Hi Family and Friends-- Thanks for your care, support, and prayers in our health journey.

The second week's rounds of radiation treatment were successful. Kong behaved—he had no sniffles. That will be all the treatments for the immediate time. So now we wait.

It has been a very rough week physically for me. The accumulating side effects, along with a new drug in my system, have knocked me down. I’m feeling much like 4.5 years ago when I was receiving chemo and radiation at the same time. My radiation oncologist doesn’t want me to take anything to counter the side effects, except Tylenol. My medical team says the heightened side effects will continue for a few weeks before they start to taper off, and they will taper off. In the meantime, a few more life adjustments to help cope. One thing I won’t give up is preaching on Sunday, so no one suggest that please.

We keep watching for new symptoms in this new territory of 3 metastases—we are fully aware, a bit nervous and a bit scared to various degrees at various times, of the reality of our situation. Keeping our faith in the Great Physician and being thankful for the prayers of the people—that is our choice of a positive focus. We see and experience the goodness of God in bountiful ways each day, even though our circumstances are not as we pray for them to be—His goodness is there—just keep leaning into them. Experiencing grace and peace.

New Thought: In preparing for this round of treatment, our radiation oncologist pulled up the current MRI of my brain and then compared it to the MRI of 3 months ago. He gave us several angles of each MRI to look at the brain and the metastases—from different sides, the top, at a 45-degree angle. It was most fascinating, not just looking at the concerning part of the brain, but the healthy part of the brain too. But the purpose was to identify, analyze, and annihilate. In choosing what treatment to pursue, the MRI was a great tool to help determine the course of action (annihilation).

This immediately made me think that God has an MRI of my soul. He sees where my soul is, and where it has been over the past few months, or years. He sees if there are tumors that are pressing up against good parts in the soul, causing the good parts to get off kilter. Has self-pity made its way in so that it is suppressing the contentment part of the soul? Has bitterness started to grow that is squishing the joy part of the soul? God sees that. This past week I’ve been snippier with people—I hate that—something has been irritating the kindness to others part of the soul—what exactly is bringing that? How can I see the MRI of my soul? How can I join with God’s Spirit to identify, analyze, and annihilate (I-A-A) these spiritual metastases? In addition to personal prayer, Scripture, mediation, there are other gifts God gives us to help I-A-A; maybe I’ll write more on that reflection later.

I’m about equipping people to join with what God in doing in soul care. But I don’t judge others, I only judge myself. I want to offer some care and assistance to help others along this path that we are on together. Thank you once again for your prayers and support. Praying you feel Jesus' vice grip in your life. Shalom, paul <><