Friends,
Sorry, not sorry for the long posts…
Today is a good day! God is good. God is faithful. Psalms 18 says “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my Salvation, my stronghold.” I’ve been told I have the “good cancer.” While this is still cancer, I guess the “good kind” can be removed. The doctors told me I have a long, and somewhat dangerous road ahead, but that I should live a long life!!! PTL! PTL! PTL!!! I currently have a surgery date for January 29, where they will remove the 3 tumors. The two in my liver cover over 50% of my liver, which will need to be removed. However, did you know that the liver is the ONLY organ in your body can regenerate and grow back to the full state?!? Crazy! The one in my pancreas is at the very tail end and should be “easy” to remove. They will open me up, have an 8 hour surgery, 2 week recovery in the hospital (not fun) and a couple month recovery at home. I’ll take it!
Romans 12 says to “be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Proverbs 15 says “The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.” THANK YOU for your prayers. God hears when we call to him. If I may, I’d like to continue to solicit your prayers. There is still danger ahead, and God can continue to HEAL. I’d love the doctors to take one last image before surgery and find NOTHING. If not, pray for wisdom and a steady hand for the doctors during surgery. And strength for my family.
I’ve realized through this journey that my relationship with God hasn’t been the best. I’ve wondered why I haven’t felt close to him. Then I realized, how can you know someone when you don’t get to know them (Bible) or talk with them (prayer). I’ve not been good at this. I’ve heard that as people pray for me, some are praying for the first time. Some are praying more than they have before. Some are praying differently – with more fervor and belief than they ever have. I hope this continues long after I am well. Colossians 4 says to “devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” 1 Thessalonians 5 says to “rejoice always, PRAY CONTINUALLY, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Not only should we be learning about him daily through his Word, but talking with him always, as if our best friend is by our side all day (which He is). This is hard for me to remember, but practice makes perfect!
Life is short. Make it count. I hope you never have the thought of which birthdays to choose to make a video for your kids to watch to help them remember you as they grow up, or what you’ll say in a video for when your daughter gets married and you’re not there. I will be making 31 videos, each one of me reading a chapter of Proverbs. If God calls he home before I am ready, my kids will have a constant reminder of their father, and the best advice from their Heavenly Father to live by.
For now we wait again, trusting God, and moving forward. If you’re still reading this, my hope for today is Psalms 30. “I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit. Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. To you, Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy; What is gained if I am silenced, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me; Lord, be my help. You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.”
I’m discharged from the hospital today!
Ryan
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