Keep On Keeping On

I haven't updated in some time, but wanted anyone who might be reading to know that John's last check-ups were all good news and wonderful to hear! He remains in remission with a good, clean PET scan and although his tumor marker has gone up just a smidge, his counts are still well below normal.

He is working hard at work and feeling pretty worn out much of the time. While this has been a bit of a concern, we had to remind ourselves a few weeks ago that it had only been six months since his last chemo treatment (12-26). With that in perspective, we continue with faith that he will improve in strength and stamina.

We were able to take a few days last weekend and stay with our son's future in-laws in KY to work on some wedding plans. Yes, you read correctly. Son John (JR) finally popped the question to his lovely girlfriend, Mindy, and they will be married on October 10 at their church in KY. Because the church is quite small and limits the guest list, I think we're planning an encore reception in Dayton the week following. This will really be a souped up family reunion and our hope is for everyone to have a good time and visit with the newlyweds and one another.

Lovely daughter, Audrey, celebrated her 20th birthday on June 20th and finished summer school a few days after, completing the summer term with all A's at University of Dayton! Way to go, Audrey! (Although, we've come to expect nothing less from our scholar.) This was an appliance year for Audrey as she received a Kitchen Aide mixer from her special someone, Caleb, and was completely thrilled. She was also gifted with her grandma Marjorie's fancy computerized sewing machine that embroiders. She is pretty pumped about that too and ready to dig in with sewing lessons from mom and dad. According to her dad, next year she is getting a lawn mower.

John and I are participating in a Bible study on Wednesday nights for the summer that focuses on knowing the power of God. The two pastors who are co-leading are wonderful teachers and we're really enjoying it and growing in faith, understanding, and conviction to share our faith. God is good, and in the words of a cousin, "All the time, God is good, all the time!"

With that, I leave you with this joke.

A priest, a minister and a rabbi want to see who’s best at his job. So they each go into the woods, find a bear, and attempt to convert it. Later they get together. The priest begins:

“When I found the bear, I read to him from the Catechism and sprinkled him with holy water. Next week is his First Communion.”

“I found a bear by the stream,” says the minister, “and preached God’s holy word. The bear was so mesmerized that he let me baptize him.”

They both look down at the rabbi, who is lying on a gurney in a body cast.

“Looking back,” he says, “maybe I shouldn’t have started with the circumcision.”

Arrivederci!

Pam