Summer Doves

Flowers appear on the earth;

the season of singing has come,

the cooing of doves is heard in our land.

Song of Songs, 2:12 NIV

We have a pair of doves in the neighborhood but have had a hard time getting a picture of both. Toni and I watched them cooing among the flowers along the fence, but they get bashful as soon as the door opens so that I can get a picture.

Heart Report

As a result of her cancer treatments Toni had some heart episodes a number of weeks ago. Today the doctor gave Toni a great report with some witticism about Toni being able to work me to death!

We rejoice! Psalm 60:3-4, You have shown your people desperate times; you have given us wine that makes us stagger. But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled...

Perspective Choice

Ahab: “From storm to storm! So be it, then. Born in throes, 't is fit that man should live in pains and die in pangs. So be it, then! Here's stout stuff for woe to work on. So be it, then.” Moby Dick, by Herman Melville

Psalmist: “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God...” Psalm 84:5-7

For Jonathan

When you went to Iraq the first time we sent you off with Psalm 20:4-5 and I thought I would send these words to you again.

“May he (the Lord) give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests." (NIV)

Warren W. Wiersbe says about this passage, “Before the army went out to battle, the Jewish law of warfare required the officers and soldiers first to dedicate themselves to the Lord (Deut 20:1-4), and this psalm speaks of such a dedication service. "Battles are won the day before," said Marshall Loch, commander of the Allied forces in World War I.”

The Message paraphrase has a nice wording of verse five: “When you win, we plan to raise the roof and lead the parade with our banners. May all your wishes come true!”

Took the picture of the flags at the rest stop between Cheyenne and LaGrange

Good Friday

We had a good "Good Friday!" We awoke to some snow cover that was gone quickly after the sun came up.

The Thursday night Focus Group we attend, "hosted" the Good Friday service at the church. We had a meal, devotional, communion around the tables and some singing. The gym was full and it was a refreshing and sobering reflection on Christ's death on the cross for us.

Like most believers, Resurrection Sunday is a highlight of the year. This year I wanted to have more focus on “crucifixion day.” Personally I have been awed to look at God’s view of my sin in the scriptures. Knowing that a God who really hates sin, has implemented such an awesome plan of salvation that has included me, is breath taking! I have been thinking and thankful that I have been delivered from the wrath of God.

1. I was once an object of God’s wrath until 1962 when I trusted in Christ alone to be my personal Savior. Ephesians 2:3, All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

2. God’s wrath no longer remains on me since that spring night in 1962. John 3:36, Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."

3. Jesus' shed blood (on Good Friday) guarantees I have been saved from God’s wrath. Romans 5:9, Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!

4. Jesus' resurrection (on Easter morning) guarantees my rescue from God’s wrath. 1 Thessalonians 1:10, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead — Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

New Journey, Again

I awoke this morning thinking of Jon and Janelle, and the boys getting in a cold car. It is "daylight savings dark" outside, 2 degrees with light snow. I thought and prayed for them knowing they have a long family drive to Denver…the start of a longer journey for them. I like to check BBC online in the mornings and saw this map and was reminded that I have an keen interest in this piece of real-estate ... once again.

Paul sent his brother (in-law) this paraphrase from the Message on Ephesians 6:13-19. They are good words for all of us! “Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.”

Chemo Done! Herceptin Continues!

Toni has completed her 8 chemo treatments!

Yeah! Hurrah! Praise the Lord!!!

These last two have greatly reduced her energy, so we are extremely glad to be over this hurdle and really ready to move on to the herceptin infusions that reportedly have few side effects. Toni will have herception infusions every three weeks until next February. Her next one is this Friday.


We came home early from Breckenridge because some dental work, that had to be postposned during chemo, began to abscess. Our dentist and good friend got her in imediately and a pulled tooth has never felt so good to Toni!

I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Ps 121:1-3, NIV)

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.

Amazing Grace

The Gospels record numerous times when people were amazed at the words and works of Jesus Christ. Interestingly there are two accounts of Jesus himself being amazed. He was amazed at the lack of faith of those Jews from his hometown, (Mark 6:6), he was also amazed at the great faith of the gentile centurion with the deathly ill servant, (Luke 7:9).

Both the lack of faith and fact of great faith amazed Jesus Christ! Faith was often the subject of his lessons to the disciples. He often challenged them concerning their lack of faith and reminded them that even faith as small as a mustard seed could remove mountains, because nothing would be impossible to those with God glorying faith, (Matthew 17:20). Jesus even asked the penetrating question, "when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8).

Since "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6), faith is a necessary part of any believer's life. It is good therefore to periodically to take a faith check. In making decisions do I focus on the power of circumstances or the power of Christ? Do I have a faith perspective or a fear perspective? Am I known for my faithfulness or my faithlessness? Is my life characterized by anemic faith or by energetic faith? Do I have a conserve and preserve mentality? Do my weaknesses provide an excuse for not going forward with Christ or do they give me an opportunity to glorify Christ in my frailties? When I look back over my shoulder at the end of the day do I see the accomplishment of my plans or God's plans? Do I observe my power or God's power? Have things happen because of my persuasion or God's persuasion?

In the two accounts of Christ's amazement, "need" was an important factor in the faith that was either exhibited or inhibited. The hometown folks, filled with a sense of satisfaction with themselves had no need for a messiah, whereas the gentile centurion, knowing that he was not of the covenant people, knew deeply that only by grace could he hope to have the healing hand of Christ touch his servant. Those without a sense of need ignore Christ, those with a deepening sense of need implore Christ to come to their aid.

The Apostle Paul gives the secret to developing a sense of need so that we can exercise amazing faith; "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, (Romans 10:17). Faith it appears, is directly proportional to the amount of the Word digested. For example there is a "Sunday Morning Faith" demonstrated by those who only eat second hand the Word of God and have no regular walk with God. Then there is a "Daily Bread Faith" seen in those who read a devotional guide but who usually skip the assigned Scripture portions. The "Through the Bible in a Year Faith" is exhibited by those who systematically read the Word. And then there is "The Lovers and Doers Faith" of the ones who eagerly devour the Word of God. These are constantly displaying greater acts and attitudes of faith. They begin to really believe that God can use them to help accomplish His great commission and great commandment.

Amazing faith is for any child of God who you will admit his need and eagerly read, mediate and apply the Word of God to his every situation.

THE BRANCH

The eyes are brighter today! Some relief from the deep bone aches! Flu combined with chemo is a bad, very bad, extremely very bad mixture!

The True Vine by Andrew Murray has been a wonderful encouragement to me (Richard) over the years. I recently re-read the meditation on THE BRANCH and found great encouragement in being reminded that I am a branch in Christ, The True Vine!

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away --John 15:2 (NKJV)

Here we have one of the chief words of the parable--branch. A vine needs branches: without branches it can do nothing, can bear no fruit. As important as it is to know about the Vine, and the Husbandman, it is to realize what the branch is. Before we listen to what Christ has to say about it, let us first of all take in what a branch is, and what it teaches us of our life in Christ. A branch is simply a bit of wood, brought forth by the vine for the one purpose of serving it in bearing its fruit. It is of the very same nature as the vine, and has one life and one spirit with it. Just think a moment of the lessons this suggests.

There is the lesson of entire consecration. The branch has but one object for which it exists, one purpose to which it is entirely given up. That is, to bear the fruit the vine wishes to bring forth. And so the believer has but one reason for his being a branch--but one reason for his existence on earth --that the heavenly Vine may through him bring forth His fruit. Happy the soul that knows this, that has consented to it, and that says, I have been redeemed and I live for one thing--as exclusively as the natural branch exists only to bring forth fruit, I too; as exclusively as the heavenly Vine exists to bring forth fruit, I too. As I have been planted by God into Christ, I have wholly given myself to bear the fruit the Vine desires to bring forth.

There is the lesson of perfect conformity. The branch is exactly like the vine in every aspect--the same nature, the same life, the same place, the same work. In all this they are inseparably one. And so the believer needs to know that he is partaker of the divine nature, and has the very nature and spirit of Christ in him, and that his one calling is to yield himself to a perfect conformity to Christ. The branch is a perfect likeness of the vine; the only difference is, the one is great and strong, and the source of strength, the other little and feeble, ever needing and receiving strength. Even so the believer is, and is to be, the perfect likeness of Christ.

There is the lesson of absolute dependence. The vine has its stores of life and sap and strength, not for itself, but for the branches. The branches are and have nothing but what the vine provides and imparts. The believer is called to, and it is his highest blessedness to enter upon, a life of entire and unceasing dependence upon Christ. Day and night, every moment, Christ is to work in him all he needs.

And then the lesson of undoubting confidence. The branch has no cure; the vine provides all; it has but to yield itself and receive. It is the sight of this truth that leads to the blessed rest of faith, the true secret of growth and strength: "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me."

What a life would come to us if we only consented to be branches! Dear child of God, learn the lesson. You have but one thing to do: Only be a branch--nothing more, nothing less! Just be a branch; Christ will be the Vine that gives all. And the Husbandman, the mighty God, who made the Vine what it is, will as surely make the branch what it ought to be.

Lord Jesus, I pray Thee, reveal to me the heavenly mystery of the branch, in its living union with the Vine, in its claim on all its fullness. And let Thy all-sufficiency, holding and filling Thy branches, lead me to the rest of faith that knows that Thou works all.

The True Vine: Meditations for a Month on John 15:1-16, by Andrew Murray (1828-1917)
Christian Classics Ethereal Library

Tough First Night

Expecting the side effects to be more manageable with the new set of chemo drugs, Toni has had her "toughest" first night after chemo. We thought of the Psalmist.

Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you! Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress! Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call! For my days pass away like smoke, and my bones burn like a furnace. My heart is struck down like grass and has withered; I forget to eat my bread. Because of my loud groaning my bones cling to my flesh. I am like a desert owl of the wilderness, like an owl of the waste places; I lie awake; I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop. Ps 102:1-7, ESV

5/8's Done!

The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man; from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds. Ps 33:13-15, ESV

It is a joy to have God speak such words to our hearts!

God saw Toni as she went for her fifth treatment (of eight chemo infusions). He knew her apprehension of moving to a new set of chemo drugs and side effects. He saw her throughout the day as she was infused through the morning and throughout the afternoon until four. He saw her try to keep sleepy eyes open as the Benadryl she was given as part of the treatment took hold.

It is a joy to have God speak such words to our hearts!

The Lord saw as her friend Nancy and daughters Rachel and Cristine sat with her through the treatment. He saw six grandchildren playing throughout the day enjoying life, because Nana continues to enjoy and celebrate life! He will see her tomorrow when she goes as usual for the 24 hour follow up shot.


It is a joy to have God speak such words to our hearts!

We are anticipating experiencing a sabbatical this May-July. Part of this marvelous gift of time and provision will be a cruise from Montreal to Boston. God “foresaw,” but He will also “see” us as we enjoy this provision … this special time to “rest, reflect and renew.” Our Lord has seen the grace and generosity of the Cheyenne Berean community!

It is a joy to have God speak such words to our hearts!

Our Littler Friends are Praying

We got this recently and wanted to share it with you! We have received many over the months to gladden our hearts! Proverbs 12:25, “Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” ESV

Third Chemo

Toni had her third chemo treatment Friday 15th and a week later she is just getting her legs under her. The side effects were different and in many ways tougher this round. Some insomnia, some nausea, some of those “mysterious” pangs, but primarily an extreme, knee wobbling, aching, fatigue! One result was that though we were up to 8 laps around the mall, (and actually had walked 15 laps one Saturday as a fund raiser for some friends going to Peru with SportReach Missions), we have struggled this week, to go one or two laps, when we did walked!

A few quotes:

Malachi, “I just love nana’s head with no hair!” (Grandson, age 4)
anny, “Nana put your hat (wig) back on!” (Grandson, age 2 ½)

Toni, “This infusion knocked me for a loop.” “I felt like a toxic waste dump all week!”

Psalmist, “Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” Ps 116:7-9, ESV

Thanks for your prayers and practical assistance! They were deeply appreciated this past week!

Second Chemo

Four Down and Twenty to Go!

The first four months are behind us with discovery, surgery, chemo and hair loss; only twenty more months to go! This morning I was thinking about the “Valley of Baca” and thought that we have found our experience to be similar to Israelites. As they travel through a barren land that claimed many victims we, like they, have found “pools of living water” that have allowed us to move “from strength to strength!” (As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion. Ps 84:6-7, ESV)

Toni managed her second chemo even better than the first. It is still a mental and physical adjustment from her previously fast paced preference. Before we discovered “it” Toni had started memorizing Colossians, a book I am preaching through. Chemo has slowed that down significantly, it just is not sticking. I quizzed her on the first word today to get her jump started. Actually I joked with Toni that with her lacking sleep, having a foggy brain and needing to be careful about what she eats … if she starts telling really sick jokes she will know exactly how I live my life! We are up to 6-8 “center laps” at the mall nearly every day.

The hair thing has been interesting. She went to the door without realizing her head was uncovered and took two well dressed young men in dark suits with white shirts and a handful of literature quite by surprise. Toni has even taken her temperature with and without a hair piece because of how cold she can quickly get with out that silver-blonde adorning that was hers previously. It has been fun to watch Toni introduce kids to her new do! Toni did a hat and wig show for our grandkids and also for some of our other little friends. Today our youngest grandson told Nana to put her hat back on, several times!

We heard this week how one of our special little friends put two and two together and got five! When she was told she was going with her mom to visit Toni she was pleasantly surprised. She had been a companion of a woman who would visit her aging mother until she “went away” and of course our young friend did not see her any more. Because she had also been praying at the same time for Toni who was sick and because she had not seen Toni for a while, she concluded that Toni had also "gone away." But being a good four year old theologian, and when told they were going to see Toni, she asked, "Has Toni come back to life?" Mom explained that Toni had been sick and needs to take medicine but that she had not "gone away." She then exclaimed, "Oh, good I enjoy her so much!"

Journey Update

Ten days into the chemo treatment Toni’s white cell count is holding strong … actually higher than when she started her chemo. Her oncologist was very pleased with how well she tolerated the side effects and her great white cell count. When I told the good news to someone, they mentioned that they and their children had been praying about it. They were elated! I was immediately reminded of the many who have told us that they are praying.

This is prosthesis week! This week the usual thing is to lose the hair. Yesterday, Toni and a friend went to a salon here in Cheyenne that provides free hair pieces. I wondered if this was a business move on their part or something else, but Toni came back with a wonderful story. The owner’s child was diagnosed with cancer and given 3 months to live, nineteen years later she is healthy and was actually in the salon at the time of Toni’s visit. This afternoon we drive to Colorado to get the second prosthesis that will provide symmetry.

Words are important, actually just a word is important. I visited with a friend last week who had walked/ran/sprinted with his child through cancer. After I came home from the time with him, I came into the house and said to Toni, “hope!” Now, we have hope and nuzzle up to Jesus often to smell the sweet fragrance of hope that flows from Him and through His Word, but it was wonderful to hear it from a believer who had learned to place his hope even more fully in the Sovereign Lord God, because of the his own family’s assignment with cancer. Hope in a Person and not a formula! Actually he said little by way of advice, he just said, “hope;” a hope that is anchored to the true Christ of the scriptures; hope that comes from the true God who saves and sanctifies and sustains. It is wonderful to chat with people about their ideas about how to prepare and maintain ourselves through this marathon, but it was special to visit with one who had run the race and won! Won, meaning became more like Christ!

I think we are both somewhat surprised at the emotional and physical energy depleted through the various aspects of Toni’s amazing, often still surreal, journey! The message paraphrase of 1 Peter 1:17 has been an encouragement, “You call out to God for help and he helps — he's a good Father that way… Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God.”

Twelve Words of Advice

Originally posted January 8, 2008.

These special friends give us great wisdom and prepare us for our previously unimaginable journey as a family.

1. David: Surrender to the mysteries of God, Psalm 131:1
2. Samuel: Make Choices with Confidence, 1 Samuel 10:6-7
3. Matthew: God knows your hours, Matthew 6:27
4. Paul: Death is not the worse thing, Philippians 1:23-24
5. Elisha: God has a plan for our departure, 2 Kings 13:14
6. Lazarus: Illness might bring greatest glory, John 11:4
7. Peter: Stay God conscious, 1 Peter 1:17
8. Luke: There can only be one number One, Luke 14:26
9. Mary: Servants always obey God’s Word, Luke 1:38
10. Ezekiel: Obey when it seems impossible, Ezekiel 24:15-18
11. Habakkuk: Joy is a choice, Habakkuk 3:17-18
12. Job: At the end of the day worship, Job 1: 20

Listen to the Dad's sermon on this topic.

New Hair Style

Toni's new hair style ... about 3 inches came off!

1. Her head is now covered with short hair goats! But still very beautiful!
Song 6:5, Turn away your eyes from me, for they overwhelm me— A Your hair is like a flock of goats leaping down the slopes of Gilead. ESV

2. God's is the one who determines hair style!
Matt 5:36, And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. ESV

Originally written January 7, 2008.

First Chemo

Yesterday Toni had her first chemo treatment and is doing fine. Her side effects were “moderate” in that she is fatigued, has a background heartache, feels a “little bubbly” inside and didn’t get much sleep… sounds like a couple of the ladies retreats she use to lead. Toni would say she is doing “fine.”

Thank-you
So many emails, videos, flowers, fruit baskets, movies, cards, meals, books, visits, calls and very helpful words of encouragement and advice! Combined they are in the hundreds! With all that has been happening they have been such a great source of strength!

We are sorry to have to be so general about this thank-you … but many have said, “No thank-you needed”… so we are accepting that grace from you. My sister’s family sent us a “lobster bake” certificate. It has been postponed for a week or so, so when Toni is feeling like sea food sounds fun we will eat it thinking of each of you.

A Few Thoughts
Many are earnestly praying and eagerly wanting to hear how we are all doing … so a few thoughts. First some are wanting to know right off … are we under it or over it after the first chemo… well with Christ praying for us, as well as so many of our friends, Romans 8:37 seems to fit the bill, “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” We do live in mystery and are tired and exhausted at times, over whelmed with medical information at times, wonder about co-pays, etc. at times, and hurting deeply for what Toni’s assignment requires of her, often … but we feel “curiously strong” in this as we basically go from one appointment and event to another…handling one thing at a time.

We had a wonderful Christmas with all the kids and grandkids taking great care of Toni. Toni’s side of the family was coming to our house for Christmas day, but the weather (18” of snow in December) keep dropping snow with high winds, so we had our first “Crocker/Braddy” only Christmas. The grandkids were phenomenal as they played together so well and on occasion peaked-in on Nana. Our oldest and only granddaughter, Mika for the first few days after surgery just hovered around Nana. She would curl up in a chair by Toni to be Nana’s little servant. I could see a lot of Toni in Mika as she “mothered” her grandmother.

Thanks to Kearney Berean, where Paul is the Worship Pastor, for allowing us to have some extra time with Paul and Cristine. The weather also helped a little because it snowed and several times the return trips needed to be adjusted. A “Yeh!” for Cristine who finished her Masters from Liberty University in some people thing major. Rachel was given an extended leave of absence were she works at Kansas State, and was here for all of December! She has a year left on her masters in some religious thing major at Emmanuel House Seminary. Jonathan and Janelle live here in Cheyenne and they are always around to help Toni as needed. Jon will finish from the University in Wyoming with his Bachelor in Business stuff. Hey, I would use more precise words but they have educated themselves beyond my vocabulary.

As you would assume we have both shed tears as we have released and accepted this assignment. We have had a few extra tender hugs. As an aside, some having forgotten her surgeries have created their own memorable hugging moments with Toni. Toni claims she has had a “melt down” or two. But when I think of the bizarre “melt downs’ by the so called celebrates of this world or those who I have witnessed because of the “burnt toast” issues of life … her tears are the sweet tears of a godly, trusting, child of God who has things to say that just can’t be said with just words. Her girl friends have really risen to the occasion. (Thanks!) We have, and will grieve off and on, but we grieve in true hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13) and with great friends. We can’t think of a better place than Cheyenne Berean to take this amazing journey!

The path has it amusing times like going to the pharmacy to get a prescription for 8 pills but the insurance will only allow us to receive 6 at a time! Or when Toni has spend a hour with a wonderful consultant for “the” prosthesis, only to find out that they don’t work with our insurance carrier. So drive down to talk with our providers at their headquarters we learn that we have to travel down to Fort Collins, CO to have that prescription filled… then there is the story of the cranial prosthesis.

This has been a good time for us as a couple. We have mentioned to each other how glad that we are not going through this with a weak love-bridge. We have not had to try to reconnect because of the cancer or make repairs to the bridge while we are fighting the cancer but can enjoy the unity we have become over 33 years, even with the cancer!

Time Away
Last year, before we found out about Toni’s cancer, Toni and I made contact with her favorite mentor/professor while she was in college. It was a great time of remembrance, but a special person was missing … his wife. Ironically she was called to the Lord after a similar surgery that had called Toni’s dad home this past August.

Dr. G pulled me aside, as we were parting, and spoke to me about all the plans he and his wife had made for when life and ministry slowed down. And with tears, he encouraged me to take that “special trip” that every couple talks about doing but to do it sooner rather than later. We took what Dr. G said seriously and as from the Lord …. then came the news about Toni’s cancer!

Toni and I have been talking about a renewal sabbatical for several years and this last year we began approaching the elders at Cheyenne Berean about it. We had been thinking about the dates of May 1- July 24, 2008 and are inclined to stick with these dates, God willing. We have so desired, by God’s grace and mercy, to set aside quantity and quality of time to focus on our pastoral ministry and our inner beings in the spirit of Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:16, “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.” Our previous thoughts had been to find a place back in Maine, but with the treatments every three weeks we are adjusting to a “Rocky Mountain High” with maybe the possibility of a ten day or so retreat to Maine. At any rate the Lord is in full control of schedules, dates, days, times, health, and finances.

We love and appreciate you concerns and prayers!
Richard and Toni
Colossians 4:12