Hey everyone,

I hope this new blog finds you well and unfettered by any circustances that have come your way.

As I venture thru this journey the Lord is revealing many things to me.  First, I have accepted my circumstances rather than wishing this would never have happened to me.  Secondly, he is develping in me patient as it relates to the future taking one day at a time.  Thirdly, I have been more diligent and focused on giving the Lord my “first time” in the morning versus eating, work, or working out as in the past.  This has given me a fresh perspective in life that calms my spirit in a way that has never happened before.  I look forward to this time each day like a starving dog with a steak placed before him.  (how’s that for a word pic) 🙂

You may recall last time I wrote I was concerned with liver toxicity.  So, I went in right away and had my blood tests.  Great news! The test revealed that all is well.  Thank you Lord!  Now, I am on a bi-weekly blood test schedule.  Recently, I had to go off the Nexavar as it was causing a rash on my scalp, face, and upper torso.  So, now I take it with Zertac to minimize the allergic reaction.

You ask yourself, “what does all of this have to do with coincidence”?  Nothing.  But, hang on I have a good story to tell.  First, a little background perspective.  In 1982, Terry and I moved to Haslett, Michigan to start my career as a sales professional for Soderberg Optical (now merged with Walman Optica).  Shortly, after we moved to Haslett we met a dynamic young lady–Sherilyn.  She happen to be the girl friend at the time to our next door neighbor.  So, we got to know Sherilyn quite well.  I’m not sure of all the timing but Sherilyn became a Christian shortly thereafter.  She ended up meeting and marrying her husband Pat while we were still in Michigan.  After marriage they moved to Northern Michigan so we still kept in touch every year via Christmas cards and letters.  Now, 33 yrs. after meeting Sheriyn and Pat (Pat is a very successful financial planner owning his own company now) we get a phone call out of the blue from Pat.  Lo and behold, he just came off kidney cancer surgery 4 days earlier (suspecting Renal Cell Carcinoma the type of cancer I was diagnosed with 6 yrs. ago) Pat said to me, “I believe that the Lord has blessed me in my circumstances thru the opportunity to talk with you regarding your experience with RCC.”‘  Can you believe that? Who would of thought this disease would be a blessing to anyone?  This is not a coincidence.  This is a plan that is revealing itself as time goes by—-a plan that I believe God has his finger print on.

How is it that my long time friend would come up with the same disease as what I have?  Also, how is it that a very good friend of mine, Robby Q,(Rob and Amy graciously allowed us to stay at their vacation home near Reno dirt cheap) would be a kidney specialist in Reno, Nevada where Dr. Foresythe practices his revolutionary IPT cancer treatment?  This my friends is no coincidence!  The Lord tells us in the Bible, “that he has plans for us, plan to prosper us”.  Prosperity is not just financial . To me, it is also the richness of blessings we have in our family and in our friendships.  Money comes and goes, but like the word of God, strong family relationships and endearing friendships last a life time.

In James 2 the Bible tells us to “Consider it pure joym my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  But, when you ask, you must not doubt, because one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.”

Sending thoughts of Hope, Joy, Peace, and Assurance your way.

Craig (aka Papa G)