Friday

August 22, 2025

    Good news this week, the blood test came back with the beautiful number of "0." That means there is no evidence of cancer in my body, at the moment. Tuesday will be six months since my surgery so I think I can say on that day, "I'm six months cancer free." 

    Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me. God has definitely answered prayers from the very beginning of this journey, and I have appreciated His love, care, and concern, and I appreciate all of your love, care, and concern, too. 

    My two friends in the fellowship group have now had their second chemo treatments. It's rough, but they are hanging in there and keeping their faith strong. One of the ladies brought up a great point with me today. At the beginning of the year Compass HB planted a new church in Long Beach. About 140 people left, including some fellowship group leaders, our group included. The elders had to reorganize some groups, and we were worried we might be one of them. Thankfully God blessed us with new leaders, and we kept our group together. What a blessing that has been with three of us going through cancer together and our group being there for each of us, as we have been there for each other.  God knew!!

Proverbs 19:21... Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.

Lamentations 3:37... Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it?

    Other good news this week was that my friend Dave, the one with the heart transplant, has gone home and is already out walking every day, up to a mile at a time.  We talked a few days ago and he sounded so much better and stronger.  

    We pray because we want to acknowledge God, praise Him, and bring our worries and concerns to him. How blessed we are to know that He is listening. 

1 John 5:14-15... And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us.  And if we know that the He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him. 

    I had fun today dropping off books at Valley Christian Middle School and Valley Christian Elementary.  As some of you know, my retirement passion project has been to create a blog where I review books for students in grade 4-8.  http:shouldireadreads.com is the address. About twice a year I take the books I've reviewed, if I think they are appropriate, and donate them to the libraries at Valley Christian. Just something that brings me a lot of enjoyment, both the reading and the giving. 

    I will be out of town next week so no Thursday Thoughts until later. 

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