It's been three weeks since my last update...

We have made two trips since my last post. I have found myself quite busy during the past three weeks and have not had the time to write. Quite a bit has happened. My two friends I have alluded to recently have had major developments. Both of them are Christians. One has had surgery to remove a large abdominal tumor. He is trying to recover and is meeting with the doctors this week to see what medical options might be available. Please pray for Allan and his family.

The second has begun conventional chemotherapy treatments to try to slow down the growth of numerous tumors in his abdomen and lungs. Please pray for Bernie and his wife and family as well.

A friend of ours here at home, Les, suffered a terrible accident on his job and ended up having to have a leg amputated just below the knee. While everyone is thankful that his life was spared, the trauma involved such a major injury is life-changing. Please pray for him and his wife and family.

My report pales in comparison to theirs. A couple of weeks ago, I had an episode of abdominal pain that lasted for about four days. After researching the symptoms on-line, I concluded that I was probably having trouble with my gall bladder. I have previously admitted how poor I am at self-diagnosis, but the location of the pain coincides with the location of the gall bladder. Helen wanted to call my research nurse and let her know; the pain subsided, and I talked her into waiting until our appointment to tell my doctor about it.

This visit began a new cycle on LDE225, cycle 24, so we saw Dr. Mita. My blood work didn't show any levels that would indicate a problem with the gall bladder. There was no indication of anything on my scans from four weeks ago either. She ordered an ultrasound exam on my gall bladder and liver to look things over. We will either get a call about the results or will find out the next visit if there is no problem revealed. I guess no news is good news.

We were blessed beyond belief Sunday morning when Stefani demonstrated her new life in Christ by being baptized. She received Christ back in November and made her profession public a few weeks afterwards. What a change has occurred in her life! Our girls walking with the Lord has been the greatest thing that could have happened in our lives. We have been so blessed!

One more thing...I am retiring from my job at the end of the month after 35 years. Helen has already left her job, and we will be retiring together. We are very excited and looking forward to it. Everyone is asking what we will be doing, where we will be going. We have so many projects to do around the house that should keep us busy for years. We want to travel some as well (to places other than San Antonio). We are thankful for God's grace and mercy in our lives. He has been so good to us.

Love and blessings...