Forgot the Carrots?

Look closely for the baby carrots, but mostly see the smiles

of mother, daughter, and grandmother

It was a joy to have a number of family members and some Japanese friends gather in January in Anderson. Somehow I reaped at least a little energy from our grandchildren, Little Ben and Hosanna, that has nourished me since. It was wonderful—except when Hosanna discovered her, “Give me!” voice. High-pitched, insistent, and in only one volume(LOUD), Hosanna’s voice sent me to our bedroom every afternoon for some respite. Also I had to get my ear plugs. It was the only way I could survive.

However one day, I forgot to remove the ear plugs before exiting the bedroom and joining everyone in the main room. Benjamin was the first to notice.

“Coco, why do you have carrots in your ears?” he asked before laughing uproariously at his joke. (He was comparing my ear plugs to the baby carrots with which we kept the refrigerator stocked as a snack food.)

After that, whenever he saw the plugs, he always laughed and asked, “Did you forget your carrots?”

Which is a question the Lord asked me the other day. Well, not exactly. But God did address me clearly—and surely with a smile on his face—“Did you forget me in the midst of everything going on? I’m as close to you as your ear plugs, and you don’t even seem to realize it.”

Yes, I believe that for too many days I’ve forgotten the carrots. They’re as close as “in my ears,” but still I’ve forgotten:

*All the people serving us as the Lord’s hand and feet through providing meals a couple of times a week;

*All those praying faithfully for us and believing in God’s miracles as together we walk this cancer journey;

*That God never changes, no matter what medical tests discover; and,

*That He is always worthy of my praise.

Open my eyes once again, Lord, that I may see you and experience you afresh in this day. Thank you for reminding me about the carrots.

The Battle Is Not Yours

Bernie returned to the U.S. from Japan on Christmas Day.

Both of us are in Indiana currently.

Words of encouragement, uplifting
“Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s . . . . You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you. . . . Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you” (2 Chronicles 20:15, 17, NIV).

Health updates
Celebrate!
1) The results of an MRI of the brain were clear. Renal cell carcinoma often metastasizes to the brain, so we were pleased with the results.
2) We finished 20 radiation treatments on February 8 and with minimal side effects, for which we thank God.
3) Apparently the radiation will continue effecting my body (positively, we hope) for the next up-to-six months. Please pray that these will happen: a stoppage in the growth of the tumor and/or the disappearance of the tumor. God is not finished with Cheryl’s renal cell carcinoma yet. Thank you for being a part of our prayer team to what God deliver us from fear, discouragement, and other significant challenges along the way.
4) Getting to spend time here in Anderson, Indiana, with family members is a bonus;
5) And, we’ve seen some obvious improvement in strength in my Cheryl’s balance, etc. But she’s still struggling with being able to speak and write logically and clearly, so every task accomplished is a time to celebrate.

Even more to celebrate
Let us be watch and see what the Lord is going to do!
1) “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea” (Psalm 46:1)
2) “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).

Yet more to celebrate—YOU!
Thank you for praying with us and walking the cancer journey with us to see the miracles God has in store for all of us.