The Good Life

I have been blessed with the good life!

Faron, Connor and I hauled the bay boat down to Corpus (Portland) Thursday (June 24) for a couple of days of fishing. At first it seemed as though the trip was cursed because we kept having one problem after another with the boat. The additives they put in fuel now (thanks to the corn lobby) tear up 2 stroke boat motor fuel pumps. After replacing that, we had to replace the carburetor because of the fuel pump. Then the trailer lights wouldn't work and we couldn't figure out why. During the fishing trip the next day Faron lost his wading belt (it came undone) and then he got pooped on by a seagull (OK - that part was funny).

HOWEVER, it was an absolutely gorgeous day. The dolphins were playing, pelicans were diving, sting rays were swimming, and we caught fish. It was one of those days that just makes you feel close to God - as if he created the day, the peace, the quiet, the beauty just for me. Psalm 19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hand." Romans 1:20 "For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse". Amen.

Scooter, Kristi, and the girls joined us and we spent a couple of days at Casa de Baffin outside of Riviera, Texas. The house is right on Baffin bay, lighted fishing pier with cleaning station, lots of mesquite trees and constant breeze. The kids caught lots of trout off the pier and I spent much of my time lying in the hammock, enjoying the breeze and the scenery. I HIGHLY recommend it! www.casadebaffin.com. The picture of the kids was taken just inside the house - those are some beautiful kiddos! We all came home feeling rested and restored!

I saw my doc today and blood work looks good to continue this chemo. The side effects were pretty rough the 3-4 days after my last chemo, but I have been feeling pretty good these last two weeks. The major side effects for me were bone and joint pain. What I meant to say is bone and joint PAIN!!!! The minor side effects were nausea and mouth sores (yum!). However, I can live with these side effects - it could definitely be worse! AND - my hair is growing back! Maybe someday I will post a new picture when I stop looking like a boy!

I go back tomorrow for my next "treatment" (poison). My poor sister-in-law will take me down there and be with me to get started, then go see her mother who will start her chemo about an hour after mine! I guess it will be a chemo party...although I would rather have a hangover than the side effects afterward!

God gave me a special gift today! I was heading down to MD early because of the weather. About 10 minutes after I left, I realized I had forgotten my cell phone and my Bible (my friend, Nicole, and I have been having a debate about something and so I needed to read Galations again). I initially decided not to go back to get them, but then I got the lighting bolt/God-type thought that I needed to go back. I have learned to listen to those bolts.... when I got down to MD Anderson and parked in my favorite spot (on the third level), I found the elevator doors locked!?? Luckily, someone came out and when I got to the reception desk they already knew about it. Their comment was "we know and we have been telling security those doors need to be unlocked. We can't believe it hasn't been fixed yet!" Hopefully by now you are getting the sense that divine timing is at work here. After I gave them my blood sample and went down to get some lunch, I ran into someone from Portland - Connor's Sunday school teacher Janet (from when he was about 4 years old). WHAT A GIFT! We would have completely missed each other if the timing had not been perfect.

I ate lunch with Janet and her sisters and got caught up with some Portland news. For those of you who know Janet - she is fine. She was there to support one of her sisters (prayer opportunity!)

For all you prayer warriors out there - pray this chemo works! I should be scheduled for testing before the next round at the beginning of August, so we will know if it is working then. Will keep you posted...God Bless!