Good afternoon! It's been quite awhile since I've written to say "hello"...hope all is well with you. It's been blistering hot here in northern Illinois - as it has been across much of the country. Lots of iced tea and ice cream (more tea than ice cream, though). Speaking of ice cream, we have just learned that Don's cousin's son & daughter-in-law have opened up an ice cream shop in Lodi, WI and they serve...guess what? Babcock ice cream!

It's been a great week - filled with activity and "stuff". Seems the week just before chemo begins again is the best of the bunch and I think I saved everything for this week. Perhaps a bit much, though - I was in tears when I got home from the grocery store on Thursday and told Don that I didn't think I could manage by myself at the store anymore...it was one of those "but I used to be able to - what has happened?" moments. I have rested and that has passed and I will tackle that task again another day!

The body scan (PET) is set for Monday morning in Madison. We are leaving for Madison on Sunday after church and Kurt & Jenn and the girls are coming with us. We'll have a day or two in the pool amongst test/treatment and enjoy our time there. We meet with the doctor to get results on Tuesday and assuming all goes well with the PET scan, I'll start the 4th round of chemo on Tuesday also.

This is what I'm thinking right now - have you read about Daniel's friends being thrown into the fiery furnace? (Old Testament Daniel, the 3rd chapter...terrific story - and true, to be sure!) You've heard about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? They wouldn't bow to the king or worship his golden image and the king got mad and threatened to throw them into a blazing furnace - and the scriptures say "immediately". No time to bargain or whine or complain or call a lawyer. Either they bowed now or else. And the king asks this pointed question..."Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?" (Dan. 3:15). The three men, who desired to worship the One true God Almighty, said this..."If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king." Pretty confident, weren't they? But this is the part that really packs a punch. They go on to say "But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Wow! Even if God does not rescue them, they will not bow...they will endure what life brings.

I do not pretend to have the courage that these men had - and others in the Scriptures - but I serve the same God and my heart shouts out with them - even, God, if this cancer hasn't shrunk or gone away, even if ill comes my way - I will serve You no matter.

By the way, God DID rescue the 3 men. Scripture records for us that after the king threw them into the furnace, he saw FOUR men walking around in the fire - unbound & unharmed!!! The king referred to the 4th man as an angel (vs. 28). After the 3 men were brought out of the fire the Bible says that their bodies were not harmed nor was a hair of their heads singed, their robes were not scorched - and no smell of fire on them!! The king said this..."Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego...they trusted in Him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God." The king issued a decree that anyone who said anything against their God would be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into rubble, "for no other God can save in this way." The king recognized the One True God and HE is the GOD I serve - because there is no other God!!

So, armed with the Holy Spirit, the prayers of many, and the peace that passes ALL understanding, we are off to Madison. Come what may, God is still God and that will never change!

Love to you all...and many thanks...
Deb