AS LONG AS YOUR ARE GLORIFIED
by Mark Altorgge
http://listen.grooveshark.com/s/As+Long+As+You+Are+Glorified/ZdKxN?src=5

Shall I take from Your hand Your blessings
Yet not welcome any pain
Shall I thank You for days of sunshine
Yet grumble in days of rain
Shall I love You in times of plenty
Then leave You in days of drought
Shall I trust when I reap a harvest
But when winter winds blow, then doubt

Oh let Your will be done in me
In Your love I will abide
Oh I long for nothing else as long
As You are glorified

 Are You good only when I prosper
And true only when I’m filled
Are You King only when I’m carefree
And God only when I’m well
You are good when I’m poor and needy
You are true when I’m parched and dry
You still reign in the deepest valley
You’re still God in the darkest night

So quiet my restless heart
Quiet my restless heart
Quiet my restless heart in You

The doctors say it's benign.

Thank you for your prayers. All the reports pointed to cancer but God
doesn't rely on reports written by man.

He has answered our prayers.

Katie has cancer. Thyroid cancer. We wanted to let you know so you
won't be surprised when you see us and say "how are you?" And we
answer "Other than cancer...we're good. "
I know you want to help and there will be plenty of opportunity for
that soon, but for now there's not much to do. We will let you know
when the time comes and we won't be shy about it.
Until then just pray that Katie can rest, that I can work efficiently
and often, that the kids are calm and joyful, and that the house is
full of laughter.
For our friends that don't believe in God, watch closely because He is
near to us. We know that this trial is for our good and His glory, but
it very well may be for you too.
We will covet your prayers.

Had the biopsy yesterday.  Will know results by Tuesday (we hope by Friday...you know makes for a long weekend otherwise).

basically we have 4 scenarios:
1.  It's thyroid cancer.  Surgery to remove the thyroid and treatment to follow and daily thyroid medicine for the rest of her life
2.  Not sure if it's cancer but can't rule it out.  See number 1.
3.  Didn't come back as cancer but don't like the size of the mass and other things looks suspicious.  Surgery to remove half of the thyroid and follow ups with dr very regularly to see if 1/2 a thyroid is producing enough hormone to regulate normal body functions.  If not, daily dose of medicine for the rest of her life.
4.  No cancer, just a mass and doctors aren't concerned.  Leave it alone and monitor in very closely over the next year...and wait and see.

So, playing the odds most likely Katie will have to have surgery to remove all or part of her thyroid soon. 

For those of you that may read this email and your heart sinks for Katie, please know that she is doing well.  Better than well.  You see having MS is pretty good training for stuff like this.  The Lord has been kind enough to us to train us for this sort of thing.  We have learned that good health is something we take for granted and when it is stripped from you, although it hurts at first, you realize...that your hope doesn't rest on your health.  You realize that your health wasn't nailed to a cross and murdered.

Christ was.  So we don't set our hope on feeling good or comfortable.  the Lord has been so kind to us to show us that there is no need in striving for things of this world.  Our hope lies in Heaven and the pain free life we will live in the glory of His presence.

Don't get me wrong, I don't wish these trials on anyone and I wish the Lord would put this on me instead of my wife, but the Lord is kind to allow us to suffer such things...the air is sweeter and the light is brighter in dark places.  I hope that you may know the peace that we do.

Anyway, practically...you can pray for Katie's anxiety and her fight against that...not about the cancer, we're ok about that...she is not looking forward to the IV.  You would think that a girl that has to take a shot everyday would be used to needles by now...but nope.  So just pray for her anxiety about the procedure and surgery.

you can pray for me and that the Lord will help me serve my wife and family.  You can pray that I can be more efficient in my work so that I can be at home to care for my family and that I can get by with less sleep for a time.

I know you all want to help and there will be time for that I am sure.  But for now we are good and I am not afraid to ask for help when we need it.  So please commit to praying for us and I will let you know what and when we need anything...

Just to let you know where our hearts were yesterday as we drove home from the hospital...

Shawn "So most likely you are going to have to have surgery?  Whether it's cancer or not, is that what you heard?"
Katie "Yeah, seems likely.  (pause)  But if it's cancer you know what that means don't you?"
Shawn "Oh yeah!"
Katie "We will get meals for a long time."
Shawn "Yep.  The Lord does provide."

So the wife has been asking me for weeks to build her a bench for the entry way.   I designed this one for a client of mine a few months ago.

So this weekend is my birthday, and since I decided to have a birthday poker party Saturday night, The Wife says ok, but you have to build a bench for me.

And today I find the following message in my inbox....

"boys here is my idea on a bench for the entry way. i don't think i really want the upper shelf
(although I could be convinced.  I do want several big hooks on wall for coats. You can let me know your ideas. :0) You are the experts."

I know it sounds pleasant, but she is a slave driver when it comes to this entry bench.

Dear Shoney's,
You are going to lose money on the breakfast bar this morning. The boys have descended on your establishment. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

When told to go get his shoes, the Subsequent Child said "I wuv dees shoes". Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Here's the picture that was supposed to be attached to yesterday's post.

I followed this trip to the hardware store to a stop at Mickey D's...a good day for a 4 year old or an old man like me.

Well...he asked if he could wear it to the movie store...and I couldn't come up with a good reason not to.

I am starting the little guy out early in life as a contractor...material list in hand, company hat...and he has already asked for a snack break...typical sub-contractor.