It’s been a while since I updated you all and most of you know that Kevin is thriving and his health is very stable.  There was a scan in September that indicated “Stable Brain MRI and no evidence of Tumor Progression”.  His next scan is to be in March 2024.  After that scan, we visited Chicago and it’s been all about Grandbabies!  Kevin is an amazing Grandpa - Elizabeth and Ezra break out into huge smiles when he is holds them…they love grabbing his nose and all his funny sounds…We are so thankful to be Grandparents - there is nothing like it!

So…sorry I that I didn’t update…I am a person who loves one on one - eye to eye contact…writing a journal entry is not my gift so sometimes it gets put on the back burner…I know it is encouraging and helpful to those we do not see.  Today, I feel compelled to share something…it is the 5 year anniversary of his first seizure and our journey through brain cancer.  We know that the continued health was not likely (5% of GBM patients make it to 5 years and we were told that the standard treatment to Kevin’s particular tumor was a 2% likelihood of being successful).  We will rest and rejoice in the mystery God Will.  Kevin has had minimal complications and his calm, joyful, kind, loving personality is amplified…. An example of this is when we go to Menards for a few items and it should take 15 minutes…but he goes around and chats with the people he knows to encourage and make them laugh or smile PLUS he needs to meet a few more people…so a 15 minute errand turns into an hour and I am begging him to go home.  I guess you can guess who the introvert and extrovert are in our marriage!  It’s his joy and way of making a difference and now I send him to Menards by himself!

Here are some things we are thankful for and things that I am especially thankful for in Kevin:

God’s Grace and Mercy - His provision and goodness through the ups and downs of cancer.  We could not do this without His Presence and the Word.  Kevin reads through the Bible daily and then calls his mom and reads to her.  Kevin’s consistency keeps me focused…the teacher in him is still there and he keeps a great routine.

Worship - when we are discouraged or doubting, we turn to worship and gratefulness to God - it takes our eyes off ourselves and onto God the source of our hope, peace, joy.  This is how we start our morning with Worship Music and Kevin is often sending worship songs to family and friends via Youtube.  I think his 2nd career would have been a DJ 

The Love of our Family - Our kids and now Grandbabies - I will let the photos I share say more.

Relationships with extended family, friends and new people we meet - loving and building up whoever is in front of us.

Good Conversations - there is a new emphasis on asking good questions and having deeper conversations - I’m inspired by a book by  David Brooks - How to know a Person - the Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen.  This has always been a priority of Kevin’s and he seeks deeper friendships and new opportunities to build others up.  This book is motivating and insightful as to why and how …or I just need to follow Kevin around.

Health - we continue to learn how to eat better and make choices to promote brain health…being social, being active and eating well.  Games is a fun way to keep the brain active, so if anyone is up for some fun - let us know!

Biking - Kevin continues to bike and maintain our bikes.  Sometimes others come to him for help maintain their bikes or ask him to shop for a bike…he loves it - so feel free to ask him to ride or help!

We appreciate all of your kindness and encouragement over the years.  Thank You!