As you’ve probably noticed, we place a high view on His Majesty because He is worthy.  We are convinced that God is in our midst, and especially with Irene, on this challenging and circuitous journey.

The following are some of God’s promises to His people related to His Presence that we appropriate by faith:

“From that day the name of the city will be ‘The Lord is There’”. Eze. 48.35
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.  Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you.  I will help you.  I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” Is 41:10
“Do not be afraid or discouraged.  For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
“I am with you always, even to the end of the age”.  Matt. 28:28
“Nothing in all creation will be ever able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord”.  Rom. 8:39

Irene had a better day with the nausea subsiding to some degree.  Early morning dialysis treatment was followed by breakfast with Sue Martinez at Papa O’s Restaurant in Capitola Village.  She rested this afternoon and is feeling stronger.

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.  Psalm 16:11

We know that God will never leave us nor forsake us.  We praise the Almighty for His faithfulness, for His loving attributes and for His ever abiding presence with us and in us.

Caminando con Fé
Dave

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“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33

Jesus promises us that we will have pain, suffering, hardship, difficulty, crisis, trial, tribulation, danger and challenge which are all synonymous to “trouble” in this world.  After all, we do live in a fallen creation.  However, we are to “take heart” …. by taking Jesus at his word when he says that these obstacles will be overcome by our FAITH in Him.  This is not a pending possibility, but an absolute reality.  And in the midst of trouble, he also promises us PEACE.  And to these promises we cling.

Irene is experiencing significant side effects after introducing the second blood pressure medication …. those side effects include excessive nausea, insomnia and lethargy …. not a pleasant combination!  Candidly, it’s been an incredibly intense 24 hours.  Both of us were up most of last night because her nausea and insomnia were such a hardship.  She spent most of today trying to work up enough gumption to accomplish “anything”!

It’s also been a day of sober contemplation related to the veracity of the disease because she’s weary and desires relief from the adversity.  Her discomfort causes us to long for a day like the one depicted in the photo below which gives the “perception” that life is effortless, tranquil and uncomplicated ….

…. yet we know that the truth of our daily experience dictates otherwise.

The late and legendary football coach, Vince Lombardi is quoted “When the going gets tough the tough get going”.  I understand the spirit and intention of his remark and believe that many times that quote inspires us to “take action”.  And that approach often appeals to the “A” personalities like me!!  However, there are times when action is insufficient to the challenge.  In contrast, Jesus declares:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do

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According to Wikipedia, a “plumb-bob or a plummet is a weight with a pointed tip on the bottom that is suspended from a string and used as a vertical reference line.  The instrument has been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians by bricklayers, masons, and carpenters to ensure that their constructions are ‘plumb’, or perfectly upright. It may also be used in surveying to sight a point on the ground that is not readily visible.  Up until the modern age, on most tall structures, plumb-bobs were used to provide vertical datum lines for the building measurements.”

As we travel the “Amyloid Highway”, our PERSPECTIVE has become increasingly important.  In other words, with every twist and turn along the way, we are constantly adjusting and reorienting our finite view of things in light of God’s perfect and eternal reference point…His “plumb line”, if you will.  But this isn’t new.  God challenged Amos by asking him if he is able to perceive the circumstances of his day in light of God’s activity and purposes:

…This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. And the LORD asked me, “What do you see, Amos?” “A plumb line,” I replied.  Then the Lord said, “Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel…”
Amos 7:8

After Irene drove herself to and from dialysis this morning we were off to UCSF for a day out patient services.  We had a good consultation with her attending physician, Dr. Lloyd Damon and learned the following:

Irene’s blood counts are within acceptable ranges, although probably not within norms in many cases; she does not have to return to UCSF for 2 months!!  Yay!!
A blood test was taken today with results expected in two weeks as to what level the Amyloid is still in her system or whether or not the Amyloid is in remission
As of today, Irene is on two high blood pressure medications
Irene weighs in at 112 pounds; she is encouraged to gain weight after being discharged from UCSF on

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