He is risen! He is risen! He is risen, indeed!....

I've been reading the devotional, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young.  From today's reading:

"TASTE AND SEE THAT I AM GOOD.  The more intimately you experience Me, the more convinced you become of My goodness.  I am the Living One who sees you and longs to participate in your life.  I am training you to find Me in each moment and to be a channel of My loving Presence.  Sometimes My blessings come to you in mysterious ways:  through pain and trouble.  At such times you can know My goodness only through your trust in Me.  Understanding will fail you, but trust will keep you close to Me."

Thank Me for the gift of My Peace, a gift of such immense proportions that you cannot fathom its depth or breadth.  When I appeared to My disciples after the resurrection, it was Peace that I communicated first of all.  I knew this was their deepest need:  to calm their fears and clear their minds.  I also speak Peace to you, for I know your anxious thoughts.  Listen to Me!  Tune out other voices, so that you can hear Me more clearly.  I designed you to dwell in Peace all day, every day.  Draw near to Me; receive My Peace."

Psalm 34:8; Genesis 16:13; John 20:19: Colossians3:15

Family Update:

Dad had his doctor appointment on Wednesday.  After examining his neck, the doctor was still suspicious about a node on his neck that didn't seem to be softening.  He took a needle biopsy to send in for a pathology report.  The results should be back next week when they go for his next appointment.  Otherwise, his wound seems to be healing, but there still is some drainage.

Mom has been struggling to get dad to drink more water.  She's hoping he doesn't end up having to go back to the hospital for another catheter to be inserted.  Pray that he would realize the importance of drinking the water.  He for sure doesn't like those catheters!  Continue to pray for Mom, that she doesn't become weary and get down herself.  She needs her strength to help care for Dad.


Keith has been able to continue with sub jobs through the end of March.  He has the month of April booked  with full days with the exception of two days.  He is now beginning to schedule jobs for the month of May.  God has certainly supplied in that way for which we are thankful!

April 30, Keith has an endoscopy scheduled in the afternoon.

Keith has also been extremely busy with his online class.  He's thankful for this week of no subbing, so that he'll be able to concentrate fully on completing work for the class.  The class will be finished April 15.  After this, he'll be able to apply for his re-certification for his professional certificate.  : )


Last Saturday, we received word that Jess and Andy will be moving into a different apartment in their same building.  They will have 100 square feet more as well as an outdoor patio space to be able to enjoy some fresh air this summer.  Their moving dates will be this coming weekend, April 5-8.  Unfortunately, it's a time that we aren't able to come and help them.  It's times like this when we wish we lived closer so we could help them out!


Marsha would appreciate your prayers.  The next two weeks, she will be working many more hours than her normal schedule.  God is good to once again provide in this way.

Finally, I would like to ask a special prayer request for some special friends of ours, Lanny and Carol DeWitt.  About a week and a half ago, Lanny suffered a severe stroke, while over on the east side of the state.  He is in full rehabilitation mode at a hospital in that area.  Up until last year, he was a teacher at North Muskegon High School and very involved in coaching various basketball and baseball teams.  He currently was coaching baseball at Freedom, where Keith had taught.  Such a wonderful influence on all the students he has coached.  Thank you for your prayers for them at this time.

God has answered....

Photo by James R. Garringer

When I look at the above photo, it reminds me that God's mercies are new every morning.  We never know what the day will hold as we proceed through our lives.

Looking back at this past week, God has given me amazing strength to get through each and every day.  He has given me strength to do things I could not have done in my own strength; only He could do that.  God has sustained me physically and emotionally through this entire week, while not knowing just what the outcome would be.

Sunday, I was able to attend church with Mom, which was wonderful!  Following the service, I took Mom and her sister, Merna, out for lunch.  We had a nice ladies time out.  While at church, my cousin, Cheryl invited me to come to a ladies event to be held at the church on Monday evening.  So, I went.  It couldn't have been more appropriate to encourage me.  The main speaker spoke on trials.  Here are some of my notes for thought:

• Am I taking God with me through this trial?
• Am I bitter or do I consider this a blessing?
• Through this trial, God will prosper us.  (Jeremiah 29:11)
• Will God be seen by others while watching us go through this trial?  We need to show others that God's grace is in us.

Tuesday, we woke up to a very blustery snowy and blowy day.  Dad's surgery took about 45 minutes.  While Dad was having his surgery, Mom was not feeling well and we were trying to get her comfortable in a chair with a warm blanket around her neck area.  (She has osteoporosis so bad, she has severe neck/back pain everyday; then treats it with heat.)  Since they had used a breathing apparatus for  Dad to breathe, it took him longer to come out of the anesthetic.  The doctor came out and said he took two good-sized lymph nodes out.  He said they looked more like they were infected, rather than cancerous!  He put him on an antibiotic and wanted to see him in the office in two days.  That is when the pathology report would be back, too.  Between my mom and I, we were able to maneuver him into the house when we got home.  I made sure they were comfortable, then went out to pick up his prescription and a few groceries.  I got back in the house, locked the car and was sure we would be all set for the rest of the day.

About 8:00, we ended up taking him back to the hospital, as he was not able to urinate.  He was having post-op urinary retention.  We ended up bringing him home with a catheter in and we also needed to change it to the night bag.  Jess had sent me a text to see if she could look something up for us online.  So, thanks to technology, Jess, YouTube videos, cell phone cameras, Mom and I were able to change the bags.  Jess was a great help with very clear instructions!  After that  ordeal, we literally fell into bed around 12:15 a.m. 

Wednesday, we had to take Dad to see the only urologist in the Ludington/Mason County area.  Don't they say that first impressions are everything?  We weren't impressed.  However, we were thankful to get the medical help for Dad.  He gave two ultimatums:  1. Remove the catheter and there would be a 40% chance we'd be back in the ER that night or 2. Have him learn to self catheterize himself.  I spoke to the doctor then privately and told him with all he had been through at that time, I didn't think Dad would be able to even comprehend instructions on how to do that.  So, he left the catheter in for another day/night, had us return in the early morning to have it removed; then return later in the day when he was finished with his surgeon's appointment to see if he was able to go on his own.  

Thursday, the cath came out, then went for his appointment with his surgeon.  His surgeon told him he had a very good report and that there is no cancer!  Praise God!  His doctor told us that when he saw the other reports, he really thought it would have been cancerous.  After his examination, he said the nodes are starting to soften and one is already beginning to disappear.  He has more on his right side, that still seem to be sore.  Doctor said he will be keeping close watch of them.  If they don't shrink with the antibiotics, then he may have to do another biopsy.  (He has another appointment this coming week to remove the stitches.)Praising the Lord for a GREAT answer to prayer!  Then, by the time we went back up to the urologist, Dad was able to "go" on his own.  He's doing much better, praise the Lord!

Friday, it was time for me to go back home.  As I look back on this week, the Lord did so much work in my own life.  He not only used this time for me to be closer to Him, but also to be closer to my dad.  It has been some time, that I was able to look into my dad's eyes and tell him how much I love him.  Please continue to pray for my dad's salvation.  That the Lord would continue to soften his heart.  (The other night, he asked Mom if he could read her Bible.  So, I showed him the book of John.)   I am also SO thankful for an understanding husband.  He's been so good to let me go care for my parents and take care of things at home, etc.  I really missed him, but we both knew I needed to be there.

God has also answered another prayer.  Keith received an email from the teacher he was suppose to interview for the long-term sub job in May.  They have hired someone for the position they didn't think that person was going to be available, but is.  She is from within the school and very familiar with the school and students.  As we look at this, we know God has a bigger and better plan.  His plan is the best one!

Keith has about 3 weeks remaining with his online class.  Continue to pray for him as he works on his final projects to submit.  It's practical information that he'll be able to use the projects at another time in the future.

We are also SO grateful for my employer for their understanding that I needed to be in Ludington with my parents.  Thank you, Circle Health Partners, for keeping us covered in prayer.  It means so much to know people are praying.  This was also a week where we were short a phone person, as a co-worker was out of the country with her husband.  Thankfully, it was a very slow week for Rachel who covered for me.  With all this going on, I have been informed that I have an opportunity to pick up more hours which will put me to just under full time.  Once again, we are thrilled at God's provision!!!

Thanks for reading all this.  I realize it's long.  I just had so much to share!  We are thankful for our praying family and friends.

Keeping on keeping on for Him....

Life...

Taylor University Prayer Chapel

Sometimes when you feel like you have much on your plate already, you may feel like you don't have any idea what else could even happen to make room for anything more.  In the last months, it seems like we've been living with Keith's unemployment issue, then him signing up for his online class, then next comes his gall bladder attack and possible surgery, and wondering how the Lord is going to provide for all this....when boom, there's more.......Our family and friends have been faithfully upholding us in prayer throughout this journey.  For that, we are so thankful!

We have so many things to be thankful for.  Since Keith has begun subbing, the month of February was booked for jobs which he worked, except for the 3 days he was off with his gall bladder issue; March is fully booked, with the exception of two days; April is fully booked for April except for the week of Spring Break and then he has seven and a half more school days to schedule yet.  God is so good!

Praise the Lord, Keith is about to complete his second week of his online class.  This entails a lot of work.  It is more than just a one day a week class for six weeks.  He turns in responses to questions and other written assignments such as power points and handouts and a case study.  He is enjoying the class, even though he has to learn to get use to the idea of doing the communicating with the professor and other classmates online.    It's just different than having a professor stand up in front of the class and give assignments, lectures, etc.

Keith had his doctor appointment with a surgeon this past Monday.  The doctor was not 100% convinced it was his gall bladder causing the problem.  Long story short, he sent him to Dr. Greydanus (Marsha's gastroenterologist) to have an endoscopy done.  It is scheduled for April 30, in the later afternoon.  Thankfully, Keith has not experienced any more pain since his attack.

Just a reminder that on March 26, Keith will be interviewing for a possible long-term sub job that would begin in May and go through the end of the school year.  There will be several others interviewing for the position as well.  If it be the Lord's will, Keith is certainly open to this position.  It would be for a second grade class over in a Caledonia elementary school.  It sounds like they want to make a decision by Spring Break, which will be good.

This week, Marsha has been able to work many extra hours to help out a co-worker to be able to focus on some outside projects she has to complete.  One other co-worker is in Italy with her husband for this past week and next week.  Marsha has been offered to work more extra hours, if it works out for her.  Once again, God is providing in amazing ways!

Dad and Mom at Topsail Beach, NC for Jen and Evan's wedding weekend

and Boom....

My dad had been complaining of his neck hurting.  He didn't waste any time by making an appointment and going to the doctor.  After having some lab work and a CAT scan done, he had an appointment with his regular doctor yesterday.  He's been diagnosed with lymphoma.  He was sent immediately to a surgeon's office, where they were able to have a consultation today.  He had more tests and a biopsy is scheduled for Tuesday morning at 8:00 a.m.  There will be more updates as they become available. In the meantime, we will covet your prayers for our family.

Out with the old...in with the new...

Now you may wonder what in the world could Marsha be writing about now?!?

Last week, we purchased a Groupon to have our furnace inspected by a local heating and cooling place.  The appointment was yesterday morning.  Thankfully, Keith was here when the guy came to check it over.  He was here like 10 minutes or less and took Keith downstairs to show him something.  That something turned out to be 3 cracks in our heat exchanger.  He told Keith that he would not turn the furnace back on when he left, because of the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning from the furnace.  He said he didn't care what we did after he left, but that he would not turn it on.  We felt our furnace had served us well after approximately 20 years.  A salesman was to arrive at our house within half an hour.  Thankfully, several years ago, Marsha had worked for a mechanical contractor, who Keith was able to contact for some valuable information regarding a home heating unit. Her former boss was able to give Keith some information on what would be a good furnace for the size of our house, etc.  The salesman, Randy, arrived and within the hour, we had decided on a unit for our house.  Randy had told us that because we were without heat, he would be able to get it installed tomorrow (meaning today).  Thankfully, the Lord protected us from any harm from the carbon monoxide poisoning.  We had been both experiencing headaches.  However, we thought it was from the change in the weather.  Last night, we were able to stay comfortable with the two space heaters the heating and cooling place left with us, as well as our own space heater.

Tonight, we are grateful for our warm safe house and can rest in the Lord that He will take care of us physically, spiritually, emotionally, and financially.  He will meet our every need.  Sometimes, I must admit, it just gets to be a bit overwhelming, not knowing His plan.  All we can do is lean on His promises that, "My God shall supply all your needs..."  

Today, Keith had a sub job in Caledonia, a suburb southeast of Grand Rapids.  He was talking to a teacher and telling her about his circumstance about how he lost his job, etc.  Long story short, there is a teacher at this particular school who will be taking a maternity leave in May.  She is a high-risk pregnancy and is so far feeling fine.  Keith told her that he is presently taking a class so that he will be able to get his certification renewed.  They talked for some time and she was sounding like she would hire him for her position on the spot if she could!  So, we are asking you to pray that if this is the Lord's will, that everything would be able to work out with all the paper work following his class, to be able to get his professional certificate renewed in time.  This would be a long-term sub job beginning sometime in May and then through the end of the school year.

We are also asking you to pray for Keith as he takes this online class, that he will take one day at a time and do the best he can to get his requirements accomplished.  The class is a 6-week class and will end April 15.  He chose to take a class on Autism Spectrum Disorder, as he has had some kids in his classes with this.  He has a desire to learn more about these disorders.  He also has done some subbing in a couple of  resource rooms, where he has worked with such students.

Just a quick reminder, that Monday, March 11, Keith has his doctor appointment with the general surgeon regarding his gall bladder.  We will definitely keep you informed what he finds out with that.

Thanks to all who have been keeping us in your prayers.  We do appreciate you so much.  We know there are so many of you who are praying that we don't even realize.  God is so good to us.  We just want to let you know we love and appreciate each one of you.

Medical Update on Keith...

Keith had an appointment with a medical doctor on Thursday.  He told him it wasn't like he had to have his gall bladder out "tomorrow" or anything, but should probably consider it.  With that said, Keith has a consultation appointment scheduled with Dr. Leahy, a general surgeon in Grand Rapids, for March 11. He's hoping the surgery will be able to be scheduled sometime during the first week in April, which is Spring Break for most of the schools in West Michigan. 

We would appreciate your continued prayers for Keith's physical needs as he contemplates this upcoming surgery.  He doesn't have much of an appetite, as no one knows which food could set off another gall bladder attack. 

Thank you for your love and support during this time.