Nelson is getting good at being thankful, right in the middle of intense lung cancer.

                                                >>>>>>>>>>

September 28, 2022

Day 3 on the chemo drugs for the second round. The side effects came back almost right away. Yesterday I had a fever, but we got it down with Tylenol. Fatigue, Nausea, and Fever are the 3 main issues. I could sleep almost round the clock.

My prayer is that my body can get used to the stuff and overcome the side effects, and that I can feel a bit normal, even while I take them. I pray that, Lord, to you, the God of my life.

I pray that you would help my body to overcome the side effects and get back to a normal existence with Annso. It’s hard on her for me to be half in the bag all the time. Please Lord, help me to overcome this stuff. Thank you that it works so well on the cancer itself. We know that for sure.

Thank you that you helped the doctors find the match and that the scans showed such good progress. Thank you that it’s possible for me to be cancer free by this time next year, or maybe even earlier.

Thank you for Annso, for her good attitude, for little Will and his happy demeanor. Thank you that he’s feeling better with the fever gone and everything from the vaccines he took. Thank you for helping us with the house issues so we can close right on schedule.

Thank you that the current owner is so nice and accommodating. I pray for honesty between all of us, that we can deal rightly with each other. And of course, I pray the house can close on time.

I got a call from one of the current renters at the house yesterday about paying the rent, and it reminded me that we are about to become landlords. What a trip.

Our church is like no other church I have been to so far. The people are so friendly, and we have both talked about how nice it is to have people who care, a small group to go to, and the feeling we are not alone. With winter coming up and all, it could be a pretty lonely place.

I trust you, Lord, that you brought us here, that you brought us to this church in particular, that you have us here at Heritage Manor apartments and will get us that house so we are close to the clinic and right in town for whatever reason.

I am thankful for your leading, which is so apparent in all our dealings. I am thankful for all your blessings, like the little family and our son who we are raising, despite cancer. We have a giant fish tank despite cancer, we are buying a house despite cancer.

I am thankful that you made all these things possible and that we don’t have to wait on everything. It reminds me of the verse in Psalm 23 that says, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (verse 5).

Despite the attack on us, the difficulties with the way I feel, the heavy limitations on what I can do and other things that this sickness puts on us, we are able to accomplish a fair amount of good and fun things, despite the rest of the problems.

God, you really do prepare and do good things in front of me and the spiritual forces of darkness who want to destroy us. Though it’s hard, you help us, and with your help, nothing can stand against us.

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” This is Romans 8:31. Thank you for the reality of your promises, Lord. Amen.