We Are Fellow Citizens

You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household. — Ephesians 2:19

We are God's people.

And members of his household.

We are chosen. No longer foreigners and strangers.

We are fellow citizens with God's people.

What a huge comfort that is!

Today was my second day of radiation, and all went smoothly.

Our friend Rudy called to find out how everything was going. Very thoughtful.

He is recovering from radiation treatment for prostate cancer and is gradually getting his strength back.

Praise God.

Do What Is Right

This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. — Jeremiah 22:3

Our neighbors just left for a trip to Hawaii.

Today they sent us some photos.

This one of the sunset over Oahu was from their trip a few years ago.

It's beautiful! Makes me feel like I'm actually there.

One of these days, we'll get back to the Big Island.

We can hardly wait.

In the meantime, we enjoy the sunsets here in San  Diego.

God has blessed us.

God Is the One I Praise

Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. — Jeremiah 17:14

Today I had x-rays for my radiation, which will start tomorrow.

I will go every afternoon for 20 days or four weeks.

The final week is a boost, just to make sure the cancer does not come back.

Fortunately, UCSD Moores Cancer Center, where I have my treatment, is right around the corner from my work.

So on days when I feel worn out, I'll just go home after the treatment.

Here's the beautiful card and notepaper I received from our friend Mary today.

The notepaper is actually embroidered pink flowers with stamped or drawn green leaves.

Mary's aunt made the notepaper, and it's gorgeous! 

Mary estimates it's 80-plus years old. I am blessed.

She and Gary have been upholding me in prayer ever since my diagnosis in January.

Little did she know that I've been reading the book of Jeremiah these past few days.

Perfect timing.

God has heard the prayers and is healing me from the cancer.

God has saved me; he is the one I praise.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. — Psalm 150:6

Praise God for all the wonderful things has done.

In October, Kirk and I will celebrate 35 years together.

Our friends, Brad and Peggy, celebrated their 44 year anniversary last week.

Our friends, Wayne and Chrissy, celebrated their 40th anniversary this month.

God has watched over our marriages and has strengthened us during the difficult times.

The Lord has caused us to rely on him.

Here we are 4 years ago with Mickey.

Growing closer to God has drawn us closer to each other.

Praise the Lord!

God's Perfect Peace

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. — Isaiah 26:3

This week quite a few people have asked how I'm doing, and the answer is, Great!

I go in for my radiation set-up appointment tomorrow.

I still have a Herceptin IV every three weeks, but my chemo is done.

My taste is completely back, and my energy is much stronger than just 6 weeks ago.

God has blessed me with coworkers and bosses who let me work at home once a week to help conserve my energy.

He has strengthened me and comforted me throughout this process.

None of this is my own doing. I am not a "strong woman," as some people have commented.

But I do have a strong Savior who watches over me and loves me.

He has kept me at perfect peace; I trust in Him.

We Have Great Peace

Great peace have those who love your law. — Psalm 119:165

Sunday our former pastor, Paul Pulliam, went to be with the Lord.

He was surrounded by family, but it was hard for us to see him go.

He was a friend of our family and a strong Christian presence in Kirk and my lives.

Our pastor Jerry included a beautiful tribute to Paul in his sermon today.

Kirk and I both served on our church session with Paul.

He will be missed, but we are grateful that he is now at peace with our Lord.

We pray for comfort for his family, especially for his wife, Ruth.

God Hears Me When I Call

I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me; hear me when I call to you. — Psalm 141:1

Thursday morning I had my Herceptin IV at Kaiser Hospital.

Before I left home, I got an email that our former pastor, Paul Pulliam was there with a torn aorta.

He had been admitted the night before.

I had to stop to pick up a card for my colleague at work whose last day was Friday. She was moving on to another bank after 5 years with our company. We will miss her terribly.

While getting a card for Jen, I picked up one for Paul, too.

When I got to Kaiser, they gave me his room number and sent me up to ICU to deliver the card.

Paul was sleeping peacefully, so I left the card on the table.

Not sure of what the prognosis would be, I wrote a note from Kirk, Abby and me, praying that God would surround Paul and his family with peace and love.

When I got home, I had an email letting me know that they expected Paul to last only a day or two.

He and our friend Burt Smith were the pastors who married us 35 years ago.

In May of 2014, Paul married Kirk's dad and Judy at Tom Hamm's.

Paul just turned 90 this past April. He attended our friend, Bud Jones' memorial service in May, and we enjoyed reconnecting with him.

Our prayer is that God will surround him with mercy and grace and welcome him into eternal rest with the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into your rest."

God Brought Me Joy

When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. — Psalm 94:18-19

Any time I felt the least little bit of anxiety, God consoled me.

His love brought me joy.

When I was about to slip, the Lord held me up and supported me.

Last week I made blueberry muffins to say goodbye to my friend Jennifer, who is moving on to another bank.

She got the gluten free version.

The rest of us got muffins with lots of gluten, pictured. The muffins brought joy to my family as well as to my coworkers.

I forgot to put sugar on top of one batch.

Kirk said he prefers those, since the sugar falls off the other ones when he eats them and he ends up with sugar all over him.

God Secures Justice

I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy. Surely the righteous will praise your name, and the upright will live in your presence. — Psalm 140:12-13

My Friday Bible study group is reading The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis. 

We have been having great discussions about the various ghosts who appear in each chapter.

The participants range in age and interests, and we bring a variety of points of view, which makes for very interesting conversations.

Several of us also enjoy hiking in our spare time.

I'm building up my strength so I can get back up Cowles Mountain this fall when it's not quite so hot.

I've started jumping rope again a few times a week.

That has helped with my breath support, too! 

In two weeks, when choir starts, that will come in very handy.

His Song Is With Me

By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life. — Psalm 42:8

Today I have another Herceptin IV, but no more chemo.

Last time this IV only took an hour total, so I got to work by 10:00.

We'll see if that happens again today.

I got a new note from my radiation doctor to allow me to work part-time, if necessary, through November 7 (my birthday)!

I have been working full time since the week after my surgery, so I don't think I'll need to move to part-time, but I'm taking each week one at a time.

A week from today I'll have my first radiation appointment.

I don't think they actually start the treatment until the day after, but I'll find out.

God directs his love to me. At night his song is with me.

My life is a prayer to my God, the God of my life.

Filled with Joy

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. — Psalm 126:3

On Sunday I had the privilege of singing with my friends Judith and Glen.

We sang one hymn with Hornswoggle, a group of 24 french horns.

What an exciting way to enjoy old hymns.

Our organist joined in on some of the songs, too.

It was a great ensemble sound.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord!

God Surrounds Me with His Love

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore. — Psalm 125:2

God surrounds me with his love.

Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so God surrounds me now and forever.

Even when I don't feel him or acknowledge him, God is with me.

Last week I got my mini tattoos so they can line me up precisely for my radiation treatment.

On the morning of August 28 I go in for my first visit and the radiation itself begins on the afternoon of August 29. I will find out the time on the 28th.

Monday my brother Steve began his new job with Cubic.

Sunday he joined us for worship.

What a blessing to praise God together as a family with Kirk, Abby, and Steve.

Thanking God for his ability to surround each of us with his unfailing love.

I Lift Up My Eyes

I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven. — Psalm 123:1

We lift up our eyes to God.

He sits enthroned in heaven and watches over us day and night.

Over the past month, I have been looking for a new writer for our content team at work.

Last week we narrowed it down to our final candidates and held our last few interviews.

We decided on the writer who seems to be the perfect fit for our team.

She will be moving to San Diego from Utah and will begin working for us on September 9.

I am praising God for leading us to just the right person.

I Rejoice

I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” — Psalm 122:1

Saturday Kirk and I went to his dad's house to begin cleaning it out so our realtor can show it.

Fortunately, there was not much to clean out except food, dishes, pots, and pans.

Plus all the cupboards and drawers.

Even so, it took us about 7 hours. We are worn out!

We still have lots more to remove, including clothes, garage items, and bedding.

Very exciting that they are going to start showing it and that there is already interest.

It is a beautiful home of about 1400 square feet. 

We will be sorry to see it go.

Boast in the Lord

Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord. — II Corinthians 10:17

Today our neighbor informed us that she will be honored this week with a lifetime achievement award for her work in mental health ministries.

We are so proud of Susan!

She will be traveling to San Antonio to share her story with 1500 professionals at the 4th Annual Pathways to Hope Conference.

She is nervous about speaking to such a large crowd. Usually her audience is closer to 500.

But she will do a great job.

Her ministry of Mental Health Ministries has a mission to educate clergy and lay persons for the purpose of decreasing the stigma associated with mental illnesses in our faith communities. 

Creating Caring Congregations, the DVD Susan has created, has been awarded in the 24th Annual Telly Awards for its high standard of excellence in the Religious program category.

The Telly Awards annually showcases the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators and corporate video departments in the world.

Congratulations, Susan!

Humbled Before the Lord

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. — James 4:10

God lifts us up even when we feel like we don't have the energy to keep going.

He encourages us to humble ourselves before him.

But being humble does not come easy to me.

My radiation will begin on August 28 with a trial run and then will begin in earnest on August 29.

It will continue for 4 weeks. The first 3 weeks are to make sure the area that held the cancer is targeted to prevent it from coming back in the next 15 years.

The final week is a "boost" to ensure that the area is completely covered.

The week after that, my radiation doctor recommends I take some time off to recover from the "sunburn" effect and from the fatigue.

So I've scheduled vacation so I can take the rest of the week off once the radiation ends. Then I'll have the weekend to recover and rest some more before returning to work.

We Belong to the Lord

If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. — Romans 14:8

Today I had my simulation in preparation for radiation.

They did a couple of cat scans and took pictures of me so they can replicate my positioning for the radiation.

Then they gave me four small tattoo dots to help line me up correctly — one on my back, chest, left side and right side.

They also use the tattoos in case I ever forget that I had radiation.

The doctors can tell from the tattoos that a person has had radiation. My doctor had a patient in his 80s who didn't remember that he had radiation in his 20s.

We belong to the Lord.

Comfort from God

I remember, Lord, your ancient laws, and I find comfort in them. — Psalm 119:52

Tomorrow I go in for the planning session or simulation before starting radiation.

They will position me in the best placement to target my left side.

Then they will take photos of the placement of my legs and arms so they will rest in just the right position.

The whole process will take about an hour, so I'll take my lunch to get it all taken care of.

My doctor will give me another note for work in case I need additional time off.

She has said she will suggest that I work part-time.

I will probably continue to work at home one day a week instead.

I find comfort in God's laws.

I Find Delight

Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. — Psalm 119:34-35

Kirk had a great day of golf last week at Torrey Pines with some buddies.

What a view!

He got a birdie on this hole with an amazing swing, getting the ball right on the green, about 5 feet away from the hole.

Then he had another fun early morning with some other friends later in the week at a different course.

He's back in the classroom on Wednesday, and will miss his days of golf.

Hopefully he can get back to into it on his breaks.

He has been so supportive of me during this year of appointments, surgery, weariness, and treatments. 

He has also helped me to stay in God's Word and to find delight in God's plans for our family.

God's Word

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, Lord. — Psalm 119:11-12

Kyle bought a case and plaque for Dad's casket flag that they carried back from Iowa after the burial.

It looks awesome. Now it graces their piano.

The plaque says:
Gary J. Rogers
1933 - 2019
USAF 1953-57

A beautiful tribute.

An Ever-Present Help

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. — Psalm 46:1

Tonight we celebrate a friend's graduation from high school.

And we may get to hear his band play, too.

Kirk is busy working on his dad's estate, doing paperwork to distribute his IRA and his other accounts, plus get his house ready to sell.

Here is a photo of his back yard.

Fortunately, the person who came to stage the house asked for us to leave all of the furniture except three rockers.

So we only need to remove his clothes, shoes, linens, and personal items.

That will make the whole process much easier and hopefully much faster.

We are enjoying his TV, since ours took about 30 minutes to warm up and would turn off and on while going through that process.

We are blessed. God has been our refuge and strength through all of the frustrations and delays.

We are getting through my cancer, dad's death, and the slow process of taking care of his estate.

God is our ever-present help in trouble.

God Is in His Temple

The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him. – Habakkuk 2:20

Wednesday when I met with the radiation doctor, she said it will be no problem for me to go in the water at the beach as long I don't have any open wounds.

Fantastic! I can hardly wait to get out the boogie boards.

Ditto for swimming pools.

After my four weeks of radiation, she recommends I take 4-5 days off.

So I've alerted my colleagues at work that I will be taking off some time off after the radiation ends.

I still haven't heard when that will start, and I probably won't know for a few more weeks.

In the meantime, I'll take a class to show me the facility and to learn what exactly the procedure will be.

I'll also meet my friend Mariley for lunch so she can share the details of her experience with me.

I am blessed.

God is in his temple, all's right with the world.

The Glory of God

The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. — Habakkuk 2:14

Today I met with my radiation doctor. The same one my friend Mariley had!

The good news is that I will only need four weeks of treatment (Monday - Friday).

They will not need to target the lymph nodes.

This will be preventative to make sure the cancer does not return.

What a huge praise!

My brother Steve just got a new job. He will hopefully no longer need to work 7 days a week, 10 hours per day.

Another huge praise!

The earth is filled with the knowledge of the glory of God.

God Understands

You understand, O Lord; remember me and care for me. — Jeremiah 15:15

God understands me.

He created me and knows every hair on my head.

God remembers me.

He cares for me in ways I cannot even imagine.

He surrounds me with his love and compassion.

God understands me and takes care of me.

Like a Tree Planted By the Water

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. — Jeremiah 17:7-8

I trust in the Lord, and he has blessed me.

I don't always have confidence in him, but I'm working on that.

When I'm grounded in the Lord, I am firmly planted on solid ground.

God gives me good food in its season.

God Has Healed Me

Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. — Jeremiah 17:14

God has healed me and strengthened me.

He has saved me from death and has given me life eternal.

I praise him for his mighty acts.

I exalt him for his excellent greatness.

He is the one I praise.

Praise the Lord

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. — Proverbs 31:30

La Jolla Pier

God's beautiful creation simply screams out His goodness.

The skies declare His handiwork. The oceans proclaim His power.

The waves bow before Him.

And so do I.

God is great, powerful, and majestic.

He is worthy of our praise.

God's Word Is Flawless

Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. — Proverbs 30:5

La Jolla Pier

God's Word is true.

People don't always keep their promises, but God does.

Every promise He has ever made has come true.

I can believe His Word.

He is my shield, and I can take refuge in Him.

Even when I don't have the right words, He hears my prayers.

He know what is best for me before I even ask.
 

God Is My Shield

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. — Psalm 119:114

God has been refuge through the battle against cancer.

He has been my shield and protector.

I have put my hope in His Word.

He has blessed us beyond measure, and we so appreciate the support of family and friends.

Here are the desserts we had Sunday night. Very delicious. My taste is back to normal. Awesome.

Children of God

To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. — John 1:12

As a child of God, I am loved and cared for by God himself.

He guided us to a long weekend of rest and relaxation.

He has guided us through my cancer and chemo treatments.

He has given us a chance to get away before Kirk starts school again and before Abby begins her master's program.

God has blessed us with time together as a family.