Update 1

Family and friends,

Do you ever have it when on our sojourn through this life that path God guides us along takes a turn in a direction you weren't expecting? That our heavenly Father, in His infinite wisdom, places us in certain place or situation in life? But then even in that often hard and difficult place or situation He gives us what is needed. God has said this life would not always be easy nor free from pain and suffering but He has given us His Holy Spirit, who through His word guides and comforts us. 

In this past week my wife (Felicia) and myself experienced a turn in the path God has placed us in that we were not expecting. For the past couple of months I have not been feeling well. In the last month I have undergone tests and blood work with no resolution of what the problem was. This past Wednesday I had an ultrasound done and we waited somewhat anxiously for the results. Friday morning we had a call to come down to the clinic and where we were told that the doctor had found a tumor but was not sure if was malignant or benign. I was scheduled for a CT scan and more blood work that afternoon and when by 5:00 Friday evening we hadn't heard anything I called the clinic and was informed that I had to get myself to a clinic ASAP because my kidneys were failing and I was in need of some pretty serious medical care. Once we got to the hospital we learned the results of the CT scan. We learned I have cancer, that it has spread to the my back and my lymph nodes in my abdomen. The lymph nodes are extremely swollen which in turn has put tremendous pressure on my kidneys and they are at the point of failure. Because of my kidneys not being able to function my body has started to absorb a lot of fluid, including in my legs, feet, abdomen and my right lung. The main concern right now is getting the stress off the kidneys so the plan is to have surgery and put 2 shunts in through my back and drain the kidneys and my right lung. As of now we are waiting for a phone call from Health Science Center in the city that they have a bed for me. 

We realize that well things don't look very good at the moment, we both are comforted by our heavenly Father and his word. We covet your prayers first for strength and peace in this time but also for healing and we acknowledge that it is through prayer that God hears us and gives us what we need.

I'm not much of a writer so I'm not sure how often I'll do this but we will keep you all updated one way or another. 

Psalm 27 

Of David. 

[1] The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? [2] When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. [3] Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. [4] One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. [5] For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. [6] Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. [7] Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. [8] My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. [9] Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior. [10] Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. [11] Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. [12] Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. [13] I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. [14] Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.