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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Brent's kidney function remains at 8% and are not degenerating further at this time.
- Brent has many people that have reached out to be his kidney donor and we are deeply moved by such a humbling decision.
- 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.
