The Phenomenalness of the Journey

Wow! It’s been January since I’ve logged a blog. So much has happened on our life’s journey. During the first part of the year – we had been praying about where we were in ministry and where God wanted us and was leading us. There was a lot going on and we were praying for God’s wisdom, grace, and peace. (we’ll leave it at that.) During this time, we reconnected with some friends from our past – Rodger and Charlene Peck. God sent them back into our lives to make us re-think ministry and the “church.” The thoughts that came out of our fellowship, praying, and eating together have put a new slant on how we present ministry and a life with Christ, to those we come contact with now. Things maybe didn’t go as we had expected but God knows best. In April, my adorable wife of 31+ years, Melinda noticed something different about her and went to the Doctor to get things checked out. After more doctor visits, mammograms and tests it was discovered that she had breast cancer in her right breast. The same day that we found that out, I called to let our supervisors know what was happening. Before the end of our conversation, we also found out that The Salvation Army was transferring us to the Fox Cities are in Wisconsin. “You have cancer and you’re moving to Wisconsin!” WOW! Questions to God were entering our minds a bunch! We let people know what was happening and the prayers around the world were going up on our behalf. We were praying for God’s will through all of this – His instant healing would be awesome but however His name could be glorified was what we needed and “wanted” to do. (although in the middle of it, that wasn’t always easy or wanted!) Without going through all the tests, surgery, test, exams, recovery time, more tests, scares, questions and all – yesterday, August 6, 2012, my wife’s breast surgeon said she was cancer free and cured. We found out, last Friday, that there is not going to be any chemo-therapy! Then yesterday, we found out there will not be another surgery! We are very excited and are praising God! Melinda starts her rounds of radiation next week and then she will most likely take the “pill” that many to most cancer patients do, but over all – She’s doing wonderful. If you ask her by the end of most days, she may not agree but she is healing and getting better every day. Through this whole ordeal, there have been wonderful people surrounding us to help us and to protect us. Terry and Kyle helped me move up here to Appleton when I needed to be here. Cathie and Mrs. Christina hosted Melinda (and Fred and Ethel) in the first part of her recovery. Then Cathie and Maxine brought Melinda and the dogs up here and helped unpack boxes and get the beginning of the ‘home’ started. Michael and Rachel came from Denver to help us get settled and used there vacation time to work with us getting settled in. Krista, Kaylee, and Ella joined us in getting settled in and gave us some awesome PaPa and NaNa time! The church family we left in Alton was wonderful and very helpful in getting us packed and the house cleaned all while Melinda was recovering and wasn’t supposed to be doing anything. They were there to help us get on our way with no problems and to get the place ready for awesome new leaders coming to Alton. The church family here, in the Fox Cities, has been wonderful. They are helping us get settled in and helping us feel a part of the family. The leaders, staff and volunteers here are phenomenal! And one of main staff guys loves GeoCaching as much or more than I do! How cool is that?! Fred and Ethel are getting settled in. There are squirrels here and they come into our yard – so … they have helped Fred and Ethel feel welcome. All in all – God is continuing to show us and remind us the He is ALWAYS good and HE is always GOD! (not me) HE always provides sufficient grace! As you journey this week – be Jesus to someone. Share your story of Jesus with someone. For now … Happy Trails and we’ll see ya in the woods ~ Capt. Java Man Randy Addendum - Stardate 2012 August 16 - When we found out in April that Melinda had breast cancer. We wanted people to understand that even in the middle of the big "C" scare that ... God is still phenomenal! He has seen and is seeing through all of this. Her first surgery is over, there is not going to be any chemo therapy needed, and God is phenomenal! REGARDLESS!