Faith

Christen and I are sitting here in the clinic at UVA awaiting the start of her next round of chemotherapy. She is spending the time doing some artwork. She is doing well today all things considered. She is in good spirits, and is feeling much better physically. Progress has been made in understanding the source of her headaches, and the antibiotic is doing a good job taking care of the cdiff. It looks like we will probably switch to Monday as the regular chemotherapy "start day" rather than Thursday. Switching back to Thursday would put another delay in the overall schedule which would result in her missing the first week or two of school in the fall. She is really looking forward to returning to normal life, even though that means schoolwork. :-)

Debbie stayed home today with Lori who is quite sick with a stomach bug. I'm sure all of you mothers reading this can appreciate how Debbie felt at the thought of leaving her baby girl sick at home, all the while wanting to be with Christen in the hospital for the start of more chemo. Alas, since she can't be in two places at once, Dad had to fill in. I'm not as good a nurse as Mom is, but I think Christen will be OK. :-)

Thank you all so much for the prayers. We are feeling them, and we would be lost without the grace and presence of our loving Savior. We are constantly reminded these days, in much deeper ways than normal, how helpless we are without God. Life is so fragile, and the time so short, and our flesh so weak. But, "I can do all things through Christ who stengthens me."

May He receive all the glory. His loving hand is an amazing, awesome, and sometimes fearful thing to see. Yet, we know by faith that even though He is "not a safe lion", He is good. He will do whatever He wills. For a person who loves to be in control that can be a very unsettling thing. Yet, by faith we know that He will always do what is best for us, and it is comforting to know that He has not sent us somewhere that He hasn't been before, and indeed He has promised to be with us every step of the way. He is walking with Christen, and all of us. He takes his children by the hand and leads them through. "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me..." What more do we need? What need we fear? Sometimes we do fear just like the disciples in the boat during the storm, and His loving question to the disciples, "why are you afraid..." rings in our ears.

Pray that our faith would be strengthened and that He would be glorified through all that happens to us.

Steve & Debbie for the family.

P.S. Michelle, Christen says that it would be fun to go to Oxford. I think you would find her a willing captive if it meant the opportunity to visit you and Ben. :-)