“How can I help but obey?” Psalm 119:129

When you treat Scripture as living “miracle words” it speaks volumes!

It is January 2, 2014 in this part of the world and time for another update on my health even though I may have to send out another in a few days.

In the days leading up to Christmas I experienced unprecedented pain in my spleen which, at times, couldn’t be covered with pain meds.  That led me to stopping all my meds to see if they were complicating my symptoms.  Whether coincidence or not, the next day my spleen pain ended completely (and has not returned since Dec 18).

That was good news to me –I had despaired of life more than once in the throes of that pain.  However, the days following provided a different challenge –nausea.  I couldn’t eat and proceeded to lose nearly ten pounds in 5 days.  By Sunday (22^nd) I was extremely weak and had developed a fever.  That afternoon we went to ER.

We learned several things: 1. Without any meds my white cell count had climbed to 265,000 (normal is 3-11,000) so I was put back on one med for that.  2. Chest x-rays revealed that the spleen had expanded behind the lung and collapsed ½ of it so I’m breathing with ½ capacity.  3. Fluid in that lung might be early signs of pneumonia so they prescribed an antibiotic.

I was released in time for us to scurry up to the airport to pick up Keren and Moriah.  The two weeks since have flown by with the joyful chaos of family coming together (at one time 19 of us at the table) as well as visits from most of my siblings and some friends.

On New Year’s Eve I did get an email from Mt. Sinai Hospital in NYC asking if I planned to be part of the February clinical study group.  I responded with a brief summary of my recent health challenges and the lead doctor responded with serious concerns about the developments.  He has asked me to send the lab work from the ER trip and call him tomorrow.  He is not sure that I am now in good enough health to qualify for the program.  So, we’ll see what the Lord has in mind.

I am reminded that I have outlived the initial 3-mo. prognosis, that every day is a gift, and that opportunities to affirm, bless and encourage won’t last forever so I should be diligent to make the most of conversations.

Only the Lord knows how much your prayers have carried me through.  I am humbled by how many care about this journey and I’m sure you always include Rebecca in your prayers as these long days and steady demands of hospitality take their toll.

Psalm 90:12  “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

change one letter, then you’ll see that the thwarting of my purpose is God’s better plan for me.”

So goes a song we heard years ago.

Some circumstances are easier than others for embracing the providence of God in the everyday affairs of His children.  Tonight Tirzah had the opportunity to rejoice for 15 others who qualified for the semi-final round.  She didn’t make the cut.  So, we’ll relax, enjoy the waterpark and other entertaining events!  Thanks for your support -the good news is that she (and we) have lots of Scripture truths in our minds and hearts that we wouldn’t have otherwise!

And, on the health front, I’ve added an impending root-canal to my issues.  For now, antibiotics are dealing with the pain and poison. Also, my involvement in the clinical study for Panobinostat in New York has been postponed until February.

There is a verse somewhere that says, “in everything give thanks for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”

. . . it is and we do!

I’ve been through 59 Veteran’s Days in my life and I can’t remember ever truly thinking of my dad as one of “them.”  My dad wasn’t jumping out of a carrier on D-day, he wasn’t part of the brave forces on Iwo Jima, and he never fought in battle -at least not the kind the military is famous for.

You see, Dad was a Chaplain’s Assistant.  I can see the sneer growing just under the surface -“a what?”  That’s right, he served on “different fronts.”  And not very many chaplains have been the focus of ticker-tape parades.  In fact, news in recent months indicates that military chaplains (at least of the Christian faith) may be an endangered species.  It is almost as though there are forces at work to eliminate this “non-essential” dimension of our military might.

On this sacred day of remembrance, look for the unsung heroes, the behind-the-scenes folks without whom our whole armed forces would be rendered impotent.  Thank God, especially, for those devoted men and women who shepherd the grieving, lonely, confused, and often injured soldiers.

The Bible tells us that God called Abram from his own birthplace to go out to a land He would reveal in due time.   The Apostle Paul went from city to city and was sometimes deterred by God’s Spirit (Acts 16:6) and other times by God’s enemy (1 Thess 2:18).  Sometimes he decided where to go based on conversations with co-workers (Acts 15) and at other times it was during a season of prayer and worship that God supernaturally commissioned him(Acts 13).

All that to say, there are no formulas to knowing what one should do next.  But it is smart to do/go whatever/wherever in the atmosphere of enjoying God’s fellowship and His promises.

And it is in that ultimate “comfort zone” that we plan to load up our “new” 2000 Ford van and head east on Sunday into an unknown future.  Sure, there are things we have planned, folks we look forward to seeing, etc. BUT, we also realize that we have no idea what extended road travel will do to my body.  We do have peace about it and are excited about the adventure.

Our first major target is the National Bible Bee in Sevierville, TN from Nov 20-23.  Once Tirzah clears the preliminary round (Thurs) the semi-final (Fri) and final (Sat) rounds will be live-streamed and as the day draws nearer we’ll send out a link in case you’d like to see her “take home the prize!”

The second main event will be Thanksgiving with the Sheldrake/Plumb tribe in Indianapolis.  More reservations are coming in as the day draws near so this should be a great reunion even though brief (or maybe because it’s brief?).

And, as of late this afternoon, a third TARGET has been added to the itinerary.  I received a call from Dr. Mascarenhas at Mt. Sinai Hospital in NYC and they’d like me to come in for a thorough screening on Dec 3 in hopes of joining their clinical trial of Panobinostat.  If you’re wanting more details about the program there’s some info here: http://mpnforum.com/the-silent-gene/

From there we hope to return home for Christmas on the west coast -possibly to return to NYC for an extended stay.  Lots of loose ends and unanswered questions at this point, so, join us in praying for God’s clear guidance (and blessing on this research team)!  NYC is probably the last place I’m inclined to live but if the Lord calls us there, it’ll be awesome!

It may be a while before I have more health news but, in this case, no news is mostly good news!

In closing, have I got a deal for you . . .

I read about a scheme you can “buy into” that will result in you being “filled to the measure of the fullness of God.”  I know, sounds too good to be true.  That’s what I thought.  Until . . . I tried the formula.  Why don’t you try it out -it’s “over-the-counter” in Ephesians 3:16-19 with vv 20-21 thrown in free if you buy now!!

Meet you around the next bend,

jdansmall