Back from the north and moving forward up our "hill"

We had a lovely visit with both the Governor and First Lady of RI on August 12th. We got a tour of their Capitol and then they took us out to lunch at a wonderful restaurant along the water. The weather was delightful and what a joy to get to know them both better and hear how the Lord has led in their lives.

The following day, the 13th we visited with Maine's First Lady. She shared the history of her gorgeous, old, New England style home. The weather again was perfect as we walked through her flower garden out back. Earlier in her careers, Karen had been a dietician so she had some encouraging ideas for Sam's new diet. Pray for both of these families as they too face uncertain futures as this is both of their last terms. Thirty seven governors change at this next election so make sure you VOTE.

We left Augusta and headed for the Maine coastline. The drive was beautiful as we meandered through old, picturesque, tiny towns. We arrived at Acadia National Park and checked into our quiet campsite at Seawall. We took our dinner at the Jordan Pond House in the park and the food and view were terrific. We toured the park on Saturday starting at the very top of our east coast on Cadilac Mtn. where we drank in the 360 degree views.

The next stop was a friends rustic cottage in the Adirondacks. There we met up with Sam's sister, Ann and her husband Phil. We chased them around the lake in kayaks, did a jigsaw puzzle, watched a dvd and enjoyed Ann's good cooking before the long drive home into our unknown future.

Today, Wednesday the 18th we spent the afternoon at the oncologist's office being taught about chemotherapy. It's back to looking at the immediate road ahead and pushing hard on each stroke of our peddles. Tomorrow, Thursday, August 19th, Sam will go in to Reston Hospital to have his medicine port put into his chest. It will allow the weekly chemotherapy to be given easily. They will have to "put him under" to insert the port device so it will take the whole morning and he will be groggy when I take him home.

Friday, August 20th he will go to the oncologist's office for his first round of chemo. It will take 5 hours for it to slowly drip in. We will get a lot of reading done each Friday as we repeat this two weeks on and one week off. After three rounds they will probably do scans again to see how the mass is shrinking and the cancer cells are being killed off.

PRAY that the Lord takes our new improved nutrition regime and these drugs and multiplies their effect and works HIS miracles in Sam's cells and body. Sam has an excellent and positive attitude which will stand him in good stead. Pray for me to be strong and encouraging. (A nurse, I am not! Thankfully, Ann who is a nurse will be home this weekend to help us.)

Will you join us in claiming Exodus 14:13?
"Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord."

Remember what our friend, Karen, (who also is a cancer survivor) said,
"It was the faith of the paralyzed man's friends that caused Jesus to heal the man; not the man's faith."

We are counting on your prayers and faith to be like the paralyzed man's friends, tearing off the roof tiles and lowering the man before Jesus in the house below. We love each and every one of you and are sorry that we haven't been able to write back to each of you but your cards and printed out emails surround us.