Thanks

Response has been good so this is going to be my new transparency outlet.  Sometimes things may seem abit raw they may even seem somewhat preachy at times, but rest assured I will be speaking (writing) from my heart.  I know many of you have tried to make plans to come visit Regina and; just didn't want to disturb her, you don't know if it's a good day or not or maybe you've been busy.  I understand all of the reason's but if you can find time these next few weeks she will need plenty of people coming by to check on her.  I don't really want to leave her alone but I must work to keep what we have intact. She is suffering with some anxiety issues and is having bouts of loneliness.  I know some have come over to talk, or pray, or just lay on the bed and watch TV with her.  Would love it if more of this happened from those that care about her. 

This is the near future schedule as I know it.  Tuesday- Early to St. Luke's Woodlands to place the port hopefully home by 2pm then I need to go to the office.  Thursday- to MD Anderson at 7:30 for blood work, doctor and Big Gun Chemo.,  this will be all day and then some.  She will then carry around the 5FU chemo around until Monday or Tuesday.  That day she needs to return to MD Anderson Woodlands and get a shot.  I really could use someone to take her that day, so I don't loose another day. 

If you are reading this and have never accepted Christ as your personal savior, then it's not a coincidence for you to be reading this right now.  God has ordained this very moment to tell you how much he loves you.  Yes, He hates your sin and mine (Romans 3:23) but he LOVES you and me.  That's why He humbled himself to take on the flesh of man (Philippians 2:5-11) and do what we could not do for ourselves (live a life unblemished and pay for ALL sin) yes he died for you and he died for ALL (Luke 13:3) who will believe on his name- JESUS( John 14:6).  No you can't earn it, you can't buy it God gives grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9) in Jesus.  I would love to talk to you more if you will contact me kevin.carlton82@gmail.com I can get you some literature to explain things even better.  I am praying for you right now as I right this and for when you read it the Holy Spirit will begin to do a work in you than can finally put you at peace with God and your own life (Romans 5:1). 

In everything we must live for there is no guarantee for tomorrow.

Day 1

Yesterday we found out that Regina's tumor is not responding to the current chemotherapy that has been perscribed by her Doctor, in fact the scan has shown some growth.  This was not well received news as you could imagine, but as Regina stated to the Doctor it doesn't mean we have to give up, "I still want to fight this thing!", she said.  We are not giving up there are two options another round of the "Big Guns" Chemotherapy of test drugs.  Regina has choosen the Big Gun therapy for now.  This means we have to go and get a port put in again to allow for the long doses that the (Taxotere, Cisplatin and Flourouracil) require.  We are in agreement around our house that "CANCER SUCKS", yes I am aware that I may offend some by that statement but it is just as close to the truth as we can get.  Somehow, inhales with great force, is just too many words and doesn't quite have the same emphatic tone.  BUT more importantly we are all in agreement that "God is God and we are not", "That God is still on the throne and very much in control". In fact this has come as no surprise to Him.  Even though we may not understand meaning for the things God does, our job is to do a Romans 5:3-5 and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that the suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope... in order to perservere you must train for battle.  We now know why we have been sifted for the past few years, it was to get us ready to edure this and have the character that gives us and others hope in Jesus' love for us.

I say this knowing it's not, and hasn't, been easy.  But God's grace has always been sufficent, and God's people have ministered to us in ways beyond measure.  We still believe that God can choose to heal her here on earth or in heaven for all eternity, whichever He decides.  Waiting on this does not change the fact that we praise Him while we are waiting.  We look forward to the opportunities that we get to share our Faith in Jesus Christ to others.  We still covet all of your prayers as they are needed and felt.  Speciffically pray for the wisdom of the doctors, to know what to do and haw to procede.  Pray for me that God give me the wisdom to choose what is best for Regina.  Pray for the family as this raises many questions and affects all parts of their lives.  Pray for Regina as she needs to remain hopeful and seek God's will.  Finally, pray for peace, the kind found in Philippians.  God Bless.  Until next time.