A Milestone Today

Toni has finished her chemo treatments. She will now have a series of 14 treatments, every three weeks, of a non-chemo drug that has few if any side effects. One side effect that can result however is that it can reduce heart function. This would be our prayer request for this series of treatments.

(Milestones are placed to reassure travelers that they are on the right path, how much distance has been traveled and how much more distance there is to go)

Storm at Braddy House

Last night was a night to remember. We had “delivered” our three Cheyenne grandkids to our three Kearney grandkids, and then just as we were leaving to Cheyenne the storm sirens started. Only a few blocks away, we returned to the cellar of Paul and Cristine just as a terrific storm went over Kearney and their home. The result, we had a life long memory with our six grandkids! More pictures at http://www.crockerpages.com/.

Atllantic Time, Finally

6:30 A.M. Atlantic time. Beginning to let "life" drop off... a little longer and lot harder than I thought.

Enjoying Toni, my "geo" roots, fish, walks, reading, and grandparenting.

Loving Mika, Dayton, Benji, Skye, Kai, and Danny a little extrrra this morning!

"Extreme Grandparenting: the ride of your life" by the Himmels, has some provocative insights on our opportunity for grace dominated grandparenting.

Atllantic Time, Finally

6:30 A.M. Atlantic time. Beginning to let "life" drop off... a little longer and lot harder than I thought.

Enjoying Toni, my geo roots, fish, walks, reading, and grandparenting.

Loving Mika, Dayton, Benji, Skye, Kai, and Danny a little extrrra this morning!

"Extreme Grandparenting: the ride of your life" by the Himmels, has some provocative insights on our opportunity for grace dominated grandparenting.

Just One More Chemo to Go!

Toni, so to speak, physically handled well the first set of four chemo treatments; we anticipated an even better response to the next set of four because the side effects were suppose to be “milder.”

HOWEVER, the next two became increasingly more difficult. Though she had a week or so after each treatment when she was filled with energy, we went from “we are riding out this storm pretty well” to this hurricane “is worse than we thought it was going to be.” She was losing some weight and had moved from no neuropathy towards stage three.

BUT, we are praising the Lord for His grace through your prayers! The doctor has adjusted her chemo and put her on another form of the drug and she has done much better … more like the first set of four treatments. God’s sufficient grace has, as always, granted sufficient courage and sufficient comfort!

A Good Accident

Toni commented that one of the best “accidents” associated with her discovery and treatment for cancer was the book, “Ruth, A Portrait: The story of Ruth Bell Graham” by Patricia Cornwell. She has read numerous books during this time but has found this account of Ruth's life to be a very meaningful read during these special days. Also I am finishing “The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham” by Harold Myra and Marshall Shelley; I found this book insightful and recommend it for anyone interested in the team leadership style of Billy Graham.

“Just pray for a tough hide and a tender heart” Ruth Graham

“Mountaintops are for views and inspiration, but fruit is grown in the valleys.” Billy Graham

Strong Comfort

A couple of months ago Dad wrote wrote the following when describing this current journey:

"The boat is different, the lake is different and the storm is different but the voice that beacons us from the boat sounds the same, the eyes we look into are the same and the hand that lifts us as we sink is the same. The walk back to the boat is still just as humbling! (Matthew 14:28-33)"

About a month later I sat in a quaint country house in Ramona, Kansas with some dear friends for a class on Prayer and Retreat. And on a quiet Sunday morning with our coffee in hand we sat together and pondered that same passage. I sat and listened to God's word read; I listened to what others had heard God say in that passage. And as I pondered these things something struck me: Jesus insisted his disciples go into those waters. He sent them to the place where they were totally overwhelmed; to a place where they feared the waves would overtake them.


I sometimes get caught up in my own skewed view of God - the one that says if I do what God wants me to, he'll give me what I want. Of course I know this isn't true, but I still have a hard time fathoming that it is possible that I went where God would have me go and I did as he would have me do, and still my life got harder. "What?!? Seriously?!? God can't you see that the storm here is raging, the water is climbing higher and hirgher around me, and the waves are threatening to overtake me. Don't you know I am overwhelmed. I am so afraid." But inevitably the gentle response comes. "Yes child. I know these waves seem huge to you, but they are nothing to me. Do not be afraid. I am here. I never left."



If I have learned anything in these past few months, it is that God shows up--that he is always near. He is quick to reach out, grab my hand, and carry me back to the boat. He is quick to comfort. I read this quote from John Owen recently:


The holy spirit comforts and strengthens the hearts of believers...this comfort is strong. As we experience strong opposition and trouble, so our comfort or consolation is strong and so unconquerable. It confirms and strengthens the heart under any evil. It fortifies the soul and makes it able cheerfully to undergo anything that it is called to undergo. This comfort is strong because he who brings it is strong.

Good Day with Mom

We had a great day with mom. Her flowers are beginning to bloom and after the rain yesterday the bluffs were green. The ritual is the same go out to the ranch, go to town and eat, then do some shopping and return to the ranch to do a few "odd" jobs. Today mom needed some help making her bed properly.

Mika Turns Eight Today