Ups and Downs

Sorry it has been a while since my last posting but life has been a bit crazier than usual, including coordinating missions teams that recently went and whom are planning to go to Haiti, dealing with the riots and skyrocketing food prices and an attempted kidnapping in Haiti of our dear friends the Hojaras. Please keep our MDL kids and the Hojaras in your prayers and for the Lord's protection over the homes.

Even though i am here in Southern California, i still remain plugged in to what is happening over there (although the Hojaras are carrying the brunt of the burden). i try to keep Susette out of the loop when possible to avoid stress on her end but she's always asking, "What did you hear? How are our kids?" and many more questions -- those of you who know Susette know what i mean.

Overall, she is doing well. We are still praising God for her negative PET/CT scan! Susette just completed her 7th chemo treatment -- only 5 more to go! Praise the Lord!

Unfortunately, the chemo continues and with the treatments comes the horrible side effects and the constant wear and tear on Susette. The result is a general overall lack of energy, increased nausea, more aches and pains and, more recently, hot and cold flashes. We don't know if the hot and cold flashes are a result of what some literature says can occur with chermo therapy -- actual forced menopause. We will be asking our doctor on the next visit if this is the case.

i feel so blessed to have Susette as my wife. She continues to bless me as she handles these trying times so much better than i. Her attitude is excellent 99% of the time. And when she's alone and drawing close to the Lord, she's been known to turn up the worship music and dance praises to our Lord for hours. How can you not love her?

Since i'm on the subject of how incredible my wife is... i must also say that even without hair she remains more beautiful than ever. Those of you who have seen her know what i mean. She looks strikingly beautiful. Those big beautiful green eyes just hit me right over the head every time i see her. i really don't know if i even want her to grow her hair back now. i want to put a picture of her in the blog but she's not quite ready. i understand but wow! she's a knockout. Snead O'Connor can't hold a candle to little Suzy Manassero!

Sorry to get off track... that's just me...

So, overall, she's doing o.k. but we really need prayer for the new set of physical discomforts and challenges. Also, please pray that she does not catch any colds, etc. while her immunity is so low.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your continued prayers, blessings and encouragement. It means more than Susette and i could ever express. May God bless you abundantly.

Susette Standing Strong

It has been a while since i last posted. It's been pretty busy and hectic in the last few weeks. Her last chemo treatment was her 6th -- marking the official half-way point. We are excited, first for what God did at her last PET scan, and secondly, to know we are half way through treatments.

i was scheduled to be a plane today for Haiti to visit the children at the orphanage, to reassure and comfort them in light of the recent riots and just to love on them -- but decided it was better to stay with Susette. Even though she is doing very well, the chemo has a debilitating effect that is taking its toll. New aches and pains, increased nausea and a fair number of sleepless nights (and the Lord) told me to cancel and send others in my place. Darin Kruse, a great friend and member of the Child Hope board of directors, his daughter Jaime and a dear friend of Darin's and a Haiti vet, Quentin, all went in my place. They are dear friends. They will also meet up with a work team from Connecticut headed by Mark Tibbetts.

The doctor has prescribed a new drug to cut the nausea and help her sleep. It's a sedative, so she is being cautious and only taking it when she really has to due to the drug's addictive nature.

Susette has been experiencing nausea triggered merely by association. She gets nauseous when we drive into the underground parking lot at UCLA Medical Center where she receives her chemo therapy treatments. She gets nauseous when she smells a food she may have had for lunch while receiving therapy. It is goes on. We have heard of people who get nauseous when they see the color red because one of the drugs that is part of the treatment is bright red. Please pray for her to overcome the side effects.

Overall, she is doing incredible. Susette's inner strength, resolve and attitude are amazing. She walks strong with her Savior by her side and has used every moment possible, in her rest and times alone, to draw nearer to His glory and bask in his beautiful presence.

Please keep praying and lifting her up for God's mighty had to heal, move, comfort and transform. God bless you.

PRAISES FROM HAITI!

Here is a copy of an email from the family sitting in for us in Haiti (Ted & Lisa Hojara):

JESUS IS SO GOOD!!!

I WISH YOU COULD HAVE SEEN THE KIDS FACES AT NOON PRAYER WHEN WE SHARED WITH THEM ABOUT SUE.....WE DANCED AND SANG.....AND WORSHIPED FOR A LONG TIME.... IT WAS AWESOME!!!! THEY ARE SO HAPPY AND I KNOW THEIR FAITH HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A NEW LEVEL, AS ALL OF OURS HAS......

WE LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH AND ARE SO ENCOURAGED BY GODS GOODNESS TO US ALL......

What a blessing! i wish we could have been there to celebrate with the kids!