We spend much time in our society...and in our churches...griping about fairness. I totally agree: here's a partial list of things in my life that are not at all fair...
...for me to have had the great parents I have...
...and to have grown up on/near the world's prettiest beaches...
...and to have a good education in a good school system...
...and to have a great brother who is my best friend outside of Lisa...
...and to have such an amazing, patient wife...
...and the finest young man & young lady I know as my own children...
...and to have degrees from the U. of Alabama...
...and to get to teach for a living...
...at such a great place with great colleages and an outstanding boss...
...and to be part of Temple Baptist Church for these past 19 years...
...and to have such great friends...
...and to have been to Russia and Poland multiple times on mission trips...
...and to have some of the greatest aunts, uncles, & cousins in the world...
...and to know that I'll be fed multiple times today...
...and be in an air-conditioned house...
...located in a marvelous country...
...that will seamlessly transition to a new political leader next January without violence or gunfire or military intervention.
Yeah...none of those things are fair for me to have. And yet, there it is, just a short list representing so many other things for which I'm thankful. Fair?? Nah...I prefer "grace"!
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?" Job 38:5-6
Good question there. I sure wasn't around when the foundation of the earth was laid...All I know is that "now we see through a glass darkly..." Not everything is plain nor does it all "compute" to my finite mind. But "then, (I shall see) face to face...now I know in part...then I shall know even as I am also known..." (Paul, 1 Cor. 13)
I'll take that. Lord, I believe; help my unbelief...
Medical stuff
My brother, Jim, & I head out to Houston this afternoon. Monday is the day of fun-filled tests & scans & such. Then, Tuesday is the huge appointment with Dr. Homsi. This is the appointment when we find out if the immunotherapy is working. (or better, has worked...) The appt. is at 1:30. Assuming we get out in a fairly timely manner, we'll head back here that afternoon, arriving on into the evening.
Please pray for safe travels, for accurate test & scan results, and for great test & scan results. And pray for Jim & me to magnify our Lord through all of that. And of course, please remember to pray for Lisa, who's staying here to work and rest, and James, who starts his pharmacy classes Monday morning, and for Anne, who's underway with her senior year of high school.
Thanks so much for your prayers & love! God is good!
With love, appreciation, and hope,
Mike
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Raising the Bar
As one who has spent a fair amount of his adult life (supply your own punch line here) in education, trying to figure out how to motivate students, Thursday night's White Coat ceremony offers some answers.
First a description, & then a couple of brief reflections.
The Ford Center on the campus of the University of Mississippi. A very impressive facility! (If you're a presidential debate watcher, you'll see the Ford Center when it hosts a debate.) Very few empty seats, and we were dressed up. Coat, tie, the works. (yeah...waaaay out of character for me, but I do it sometimes...)
A number of upper classmen attended, wearing their white coats. The faculty of the School of Pharmacy filed in, all wearing their (longer) white coats. And then the students who will begin their pharmacy courses next week. (one of whom looks like a bigger, stronger, smarter, better-looking version of me...).
The Dean of the School of Pharmacy spoke, as did the Dean of Students for the entire University. Both did a great job of (a) welcoming the students into the pharmacy community, and (b) challenging them greatly. At the risk of bragging on my baby boy, a quick word on what it took to be sitting there as an entering student. 30-something of the 100 were "early entry." This means they applied in high school, went through an interview and a competitive impromptu essay ("Here's your topic; you have an hour. Grammar & spelling count. Good luck!"). 50 were selected. They had to keep a 3.5 gpa their freshman year, and a 3.25 cumulative by the end of their sophomore year. (If you add the first 2 semesters' gpa of my freshman year, you don't get to 3.5...sigh). And of course, they had to make a particular score on the PCAT (aptitude test). 15ish of James' early entry class either didn't make it or opted out for whatever reason. The rest of the entering class is "regular entry" which means they went through a similarly competitive application process. (Everyone in the class is referred to as "P3's" connoting that this is their 1st year of actual pharmacy courses; next year is P4, then P5, etc.) A number of them already have a degree. Some have work experience too. So, the group is already an impressive, motivated group. Personally, I'm just glad they let me sit in the back of the auditorium!
After opening remarks, the group read the UM creed, and then read the pharmacy school creed out loud. Then, one at a time, they came up on stage and signed 2 large copies of the Pharmacy creed. 1 of these will be displayed in the School of Pharmacy in Oxford, and the other will be displayed in the clinical facility in Jackson. Then, the Dean herself put their (personalized!) white coats on them, they were given a copy of a book on the history of pharmacy education @ Ole Miss (James' class is the 100th class, which is pretty cool), and they were given a copy of the creed. BTW, their names were read out by Associate Dean Dr. Marvin Wilson, who--literally--has changed the pharmacy profession in the state of Mississippi and beyond. As the Dean said, "Dr. Wilson needs no introduction," at which point a fairly sizeable ovation came forth, led by the students. MS'ians, next time you're speaking w/ your pharmacist, find out if s/he went to Ole Miss' Pharmacy School. If so, and if s/he's under about 50, s/he'll definitely remember Dr. Wilson!
The whole ceremony had a very formal feel to it. A seriousness & gravity about it. Much was said about the sacred trust that exists between a pharmacist and his patients. About the vital need for integrity and ethical behavior. I kept picturing my most excellent pharmacist out at M.D. Anderson and was totally agreeing with what was said. Basically, all of us walked out of there with an overwhelming sense that this was the beginning point of something far bigger than a degree program at a particular university.
Which leads to my personal reflections...
Dr. Reardon, the Dean of Students, remarked that he had wondered what the School of Pharmacy had that none of the other schools on campus had, other than a reputation for being among the very best Pharmacy programs in the country. (note: there are some other outstanding programs on campus there...for example, their Croft Institute for International Studies is world class...) His conclusion was that the School of Pharmacy has ritual and ceremony. After last night, I agree.
I totally dig the academic rituals and ceremonies. I'm goober enough that I enjoy getting on the robes and being part of graduation ceremonies. But graduations are (obviously!) at the end of a program of study. Thursday night's ceremony was equally serious, but was signifying the beginning of a program. The entering students there have taken zero pharmacy courses. And yet, the vision was cast, the warm welcome was put forth, and the challenge was issued. Shoot, I was challenged and motivated, and I can't even spell pharmacy or organic chemistry or biochemistry of any of the scary pharmawhatever course names.
I lay there in bed Friday night and thought that I'd give a lot if I could bottle up that motivation and sprinkle a bit of it on my students. Or on myself now & then. Based on history, there will be a few there last night who will not receive their Pharm.D. in 4 years. Some will choose a different life path; others will have a different path thrust upon them by grades in the Pharm.D. program. But those who do receive their Pharm.D. in 4 years will remember the challenges and encouragement they received last night. And they will go out and make a gigantic difference in the lives of people. People like me, who are totally dependent on what is taught in Schools of Pharmacy and learned after by pharmacists.
Fraternities & sororities do similar things with their rituals, but then there's not very much followup. And some of us utterly fail to live up to the standards set by the rituals in college Greek systems. Once upon a time, the Christian church had a similar ritual--baptism. If we truly pondered all that baptism means, it would definitely raise the bar. ("buried with Christ in baptism; raised to walk in new-ness of life..." Words that should matter!) But these days, baptism is frequently viewed simply as something one has to do to join a church. Nothing more. Which is sad.
So James & his classmates had a vision cast Thursday night. The standard was set, and the bar was raised. Now they have the responsibility and challenge of pressing on through 4 more years. Two years of very demanding courses. (18 hours worth this Fall) Then the gigantic challenge of the P5 year, which is a year of clinicals in Jackson. Cases are presented and analyzed, and solutions developed. From what I hear, pretty much nobody enjoys the P5 experience. But I also hear that they're all better pharmacists because of it, particularly if they wind up in a research type setting after completing the program. Then, the P6 year, which is mostly enjoyable; they complete eight 5-week rotations in different pharmacy settings. And then the Doctorate of Pharmacy is bestowed.
Here's hoping...and expecting...that James Madaris is walking across another stage 4 years from now. To receive his hard-earned Pharm.D. degree. (note: here's further hoping that I'm there in the audience, barely holding myself together with pride & thanksgiving...)
The application for the rest of us is this: do whatever it takes to raise the bar. Personally and professionally. Especially spiritually. Re-visit why you chose your profession. Take a day to ponder & reflect. Go to a conference. Re-visit your college campus and walk around reminiscing. Make a point of thinking deeply about your workplace next time you're there. View it as a calling. Pray for a new vision. Read Os Guiness' excellent book The Call from a few years back. Whatever it takes. Sneak in to next August's white coat ceremony at the University of Mississippi's School of Pharmacy, even, just to watch.
And while you're at it, would you voice a prayer for my baby boy? His is a genuine calling to the profession, which he had confirmed Thursday evening. But it's still a long & difficult road between Monday morning and Pharm.D. On his behalf, thanks!
With Love & Hope,
Mike
p.s. - My brother Jim & I are headed out to Houston tomorrow afternoon. Monday's a fun-filled day of a bunch of tests. (1st test is early, last test is at 8:00 p.m.!) Then Tuesday is the big appt. w/ Dr. Homsi. Thanks for your prayers!!
p.p.s. - I'll put some pix from Thursday night here as soon as I get ours developed and receive some others via email from others who were there. (and as soon as I remember how to do so...)
p.p.p.s. - If Ole Miss happens not to be your school of choice, that's fine. Remember, Lisa & I are Bama grads ourselves. But also remember, (a) James is not a partier, and (b) not in a fraternity, and (c) is a shorts/flipflops/t-shirt type, who (d) has had a great time there, while (e) growing spiritually, and (f) getting an outstanding education, (g) from one of the top pharmacy programs in the country. Your kid wants to be a pharmacist in Mississippi? Here's an exhaustive list of everywhere s/he can get pharmacy education in state: University of Mississippi. (list ends). A great friend of mine is completing his P6 year now, after being a lifelong MSU fan with 2 degrees from MSU; he's maroon & white thru & thru...and is very proud of his Ole Miss Pharmacy degree. As he should be. FWIW.
First a description, & then a couple of brief reflections.
The Ford Center on the campus of the University of Mississippi. A very impressive facility! (If you're a presidential debate watcher, you'll see the Ford Center when it hosts a debate.) Very few empty seats, and we were dressed up. Coat, tie, the works. (yeah...waaaay out of character for me, but I do it sometimes...)
A number of upper classmen attended, wearing their white coats. The faculty of the School of Pharmacy filed in, all wearing their (longer) white coats. And then the students who will begin their pharmacy courses next week. (one of whom looks like a bigger, stronger, smarter, better-looking version of me...).
The Dean of the School of Pharmacy spoke, as did the Dean of Students for the entire University. Both did a great job of (a) welcoming the students into the pharmacy community, and (b) challenging them greatly. At the risk of bragging on my baby boy, a quick word on what it took to be sitting there as an entering student. 30-something of the 100 were "early entry." This means they applied in high school, went through an interview and a competitive impromptu essay ("Here's your topic; you have an hour. Grammar & spelling count. Good luck!"). 50 were selected. They had to keep a 3.5 gpa their freshman year, and a 3.25 cumulative by the end of their sophomore year. (If you add the first 2 semesters' gpa of my freshman year, you don't get to 3.5...sigh). And of course, they had to make a particular score on the PCAT (aptitude test). 15ish of James' early entry class either didn't make it or opted out for whatever reason. The rest of the entering class is "regular entry" which means they went through a similarly competitive application process. (Everyone in the class is referred to as "P3's" connoting that this is their 1st year of actual pharmacy courses; next year is P4, then P5, etc.) A number of them already have a degree. Some have work experience too. So, the group is already an impressive, motivated group. Personally, I'm just glad they let me sit in the back of the auditorium!
After opening remarks, the group read the UM creed, and then read the pharmacy school creed out loud. Then, one at a time, they came up on stage and signed 2 large copies of the Pharmacy creed. 1 of these will be displayed in the School of Pharmacy in Oxford, and the other will be displayed in the clinical facility in Jackson. Then, the Dean herself put their (personalized!) white coats on them, they were given a copy of a book on the history of pharmacy education @ Ole Miss (James' class is the 100th class, which is pretty cool), and they were given a copy of the creed. BTW, their names were read out by Associate Dean Dr. Marvin Wilson, who--literally--has changed the pharmacy profession in the state of Mississippi and beyond. As the Dean said, "Dr. Wilson needs no introduction," at which point a fairly sizeable ovation came forth, led by the students. MS'ians, next time you're speaking w/ your pharmacist, find out if s/he went to Ole Miss' Pharmacy School. If so, and if s/he's under about 50, s/he'll definitely remember Dr. Wilson!
The whole ceremony had a very formal feel to it. A seriousness & gravity about it. Much was said about the sacred trust that exists between a pharmacist and his patients. About the vital need for integrity and ethical behavior. I kept picturing my most excellent pharmacist out at M.D. Anderson and was totally agreeing with what was said. Basically, all of us walked out of there with an overwhelming sense that this was the beginning point of something far bigger than a degree program at a particular university.
Which leads to my personal reflections...
Dr. Reardon, the Dean of Students, remarked that he had wondered what the School of Pharmacy had that none of the other schools on campus had, other than a reputation for being among the very best Pharmacy programs in the country. (note: there are some other outstanding programs on campus there...for example, their Croft Institute for International Studies is world class...) His conclusion was that the School of Pharmacy has ritual and ceremony. After last night, I agree.
I totally dig the academic rituals and ceremonies. I'm goober enough that I enjoy getting on the robes and being part of graduation ceremonies. But graduations are (obviously!) at the end of a program of study. Thursday night's ceremony was equally serious, but was signifying the beginning of a program. The entering students there have taken zero pharmacy courses. And yet, the vision was cast, the warm welcome was put forth, and the challenge was issued. Shoot, I was challenged and motivated, and I can't even spell pharmacy or organic chemistry or biochemistry of any of the scary pharmawhatever course names.
I lay there in bed Friday night and thought that I'd give a lot if I could bottle up that motivation and sprinkle a bit of it on my students. Or on myself now & then. Based on history, there will be a few there last night who will not receive their Pharm.D. in 4 years. Some will choose a different life path; others will have a different path thrust upon them by grades in the Pharm.D. program. But those who do receive their Pharm.D. in 4 years will remember the challenges and encouragement they received last night. And they will go out and make a gigantic difference in the lives of people. People like me, who are totally dependent on what is taught in Schools of Pharmacy and learned after by pharmacists.
Fraternities & sororities do similar things with their rituals, but then there's not very much followup. And some of us utterly fail to live up to the standards set by the rituals in college Greek systems. Once upon a time, the Christian church had a similar ritual--baptism. If we truly pondered all that baptism means, it would definitely raise the bar. ("buried with Christ in baptism; raised to walk in new-ness of life..." Words that should matter!) But these days, baptism is frequently viewed simply as something one has to do to join a church. Nothing more. Which is sad.
So James & his classmates had a vision cast Thursday night. The standard was set, and the bar was raised. Now they have the responsibility and challenge of pressing on through 4 more years. Two years of very demanding courses. (18 hours worth this Fall) Then the gigantic challenge of the P5 year, which is a year of clinicals in Jackson. Cases are presented and analyzed, and solutions developed. From what I hear, pretty much nobody enjoys the P5 experience. But I also hear that they're all better pharmacists because of it, particularly if they wind up in a research type setting after completing the program. Then, the P6 year, which is mostly enjoyable; they complete eight 5-week rotations in different pharmacy settings. And then the Doctorate of Pharmacy is bestowed.
Here's hoping...and expecting...that James Madaris is walking across another stage 4 years from now. To receive his hard-earned Pharm.D. degree. (note: here's further hoping that I'm there in the audience, barely holding myself together with pride & thanksgiving...)
The application for the rest of us is this: do whatever it takes to raise the bar. Personally and professionally. Especially spiritually. Re-visit why you chose your profession. Take a day to ponder & reflect. Go to a conference. Re-visit your college campus and walk around reminiscing. Make a point of thinking deeply about your workplace next time you're there. View it as a calling. Pray for a new vision. Read Os Guiness' excellent book The Call from a few years back. Whatever it takes. Sneak in to next August's white coat ceremony at the University of Mississippi's School of Pharmacy, even, just to watch.
And while you're at it, would you voice a prayer for my baby boy? His is a genuine calling to the profession, which he had confirmed Thursday evening. But it's still a long & difficult road between Monday morning and Pharm.D. On his behalf, thanks!
With Love & Hope,
Mike
p.s. - My brother Jim & I are headed out to Houston tomorrow afternoon. Monday's a fun-filled day of a bunch of tests. (1st test is early, last test is at 8:00 p.m.!) Then Tuesday is the big appt. w/ Dr. Homsi. Thanks for your prayers!!
p.p.s. - I'll put some pix from Thursday night here as soon as I get ours developed and receive some others via email from others who were there. (and as soon as I remember how to do so...)
p.p.p.s. - If Ole Miss happens not to be your school of choice, that's fine. Remember, Lisa & I are Bama grads ourselves. But also remember, (a) James is not a partier, and (b) not in a fraternity, and (c) is a shorts/flipflops/t-shirt type, who (d) has had a great time there, while (e) growing spiritually, and (f) getting an outstanding education, (g) from one of the top pharmacy programs in the country. Your kid wants to be a pharmacist in Mississippi? Here's an exhaustive list of everywhere s/he can get pharmacy education in state: University of Mississippi. (list ends). A great friend of mine is completing his P6 year now, after being a lifelong MSU fan with 2 degrees from MSU; he's maroon & white thru & thru...and is very proud of his Ole Miss Pharmacy degree. As he should be. FWIW.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Living in the Present Tense
"This is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it."
Often quoted, rarely lived. (By me anyway...y'all may not have that problem.)
I find it very easy to live in the future tense. Especially with this scarlet "C" around my neck just now. Let me explain living in the present tense. Think of the phrase "just as soon as..." See if these sound familiar:
"Just as soon as I get out of high school, I'll get serious about life & faith"
"Just as soon as I get out of college, I'll become tight with the Lord"
"Just as soon as I get a job, I'll start living right"
(get the idea? Know anyone who lives like that?)
"Just as soon as I get married...get into shape...have kids...get the kids through school...make a lot of $$...retire...find a decent church...(etc.)"
One of the great blessings about cancer is that it is an outstanding perspective-putter-inner. When one gets that diagnosis, especially a total bummer of a cancer like metastatic melanoma, here's what happens. Put your hands as far apart as possible. Your "to-do" list that was that big prior to getting the diagnosis, shrinks dramatically. Now put your hands about an inch apart. This is about how large the to-do list becomes. And what's left on that list will be what is absolutely essential to the totality of life, whatever one's age is. Think of three things: faith, family, & friends. There's the new to-do list, courtesy of a cancer diagnosis.
Note what's not there any more. "Promotion/position/power at work"..."Take Jr. to his 7th baseball camp this summer so he can learn to throw a splitter at age 8 and get noticed by the bigs"..."Accumulate more stuff"..."the outcome of any college football game"..."Obsess over whether Brett was done right or wrong by the Packers and over where/if he's going to play this year"...(etc.)
Here's my recommendation based on these thoughts. Why wait for a dreadful diagnosis or a tragedy to properly prioritize your to-do list? Why not go ahead & put the first things first now? (as Stephen Covey says it).
How's your walk with the Lord? Why did you answer the way you did? What's keeping you from improving it? Did you say "I don't have time"? Really??? Then you need to off-load several items from your current list. Immediately. Because if you don't have time for your relationship with God, you are attempting to do more than He has for you to do.
How's your family? Your relationship with your spouse if you have one of those? How about your relationship with your kids? Why'd you answer the way you did? Here's a concept from the apostle Paul: "so far as is within you, be at peace with everyone." If you're the Dad, may I suggest that the prerogative to improve things lies squarely on your shoulders. (part of that whole "leadership" thing). I know sometimes things & people get sideways and seem to stay that way. But what I speak of are folks...Dads in particular...who spend all of their "good" time investing in place/power/position at work or in lowering a golf score or something like that, and leave their wives and kids the leftover, worn out scraps of themselves. And then wonder why the relationships are not so great.
How are things with your friends? When's the last time you had a conversation longer than "How're things? Good. You? Great. Seeya."
As I was pondering the topic of "being relational" for church last night, these thoughts came to mind. Pray with me that I--we--would drop all the bogus excuses and put faith, family, and friends on our to-do lists first. And then fill in the rest. Note: I love my job, and view it as a genuine calling from God, and am so very grateful for it. But it does not trump faith, family, and friends on my priority list. I hope 2 things: (a) that I am a professor at WCU for a long, long time to come, and (b) that that job never gets in the way of faith, family, and friends. It doesn't now, in case you're wondering. In fact, one of the many wonderful things about my job is that I am actively encouraged to work on my faith and to place priority on my family & on my community.
Here's my fearless prediction: on your deathbed, you'll not find yourself thinking, "dadburn, I wish I hadn't spent so much time & energy with my spouse & my kids..."
For what it's worth...
Mike
p.s. - off to Oxford today to take the rest of James' stuff (can you say "the Clampetts"?) and especially to see his "white coat" ceremony tonight signifying the official beginning of pharmacy school student-dom. Back home tomorrow. And I'm feeling better & better each day. Thanks for asking! *smile*
Often quoted, rarely lived. (By me anyway...y'all may not have that problem.)
I find it very easy to live in the future tense. Especially with this scarlet "C" around my neck just now. Let me explain living in the present tense. Think of the phrase "just as soon as..." See if these sound familiar:
"Just as soon as I get out of high school, I'll get serious about life & faith"
"Just as soon as I get out of college, I'll become tight with the Lord"
"Just as soon as I get a job, I'll start living right"
(get the idea? Know anyone who lives like that?)
"Just as soon as I get married...get into shape...have kids...get the kids through school...make a lot of $$...retire...find a decent church...(etc.)"
One of the great blessings about cancer is that it is an outstanding perspective-putter-inner. When one gets that diagnosis, especially a total bummer of a cancer like metastatic melanoma, here's what happens. Put your hands as far apart as possible. Your "to-do" list that was that big prior to getting the diagnosis, shrinks dramatically. Now put your hands about an inch apart. This is about how large the to-do list becomes. And what's left on that list will be what is absolutely essential to the totality of life, whatever one's age is. Think of three things: faith, family, & friends. There's the new to-do list, courtesy of a cancer diagnosis.
Note what's not there any more. "Promotion/position/power at work"..."Take Jr. to his 7th baseball camp this summer so he can learn to throw a splitter at age 8 and get noticed by the bigs"..."Accumulate more stuff"..."the outcome of any college football game"..."Obsess over whether Brett was done right or wrong by the Packers and over where/if he's going to play this year"...(etc.)
Here's my recommendation based on these thoughts. Why wait for a dreadful diagnosis or a tragedy to properly prioritize your to-do list? Why not go ahead & put the first things first now? (as Stephen Covey says it).
How's your walk with the Lord? Why did you answer the way you did? What's keeping you from improving it? Did you say "I don't have time"? Really??? Then you need to off-load several items from your current list. Immediately. Because if you don't have time for your relationship with God, you are attempting to do more than He has for you to do.
How's your family? Your relationship with your spouse if you have one of those? How about your relationship with your kids? Why'd you answer the way you did? Here's a concept from the apostle Paul: "so far as is within you, be at peace with everyone." If you're the Dad, may I suggest that the prerogative to improve things lies squarely on your shoulders. (part of that whole "leadership" thing). I know sometimes things & people get sideways and seem to stay that way. But what I speak of are folks...Dads in particular...who spend all of their "good" time investing in place/power/position at work or in lowering a golf score or something like that, and leave their wives and kids the leftover, worn out scraps of themselves. And then wonder why the relationships are not so great.
How are things with your friends? When's the last time you had a conversation longer than "How're things? Good. You? Great. Seeya."
As I was pondering the topic of "being relational" for church last night, these thoughts came to mind. Pray with me that I--we--would drop all the bogus excuses and put faith, family, and friends on our to-do lists first. And then fill in the rest. Note: I love my job, and view it as a genuine calling from God, and am so very grateful for it. But it does not trump faith, family, and friends on my priority list. I hope 2 things: (a) that I am a professor at WCU for a long, long time to come, and (b) that that job never gets in the way of faith, family, and friends. It doesn't now, in case you're wondering. In fact, one of the many wonderful things about my job is that I am actively encouraged to work on my faith and to place priority on my family & on my community.
Here's my fearless prediction: on your deathbed, you'll not find yourself thinking, "dadburn, I wish I hadn't spent so much time & energy with my spouse & my kids..."
For what it's worth...
Mike
p.s. - off to Oxford today to take the rest of James' stuff (can you say "the Clampetts"?) and especially to see his "white coat" ceremony tonight signifying the official beginning of pharmacy school student-dom. Back home tomorrow. And I'm feeling better & better each day. Thanks for asking! *smile*
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Well, let's see what's been going on this week...
1. James left for Oxford yesterday
Pharmacy school orientation all day Thursday & Friday, with the white coat ceremony Thursday night. (All of those starting pharm school take their oath and are then presented with their embroidered white pharmacist coats). He got up there yesterday late afternoon/early evening and will spend today setting up furniture & his computer & such.
2. Anne starts her senior year of HS today
Which, of course, means next year we'll be shipping off both of our kidlings. I'm very excited for Anne. I'm rather less excited for me. Seems it was just a couple of days ago that my toddler daughter would announce that she's "Daddy's gull" and wanting so badly to know how to read. Now, here she is, in her last year in my house. (dadburn allergies...*smile*)
Both James & Anne are excited about their respective years. And I'm excited for them. Really, I am. It's just that I toss in a good measure of self-pity with my excitement. Watching one's babies grow up is a totally awesome experience! Those of you with little bitty ones are in for some times that are greater than you have imagined. But growing up also means growing out of the house. That's the part that brings self-pity for me.
Note: even with a whining, self-pitying moment like now, it's still one of the great joys of my life to see my children grow up. And yes, even to see the "growing out" part.
3. On the medical front...
Feeling better each day. Yesterday, though, I did sleep more than planned. I blame three things: a) I did more Sunday than any day since I've been back & was tired, b) we had a large quantity of rain most of the day, and c) James' puppy insisted that I nap with him. (We're taking Beau the puppy to Oxford Thursday). But I can see progress. Just tired now & then, plus "itchy" much of the time.
One week from today is the big appointment out at MDA. One week from yesterday is the day-long re-staging scans out there. I expect my nights sleep to deteroriate as those days draw near. "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief..."
4. Cheeseburger Classic
Even in the rain, I thoroughly enjoyed being part of the 1st "Cheeseburger Classic" golf tourney & dinner in celebration of the life and memory of my buddy Jason Weathers who passed a little over a month ago. (It was also a fund raiser for the education of his three young children, btw...for more info on being part of that funding, click the link to the upper left of this page) My golf game is not for public consumption even when there's not any rain; so I didn't play golf yesterday. *smile* But the dinner & silent auction was great, and hanging with so many friends was wonderful. In the midst of everything, I even got to hang out with Jason's wife Stephanie a bit, which is always a pleasant time.
So, there's the news so far this week. Forgive my "I'm getting old" ponderings here...the rapid passage of parental time is much on my mind lately.
Thanks so much for your prayers & acts of service toward us! Please keep 'em coming.
With love and hope,
Mike
1. James left for Oxford yesterday
Pharmacy school orientation all day Thursday & Friday, with the white coat ceremony Thursday night. (All of those starting pharm school take their oath and are then presented with their embroidered white pharmacist coats). He got up there yesterday late afternoon/early evening and will spend today setting up furniture & his computer & such.
2. Anne starts her senior year of HS today
Which, of course, means next year we'll be shipping off both of our kidlings. I'm very excited for Anne. I'm rather less excited for me. Seems it was just a couple of days ago that my toddler daughter would announce that she's "Daddy's gull" and wanting so badly to know how to read. Now, here she is, in her last year in my house. (dadburn allergies...*smile*)
Both James & Anne are excited about their respective years. And I'm excited for them. Really, I am. It's just that I toss in a good measure of self-pity with my excitement. Watching one's babies grow up is a totally awesome experience! Those of you with little bitty ones are in for some times that are greater than you have imagined. But growing up also means growing out of the house. That's the part that brings self-pity for me.
Note: even with a whining, self-pitying moment like now, it's still one of the great joys of my life to see my children grow up. And yes, even to see the "growing out" part.
3. On the medical front...
Feeling better each day. Yesterday, though, I did sleep more than planned. I blame three things: a) I did more Sunday than any day since I've been back & was tired, b) we had a large quantity of rain most of the day, and c) James' puppy insisted that I nap with him. (We're taking Beau the puppy to Oxford Thursday). But I can see progress. Just tired now & then, plus "itchy" much of the time.
One week from today is the big appointment out at MDA. One week from yesterday is the day-long re-staging scans out there. I expect my nights sleep to deteroriate as those days draw near. "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief..."
4. Cheeseburger Classic
Even in the rain, I thoroughly enjoyed being part of the 1st "Cheeseburger Classic" golf tourney & dinner in celebration of the life and memory of my buddy Jason Weathers who passed a little over a month ago. (It was also a fund raiser for the education of his three young children, btw...for more info on being part of that funding, click the link to the upper left of this page) My golf game is not for public consumption even when there's not any rain; so I didn't play golf yesterday. *smile* But the dinner & silent auction was great, and hanging with so many friends was wonderful. In the midst of everything, I even got to hang out with Jason's wife Stephanie a bit, which is always a pleasant time.
So, there's the news so far this week. Forgive my "I'm getting old" ponderings here...the rapid passage of parental time is much on my mind lately.
Thanks so much for your prayers & acts of service toward us! Please keep 'em coming.
With love and hope,
Mike
Saturday, August 9, 2008
"Let us not forsake the assembling together..."
I can't tell you how exciting it is to me to be preparing to head back to church for the first time in a month or more! Podcast technology is wonderful, but a TBC sermon on podcast while on the road in the wilds of S. LA does not even come close to the same sermon live in the presence of so many wonderful saints of God. Similarly, TV re-broadcast is nice, but TBC worship watched from my couch is just not the same as TBC worship live & in person.
And if you are a male, I apologize in advance. Here in just a short while, I'm expecting I'll embarrass every last one of you with the many tears I'll shed. Actually, come to think of it, I apologize not at all. But be forewarned of the potential...
I'm looking forward to the whole deal. Hugs from friends who have been carrying us along on the wings of their prayers as they have stormed heaven on our behalf...teaching Sunday School to my friends--man, how I have missed that!...songs of praise and thanksgiving...the view from the tech booth...hearing the Word proclaimed so excellently...and perhaps seeing lives transformed by that Word. I'm showing up with a cup already full from the many ways God has shown Himself to me since I was last there. And I'm planning on Him overflowing it. Can't wait!
I fully & confidently expect that this morning's worship & SS @ TBC will celebrate the presence of my Lord, Who opts to visit with us Sunday after Sunday. It will not--and should not--be about a man or a woman. (not even my favorite bald-headed, goatee-wearing pastor!) Nor about the incredible musical talent on stage. Nor about "singing my favorite songs." Nor about "making me happy" or "doing it the way I like." The day a worship service or SS class becomes about anything other than the Lord and His Word is the day the focus has been severely misplaced...and the day that church is preparing to experience the glory of the Lord departing from the place. *shudders*
I'm so thankful that long before I was born, God chose to place His hand on a group starting a church in Hattiesburg, MS. 5th Avenue B.C., which became Temple B.C. was an awesome fellowship long, long before I arrived. Long before any particular preacher or music person or SS teacher arrived. And, should the Lord tarry, and should He keep His hand on us, Temple B.C. will--by the grace of God--be a wonderful, biblical, relational, missional, global church long after I'm gone. TBC is so totally not about me--or any other single individual--that it's not even funny! Which is, of course, as it should be.
There are so very many churches like that. The hand of God is utterly not limited to one church. May it never be, Lord! Thankfully, He is moving in awesome ways in churches all across the planet. It's my hope that your church is one of those in which He shows up!
Like the Christian life itself, the Christian church is NOT about me. Or you. It's about the One Who created us, Who calls us, Who redeems us, Who forgives us, Who reveals Himself to us, and Who chooses to use us for His glory and for His purposes. May we all remember that, and help our churches remember that! Indeed, it is our utter and complete inadequacy in & of ourselves that makes the grace of God poured out in & through us so very amazing.
Celebrate that with me today, won't you?
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
With love, hope, appreciation, and anticipation,
Mike
And if you are a male, I apologize in advance. Here in just a short while, I'm expecting I'll embarrass every last one of you with the many tears I'll shed. Actually, come to think of it, I apologize not at all. But be forewarned of the potential...
I'm looking forward to the whole deal. Hugs from friends who have been carrying us along on the wings of their prayers as they have stormed heaven on our behalf...teaching Sunday School to my friends--man, how I have missed that!...songs of praise and thanksgiving...the view from the tech booth...hearing the Word proclaimed so excellently...and perhaps seeing lives transformed by that Word. I'm showing up with a cup already full from the many ways God has shown Himself to me since I was last there. And I'm planning on Him overflowing it. Can't wait!
I fully & confidently expect that this morning's worship & SS @ TBC will celebrate the presence of my Lord, Who opts to visit with us Sunday after Sunday. It will not--and should not--be about a man or a woman. (not even my favorite bald-headed, goatee-wearing pastor!) Nor about the incredible musical talent on stage. Nor about "singing my favorite songs." Nor about "making me happy" or "doing it the way I like." The day a worship service or SS class becomes about anything other than the Lord and His Word is the day the focus has been severely misplaced...and the day that church is preparing to experience the glory of the Lord departing from the place. *shudders*
I'm so thankful that long before I was born, God chose to place His hand on a group starting a church in Hattiesburg, MS. 5th Avenue B.C., which became Temple B.C. was an awesome fellowship long, long before I arrived. Long before any particular preacher or music person or SS teacher arrived. And, should the Lord tarry, and should He keep His hand on us, Temple B.C. will--by the grace of God--be a wonderful, biblical, relational, missional, global church long after I'm gone. TBC is so totally not about me--or any other single individual--that it's not even funny! Which is, of course, as it should be.
There are so very many churches like that. The hand of God is utterly not limited to one church. May it never be, Lord! Thankfully, He is moving in awesome ways in churches all across the planet. It's my hope that your church is one of those in which He shows up!
Like the Christian life itself, the Christian church is NOT about me. Or you. It's about the One Who created us, Who calls us, Who redeems us, Who forgives us, Who reveals Himself to us, and Who chooses to use us for His glory and for His purposes. May we all remember that, and help our churches remember that! Indeed, it is our utter and complete inadequacy in & of ourselves that makes the grace of God poured out in & through us so very amazing.
Celebrate that with me today, won't you?
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
With love, hope, appreciation, and anticipation,
Mike
Brief Update
As I put on my facebook page, I am living the excellent old Chicago song: "Feelin' stronger every day...ya know I'm alright, yeeeaaaahh..." *grin*
A remarkable thing just happened. Both James & Anne, plus the 2 dogs, were asleep here in the living room, while I was awake! (OK...so I had already had a short snooze with James' puppy Beau earlier...Still, though...) I really am feeling much better each day. Which means....
*drum roll*
I will be back @ church tomorrow morning, and teaching Sunday School too!! I can't tell you how excited I am about this! By my count, I've not been to church on Sunday morning in either 4 or 5 weeks, which is a looooooong time for me. I'm hoping the folks in my SS class are, well, still in my SS class! *smile*
It's a pretty safe bet that I'll have to promptly come home and nap, but then, that's true most Sundays even without having been to IL-2-land.
Yesterday, I went on a fairly serious Walmart run with Mom, then to lunch with a buddy & also walked around church doing Sunday School stuff, then drove to Columbia to pick up some furniture for James' apt. So, I'm making progress on the tired-ness front. However, I walked up some one floor of stairs at church, which really hammered home how hard IL-2 cycles are on one's cardiovascular fitness. (answer: very hard!)
Still fairly "itchy," and still just a small amount of fluid left that won't seem to go away.
But all in all, I'm way, way farther along than, say, Tuesday.
Thanks for your continued prayers! I'll never be able to repay the prayers and deeds of so many. But my Lord sees and knows and rewards.
Thanks again!
Love and hope,
Mike
p.s. - hard to believe that it's only 10 days until we find out whether this has worked, is working, or is not working...
A remarkable thing just happened. Both James & Anne, plus the 2 dogs, were asleep here in the living room, while I was awake! (OK...so I had already had a short snooze with James' puppy Beau earlier...Still, though...) I really am feeling much better each day. Which means....
*drum roll*
I will be back @ church tomorrow morning, and teaching Sunday School too!! I can't tell you how excited I am about this! By my count, I've not been to church on Sunday morning in either 4 or 5 weeks, which is a looooooong time for me. I'm hoping the folks in my SS class are, well, still in my SS class! *smile*
It's a pretty safe bet that I'll have to promptly come home and nap, but then, that's true most Sundays even without having been to IL-2-land.
Yesterday, I went on a fairly serious Walmart run with Mom, then to lunch with a buddy & also walked around church doing Sunday School stuff, then drove to Columbia to pick up some furniture for James' apt. So, I'm making progress on the tired-ness front. However, I walked up some one floor of stairs at church, which really hammered home how hard IL-2 cycles are on one's cardiovascular fitness. (answer: very hard!)
Still fairly "itchy," and still just a small amount of fluid left that won't seem to go away.
But all in all, I'm way, way farther along than, say, Tuesday.
Thanks for your continued prayers! I'll never be able to repay the prayers and deeds of so many. But my Lord sees and knows and rewards.
Thanks again!
Love and hope,
Mike
p.s. - hard to believe that it's only 10 days until we find out whether this has worked, is working, or is not working...
Thursday, August 7, 2008
You Know You've Just Finished a Week of High-Dose Immunotherapy If...
...you can change your shoe size by walking 2 laps about a McDonald's parking lot
...those same 2 laps make you have to take a nap
...you say "Honey I had a revelation while waking up from my nap" and it's not yet 7:00 a.m.
...you say "No thanks, I don't want a donut; I'll just have some more Gatorade."
...your lunch bill is cheaper than your wife's
...you're using a gas station restroom in south LA, & you wonder for a moment where the output measuring devices are
...you wake up thinking "Cool, I slept through morning vitals & lab sticks" only to realize you're not in the hospital any more
...you say "It's only a small hurricane; we can blast on thru the outer rain bands...besides, my wife's driving"
...you don't mind being around a large number of LSU fans because this means you're only 2 1/2 hours away from home.
...you get pretty excited because you think you may have dropped another pound of excess fluid weight.
...the biggest challenge you face in planning your upcoming week is how soon you'll be able to stay awake for an entire Lord of the Rings movie. (note: based on yesterday, "Wednesday" is a bit too soon...I completely missed the fall of Osgiliath and the entmoot. *sigh*)
...you've gotten pretty good at the very important skill of scratching your entire back in public.
...you realize anew that you've been absolutely living on the prayers of many people taking heaven by storm on your behalf, and just seeing some of those people brings tears of gratitude to your eyes.
...you're like a child just before Christmas over getting back into church this Sunday, while at the same time realizing that there is no chance of you making it through the worship service nor the Sunday School time without the shedding of many tears. And you're not really the slightest bit worried about this virtual certainty.
Note: every single one of those (well, except the last one, which is anticipated) is based on actual occurences this week. Lisa & I had several laughs on the way back Monday compiling this list.
I'm feeling like today is going to be a bit better than yesterday. And yesterday--as expected--was better than Tuesday. I still can manage slow-walking just to the stop sign at the end of the street & back...a distance of about 2/10 of a mile. And I still will need to lie down after my walk. But the naps are shorter, and I generally have more energy. I'm rather confident that I might feel normal in another week or so! Can't wait!
Thanks so much for your prayers and acts of service for us! We are grateful and humbled.
With love and hope,
Mike
...those same 2 laps make you have to take a nap
...you say "Honey I had a revelation while waking up from my nap" and it's not yet 7:00 a.m.
...you say "No thanks, I don't want a donut; I'll just have some more Gatorade."
...your lunch bill is cheaper than your wife's
...you're using a gas station restroom in south LA, & you wonder for a moment where the output measuring devices are
...you wake up thinking "Cool, I slept through morning vitals & lab sticks" only to realize you're not in the hospital any more
...you say "It's only a small hurricane; we can blast on thru the outer rain bands...besides, my wife's driving"
...you don't mind being around a large number of LSU fans because this means you're only 2 1/2 hours away from home.
...you get pretty excited because you think you may have dropped another pound of excess fluid weight.
...the biggest challenge you face in planning your upcoming week is how soon you'll be able to stay awake for an entire Lord of the Rings movie. (note: based on yesterday, "Wednesday" is a bit too soon...I completely missed the fall of Osgiliath and the entmoot. *sigh*)
...you've gotten pretty good at the very important skill of scratching your entire back in public.
...you realize anew that you've been absolutely living on the prayers of many people taking heaven by storm on your behalf, and just seeing some of those people brings tears of gratitude to your eyes.
...you're like a child just before Christmas over getting back into church this Sunday, while at the same time realizing that there is no chance of you making it through the worship service nor the Sunday School time without the shedding of many tears. And you're not really the slightest bit worried about this virtual certainty.
Note: every single one of those (well, except the last one, which is anticipated) is based on actual occurences this week. Lisa & I had several laughs on the way back Monday compiling this list.
I'm feeling like today is going to be a bit better than yesterday. And yesterday--as expected--was better than Tuesday. I still can manage slow-walking just to the stop sign at the end of the street & back...a distance of about 2/10 of a mile. And I still will need to lie down after my walk. But the naps are shorter, and I generally have more energy. I'm rather confident that I might feel normal in another week or so! Can't wait!
Thanks so much for your prayers and acts of service for us! We are grateful and humbled.
With love and hope,
Mike
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