Home for Christmas

When we were in Arizona, it was our goal to be home by Christmas. God has been very good to us, and we made it with a couple of weeks to spare. We did miss Joy's all-city choir program at the high school, but we did see her in the church program and at Six Flags. The highlight of our Christmas season was seeing Joy run down the aisle to hug Missy at church.

It doesn't really seem like today is Christmas Eve. We spent the entire month of November in Arizona, so that month was totally different for us. Christmas actually came early for us this year. We feel like we have already been blessed with so much this year, especially recently. Missy has a new liver that is working very well. Her pre-transplant symptoms have almost all disappeared. She has ankles again. The only negative so far is that she doesn't have many clothes that fit due to her weight loss. I'm not sure that she sees it as a negative however.

Missy's liver transplant had dominated our thoughts and plans for so long. It seems strange to have the transplant behind us. Her journey is not over by any means, but we are past one very large obstacle. The recovery has gone well so far, and Missy is trying very hard to be good. She has always had a tendency to try to do more than she should, and that trait hasn't changed. She will slowly make it back to her usual self. She already has much more energy than she had before the transplant.

God has always been very good to us, but we are especially blessed this Christmas. We hope that all who read this experience the true meaning and blessings of CHRISTmas this year. Have a very merry Christmas, everybody!

"For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

Thanks

This post has been on my mind for a few weeks now, but I am just now getting around to writing it. At least I picked an appropriate day. Four weeks ago today, Missy had her liver transplant. This month has been a blur, and it doesn't really seem like today is Thanksgiving. We do have so much to be thankful for, and I would like to list some of them here. Missy and I have been completely overwhelmed by the love, support, and encouragement of so many. I'm sure that I will miss something or someone, and for that, I sincerely apologize. Items are listed in no particular order.

I am thankful for an awesome God who loves us and supports us through all circumstances.
I am thankful for an amazing wife who inspires me more each day.
I am thankful for a beautiful daughter who always gives me more reasons to smile.
I am thankful for numerous family and friends who have encouraged us so much over the last several months. It's amazing how much a simple "I'm praying for you" can mean to us.
I am thankful for the outstanding staff at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. Each doctor, nurse, and staff person has been extremely friendly, courteous, helpful, and encouraging.
I am thankful for the Arizona Transplant House and their atmosphere that promotes healing and recovery.
I am thankful for our neighbors at the Transplant House and the family that they have become.
I am thankful for the Kerr family in inviting us to spend Thanksgiving with them today.
I am thankful for all of those who contributed to our fundraising efforts so that this transplant could be possible.
I am thankful for Bobbie and Dan Diaz in the sacrifice of part of her liver so that Missy might live. Bobbie sure picked a big one for her first surgery.
I am thankful for Tim and Kathy Williams in their sacrifice to be a donor and their willingness to do whatever was needed.
I am thankful for a wonderful pastor who flew out to be with us in July and October. His shepherding heart truly is an inspiration and encouragement to us.
I am thankful for all organ donors who help meet the medical needs of so many people that could not be done in any other way.
I am thankful for Facebook, this blog, and the texting feature of my phone that allows us to stay connected with so many people all over the world. Missy and I have never felt alone through any of this.
I am thankful for the power of prayer and the faithful saints who have prayed so fervently for Missy.
I am thankful for the Pickard family in their care of Joy while we are gone. It is so comforting to know that she is happy and in good hands.
I am thankful for Ani in watching over our house and dog. We especially appreciate her efforts in keeping snakes from coming in the door. That is something you will have to ask her about.
I am thankful for jobs and sick leave that allow us to come to Arizona for treatment.
I am thankful for the beauty of the desert that we have seen in Phoenix.
I am thankful that I learned enough cooking skills somewhere along the way to keep Missy, and sometimes others, well fed.
I am thankful for Netflix in helping keep us entertained through long waits for appointments and infusions.
I am thankful that all the people I neglected to mention will forgive me. You will do that, won't you?

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!

How Big Is Your God?

We have had an interesting stay at the Arizona Transplant House so far. We were very blessed to be able to stay here after only one night in a hotel. It is much cheaper, and it is an excellent place to heal and recover. Each "casita" can house up to six patients and their caregivers. We have been blessed with an excellent group with which to share our stay.

Bobbie and Dan were able to move in to the same casita on their second day in Arizona. It was good to be able to share a lot of time with them. Phil is a very interesting character. He was released after only three days in the hospital. He was released to go home a few weeks ago, but he hung around the Mayo Clinic to get some other things checked out before he left for New Mexico. Hal and Linda are former pastors and their story will take up a soon-to-be-coming blog. They are an amazing source of support and encouragement. Scott and Denise are a miracle in the making. The details of their story will also be coming shortly to a blog near you. Ed and Jan are the most recent arrivals, but they are already fitting in nicely.

This evening, Hal and Linda invited us to take part in a Bible study along with Denise and a couple staying in another casita. Jim and Tamara are here dealing with some cancer issues. The Bible study is the source of inspiration for this particular blog post.

The study goes along with a book, Torn, by Jud Wilhite. Jud is the senior pastor for Central Christian Church in Las Vegas. The subtitle for the book is "Trusting God When Life Leaves You in Pieces". Hal thought it might be appropriate for what all of us are presently going through. Imagine that. The key thought from the first segment is "the size of your God determines the size of your trust". The key verses are from Isaiah 40:25-31. It was indeed very appropriate for our situation, and for the situation that several of my friends are currently in.

Our God is an awesome God. Hey, that would make a great song, wouldn't it? He has created a universe beyond what we could ever comprehend. We can't even begin to understand the number of stars that He has put into place, yet He knows each one by name. He also knows each tiny detail of our everyday lives. He knows what each of us is going through and struggling with. He knows about the brain tumors in Missy's former youth pastor, my college friend, and a senior at Missy's school. He knows about the teenage daughter of my high school friend who is battling cancer. He knows about another high school friend whose husband has been out of work for several months. He knows about the high school secretary who just lost her young grandson. He knows about Missy's liver transplant. He knows all about many other struggles that are too numerous to mention here. God knows.

It is God who gives strength and power to those who are weary, weak, and struggling. He never grows tired or weary, and those that hope in Him will renew their strength. We often ask God, "Why?" Why did You allow this to happen? Why do good people struggle so much? Why does this young, innocent life have to suffer? Why are You leading us through all of this?

In this study, Pastor Wilhite admits that "Why?" is a good and legitimate question. But it is not the most important question. The more important question is "Who?" Who do you put your trust in? Who is the source of your strength? Who is going to get you through whatever it is you are going through? God often does not answer our "Why?" questions, at least not the way that we think He should. Many times, His answer wouldn't satisfy us anyway.

The important part for us is not to know why life happens the way it does. The important part is to know who our trust and faith and hope are in. Once we know that the God of the universe, the omnipotent Holy One, is on our side, that He knows each anxious thought and concern,  and that He is more than capable of handling anything that comes our way, we can rest assured that He will see us through it. Their may be some pain along the way, but one day, the torn pieces will be put back together.

Missy and I needed to hear that tonight, and I have a feeling that maybe some of you did, too. Oh, and I'm sure the friends I mentioned in this post would appreciate your prayers, too.

Missy Allen, Texas Ranger

For those that didn't already know this, Missy teaches Texas History. She is an excellent teacher especially when you consider that she never even took a Texas History class. Every year, she plans a trip for her students that involves visiting many historical sites including the Alamo, the state capitol, and the Texas Ranger Museum. On a recent trip, one of her adult sponsors became very excited when he heard that they were going to visit that particular site. He was looking forward to seeing exhibits about Nolan Ryan, Fergie Jenkins, Rusty Greer, and many other baseball heroes. Unfortunately, she had to inform him that this Texas Ranger Museum was closer to the Chuck Norris variety. I probably would have waited to let him know when he got to the museum.

Lots of people are excited about and talking about the baseball Texas Rangers now. The team is on the verge of winning their first World Series. We had hoped that it would be done by the time of Missy's surgery on Thursday, but rain in St. Louis postponed that idea.

Missy and the Rangers have several things in common. Both are expecting something very exciting on Thursday. Both expected it to happen already in the recent past. Both are very entertaining. Both have persevered and are better than ever. Both are going to be rewarded soon for their patience and perseverance.

Join in the cheer with me..."Let's go, Missy, let's go! (clap, clap) Let's go, Missy, let's go!"

Once More, With Feeling

Have you ever had a concert or drama rehearsal where you thought you had done your very best only for the director to say, "Once more, with feeling!"? The director wasn't quite satisfied with your effort or lack of expression, and he thought it should all be done again. Well, that has never happened to me, mainly because I have never been talented enough to be a part of a concert or drama. Somehow, the sentiment seems fitting for our current situation with Missy's liver transplant.

This time around has been much different, however. In July, there was a lot of emotion and excitement involved leading up to the surgery date. Everything has been much more subdued this time. Maybe it is because we are guarding our emotions more, not wanting to be disappointed again. Maybe we are being more cautiously optimistic this time. Whatever the reasons, it hardly seems that we are only a couple of days away from the transplant.

Things are going well so far. The Arizona Transplant House had rooms for both Missy and her donor. That has been a huge blessing especially since the local hotel rates have increased due to the season. It seems like we are mostly just along for the ride this time. We thought we had some control last time, but we soon found out that we didn't. Fortunately, the same God is in control every time. I guess that we might be more trusting this time. It wasn't that we didn't trust God earlier. In fact, I don't think we could have trusted more. We probably did take some things for granted though, and we had our own way of how we thought the situation should work out. As it often happens, God had some different ideas in store for us.

I'm sure the anxiety will increase as Thursday gets closer. We know everything is in God's hands, and He can handle anything that happens. None of this has surprised Him. So, I don't really know what the "feeling" is this time around. Part of it is moving to the back seat and trying not to give driving directions. Part of it is a feeling that this time had better work. It would be extremely difficult to endure a letdown again. As always, we appreciate your prayers. We'll let you know more as it happens.

You Just Might Be a Chili Head

Tonight is our church's annual Chili Cookoff. One of our friends, Ann Sanford, heads up the competition each year. She has been involved in the Terlingua International Chili Cookoff for several years. She always brings a fun, festive atmosphere to this event. This year's event (as well as last year's) have been used to raise funds for Missy's liver transplant, so we have an extra level of appreciation.

Last night, Missy, Joy, and I were preparing our entries into the contest. As I was working on my chili, I thought of some of the following indications of "chili headedness".

If your chili sets off smoke alarms...in your neighbor's house, you might be a chili head.
If your spouse has shed a tear from the aroma of your seasonings, you might be a chili head.
If your recipe is different every time you make chili, you might be a chili head.
If you believe that there is no such thing as too many peppers, you might be a chili head.
If you include ingredients just because they have a cool Mexican name and there are flames on the label, you might be a chili head.
If you include any ingredient just because it has "hot" or "extra spicy" on the label, you might be a chili head.
If you have at least three ingredients that you have no clue about, you might be a chili head.
If others have to sign a waiver to test your chili, you might be a chili head.
If your chili wears through the pot you are using, you might be a chili head.
If you can still taste the heat from your chili three hours later, you might be a chili head.
If you know exactly where each bite is in your digestive system, you might be a chili head.

I won't say how many of these apply to this year's version of my chili, but let me put it this way: I just might be a chili head.

Remembering

We all have times and incidents in our lives that we would like to forget, but they are forever etched in our minds. As I get older, I am finding that there are more and more things that I would like to remember but can't.

As we face the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, there are several memories that we would like to forget...the loss of innocent lives, the massive destruction, the sense of helplessness, the decreased sense of security. Memories of that tragic day are not easily forgotten, nor should they be. Some aspects of that day should always be remembered...the sacrifice of firefighters and police who ran into the chaos instead of running away from it, the bravery of ordinary people who found themselves in the midst of extraordinary circumstances, the way that a country of individuals with opposing beliefs and ideologies bonded together for a common cause.

This video was shared in our church service this morning. It does a much better job of providing reasons why we should remember the events of 9/11. Whether we like it or not, the challenges, hardships, and tragedies that we face make us who we are. Actually, our reactions to those events make us who we are.

Although it doesn't compare to the tragedy of 9/11, Missy has indeed experienced more than her share of difficult circumstances. There are many that we would like to forget, but instead, we forget what important message we were supposed to tell each other, what essential item needs to be picked up at the store, and whatever it was that we were just talking about. It is our goal, however, to please God with how we handle these circumstances. Sometimes we do better than others. We do remember His faithfulness through each circumstance and the promise of His continued presence.

We are still waiting in the most recent part of our journey. Donor #3 has been approved, and we are waiting for a surgery date. We have been told that it will be some time in early October. Stay tuned. God bless America.