Like Bilbo and Buttered Bread

The longer we go through this, the thinner, more stretched we have become. Not physically, because quite the opposite has happened! But sort of like Bilbo Baggins describes in The Fellowship of the Ring, "I feel thin, sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread"(J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring-The Lord of the Rings, #1).

We planted a garden!

Maybe that's what James meant in 5:7 when he wrote, "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains."He knew that it would be hard and trying, this persevering in suffering thing. Maybe he got the idea from watching his brother, Jesus, endure and suffer for the hope that was set before him. LIke Hebrews 12:2 says, "...looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." 

We have felt stretched to say the least. Since last last blog entry, more has happened than I can even list. Some significant things include: Dr Catanzaro being suspended (no more cancer vaccine), Matt's grandma passing away, controversy at church and many of our friends going elsewhere, Matt changing jobs & possibly pursuing another career path altogether, and me beginning a new drug in pursuit of stem cell transplant. I am also seriously considering using food as medicine and tailoring my diet to fight cancer through higher fat, protein and veggies. There is way too much to go into here, but feel free to go for a walk or grab coffee or pick up the phone and chat with me if you want more info. 

Suncadia getaway!

The bottom line is, this is hard. We could use prayer! We love you guys and are thankful for you and for God's grace to give us the faith in his power that we need.

"Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful." James 5:11