Sweet Conscious Communion

Yes, I believe our family has been drawn closer to Him and to each other through Bethany's cancer. We are totally dependant on the Lord for His merciful healing touch. Bethany had her sixth out of thirty-three radiation treatments and started her new chemotherapy last Friday that will last one year. All that on top of starting her new job last week and starting to run again, not to mention getting back to her busy social life. That's Bethany! Please pray with us that all the cancer will be totally destroyed.

Joey and Christy ask prayer for all the paperwork they need to finish during Boot Camp and are thankful their sickness didn't last too long. Baby Claire continues to charm everyone with her sweet personality and friendly "Hey!".

When I came home from school today, this was on my pillow: "Perhaps His purpose is simply to draw us close to Himself in conscious communion with Him; for it is often the case, as all saints know, that fellowship with the Father and the Son is most vivid and sweet, and Christian joy is greatest when the cross is heaviest." J.I. Packer

Like Father Like Daughter?

Wanted to post this cute picture of Baby Claire sitting next to a portrait of her father when he was called, Baby Joey. This was days before they left to go to Virginia. Now they have been there one week and their blog gives a little clip of what life must be like.

Had a great time with the Lord this morning, then read joeyandchristy.com/blog. Tears came when I realized how special the Lord is to give both Christy and I assurance from the same verses from His holy and powerful and living Word: Psalm 138:8 "The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Thy lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Thy hands."

And Away We Go...

...all in our different directions, that is! Papa Joe and I again have an empty nest but rejoice that is was FULL many times this summer. Summer is coming to an end and God has His own plans for each of us. Oh, may we fulfill them all. Make us ready and aware of the precious opportunities You provide for us.

Papa Joe is anticipating some assistance at First Baptist Cairo with the addition, the Lord willing, of two staff members! Everything is cranking back up and excitement is in the air.

I'm in the midst of Teacher Work Week in readiness of my Kindergarteners this Monday. I love ministry and this is such a sweet match for me. Can't wait to meet my "new kids".

Bethany drove back to Largo on Sunday and has been making up for lost time! She loves her Singles Group at Indian Rocks Baptist Church and has been enjoying wonderful support and fellowship with them since she returned to her new "home". We won't talk about her move.
She flys to NC tomorrow to see Jennifer and Fran and then starts work Monday! God has provided. Continue to pray that all the cancer will die (and not her).

Joey, Christy and Baby Claire are at Boot Camp and will be Team Leaders for the next two months. They ask prayer that they will glean all they can in preparation of their ministry in Asia. Baby Claire has been ill so please pray that she will fully recover.

Yes, we miss them all, even now, but as one wise woman wrote, "I will miss them immensely, but...God's calling is of higher value to me than having the frequent joy of their companionship."

The FAM at the Marina at Port St Joe!

Notice Claire's "snaggle tooth"...ever so cute!

Alot Can Happen in Three Weeks!

CAREGIVERS
July 14th, after several delays bacause of maintenance issues, we finally landed safely in Virginia. Joe and I came to be Caregivers for Baby Claire so Joey and Christy could be freed up to go to all the meetings for the new Appointees. We've rarely seen Joey so excited. He has been headed in this direction all of his life.
BETHANY JOINS US IN VIRGINIA
Happily, Bethany joined us the 15th so AGAIN we're all together as a family. God is so good! She had been recuperating all the previous week in Cairo with us. We are walking together several miles a day with Baby Claire in her "chariot" (Photo Gallery) and Bethany is slowly getting some strength back.
IT'S OFFICIAL!
Joey and Christy were officially commissioned on July 17th. It was an extremely moving ceremony and we were so grateful to be there to support them as they begin this adventure ordained by God.
ST. GEORGE ISLAND
July 19th through the 25th was spent on Saint George Island thanks to a generous friend who wanted Bethany to do him a "favor" by enjoying his place. How unbelievably nice! We all went when we could and were refreshed.
LAST INTENSE CHEMO!
Today I am with Bethany at the Moffitt Cancer Center, again an all day affair with labs, Dr. appts, and then the L-O-N-G infusion of the three chemo drugs. We are happy that, the Lord willing, this is her last intense chemotherapy. Thank you for praying for her. Please continue to do so as I can see that this one is already hitting her pretty hard. Please pray for no hospital stay and for tolerable reactions. She is a trooper. She has 6 more years of treatment ahead so keep up the prayer support. This is getting us all through this mess.
PHOTO GALLERY UPCOMING...

Recovering in Cairo

Bethany flew to Washington, D.C. not only to be the maid of honor in a friend's wedding but also to enjoy fireworks on the 4th. When she is feeling good, no one can keep up with her.

After having chemo on Friday, Bethany is on her way down the roller coaster which is hard on us all. Thankfully, she is back at home in Cairo with Joe and I. Please continue to pray for no hospital stay this time also. The chemo is cumulative so each time she feels worse and worse.

July 6th: Pray for no hospital stay following this chemotherapy and for a clear mammogram. Thank you for your prayers.