2008 is here so we set aside what is behind us and lean into the days ahead of us!!

Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887) once said: “We have passed through one more year. One more long stage in the journey of life, with its ascents and descents and dust and mud and rocks and thorns and burdens that wear the shoulders, is done. The old year is dead. Roll it away. Let it go. God, in His providence, has brought us out of it. It is gone; … its evil is gone; its good remains. The evil has perished, and the good survives.”

…. and from Paul we’re exhorted ….

…. forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead ….
Philippians 4:13b

Irene had a very encouraging first day of 2008!

She was energized by a gracious visit from Tom and Deb Steipp where we casually lounged on the deck drinking Starbucks and relishing the high sun and bay views.

Afterward, Irene dropped me and my mountain bike off near the Capitola Mall so she could shop and I took a long, extended ride along the scenic oceanfront.  Irene’s nausea remained at a low roar all day; for that we’re very grateful!

Since the calendar today turns to 2008, we may be inclined to think in terms of “years”, but perspective is important, for even our tomorrow is not guaranteed ….

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
James 4:14

Taking it one day at a time and as we wait for the amyloid’s retreat into remission, we victoriously strain forward into the New Year, embracing the God who sustains us and exponentially grows our faith to His Glory.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

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Happy New Year!!!

Irene’s Journey of Faith will be released in early February on Amazon.com.

Here is part of the introduction ….

My bride of 27+ years was viciously kidnapped in April of 2007 and is still being held hostage. No amount of ransom will satisfy the kidnapper. The abductor is content with nothing less than having 100% of her strictly for narcissistic gain. Irene has been forced to go where no human being should ever have to go. Trailing the kidnapper has been confounding because most of the circuitous route has been very covert. There have been many bizarre tangents along the way as they have dangerously trekked up the insurmountable Mount Everest. The abductor is a formidable, daunting and treacherous predator.

This abduction has been a dreadful disruption. There was no advance warning; Irene was unsuspecting and ill prepared. She didn’t have cold weather clothing or any of the appropriate equipment needed to trek up the mountain. As to why Irene was chosen as the hostage is still unknown.

The most significant challenge to this surreal experience is this …. that the kidnapper is not of human means or of ruthless imagination …. but rather that of an incurable and terminal disease named Primary Amyloidosis.

Stay tuned for more details …. !!!

Caminando con Fé

Dave

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Happy New Year, January 1, 2008, AD (Anno Domini)

According to Wikipedia ….

“Anno Domini” abbreviated as AD or A.D., defines an epoch based on the traditionally reckoned year of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.

Similarly, Before Christ, abbreviated as BC or B.C., is used to denote years before the start of this epoch.

…. years may be also specified as Anno Domini Nostri Iesu (Jesu) Christi (“In the Year of Our Lord Jesus Christ”).

…. and the historical designation continues to this today, with much of the world completely unaware that every time the “date” is written or typed it refers directly to the dawning of the Christian Era.

Admittedly, we have never looked forward to a new year like we do today.  2007 will have the dubious distinction as being the most colossal and challenging year of our family’s lives.  We gleefully close 2007’s momentous adversity and look forward to 2008 which holds HOPE and PROMISE of a better tomorrow.

We don’t know what is in store for us in 2008, but this we do know …. that God is faithful, He is present, and He is in control.  He numbers our days and ordains our steps; He loves us with an unfathomable love.  We also recognize that God’s sovereignty is not confined within the context of a man made calendar …. for He is infinite.  He operates on his time-frame, not ours.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8

However gargantuan the adversity, we know that God sustains us.  We are confident that he will continue to do so in the days ahead.  People, like the person reading this update, have also sustained us in ways too innumerable to recount.  For that we’re grateful and we say “THANK YOU”!!

It is also abundantly clear to even the casual observer that God’s Hand is upon Irene.  He has been in her midst on this journey because He resides in her through his abiding Holy Spirit.  The inner JOY of her response throughout this entire ordeal has been an ongoing inspiration to me and many, many others.  Her signature smile continues to this day. Despite

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