A DIXIE UPDATE 21 Sunday. May 11. As I begin this writing, Dixie and I are about to be separated by thousands of miles of land and seas, yet both surrounded by family and friends. One of the projects we developed over the past year is in the midst of happening right now. A Journey with the Apostles: Exploring Turkey & Greece, is an inspirational and educational program that follows the ministries of Paul and John, both saints in the truest sense of the word. And on Sunday morning, May 11, Dixie and I say goodbye at SeaTac as I join others gathering at airports in Seattle, San Francisco and Dallas, ready for their journeys into the modern/ancient world of Christianitys earliest beginnings. I leave with mixed feelings crowding into the corners of my heart. It is good to do this on several levels, yet bittersweet, for this is a journey we had planned to make together. Dixie has been looking forward to it, and I miss her already, even before our plane has left the ground. She has many friends surrounding her, good medical care, and most of all, she has our daughter, Michele. Stephen was with us for a week before returning to their new home in Hong Kong. Michele and Stephen had opportunity to spend quality time together and with us while he was here. Among the many things brothers/sisters share with each other, Im sure they had the where are our parents tonight? conversation. (As we gets older the noun changes from our own like conversations many years ago). Our two childrens parents have always been hard to keep track of, but Michele has somehow managed to stay geographically closest to us throughout our lives. This has been a gift to us. As a result, she and Dixie enjoy a mother-daughter closeness, having developed a deep and healthy bond that has survived and thrived through the years, in times both good and bad. Dixie and I had discussed the timing of this event. While I had canceled a teaching assignment in Russia in March, our long-standing commitment to so many on this Journey was one we felt we should honor. So, in a way, this is also mine and Marks gift to her and her mom. Two weeks to live and laugh and play with each other. Mark decided to go with me rather than camp out at home alone. Im thinking this is a good thing as the plane lifts off and banks to the north and east. At least it is my rationalization. Still, I miss her already. Friday, May 16. Im writing this as we drive through the rugged Taurus Mountains in south-central Anatolia, 5500 feet above sea level, on our way to Antalya, where we will spend two nights. It has been a hard week for Dixie as side-effects of chemotherapy are in play. We talk together every day via FaceTime. (Technology can be a good thing after all.) But I see in her eyes she is suffering. It hurts my heart. Everyone here keeps her in their prayers each day. I urge her to check in with SCCA to apprise them of what she is experiencing. On Thursday night she looks better, but we both know there is more of the same ahead as she heads into next week. Two travelers, Lorilee and Cindy, both cancer survivors, send advice about what to do should there be hair loss. At a roadside restaurant high in the Taurus Mountains, our Journey family celebrate Bryan Tebbutt and Susann Johnsons birthdays, replete with cakes and songs and laughter. We even sing the birthday song in Turkish. The yin and yangs of life. Two days ago we we were 400 meters (1300 feet) above ground in a hot air ballon, and 60 feet below the earth in a cave labyrinth carved out by the hands of generations of Hittites all the way to the earliest Christians. All in the same day. Joy and happiness. Pain and suffering. Life. We must be careful not to seek only good times and curse the bad. Both are the ingredients from which a rich and complete life are made. Jesus taught us this by his word and in his example. We must not miss this important truth. Next week, Dixie resumes her chemotherapy schedule on SCCAs 5th Flour, a second round of Gemcitabine infusions each week for three weeks. Every Thursday. Our prayer is for victory over this Enemy called cancer. We thank all of you for your faithfulness to us. We ask for wisdom and great care from doctors and caregivers. Strength and health for body and soul. Understanding and patience for us all as each one of us dig our way through lifes labyrinth. Joy and happiness. Pain and suffering. All in the same day. For you are our glory and joy! 1 Thessalonians 2:20 Blessings. ~ W
Posted on: Sat, 17 May 2014 16:58:44 +0000
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