Answers to Prayer

Tim had his MRI done today and we already have the results.  The test showed no change from the last time he had an MRI, which means that there is no compression fracture and the cancer is still quiet.  The blood tests also confirm that the cancer is quiet.  Tim's pain is easing up and he has been feeling better in the last few days.  The doctor believes that the pain was from a possible muscle strain, and that it had nothing to do with his bones. This is very good news and we are praising the Lord for His graciousness to us.  We do appreciate all of those who have prayed for Tim this last week.

Another answer to prayer happened today - McKayla (8) was able to ride her bike for the first time since June of 2011.  That is when her JRA began acting up again and she had to stop riding her bike because it hurt too much.  This was really hard for her, because she enjoys riding her bike so much and LOVES riding with her daddy and the boys.  When we started her back on the JRA medication last fall, we began praying that when warmer weather arrived, she would be pain-free and she would be able to ride bikes with the boys.  Today, they went for a 2-mile ride down to the water.  When they returned, McKayla was grinning from ear to ear!  She was so happy to have been on her bike again and she said there was no pain!!!  Praise the Lord!

Prayer

I hesitate to share this because we don't know anything yet, but I know that many of you who follow this blog are prayer warriors and we need people praying for us right now.  Tim has been experiencing pain in his upper back for the last few weeks and it is getting worse.  The doctor ordered an MRI, and it is scheduled for Monday, March 12.  Please pray for peace of mind this week as we wait for this test and the results.  Thank you.

Update on Class at Yale

The class at Yale is going really well for Tim and he is so excited to be a part of it.  He has 11 students participating and they are very intrigued by the topic.  This Tuesday, he will be discussing the Biblical principles of government.  He will open the Bible and show the students the principles that directed the founding fathers to formulate our government.  A few of the students have indicated that they have never been exposed to this viewpoint and they find the discussion challenging and fascinating.  One student shared how much she was enjoying the class and that it was the fastest hour and a half that she has had in law school!  Please pray every Tuesday night from 6:00 - 7:30 that Tim will have favor with the students and wisdom as he guides this class.

Amazing Opportunity

We live just outside of New Haven, Connecticut, which is the home of Yale University.  Ever since we moved here and started our church (www.cbcbranford.org), we have always wanted to reach the Yale community.  Tim has recently been given an amazing opportunity and is so excited about the potential.  A young man in our church is a student at the Yale Law School.  He recently submitted Tim's name to be a guest lecturer there at Yale, and the request was granted.  So, starting tomorrow night (1/24) and going for the next 13 weeks until the end of the semester, Tim will be leading a one credit reading group for the law students there on the campus of Yale! He will be lecturing and leading a discussion on the Judeo-Christian heritage of our American forefathers and the influence their beliefs had on the founding of our country.  There are already about 9 students signed up and there is the potential for several more.  Please be in prayer for Tim as he leads this group.  It is a huge commitment as he has to add a lot of extra study and preparation time to his week, but he is really looking forward to it and what the Lord could do through this class. 
(Update: He just returned from his 6 week visit with the oncologist.  Things still look great - Praise the Lord!)

Chicken Pox ... Seriously?!?

Tim woke up on Monday morning with little red spots all over himself and he was itching like crazy!  At first we thought it may be hives, but called the oncologist just to be sure he was okay.  A visit to the doctor that afternoon confirmed that he definitely had chicken pox. Seriously?  Chicken pox at this age???  Apparently, stem cell transplant patients are highly susceptible to the chicken pox and shingles viruses. The doctor gave him a very strong anti-viral medication and by yesterday, the spots were fading and the itching had begun to subside. He is feeling much better, now.  And you thought chicken pox were only for kids!  We are just wondering who he unknowingly shared them with in the days leading up to the rash breaking out.  Um...sorry about that...

This is just one incident in a long line of things that have happened to us since the week of Christmas.  Remember that nice, quiet week I was hoping for in my last post?  Well, that was only a dream!  Two days before Christmas, Tim got pink eye and then gave it to two of the kids.  Then, on Christmas day, our hot water heater quit working.  Two days after Christmas, our boiler unit went out and we found black smoke billowing through the basement.  No one was injured - just the bank account.  Then, I got a bad flu bug and then the chicken pox got Tim...  and then...well, there is more, but I won't bore you.  It's just that something we affectionately call the "Zac Curse" has struck yet again.  It's our version of Murphy's law - anything that can go wrong will go wrong and it will usually happen in a cluster of several consecutive events.  We joke about the Zac Curse to keep from crying when things happen like this one after the other after the other.  We realize that our troubles could be much worse, but a string of challenges like these has the ability rob us of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual strength.  Having a sense of humor - and spending a lot of time in prayer - certainly helps get us through the tough days.