10.7.11

SEMPLE JOURNEY...

  TALK ABOUT A SUPPORT GROUP!

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THIS IS A PICTURE of our family that gathered to celebrate Granddad’s 80th birthday back in August. There were maybe a dozen or so who just could not make it, but everyone made a special effort to be there. The event was planned months ago by our children, long before we knew about the bend in the road that we would be taking. I believe there are 47 precious family members in the picture. 14 sons, daughters and grown grandchildren were jammed in the oncologist`s tiny examining room to receive my initial prognosis. He had never seen any thing like that before! What a wonderful family we have...close knit, supportive of each other, love the Lord, always so helpful, and on and on I could go. Betty and I dearly love each one of you, precious family.

FRIENDS FROM ALL across the country have been sending notes of encouragement assuring us of your prayers. This means more to us than you will ever know. A friend who was once a member of our church in Paris, TX. who now lives in Cumming, Ga. sent an unusual gift of a beautiful laminated map of the United States with the states in different colors. She also sent stick-on stars of different colors and suggested that I place a star on each state where someone has sent a message that they are praying for us. I have already placed stars on 10 different states from New Mexico to Georgia and from Wisconsin to Texas.

Thank you, dear friends, for your prayers.

I AM HAVING my second round of chemotherapy. I had two chemo infusions on Thursday of last week, but the time seemed to go much faster this time because I had 3 beautiful women (my wife and 2 of our daughters) sitting with me and engaged in scintillating conversation. I am now taking 6 tablets a day orally for 10 days of chemo. Last weekend I was able to go to Stephenville, make some enjoyable visits in homes, and preach on Sunday. Then on Wednesday I was able to leave home about 6:30am, drive 2 hours to Stephenville, have breakfast with a group of senior adults, meet with our fine staff all morning, keep a few appointments in the afternoon, prayer meeting, and get back home about 9:00 pm. So I am thanking the Lord for His continuing strength.

I THINK I CAN ALMOST HEAR the old Apostle say, "So what do you want a medal? ' I have worked harder, been put in jail oftener, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again and again. Three times I was beaten with rods, five different times I was given 39 lashes,. Once I was stoned and left for dead, 3 times I was shipwrecked and swam with sharks for a night and all the next day. I have travelled many weary miles on foot, been in great danger from flooded rivers and robbers. I have faced down mobs in cities. I have lived with weariness and pain and sleepless nights. Often I have been hungry and thirsty and have gone without food; often I have shivered with cold without enough clothing to keep me warm.'(II Corinthians 11:23-27Expanded Living Bible paraphrase)  Now what was it you were saying about going down to that town named for the first Christian Martyr who was stoned to death for Christ?" Well, nothing sir. I was just praising the Lord for His grace and strength!