One More Week...

Thurs., 6/26 - one more batch of scans & tests @ MDA

Fri., 6/27 - the all-important "here's what we're going to do" appt. w/ Dr. Homsi

James will be heading out there with me this time, btw.

Here are some prayer points, if you're wondering how to pray...

--patience
I need more of this, & I need it now. *rimshot* Seriously, waiting on these scans, results, & appts. is not so much fun for any of us. It's like there's this huge cloud over us that is going to unload at some point, though it's not clear just how bad the deluge will be.

--safe travel next week
It's about 7 1/2 hours there, through some desolate country followed by some very serious traffic. Then, getting around the Houston metro area is rather special for a small town dude like me. We plan to head out Wednesday sometime, and will head back either Friday afternoon/evening or Saturday morning.

--accurate and good test & scan results
We want to know accurately whether this beast has spread or not. ("Not" is most definitely the preferred answer...) The answer to this question directly impacts what my future treatment will be. Not having spread would be great.

--wisdom for Dr. Homsi as to how to proceed from here (wherever "here" is)
He's very good, but "very good" + "God-given wisdom" is a nice combo.

--peace & rest for Lisa & me
We're tired. Just plain ol' worn-out tired. (whining alert) It wears on one being under the gun for 5 1/2 months & counting...

--lack of fear regarding what lies ahead
I'd love to be all noble & spiritual; however, I am afraid of chemo, quite honestly. I have lost some productivity and a small amount of sleep pondering the possibility. Sinful, to be sure; I'm guilty. Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!

--Of course, miraculous healing would work too! *smile*

One more thing to pray about:
We're heading over to my brother's place in the suburbs of Slapout, AL (north of Montgomery) for a long-overdue weekend of hanging out & catching up. Sunday morning, I'm preaching all 3 services at their church. Apparently, it's pretty hard to find preaching help these days...because I'm not sure they've actually found any for this weekend...(supply your own punchline here)

Please pray for the Lord to speak through this jar of clay Sunday morning. (guess what my text is...)

Thanks for putting the grace notes into our lives in recent days! Your prayers, notes, calls, emails, food, and friendship are a huge blessing to us during this bend in the road. I'm ready to be on the other side of this bend in order to be a grace note giver rather than always having to be the recipient.

With love and hope,
Mike

p.s. - Please keep my buddy Jason Weathers & his family in your prayers. He's having a rough go of it this week after contracting pneumonia after his latest round of chemo. Go here to get all of the details. As you pray for Jason, please remember his wife Stephanie & their 3 children. Talk about tired...they are worn out. And their bend has not straightened out yet...As much as I've whined here about our situation, ours is nowhere near where they are & have been. Thanks (in advance) for praying for them too. You can easily post encouraging words to Jason & Stephanie on their site, btw.