A Wonderful Lord's Day...

Dear Friends,

Today was a wonderful day. Pastor Mitch was on vacation and I was given the service to encourage our body to become a community for our community. We pulled a group of folks together that have experienced the benefit of intentional community over the last 7 months in small groups. Their testimonies and stories pictured God at work in individuals and through doing life together. Between this and the worship it has been a great day.

Many of you were praying for us as preaching is not my primary giftedness, so I want you to know that your intercession sustained us. I woke this morning to needling pain in my knees that had me buckled over for 45 minutes. This is a side effect of the chemo (joint pain), but the first that I had really felt it. Gabriela jumped into action praying and then cared for me with ointments and heat. She's a great nurse and the pain dulled. Again, thankful for the prayers and God's gracious hand.

Another wonderful surprise today was that our friends the Delisle's drove down to support us. It was so rich to see them, feel their love, and enjoy a meal after the service. The picture is compliments of them of our service today.

It's somewhat difficult to write about yourself and feels unnatural. There is so much more about life and living in Christ that fills our days. I have been deeply encouraged by God with a renewed perspective regarding our calling as believers to be a reconciling agent in this world. The reality of my cancer had thrown me into a numbness that caused me to question what life was really about. I was identifying with Solomon that all really is vanity. Maybe you can relate and have felt the lack of motivation or passion in life. This went on for several weeks until the pain of the world around left me on my face before God. I poured my heart out and in the quietness that followed, He reminded me it's about taking back, restoring, renewing, what was stolen, marred, and broken through the fall. His heart is to reconcile the world to Himself using us as His hands, feet, mouthpiece, smile, etc. And in the process, we come into a richer knowledge and experience of His love for us. It's a simple truth and just what I have needed to move beyond myself.

I know that you will identify with the awesomeness of God. Let's pray together that we will be effective in our ministry of reconciliation regardless of our situation. It's so worth the battle.

Kelly

Hello dear family and friends,
Kelly finishes his second week of four weeks of this new chemo tomorrow. Thank you for your prayers, they have truly sustained us! Kelly has had a very low red blood cell count this week which has made it difficult to function. He has been very tired and short of breath. In spite of this, he is tolerating the chemo very well. He is not feeling nauseous although the spinal chemo does give him a head ache.
We are very grateful that he was able to receive 4 units of blood this week and we are hoping it will give him enough energy to preach two services on Sunday! He will be preaching about one of his passion, Christ centered community. We would be so grateful if you would pray that he would not only have the stamina to preach but also that God would use him to communicate His heart.
Family life is going well. We celebrated Anneliese's second birthday on Tuesday. What a delight she is to our family. The kids and I have been enjoying the free summer movies at the local theater once a week and an incredible summer program at our library. We have also been able to go swimming at some friends houses and cool off a bit. Oh boy is it hot here in Fresno! Anyway...
I would appreciate prayer for my patience with our kids. There are days that I feel very much on edge. I do better when I remember that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and that what He has given me to do today is not too difficult or beyond my reach and finally, His strength is perfected in my weakness. What a mighty God He is and how extravagant is His love! Lots of love and thankfulness for you all, Gabriela

Good Week....

Hi Friends - We apologize for not posting an entry in a week and so appreciate those that have called to inquire. It's been a good week. No hospitals or complications. It's been nice to be home. I have been into the church office all this week, enjoyed leading two Bible studies, and getting my head back into what I love doing. It's been wonderful.

The chemo treatments for the next 4 weeks are 4 days a week with two chemicals on Mondays. I have one week down....hey! I have tolerated the drug well, so that's encouraging (still have follicle integrity). No sickness, just move a little slower. So we are praising God and thankful to the great Oncology staff that care for us.

The kids are doing well, enjoying the summer and swimming. Gabriela carries a lot of the emotional load and is handling it well, but I would ask you to keep her in prayer as she continues to adjust our lives to best battle this cancer. She's an awesome lady and my best friend. We celebrate 12 years of marriage on Sunday. I am a blessed man!!!

Thanks you again for your prayer and encouragement. I daily feel the need for them as I contempt life with cancer. It's something I will share on the blog as I formulate my thoughts. What I can say is the sense God's presence and love through you all is transforming. I love you all.

If there is one specific request at present, it would be my weight loss. I have lost 35 lbs. and looking pretty good, but really need to keep muscle mass and weight on. Thank you. Well off to the office...boy that sounds good!!

His blessings,

Kelly

"I know the plans I have for you,,,"

Another good day! Kelly was able to stay on schedule with his chemo in spite of the pneumonia. The doctor said that his lungs sounded as if they were on the mend but wants to keep a close eye on it. So please keep praying for the antibiotics to kill the infection in his lung and please also pray as we enter into our next induction of treatment. The next four weeks sound rather grewling. Chemo injections into his spin once a week, at the same time he will be taking chemo orally every day and receiving chemo intravenously four days a week. It sounds so daunting and yet I know that Jesus will be our strength! His grace is sufficient, He is know the plans He has for us. Plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future. What a comfort to know we are in His loving hands.

More updates

Tonight was interesting. We found out that Kelly's blood is no longer low it's very, very high. No alarm, he is being monitored closely and is feeling well. Unfortunately, the doctor came in and informed us that Kelly has developed pneumonia. He said that there was a small patch of it in his right lung and he will be treated with antibiotics. We don't know how aggressive it is and we hope the antibiotics will take care of it. He will most likely be in the hospital through the weekend if all goes well.
I feel redundant thanking you all for your prayers, it's just that I truly covet them and I am so thankful for the body of Christ. I believe that there is power in prayer, He hears the prayers of His people! Sincerely, Gabriela

Praise and Thanks!

We are so relieved that Kelly is doing well. It turns out that the symptoms for an infection are the same for low blood sugar. Kelly's body is unable, at present, to manage it's blood sugar. The doctors think this is due to some steroids that are being taken in conjunction with chemo. Kelly is in ICU at ST. Agnus Medical Center in Fresno and is getting his finger poked hourly. We understand that after being weened off the steroid, (Prednison) his body will balance out. The doctors are still treating him as if he had an infection as a precaution. I personally reflect on yesterday with much thankfulness. It was really scary to see Kelly go through what he went through but God's presence was so evident. He surrounded me with His people and His peace and I am so thankful that I belong to Him! Thank you for your prayers! Love, Gabriela

Prayer request

Dear Friends & Family~

Kelly is back in the hospital this late afternoon due to an infection which is causing delirium.
Please pray for Kelly, Gabriela, and the kids... along with wisdom for the doctor's and nurses that are caring for Kelly.
Please pass the prayer request on if you are part of any prayer chains.

Thank you.

In His embrace