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.

#newkidneyforBrent

Many of you have been praying for us as a family as we have been dealing with Brent's End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).  This weekend we spent much time praying, thinking and seeking counsel of family and friends as well as countless conversations with our team of doctors and donor coordinators. Brent had a phone call with his donor coordinator at UCSF on Monday that the transplant team highly recommended we proceed with one particular donor for several reasons. With that recommendation the decision was made and we are proceeding with a fellow “NorthCreeker”, Derek Tinder, has graciously volunteered (and BEEN TESTED RIGOROUSLY) to give Brent a kidney.  Surgery is scheduled for August 10th at UCSF (Parnassus Campus).

We are praising the Lord for this wonderful news and are truly humbled by such a gift.  We are also scared and trusting in the Lord for things we do not yet know or understand as we enter a new chapter battling Brent's kidney disease.  Please continue to pray for us and for the Tinder family as we all make preparations for surgery and recovery which will be 4-6 weeks.  Brent is a great patient and does everything the doctors say and most of all he wants to get back and at work in time for The Story, of course.  (Typical Brent!  Gotta love the guy for that.) 

Just as Paul was thankful for his trusted fellow believers we also are so very grateful for the body of Christ and especially for the body of believers here at NorthCreek.  God is sooo good and soooo kind to bless us with each one of you to care and pray for us.

PRAYER:

1. Brent's and Derek's health would remain stable to complete the surgery on Aug. 10th.
2. Recovery for both Brent and Derek would be successful and with minimal discomfort. And that the "new kidney" would live a nice long and healthy life. (kidney donations typically last 10-20 years, sometimes more, sometimes less)
3. We will again be attentive to the doctors wisdom and knowledge as we begin to try and soak in all the information they have to offer us.
4. Casey would find a place to stay and park near UCSF Parnassus campus during Brent's stay there for 5-7 days and not to expensive.
5. That we would manage any financial challenges that come due to the transplant. (those aren't yet known.)
6. Our kids, that they would feel and know God's care for them as we try and model faithfulness to the Lord as the pages of the chapter turn again. 

PRAISE:

1. The Tinders!  (Can I get an "AMEN?!?!?!")
2. Nurse Nora at Brent's Dialysis Clinic who faithfully cares for Brent and petitions the Lord with prayer for all her patients.She's a saint and we will miss seeing her every month. Our dietitian, Jaime, who prays whole heartily for us. As well as the entire dialysis team at Kaiser Martinez. They are all cheerleaders, coaches, listeners, hand- holders, library of information and teachers; all with such grace and patience.
3. The Lord's faithfulness.  It's evident more and more to us that there is not one detail that He does not know and care for.  He does work in "expected" ways that only He can do. 
4. All of you! Your care and prayer mean so much to us.  

Sorry to be so long this time.  There's lots to tell you all and pray for.  Through out this trial we have tried to live out our faith honestly and and in a way that pleases the Lord.  We find we often feel inept in all this and know that many of you go through much worse circumstances; and we find we are able to empathize in ways we could not before.  We are grateful our HOPE is in the Lord, and not in doctors, nurses, knowledge or even understanding.  We are to walk humbly and trust and obey even when we don't understand or have the answers; The Lord always does. Amen. 

Testing and Waiting

Hope you are all enjoying this beautiful summer weather.  I love summer more than any other time of the year.  The sun, the water, the sunburn and more water.  I just love it.

Well, before summer actually started we had the opportunity to travel to Israel, Greece and Turkey.  Many of you prayed for us during our trip that all of Brent's dialysis fluid would make it through customs and we would be able to maintain his health during our 14 day journey.  Brent had a routine blood test the day after we got back.  Brent's dialysis nurse, dietician and I were all amazed at his results as they was barely any change from before he left.  We all remarked how clearly it was an act of God that his numbers were almost untouched.  Brent's diet has a lot to do with maintaining his kidney function so it really is quite remarkable.

Needless to say we had a wonderful time and so thankful to share such a life changing experience with our kids.  That was indeed the best part.

Since that time we have been waiting.  Brent has three donor candidates in the testing process, including his brother, Jacque. Test results suggest that all are adequate to be all be donors.  However his brother provides the least chance of future kidney rejection.  With final tests completed we wait now for the transplant team to review Brent's case at their next meeting on Monday, July 17. We are hoping they give us the green light to proceed with one of the three candidates, and allow us to schedule the surgery this summer, maybe even in August.  So we wait...

PRAISE
1. Family and friends that would lovingly give Brent a better quality of life even extending his life for an unforeseen amount of time.
2. The Lord continues to provide for us in ways we could not of foreseen.
3. Brent's kidney function remains stable at 7-8%.

PRAY:
1. The transplant team as they consider the test results, that God would give them wisdom and insight to make the best decisions for Brent's health.
2. God would prepare our family for the weeks and months ahead as Brent undergoes surgery and continues with a successful recovery.
3. We would able to soak in all the medical information that we need to consider in the weeks and months ahead.

We continue to covet your prayers and are so appreciative of you support in so many ways.

Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
    his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint,
    and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,
    and young men shall fall exhausted;
31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:28-31

Update on Brent

Family and Friends,

Brent and I just got back from a refreshing time in Carmel with our NorthCreek staff where we are able to catch a vision for the church as a whole, for our church and to hear how each of our staff families are doing.  It's a great time to connect to have a meal together, pray together with other couples on staff as well as with our spouses as well.  Always a delight.

I wanted to give you an update on where we are at these days so we can ask for your prayers.  Brent is still doing dialysis every night and things with that are going well.  We were even able to visit some colleges with Riley and to attend a conference out of state.  God was kind in the way he prepared us with kind knowledgeable southwest employees to help us along in our travels as well as ways he allowed us to demonstrate patients with other Southwest employees.

We have thing we would appreciate your prayers in the next few weeks.

PRAYER

1. Brent has three possible donors at this point that are continuing in the testing process to see if they are a match.  Pray for each of them as they walk in faith in this journey and follow the Lord's leading their hearts.  Prepare them to hear and understand the mental, physical, and emotional toll this may take on their own body's as well as the support they will need from their family's during this time.
2. We are leaving for Israel, Greece and Turkey next week with our family.  We have been diligent about preparing to administer dialysis overseas and have made all the necessary precautions and preparations. Yet, somehow in all of Brent's confirming and reconfirming his order to be delivered in Israel was cancelled unbeknownst to him with no way for him to have his dialysis fluid delivered in Israel.  So at the direction of Brent's doctor we will be carrying with us on the plane all of his dialysis fluid with us.  Please pray that God would orchestrate and guide us through TSA and customs in and out of  Israel and Greece without any complications of transporting several suitcases of dialysis fluid.  And that none of his fluid would become lost.  The Lord has opened up many doors to make this happen and we are continuing to trust him in this as well.
3. Also pray that the Lord would provide healthy food choices for Brent as we travel about our trip.  His diet is very helpful in maintaining his kidney function.

PRAISE

1. Brent's kidney function remains at 8% and are not degenerating further at this time.
2. Brent has many people that have reached out to be his kidney donor and we are deeply moved by such a humbling decision.
3. Completed two airline trips as "test trips" for how to travel while on dialysis.

James 1, verses 3 and 4 often run through my head.  "Count it all joy, my brothers,[b] when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Our faith is being tested and our prayer is that we would be steadfast for whatever the Lord has for us.  Whether it's a transplant or not we know that only the Lord is making us complete and because of His sovereignty, because He has ordained our days, we lack for nothing.  His alone is our hope.