news! :)

I know I seem to start every blog out w/ it's been a while, but I wanted to share the news that our family has been waiting for for the last 4 almost 5 months now! ENJOY!




Dear Precious Praying Friends:

Over the past weeks we have prayed for God's miraculous healing power to be shown in my life. And, we have seen many evidences of His hand at work. I know these have been a blessing to you as well as to us.

Today, we received a call from the Bone Marrow Clinic that literally "knocked our socks off". The results of the latest tests showed that their was NO LEUKEMIC cells in my bone marrow and that it appears that the depleted chromosomes have been reversed which would indicate that the MDS has also been eliminated. This is exactly what we have been praying for. There could be no better report...a COMPLETE REMISSSION! PTL

We cannot stop praising the Lord for His grace and mercy. To think that the old bone marrow has been wiped clean and the donor's stem cells are taking over is a miracle in itself. Now we are dealing with a slow process of engrafting and looking for any deviation as time goes along. We anticipate another two months or so here in Durham as they monitor blood work and other issues. I am looking forward to being back in our own home but only as God's timing is revealed. We want to be sure that all of this "takes" and that we understand any new regimen that will be required.

We have literally been "praying" and thanking God,in advance, that this would take place and that all would be well. Spurgeon says: "Praise Him before you are delivered. Praise Him for what is coming. Adore Him for what he is going to do. I do not think there is a sweeter sound in God's ear than the song of one who blesses Him for grace that has not yet been tasted, who blesses Him for answers that have not been received but are sure to come".

Regardless of our circumstances, if we will go in the name of God, meet our difficulties, not having any plans or tricks, just commit ourselves to God and trust Him, we will see marvelous things that will utterly astonish us.
Today - we were "astonished". And tomorrow will be another opportunity to praise Him for what He is doing in our lives. Let us continue to "hold hands" and lift our praise to Him until His entire work has been accomplished.

As you pray, please pray for relief and healing for me from a viral infection. Basically the medical team are treating the symptoms as other possible medication could compromise the blood counts.

Grateful for your prayers,
Gary & Shirley


Please continue to pray for Gary, there are other issues that are being dealt w/ now...side effects from all the treatment. Most are able to be treated quickly...other things are more of a process....pray that none of them will keep them in Durham longer than necessary...they are starting to yearn to be home!