A Place

His Heart ... My Heart!

I love it when I receive tender mercies in the middle of what seems like an ordinary day.
There was nothing special about this day and I was just sitting in the congregation singing the hymn, God Loved Us, So He Sent His Son (#187), when the words in the last verse stood out to me and touched my heart.

vs 3
"Oh, Love effulgent, love divine!  What debt of gratitude is mine, That in his off'ring I have part And hold a place within his heart."

I HOLD A PLACE WITHIN HIS HEART!

This isn't new revelation to me - it's something I've known before - but today it just touched me in a tender way, and I am grateful for it.  

Indeed, He holds a place within my heart!  

This was first published at  http://waitingpatientlyonthelord.blogspot.com/2014/08/his-heart-my-heart.html

Hope

A second tender mercy in the same day.  This came as I was reading PMG in preparation to writing to my missionary son.  It was the first thing I read and then the last, because my heart received the message it needed.

"Hope is an abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises to you.  It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance.  It is believing and expecting that something will occur.  When you have hope, you work through trials and difficulties with the confidence and assurance that all things will work together for your good.  Hope helps you conquer discouragement." (Preach My Gospel p117)


I love Hope! I believe that paragraph ... I know it is true!  I am grateful for a loving Father in Heaven and Savior, Jesus Christ.  I feel blessed! 

There are many things in life that can discourage us and indeed there have been in my life lately, and they have hit me hard lately, but I must remember to HOPE for better days ahead and remember that it will most likely "turn out better than I think".  (see also here)

This was first published at  http://waitingpatientlyonthelord.blogspot.com/2014/08/hope.html

Terry's Health Report

Terry's health report for the week is not much to talk about because it was the same as the past couple chemo weeks.  I will share this information for inquiring minds who really want to know.

We went daily, Monday thru Friday, for Dacogen chemo infusions.  On Tuesday we saw the doctor and received blood transfusions, and had more blood transfusions Friday.

Tuesday's (partial) Report Card:

Collected:  08/12/2014 10:00 AM

Component	Standard Range	Your Value	Flag
WBC	3.6 - 11.3 10*3/uL	0.2	LL
RBC	3.72 - 5.85 10*6/uL	2.67	L
HGB	12.3 - 17.1 g/dL	8.0	LL
Results confirmed, test repeated
HCT	36.9 - 49.9 %	23.4	LL
Results confirmed, test repeated
Platelet Count	136 - 331 10*3/uL	5	LL
Results confirmed, test repeated
Absolute Neutrophils	1.2 - 8.0 10*3/uL	0.0	LL

Tuesday - Terry received his chemo on the fourth floor and then went to the third floor for 2 bags of red blood cells and 1 bag of platelets.  The doctor visit was short and nothing new was learned.

 

Friday's (partial) Report Card:

Collected: 08/15/2014 9:10 AM

Component	Standard Range	Your Value	Flag
WBC	3.6 - 11.3 10*3/uL	0.2	LL
RBC	3.72 - 5.85 10*6/uL	2.96	L
HGB	12.3 - 17.1 g/dL	8.9	L
HCT	36.9 - 49.9 %	26.4	L
Platelet Count	136 - 331 10*3/uL	7	LL
Results confirmed, test repeated
Absolute Neutrophils	1.2 - 8.0 10*3/uL	0.0	LL

Friday - Terry received his chemo on the fourth floor and then went to the third floor for 2 bags of red blood cells, no platelets. 


Terry is feeling somewhat crummy today, blaming it on the effects of chemo.  His sinuses have been worsening this week too, so we can surely blame that as well.   My experience with this week can also testify to the fact that five days in row driving to Wenatchee and sitting in those clinic chairs or on those hospital beds for so many hours each day can also make a person feel crummy.   We are happy to have this week of visits complete, yet we are grateful for all that is done for us while we are at the clinic.

Terry has said many times that he is "living on borrowed blood" - surely there is truth to that, and we thank those who donate to the cause of making others healthy and alive! 

image from here
A simple explanation:  I chose this image from a Google search because I immediately noticed that the full drop was still full even after partially filling the other drop.  To me, that visual is two-fold -
1. It signifies that the donor can produce more of his own blood to remain "full" while sharing with another that cannot produce his own blood so becomes depleted and is constantly relying on the donations from others. 
2. It reminds me that as we serve we are blessed as much as the receiver, because we cannot out give the Lord and when we are in the service of our fellow beings we are only in the service of our God, and He blesses us for that service to His sons and daughters.  (see here)

So today we say...THANK YOU!...to all you awesome blood donors!!!!!!  and platelet donors!!!!! and bone marrow donors!!!!!  ... We need you and we appreciate your good works!  We are grateful to you!  We hope you feel blessed as you give and serve and share in this way ... and every way!

11 Grandchildren!

image from here

Skyler and Lisa had their baby -

Todd Ritter Hebdon
born 13 August 1014  (Thomas gets to share his birthday with his nephew.)
7 lbs. 7 oz.
19 inches

He is definitely our most unique birth story yet.  All of our other grandchildren have been born in the western states, this side of the Rocky Mts., and most within our time zone, but Todd was born in Oklahoma. That alone should make his story unique, but there is more.

For the complete story (and photos) you'll have to read their blog post, but for now I can tell you the short version - that this experience for them was very unlike their first experience.  I'll give you a hint - Terry suggested his name be Chevy or Malibu ...,  yip! ..., because he was born in their car just before they reached the hospital. 

All is well!  Both baby and mother are fine ..., and so is dad and big sister (who was on her way to the babysitter, but didn't make it in time).   The car is a different story.   

Unique birth story indeed!



Dacogen Begins Again

This is the week for daily Dacogen Chemo Infusions, and the first day went well, but then we expected it to because this chemo doesn't seem to affect him as terribly as some of the others.  The infusion only takes about an hour (with of course 20 to 30 minutes each side of it to prep and disconnect) so that is always more pleasant than those 5 hour (or 10 hour) infusions.

Maybe you noticed in the last few emails about Terry's appointments that I don't really know what to say about these visits because we don't seem to have any new info.  I feel like when I post about them I'm not really sharing anything because you have all heard the same thing over and over again, and it's old news.  But when I don't report I feel this guilt that won't stop until I sit down to post about it. 

Maybe if I tell you in advance that we are going for chemo every day this week and things will be fine just as they usually are, then I'll not post daily about them anymore until after Friday's visit.  I promise that if there is something worthy of a quick post I will quickly post it, otherwise I will wait until Friday evening. 

So, until Friday ...
here is a little something I found on pinterest ...

"God didn't promise days without pain

laughter without sorrow

nor sun without rain

but he did promise strength for the day

comfort for the tears and

Light for the way."

     

Friday Appointment

Friday Transfusion - Terry received 2 bags of reds and 1 platelets.
Here is a copy of his counts.

Component (type), Standard Range, Your Value (Terry's count today), Flag

WBC	3.6 - 11.3 10*3/uL	0.2	LL
RBC	3.72 - 5.85 10*6/uL	2.83	L
HGB	12.3 - 17.1 g/dL	8.2	L
HCT	36.9 - 49.9 %	25.0	LL
Platelet Count	136 - 331 10*3/uL	7	LL
Absolute Neutrophils	1.2 - 8.0 10*3/uL	0.0	LL

There isn't a lot more to say - it went well ...

I'll end with some "food for thought" -



image from here

"falling down is part of life ... getting back up is living"

Transfusions!

I didn't post about Terry's transfusion last Thursday because it was just too busy of a day ..., and weekend for that matter.  Anthony took Terry to Thursday's appointments because I was home preparing for the family reunion.  There was no blood draw because we knew we just wanted him to have a boost for the festivities, so it was a scheduled transfusion of one bag of platelets and two units of red blood cells.   They got done in time to meet us at Chico's for dinner that night.

Today was a scheduled blood draw and doctor visit.  Nothing new showed up in the reports, in fact, it looked very much like last week's report.  The reds were high enough to not need any more today.
RBC = 3.02(L)
HCT = 26.6(L)
HGB = 9.1(L) 

The platelets were still low at 3(LL) so he did receive one bag of platelets. 

It's sad that we can't do anything about the white cells because they are always so low and seem to need some help. 
WBC = 0.02(LL)
ANC = 0.0(LL)

image found here

 

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart.”

 

Psalms 27:14

 

 

Ron and Gelene Rodeback Family Reunion 2014

 

It was family reunion time at our house this past weekend.  Our family hosted the Ron and Gelene Rodeback Family Reunion and we had a great time in spite of the heat.  It is always awesome to get family together!   

 

As I planned this event there were a few things I kept in mind.  These quotes were among those things on my mind.

image from here

 

image from here

 

I tried to decide between three themes for this reunion, and couldn't choose just one, so I used all three, each day having it's own theme.  Each focusing on our living family enjoying time together and learning about the family members who have lived before, including many we have not met. 

image from here

Every morning and every evening I gave a family/ancestor spotlight, and my siblings and their spouses were responsible for a family scripture, and a family prayer.  I really loved that part of every day.  It added a beautiful feel to our time together.

Before I continue I must add a disclaimer - We are using photos from BJo's phone and a few we took with my camera when ever we thought about it, but we were not the family photographer.  I'm anxious to get the other photos from those who were family photographers.  ;)   These photos, however blurry or bad they might be are still better than no photos.

EAT, PRAY, LOVE
Our opening social began Thursday evening with dinner at Chico's - in memory of the family dinners there in our childhood on special occasions. 

We were missing a couple families at the time this photo was taken, but the count for this evening was 68 plus another 8 or so extended family members that came to visit.  28 other family members were unable to attend the reunion, and we missed them.  

After dinner we thought we'd head to bed, but decided to put out the tables and cloths and chairs, and hung lights in the tent.  It didn't take long with so much help.

 

 

 

 

A FAMILY - A FAIR
Friday was so hot that we didn't follow our agenda as planned, but we took things slow and easy, visiting and setting up for our Country Fair.  Each of my siblings and I were responsible for a booth at this Country Fair.   Our schedule was to begin our fair in the mid afternoon, but the heat was so undesirable that we decided to wait until evening.  So, we relaxed, visited, cooked, and cleaned, we held babies ...,
 

 

we looked through reunion books from the past 5 years,

had our ancestor spotlight in the cool of the house,

 

 

and had some fun at the first booth set up for the day - this awesome and awesome-r fun ;) compliments of my brother.

 

Finally, in the cool of the evening the Country Fair was open and oh what fun we had.  Everyone did a great job with their booths and we really had a good time.

 

 

FAMILY TREASURES - TREASURE FAMILY

Our last day :(
We took a group photo (last photo in this post), had a pie eating contest ...,

and went up to the neighbors/friends pond for a fun afternoon.

 

 

Before dinner we brought out the guns for some clay pigeon shooting, and several had their first experience with shooting.  (Not me! The only gun I ever have shot was a stick when I was young ;)

We had an impromptu tractor parade.  ?????    We moved a tractor back into its place (having used it for photo backdrop) and one of the little gals wanted a ride.  Well, then others wanted a ride and still others wanted to drive them.  So ...,  some people got their first ride, some got to drive the tractor for the first time.  We had 4 or 5 tractors running around the back yard and down the road beside the house.  :)   We would have used those for fair rides the night before if we'd have only known!  :)  (I tried to make a collage of the tractor rides, but it kept shutting down on me, sorry!  This post has taken me several tries to finally make it work.)

There was a lot of free time to play together and spend time getting to know each other better.

 

Our traditional candy toss was last on the list.  This is better than a piñata because no one has to hit anything.  Grandpa Ron just starts tossing candy out to everyone and everyone scrambles to fill their hands full.  This started over 20 years ago with just a few grandchildren and peanut m&ms and last year the peanut m&ms got traded for individually wrapped Hi Chew candy. 

Here is our family - 67 of them anyway.  Word has it that by the end of the year our count will be at 100 - unless there is something coming up we are unaware of at the moment ;).

 

Family is our treasure and we do treasure our family time together, and are so grateful for the love that was shown throughout the weekend. 

Now especially for my family ...
to those who came ...

Thanks for coming!  Thanks for sharing!  Thanks for helping! Thanks for cooperating! Thanks for EVERYTHING!

and to all, including those who were unable to attend ...
Thanks for being you!


YOU'RE ALL AWESOME!  :)

I LOVE YOU!

;) We can't wait until next years family reunion!!!!! ;)