Happy News

During the time in our community gathering today (Wednesday, April 11) when we share praises and celebrations, Jack offered up a fact that we are ALL extremely grateful for. He shared with us that tomorrow it makes three months ago that he was first diagnosed, with an expectation of having three to six months. And here it is, three months later, bright among us. That is a praise! We hope – and pray – there are many more such months to come!

I was touched with what a pastor he is, offering up comforting words in honor of someone among us who has just lost her father. And this week, in several meetings, when we as a group are planning events and actions for the near and distant future, how engaged and passionate he is in the planning. When others might be feeling overwhelmed or daunted by the tasks ahead of us, he offers such a great perspective of living out our mission – he’s inspiring and passionate about what we do. He’s a life force that can’t be stopped and I’m so grateful for the last three months and the next ones to come.

Here are words from Jack himself on what the next couple of days have to offer. (I'll post the outcome on Friday afternoon, as soon as I get a word from them.)

God continues to give us opportunities to use our difficult journey to share a word of faith with others. Today we spoke at the Lunch Encounter at Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church. We had expected fifty people, but 150 showed up! We shared, as honestly as we could, the challenge of dealing with a terminal illness—the practical implications, the emotional turmoil we struggle with, as well as the role our faith has played. I was overwhelmed at the response of those in attendance. I don’t have all the answers, but I am willing, as one pilgrim on the journey, to share with other pilgrims some of the lessons we have learned and the challenges we face.

Tomorrow is my “off week” from chemo. I go in for blood work. The good news is that I am scheduled for the celiac plexus ablation procedure this Friday. I go to the hospital at 10:30, so the surgery should begin about noon. I will stay overnight in the hospital. Please pray that the low heart rate and blood pressure that caused the procedure to be scrubbed last week, will be normal enough to allow us to move forward this time!