Prayer

These have been some busy but fun days.  Driving nearly 3,000 miles, spending two days at our Charlotte office, visiting friends and family members on my way to Chicago, then hurrying back to Sebring to pick up daughter Sue who flew into Orlando from Michigan.  The days flew by rapidly with her here, but we were able to spend a lot of quality time together and enjoy several tourist things between entertaining and visiting friends here in the village.  Sue spent most of the daylight hours in the air returning home yesterday, and then had about a five-hour drive to her home.  It must be nice to be young!

Last evening I had a call from friend Stuart who had arrived at Duke continuing preparations for a stem-cell transplant.  Tomorrow he will undergo a “nuclear blast” of chemo to kill the balance of his cells and prepare for the actual transplant of “cleaned” cells which is scheduled to take place on Friday.  Please join us in praying for Stuart and for the medical people attending him.  This is not going to be any “picnic”!  Pray that he will not pick up any infections during this time when his immune system is completely ineffective.  Pray also for strength and endurance for his body.  The process is extremely hard on the body and all systems as it attempts to eliminate the cancer cells.  Depending upon his recovery and the restoration of his immune system, it is anticipated that he will be confined in semi-isolation at Duke until sometime around the first of December.

As I think about Stuart, I am reminded of the Apostle Paul’s words to the Thessalonians which is so fitting for Stuart: “As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of the Lord Jesus Christ.”  (1 Thess. 1:3)  He has been a special blessing for so many!

Thanks so much for your prayers and concern.

Love to all,

Chuck