February 25, 2002 (Monday)

Day 2

Today began early. We had to be at the doctor’s office by nine. We both got ready and left for the hospital. When we arrived I filled out paperwork before we saw Dr. Harman. He will be putting Jared’s picc line in tomorrow. They sent us to one day surgery and I filled out more forms and then the nurse checked Jared out and gave us instructions for tomorrow. We went to the lab for them to take blood and we then went to the stem cell unit. We talked with Kathy and began filling out more forms and then left for lunch. We had to be back at one o’clock to meet with Dr. Shipp.

Jared and I walked to the Panda Buffet, a local Chinese restaurant, and ate lunch. We made it back to the hospital right at one. Dr. Shipp and Kathy talked with us and shared all the side effects, etc. from the stem cell transplant. Jared and I both felt better after talking with Dr. Shipp. When we finished, we visited with Angie. (Her little boy, Larry, has a brain tumor similar to Jared.)  She and Larry had been in the hospital for three weeks. She looked very tired and said Larry had been asleep for three days. His mouth was really bothering him. We talked for a while and then we prayed together. It was nice to see her praising God while we prayed.

Jared and I left and came back to the lodge. We took a break and then went to Old Navy, Books a Million, Wal-mart and then McDonalds for a fast meal to eat. We got back around 6:00, ate and then went to our room.

We later talked with a little boy named Oliver and another older lady. Both of them had stem cell transplants and were recovering at the Hope Lodge. Oliver had just left the Stem Cell Unit a few days before.

We talked with Dad and Adam when we got back to the room for the night. We are both really tired and ready for bed.

*Jared has been okay today. He is still tired but managed to walk quite a bit. I think he is a little anxious about the next few days. I have been feeling tired and not my best. I pray Lord for strength. I pray that you’ll help me to do everything I need to. Lord, I pray that you’ll comfort Jared. I pray that he’ll have good rest tonight. I pray for a safe surgery tomorrow. I pray Lord that the stem cell chemos will not cause mouth sores for Jared. Everyone is talking about mouth sores. I pray Lord for your protection, that his esophagus will be protected. Have your hand on him. Lord, watch over Adam and William. Keep them safe and draw them to you. I pray in Jesus Name. Amen.

Isaiah 43:1-13 (The Message)

When You're Between a Rock and a Hard Place

 "But now, God's Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel:

"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you.  I've called your name. You're mine.
When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. 

When you're in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end—
Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior.
I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!
That's how much you mean to me!  That's how much I love you!
I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you.

 

"So don't be afraid: I'm with you. I'll round up all your scattered children,
pull them in from east and west.  I'll send orders north and south:
'Send them back. Return my sons from distant lands, my daughters from faraway places.
I want them back, every last one who bears my name, every man, woman, and child
Whom I created for my glory, yes, personally formed and made each one.'"

Get the blind and deaf out here and ready—  the blind

(though there's nothing wrong with their eyes)
and the deaf (though there's nothing wrong with their ears).
Then get the other nations out here and ready. Let's see what they have to say about this,
 how they account for what's happened.  Let them present their expert witnesses
 and make their case; let them try to convince us what they say is true.

"But you are my witnesses." God's Decree. 

"You're my handpicked servant So that you'll come to know and trust me,
understand both that I am and who I am.  Previous to me there was no such thing as a god,
nor will there be after me.  I, yes I, am God. I'm the only Savior there is.
I spoke, I saved, I told you what existed long before these upstart gods appeared on the scene.
And you know it, you're my witnesses, you're the evidence." God's Decree.
"Yes, I am God.  I've always been God and I always will be God.
No one can take anything from me. I make; who can unmake it?"

Isaiah 40:28-31 (The Message (MSG)

"Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying,
"God has lost track of me. He doesn't care what happens to me"?
Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening?
God doesn't come and go. God lasts.  He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don't get tired, 
they walk and don't lag behind."

Also read 1 Kings 17:1-18:46

Elijah fed by Ravens; The Widow at Zarepath; Elijah on Mount Carmel