While relaxing at cousin Luke’s house over the weekend, Nelson spiked a fever, along with uncontrollable chills, necessitating a fast exit toward the Rochester ER—an 80 mile drive. Ann Sophie said that his shaking with the cold was so violent, he couldn’t talk. And it didn’t help him feel any better when his heartbeat flew up to 160 beats per minute. Apparently the powerful immunotherapy chemo had accumulated in the last month to the point that it was becoming too much to handle. But Nelson remained fixed on continuing treatment.

                                                          >>>>>>>>>>

September 20, 2022

Rochester: Somehow I kept from getting admitted into the hospital over the weekend. We were at Luke’s but had to call it early, to come back for medical attention. They couldn’t find anything that actually caused the 102.7 degree fever, so they cut me loose.

I’m holding strong and want to grind it out at home. Now I’m glad I said that, even though it was touch and go for a little while. Living slow one day at a time, trying to put together my health and build back up again. Backing off on the morphine has been working without revealing too much pain.

Been going though one of those burnout phases with this sickness. Sometimes I have the energy to fight and feel the fight in me, and I do it. But times like these I get tired and dread the days more and the nights, too.

I feel bad for a lack of gratitude, even though it’s a miracle I’m even alive at all. Without the Mayo clinic and the insurance we have, I’d have been long gone in July already.

Ralph and Astrid are still here, which is really nice for us, especially for Annso. We need the help with Will at the moment. Time moves slow at this apartment. Tomorrow we have a scan and an appointment to talk about my progress.

Mom will come and stay with me while Annso goes to Germany with her Mom. We try to march on with life, going to small groups and getting to know people from our church as if we’ll be there forever. We are even in the process of buying this old 3 unit rental house. We are further along in the process than ever before. It’s encouraging.

Will is healthy and life looks good from the outside. We hope my sickness doesn’t end in my death. We are asking God for 30 more years of life for me. I would call that a miracle, if he kept me around for that long.

                                               >>>>>>>>>>

“Everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.” (John 11:26)

Though Nelson and his family are visiting cousin Luke for a weekend getaway, he has a tough night with multiple difficulties.

                                                        >>>>>>>>>>

September 17,2022

Here it is, midnight, and I’m downstairs at Luke’s place. I made it only getting up one time so far. I have the chills, and it comes and goes throughout the day. It’s not the easiest thing I’ve been through.

Nights are long. Understandably, Annso wants me to stay in bed with her and try to fall back asleep, but I can only sit there for so long. Ron and Glo arrived last night in their big camper. It was good to see them.

I have so much to be thankful for. I can spend time writing up a gratitude inventory. I can listen to sermons if I want, about contentment. Thank you for our super nice cousins who let us stay at their big fancy houses. We are blessed beyond measure. Thank you Lord.

We were at Drew’s a couple weeks back and here at Luke’s this week. Thank you for how far we’ve come on the house hunt, for being this close. I pray you would take us the rest of the way.

Annso is the best person in the whole world to me. She is the vehicle you give me so much joy through. I can’t believe how hard she works to make me healthy and happy. Thank you for the way I feel, better and better as time goes on. You give me a healthier body with each passing day.

I pray for good news on Sept.21, that we can hear that the cancer is gone or going down.

5:50 am

I finally made it through the night after getting up about 20 times. I have a fever of 102.5, which is pretty high. Makes me worry whether or not I’ll end up at the ER—the last place I want to be. Lots of good things are going on, but this is not a good thing.

Staying awake pretty much all night is no fun at all. Astrid has a fever too, which sort of helps me, because I am glad to know she is battling with the same thing. I don’t know what to say, Lord. You are the author and perfecter of our faith, and you know our going in and coming out. I don’t know what I should be doing.

I resist the hospital, and I fear it like crazy. Maybe we should get some Covid tests to see if we have that. It’s possible I suppose.

Just closed out Romans. It’s a super tough book. Lots of tough theology. Paul is super smart and explains all sorts of complex things. Jews and Gentiles. Calling, The Elect. Master topics. I think Martin Luther wrote a commentary on it, I’m pretty sure. People are way smarter than I am. Wow.

                                      >>>>>>>>>>

“Let  us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:2)

Nelson explains why he’s full of hope but adds a note of caution.

                                                               >>>>>>>>>>

September 16, 2022

Today we’re headed to Luke’s place (80 miles away) for a little R&R over the weekend. I invited Lars, Klaus, and I think Ron and Glo are going to come. We also have Steve and Nancy from YWAM for tomorrow. Lots of action.

My appointments are getting less and less, so that’s nice. I’m always for less time at the hospital. Yesterday Annso and I met with Kevin, the pastor at Northridge church. Interesting. It’s a Baptist church and everything. We never really shopped for a church but ended up at the right one.

Kevin asked about our story, and we told him the whole thing, mostly the part this year about getting Cancer and moving to Rochester. He was excited to see how God will work in our lives and save my life. I’m excited about that too.

I hope I live through this. I hope we get the house. I have lots of hope. I pray, Lord, that you would turn the hearts of those bankers toward us and give us favor, and that the taxes would be part of the monthly payment, and that it would be easy for us to pay it and save money for the house.

Thank you for the chance and for being closer than ever. If they approve this loan today, I will be shocked, just blown away at your goodness. So many things about the house are lining up in a good way.

Tom (one of three current tenants) is willing to move out Nov.1. We are getting a new roof with the purchase, because of an insurance settlement. So, much of this is out of my control and beyond my scope of reach.

I trust you, Lord, and do what I can. I rely on you. I’m bracing myself for disappointment, but also having a hopeful spirit. You can do the impossible. You can give a house (even a rental house) to a YWAM missionary who doesn’t have much of an income, just because you decide to do it. And if you say it’s so, no one can stop it. Thank you for that.

                              >>>>>>>>>>

”No purpose of yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42:2)