Cancun Post #7

Cancun Post #7

January 15, 2019

One of God's sweet blessings to us during our time in Cancun has been our taxi driver.  Sergio is a friend of the Cancun Celltex consultant as well as a well respected driver by the employees of the hotel where we are staying.  He is a very safe driver, keeps a clean car, and loves his family well.  Thus, we have felt comfortable to travel about the city with him.  Today Sergio took us to the dock for an excursion to Isla Mujeres.  We took a 30 minute ferry ride to the  island.  After arriving we walked about a half of a mile to rent a golf cart to tour the island.  One side of the island is mostly shops, tourist excursions, swimming with the dolphins, beaches, homes of the town's people.  The opposite side has amazing views of the water, beautiful beaches, and huge modern homes.  We toured for about 4 hours and then ferried back to the dock.  Sergio was waiting for us when we arrived.  Knowing this was probably our last taxi ride while we are here, we thanked him for his wonderful service to us during our time in Cancun.  Sergio later emailed Larry a message of how much he enjoyed meeting him and being our taxi driver.  He calls Larry, Pastor Larry. 

This evening we enjoyed another great meal at our hotel and were able to encourage a mom.  The lady, her young son, Larry and I were the only ones eating inside tonight.  The son was fussy and you could tell she was embarrassed.  We stopped by their table on the way out.  She apologized and we assured her we were fine and being with them made us homesick for our six grandkids.  The husband and daughter flew home to Canada on Sunday, but she and the son had to stay behind because he had hand, foot, and mouth disease.  Hopefully they can fly home tomorrow.  The little boy was laughing and eating by the time we left.  We found out that the lady has done the equivalent of Campus Crusade mission work in Canada.

Prayer requests for Wednesday:

* stem cells to clear customs on time

* the stick for the IV will go well

* successful Intravenous and Intranasal procedures (beginning around 7:45 a.m. Houston time)

* the stem cells will give renewed energy, strength, and restored health

* our gratitude and appreciation can once again be expressed for all of my medical team

* that I will have the chance to meet a woman who is having treatments tomorrow that I have only communicated with online

* for us to see and take every opportunity to point others to Jesus

We are so appreciative of you partnering with us in your thoughts, prayers, and words of encouragement.  God is answering your prayers and we are most grateful.  We have felt His peace, presence, joy, and hope during these days.  I am praying that the same will be true for you as well.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 

Cancun Post #6

Cancun Post #6

January 14, 2019

There were rain showers and misting rain all day long.  We were able to walk outside by the pool on the roof between the showers.  The top floor also has a gym. While Larry exercises, I walk laps and enjoy a beautiful view of the city through the huge plate glass windows.

Since we didn't make plans for other activities, due to the rain, we accomplished quite a bit by staying at the hotel.  Larry was able to take care of some necessary work business and I finished a book with another ready to start.  In between times, we walked laps in various places, did some visiting with hotel personnel, and enjoyed not being in a hurry.  We'll both have our 10,000 steps before dinner time tonight.

One of my prayers for this week has been that I would somehow have an opportunity to adequately express my thanks and gratitude to Dr. Salazar, Dr. Camarillo, and the medical personnel for their willingness to take a risk to add the administration of stem cells to their practices.  There seems to be so little time during the procedure to do that, but it's something I really wanted and needed to do.  I had even thought about it again this afternoon and prayed that God would give me the chance to do that.  While I finished walking around the hotel lobby, Larry had already completed walking the long hospital hallway.  He had seen Dr. Salazar and Dr. Camarillo and they had spoken.  Larry came and met me just as I was entering the hallway and told me the doctors were there.  Have you ever been overwhelmed that God was answering your prayers in a way you hadn't planned and was giving you a desire of your heart?  I was able to sit with the doctors and express everything I wanted to say and listen as they talked about the blessings of seeing people have a better quality of life.  

Grateful today for all of you who continue to pray for Larry and me, for changes in weather, for a loving God who gives you the desires of your heart when you delight in him, and for joy and hope in the journey.  

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

But God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.
Psalm 66:19

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:3-6

Cancun Post #5

Cancun Post #5

January 13, 2019

Last night we went to a Mexican Food Restaurant across town to eat with a couple who were here for the wife to receive stem cell treatments.  It was a most enjoyable evening of great food and fellowship.

We started this morning livestreaming the "State of the Church Address" by our pastor, Dr. Duane Brooks, from Hebrews 12:1-2.  What a great reminder to start the year.

     1. What will we stop doing in order to finish well?

     2. Whom will we look to and see to finish well?

     3. What will we do to finish well?

This afternoon we went to visit new friends who were staying at a hotel on the beach.  The 22 year old daughter is here for stem cell treatments.  She and her mother are friends with two of our mutual friends.  We will definitely be keeping up with them when we return home.

Please pray:
* that others will see Jesus in us during these days
* that we will take and make the time to reach out to others
* for meaningful conversations with waiters, waitresses, and cab driver
* willingness to let go of even the good to make room for God's best
* healing to continue

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3

Cancun Post #4

Cancun Post #4

January 12, 2019

If a picture is worth a thousand words, I hope that these photos will somehow express my gratitude, amazement, hope, and joy in these days.

Galenia Hospital is where the stem cell procedures are administered.  The hospital and hotel where we are staying take up the entire block.  There are also big office buildings, a huge mall, and several other businesses in this area.

The Four Points by Sheraton and the Galenia Hospital adjoin each other.  The walkway between the two is open 24 hours a day.

One of the first things I did when we arrived was to see if the saying was still on the wall in the hospital from when we were here in 2015.  It is the only saying that is written in English.  I felt it was a sweet gift from God last time, so much so that I had Larry go back down the elevator when we were going back to our room to see if it was still written there or if was only there that morning!

 Nurse Magdalena taking vitals and inserting the IV for the stem cell infusions.

Dr. Ramirez spent about an hour with us while we were waiting for the stem cells to clear customs.  He told us some amazing  stories of results he has seen from the stem cell infusions.

The stem cells arrived!  They are in the white Styrofoam box.

 Verifying that these are my stem cells.

Dr. Camarillo and Nurse Magdalena preparing the stem cells for the Intravenous Infusion in my arm.  The cells from this type of administration travel throughout the body.

Dr. Salazar and Dr. Camarillo administering the Intranasal Infusion.  These cells pass through the brain barrier and will treat the brain and spine.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen.
Ephesians 3:20

Cancun Post #3

Cancun Post #3

January 11, 2019

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

The day I had prayed for and looked forward to finally arrived.  To say I was excited would definitely be an understatement.  From the beginning to the end, this has been an amazing day.  We have felt your prayers and have shared with my medical team that they are being prayed for as well.  They were appreciative.

Even though procedures didn’t go exactly as scheduled, God’s presence, blessings, and provision have been felt all day long.

My Bible reading this morning was the same scripture on Joseph that our grandkids studied in Sunday School this week.

The stem cell time was moved from 8:3o to 2:00 which was the same time our friend’s friend was scheduled to be there.  Larry was able to meet and pray with Megan and her mother before her infusion.  I met them afterwards.

Our stem cells were delayed several hours at the airport due to customs.  That gave us additional time to visit with doctors, nurses, and other stem cell recipients.

The nurse was able to insert the IV with only 2 sticks, for which I was most grateful.

The IV and intranasal infusions went very well.

Now we pray and wait for the infusions next week.

Will hopefully post pictures tomorrow.

Thank you again for your thoughts, prayers, and encouraging words.  They continue to be blessings to us.

P.S.  There was NO turbulence on our flight to Cancun!

Cancun Post #1

Cancun Post #1

01/09/2019

Larry and I fly to Cancun, Mexico Thursday, January 10, in order for me to have additional stem cell treatments.  Two procedures I have had in the past, but this will be the first time for the intranasal ones.  Since these cells pass through the brain barrier, they are proving beneficial for people with MS as well as other conditions.  This type of procedure was first administered 3 years ago.  I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to be a recipient.  The stem cell infusion process will begin at 8:30 am on January 11 and 16.

Prayer needs for these days.

* Safe travels and no turbulence

* Sweet reunions with doctors and personnel we met previously

* That the IVs will go in without too much difficulty

* Feel God’s peace, presence, and pleasure

* Time to relax and enjoy being together

* To have open ears, eyes, and hearts to what God is doing and look for ways to join Him in His work with people at the hospital, hotel, or wherever we are

* Renewed health

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalm 25:5

For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.

Psalm 71:5

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

A New Year

“Our hope is not in the new year…

but in the One

who makes all things new.”

“If you’d like to have a New Year’s resolution,

resolve to be pleasing to the Lord.”

~ John MacArthur

Tomorrow is the first blank page

of a 365 page book. 

Write a good one.

~ Brad Paisley

A NEW YEAR IS NOT

A NEW BEGINNING.

LIFE ISN’T MADE

OF FINITE CHAPTERS.

-------------------------------------

WHAT JANUARY BRINGS

IS PERSPECTIVE,

WHICH IN TURN ALLOWS

US TO CELEBRATE

SUCCESSES, BUILD ON

HARD-LEARNED LESSONS,

OWN OUR SHAME AND

FAILURES AND ENTER MORE

FULLY INTO THE REDEMPTION

CHRIST OFFERS.

~ Michele Phoenix

“May I never forget on my

best day that I still

need God as desperately

as I did on my worst.”

Jeremy Binns

Always pray to have

eyes that see the best in people,

a heart that forgives the worst,

a mind that forgets the bad,

and a soul that never loses faith in God.

“The secret is Christ in

me, not me in a different

set of circumstances.”

~ Elisabeth Elliot

DON’T FORGET

THAT MAYBE

YOU ARE THE

LIGHTHOUSE IN

SOMEONE’S STORM

“Let Them See You”

Jason Weeks, Scotty Wilbanks

With every breath I breathe I sing a simple melody

But I pray they’ll hear more than a song in me

Let them see You in me let them hear You when I speak

Let them feel You when I sing

Let them see You, let them see You in me

As we begin a “New Year”, may our desire and prayer be that through our thoughts, words, actions, and reactions people will see Jesus in us.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

     and renew a steadfast spirit with me.

Do not cast me from your presence

     or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation

     and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Psalm 51:10-12

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. He old has gone, the new is here!

2 Corinthians 5:17

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:33

Above all else, guard your heart,

     For everything you do flows from it.

Proverbs 4:23

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.

     And what does the LORD require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy

     and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2