining here off and on for over a week now, and they are calling for more rain every day this week. The cooler temps are nice, but that grass sure will be a bear to cut (for Gil) when it finally does quit raining. A local ministry passed on a tremendous blessing to us last week that had been given to them, but they could not use. It is one of those string trimmer lawnmower things...like the DR Trimmer Mower you see on TV. It's not self-propelled, but it sure does the work on weeds and trimming along the fence line. Gil has already been out there with it a couple of times and says it's great. I'm looking forward to getting back up to speed so I can get MY turn on it, too.
Rachael's folks headed home yesterday and we are sad to see them go. What a great help they have been and we have really enjoyed having them here. They "forgot" a couple of things, so maybe they will have to come back soon to get them.
Hey, don't forget (especially us guys) what this coming Sunday is! Make this Mother's Day the most special one ever.
Many blessings to you and yours!
Friday, May 1, 2009
Taking it easy...
Well, I am now officially 10 days out from surgery and feeling a little better every day. My typical day right now is spent mostly on the couch, with either the computer or mail or thank you notes in my lap to keep me occupied. I have discovered that Rachael wears a great nurse's cap, but she is swapping it out more and more with the old police captain's hat. I guess you could say I have heard "While you are sitting there..." more than once in the last several days, but I have to admit, I don't really mind. I'm just glad to be able to, if you know what I mean.
I try to get up every hour or so and make a few laps between the front of the apartment and the back, and then 2 or 3 times a day I'll wander out on the Campus as far as I dare for a short walk. It feels good to move around and I can sure tell when I have waited too long inbetween. I am hoping to make it to church Sunday, but I just don't know right now. As much as I want to see everyone and hear Bro. Mike preach, I don't want to get too frisky too soon. Dr. Kinard made it pretty clear that how well I behave myself will be the biggest determing factor to the length and effectiveness of my recovery.
Tomorrow (weather permitting) is the Letcher County Kid's Day here on Campus. There will be free food, pony rides, fire truck rides, train rides, inflatables, racing pigs (a 1st in Letcher County) and a petting zoo. We have hosted this event for the past 4 years and attendance is usually about 400-600. A team from Ivy Creek Baptist in Buford, GA will be here in a few minutes to help us with this event, and we are SO GLAD they are coming. It will be great to have the help and I don't think we would make it without them this year, since I am obviously useless. It will be hard not to be involved, but just another lesson in the "it's not about you, Jamie" lesson series that God has been taking me through.
Hope this finds you healthy and happy, and making a bigger differnce with your life today than you did yesterday. Many blessings to you and yours!!
I try to get up every hour or so and make a few laps between the front of the apartment and the back, and then 2 or 3 times a day I'll wander out on the Campus as far as I dare for a short walk. It feels good to move around and I can sure tell when I have waited too long inbetween. I am hoping to make it to church Sunday, but I just don't know right now. As much as I want to see everyone and hear Bro. Mike preach, I don't want to get too frisky too soon. Dr. Kinard made it pretty clear that how well I behave myself will be the biggest determing factor to the length and effectiveness of my recovery.
Tomorrow (weather permitting) is the Letcher County Kid's Day here on Campus. There will be free food, pony rides, fire truck rides, train rides, inflatables, racing pigs (a 1st in Letcher County) and a petting zoo. We have hosted this event for the past 4 years and attendance is usually about 400-600. A team from Ivy Creek Baptist in Buford, GA will be here in a few minutes to help us with this event, and we are SO GLAD they are coming. It will be great to have the help and I don't think we would make it without them this year, since I am obviously useless. It will be hard not to be involved, but just another lesson in the "it's not about you, Jamie" lesson series that God has been taking me through.
Hope this finds you healthy and happy, and making a bigger differnce with your life today than you did yesterday. Many blessings to you and yours!!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Home again, home again, jiggety jig!!
As I write this I am sitting in my favorite spot on our couch at HOME, with the windows open and blowing a cool breeze across the room at HOME, having slept in our own bed at HOME, having had supper with all of my family at HOME. Do you see a trend in this post? YES, we are finally at HOME, having departed Spartanburg late yesterday morning and arriving here just in time for supper. It is so good to be at home and be back with the kids!
I'll be spending the next few days mixing rest and relaxation with going through mail and email, and then moving on to working on the desperately late next edition of our ministry newsletter. Also during this time the doctor said I needed to work in a little "light exercise", so I could not resist the beautiful weather today and got out to help Heather get her garden in. Think this is what he meant? (PS Please note the pajama bottoms and slippers...I may be a little slow, but not THAT slow! LOL)
I'll be spending the next few days mixing rest and relaxation with going through mail and email, and then moving on to working on the desperately late next edition of our ministry newsletter. Also during this time the doctor said I needed to work in a little "light exercise", so I could not resist the beautiful weather today and got out to help Heather get her garden in. Think this is what he meant? (PS Please note the pajama bottoms and slippers...I may be a little slow, but not THAT slow! LOL)
Sunday, April 26, 2009
The next day
Today has been restful and quiet. We are hoping to get to head home to KY tomorrow, just have one last thing to check on with Dr. Kinard in the morning. We are SO missing Austin and Heather and SO ready to be home. Pray with us that God woould work it out that we can.
Thought you might enjoy seeing a couple of pictures from last week. The week before my surgery, our church (1st Baptist, Hindman) was doing the church directory photo thing, and although we just had some family pictures done, we went anyway so we could be a part pf the directory. After the pictures were done we had decided we did not want to waste all our dressing up, so we went in to Hazard to have Rachael's (belated) birthday dinner at Applebees. We had a great dinner and it was an enjoyable evening. In spite of myself, don't I have a great family?!?
Thought you might enjoy seeing a couple of pictures from last week. The week before my surgery, our church (1st Baptist, Hindman) was doing the church directory photo thing, and although we just had some family pictures done, we went anyway so we could be a part pf the directory. After the pictures were done we had decided we did not want to waste all our dressing up, so we went in to Hazard to have Rachael's (belated) birthday dinner at Applebees. We had a great dinner and it was an enjoyable evening. In spite of myself, don't I have a great family?!?
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Released from the hospital...now THAT'S an update!
Well, I guess you could consider this our last “surgery update”, as I have been released from the hospital and am now resting comfortably at the Smith’s home. Since Rachael last updated you yesterday, I made several more “trecs” around the track on the 3rd floor, Dr. Kinard came in yesterday afternoon and gave us the pathology report, which was great, and assured us that now all I have to worry about is getting over the surgery. This morning Dr. Atkins came in gave the final “OK” and we started packing to leave. By 1:00 his afternoon we were headed down the elevator. Best elevator ride I’ve had in years! LOL
Of course there’s still a few “housekeeping details”, like getting the staples out next week (which we can do in KY), and going back in a couple of weeks to see Dr. Kinard. Other than that, I’ll just have to get a CT scan or MRI in 6 months and 12 months and so on. This really has been an amazing journey, and while it’s certainly not over, I have to admit that I‘m glad we’re on the downhill side of it.
Many, many, many thanks for the phone calls, cards, letters, flowers, etc. While they weren’t expected, they certainly brightened up the last few days. Most especially we want to thank you for your prayers. We sensed constantly that we were being lifted up to the Lord continuously. So many times over the last few weeks and especially the last several days there have been occasions where things took just the right turn at just the right moment. We thank you so much for your prayers.
Just a little over four weeks ago when this all started, I wrote in this blog that the Lord had led me to a particular passage. Just to help me keep things in perspective, I’d like to share that with you again. It’s found in Psalm 39…
“LORD, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Selah Surely every man walks about like a shadow; Surely they busy themselves in vain; He heaps up riches, and does not know who will gather them. “And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.
As I said that day, God has given me a new window to look through. He has given me the glorious blessing of being reminded once again that this life is Oh, so short. Whether we have 5, 20 or even 60 more years to live…or maybe just a few more minutes…how will we spend it? Will we make a greater difference with the rest of our lives than we have up until now?
The Lord has indeed made me to know my end and how utterly frail I am. From day one until now and for all time… Our hope is in the Lord. We rest in Him.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Surgery Update #4
Lots of progress since we last talked. Dr. Kinard came in yesterday while I was napping at the Smith’s house and talked more with Jamie. He checked him over said he was progressing well and doing fine. I think he hinted that Jamie needed to do more walking, because when I got back Jamie was ready to take a lap. He didn’t quite make it all the way around last night, but he did this morning.
Dr Dunn came by last night right before we went to sleep. Dr. Dunn is the doctor who did the colonoscopy back in February and referred us to Dr. Kinard when we knew that Jamie would need a urologist. He is a great Christian man and has checked in on Jamie’s progress through Dr. Kinard several times and even stopped by to see Jamie right before his surgery in the holding area. Last night he was checking to see if we needed anything and even offered for us to stay at his lake house after Jamie got out of the hospital if we were not able to go all the way home. How sweet is that?!
Last night was kinda rough, with Jamie waking up about 3am with pretty bad pain and nausea. We got some meds in him and we both got back to sleep about 4:30 and slept pretty good until about 7:30 this morning. Dr. Kinard hasn’t been in yet this morning, so I am headed back to the Smith’s for a shower and a nap.
Thanks for your continued prayers… trust me, we are very aware that we are being lifted up to the Father. Don’t forget to pray for Austin and Heather back at the Campus with my parents, Jan and Earl Heath, and also Gil and Debbie Tomas. We appreciate them “holding the fort down” while we are away. Pray also for the RCDA (Rural Church Development Alliance) Men’s Retreat and Campout going on at the Campus tonight and tomorrow. Many blessings to you and yours!
Dr Dunn came by last night right before we went to sleep. Dr. Dunn is the doctor who did the colonoscopy back in February and referred us to Dr. Kinard when we knew that Jamie would need a urologist. He is a great Christian man and has checked in on Jamie’s progress through Dr. Kinard several times and even stopped by to see Jamie right before his surgery in the holding area. Last night he was checking to see if we needed anything and even offered for us to stay at his lake house after Jamie got out of the hospital if we were not able to go all the way home. How sweet is that?!
Last night was kinda rough, with Jamie waking up about 3am with pretty bad pain and nausea. We got some meds in him and we both got back to sleep about 4:30 and slept pretty good until about 7:30 this morning. Dr. Kinard hasn’t been in yet this morning, so I am headed back to the Smith’s for a shower and a nap.
Thanks for your continued prayers… trust me, we are very aware that we are being lifted up to the Father. Don’t forget to pray for Austin and Heather back at the Campus with my parents, Jan and Earl Heath, and also Gil and Debbie Tomas. We appreciate them “holding the fort down” while we are away. Pray also for the RCDA (Rural Church Development Alliance) Men’s Retreat and Campout going on at the Campus tonight and tomorrow. Many blessings to you and yours!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Surgery Update #3
Well, this is the morning update – turned into noon update. I have to admit, last night was not the most restful night we’ve ever had. Many trips to the restroom, but at least he’s getting his exercise. I’m going to go hide out at friends house to get a nap this afternoon. Dr. Kinard came in this morning and said that all of the lab work on the remaining kidney looked great. I didn’t realize that the remaining kidney will actually grow somewhat to compensate for the loss of the removed kidney. Everything else is looking good, just a matter now of going through the motions of taking his walks and working through the soreness and resting. Dr. Kinard said Saturday or Sunday we should be able to head home. Thanks so much for your continued prayers.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Surgery Update #2
We’re watching Gunsmoke right now. Well, at least I am. I don’t know why Jamie’s not up to a lot of action yet. He is doing very well today; just felt a little nauseated a couple of times. The doctor came in early this morning and was able to talk to both of us. Jamie really didn’t remember things from yesterday. Of course, I normally don’t remember much the first time either. He felt that everything went very well, and we’re just waiting on the pathology reports to come back to determine the type and stage of the cancer.
We’ve had just the right amount of visitors today, nothing overwhelming. Jamie’s “stash” now includes a Get Well Dad balloon from the kids, a large, beautiful Peace Lily, a get well balloon that sings, a basket full of goodies (chips, candy bars, lollipops) that I’m going to save for myself since he can’t have any. His loss will be my gain, literally. LOL
My parents got here yesterday afternoon before Jamie went to surgery. It’s been a couple of months since we’ve seen them, so they were a welcome sight. They took me and the kids to dinner to a Chinese restaurant (we don’t get much of that type of food). After they brought me back to the hospital, they took the kids with them to enjoy a restful night at a nice hotel. They all came by this morning to hug and kiss on us, then left out for Kentucky.
I actually started working on this earlier in the day, but we’ve had a few visitors and other things, so it is now a little after 6:00 PM. I’m headed to our “home away from home” for a shower and then back for another night here. Thank you so much for all your prayers. We know that we are firmly in the grip of an awesome Heavenly Father, and we also sense very dramatically that many people are lifting us to Him. We are so amazed at how this situation continues to be orchestrated by God and continues to bring Him glory.
We love you all!
Rachael and Jamie
We’ve had just the right amount of visitors today, nothing overwhelming. Jamie’s “stash” now includes a Get Well Dad balloon from the kids, a large, beautiful Peace Lily, a get well balloon that sings, a basket full of goodies (chips, candy bars, lollipops) that I’m going to save for myself since he can’t have any. His loss will be my gain, literally. LOL
My parents got here yesterday afternoon before Jamie went to surgery. It’s been a couple of months since we’ve seen them, so they were a welcome sight. They took me and the kids to dinner to a Chinese restaurant (we don’t get much of that type of food). After they brought me back to the hospital, they took the kids with them to enjoy a restful night at a nice hotel. They all came by this morning to hug and kiss on us, then left out for Kentucky.
I actually started working on this earlier in the day, but we’ve had a few visitors and other things, so it is now a little after 6:00 PM. I’m headed to our “home away from home” for a shower and then back for another night here. Thank you so much for all your prayers. We know that we are firmly in the grip of an awesome Heavenly Father, and we also sense very dramatically that many people are lifting us to Him. We are so amazed at how this situation continues to be orchestrated by God and continues to bring Him glory.
We love you all!
Rachael and Jamie
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Surgery Update #1
Well it has been a long day, but it has been full of many blessings. Due to some other surgeries that took a little longer than expected, Jamie's 1 PM surgery didn't happen until 4 PM. Dr. Kinard said that everything went extremely well and Jamie will be in the hospital for about 4-5 days. He did say that when he got in to the kidney area to take the tumor out, that part of the tumor was all the way inside of the kidney, and larger than expected, so he had to take the whole kidney out.
Praise the Lord that He gave us two kidneys! Jamie is doing very well tonight. Of course, the pain medication is making him speak a little funny. This time he does have an excuse for mumbling. LOL The kids and I are were also blessed with many people coming to visit and some surprise visits as well. Thank you for the phone calls and the many prayers. The Lord's presence has been felt all through this procedure. Thank you all for lifting us up in prayer.
Praise the Lord that He gave us two kidneys! Jamie is doing very well tonight. Of course, the pain medication is making him speak a little funny. This time he does have an excuse for mumbling. LOL The kids and I are were also blessed with many people coming to visit and some surprise visits as well. Thank you for the phone calls and the many prayers. The Lord's presence has been felt all through this procedure. Thank you all for lifting us up in prayer.
Resting in the Lord
Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
Phillipians 1
3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Jude 1
20But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
24 Now to him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
Phillipians 1
3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Jude 1
20But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
24 Now to him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
We trust in the name of the LORD our God
If you are new to our family blog, we say Welcome.
To catch you up on the latest news, I was diagnosed with kidney cancer a little over 3 weeks ago. I will be having surgery on Tuesday to remove either the tumor and surrounding tissue, or possibly the whole kidney. The doctors expect that I will be in the hospital 4-5 days and then be able to come home (to the Campus), for 4-6 weeks recovery. The surgery is expected to be curative, with no need for any further treatments.
The surgery will be on Tuesday, April 21, 1:00 PM at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center in Spartanburg, SC. It is expected to take about 3 hours and Rachael will have my laptop with her and will update this blog once I am out of surgery and in a room. Rachael's parents will meet us in Spartanburg on Tuesday and will bring the kids back home (to the Campus), probably on Wednesday morning and stay with them until we return. Rachael will be staying with friends in Spartanburg. Many thanks to so many people in the Spartanburg/Greenville area who have offered so much assistance. The Campus will be well taken care of by Gil and Debbie Thomas.
Thank you all for your friendship, your support and most especially for your prayers. God is good, He is faithful and He is worthy of all our trust. We are resting quietly and confidently in Him.
Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He answers him from His holy heaven with the saving power of His right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:6-7
To catch you up on the latest news, I was diagnosed with kidney cancer a little over 3 weeks ago. I will be having surgery on Tuesday to remove either the tumor and surrounding tissue, or possibly the whole kidney. The doctors expect that I will be in the hospital 4-5 days and then be able to come home (to the Campus), for 4-6 weeks recovery. The surgery is expected to be curative, with no need for any further treatments.
The surgery will be on Tuesday, April 21, 1:00 PM at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center in Spartanburg, SC. It is expected to take about 3 hours and Rachael will have my laptop with her and will update this blog once I am out of surgery and in a room. Rachael's parents will meet us in Spartanburg on Tuesday and will bring the kids back home (to the Campus), probably on Wednesday morning and stay with them until we return. Rachael will be staying with friends in Spartanburg. Many thanks to so many people in the Spartanburg/Greenville area who have offered so much assistance. The Campus will be well taken care of by Gil and Debbie Thomas.
Thank you all for your friendship, your support and most especially for your prayers. God is good, He is faithful and He is worthy of all our trust. We are resting quietly and confidently in Him.
Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He answers him from His holy heaven with the saving power of His right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:6-7
Friday, April 17, 2009
A couple of changes
Yesterday a friend was asking if there was some way he could get an email when we updated the blog. I told him there was, but then I got on here today and realized that this feature was not enabled. SOOOO....it is now. If you want to be notified when the blog is updated, just scroll down to the bottom of this page and you will see a place where you can sign up to "follow" this blog. Otherwise, you are certainly welcome to just keep checking in at your convenience.
I also went ahead and enabled another feature where you can email a particular post to someone if you want. Just look for the little envelope at the bottom of each post and click on it and follow the instructions. Simple as that. Thanks much for your continued prayers! Blessings to you and yours!
I also went ahead and enabled another feature where you can email a particular post to someone if you want. Just look for the little envelope at the bottom of each post and click on it and follow the instructions. Simple as that. Thanks much for your continued prayers! Blessings to you and yours!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Into each life, some rain must fall...
I drove down to Spartanburg, SC Monday for a meeting that night with a mission team from there, and yesterday morning I had my pre-op appointment to draw blood, etc. I was headed back yesterday afternoon in a hard rain near Unicoi, TN when a car hydroplaned into me. We tangled with each other and the concrete median divider several times and then came to rest up against (and him on) the concrete divider.
Both vehicles were totaled and the driver of the other car was taken to the hospital with neck pain, but other than that, we were not hurt. (Please pray for the other driver, initials are D.S.) I have not heard from the insurance company yet, but I am sure (and so was the wrecker driver) that they won't go to the expense of fixing a '99 with 150,00 miles, although I wish they would.
The Lord really protected both of us. It seems that He is saying that He is not finished with me yet, but I have to admit that I wish He would communicate that message in gentler ways... :-) I was reminded by a friend that maybe this IS the gentler way, so I am being grateful for His gentler ways. :-)
Anyway, I was in our big Ford pick-up truck (we call it the "white whale"), so the upside was that it was big and heavy enough to protect me and the downside is that this was our only means of hauling construction materials, horse trailers, etc. for the ministry. I know that the Lord would not call us to do this work and then fail to provide what we need to get it done, so we will be watching to see how He will do take care of this new need. He certainly has never let us down.
Rachael and the kids came and got me from Erwin, TN where the truck was towed and we enjoyed a relaxing supper at one of our favorite spots, Bob Evans in Johnson City. We got back home around 10:00 last night and fed the horses and headed to bed. It was very good to be back home. Thank you all so much for your continued prayers. There is no doubt in my mind that some of you were praying yesterday around 2:00 pm. "The effective prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Both vehicles were totaled and the driver of the other car was taken to the hospital with neck pain, but other than that, we were not hurt. (Please pray for the other driver, initials are D.S.) I have not heard from the insurance company yet, but I am sure (and so was the wrecker driver) that they won't go to the expense of fixing a '99 with 150,00 miles, although I wish they would.
The Lord really protected both of us. It seems that He is saying that He is not finished with me yet, but I have to admit that I wish He would communicate that message in gentler ways... :-) I was reminded by a friend that maybe this IS the gentler way, so I am being grateful for His gentler ways. :-)
Anyway, I was in our big Ford pick-up truck (we call it the "white whale"), so the upside was that it was big and heavy enough to protect me and the downside is that this was our only means of hauling construction materials, horse trailers, etc. for the ministry. I know that the Lord would not call us to do this work and then fail to provide what we need to get it done, so we will be watching to see how He will do take care of this new need. He certainly has never let us down.
Rachael and the kids came and got me from Erwin, TN where the truck was towed and we enjoyed a relaxing supper at one of our favorite spots, Bob Evans in Johnson City. We got back home around 10:00 last night and fed the horses and headed to bed. It was very good to be back home. Thank you all so much for your continued prayers. There is no doubt in my mind that some of you were praying yesterday around 2:00 pm. "The effective prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
Monday, April 13, 2009
How did all this start...?
Several people have asked how I knew to go to the doctor and/or how all this was discovered. The answer is...God. Really.
Back before Christmas I started having an occasional mild burning pain sensation in the left side of my abdomen. It kept up for a couple of weeks and I went to the doctor here, thinking I had a hernia. He said it was not a hernia, but if it kept up I needed to get a colonoscopy. It did, so I called some friends in Spartanburg, SC and got referred to a great Christian doctor down there. He did the colonoscopy in February - found and removed two polyps, one pre-cancerous, but no big deal for somebody my age. He said if the pain kept up, I needed to get a CT scan, as it seemed like I might have a small incision hernia from my reflux surgery in '97.
I went to see a good friend here in KY (that is in our SS class) and he sent me for the CT. It came back and showed no reason for the pain in my left front, but showed a small spot on my right kidney.
He sent me for an MRI, which basicallly confirmed that I had a small spot on my right kidney. He said I needed to see a Urologost. I called the doctor's office in SC that had done my colonoscopy and told them I wanted a referral to a doctor "just like him". He referred me to Dr. Harry Kinard, a top Urologist in SC and an outstanding Christian man. By the way, google 'Andrew Kinard', (his son) and CMA awards and you'll see what kind of family this is.
We were going to be in Spartanburg for a missions conference so I made an appt to see Dr. Kinard that week. He thought it was probably a benign cyst, but said we can find out easy enough with an ultra-sound. He sent me straight from his office that afternoon, and by the time I got through with that, it was after 5pm. I was headed back to the conference when he called my cell phone (he had stayed in his office to hear the results). He was very compassionate, and very reassuring when he told me that it was definetly cancer and I needed to come back the next day for a better CT.
I did, and the following week I had to go back for an IVP, which confirmed the type (renal cell carcinoma vs. transitional cell carcinoma). It may sound weird, but really the only "bad news" in all of this has been when they decided they could not do the surgery laproscopically and would have to do it with a traditional large incision, meaning more hospital time and longer recovery.
By the way - the burning pain that started all this...? Gone. Haven't had it in about 3 weeks, about the time I got the diagnosis. Maybe the Lord was just pinching me and saying "Go to the doctor." I also have not had a single "symptom" of the cancer. No pain, no nothing. God really is good, He really is faithful and He really is worthy of our trust. We have seen His hand in all this from the very beginning, and He has blessed us with a peace that really has passed all comprehension. We rest in Him.
As the Hebrew boys said so many years ago, our God is able to deliver and we believe He that will. But if not, know this...we will not bow our knee to the fear and panic that Satan wants to bring into our lives. And, one way or another, God will get the glory...and THAT is what it's all about.
Back before Christmas I started having an occasional mild burning pain sensation in the left side of my abdomen. It kept up for a couple of weeks and I went to the doctor here, thinking I had a hernia. He said it was not a hernia, but if it kept up I needed to get a colonoscopy. It did, so I called some friends in Spartanburg, SC and got referred to a great Christian doctor down there. He did the colonoscopy in February - found and removed two polyps, one pre-cancerous, but no big deal for somebody my age. He said if the pain kept up, I needed to get a CT scan, as it seemed like I might have a small incision hernia from my reflux surgery in '97.
I went to see a good friend here in KY (that is in our SS class) and he sent me for the CT. It came back and showed no reason for the pain in my left front, but showed a small spot on my right kidney.
He sent me for an MRI, which basicallly confirmed that I had a small spot on my right kidney. He said I needed to see a Urologost. I called the doctor's office in SC that had done my colonoscopy and told them I wanted a referral to a doctor "just like him". He referred me to Dr. Harry Kinard, a top Urologist in SC and an outstanding Christian man. By the way, google 'Andrew Kinard', (his son) and CMA awards and you'll see what kind of family this is.
We were going to be in Spartanburg for a missions conference so I made an appt to see Dr. Kinard that week. He thought it was probably a benign cyst, but said we can find out easy enough with an ultra-sound. He sent me straight from his office that afternoon, and by the time I got through with that, it was after 5pm. I was headed back to the conference when he called my cell phone (he had stayed in his office to hear the results). He was very compassionate, and very reassuring when he told me that it was definetly cancer and I needed to come back the next day for a better CT.
I did, and the following week I had to go back for an IVP, which confirmed the type (renal cell carcinoma vs. transitional cell carcinoma). It may sound weird, but really the only "bad news" in all of this has been when they decided they could not do the surgery laproscopically and would have to do it with a traditional large incision, meaning more hospital time and longer recovery.
By the way - the burning pain that started all this...? Gone. Haven't had it in about 3 weeks, about the time I got the diagnosis. Maybe the Lord was just pinching me and saying "Go to the doctor." I also have not had a single "symptom" of the cancer. No pain, no nothing. God really is good, He really is faithful and He really is worthy of our trust. We have seen His hand in all this from the very beginning, and He has blessed us with a peace that really has passed all comprehension. We rest in Him.
As the Hebrew boys said so many years ago, our God is able to deliver and we believe He that will. But if not, know this...we will not bow our knee to the fear and panic that Satan wants to bring into our lives. And, one way or another, God will get the glory...and THAT is what it's all about.
He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!
What a glorious day of worship and fellowship today was! We are so thankful for the wonderful church family that God has blessed us with here, along with so many wonderful Christian friends from many churches in the area.
We had a group here on the Campus this weekend (Eastern KY Regional Deaf Revival) and we stopped by to visit with them at the Alumni Dining Hall when we got back from church. They were finishing up their conference and lunch, but they were gracious enough to take the time snap a picture of us. Many blessings to you and yours.
I will be headed down to SC Monday afternoon to be prepared for my pre-op visit on Tuesday morning. While there I will be meeting with two different Church mission groups about future trips to the Campus. Thanks so much for your continued prayers and love and support. We are still...
Living one day a time, with eternity in view, and giving God the praise and glory for it all! Blessings to you and yours!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
The end result
We have one last blog for the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. What a great story of faith this is and what a great example of how God doesn't just allow us to go through the fiery trials, He walks with us through them. But we need to note and remember the end result of the story. No, I am not talking about the deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the furnace. I am talking about the fact that God got the glory.
"Then Nebuchadnezzar said, 'Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego...for no other god can save in this way.'" Daniel 3:28a, 29b
The important thing is not that they were delivered from the furnace. God was ABLE to rescue and He did. But He still would have been good and faithful and trustworthy even if He had not. The important end result of this story, it should be in all of our lives, is that GOD GETS THE GLORY.
"Then Nebuchadnezzar said, 'Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego...for no other god can save in this way.'" Daniel 3:28a, 29b
The important thing is not that they were delivered from the furnace. God was ABLE to rescue and He did. But He still would have been good and faithful and trustworthy even if He had not. The important end result of this story, it should be in all of our lives, is that GOD GETS THE GLORY.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
4 in the fire
I was reminded yesterday of another of my favorite parts of the story of the fiery furnace. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were not alone.
25 He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."
God does not abandon us. Jesus told us that He would never leave us. In the words of an old Imperials song; "He didn't bring us this far, to leave us. He didn't teach us to swim, to let us drown. He didn't build his home in us, to move away. He didn't lift us up, to let us down."
An awareness of God's presence in our lives is never so sweet as it is when we are thrown into the fiery furnace. May you find His presence very real in your life today.
Daniel 3
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?" They replied, "Certainly, O king."25 He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."
God does not abandon us. Jesus told us that He would never leave us. In the words of an old Imperials song; "He didn't bring us this far, to leave us. He didn't teach us to swim, to let us drown. He didn't build his home in us, to move away. He didn't lift us up, to let us down."
An awareness of God's presence in our lives is never so sweet as it is when we are thrown into the fiery furnace. May you find His presence very real in your life today.
Monday, April 6, 2009
God is able
Several people have asked that we share what we learn as we take this journey, and we are glad to do that. No one goes through any circumstance solely for their own personal benefit.
As I said before, we have seen God’s hand in this from the very beginning and have been able to rest in the knowledge that He was orchestrating every step. He has given us a peace about the “c” word that really goes beyond our comprehension. Even before we knew what the treatment options would be and what the prognosis would be (90% 5-year survival), God had already given us a peace and quiet confidence that regardless of our circumstances or outcomes, everything really was going to be OK.
A few days after the diagnosis was confirmed, I took a fresh look at a familiar passage. In Daniel, chapter three, we find the story of 3 Hebrew young men, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, who had been carried off from Judah into Babylon. You may remember them better by the names they were given once there; Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. King Nebuchadnezzar had made a golden image 90 feet tall and 9 feet wide, and ordered everyone in the land to bow down and worship it. Of course, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused, and were summarily brought before the King and given an ultimatum. Bow or die. Their answer to this command is one of the greatest passages of Scripture.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.
You know the rest of the story…God miraculously saves them from the fire that is so hot the soldiers who throw them in are reduced to crispy critters in seconds. But that’s not the necessarily the best part of the story. The best part of the story is the confidence and boldness that God gives them to answer the king with such faith. There is no doubt that not only were they sure that God was ABLE to save them from the fire, but they also believed that He WOULD save them from the fire. But they added, as an addendum; But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.
We know that God is ABLE to eradicate cancer from my body; and we also believe that He will. But we want everyone to know that even if He does not, we will not bow down to the fear and panic Satan wants to see in our lives. If God was faithful and good and trustworthy from eternity past (and He was), then He is still just as faithful and good and trustworthy today. God can and will walk us through this in a way that will bring Him glory, and hopefully will be an encouragement to many. May God bless you richly today as you press into Him.
As for me and my house – we serve the Lord.
As I said before, we have seen God’s hand in this from the very beginning and have been able to rest in the knowledge that He was orchestrating every step. He has given us a peace about the “c” word that really goes beyond our comprehension. Even before we knew what the treatment options would be and what the prognosis would be (90% 5-year survival), God had already given us a peace and quiet confidence that regardless of our circumstances or outcomes, everything really was going to be OK.
A few days after the diagnosis was confirmed, I took a fresh look at a familiar passage. In Daniel, chapter three, we find the story of 3 Hebrew young men, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, who had been carried off from Judah into Babylon. You may remember them better by the names they were given once there; Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. King Nebuchadnezzar had made a golden image 90 feet tall and 9 feet wide, and ordered everyone in the land to bow down and worship it. Of course, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused, and were summarily brought before the King and given an ultimatum. Bow or die. Their answer to this command is one of the greatest passages of Scripture.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.
You know the rest of the story…God miraculously saves them from the fire that is so hot the soldiers who throw them in are reduced to crispy critters in seconds. But that’s not the necessarily the best part of the story. The best part of the story is the confidence and boldness that God gives them to answer the king with such faith. There is no doubt that not only were they sure that God was ABLE to save them from the fire, but they also believed that He WOULD save them from the fire. But they added, as an addendum; But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.
We know that God is ABLE to eradicate cancer from my body; and we also believe that He will. But we want everyone to know that even if He does not, we will not bow down to the fear and panic Satan wants to see in our lives. If God was faithful and good and trustworthy from eternity past (and He was), then He is still just as faithful and good and trustworthy today. God can and will walk us through this in a way that will bring Him glory, and hopefully will be an encouragement to many. May God bless you richly today as you press into Him.
As for me and my house – we serve the Lord.
Friday, March 27, 2009
God is still on His throne
Well, I never thought I would be writing a post like this, but here it is. To cut to the chase, this past week I was diagnosed with kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma) in my right kidney. I will have surgery to remove the tumor (or possibly the kidney) on April 21st at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center in Spartanburg, SC. The doctors are convinced that the cancer is confined to the kidney and that this surgery will be curative.
While the “natural” thing to do would be to focus on the negativity of this news, I can’t help but to marvel at how we have seen the Lord’s hand all the way throughout this entire process and in every aspect. The fact that this type of cancer is rarely caught so early, the placement in our path of 3 different outstanding Christian doctors who are well known and admired in their fields, to how this has already created numerous opportunities to witness and tell of God’s goodness… while it might seem on the surface to be “bad news”, we know that God is in control, that He is still worthy of our trust and that He is still faithful.
I’m not a “point and read” theology kind of person…where you just flop open a Bible and point your finger and that’s supposed to be what God is telling you. But yesterday morning, as I was waiting to go through my last test to see exactly what kind of cancer it is, I sensed a prompting of the Holy Spirit to look at Psalm 39. No, most of the time you will not find me reading my Bible in a waiting room, but I was sure that I “heard” right. I exited my email and flipped over to the Bible application on my cell phone and scrolled to Psalm 39. This is what it says in verses 4-7:
4 “LORD, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. 5 Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Selah 6 Surely every man walks about like a shadow; Surely they busy themselves in vain; He heaps up riches, and does not know who will gather them. 7 “And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.
God has given me a new window to look through. He has given me the glorious blessing of being reminded once again that this life is Oh, so short. Whether we have 5, 20 or even 60 more years to live…or maybe just a few more minutes…how will we spend it? Will you make a greater difference with the rest of your life than you have up until now?
We do ask for your prayers over these next few days and weeks. Pray first and foremost that God will be glorified in every situation and in our personal lives and testimony. Pray that God would give us opportunities to declare His glorious Name. And pray that God would confirm, strengthen and establish us as He guides us through these troubled waters.
Many blessings to you and yours!
While the “natural” thing to do would be to focus on the negativity of this news, I can’t help but to marvel at how we have seen the Lord’s hand all the way throughout this entire process and in every aspect. The fact that this type of cancer is rarely caught so early, the placement in our path of 3 different outstanding Christian doctors who are well known and admired in their fields, to how this has already created numerous opportunities to witness and tell of God’s goodness… while it might seem on the surface to be “bad news”, we know that God is in control, that He is still worthy of our trust and that He is still faithful.
I’m not a “point and read” theology kind of person…where you just flop open a Bible and point your finger and that’s supposed to be what God is telling you. But yesterday morning, as I was waiting to go through my last test to see exactly what kind of cancer it is, I sensed a prompting of the Holy Spirit to look at Psalm 39. No, most of the time you will not find me reading my Bible in a waiting room, but I was sure that I “heard” right. I exited my email and flipped over to the Bible application on my cell phone and scrolled to Psalm 39. This is what it says in verses 4-7:
4 “LORD, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. 5 Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Selah 6 Surely every man walks about like a shadow; Surely they busy themselves in vain; He heaps up riches, and does not know who will gather them. 7 “And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.
God has given me a new window to look through. He has given me the glorious blessing of being reminded once again that this life is Oh, so short. Whether we have 5, 20 or even 60 more years to live…or maybe just a few more minutes…how will we spend it? Will you make a greater difference with the rest of your life than you have up until now?
We do ask for your prayers over these next few days and weeks. Pray first and foremost that God will be glorified in every situation and in our personal lives and testimony. Pray that God would give us opportunities to declare His glorious Name. And pray that God would confirm, strengthen and establish us as He guides us through these troubled waters.
Many blessings to you and yours!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Horse buddies
Yesterday when I was working with the team up at the Nehemiah Dorm, I noticed that Spices and Rolex were standing side by side under Rolex's favorite tree, taking a nap. Nobody had a camera, so I got a picture with my cell phone (hence the quality). About 10 minutes later I noticed that Spices had layed down, so I got another picture. About 5 minutes later Rolex had layed down too, so I got another picture. They layed there together like that for a while longer, and then they were up and off again, walking and grazing. Peas in a pod, like they've been friends for years. :-)
Thursday, February 26, 2009
New Family Pictures
Our home church, Thorington Road Baptist, is doing a new church directory and we were so excited! Not only will it be great to get a bird's eye view of all our friends and new folks who have joined the church that we haven't met yet, but we were glad to be able to be a part and get a new family picture made. (We haven't had a professional portrait done since...well, it's been at least 5 or 6 years.)
But, alas, the appointments were all over with before we could arrive in Mtgy so we decided we would just go get one done anyway. While were were in Mtgy, we went to Wal-Mart (we're on a budget you know) and the young lady that was working there did a fantastic job. Or at least we think so. So, here they are, the 2009 Reynolds Family Portraits.
But, alas, the appointments were all over with before we could arrive in Mtgy so we decided we would just go get one done anyway. While were were in Mtgy, we went to Wal-Mart (we're on a budget you know) and the young lady that was working there did a fantastic job. Or at least we think so. So, here they are, the 2009 Reynolds Family Portraits.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Snow pictures...better late than never
A couple of weeks ago we got one of the best snows we have had here. We got out and had some fun in it, and got some pictures, but hadn't had a chance to get them on here. Since things are starting to warm up and we may not get another snow that good, we thought we'd go ahead and share them with you. Better late than never...
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Happy Heather
Weekend before last, our good friends Scott and Lamar came up for the weekend to do some work in the gym. While they were here, Lamar (who has owned and ridden horses all his life), got Rolex out in the round pen and started working with him. His patience and gentleness paid off, and before the sun set that afternoon, he had Heather atop Rolex in the round pen.
Now this may not seem like a big deal to you, but for us it was monumental. We had been wanting for Heather to be able to ride Rolex ever since we got him, but we had not really had all the ingredients in place at the same time - the time and opportunity combined with someone who was able to make that connection with Rolex and Heather.
Being a Thoroughbred, Rolex is rather...shall we say high-spirited, and he's also not really an "anybody saddle and ride" kind of horse either. But not only are we able to continue working with Rolex now at this very elementary level, but we have now also made a great connection with our new friends who are the equestrian ministry folks at a local camp ministry. She is willing to teach and work with Heather, and work with Rolex, and we expect that Heather will now get to come full circle with becoming a full-fledged horsewoman. Truly a "Happy Heather"...
Monday, January 19, 2009
Happy Snow Day!
Well, it wasn't exactly a blizzard... more like a 1/2 inch dusting. But we still enjoyed waking up to see snow this norning. It also wasn't enough to get the kids out of school or me out of work, but we did sleep in a little and Rachael made pancakes for breakfast(whole wheat so I could have one), so it was kinda like a Saturday. Hope your day is going well! Blessings!
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