2 To Go

Janie has made it to her last two radiation treatments (tomorrow, July 31 and Monday, August 3). We're thankful for the technology and the caring folks at RRMC. Janie's forehead is getting a bit of a sunburned look, but she still has her hair (a bit is coming out now). She's a little tired, but is managing fine I think. Please keep praying! My (ambitious?) prayer all along has been that the radiation would only *miraculously* hit and kill cancer cells and, *miraculously,* completely miss every single 'good' cell in her head.

"Therefore confess your sins to each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16

Or, in the more poetic King James: " The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

This wonderful verse is referenced in this encouraging sermon on prayer by Terry Virgo of New Frontiers Churches in the UK. Thanks so much for praying!

4 To Go

Hooray, only 4 more radiations on Janie's noggin! I'm so proud of her. She marches right in to the cancer center, lays on the table, has a plastic mesh mask put over her face (to immobilize it), and ZAP! its done for another day.

They told her that her hair would probably fall out, and today included a meeting with the big cheese radiation doctor who asked her the usual questions about her energy levels and her scalp (rashes? no. bumps? nope. hairy oozing warts? nyet.). He checked her hair and could only pull out one single, individual, solitary strand. A loner.

So I must tell you that I have been praying - and I know some of you have too - that her hair would not fall out this time. So here's the report: nothing (ok, well, one) so far! We're so thankful for that.

She's feeling well and has good energy (she's going to Burlington tomorrow).

We can't tell you how much your prayers mean to us. Thanks so much.

Ps. Click 'Older Posts' below to read Janie's updates if you're new...
Pps. the photo was nabbed off of google images but looks a lot like the radiation machine here in Rutland...

New (to me) Music

Stumbled across these musicians from an interesting looking church called Austin City Life in Austin, TX. The worship team has released an EP at their Myspace: www.myspace.com/austincitylifeworship.

Jordan Whitmore
Miranda Dodson
Nate Navarro
Andy Melvin

Clever

My son Daniel just showed me this rather epic video...he's cool like that.

Click:www.coldplay.com/videostrawberry.php
Don't forget to pause the music player below first...

Wonder

I wrote this down back in December of 2007:

We just got home from seeing the stage show of "White Christmas" at the Wang Center down in Boston. The Wang Center has an impressively beautiful foyer, with gilded arches and soaring four story baroque architecture. Heavenly motifs of angels and gods and puffy clouds and blue skies float above your head. As we waited there for the doors to open, I told Carly [my 10-year-old-at-the-time daughter], "look up." I wanted to watch her face as she took it all in. She was impressed. The wonder on her face and the sparkle of Christmas lights reflected in her little glasses is a sweet memory for me.

So as I tucked her into bed tonight, I asked her to remember that feeling of wonder as she looked up in the Wang Center foyer. Then I told her that being with God in heaven will be like that feeling, only a million times better. She reacted with a satisfying, round-eyed, "wooooow." And I thought to myself, "that may be the best thing I've told her so far."

Convicting....

The Red Sea Rules

No, I'm not proclaiming my undying loyalty to the body of water in the Middle East. This is a tremendously helpful book for those who find themselves in a tight spot.

The Israelites had found themselves at a place called 'Land's End' (no, not the clothing place dummy...Land's End like the edge of the water.) The massive and furious Egyptian army was bearing down on these unarmed former slaves and the massive Red Sea was before them. They were literally cornered. And it was God who had brought them to this impossible predicament. Why? SO THAT He could make his power and fame known in the lives of those He loved.

The Red Sea Rules are 10 'rules,' written by Robert Morgan, to help you get grip on the impossible thing that you are facing. It has been a great big help to our family. You can order it at CBD and Amazon.

How to Follow

No, nothing spiritual here, just click here to learn more about following someone's blog.

Janie's (2007) New Normal

Here's a link to a blog written by our good friend, Kim Winters. Back in November of 2007, Kim asked Janie to write about having cancer. I think its a good read...

Janie's July 09 Update

Here is a note that Janie sent to our friends who pray for her/us. Sent on on July 17, 2009:

Hello to all my praying friends –

It has been a long and adventurous 7 months. Many of you I see at church or out and about and can give updates but I know not everyone knows the latest in the Booth household. I’ll try to be quick. ;)

January found me getting CT and bone scans since my tumor marker numbers were rising. They found two small places: my left hip and my upper spine. So each place had 14 treatments of radiation. Chemo stops when radiation is taking place so I didn’t have any drugs for a couple of weeks. My lower left back was kind of hurting, which we thought was due from the radiation. But, alas, it was due to kidney stones! Which led to two more CT scans. March found me at the ENT trying to find out why my voice is so raspy. Turns out the meds have thinned my vocal cords so I may sound sultry and sexy for a while! April showers brought on. . . .shingles! Just a swatch on my back and a bit on my tummy. We actually laughed – it seemed so ridiculous! What next??? And of course this is all in-between trips to Houghton College and graduation parties and ceremonies and a nephew’s wedding!

Now I’ve been on a drug for about 15 weeks and it’s my least favorite one so far. Just feeling generally lousy and tired. In June my tumor marker numbers had dropped almost 20 points but in July they had risen 10 points again. This past Monday I innocently went in for my regular treatment but when I told them how lousy I was feeling things really started to happen. That same day I had a brain

Man, I Can Barely Type, Much Less Blog!

I guess I'm going to blog for myself to be able to think about stuff...like most people, right? Or do people blog like they Tweet? But this isn't Twitter (so stupid and I'm sad its so popular) and I don't really expect to be so glamorous as to be followed like some celebrity. Bernie Madoff (as in Made-off with your millions...) has a blog and look where it got him! But if you read, I hope it will maybe cause you to think and to see Jesus (not money) as truly satisfying to the soul - for real - and I hope it will be a blessing................................

You can subscribe (be among the first before I become a celebrity) here.