Something we can do together

I have missed writing you, but last week’s events left me feeling quite tired most of the time. I think the main contributor to my fatigue is the radiation treatment, but I also think it is helping tremendously. My tongue itself continues to feel better, and I am so grateful for that. The vicious side effects Doug mentioned, such as dry mouth, excess mucous, and mouth sores, are indeed daunting, but they wax and wane at this point. The excess mucous has a powerful mental effect as it creates a constant need to clear the oral cavity and adds to nausea, as well. Thankfully, the nausea Doug spoke of on Saturday following chemo has improved tremendously. I do continue to have hiccups, which apparently is an odd side effect of chemo that not many people seem to have, but they are lessening today; thus far, it happens to me after every chemo infusion.

That brings me to an update on the treatment plan. This past chemo infusion will likely be my last where the main treatment is concerned. Dr. Gilbert talked about doing three sessions of this particular drug if they could be completed by the end of radiation. There must be 21 days between each of the infusions, though, so there won’t be enough time for another infusion before radiation is complete. I only have 13 radiation treatments to go!!! God willing, they will finish up on August 7th. I am so grateful that this number is decreasing. I still need your prayers to cover me during these remaining days. Generally, head and neck radiation therapy just gets worse and worse until the end of treatment, and the side effects take various times to relent after treatment has stopped. I do feel as though I have been protected from the full severity of the side effects by your answered prayers. Thank you, but most of all, praise His Holy name. He is beautiful beyond our comprehension.

We’ll talk more about what happens following radiation therapy as these next few weeks pass. Right now, future plans are very dependent on how I respond to the rest of the current treatment.

Switching gears, many of you have asked if there is anything else you can do for me. There is. In fact, there is something we can do together. You know that I want to be healed from this disease, but I desire that God be glorified no matter what His ultimate plan reveals. One of the easiest ways to glorify Him is to tell of the great things He has done for us – to share Him with others. Every day, we come in contact with so many people who need His love desperately. Imagine what a difference it would make if we all sought out just one opportunity to tell someone about Him … what He has accomplished, His unwavering friendship, His power, that He is mighty to save.

We tend to get so scared at the thought of sharing our faith. For some reason, it has become safe to mention God in passing, but dangerous to share the redemptive truth of Jesus Christ. I think we are also scared, at times, because we have these misconceptions that we will say something wrong or that we are responsible for performing the redemption ourselves. Jesus simply told us to tell of His love for all and His intention to transform lives. He never said there was a perfect way to deliver the truth, but He was very clear that we should be making an effort to deliver it. He takes care of the rest. He performs the redemption. He is the only one worthy of doing so – the spotless One who gave His life to pay the penalty for all sin. He has already accomplished the great work that is to be done. We are simply charged with telling the world that He waits with open arms to accept all those who desire an eternal relationship with Him.

Here’s what I am asking us to do. Let’s diligently look for opportunities to share Jesus Christ and His love for all people along with His desire that all come to know Him as Savior and friend. You may already have someone in mind right now that you have been meaning to share Him with but have hesitated. Stop hesitating and start a simple conversation. We tend to treat telling others about Jesus like it is a dreaded sales job. Somehow, that has to stop. Our methods of sharing may look different every time we do so. At times, it may seem appropriate simply to ask someone whether or not they have a relationship with Jesus. At other times, that may seem too pushy. It may take months of further cultivating a relationship before we can share the amazing love of Jesus. One thing is for sure, if we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, we cannot mess up. Remember, we don’t do the work – He does.

Let’s trust Him to guide us and try our very best to go tell about Him. Remember, it is all about Him. It is not about our church or about our religion or about us at all; it is all about the person of Jesus Christ! So, let’s go tell others about Him!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. –John 3:16

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. –Romans 10:13

I love you all. Thanks for everything you are doing. All of your efforts, even if you have not heard from me personally, are greatly appreciated by my family and me. God bless you richly.