Hello Everyone,

According to the doctor, yesterday and today should have been the hardest days following chemo. So far Cliff has been feeling great. He is probably tired of me asking him how he feels, but other than that he is doing really well. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Love,
Beth

Hello,

Cliff seemed to tolerate his chemo well today and, after 5 hours of chemo, decided to put in a few hours at work this afternoon. The doctor warned Cliff that fatigue and nausea will get progressively worse with each treatment. However, we are praying that he will have minimal to no side-effects.

Please keep praying for my friend, Carolyn, too. She was unable to receive her full dose of chemo today due to low platelets. Her lymph nodes have started growing in size again. Her doctor feels the cancer is not responding well to the chemo and he is sending her to have a stem cell work up. Her first appointment is on Wednesday. Like Cliff, she has an amazing attitude and appreciates your prayers.

WE THANK GOD FOR EACH ONE OF YOU!

Love,
Beth

Dear Friends,

Last Wednesday, Cliff decided to get a #1 buzz cut. As he contemplated his "new do" he remarked, "I really do have a nicely shaped head." In the midst of this trial, he continues to have an amazing attitude. He is definitely looking at the glass half-full!

"Let us sing even when we do not feel like it, for in this way we give wings to heavy feet and turn weariness into strength." (John Henry Jowett)

Tomorrow is Cliff's next chemo treatment. Please pray he tolerates this treatment as well as the previous chemo treatment. As a matter of fact, while Cliff is receiving his chemo....my friend Carolyn will be receiving her next chemo treatment, too. Carolyn has struggled to keep her blood levels stable and has required several pints of blood. Like our family, Carolyn and her family are blessed by your prayers.

Thanks for your continued support.
Love,
Beth

Dear Friends,

I had hoped to post a new blog at least once a week, however last week I found myself recovering from oral surgery and was a bit out of commission. I am greatly improved!

Paul, our son, safely arrived in Ireland a week ago for his semester abroad. Thank you for your prayers.

Cliff saw his oncologist last week and his blood work was perfect! His doctor was pleased with his progress. The only side effect has been hair loss, and he is still a very handsome man without hair. He has been wearing a knit cap "stitched with prayer" from my cousin and an FBI cap from my brother. His new hats have been such an encouragement to him.

We understand there are lessons we can only learn "in the shadow" of God's hand. As we walk this dark path, we understand that God is holding us even closer. Here is an exerpt from a devotional that was especially encouraging to us last week:

"In the shadow of his hand He hid me; He made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver." (Isaiah 49:2) In some realms of nature, shadows or darkness are the places of greatest growth. The beautiful Indian corn never grows more rapidly than in the darkness of a warm summer night. The starry beauty of the sky cannot be seen at its peak until the shadows of night slip over the sky. Lands with fog, clouds, and shade are lush with greenery. And there are beautiful flowers that bloom in the shade that will never bloom in the sun. The evening primrose will not open in the noonday sun but only reveals its beauty as the shadows of the evening grow longer.

The author concluded that the quiver is always tied to the warrior and is within easy reach of his hand. How thankful we are that during the tough times, God keeps us close.

Again, we are blessed by your prayers, meals, cards, emails, phone calls, and visits. Thank you for loving our family!

Love,
Beth