Thanks for the responses...

Hello again,

I haven't spent a lot of time on the blog and have failed to check your responses. WOW, what a huge encouragement. Many of you share similar experiences with trying to make sense of your reality and what the Bible says is reality. It really helps to know that I am not alone or handling this incorrectly. I am encouraged to continue to seek Him and find greater intimacy.

Micah Foster, our Student Ministry Director sent me a link to a worship song that is really amazing [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4xsWldmqAo]. The story behind the song was what encouraged me to make it a point to worship. That's one thing I have seemed to stopped doing in this battle. I am determined to pull out my worship CDs and put aside my teaching CDs, and spend more time in worship. I love to sing and I don't anymore. I notice in Church Worship, I remain silent and worship in my heart - a good thing, but I need to allow the emotions of worship and it's truth wash over me. Why haven't I been doing this? It seems so odd that I would have forgotten it's importance. Thanks Micah...

I am still awaiting the State's review process to see if the Neumega injections will be approved. I haven't seen the doctor - I think I missed my appointment this week(?). I don't think he will want to start treatments even if my count is high enough because it will only drop after the first week or so and we will need to wait another 30 to 60 days before my system recovers. The good news is I am still in remission as far as we can tell. As Gabriela said, We will do our part and trust God to keep me strong. I am really not all too excited about the treatment and if I can't take it, I'm trust that God is giving me this window of endurance and strength for a good reason.

I am enjoying the ministry; training new leaders, counseling couples in crisis, and investing in my kids with great intentionality. My wife is delusionally in love with me...I'm a very bless man, even with Leukemia. Thank you for sharing your prayer requests with us. I am looking forward to following up with you as I pray.

2 Peter 1:5-11 (NASB)
5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

His Blessings,

Kelly

Dear Friends and Family,Thank you for your words of encouragement and prayers, they mean more then you can imagine. First let me say that we had a great time at Forest Home. Kelly was tired from the radiation but had a break from Chemo due to a low platelet count. This enabled him to participate in much of the events of the week.  I could tell that the week away was good for all of our hearts.  Our kids had fun and it was great to reconnect with old friends.
When we returned home we celebrated our 13 year anniversary and Anneliese's 3rd birthday.  Kelly made her a rice crispy treat cake since she is allergic to wheat and eggs.  She loved her barbie cake!  Kelly also decorated the office lunch room for us to have her party there with the church staff.  It was magical.  He is such an incredible Papa!


Upon our return Kelly went back to the oncologist and found out that his platelet count was still too low to continue treatment. The doctor had prescribed some shots that will help in the production of platelets but the insurance denied them. We appealed the denial and were denied again. These shots are very expensive and the insurance company normally doesn't approve them unless the platelet count is even lower then what Kelly's is. The problem is that we can not continue with treatment until the count is up. Kelly has spent hours on the phone talking to the insurance company and explained that we don't have another 45 day to wait for their appeal process, we are going on 5 weeks now without treatment. 

We don't know what will happen but we know the One who does.I know that God is sovereign so my thought process goes like this, "Kelly's platelet count is out of our control, we are doing all we know to do to get things moving and are being obedient to what we feel the Lord is directing us in so, all we are responsible to do is walk with Him." When I lay the burden of Kelly's treatment and overall health on Jesus, my burden is lifted and we move on.

Right now Kelly has been working like a madman. (nothing new as those of you who know him well can attest to.) He is working long days, planning ministry, counseling people and investing in our family. I know I've said it before and I don't mean to sound corny but... I am married to an amazing man... how very blessed I am. Thank you Jesus!

We will keep you all updated as we know more. For now I would ask you to continue to pray that Kelly would hear God's voice as he follows Him daily and pray that IF it is God's will for Kelly to continue treatment then please make the way possible.Thank you dear friends and family, Love, Gabriela