Irene has been healthy and active for most of her life.  She’s always had some sort of creative project in play.  But …. recently she expressed some minor annoyance related to some of the physical limitations she now faces with Primary Amyloidosis.  So, here’s a penetrating question for your deliberation …. what would keep you MOTIVATED if you faced a similar challenge?

Irene pragmatically answers the question this way …. her “motivation combination” are FAITH, HOPE and LOVE.

Irene’s FAITH and trust is in Jesus Christ and the Living Word …. with confidence she knows and believes that she will ultimately live in His presence forever and ever.

…. faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1

Irene’s HOPE is for now and the future …. whatever that future may look like ….

She hopes ….

• that the chronic nausea will someday subside
• that the amyloidosis will go into complete remission
• that her kidney function will return
• that she will be fully healed and restored

Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for ….
Job 6:8

Irene LOVES and is LOVED.  Irene loves God through her relationship with Jesus.  She loves her family (with her two obvious favorites being Jocelyn & JoAnna!!!).  She loves her friends.  Over many years I have seen Irene consistently express love to many people that she doesn’t even know by name.  Irene also knows that she is loved by God; that she is loved by a caring family and that she is loved by well meaning friends …. like the one reading this update right now.

You are …. O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.
Psalm 86:5

The FAITH, HOPE and LOVE “motivation combination” serve as catalysts to spur her through each day …. especially those that are long and difficult ….

Tina McIntyre was driving to SJC early Sunday morning and caught a return flight to her family and home in Boise, Idaho.  Now that’s commitment …. flying from Boise for a few days with Irene!!!  Thank you, Tina and thanks, Andy, for giving Tina an “Irene hall pass” for a few days!!  I think they had way too much fun together!

Shirley Churchill spent over two hours with Irene Sunday afternoon continuing to work on physiology techniques designed to wake up the kidneys!!  We’re so grateful for the Churchill family commitment to Irene’s well being as Shirley continues to invest her time and talent.

Irene drove herself to an early morning dialysis treatment.  She weighed in at a whopping 107 pounds (fully clothed).  I’m hoping she’ll have an appetite for lots of turkey and stuffing on Thanksgiving Day!!!  After dialysis she did some shopping at Target before returning home and spending most of the day completing household chores.  The nausea remained at a low rumble and her energy was steady.  Yay!

On March 1, 1980, Irene and I placed wedding rings with the inscription “1 Cor 13:13” on our respective fingers that we wear to this day ….

…. these three remain, faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13

God’s FAITHfulness toward us even though we are undeserving, our HOPE in Him even when circumstances are daunting …. and His great LOVE expressed to us by the manifestation of His presence …. have sustained us for almost 28 years.

There are times when all of us can be annoyed with the limitations of the day.  But if faith, hope and love are the primary motivators and catalysts, they also serve as the ongoing “sustainers” and “overcomers” of the disease named Primary Amyloidosis.  A biblical framework of faith, hope and love, in the long term, always trump every obstacle.

One final note …. God is great and He is love.  It is God himself that keeps Irene and our family looking inward, upward, onward and forward …. and for that, we love Him, pursue Him, serve Him and praise Him.

Caminando con Fé

Dave