Death Will Be No More

Waking up to hear terrible news this morning to what happened in Las Vegas is heart agonizing.  It seems almost everwhere I went today there was some connection to someone that was there for the event in Las Vegas.

Between the hurricane devastation, earthquakes, a man with his finger on the nuke button and now another mass shooting, one really does begin to think it's all going to hell in a hand basket. What do we tell our kids?  How can we protect ourselves?  What's next?  The anxiety can just keep mounting and mounting if you allow your mind to go there.

But then there's John 16:33.  

Let me set the scene. Jesus is preparing his disciples, his closest of companions, that He will be leaving them AND they will abandoned Him as well as he will be put through 6 illegal trials, beaten to a bloody pulp, mocked, abused and his skin ripped off his back.  Keep in mind that as soon as Jesus is arrested his trusted companions, His disciples,  have scattered to the wind even when they swore they would never leave him or deny him. Now imagine being in Jesus shoes knowing this will happen and yet He still gives them these words of comfort. 

Jesus turns to them and says, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

I know we get shocked by all of this suffering.  It just seems too much; SO MUCH.  And I know many ask and wrestle with how a loving God could allow such tragedy.  Friends, only the Lord can bring you understanding of such things. 

My prayer for you, as you feel the anxieties build up, when the burden is too heavy to bear, when the darkness will not lift that you take heart, Jesus has overcome the world.  

Positive thoughts are fleeting. 

Becoming emotional strong is temporary. 

Everything I am is only because of who HE always will be. 

He is our only hope.

He is still sovereign.

He is still on the throne of grace. 

He has still killed death. 

One day death will be no more. 

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." - Revelation 21:3-4

Resting and Healing; Selah

Just wanted to give you all a quick update on Brent.  It's been almost three weeks since his kidney transplant surgery and things are going very well.  Since he has come home he has still had to deal with pain, but just from the site of the surgery.  We have learned that since he is on quite a few anti-rejection and anti-viral drugs to help prevent his body from rejecting the kidney these drugs also delay his body from healing at the natural pace it normally would.  However he is slowly getting off of the "hard" pain killers and almost transitioned completely to Tylenol.  I have even been able to return back to work this week and leave Brent home to continue his recovery.

We have received numerous texts and phone call as well as Facebook messages and friends stopping by and we have been spoiled by delicious dinners delivered as to us as well.  We are so grateful by the community of support we are surrounded by and we appreciated you all so much.  There are areas we would still appreciate prayer for as you'll see below.

PRAISE:

1. God provides for all of our needs and we can rest in his sovereignty.
2. Brent's body continues to accept the kidney with minimal side effects to the medications.
3. Derek has continued to heal very well and has returned to work as well.
4. Kids have jumped back into school and the business has begun.
5. Brent is able to enjoy a normal diet again.

PRAYER:

1. Brent would be able to sleep and not have insomnia due to the medications
2. White blood cell count would return to normal range and not be a cause of concern.
3. The surgery site would continue to heal and Brent would be free of pain.  

As we hear about the devastation in Texas I am reminded as I read this scripture below how even when we don't understand what is going on and our hearts may ache for our loss and our contentment we are reminded that the Lord is who we can cling to.  He is our anchor, and our sustainer.

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present[b] help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
    though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
    God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
    he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
    how he has brought desolations on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
    he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the chariots with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God.
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth!”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

#anewkidneyforbrent - Daddy's Home

Brent was released from UCSF on Sunday afternoon and after a stop at Kaiser Walnut Creek to pick up his new boatload of meds we are back at home.

He can have visitors but please call or text Casey first
925-586-5678.

Also, VERY IMPORTANT, he is on immune surpressing drugs right now so his body doesn't reject the new kidney so please no visiting if you have a cold, flu, fever, etc.  His system is very weak and not able to fight back.  Any illness could send him back into the hospital.

Thank you all for your love, concern, prayers, text, balloons and phone calls.  We are a well loved bunch.

#anewkidneyforbrent - Day 2 Update

Brent continues to heal very well as he recovers from the kidney transplant he had just two days ago.  The nurses challenge their patients to do 13 laps on the transplant wing by the time they are discharged and Brent has by far exceeded that.  As of tonight they tell us he will be discharged tomorrow.

Derek was released this morning and is recovering great as well.  We are so thankful for the Tinder family who were all here to show their support for their dad.

PRAISE:

1. Both Derek and Brent continue to heal very well.  
2. God has provided for us in so many ways in regards to hotels, finances, prayers, friends and family to surprisingly stop by as well as our other NorthCreek UCSF guests (aka patients).  Such a testament to the love and care we have for one another.

PRAYER:

1. Brent's body to respond with minimal complications to all of the new prescriptions his system needs to tolerate and heal well in order to not reject the kidney, as well as remember all of our instructions regarding his medications. 
2. God would protect Brent from side effects and from getting any colds or flu.  His immune system will be surpressed so it will not fight off the new kidney.
3. Strength, Patience, Wisdom and Endurance to heal as we begin this journey now at home tomorrow.

 Brent making his laps

 Brent (kidney recipient) and Derek (kidney donor)

 Casey & Brent Moutier with Derek & Karen Tinder

 Casey and Brent with Casey's parents, Jon & Anne McNeff

Surprise visit from some of Casey's family visiting from SoCal, Ronda, Megan & Dan McNeff 

#anewkidneyforbrent, Day 1; Update, Praise, Prayer & Reflection

If you are reading this then you are just one of the people who have shown us your concern, your thoughts and most importantly your prayers.  We are overwhelmed by your love and care for us.  My phone was blowing up yesterday with some many asking for updates or letting me know that you are praying for us.  Sending "thank you" in a text back seems insufficient to convey our gratitude yet is was I could send back in order to keep up with all of your well wishes.  Thank you all for loving us so well and interceding your prayers on for us. (1 Tim. 2:1 Rom. 8:26-27)

For a great sermon on 1 Tim 2:1 listen for Kent Dresdow's sermon. 
http://www.northcreek.org/resources/media/sunday-sermons/message/good-and-pleasing-peace-and-quite

Brent's new kidney is working very well!  He did not get a good nights sleep partly because of the drugs in his system and partly because of nurses that need to keep checking in on him.  Today he should be able to go on oral pain meds that should give him longer lasting relief from pain as well as begin to eat some solid foods.  His creatinine levels have gone from a 9 just last week to pre-surgery levels at  7.1 to a 3.21 this morning.  He should be close to normal (.6-1.2) before he leaves to go home from the hospital on Sunday or Monday. We just take it hour by hour, listen to everything the staff has to say and try to give him quiet time to rest.

PRAISE

1. God is always faithful to hear our every prayer and ordains our days before they were even made (Psalm 139:13-16)
2. Kidney transplant was successful
3. Brent and Derek are both doing very well and healing nicely
4. Wonderful team of doctors, and nurses that are skilled and so knowledgeable at what they do and do it so well.  We cannot say enough about them.
5. God continues to provide for us in so many ways all because of the body of Christ.  

PRAYER:

1. Both Brent and Derek would continue to heal good and well and that they would have minimal side effects from the medications.
2. The Tinder and Moutier families would know how to best support Brent and Derek as they heal and adjust to new normals physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually; Derek with one kidney and Brent with three kidneys.
3. Brent's new kidney would not reject and work for a good and long time.  Surgeon says his kidney would likely last 20-25 years.  That would make Brent 62-65 years old!  Amazing!!!!

The last few days have been a whirl wind of emotions, prayers, concerns, to say the least.  I heard a song recently on the radio called "Still" by Hillary Scott & the Scott Family.  The song served as a great reminder to me how God has moved mountains and parted the water making a way for his purposes.  I feel just that way.  God has moved in people's hearts and made his way through our lives for His glory, for His purposes.  Even last night checking into our hotel I was able to tell the gentleman checking us in that we are praising God for his work today and what He continues to do, that we otherwise wouldn't of had the opportunity to do so.  We thank God to share of His work, For His Purposes, For His Glory!

"I bring my praise before I bring my need

'Cause there's no fear You've not already seen
I rest my heart on all Your promises
'Cause I have seen and know Your faithfulness"
-Still by Hillary Scott & the Scott Family

Out of Surgery

Dr. Freise just called me.  Brent is out of surgery and in recovery.  Kidney started working right away.  They took out his PD port as well.  Hope to get to see him in about an hour or two.   Both donorand Brent are doing well.  They will call me when I can see him.  Praising God for all of his sovereign handiwork. 

Surgery Update

Brent had his last dialysis treatment last night.  Woot!  Woot! 
 We arrived this morning at UCSF at about 5:45am with Brent and Derek and got them admitted to pre-op.  Derek was taken in for surgery st about 8:00 am and Brent went in at about 9.  Surgery should take 3-4 hours each.  

Brent and Derek were in good spirits and definitely know the body of Christ is at work, if nothing else than by the number of texts I got from people just say they are praying.  

We are surrounded by family and and close friends as we wait on news from the OR. 

When I get some news I will post another update.