WOW!

It was five months and three days ago, February 19, 2019 that my life was turned upside down when a chest x-ray revealed what was soon to be diagnosed as stage four malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Life, as I’d known it, was to a great degree put on hold in a full-throttled effort to deal with this enemy within.

One of those things put on hold was a house that Cindy and I were building on a small lake in Mason county as a get-a-way place for ourselves and others to be refreshed and renewed.

It had been a dream for years.

We’d completed the basic structure including roof, siding and rough-in plumbing, electrical and HVAC, and then my health situation eliminated me from continuing to do anything towards finishing the project.

It looked like our hoped for get-a-way had become an elusive dream that might not be realized for years.

Sunday, July 21, 2019

After much cajoling, Cindy, Daniel and Stephanie got me to go out to the lake house to "share a surprise with me".  Leaving the house is not something I look forward to both because of the strictness of the treatment regime I must adhere to and also how easily I get exhausted as my body fights this enemy, cancer.

WOW!

I was soon overwhelmed with emotion as we drove down the driveway and I saw what was quickly revealed to be a totally completed, final inspection passed, absolutely gorgeous house!  

I was stunned.  I had no idea.  Walking through the completed and fully furnished home was like thumbing through the pages of Sunset magazine!

What had happened?

An incredible, amazing, and stunning demonstration of love by Jesus’ followers as dozens of volunteers from The Refuge Church and The Coffee Oasis, along with other friends, gave of their time (hundreds of hours) and money (thousands of dollars) to perform what seemed to me to be a miracle!

All I could do was cry

There is a lot that can be criticized about the church.  It is full of imperfect people.  (It includes me!)  I just saw another article last night about a well-known Christian author and his wife separating after 19 years of marriage.

BUT...the church is alive and well and demonstrating beautifully the love of Jesus in our corner of the world!!

And what a HUGE encouragement and blessing to me again of the tons of individuals out there who care and support me in this cancer journey!

I am a blessed man!

Thank you all for being there.

Dave

PS I really needed it too as the days before had been pretty dark days walking this journey.