bettysblog

2010-02-07T08:54:00.000-08:00

It's February, but you wouldn't know it was southern Iowa. We have snow and expect many inches in a couple of days! Of necessity, our attention however has been captured by physical impairments along with the beauty of snow cover!

Warren writes the first letter concerning our current condition:

#1. Written in late January
Greetings to you all,

I am writing this note to update each one of you on Betty’s current condition. I think all of you are aware that two years ago she was operated on for a malignancy in her uterus. At that time it was already metastatic in her abdomen. We were told at that time that the long-term prognosis was rather grim. They gave Betty six months to five years to live depending on the success of treatment. We are now out two years from the time of surgery and the last month and a half has been quite difficult. She has been losing her appetite for the last several weeks and at Christmas she began developing some abdominal pain and bowel problems. These symptoms came and went over the next two weeks. Finally about one week after New Year's she became distended and unable to eat. Evaluation revealed a bowel instruction and treatment with a nasogastric tube, that's a tube placed through her nose down into her stomach, seemed to resolve the problem. After about seven days in the hospital she was able to eat and was feeling well and was discharged home. She did well for about two days and then developed abdominal pain, inability to move her bowels, and abdominal distention again. She was readmitted to University hospitals and again treated by decompressing the distention by placing the nasogastric tube again. This time more extensive evaluation was done and it was determined that she actually had two partial obstructions, one in the small bowel and one in the rectal area. It was determined that both these obstructions were due to the bowel being involved in a probable malignant mass in the area. Our surgical cancer specialist at the University sat down with us today and told us that surgical intervention might give her some relief but the complications of the surgery would probably only allow her to live about two months. If we chose the minimal approach of placing a gastrostomy tube, that's a tube inserted through the abdominal wall into the stomach, she could very likely have six months. There is still the option of doing some more chemotherapy which may extend her life beyond six months. Today she had the gastrostomy tube placed and tomorrow her nasogastric tube will be removed and Sunday we plan to return home.

We desire your intervention with prayer, for at this point in time only our God can intervene with any success. Betty seems to be at peace with this decision and approach. Monday we will go see her chemotherapy oncologist and decide whether further infusion treatment will be tried.

Rest assured that I am doing well physically and I'm prepared to take care of her. I am doing as well as can be expected emotionally, experiencing considerable sadness and yes, even some puzzlement and anger (after all I’m only human) that this beautiful woman must go through this ordeal. Pray for us all (Deb & Sara too) to bear up under the stress and if you can find it in your faith, pray for the miracle of a cure. We have placed this in the hands of our Lord.

Warren

#2
Beloved,
Dazzling sun beams bejewel the snow encrusted landscapes and the frozen crèche close to our front door grace the few days before Valentines, 2010. Isn’t the picture perfect? On Valentines we’re reminded that He has washed our sins whiter than snow and of course the most extraordinary perfect love gift of Jesus Christ has been given.

As I’m typing this little token of the appreciation Warren and I have for all of you, I’m imagining faces, kind gestures, loving notes, and it’s all overwhelming. Thank you for being an extension of His love.

You’ve been so generous in caring for us through my 2 week hospitalization. Warren has responded with his written view point. May I share with you how God so obviously worked from my perspective:
There is a bulletin board in each of the hospital rooms to remind us of priorities! When the medical team came in to introduce themselves to me, I asked them to turn around and tell me what was hilarious about the writing on my board. I introduced the answer by reminding them that this is a new year and many people advocate challenging goals for themselves. I explained that through the message on the board it’s my privilege to have my goals already determined by my nurse:
GOALS: 1. PASS GAS 2. B.M.’s 3. WALK. !!!
I had never seen a smile cross the face of the head of the surgery department, let alone see this almost embarrassed laugh coupled with his seeming attempt to back-peddle trying to explain what the nurse had in mind! I just burst out in laughter as we all relaxed with a terrific moment of escape. Who but God could give me such an introduction to an extremely tough 2 weeks? (When my ornery brother-in-law saw the goals, he chortled, “Well, you don’t want expectations that are too high!” )

God sprinkled more delight through our hours when on bleak dreary days I felt urged to encourage the sun to come out by wearing a sun bonnet out on my walks. I also wore it into the surgery room. (Our daughter responded with, “You’re kidding me!) (I’m still young enough to embarrass her!) It was so much fun to catch people off guard but especially when they said things like, “You look maarvelous, daarling!” Then who wouldn’t crack up? (Here I am with an NG tube snaking out of my nose so that curious children couldn’t help but stare and wonder what planet I could have come from!)
We’ve had exceptional care from the doctors, through the nurses, to those in maintenance, and in between. One nurse was extremely sensitive to me two evenings in a row as I could not sleep because of a very noisy roommate (we are talking inaudible guttural noises at night!) The nurse rubbed my back, called the doctors to see if I could have a sleeping pill, and gave me hot packs and ear plugs! I slept beautifully!

A lady who delivered beverages on the last day shared that she was from Nairobi, Kenya. When I explained that we had African sons, and then named them, she told me that she knew one of them and that he is back in Kenya now and that she’d give me her tele number so we could talk! All the above moments took me beyond the present to grasp more of the eternal God perspective that I so needed to keep Him and His promises uppermost in my thoughts.

On Friday of my last week our surgeon came in to tell us that I could not have the NG tube taken out because surgery wasn’t scheduled until Monday. My heart sank. It had been a long two weeks. My throat was sore from the tube and it was so hard to communicate. I looked at the doctor and I thought, “Oh, he is so exhausted.” I said to him, “Oh doctor, please take time to rest. Please take time away.” He looked at me like, “You mean someone cares about me?” I have no idea what happened after that, but someone soon came in and told me that there had been a change and that I was scheduled that afternoon for surgery after all. The NG tube came out the following morning. How I praised God!

A. Before Suffering:
1. Keep faithful to study to show yourselves approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word. II Tim. 2:15; We have everything for life and Godliness through the knowledge of Him. II Peter 1:3;

B. In Suffering:
1. You and I need the Biblical perspective- as in all of life. Keep faithful to study to show
yourselves approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing
the Word. If you’re hurting so much that you cannot concentrate well, ask someone to read
God’s Word and help you understand. “In the world you will have tribulation, but be of
good cheer, I have overcome the world. “ John 16:33

2. Give attention to Godly people and circumstances around you and respond Biblically to
them or ask them to help you think through the Biblical perspective you and I need. A
magazine was sent to us from Mission Frontiers totally focusing on Recapturing the Role of
Suffering before the weeks of hospitalization. I read the Biblical encouragement and when
God gave us a young medical student as part of our medical team at the U. who knows and
loves Jesus, I shared this magazine’s focus. He was so interested to receive one himself.
What a blessing as our Shepherd cares for so many details and encourages others at the same
time.

3. Let God and see God surprise you with joy. Then pass it on!

C. Through the Fellowship of our Suffering? Phil 3:10-12
1. Could it mean to be involved with someone suffering no matter how inadequate you feel because Our Lord, the suffering servant is Sufficient?
2. Could it be essential to our growth and have a purpose far beyond what we could imagine? Job 42:5,6
3. Could it be to graciously ask when it’s convenient to visit the seriously ill , to send scripture that pours out God’s love, and or to call with caring words as so many of you have done?
4. Could it be that both the sufferers and those in the fellowship of our sufferings could learn practical and beautiful blessings God intends to share only in the crucible?

Beloved, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
With love, Betty Scott alias Roadrunner: alias: now bionic bird!

#3
Addendum: On the Thursday of my last week, God gave me a roommate the likes of which I’ve never had! When she spoke to her family, she spewed poison out of her mouth which of course got on her and contaminated the atmosphere. I don’t know when I’ve heard such a litany. Wow, what an opportunity but would she even receive, John Piper’s book on “For Your Joy”?

I kept praying that somehow God would soften her heart. By the time we were leaving on Sunday, her family had left and the TV on her side was quietly humming. I knocked on the wall, introduced myself with, “I do understand what you are going through. May I share this little book of encouragement?” Praise God she took it. When God brings us to mind please pray for this precious “Kelly” who desperately needs a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Pray that she understands that “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 ; that “unless you repent you will all likewise perish. ”Luke 13:5; “God commended His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8, ;”Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13

2009-12-31T14:46:00.000-08:00

"CHANGE"-2010

I just had to l augh as I'm viewing this picture taken from our home while the grass was still green! This reason it's funny is because the view outside our window is beautifully white and the theme of this blog is "change"!!! Let's see if I take this theme to heart?

As the calendar pages of 2009 are flipping rapidly to a close, I am reminded of a graduation speech I heard titled, "change". It was an unprecidented 15 minutes in length and thought-provoking! Thought-provoking because as a college graduate I rather thought I had arrived! His point was not to stagnate in a rut, but always be willing to take on new challenges. A rut after all is a grave with both ends knocked out!

Well, that took the breath out of me as it does now facing 2010! In this context of "change" I'm challenged to continue to be accountable to my husband and to one or several good friends. I was impacted with the necessity of this again when I read an article titled, "Mistakes were made" by Mindy Belz (World Magazine, January 2010 issue). She sites 4 examples of political figures who used the phrase, "mistakes were made" to admit error while dodging blame. William Schneider, a political consultant calls it "the past exonerative"!!! Mindy goes on to lament the many "mistakes" she and others have made in journalism. She is thankful for readers who call the journalists to accountability, for an active voice to admit them, and for Jesus Christ who rescues her from the very human nature from which they spring. In the Christian life this is how the path to new life begins. Mindy continues, "In the life of a magazine it is how we face a new year with hope." I would add, in the Christian life of "change" it too is how we face a new year with hope.

PUP (People

Under Pressure)

I've been given a vacation from the chemo. I'm very thankful

for this hiatus from poison! I'm also thankful that chemo is available and for a bazillion other blessings in the midst of it all, "we rejoice in our sufferings knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope." Romans 5:3,4

The good news is that our hope is not in vain, for God did what

none of us would or could do: "God shows His love for us

in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Do you have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ because you have repented and received Him as your personal Saviour?

For 2010 this is my prayer, "I pray that God the source of hope, will fill you (and I) completely with joy and peace because you (and I) trust in Him." Romans 15:13

2009-10-29T10:56:00.000-07:00

We're well into the new school year but I would like to share this terrifically applicable graduation message that I heard last May to close the '08-09 school year:

Be a light for freedom

It was a great privilege to be able to serve as the Sunday school teacher to many of you, so I thank you for granting me the opportunity and honor to address you once again. In all honesty, I was shocked you really wanted to hear me again.
To those who are graduating today, I offer my congratulations for all that you have achieved, and best wishes as you seize the opportunities, and confront the challenges, before you.
I also want to congratulate the parents because they have played an instrumental role in guiding these young men and women to this point in their lives. Their commitment and dedication to the training of their children is a picture of Deuteronomy 6:7, which instructs parents to teach God’s commandments to their children diligently and constantly. With that thought in mind please join me in honoring the parents of these graduates for their obedience to God in living out this verse for His glory and our graduates’ benefit.
The blessing of the Home School education you have received has literally prepared you to take on the world. And ours is most assuredly a world in need of being taken on, by men and women who possess the intellectual treasures of understanding, knowledge and Biblical wisdom. I pray, and trust, that these gifts, given to you by God and your parents,
will in your hands become powerful instruments of reform and renewal in those many domains of endeavor to which you, the members of the Class of 2009, will dedicate yourselves.
When Jared invited me to speak, he gave me an array of topics to choose from including: politics, sports and even the weather. I will do my best to touch on at least one of these topics, and along the way hopefully impart to you some thoughts worthy of your consideration.
Since we are in a church my challenge for you today consists of three parts, because, as you know, anyone who speaks in a church must have three points or the roof caves in or something like that.
There was a time when our Country was a beacon of light for Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. The Founding Fathers even claimed that these “inalienable rights” were endowed by our Creator. Regrettably, that light appears to be dimming.
In Matthew 5:14 Jesus tells us that “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” It’s true you can’t hide a city on a hill. Its light can be seen for miles.
Graduates, like a bright city on a hill we need torchbearers for Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. My challenge to you today is be such a beacon of light.
America is a great nation. However, she and her people are not great enough to survive the darkness that is moving across our land. Secularism, immorality and decadence are the outward signs of a heart that has grown callous to God. Beyond the safety of your parent’s home the world grows darker.
President Ronald Reagan warned us that “If we ever forget we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.”
Even Thomas Jefferson confessed that “Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just.” If he was concerned then, I wonder how he would feel about America today.
Life is the first of the three inalienable rights mentioned and we need to look no farther than how our society approaches it to know that we have turned our back on the warnings of Presidents Reagan and Jefferson.
Our government passes an Endangered Species act that protects animals, born and unborn, but refuses to protect human beings from abortion and euthanasia. Over forty-six million unborn children have died since abortion was legalized by nine men in black robes in 1973 and today a number of states have grown very close to openly endorsing euthanasia.
Scripture clearly tells us that God is the giver of life and that life begins at conception. “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being.” Our Founding Fathers understood this passage from Genesis chapter two, as well as the 139th Psalm, where God reminds us that He has know us from our conception. “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.”
America, perhaps the most blessed nation on earth, needs people to shine a light and lead it in repentance, and in a restoration of life! Graduates I encourage you to be that beacon of light and expose the works of darkness in the hope that the exposed will become light. Ephesians 5:11, 13 and 14. tells us to “…have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them…But all things that are exposed are made visible by the light…Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”
Graduates, be a light for the life of those that cannot speak for themselves, but don’t stop there because the battle for life doesn’t end there.
When we lived in Mount Pleasant, I had the honor to serve as a Deacon here at Calvary Baptist Church. One of our duties was to meet with prospective members. As part of the interview process we had the pleasure of hearing people’s testimonies and on many occasions they
would share a verse that was instrumental in their coming to Christ as their Savior. John 3:16 and its guidance on how one may have everlasting life was a verse often shared. With its instruction to believe on God’s only begotten Son, the path to everlasting life is a simple one. But, it is also a narrow path.
And advocating a narrow path to eternal life is not popular in today’s world, but it is the one true path. The world needs those who will shine the light of truth thus illuminating the way to everlasting life.
In summary, Graduates be both a light for life here on earth and a light for everlasting life.
My second challenge is to be a beacon for liberty, just like the lady in the harbor of New York City.
On May 29th, 2004, a four-day “grand reunion” of veterans was held on the National Mall in Washington DC. The event culminated in the dedication of a memorial to “The Greatest Generation”. The World War II memorial honors the sixteen million members of the Armed Forces of the United States. While in Washington DC I had the opportunity to visit the memorial. The Freedom Wall was the one aspect that really caught my attention. With its four-thousand forty-eight gold stars, each representing one-hundred American service personnel who died or remain missing in the war, it is a somber reminder of the price of liberty.
The over four-hundred thousand American dead and missing from the Second World War are second only to the loss of more than six hundred twenty thousand Americans during another fight for freedom, the Civil War.
So many lives have been given in the defense of freedom and liberty, but in addition to this price, William Barclay reminds us that liberty has another cost, vigilance.
Today, our government is ever encroaching into our daily lives. It’s on the verge of taking over the banking system and regulating speech. It’s already taken over a large portion of the auto industry and now our government’s sights are set on the energy and health care industries.
And the way Washington keeps spending, a few trillion here and few trillion there, it’s getting harder and harder for us taxpayers to support the government in the lifestyle it has become accustomed. It’s my understanding that some brokerage firms are now encouraging people to invest their 401k money directly into taxes, because taxes are sure to go up.
Unfortunately the citizens of our country are eagerly swapping liberty for a false hope, peddled by a silver tongue reading lines off a teleprompter, in a government supplied security blanket. Don’t be
deceived by this ploy, because less freedom and liberty always equal less opportunity.
John F. Kennedy recognized the importance of the freedom to succeed and develop our talents when he said that “All of us do not have equal talent, but all of us should have an equal opportunity to develop our talents.”
The people of the United States have lost their love of liberty. Graduates, be the spark that rekindles the love of liberty our nation’s Founding Fathers fought and died for.
Like life though, the battle doesn’t end there because the source of liberty didn’t begin with the United States or the Declaration of Independence. Liberty began with the freeing of man from the shackles of sin. Thus it was that just over two-thousand years ago the greatest sacrifice for liberty was made as Christ died on the cross to liberate us from sin and a long list of laws.
As John 8:32 tells us, His sacrifice liberates us from the penalty of sin and as we seek to serve God, Jesus’ perfect truth frees us to be all God wants us to be. Although we are no longer under the Law, we don’t have the freedom to sin because that merely enslaves us to Satan, others or even ourselves, all over again. Instead, as Paul instructs in Galatians 5:13, our liberty in Christ frees us to do what is right and to glorify God.
Graduates, be a light for Christian liberty, be a light for freedom and to borrow an old tag line from the Army, the opportunity to be all you can be.
In many ways pursuing happiness is dependent upon having the liberty to being all you can be, so on to the third of the three inalienable rights. Just for the record, please note that the Declaration says “Pursuit” of Happiness NOT “Guarantee” of Happiness.
My comments on happiness do include a number of observations from John Piper. The first being that all men have this in common: they want to be happy. They don’t all agree on what brings the greatest happiness, but they do all long to have it. And this longing isn’t bad. It’s good.
So who are the happy people? Well according to a Pew Research poll conducted this spring on just that subject: Republicans tend to be happier than Democrats. Seniors are generally happier than Baby Boomers, and senior men tend to be happier than senior women, but that’s probably because the senior women have to live with the senior men.
So how do you get real happiness? If you can answer that question, then it stands to reason that you can pursue happiness correctly.
Mr. Piper notes that if you want to be happy, then get wisdom. Proverbs
3:13 says, "Happy is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gets understanding." Proverbs 24:13-14 says, "My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off." Proverbs 19:8 says, "He who gets wisdom loves himself."1 So in summary, if you want true, lasting happiness, get wisdom.
But how do you get wisdom you ask?
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight" (Proverbs 9:10). The wisdom that leads to life and true happiness, or joy, begins with knowing and fearing God. The fear of the Lord is, therefore, the beginning of wisdom not only in the sense that it is the first step in a wise way to live, but also in the sense that all the later characteristics of wisdom flow from the fear of the Lord like a river flows from a spring. 1
The wise person is characterized by humility. Proverbs 11:2 says, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but with the humble is wisdom." The person who is proud does not fear the Lord. But the person who fears the Lord is humble, because he depends on God for everything and fears to take credit himself for what God does.1
When the Bible says, "Get wisdom," it is referring to that practical knowledge of how to attain true and lasting happiness. It begins with the fear of the Lord and consists in humbly hearing and doing God's will. Therefore, be a light for real happiness by pursuing and displaying Biblical wisdom in your life. 1
On occasion the topic of the Lord of the Rings movies would come up during our Sunday morning discussions, so I felt that in keeping with tradition the movies needed to somehow be included today. Thus, I would like to close by relating a scene from the first of the three movies.
In the first Lord of the Rings movie, a small band of hero’s, known as The Fellowship of the Ring, led by the wizard Gandalf is making their way through the Mines of Moria, the former underground realm of the Dwarves. The Mines, now overrun by orcs and a collection of other nasty creatures, are completely dark making the group’s passage both dangerous and difficult. The only light comes from the groups few torches and Gandalf’s staff. The darkness held complete sway over the mines; until the arrival of the Fellowship, because the darkness was no match for light of the torches and the staff. Wherever the light was cast the darkness was driven back enabling the group to find their way.
Just as the torches and Gandalf’s staff illuminated the path for the Fellowship, allow God’s Word to be a lamp to your feet and a light to
your path, so that you may be a light for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Thank you and may God bless you and guide your journey.
1: Get Wisdom, May 24, 1981, By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org

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P.U.P.

. (People Under Pressure) . . .still “dukin” it out with the cancerJ. . .Tuesday I received the 6th of 18 possible doses of Gemsar. Dr. Moe indicated that this regimen of chemo is cumulative in its work on the body. This I have found is true but at this point is still manageable with over the counter drugs. I actually dread taking the vitamins and pills that help me each day because there are so many of them and they are made for lions and tigers and bears, oh my!!! I need an attitude adjustment at that point and with that I thank God that so much is available!!!

I am writing this on our way to Canada to visit with our daughter Deb and friend Mary Ann. I know people are praying that our time together be all that He wants it to be and that the chemo won’t be too tough on me. It will be a delight whatever the situation because we’re with family, we’re celebrating Canada’s Thanksgiving and especially because we are in His presence. He has said, “In My presence is fullness of joy. . .” That’s been His promise throughout life and cancer can’t rob that from anyone no matter how they feel physically. I cannot encourage anyone who has not put their trust in the Lord Jesus to humble yourself and know that He is the God Who loves you so much that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Believe means to trust in Him for Who He says He is. He manifested only what God could do and say. No one but God could fulfill all the prophecies He did as well as perform all the miracles and declare and demonstrate His amazing statements of authority.

I’m eager to share pictures of Canada on our next blog! So far we’ve seen a wind generator farm, a humongous plastic chicken on top of a van with the caption of Gold N Plump on the door, a truck full of beets for the market and the interesting customs stop at the border! How fun is all of that-not the typical day!!!

2009-09-02T15:29:00.000-07:00

"View from the Treehouse"

“Fighting For Every Foot”-a choice

This headline today about the California fires caught my attention. Even as men and women are fighting aggressively against a raging fire marring the countryside of California, there are those who are fighting aggressively for the moral stability of our beloved nation. Praise God for their tenacity! Thank God that so many do care about the physical country we live in and about our moral character most of all.

Thank God that the One who has called believers to “fight the good fight of faith” has equipped us with total sufficiency no matter what condition our physical bodies are in. His Word is such comfort when “things” are stripped from the persona of folk in difficult situations.

PUPS:(People Under Pressure)

His love letter to us gives us the word picture of a shepherd. We cannot cleanse, direct, or protect ourselves sufficiently, so we need a shepherd. When we feel like we’re out in the mountains caught in a thornbush, hurt and bloody, Isaiah 40:11 and 46:4, trump our feelings with the reality of His love. “He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. . . .’Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.’” That may be how He is fighting for you and I right now! He may be carrying us. We can pray, write notes, make phone calls, even invite people over where they provide most of the meal! We can do these things as we rest in His arms and hear His heartbeat of love!

Praise God He has not left us with the words of “Dear Abby”, “…when it comes to love there are no absolutes.” (Wed. Sept.2nd, 2009, Mt. Pleasant News) That statement is not Biblical!

The reality of His love is throughout the Bible and it’s the only absolute we have ( I Cor. 13). Accept it or reject it! A choice we make!
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Mystery Mound from our New York Trip: (second set of pics) The Mystery Mound rode with us from New York to Toledo and then on to Mt. Pleasant. He was a delightful surprise to many of the youth group. The Mystery Mound is pictured as he emerges from points east to the surprise entrance into the Mt. Pleasant area!

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2009-08-24T13:24:00.000-07:00

View from the Treehouse :

Fellow Citizens, God Reigns!

In a 1906 article titled “Garfield Calms the Crowd” the following is recorded:
On the morning of Lincoln’s death, a crowd of fifty thousand people gathered before the Exchange Building in New York. Feelings ran high, natural enough in the circumstances, and there was danger of its finding expression in violence. Then a well-built man in officer’s uniform stepped to the front of the balcony, and in a voice that rang like a trumpet call, cried:
“Fellow citizens! Clouds and darkness are round about Him. His pavilion is dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies. Justice and judgment are the establishment of His throne. Mercy and truth go before His face. Fellow citizens! God reigns! And the Government at Washington still lives!”
Instantly the tumult was stilled, as the people grasped the import of those sublime words. The speaker was General James A. Garfield, himself to become a martyr-president sixteen years later. –Moody Monthly

As we view one bleak news break after another, let us not miss the involvement God wants us to have through the debacles, but especially let us not miss the truth of “Fellow citizens! God reigns!

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P.U.P. (People Under Pressure) I’ve taken a hiatus from this blog through the month of August. . .

1. . . .because we have been to New York and back
attending the beautifully orchestrated wedding of Micah and Laura, dear friends of ours.

We were privileged to bring another dear friend of ours back to Toledo where we stayed overnight and then all three of us motored on to Mt. Pleasant. The trip was such an exhausting “hoot”. It was a blessing from our Lord and we both thank Him so much for safety, for the strength He gave us, and for the Word of God on CD that made the time pass incredibly fast. Of course, it was all extra palatable because of the frequent laughter!

Mysterious Mound in Pennsylvania
(to be identified this week on this blog!)

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2. We were also privileged to enjoy my brothers and my mom for a brief stretch of time in our home. My oldest brother had not seen our home, and my second from the oldest brother Jim, was going back to Nicaragua soon so we treasured the visit.

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Another reason was that I had begun infusions again and since there is a week between chemos, we took advantage of the time and went to Ames, to be with mom and Jim. He had done so much work for mom that our tongues were hanging down to our ankles for all of his labor!

Adding to that was that the CT scan done late in July, revealed that there are two new spots in my abdomen and I really didn’t want to bring up the tedious subject, again!
Our Lord has been so encouraging through His Word to remind me that “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation, old things are passed away, behold all things are new.” The truth of that quote is that this cancer is the new path that God has chosen to work His life out in mine. Never mind that the path is rocky (many are going through rough times and our Lord’s was so much more) -He is holding us close to His chest (as a shepherd does to a lamb). God still reigns, fellow citizens!

2009-06-18T14:01:00.000-07:00

View From the Treehouse

T.A. in T.W (Today’s American in Today’s World)

Are Americans putting bandages on a hemorrhage?

“We have green, blue, bright orange or yellow bandages. Which would you prefer?” your physician seeks to console you with these words after telling your family that you have an aneurism that could burst at any moment.

Ridiculous, unconsciousable, unethical

Unlike the above mentioned and more important world of human suffering and consequences is one in the financial world. This potential financial hemorrhage in our nation is that of the secrecy of the Federal Reserve System. This private bank, independent of our government, that controls much of our economy has never been audited since its founding in 1913!

U.S. Representative Ron Paul (R-Texas) has introduced the Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009 (Bill H.R. 1207), which would mandate an official audit of the Federal Reserve Bank. In addition, it will give the U.S. Congress increased oversight powers over the Fed, which, up to this point, has operated without any accountability to either Congress or the people. The bill already has 112 co-sponsors and is supported by many congressmen of both parties. See jbs.org.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has projected that, “We must insure that all types of financial institutions, . . . receive strong and effective government oversight.” (USA Today Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 9A). Isn’t it beyond time that we the people tell him to live up to his own solutions by writing or calling our congress members to support this vital bill?

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P.U.P. Whoopie, the C.T.Scan and physical exam has revealed that there is no perceivable cancer! It’s time for this confined person to break out of the
shelters and we have!

Late in May, friends from Minneapolis drove to Ames where we met them and began our weeks of celebrating mom’s 90tth birthday! Then friends from Arizona came to stay with us for three days, after which my brother from Nicaragua invaded our home. We then had to take him with us (he’s a real character and a delight) to celebrate our news, as well as our anniversary, and mom’s 90th birthday! It was one party after another for five days! At the surprise party held in the basement of the church mom is a charter member of, there were 64+ delightful people. Afterwards, people lined up around her table to share with her how much her life has meant to them. What a legacy she is leaving! Enjoy the pics!

2009-05-22T12:12:00.000-07:00

View from the Treehouse:

T.A. in T. W. (Today's American in Today's World)

What about the Federal Reserve?

"The Internet Age demands transparency from all institutions all the time. Any government body that lags behind is in danger of losing legitimacy, relevance and, at the very least public awareness. . ."People in an open society do not demand infallibility from their institutions, but it is difficult for them to accept what they are prohibited from observing." These quotes are from an article by Tony Mauro, a Supreme Court correspondent for National Law Journal and Incisive Media. The quotes are from an article pub. May 27th, '09 in USA Today following the resignation of Justice Souter. In summation, Tony Mauro was advocating allowing cameras to broadcast the proceedings of the Supreme Court.

His comments however, extend to the Federal Reserve, don't they? This organization affects every one of us and yet isn't it shrouded in secrecy more guarded than our Supreme Court has been? Have American grass roots people been duped since the early 1900's? What is it costing the American People because of the lack of transparency in the Federal Reserve?

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P.U.P.

The doctor told me that he did not want me to take my final scheduled infusion. I could have jumped off the table and done a dance-that is if I really could have! I'll have a c-scan in June and the docs are evaluating or will evaluate and then we'll make a decision as to what route to pursue!

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We must share with you pics from our weekend with our Kenyan sons. A friend of one of them and the wife, son and mother-in-law of the other joined us as well. I don’t want to bore you with a bzillion pics but it’s hard to choose! Here goes:

2009-05-15T08:54:00.000-07:00

View from the Treehouse:

T.A. in T.W. (Today's American in Today's World)

Economics:
Are Americans putting bandages on a hemorrhage?

We in our beloved nation have been cut to the quick with the economic debacle. Perhaps it’s because this cut is actually a potentially devastating wound and we’re crying “who is in control, who is the point man or woman, or organization, or even who is accountable?”

Are we putting bandages on a hemorrhage? We’re throwing “tea parties” to protest Taxation w/o Representation and we’re demanding that some bank C.E.O’s are fired. "Bank of America (BofA) stripped CEO Kenneth Lewis of his chairman's role after the acquisition of Merrill Lynch and his choice of not telling the shareholders about it! Lewis says Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and then-Treasury Department chilf Henry Paulson pressured him to proceed with the purchase of Merrill Lynch-and to keep their losses secret-fearing the bad news would worsen an already deplorable economic climate. Lewis-who had already accepted some $20 billion in govt. bailout funds for BofA- remained silent. Shareholders learned about Merrill Lynch's end-of-year hemorrhaging after the sale closed and then watched BofA's stock value plummet." (World, pages 30-35, May 23rd, '09)

Continuing with troubling news releases, USA Today's editorial page of May 11th, '09 addresses the federal budget with the title "Obama, Congress go AWOL on fiscal responsibility". Who, American people, is in control?

In U.S.A. Today, April 14th, ’09, “Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, who perhaps has more influence than anyone on the U.S. economy. . .” STOP-Let me end this quote. How many of us have questioned, WHY is he in a position of such control? Probing further, is this organization audited, when did we the American people give them such power, when did this become a federal organization or has it ever been, and is there a reserve?

I double-dog dare ( as I dare myself) you who might read this to find answers to these questions?!! Google Federal Reserve System and discern for yourselves. Find out how little is known by looking in American History books!

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P.U.P. (People Under Pressure-like all of us!)

Since, the last infusion of taxitere, I’ve had a "tuff" week. I’ve had the usual side-effects of flu symptoms, aching where I’ve had the shingles, and the neuropathy seemed to have totally invaded, but now is less of a problem. I told the doctor that it feels like I’m walking through a balance between Mississippi Mud and syrup! It makes for a very interesting gait! You know what, tho’, this is not unusual. I just am assured that the chemo is working. I have so much to be thankful for that I didn’t even want to include this. I only did this because some of you want to know what’s really going on!

People have been so terrific. Would you believe two young ladies prepared 4 dinners for us to have at our home while we have a couple of Kenyan sons stay with us for four days? One is bringing some of his family. We’re excited as another family has prepared the physical needs in our home as we prepare for company. What a blast we’ll have! They have terrific senses of humor-wish you all could meet them!

2009-05-05T15:52:00.000-07:00

View From the Treehouse:

T.A. in T.W. (Today's American in Today's World)

I didn’t want to believe what the documentary “Expelled” revealed. All Americans should be very concerned because “freedom of expression” is no longer guaranteed but is being seriously undermined. We would encourage you to see this CD and respond as this erosion affects everyone!
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What an absolute delight-a Jr. Hi. Band festival in Danville was. You should have been there for the program including 5 area bands that was a very short hour long! Much kudos to the leaders of this southeast Iowa super conference! We sat close to the trombones and discovered a sub-program as we watched them! Several of them were tapping their toes-one in sync with the music- one in syncopation with the music-one had sandals off and I wasn’t sure what those toes were in rhythm with!

Then to watch their expressions especially when they did something they knew was wrong- I smiled in remembrance as they screwed up their face! When do we learn to stop making faces or at least admit when we’re wrong and then immediately go back to the task at hand? They seemed refreshingly transparent, respectful, and teachable! I believe a lot was due to the relaxed and fun filled atmosphere created for them by their teachers.

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Speaking of teachers, we attend a Bible Study on Wednesday evenings and are encouraged and challenged every time we're there. Our pastor and his wife from years ago have extended the hospitality of their home and their understanding. Pictures were taken of one of those evenings. We also enjoyed having them in our home for lunch last Sunday after church. I thought it was time that we extended to the group because the man who leads us has a Korean wife. She and he have invited us to their home for gourmet meals the likes of which you cannot imagine. ___________________________________________________________________

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P.U.P. (People Under Pressure) We had every intention to travel to Canada to attend a ceremony honoring our daughter and a student of hers. It was an exciting prospect, as even the cancer sarcoma doctor told us to go ahead and enjoy ourselves. Well, roads were closed due to flooding so instead of the journey we opted to receive the next round of chemo, Tuesday morning. This was the Gemsar which is the least toxic so I have only to deal with getting tired easily.

I received an infusion of Taxitere this a.m. and was privileged to interact with the most delightful 92 year young lady. I was attempting a crossword puzzle included in the U.S.A. Today publication. The lady previously mentioned and I had struck up a conversation, so I just continued it by asking her thoughts on the solutions to parts of the puzzle. She kept spitting out answers like a pellet gun on target. It was so much fun. She told us that she had done these for years and thoroughly enjoyed the challenge!. What a good example she is! Folks, keep your brain active!

The wrens had a real-estate discussion off of our 3 season room early this a.m. I was surprised that they chose to begin their home so close to ours but their cheerful chirping is truly a delightful way to greet the morning. Thank you Lord, for the way You make our days extraordinary!

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Since extraordinary was mentioned, here are former youth leaders having a terrific time remembering extraordinary students and events in our local Mexican restaurant! No, they didn't kick us out but I think we had to tip them extra! (I have been advised that if I feel like going to a larger gathering to sit on the outside and leave early. Small groups or individuals who know that I am vulnerable at this point in time are very sensitive to avoid coming to our home.

2009-05-01T17:16:00.000-07:00

View From the Treehouse:

T.A. in T.W. (Today's American in Today's World)

I didn’t want to believe what the documentary “Expelled” revealed. All Americans should be very concerned because “freedom of expression” is no longer guaranteed but is being seriously undermined.

What an absolute delight-a Jr. Hi. Band festival in Danville! You should have been there for a program including 5 area bands that was a very short hour long! Much kudos to the leaders of this southeast super conference! We sat close to the trombones and discovered a sub-program as we watched them! Several of them were tapping their toes-one in sync with the music- one in syncopation with the music-one had sandals off and I wasn’t sure what those toes were in rhythm with!

Then to watch their expressions especially when they did something they knew was wrong- I smiled in remembrance as they screwed up their face! When do we learn to stop making faces or at least admit when we’re wrong and then immediately go back to the task at hand? They seemed refreshingly transparent, respectful, and teachable! I believe a lot was due to the relaxed and fun filled atmosphere created for them.

P.U.P.

We had every intention to travel to Canada to attend a ceremony honoring our daughter and s student of hers. It was an exciting prospect, as even the cancer sarcoma doctor told us to go ahead and enjoy ourselves. Well, roads were closed due to flooding so instead of the journey we opted to receive the next round of chemo, Tuesday morning. This was the Gemsar which is the least toxic so I have only to deal with getting tired easily.

The wrens had a real-estate discussion off of our 3 season room early this a.m. I was surprised that they chose to begin their home so close to ours but their cheerful chirping is truly a delightful way to greet the morning. Thank you Lord, for the way You make our days extraordinary!

2009-04-23T12:59:00.000-07:00

View From the Tree House:

T.A. in T.W.:(Today's American in Today's World)

"It’s been a privilege for us to hear you sing” one of the judges on Britain’s Got Talent concludes with this comment after hearing Susan Boyle. She cut to the chase however, about the audience and herself being judgmentally cynical beforehand. “Is Susan Boyle ugly? Or are we?” asks essayist Tanya Gold in Britain’s The Guardian. The quote was referred to by Maria Puente in USA Today, Monday, April 20th. .

More penetrating questions have emerged as the result of Susan, 47, blowing everyone away with her beautiful voice. The author of the article begins with, “what’s that all about?’ She continues: “Is the unabashed hysteria about Susan a psychological boost for a world battered by economic calamity? Is it a spiritual moment for millions in search of transcendence? Maybe it’s about rooting for the underdog. Or maybe it’s just a new reminder of an old truism: You can’t judge a book by its cover.”

Interesting how Maria, ends with a quote from Rahn Hasbargen, who cites John 7:24: “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

“Never has that verse been explained more dramatically than in the case of Susan Boyle.”, he says.

Never? Only in the most astonishing life that’s ever been lived. Let the words of Isaiah 53 reveal His identity:

“He has no stately form or majesty
That we should look upon Him,
Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him.
He was despised and forsaken of men,
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
And like one from whom men hide their face
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him
Surely our griefs He Himself bore,
And our sorrows He carried;
Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten of God, and afflicted.
But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed.
All of us like sheep have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all
To fall on Him.

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PUP: (People Under Pressure)

I’m getting a CT Scan this a.m. It was such a privilege to have the prep and CT scan done in our local hospital. People have been incredibly kind and personable and we are so appreciative. Test results show that my platelets (not the small spheres you use for salads!) are low, so the doctor suggested that we wait another week before we begin the 5th in the regimen. The scan showed that the cyst around my spleen has diminished in size. It is either a hematoma or fluid from the cancer.

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God-sighting: Simply Spectacular: I couldn’t believe it-a field of bluebells! One of my favorite flowers and God put many in our wooded area within easy view of the tree-house! Absolutely beautiful!

2009-04-15T14:02:00.000-07:00

View From the Treehouse

T.A. in T.W. (Today's American in Today's World

“An ‘Easter’ surprise at sea” was the stunning headline from USA Today the day after Easter morning. It certainly makes the $50 hid in an Easter egg at our neighbor’s home pale in comparison, doesn’t it? As elated as an adult son or daughter may have been over money sought, not earned, how much the news heard around the world about the navy snipers rescuing a ‘heroic’ captain thrilled people. Curious to me is how the article praises the courage of many involved and the “humility” of the captain as he risked his life for his crew. In the article, Phillips was quoted as saying, “. I’m just the byline. The real heroes are the Navy, the SEALs, those who have brought me home.”

Does the heroism and the humility remind you of another Easter surprise- I so hope it does because the ‘surprise at sea’ pales in comparison! His heroism?- that God knew we could not have a right relationship with Him unless we repented of our sins and received the gift of His Son. He died on that cruel cross but was resurrected. The captain risked his life for his crew, Our Saviour gave His life for any who would receive Him. His humility? “He came not to be served, but to serve and give His life a ransom for many. Please do not miss this as His Resurrection has been celebrated.” - He is the only One who can bring us to an eternal home in heaven, as well as shepherd our lives here on earth!

How did we celebrate? We rejoiced together with those who chose to acknowledge that Jesus Christ Who gave His life in total humility for ours, was far beyond worthy to praise and rejoice in. Then we were invited to join with a family who had all ages represented.

What a joy and a delight. God gave and gives and gives.
How did you all celebrate Resurrection?

P.U.P (People Under Pressure)

When the nurse was setting up to give me the infusion of taxitere and Gemsar, she explained to the IWC student nurse that they have special tubing for the taxitere because it eats through the regular tubing! That gave me pause and so I asked her, what about the tubing in my body? She looked at me and simply shook her head like ‘sobering isn’t it’? No wonder a friend who also has cancer, said to me “I have all the symptoms of a detox patient!”

And wouldn’t you know this infusion reminds me of last years. I took a nap and melded with the bed. Not a good symptom especially as I was having familiar pains in the abdomen. I thought of the song, “he’s a mean one Mr. Grinch! A friend had invited us to use their hot tub, so after 3 ibuprofen and 45 minutes in hot water I did feel better! The adventure continues-I’m so thankful that all this rig-a-ma-role is available and so thankful for the encouragements and prayers we’ve received.

But I want you to know that I’m getting more nutrition conscious and have actually eaten asparagus! Now unless you know me, that is like, so what? Folks, I have not liked asparagus. It would be the last thing I would eat other than sawdust and dirt! A friend and I are giving it a 6 week test simply because it is good for us. If it’s made a difference in test results, then we’ll continue-but she likes asparagus and I’m holding my nose to get it down! So do I deserve kudos or sympathy- which?

Q: “What is the heart of groceries? A: an artichoke (get it?) I would love to see your smile!

2009-04-08T06:13:00.000-07:00

View from the treehouse

T.A.in T.W. (Today’s American in Today’s World)

The headlines read, “Iowa Supreme Court strikes down gay marriage ban” making Iowa the third state in the nation where same-sex marriage will be legal. This article from the Mt. Pleasant News of Friday, April 3, 2009 shakes some foundational principles doesn’t it? First of all, where in the constitution does the court have the power to make law, upon what worldview are they basing their redefinition of marriage, and what about the vote of the common people?

30 years ago our Judeo-Christian values, made firm our definition of marriage, for it was instituted and given purpose and meaning by God. To redefine it is a matter of human pride or self-exultation for it flies in the face of the One who made us and knows that, “He who sins against Me, injures himself.”

A friend was talking about this court ruling and his wife said, “I think we should just let them do what they want to do.” Soon we were discussing the aids pandemic in Africa and I said that so many of them choose not to admit that aids is transmitted by sexual contact. Therefore, they choose not to admit that abstinence is the ultimate answer. This friend then said, “People will believe what they want to!” Within a matter of a few minutes she had verbally and succinctly nailed her humanistic worldview. “Everyone did what was right in their own eyes” the Bible warns. We in our beloved nation are seeing and living with the chaotic actions that result!

Have you contacted your legislator about bringing the Marriage Amendment to the forefront to be voted on? Remember also, that our Governor, in a televised news conference last year, promised to protect marriage. Let’s see if he keeps his promise. If we don’t say something, we agree with the legislators, the court, and our governor. Are we concerned about the power that’s being wielded throughout government? Do we act like it?
At the same time, we know our Heavenly Father has the ultimate power and really only He can be trusted and relied upon. With His grace and love in action, we must never give up. We're just in God's "waiting room", aren't we? (See pups entry!)

Pup: (People Under Pressure)

The doctor informed us that a regimen of 4-6 infusions is normal. That’s why he suggested that we may stop after the 4th infusion and become part of a trial group. As in most trials, half of the group is given a placebo and half the chemical. So after the fourth series of chemo I’ll be tested as to whether the present chemo has diminished the cyst on my spleen. Then we all will determine what route seems most logical!

When I need to wait for the next chemo infusion and I need to forget that I’m tired of being tired, and I want to get this over with, or when I wait to determine a course of action regarding the therapy, it’s so helpful to remember that it’s God’s waiting room that I’m in or that Warren & I are in. He knows what He’s doing and I need to trust His character as I see people and go through circumstances with His perspective. Oh, to have my Father’s eyes in His waiting room.

It reminds me that in this pictured waiting room, I met several delightful people with whom I’ve begun an e-mail relationship. They have been praying for us! What an encouragement from what had been total strangers and certainly something only God could have brought about! The less I see with my own myopic eyes, the more I see and enjoy with His!

A nurse friend of ours suggested that I buy some sugar-free packets of Crystal-lite to have on the counter each morning according to the number of glasses of water that I should drink. That would help me know how much water I’ve had and also give me a little taste treat!

2009-03-31T14:48:00.000-07:00

View From the Tree house

T.A. in T.W. (Today’s American in Today’s World)

“Ask the “Dumb Questions”
Fear of asking questions is helping to ruin people and destroy our economy! "

“Each semester I have top MBAs do an exercise I designed that ruins them if they fear looking dumb.” Seth Freeman, a professor of negotiation and conflict management at New York University’s Stern School of Business and at Columbia University has the charm, jargon and complicated terms to con a third to a half of his students into fatal deals! “Worse, they don’t even realize they’ve been taken. They all say, “I got a good deal.”

Snippets from the professors article which appeared in USA Today, Tuesday, January 13th, ’09 sites examples. After stating that the fear of looking dumb can save students from serious traps (editors note-perhaps any students!), he continues:

@McLean of Fortune magazine asked Enron’s CEO, “How did Enron make money?” The CEO attacked, calling her an ill-prepared incompetent. . .

@Many people tragically invested in Madoff’s fraudulent firm without knowing what they were investing in. Reportedly, he threw out investors who asked questions. Few did. . .

@Many homeowners didn’t understand the consequences of resets in their mortgages, taking on debt they almost inevitably couldn’t repay. Unprincipled mortgage brokers and banks urged them on. Regulators praised complex and risky mortgaged-backed securities-economists and other experts still insisted in 2007 that markets were in great shape. Few understood; everyone acted as if he did . . .

Richard Feynman, a Nobel laureate, was once asked by a colleague to explain one of his ideas. He promised to create a basic “freshman lecture” about it. Days later, he reported that he couldn’t, which he added meant he didn’t understand the idea himself! Years later, his simple question during the Challenger probe cut through technocratic talk to reveal the critical flaw of the probe!

Simple questions like:
1. “Is this what you’re saying?”, reveals misunderstanding, overcomes jargon and demonstrates

good listening.
2. “What do I want and why?”, reveal interest you want satisfied, (but may like all of us need to

think through further. The question will help you and I perhaps think more deeply.)
3. “What if?”, reveals foreseeable problems.
4. “How do I know?”, reveals reliability problems and unfounded claims.
5. “I’m sorry, I don’t understand. Can you say that another way, please”, reveals more clearly

what the other person is saying.

I wanted to close with the latter because these questions are all ones we may apply no matter the people or circumstances in our lives. In addition, Professor Freeman as a student of history, points out that we may learn from history and from the mistakes of history makers. The question I must ask myself is, am I learning and applying or am I just continuing to make the same mistakes as those I should be learning from?

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As an example, the day after the last blog published, the headlines from USA Today, read, “Obama Touts Gains and Goals- Defends bid to expand power to seize more than banks. In addressing his critics, one of whom includes, Senate Budget Chairman Kent Conrad, a Democrat of North Dakota, who questioned the size and scope of Obama’s 3.6 trillion dollar budget plan, does our president answer the criticism? Read for yourselves! “Seizing more power” sounds frighteningly like events historically that we surely do not want repeated.

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PUP (People Under Pressure):

I will not be taking the fourth of the series of chemo this Tuesday, because blood tests reveal that my white count has not risen enough from last week. As a consequence, we’ll talk to one of our cancer doctors Thursday. He has proposed taking me off of this regiment of chemo, and becoming part of a study for “sarcoma” patients.

The problem we see at this point is that this regiment of chemo has produced good results and we don’t even know if I would qualify for this proposed study. In other words, again, we need to ask good probing questions!

We need prayer for wisdom as always. (Let us know how we can pray for you also.) We have also shared with him the pamphlet, For Your Joy which we’d like to hear his perspective on!
He is one of the most gracious, caring, and down-to-earth physicians we’ve come to know. We want to care about him and his colleagues Biblically.
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People under pressure need to celebrate birthdays and we are. Dear friends invited us to Danville’s Swing Choir and Auction Friday evening. What a treat and how delightful to hear an evening of really fun, relaxing, and encouraging music without innuendos and every reason to include the whole family. Kudos to everyone involved.
I was up around 2:00 this a.m. to finish this blog and prepare to have birthday breakfast with other friends. Then we were treated to a dinner at a friend's home who is also sacrificing for us! How can we say thanks to precious friends and family? In them, God’s given us so much!

2009-03-25T12:36:00.001-07:00

View from the Tree-house:

TA in TW (Today's American in Today's World)

Do we ask enough questions about our choices and decisions through this sobering time in history? For instance, what’s critical about your or my passion or zeal in life? How about the issue of Pro-Life? What question does your or my commitment either for or against, raise and how deep and central is it?”

"The question that is the beginning of all moral judgment and all just law, is simply this: Who, then, is my neighbor?” (Referring to the question of What is the greatest commandment? to which Jesus replied, “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, and mind. The second is like it, Love thy neighbor as thyself.”

This was posed by Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, a tireless Defender of Life. Is there anyone closer to a person than the baby in the womb?

The implications of Pro-Life and the economy could not have been entertained by our president when he reversed a ban on giving Federal money to international groups that perform abortions or provide information on it (USA TODAY.com, Friday, Jan. 23, ’09.) How do we still have money for family planning and abortions in other countries when the economy is in such a tailspin? For one who is espousing responsibility and accountability (our pres.), isn’t that same standard demanded for our own household (our govt.), first? Where is the credibility? Doesn’t integrity count anymore?

PUP: (People Under Pressure)

Harbinger of new life and hope: There’s always something positive through any part of life. The flower blooms not because everything is terrific but because it can! How ‘bout us?

Get the Point? We have a dear friend who has to give herself infusions in her backside! Can you imagine? Arrrgh! I volunteered to learn to give shots and to be available to help her with the task. My man volunteered his arm to let me learn. Can you imagine?

H2O-During the last infusion given to me, I elected to receive a bolas of saline solution with the taxotere and gemzar. In other words, they pumped me full of salt water with the two chemo agents. I have been feeling remarkably well. One of the nurses who administered the infusions suggested this because so many people have been helped by it! Through more than a year of chemo, I’d not been told that!

The thimble full of energy is still the case but that is so typical during chemo and much easier to deal with, since the rest of my body is doing o.k. Thank you to our Lord and to prayer warriors!

2009-03-17T18:07:00.000-07:00

TA in TW (Today’s American in Today’s World )

“I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me!”

How many of us feel like we’ve been hit with a baseball over the state of our beloved country’s economic, health, welfare, crime, and educational systems? But can we effectively handle more than one major thing at a time? Where do we begin to ultimately do the most good?

How about asking deep and penetrating questions? For instance, what is the most important issue that affects all others? I wonder if we would think more deeply about this if we’d momentarily review a little history?

Rewind to 9/11/01. The twin towers have become rubble with the bodies of close to 4000 people. Hours after the chaos, how many were considering their 401K’s, their bank statements, or even who could have perpetrated such a crime? Remember all the “Have you seen. . .?” pictures of loved ones plastered in desperation on walls or the human interest stories of the heroism and self-less-ness?

Or what about your thought’s on 9/12? Were you among those wanting to know where God was in all of this or did you seek Him for wisdom to live focused through the pressure? Did you cling to your family, thankful that they were alive, or did you think about your home mortgage loan, health insurance, education or the other war?

Don’t the events of 9/11-12 as well as many other historic events, beg the question of what’s more important than human life? How much longer can we stand with both feet and sometimes hands covered with the blood of 40 million babies, aborted since ’73? Can you hear the passionate benediction of our amazingly patient Lord on these babies as the truth of His words echo over the generations:

“You (our Lord) made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14) Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous-and how well I know it. 15) You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.” Psalm 139:13-15

Isn’t Roe vs. Wade a cancer in our society far beyond the terrorism or the casualties of war and crime on the streets by the fact of sheer numbers alone? Add to that, the fact that these babies are the weakest and most vulnerable among us. Since we’re becoming 30+ years more callous to this heinous crime, who is next on the hit list?

Beloved, the One who said, “Come unto Me, all ye who labor and are heavy laden” has said, “Pray without ceasing”, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”. Jesus Christ is the only One Who could and does offer hope through this malaise, if we but turn from our wicked ways, humble ourselves and pray. What are we thinking that we would want to continue on the path we’ve chosen and not repent (turn from our old sinful choices)? God is the only One -Who can change the hearts of our self and of our people. He stands ready to do that, for He has said, “He who sins against Me, injures himself.” He also assures us that “He has come that we might have life and have it abundantly”. What does love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control look like? Look to our Lord. Have we not collectively chosen to reject His ways for too long?

Let’s not implode, beloved, or swagger behind the “hit” of our day. Starting with “life” do what He -Who was the Suffering Servant (and knows far more than we could about suffering)- knows is best, hounding the gates of heaven first to change us and then the gates of our congressmen and women. It’s critical to “life” to purposely “act”. If you do not graciously say or challenge something said, you agree with them. What hits you and me and what are we doing about it?

PUPS

Close to the 5th anniversary of living through his heart arrest, Warren had his annual stress test last Thursday and came through very well. This, in spite of the fact that he has not been able to exercise his cardiovascular system since his consuming double-knee repair surgery, recovery, and therapy. We are so thankful.

I will be taking the 2nd of the 3rd series of chemo Tuesday morning if my blood count is good. The chemo is taxotere, which typically brings side effects that are not pleasant. The nurses who infuse this have suggested and we’ve agreed to include saline solution with the chemo. This may make side affects less debilitating.

We knew however from the git-go that this challenge engaged us in a battle and we’re fighting! The reason we’re fighting victoriously is because our Lord is Sovereign and sufficient through it all!

2009-03-11T06:22:00.000-07:00

Ann’s Art

On what turned out to be the most beautiful evening of the current ’09 year, we were privileged to attend Ann Porter’s, one woman watercolor show in Fairfield. Ann dedicated this show to her late husband, Jon, who had encouraged her to pursue her love of art. It was well attended, well received, and a privilege to be part of. We have been friends of this couple since our post Wesleyan days when Jon started quoting “Jabberwock” and Warren grinning, spontaneously joined in and finished the quote with him!
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TA in TW (Today’s American in Today’s World)

“In Today’s World”, we clearly need commandments rather than suggestions, though too often we eschew such old-time religious strong-arming. Not so for many God-fearing – and often impoverished – Americans.” This quote is from Rod Dreher in the March 9th issue of USA Today, p. 11 of section A. A portion of his first paragraph reads: “The long prayer (of 8th century St. Andrew of Crete) is an epic journey into awareness of sin and intense longing for repentance and mercy. It will rest assured, harsh your mellow.”

“Well good: (he continues), “Our collective mellow needs some harshing. The strong words of the long-ago saint have the effect of hacking away the sentimental accretions American Christianity has slathered like butter cream icing on the Gospel. How much better off we would all be in this time of economic trial if we had less Joel Osteen and more Andrew of Crete.”.

“. . . We middle-class Americans are so accustomed to a therapeutic approach to religion that we’ve lost touch with the reality of sin and the need for a strong ethical guide to life. We need commandments, not suggestions.”

He goes on to share how he attended a church service “still reeling from having caught an advance screening of Mel Gibson’s ‘The Passion of the Christ’ two days earlier. The film had torn my conscience to pieces, shattering my spiritual complacency, forcing me to understand the seriousness of sin – my sin – and what Jesus suffered to deliver us from it.”

“And then, in his homily, the comfortable middle-class priest in our comfortable middle-class parish instructed the congregation that the Lenten season is all about – no kidding – learning to love ourselves more.”

If Andrew of Crete could see us today, would he conclude that the problem with Americans is they don’t love themselves enough? To the contrary, our problems consist chiefly in that we love ourselves and our pleasures entirely too much.”

The rest of the article continues to be riveting: He refers to our schools in our narcissistic middle – class culture . . . “whose purpose seems to be to reassure its practitioners that they’re all A-plus students, rather than to lead them to the hard work of repentance and authentic renewal”.
“All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, of course, but when educated middle class people do so, they typically have the resources to ameliorate the damage that can result. Not so the poor, whose attraction to more fundamentalist forms of religion tends to mystify and even appall the middle classes.”

The concluding paragraphs of the article are motivating and uncomfortable but so refreshing and practical. I have the article and would love to share its relevant comments- or perhaps you can find it one line. Let me conclude with his closing thoughts: “You’d never catch bourgeois me doing something like that (like what?-editor’s comment-read the article!) I bet Andrew of Crete would have, though. Poor me.”

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In the first “PUP” section, I’ve encouraged everyone to probe with thoughtful, penetrating, questions through and about any pressure you or I may be under, because the issues facing our beloved nation are certainly pressure filled and affect all of us. Can we any longer afford not to cut to the heart of our problems? :

“How deep and central are the questions we raise?”

What is the most important question we could be raising today? If we don’t have a ‘core issue’ from which all others are affected, we’ll tend to be like the blunderbuss gun without the capability of effectively targeting a goal and we’ll live as we are living now with the results. More on this topic are intended to be forthcoming in our next blog.
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PUP I had understood from the doctor who surgerically implanted a “PURPLE POWER PORT” in me that it could be used to put in the dye for the C-T Scan. The nurses in Iowa City told me that they had not learned the procedure yet. When I consulted with our nurses in our local HCHC infusion center, they confirmed that it is not unusual for the smaller hospitals to know some of these procedures before the larger hospital personal. Interesting, isn’t it? Hummm, maybe, small town grass roots people are savvier than might be perceived-or at least the small town folk can be equipped to serve because there are fewer to train!

Infusion therapy for me: I was given the first in a 3rd series of chemo Tuesday, March 10th. So far this Gemzar has given me few side affects. The taxotere will be given next week and it has caused significant fatigue. Praise God, tho’, it has been used of our Lord to cause the 4 cysts to disappear, with the last one seemingly affected by it! I thank our God that He is the Great Physician and that He works through the prayers of His family.

Drink plenty of water – I had to be reminded again!
I learned Tuesday, that I could receive an infusion of saline solution before the more severe of my chemo, to further energize me. What a terrific idea! I may do that next Monday when I have my blood drawn. Ask about this for yourself, if lack of energy is a huge problem, through your therapy.

Enjoy the Relationships: Some of your and my doctors may have more of a stern personality. I had occasion to deal with one during my last Iowa City visit. We really seek to bathe our appointments and relationships with prayer because we need our Lord’s intervention. Anyway, I told my doctor that the last time I was examined, it hurt (just wanting him to assure me that he would be as gentle as he was professional). He didn’t respond so I repeated my concern. He curtly reminded me that I had already told him that!

15-20 years ago I would have been hurt and consequently shut down, but the Lord’s work in me did not allow that. The doctor was gentle and his exam didn’t hurt so I told him that he could have the other half of my sandwich, he had done such a good job! His nurse said that she didn’t think he had ever been offered such a gift!

In this same kind of context, a friend of mine said that she has become thicker skinned through a difficult relationship that she had. I queried her with ‘haven’t you become more focused and assured of God’s promises to you, so that comments like that are not significant or important in light of those God has given?’ Comments by people don’t make us, God’s Word and His love is the only true source of changing and making us. How really freeing God’s Word is through pressures!
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2009-03-04T15:55:00.000-08:00

A View from the Treehouse

Whaaa's hoppening?

A birds-eye view of the last 4 months of our lives may give enough background for a better perspective about whaaas hoppinin in March of. 2009!
We moved into our “new to us” older home in November, ’08.

We’ve been married 47 years. It’s said that the longer a couple is together, the more they look alike. This picture was taken 10 months after I had been diagnosed with Carcino-Sarcoma, a rare aggressive cancer. The leaf lettuce looked so much like Warren's mustache that I couldn't resist!

In the updates titled “PUP” (People Under Pressure)I’ll share some thoughts and actions we’ve taken through this time of being diagnosed with cancer. Perhaps they may be of encouragement to anyone going through a big C’s diagnosis!

Rewind with me now, to November 2008, just a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving. Neighbors to the north of us, whom we’ve grown to dearly love, moved in at the same time. With horse trailers, their children moved them in lock, stock (get it?), and barrel. Now mind you, we’re talking at the end of a cul-de-sac, horse trailers, moving vans, and an ant hill of activity! For a week beforehand, we also had painters with their sundry trucks and ladders trying feverishly to prepare the tree-house level of our home for us to move into.

All of this happened at the same time that the neighbors lying to the west of us (who work full-time outside the home), were trying to beat the inevitable Nov. weather to get some lovely landscaping done in their yard! No wonder these busy neighbors have not come to welcome us to the area! They may have figured, “be scared, be very scared!”

And the activity has not stopped! We should have posted a sign that read, “Take your turn, entering the twilight zone; enter at your own risk!” Two days of moving, working with gentlemen who had probably never tried to haul a weather sensitive 8 foot Norfolk pine and it’s more sensitive owner to its protected corner of the house had to further wear on the neighborhood. Then another neighbor who lives two doors North with several of our friends, invited all-ALL of the movers and us to their home for a respite- a yummy homemade soup and sandwich lunch. I mean, who would not worry about the condition of the neighborhood!?

Not to be outdone by the month of November, cacophony continued in December, beginning with a not so typical array of technicians-electrical and mechanical to fix “things” and then painters to finish up “things”! Deb, Mary Ann, and Sara were planning to be here before Christmas to join in our “Thanksmas” (Thanksgiving and Christmas) celebration of God’s goodness! Due to weather complications, however, Sara had to go back to Oregon before Deb and Mary Ann arrived here.

Deb, Mary Ann, Ruby their Spaniel, and Henry their cat, all cozy in their packed car from Winnipeg, created their own fun atmosphere on the 18th. The weather had been decent for them, but on the 19th, a fury of ice and snow plundered us. Deb was outside with Ruby as Ruby romped and relieved. Warren then, had decided to see what was hoppinin’ with them. Descending down the treacherous stone steps to our back yard, he slipped, tried to stop his fall with all of his weight, and tore both tendons in his knees. That’s one way to drop to your knees, but usually the context is worship and prayer! From too long a short distance away, Deb witnessed the drama and in vain tried to get to him before he crashed.

Long story short, he couldn’t move, 911 was called, and our neighbor lady to the north with staff in hand (literally because of the ice) saw and heard the siren and came to pray with me! Surgery that afternoon, two leg braces, walker, 2 canes, and 2 months later he is above the curve, his doc has said! Warren calls therapy “terror-apy” but smiles because he knew all too well that he would have an intense recovery!

Because Deb and Mary Ann both teach at the University of Manitoba, their schedules were flexible so they graciously adjusted their plans to be with us a longer time... Deb could be here through New Years and Mary Ann and her mom Carolyn could be with us at Christmastime. A more thoughtful gift from all of them could not have been thought of! Added to that extravagance, several families came to furiously and feverously work on a puzzle straight from the underworld (!) and delight our home atmosphere with joy and humor. It was a preciously memorable holyday celebration even through Warren’s incapacity.

When our trials overlapped, people could not have been more kind. A family brought a delicious chili lunch with trimmings and joined us after church one Sunday. The gentleman commented that this home is so similar to our other one that it's almost as if we squashed it down and pulled it apart.

brick, wood floors, beams - brick, wood floors,beams

That’s one reason that the transition from home to home has not been too difficult.

Another family has encouraged us beyond measure as they’ve worked tirelessly to unpack, arrange, and dump debris.
2 of the 4, sometimes 5 of them working together, what a gift!

Other folk have invited us to their home for breakfast or dinner. Those invites brought a spring to our winter step!

Later in January my next Iowa City check-up was sobering! The sarcoma was back in 4-5 places in my abdomen. Our family again regrouped and decided that Deb and Sara could come back home together for another “Thanksmas”! The $200.00 round-trip ticket from Oregon was such an encouragement from the Lord for Sara and for all of us.

Their work week with us cannot be described adequately. If I would find a video of a crew of people doing electrical and carpentry work, buying building supplies for us, going grocery shopping and preparing meals but most of all sharing time, and having fun “pitch” games (in which Warren shot the moon and made it-never mind that they won more games!) and would fast forward the action, it may convey the accuracy of our week with them. I told Warren that we don’t have enough money to pay for such a vacation! And in the midst, one family brought in food and stayed to enjoy the evening with us. What a testimony of God’s love and how thankful we are for Him and His people!

In addition, on Wednesday of the week, at a friend’s suggestion, we made a trip to her mom’s Victorian home where her humorous, 82 year young husband, who teaches high school students and had never met us, plopped down in the back-seat of our van like we had known each other forever. He seemed delighted to give us a tour of the Amish woodworking shop and country-store close to their home! It was a tad disappointing to us that the men in the woodworking shop did not use old tools (because our unrealistic expectations were that we’d see them using antique time intensive and labor intensive tools but they use the modern labor saving ones powered by a central power source! We enjoyed their humor through posted signs though! The sign reads “ If you object to logging, try using plastic toilet paper.” At the countrystore, the sign read, " If you shoplift the Dutchman may not see you but God will."

After our daughters left, two families took two nights of their week, prepared meals for all of us and worked in our home to further unpack boxes and to deal with live, furry, black critters seen on the ledge of our kitchen soffits! Again, long story short, we had only heard about the mice from a dear friend who had cleaned the soffits! We knew it was true after we put sticky mouse traps (painter’s suggestion) up there. The effectiveness of the measure was proven when Mary Ann was here for Christmas and out of the corner of her eye she saw something black move up high in our soffits! “Wha was that?” she screeched startling the whole breakfast clan gathered for a quiet start to our day! From that time on it was warfare against these invaders!

That is until the Cap’n rescued us and outwitted them with caulk and agile limbs! VICTORY!! We have not seen a mouse since! I told Warren that he didn’t need to remember the screeching from my own lips when we had seen them previously. One had even fallen from the soffits onto the counter and frantically ran with trap in tow and another had been stuck with full-body on the trap. With the latter, I jumped around, fearfully dragged a ladder to the ledge, cautiously aimed a sanitary wipe over his head and when that didn’t work, lobbed several of the wipes over him so I could grab the critter securely with a grabber device! (this scene occurred with the brave one of the two of us in leg braces left wondering how this could be such a fiasco! ). No more scenes now with Cap’n!

PUP (People Under Pressure)
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Again, let’s rewind further back to Nov. of 2007 before the cancer diagnosis. The only symptoms that I had were that I had very minimal bright blood spotting. We thought that it might be a chance thing until it happened again at the end of Dec. That’s when Warren said that I had to get to a gynecologist and that’s why I went in January. Without Warren's background, I would not have thought a thing about it!

After the doctor visit, Warren and I received a letter from the university about the aggressive cancer that tests proved I had. Looking at him incredulously, I had just read a letter that explained that the results obtained from a pap’s smear showed that the cervix was clear of any growth. How could that be? “The carcino-sarcoma was higher in the abdomen, so both descriptions are accurate”, Warren explained.

That dramatically began our 2008 and now our 2009. Because of “that”, God through His Word, the Bible has been the telescope from our tree-house, showing us more of a clear perspective of our lives through our “pressure.” He has focused our thinking so that priorities are more prominent, just as we have a more distinct image of the birds in our yard through our natural telescope.

How do we or how do People Under Pressure, cope? For us, I will plan to update and address this issue through our exposed lives around the middle of each week. This will depend on the severity of the treatments and their effect on us of course.

Feb. 25th, ’09, I was infused with the last of the second series of chemo. See pics of infusion intrusioners!!! We all appreciate them!

March 5th, I was tested in Iowa City to determine if the tumors had shrunk. Praise God all but one close to the spleen have disappeared! This means that I'll continue with the present course of chemo. Otherwise, if they had not shrunk or disappeared, another form of therapy would have had to be determined. Thank you for prayer for opportunities, wisdom, & joy through the journey!

1. Under pressure we find out Who or what we rely upon. .This is our most critical choice.
Prov. 3:5,6 “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not unto your own understanding.”

I read about a young lady written up in USA Today, who died from cancer and longed to know from her death bed if there was more she needed to know before she died. She had no understanding about Jesus saying, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me”. John 14:6 Her husband did not believe or could not tell her about Romans 3:23, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” and the “Wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23 She needed to know that “…unless you repent (turn from sin) you will all likewise perish.”, Luke 13:5 and John 1:12, “For as many as received Him unto them gave He the right to be called children of God, even to those who believe on His name.” Eph. 2:8,9 makes it clear that God extends this gift for those who would receive it, “By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast”
I almost cried reading the article, because no one had told her.

2. Please get to your doctor for you and your families sake-if you are post-menopausal and have bleeding.
3. Surround yourself with encouraging friends. Share your joys-they will be multiplied. When I laugh my blood pressure goes down!-it’s TRUE and I’m serious about laughing! I asked the nurse Thursday to tell me something funny-she said, 'I've never been asked that!' Well, she did and consequently when she took my blood pressure it was 115/
4. Be honest with close friends and accountable to a few. Sorrows shared are divided. They may have good suggestions which doctors may not have mentioned. An example for me was when I had such pain with my first chemo and a friend suggested that I try “Tiger Balm” which was available over the counter. It relieved me considerably. Also if the pain is so intense that tears are running down your cheeks like mine was after my first infusion, tell someone who may be able to help. We’re not meant to live in isolation. I did for a long night of pain and was miserable being a needless martyr!
5. Beloved, you may only have a thimble sized amount of energy and may need to be in an isolation booth at church but praise God you and I are living-not dying and none of those restrictions make us- they only reveal us! God’s not finished with us yet! Isn’t that encouraging?
6. Every day, pray and consider someone who might be encouraged by you and how just a note, an e-mail, or a call might make their day! When we meet other people’s needs our own are met.
7. Take any excuse to laugh! March 1st ’09, the “ruf” stuff of chemo had done it’s number, but I wanted to get a load of wash done. As I entered the laundry room, the dryer was humming and I knew I had not started it. I asked Warren about it and he simply said, yes, that he took the clothes from the washer and put them in the dryer! I said, well, they had not been washed-and we both laughed! That’s one way to shorten the job of doing the clothes-don’t wash them first-just throw them in the dryer!
8. Be your own advocate. Let your fingers do research through the internet regarding your diagnosis and treatment. Listen to others who have done research. Through this process however, know or find out if answers were found through extensive research or is it simply an opinion without basis.
9. Give attention to what your body is telling you. Fatigue is a huge factor and your body needs rest. If your body is aching to lie down, admit it, and please get rest.
If one of your docs suggests a procedure and it has not been scheduled graciously inquire –don’t assume that it will happen!
10. Ask questions. Sharpen your mind by probing the who, what, when, where, why, and how of your whole process.

11. Exercise your body when you possibly can-even if you look like Yul!. We all know it’s USE IT OR LOSE IT!

Meow

I thought I’d say Joy-filled Easter in a foreign language.

2009-02-08T09:01:00.000-08:00

I 'd like to introduce one part of my "family" The following is a link to Sara's short dog blog:

http://www.gabbyandbingo.blogspot.com/