Semple Journey 9.5.2011    WE RETURNED HOME from MD Anderson in Houston last Thursday (9/1/11)evening. Dr. Ajani has sent his recommendations for treatment to our Oncologist here at Baylor Sammons Cancer Hospital, and I am scheduled to begin chemotherapy next Thursday afternoon (9/8/11).    PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER the world come to MDA for cancer treatments, and people from all over the world work at MDA. Our lead Oncologist , Dr. Jaffer Ajani, is originally from India, one of his proteges, Dr. Blum, is from Ecuador, and another, Dr. Suzuki, is Japanese. Dr. Ajani is a professor at the University of Texas Medical School. His current specialty is esophogeal and gastric cancers. He has co-authored more than 500 published articles in medical journals on the treatment of cancer.    MDA is a very, very busy place, but very well organized, and everyone takes a personal interest in people, and will give personal direction to anyone trying to find our way in the maze of all the buildings and offices. ( Great example for our churches to take good care of the strangers within our gates.)People of all ages are there, young and old, but the thing that I noticed is that virtually everyone had a family member or friend with them. Very few, if any, people were there alone, and I remembered those verses in Ecclesiastes that I use in every wedding ceremony: " Two are better than one...For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up...And if one [enemy] prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) That third cord is the Lord Himself !    AND I LOOKED OVER at Betty, how she has always been there beside me, my sweet companion in ministry for over 60 years,  and how she has always been there to take care of me when I have been sick, encourage me when I needed it, and provide for our home and family all these years, and I was greatly strengthened. The Lord is that third cord Who will never leave us or forsake us, and if God be for us, who can be against us?    AND IF A THREEFOLD CORD is not easily broken think of all the precious strands in our family! A manifold cord is impossible to break! I receive so much strength and comfort from our wonderful family. (Our daughter Jill and her husband Jody went with us and helped us find our way around.) Thank you dear family for your prayers and support. All of them take such good care of us. We do not want for anything. Betty and I are so proud of you. And an unbelievable host of friends who have been in touch. Each of you is such a personal blessing to Betty and me. This cord has turned into a huge hauser binding us to that Anchor steadfast and sure within the veil (Hebrews 6:19).