9-17-07

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September 17, 2007

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"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3

The past year has been a major challenge in so many ways. I can clearly recall having discussions with my doctors where they would stress to me, “Chances are you won’t be teaching again.” I refused to accept what they were saying. I knew my God was much stronger than any of their medicines, and that if it was His will I would teach again. I prayed, I worked hard, and I continued to hope that I would be able to recover and return to teaching. On September 4th, I stepped back into my classroom and began teaching high school again. The Lord is good. It is such a blessing to be back with the kids, doing what I love to do. I pray the Lord uses me to not only teach my students but to make a positive difference in their lives.

The boys have had a good summer and have started school. The highlight of CJ’s summer had to be attending Young Life Camp up in Malibu, Canada. He went with about 300 other students from area high schools. Upon his return he shared with us, “It was the best week of my life.” It is clear the Lord really blessed his experience. His faith has grown so much. If you ‘d like to learn more about CJ’s Young Life experience, please read this article he wrote for our local Young Life Newsletter:

http://sites.younglife.org/sites/GreaterPuyYL/Shared%20Documents/CAMP%202007%20Newsletter.pdf

CJ also started a bible study with his high school basketball team that meets at our home on Tuesday nights. CJ’s knee is recovering and he is playing basketball again in a high school fall league. Kyler turned 16 this summer. He completed drivers' education and will practice for a while longer before getting his license. Both CJ and Kyler will play basketball at Roger’s High School this year. CJ will be a senior and Kyler an incoming sophomore. Tanner is at the top of the growth charts. At 14, he is almost the same size as his 18 year-old brother. He attended a junior high Young Life Camp called Wild Life as well as a Christian basketball camp, NBC. He had a great summer and is now playing football at his junior high school.

Summer also ended with a visit from my parents a couple weeks ago. We got together at my brother's house to celebrate my nephew’s 3rd birthday. I haven’t seen my parents in a long time since they live in Arizona, so it was good to have a little family reunion. I got to see my younger sister and brother also. It was nice to be able to be together and catch up on what everyone has been up to. My younger brother and his wife are expecting their second child in January.

Michelle and I, along with our two younger boys, joined friends and went to the Washington State Cougars football game up in Seattle this past weekend. I had never been to a game in the new stadium. It was amazing. We had a great time. My highlight was getting a field pass to go down on the field with the players. I’ve never been that close to the action before and it was a pretty incredible experience.

I am getting ready to leave for my benefit ride in Hawaii. I will be traveling with my TNT team on September 28th to Honolulu and will ride a 100 mile ride around the island on Sunday, September 30th. We will return on Monday, October 1st. I have raised over $4,000 to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in hopes of finding a cure for this horrible disease. Thank you to everyone who has supported my ride. It feels good to be doing something to make a difference in the fight against Leukemia and your contributions are what will make my ride improve the lives of Leukemia & Lymphoma patients. A cure is the ultimate goal and because of you we are that much closer to achieving it.

One of the coolest things happening lately is that I have been keeping in touch with my donor, Bronwyn, from Australia. I am learning more about her and her family and how to speak Australian. I am learning such words as ‘G’Day (Good Day), Bloke (a man…’Good Bloke’ is a high compliment), cake stall (bake sale), biscuit (cookie), a fete (a fair or festival), or a spider (cup of ice-cream with soda added). One day I look forward to meeting her in person and then I’ll really learn how to speak Australian. I can’t tell you what a blessing it has been to connect with my donor. It is so wonderful. Below is a cute picture she sent of her daughter.

This has been a fun entry to write. I feel like I have so much good news to share. I pray it gives hope to others who are struggling with various trials in their own lives. I guess that is one of the main reasons I do this journal. It really is difficult to put into words how grateful I am to be healthy and alive. I have been through so many difficult times, but I have also been blessed in so many incredible ways. When I think of all the reasons why I am thankful for life and what is my strongest motivation to stay healthy, I would have to say the four reasons are pictured below. Thank you Lord for all you have done for me.

"In time of test, family is best." -Burmese Proverb

Prayer Requests:

•Friends battling cancer, but living strong: Karen Gustafson, Karen Kramp, Pam Valley, Mary Fore.

•My colleague, Molly, as she goes through the difficult loss of her brother to prostate cancer.

•Friends Pat Finley and Christina Hogue as they battle MS.

•CJ is able to play basketball with a healthy, pain free knee.

•Allow the Lord to use me and Michelle to make a difference in the lives of the students we teach and to be the best parents we can be to our boys.

•Safety on my bike ride in Honolulu

•Continued good health and long term remission from my Leukemia.

•Our roof can be replaced before winter.

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