#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.