Bovine Theology

Leslie was rejected again this week for her chemo treatment. Her platelete counts were too low again. As much as we long to get this all over with it has been a relief each time it has happened. Just knowing she will have another good week is refreshing. Some more good news is that they are going to reduce the overall treatment by one, which puts her back on the original schedule of finishing the last week of March (rather than pushing her last treatment forward into April). This is also an encouragement to us because we’re hoping she is finished before her spring break. Maybe we can do something fun to celebrate being done! Pray that her body will respond quickly and her counts will come back up so she can have treatment this coming Tuesday, and then (we hope) not miss any more treatments until the end.

It seems at times that there isn’t much to write on good days, and lots to get out on bad ones. But I have purposed to do a better job of updating folks here, which should include the good days. We have much to be thankful for and I wish that the joy of that spurred me to write as much as the pain does. But it just doesn’t seem to work that way. I think I’m the same way with my prayer life. When there is pain and trouble I seem to pray more and have more to say. And in the good times I thank God way too little. The past few days I have prayed for the Burgess family as they mourn the loss of their son a great deal more than I have thanked God for Leslie’s regained strength. The latter part is a shame.

Leslie did have a good day today, although she was worn out and in bed by 8:30. In true Leslie fashion, she overdid it. She fixed a wonderful dinner tonight and cleaned the kitchen afterwards. She’s been organizing things around the house and bringing order back into our lives (something that rapidly disappears after a chemo treatment). The kids are doing well too. It’s been a good week so far.

The funeral for little Bronner was yesterday. My heart continues to ache for their family, but have really been encouraged by how they have handled this tragedy publically. Rick even spoke during the service, reminding folks of God’s sovereign hand in all things, good and bad, and how He would be and is being glorified through this. I have thought several times over the past few days of the little boy who had the fish and loaves Jesus used to feed the 5,000. In man’s economy, that just wouldn’t work. But God made a small amount do more than anyone could imagine. And so with Bronner’s short life, God, in His own economy, has made just 2 years make such a great impact.

They have posted video of the memorial service online which I’m putting here for you to view if you wish. Any father will especially appreciate Rick’s courage. Rick’s sermon is broken into three parts in this order (since YouTube limits each bit to 10 minutes):

This may sound strange to many of you, except those who live in AL, but I’d like to ask you to pray for some people I really don’t know. I got a few emails from different friends in Birmingham to tell me that the youngest son of Rick Burgess died yesterday from drowning in their pool. Bronner was only two-years-old. Rick Burgess is half of Rick & Bubba, co-hosts of a very popular radio show that is syndicated throughout the Southeast. It was on Turner South television for a number of years too. While living in Birmingham I began listening to their show every morning on the way to work. It was hard not to love these guys. They are fun, loud, and they love Christ. Their show isn’t a “Christian” show. But they are openly Christians who have a radio show. I still download their show from time-to-time to listen to on my iPod.

I met Rick a few times around Birmingham when I lived there. Once at Briarwood and another time at a birthday party. He’s authentic, a lot of fun, and truly nice. But whether it was watching him with his kids those few times, or (mostly) listening to him talk about them on the air, there was no doubt he has a huge fatherly heart. Although he wouldn’t know me from Adam, having someone in your car everyday for a few years makes them feel like a friend.

Anyway, I say all of this to ask those of you who would, to pray for them. I can’t imagine losing a child, especially in such a tragic way. I hurt quite deeply for them today, as I would imagine any of you do who have kids. A little more than two years ago, one of my best friends lost his two-year-old grandson to the same type of tragedy. That was as close as I have ever gotten to such a thing, but it was close enough to know that the pain was beyond imagination. And it continues.

So please pray for Rick and his wife Sherri, and their other four kids who are dealing with pain, grief and questions many of us will never know.

Today we enjoyed a wonderful snowfall for Georgia. It is more than I have seen in a long time here. The temps were above freezing, however, so the snow melted pretty quickly. Still, tonight it is supposed to be down in the teens so it will be messy in the morning. Grandma decided to stick it out and be safe, for which we were all thankful. She has been such a huge help in so many ways and the kids love having her around because she is so much fun!

Leslie continued to make some progress, although she is still in a good deal of pain. She was able to move around more today and eat some.

I should have started taking pictures the first time we went out. The snow was much prettier then. But we were having too much fun between snow ball fights and making snow men. I did remember the camera when we went out the second time and so here are those pictures:

• First snowman
• It quickly slid of Grandma’s car!
• The Munchkin all budled up
• Miss Pris
• A snow wall to keep Grandma here longer!
• Delicate work
• Hard workers
• Reinforcing the wall
• The engineer
• The leaning snowman
• A photo trick to “get” Pop

After a yummy dinner by Grandma, we bundled the kids up for bed. They were ready after a hard day of play! Mom, Leslie and I sat down to watch Murder in Coweta County after all was quiet, and then they headed to be themselves.

I just returned back home this evening after a few days in Jackson, MS. I traveled there on Wednesday to meet with some churches and missionaries. The trip went very well, but I was glad to get back home tonight. Leslie has not had a good week as she has been in a lot of pain since her chemo treatment on Tuesday. Thankfully, my mother came up on Wednesday and has been here with her and the kids taking care of everyone while I was gone. I missed the snow, which the kids thoroughly enjoyed. But I think we’ll get some more tomorrow!

Please continue to pray for Leslie. Even though we are past the halway point of this round of treatments the burden seems to be greater at this point. We are all so tired of watching her suffer so greatly, and she is certainly more so tired of it than all of us. She did seem to be doing a little better this evening.

I am bound and determined to get back at blogging. I repent in dust and ashes for not having written any updates about Leslie in so long. She is doing well, and is having treatment seven of twelve of her chemo regiment today. That means we are past the halway point! Because of my travel schedule I only worked part of the day today and so I was able to go by and visit her after a morning meeting. I took her Dove dark chocolate which is not only comforting, it’s healthy! She looked as beautiful as ever in that chair, all bundled up under her blanket. After a short visit I went and grabbed a “fun guy” sandwich (it’s a clever play on words, a grilled portobella sandwich, which is a fungus of course…but who would order something called a “fungi”?). I’m hoping it sounded as good five minutes after I gave it to her as it did when I first suggested it. Chemo has a funny way of changing her taste very quickly.

She and the kids had a big weekend this past one. I was gone, so she had the full brunt of life on her. Thankfully her brother Wil came over for a good bit of the time. This was, of course, a “blast” for the kids but from what I understand, quite wearisome for Uncle Wil. I returned from Arizona late Sunday night, about 12:30, and we all got up the next morning and hit the ground running.

My trip to Scottsdale was an especially good trip, although very tiring. I didn’t sleep well any of the nights I was there. But my time at Covenant Community Church was wonderful. I attended their missions conference and spoke a few times about the work of MTW. I also had the opportunity to meet three other area pastors and talk with them about their missions ministry. The weather was absolutely perfect, I might add. While there I also had the chance to drive by my grandparents’ old place in Mesa. It was truly a walk down memory lane. McGrooter was especially intrigued by the cactus in front. He thought it was too big to be real, but I assured him it was. He really wants to go to AZ and see a cactus.

That’s all the update I have time for right now. I’ll try and do better as the days come. Thanks to all of you who have continued to pray for us, especially for Les. It means more than we can express.

I’m amazed it’s already 2008. I guess it’s a sign I’m getting old! The holidays were a whirlwind for us and we are now getting back into the swing of things.

Leslie was able to have her chemo treatment on Wednesday. The kids went to stay with Uncle Clay & Aunt Dana in SC so that Leslie could recover. Her counts were much better, but this treatment has hit her hard. She continues to struggle with the shooting pains, has felt nauseous, and is really tired. The kids returned this evening after a wonderful visit, and I went back to work on Wednesday. I am feeling better as this antibiotic seems to be doing the trick.

We are thanking the Lord that the van finally sold today. It was a welcome relief and I am glad to have one less vehicle in our driveway.

It’s hard to think it’s already 2008. Even that sounds cliche-ish. It is what it is. Okay, so another cliche. Actually, that one is now forbidden, according to Lake Superior State University’s recently released list of banned words and phrases for 2008. I can’t imagine not being able to use the phrase, “thrown under the bus.”

We started the New Year with a special breakfast in front of the fireplace. Leslie worked very hard most of yesterday and then this morning to fix a wonderful breakfast for us. The kids really enjoyed the picnic-style breakfast on the floor in the living room. The fire was cozy. We discussed some wishes, plans, and goals for the new year. It was fun to listen to the kids’ ideas!

It’s been a week of sickness for us all. All three kids went to see Miss Kristi and are all on antibiotics now. I went to the doc after them and was told it was viral and to just stay away from Leslie. They gave me some masks and I cam home and spent the better part of the weekend in bed. By Sunday night I was worse and the fever had not left. So Monday morning I got to spend over two and a half hours in the doctor’s office. But I am finally on an antibiotic, and hope to start feeling better any minute now.

Poppie is back in the hospital, this time with internal bleeding. It’s a challenge for the docs because he is on blood thinners which his heart needs, but which complicate the bleeding inside. So please pray for him and for the docs to have wisdom. It’s a hard time of the year because so many docs are on vacation.

Leslie is doing okay. She’s continued to deal with a swollen tongue from time-to-time and some mouth sores. She’s also developed some sores that look like hives or shingles. We’ll find out tomorrow if her counts are high enough for her to recieve chemo. We did learn about a new possible treatment option, but I don’t think she’ll go for it.