7:30 p.m. ….

Recently, we’re hearing a lot in the news about Hurricane Dean rushing through the gulf coast, barely missing the Jamaican Islands and headed toward the land, without any specific and known destination at this time. There is so much that we hear on a variety of news sources about how the storm is being closely tracked in order to avoid another Hurricane Katrina. PREPARATION and dynamic information are keys to successfully navigating through the horrific storms that can kill and destroy. Pictured below is a photo from today’s Drudge Report indicating that today Dean has been raised to a category 5 storm.

What about the storms of life? Irene has been through a “category 5” hurricane for the last 4+ months …. so it has caused me to think a lot about the unanticipated “storms of life” …. who would have known months ago that she would be diagnosed with Primary Amyloidosis and ESRD?

How do we prepare for such an event? How do we respond and react during the catastrophe?

For Irene, she steadfastly clings to Jesus, the author and finisher of her faith. I really respected Irene’s spiritual walk before this cataclysmic event …. but my respect for her has gone to new levels ….

How did she PREPARE for this unknown and surprising event in her life? Answer: she had been regularly in the WORD, spending quality and quantity time with her Lord.

How does she respond and react with dynamic information during the trial? The answer: The manifestation of her faith and the unchanging Word of God takes on new dimensions as she clings to what she knows to be true: that her Lord loves her and will never leave her nor forsake her. Her intimate relationship with Jesus Christ assures her of His abiding presence and peace during this tribulation.

Thank YOU for your continued care and concern for Irene during this stormy season in her life. God is hearing and answering our prayers. Irene is encouraged and blessed by the support she is receiving from YOU.

After her dialysis treatment today Irene rested, but is very weary because she

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8 p.m…

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thes 5:18

Is it possible to be joyful and thank God in all circumstances while in the midst of significant and “real time” challenges…like facing Primary Amyloidosis?

Scripture is either true or it’s not. So here are the questions:

• Is it true in Irene’s experience?

• Is it true in our collective family experience?

My humble answer is this:

The mystery of the ever abiding Holy Spirit combined with much intercessory prayer, (probably by the person reading this update), and the truth of God’s Word is enabling our family to appropriate the above verse into our lives at this time…we are truly JOYFUL and giving THANKS in all circumstances. Notice that we’re not grateful FOR the circumstances, but we’re grateful IN and despite the circumstances.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Burst into jubilant song with music. Psalm 98:4
© 2002 Hosanna Loh

Certainly, this is not to minimize the HUGE emotional swings that will at times grip and overwhelm each of us. And there are many times when it’s not easy. But we’re grateful for God’s Spirit which sustains us and manifests himself to us in joy and thankfulness.

This morning a long time friend from Merced, Vicki Shewey, whose family is vacationing this week in Aptos, visited Irene. It had been several years since they had seen each other so they had LOTS to catch up on…!!

Gracious Sue Martinez again spent several hours with Irene this afternoon as I spent the entire day in the Sacramento/San Joaquin Valley area working… it was refreshing to briefly see some of the incredibly supportive InterWest team in our Capital Division office today…

Irene had mild nausea today, was unable to ingest much food, but remains very emotionally and spiritually upbeat!!! She’s up and walking about but not necessarily what we would define as “Jack La Lane” energized…

We continue to rejoice in the favor of God upon us TODAY… and are very grateful for the many expressions of concern and support that continue to be shared with

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