Which way the wind blows

It's amazing what you can forget...

Kathy and the boys are good. Work is more consuming and worrisome that it should be. All the events in the world around sometimes crowd out what we should be thinking about, or appreciating. We were at a basketball game for Ian on Wednesday. Caleb and I were shooting hoops a bit while the youngun wasn't on court and things were relaxed. Ian went onto the court and we began watching and making small talk with another father. After a while he commented that Ian might have lost a little of the usual defensive mojo that he normally exhibited. And Mojo he normally has, with more energy than our little rat terrier going after a rodent, simply grabbing the ball out of his opponents hands. I commented that yeh, he seemed a little off his game, and wondered what was up.

After a bit more talk, Kathy leans over and whispers a reminder that yes, he should be off a bit, he just had chemo that afternoon. At first I felt some serious guilt that I was a horrible and neglectful father. I mean, what kind of father forgets about his son's day of chemo. After some time it was ok, and I really appreciated how things were going. Being able to forget, or at least put aside, some of the troubles of life is a blessing and a relief. Peace may come when you least expect it. Sometimes it comes in worship, sometimes at a basketball game. Who knew. I hope and pray that it can stay for awhile. And of course, I'll try not to forget these things from now on.

Run on For a Long Time...

Just a short note here to let folks know that things are good. Ian's 12th weeks scans were negative, and we will be moving to a bi-weekly chemo, with a spinal taps on a 6 week schedule. So things are as good as they can be right now, and I am thankful. Next step will be PET, CAT, and MRI's after the next 6 weeks. It seems that without a set protocol, we'll be hanging on these periodic scans and tests, just to see if we are on the right track



If anyone is actually reading this, seeing us at church, school, baseball, or looking at some of the photos below, it is hard to see that there is an issue, and honestly, we are thrilled with that. He has tolerated this weekly chemo in a way that has not been seen before, and we continue with basketball, baseball, skiing and school, and generally being a 8 year old boy. It is pretty amazing when I actually take time to think about it.



You don't run a marathon as a sprint, and it seems we are on an ultra right now. Sometimes the route has us running ridges between clear mountain lakes, and other times times we're pulling our boots out of the mire. Right now we're taking our time, pacing ourselves, enjoying the view, and glad to be alive and in God's care.

Sing for the Day

It was a a busy, busy week, but ended very nicely.

My Dad came out for a visit, Ian had his chemo and spinal tap, Kathy went back to Dallas to visit her Mom who was in the hospital dealing with her own very serious cancer, and I went down to Puerto Rico for work. The day after I get back, we are all together and back in town, and it's time to head off for ski week up in Tahoe.

Thanks to some good friends it all worked out. The boys stayed with those friends and had a great time on the extended sleepover. My Dad survived the chaos, and Kathy's Mom is now out of the hospital and back at home.

After all that, the last few days in the mountains were clearly God-given. Blue skies, good snow, a beautiful Tahoe mountain, and again, good friends. Thursday saw Ian, and his friend Will, take their first ride up on a chair lift and come down the full mountain. They overcame some significant fears, and after a morning of work together, they and their friends were off on their own to enjoy the day. They did great on ski's, but I gotta admit, I know they had a better time just playing in the snow and sledding, which did allow me to have a full day to hammer those slopes, and my knees, into submission.

We get to watch as our children grow, learn, and become their own persons. They each have their own challenges and burdens, but that is all they know, and with love and encouragement, they go on with life with greace and abandon. God be praised. There are even those times that the challenges are not in the forefront of my mind, and I can just enjoy the times of life we have been given

Ian has his 12th week MRI this coming week to see how the treatment is working. His health is good and we are encourage by his strength and attitude.


This thing called cancer has not beaten us, Ian, or his grandmother, and we are thankful. We will keep on keeping on, one day at a time, enjoying the lives we are given,and for the time that we have together. Again, God is good.

Sing for the day
Sing for the moment.
Sing for the rest of your lives

... A Far Green Country

By most measures today was a very good day. My lovely wife came back to us safely after a quick trip back to Dallas. We worshiped together as a family and I watched as my two boys rounded the bases and fielded grounders and fly balls successfully in the warm afternoon sunshine. Now everyone is going to bed tired and satisfied. God be Praised!

We have some new challenges ahead of us in the short term. Kathy's mom is in the hospital, and really only has a very limited time left with us. We will need to explain to Caleb and Ian that their Grandmother has gone on to be with God. That Ian can, and will, survive something similar to what claimed their grandmother. I will also be traveling down to Puerto Rico this week to evaluate a new opportunity.

We covet your prayers, and are sustained by the love and care of God, as expressed by those around us.

The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back and all changes to silver glass. And then you see it. White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise (Tolkien)

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. (John's Revelation)

The Waiting is the Hardest Part, or Time is on my Side?

Here's a news flash for everyone: I love BBQ. Really good BBQ. Yes, I know most you would never have guessed, but it is true.

I smoked some pork butts yesterday, to go along with a few briskets from a good Texas brother for the gathering we were having at church for the big game. I got a late start, and didn't get the meat on till about 9am. We went on about the day, with basketball and a good ball throwing and hitting time with Caleb and Ian, and when it came time for dinner, I really wanted to exercise a little chef's perogative and sample the q. But it wasn't time, and I had to wait. That spicy, smoky, heavenly aroma infused the whole neighborhood, but no touching till at least 9pm. 225F cooked to internal temp of about 190F, normally about 12 - 13 hours for me. No exceptions. I had to wait, and wait I did.

Like in the rest of life, good things take time. From the classic 9 month wait, or waiting for that big buck to Really step out into the clear, or the time it takes to make good BBQ, there is not much you can do to rush a really good thing. You wait in peace, take advantage of the time, and believe your wait is not in vain. Even if you think you may explode.

Good Weekend. Good game. Good family, friends. Good BBQ

And God is The good. And in that we rest, we wait, and we live on.

Just another day...

Tomorrow should be a fairly normal day, Tuesday, January 26, 2008 and Ian and I will go in at 6am to Stanford for what should be a routine chemo and and intrathecal (spinal tap). This will be, we think, the 16th or 17th spinal tap he has had. Seems a little strange how routine we take it at times. Someone sticking a needle in your spine, removing a little of the required fluid, and injecting just the right amount of poison. But it is working, and God be praised.

It is day by day, folks, as if it has ever been otherwise. God grants us to the grace to go to work, school, the grocery store, church, the local music venue, shooting range, basketball practice, whatever... and I am thankful.

If story remains the same, he could even go back to school tomorrow, and I will likely go back to work after the procedure. Pretty weird, eh?

Caleb's hair is now officially longer than his mother's, and I think she has taken some offense at this fact. We shall now brace for the ensueing battle for some sort of haircut, and though I now sport a short 3-5 fade, I have a heart for the boy's fate.

Just some recent pics of the troops...