I read this, and well, you should read it...

"I sat by my best friend's bedside a few years ago as a wasting cancer
took him away. He kept at his table a worn Bible and a 1928 edition of
the Book of Common Prayer. A shattering grief disabled his family,
many of his old friends, and at least one priest. Here was an humble
and very good guy, someone who apologized when he winced with pain
because he thought it made his guest uncomfortable. He retained his
equanimity and good humor literally until his last conscious moment.
"I'm going to try to beat [this cancer]," he told me several months
before he died. "But if I don't, I'll see you on the other side."

His gift was to remind everyone around him that even though God
doesn't promise us tomorrow, he does promise us eternity, - filled
with life and love we cannot comprehend, - and that one can in the
throes of sickness point the rest of us toward timeless truths that
will help us weather future storms.

Through such trials, God bids us to choose: Do we believe, or do we
not? Will we be bold enough to love, daring enough to serve, humble
enough to submit, and strong enough to acknowledge our limitations?
Can we surrender our concern in things that don't matter so that we
might devote our remaining days to things that do?"

Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.  Let your gentle spirit be made known to all men. The Lord is near.  - Philippians 4

Lately, God has put my family on my heart for a few reasons.  I just want to ask for prayer for them.  Early I was asked to think on 1 Peter 1:7-8 (what do we desire? The solid gold in one hand or the trial in the other?).  ...They're all so special to me each time I go away, it gets harder.  I know that the Lord has me away for good reasons though.  I definately miss them more and appreciate the fact that I can reflect and laugh and smile about them.  We have so many good memories together... 

  Also, lately I've been keeping busy with getting ready for a missions trip to Argentina!  I'm so excited about the ministry we're going to be involved with.  We're singing songs and doing dramas... We'll be able to go into the schools there too.  I think Ric said this is the first year they've been able to get into the schools.  Preparing has been fun and thought provoking...  so it's adios in 13 days!!

  Please keep the team in your prayers!  There are a couple people who still have yet to raise money.  Please be praying that the Lord will provide for them quickly.  I only have a couple hundred to raise but I'm not stressing about it.  The Lord has helped provide in such ways already!  His grace is sufficient and His mercy is uncomparable...

Psalm 98