lazy update

I call this a lazy update because I do not have any earthshaking news to tell you but I thought I would write anyway. Dan is happily working at his job in West Covina. He is teaching math and Bible to grades 6-8. His hip surgery is off until next summer and as I was pondering the delays he has had for that surgery it came to me that wouldn't it be great if the Lord Jesus would just heal that ball of the femur and Dan would not have to undergo anymore surgery! We can ask. We will ask! I am asking you to ask! Let's ask.
My job is going great. I love ultrasounds and I love the ministry of helping young women some of whom are in a crisis situation. I am still learning to adjust my life to my new schedule. Maybe I can't do quite as many other things as I did before:)
Jessica and Josh are in the midst of wedding plans and Jessica is also applying to graduate programs in urban planning with an emphasis in transportation. I confess I hope the school is west of the continental divide.
Again and again as I share the miracle that is Dan, I am reminded of the mercy and love we have received from the Lord. I am so grateful, so thankful that my heart is bursting with gratitude and love for my Lord Jesus.

Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Jesus our Messiah rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Jesus our Messiah dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus our Messiah, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

good good good news

So it has been awhile since i have posted but I have some wonderful news. Dan has a job teaching math and bible at a Lutheran school in West Covina. It is not maybe his first choice as he would rather be in a high school setting but it is a good start on the road of teaching experience. We are so thankful! Next, our daughter Jessica got engaged to be married on Friday to her love and best friend Joshua McBride! We are anticipating a spring wedding! WOOHOO!!! Next I got a part time job! For those who weren't aware, I went to Florida for 2 weeks to receive training in limited obstetrical ultrasound. I have been hired by our crisis pregnancy clinic to perform ultrasounds, pregnancy tests and counsel women who find themselves in a difficult situation. I have been volunteering there since January and am very excited about the expansion of my hours and duties. This is the fulfillment of desires I have had for many decades. The Lord has brought this about in my life and I am looking forward to all He will do in me and through me to help others.
In all this good news I see God's hand guiding us and directing us. My you sense His Presence leading and guiding you, especially as this world faces more and more troubled times.

Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way,
but the LORD establishes his steps.

Proverbs 3:
3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good success
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.

Fighting an infection

Dear One and All,
Unbelievably, Dan is in the hospital (again) with an liver abscess from his ablation in June. He will be having it drained tomorrow by an interventional radiologist at Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital in Whittier. He is also on IV antibiotics. What this will mean for his hip replacement surgery scheduled for July 28 we are not sure yet, but it may be postponed due to this complication. So again we ask for the Lord to intervene and heal Dan, and also to give Dan and Ashley the strength to get through this obstacle before them.
Thanks so much for your prayers and support.

Words to bank on:

Psalm 62
5 My soul, wait in silence for God only,
For my hope is from Him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God my salvation and my glory rest;
The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.
8 Trust in Him at all times, O people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah.

from Ashley........

Fried tumors!
I am happy to report that Dan is right now waking up from (possibly) his last necessary cancer treatment. The last of his visible tumors have been fried today...and hopefully, they'll never come back!

We got to the hospital about half an hour early, but they couldn't start the procedure until 3 hours later because Dan's platelets were a bit low. After finally deciding to give him a unit of platelets, they took him at 1030.

3 hours later, his fantastic doctor (our favorite over the past 4 years) came out to give us great news. The pre-procedure CT showed no new tumors and showed that the old tumors looked smaller than before. Then, they ablated a few areas ("microwave on a stick", as Dan says). The doctor admitted to us that he thinks the tumors were already dead, but he wanted to cook them anyway--for good measure. Biopsies from the site will tell us if there was any living cancer in them later. The doctor was overall very happy with the procedure. Little bleeding, no complications seen yet. Dan is waking up right now, so he's not even in the recovery area. In a couple hours or so, we'll be able to see him in his hospital room where he'll stay overnight for observation.

As long as Dan can eat, drink and have good pain control tonight, we should be able to leave in the morning. We'll be on the watch for signs of bleeding or infection for a little while. Then, we'll take a couple days to recuperate in NorCal, then drive home to La Habra.

As for future cancer treatments--there are NONE scheduled. After Dan's hip gets replaced, he can begin to work toward life without cancer. Check-up scans will happen every 3-6 months and the possibility will always remain that something could return. I will personally always be a little scared and worried. Yet, it feels like a new stage of life can begin. Please pray with us that Dan can officially and forever become a cancer survivor, instead of a cancer patient!

It's hard to believe that 4 years ago this time, Dan hadn't even started chemo. In fact, my mother-in-law and I were probably playing cards waiting for Dan to come out of a scan that would tell us fairly terrible news. Fast forward to now: Dan has his Bachelor's degree, has a wife, almost has his teacher's credential, has a cat and is planning for whatever God has in store for him and for us. God has certainly been faithful to His children.

I can say simply now, that the doctors did not think Dan had a fighting chance shortly after his diagnosis. Yet, after 10 rounds of chemo, SIRSpheres, a couple embolizations, a Whipple surgery, a bowel obstruction surgery, and 2 ablations...Dan is very close to being cancer-free.

We can obviously be thankful for the doctors and nurses. We can give some credit to Dan himself for being so incredibly, crazily courageous and strong. However, we would be completely wrong to not give all praise and glory and thankfulness to the One who orchestrated every good gift in the midst of this trial: our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Without His provision and protection, I know that Dan would not be alive today. What a wonderful God we worship!

Thank you everyone for your prayers and support. Continue to give glory to God for all He has done.

Updates will continue...though, I hope they won't involve too many more stories from the hospital!
Posted by Dan and Ashley at 2:05 PM

results

Dan came through the procedure well and the doctor ablated 2 sites, one that had been previously infarcted but not "cooked" by the last procedure and the 4th and last tumor site that he had planned to do. Everything looked good. No new tumors were seen!!!! His platelet count was a bit low so he was given some platelets. This was not a big concern for today but will be an issue for his hip replacement when the bleeding is more of a problem. SO thanksgiving for today and prayers for the next and final, Lord willing, procedure of the hip surgery on July 28. We are so thankful for all your love and support and prayers.
Isaiah 44:6-8
6 Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel
and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts:
“I am the first and I am the last;
besides me there is no god.
7 Who is like me? Let him proclaim it.
Let him declare and set it before me,
since I appointed an ancient people.
Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen.
8 Fear not, nor be afraid;
have I not told you from of old and declared it?
And you are my witnesses!
Is there a God besides me?
There is no Rock; I know not any.”

4 years ago

Dear Ones,
I have just spent about an hour reading blogs from 4 years ago. Had to stop because it is getting late! 4 years ago we received a "bad report" that Dan had cancer in his liver and pancreas. I had been studying the book of Isaiah and remembered that King Hezekiah had received a bad report and brought that to the Lord in His Temple and pleaded with Him to act on Judah's behalf, so Dan and I too took that bad report of cancer and pleaded with the Lord for His mercy and healing. (It was 2:30 am and the doctor came in the room and woke us up and gave us the results of his CT scan) Now 4 years later I am in a study with a friend and we are going over Isaiah and lo and behold we are just approaching the same chapter about King Hezekiah. So it is time to say thank you Lord for all you have done in these past 4 years. Next week Dan will have his last (hopefully) treatment on a tumor remnant (microwave on a stick). I can only sing praises and worship the King of Kings. Dan has been through a great deal of pain and suffering these past 4 years but there has been a great many blessings also. The Lord continues to use his ordeal to speak to hearts about the love, goodness and power of the Lord. May He speak to you today and may your heart be open to hear His still small voice calling out to you.

No job, YET!

Dan heard back from the job we all thought would be perfect - the answer was no:(((((
But we keep praying and he keeps looking and applying, then we'll see what happens!
Thanks for your love and support and prayers on his behalf.

Psalm 5
1 Give ear to my words, O LORD,
consider my sighing.
2 Listen to my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation.

update from Ashley

tuesday, may 24, 2011

Almost done!
One year ago, Dan and I were making some big changes in life. Dan was finally recovered from his surgeries and preparing for another one. I was graduating from nursing school, studying for the NCLEX and looking for a job. We were also looking for a place to live. As I hear about all the students graduating from Biola this weekend, I am glad that we aren't in such a topsy-turvy period of life. Yet, life has not slowed down yet!

Dan is now the one finishing up school, preparing to get his teacher's credential by the end of July. Actually, there will be a lot of changes by the end of July: one less liver tumor, one teacher's credential and one new hip. Good thing he has so much energy! Dan found out recently that he passed the TE (teaching event) and is nearly done with most of his assignments. Next step: finding a job. The search has already begun, so please be in prayer that God guides Dan toward the right job at the right time.

As for me, I am just working working working. Sometimes when I think about doing this until I'm 65, I get overwhelmed. Thank goodness nursing provides me with many options for refreshing my nursing spirit! I do like being a nurse, and I still feel that God has made me to take care of people. This thought is easier to remember at the end of a good shift with thankful patients...a rare combination! I am so very thankful that God is providing for Dan and I through this job and allowing me to learn so much every day.

This weekend will be the first whole weekend I have had off to spend with Dan without having work or family issues to deal with. We are thrilled! Time to sleep, clean, re-stock the fridge, snuggle, and maybe even take a day-trip. Yay!

Dan and I were slightly forced to take a trip home last weekend to attend my grandfather's funeral. It was obviously a very difficult week full of reliving memories and realizing that my papa won't be making new memories with us. As his death was very sudden, it still feels like a punch in the gut every time I think of the Dodgers or John Wayne or airplanes or old music. I can not even imagine how my grandma must feel right now and sincerely wish I could be home with her still. My prayer is that God is holding Papa tight now and that he is happy and right at home in Heaven.

We do apologize for the lapse in updates. As the title states, we feel like we are almost done with this phase of life called "School and beginning our careers". Hopefully, that means more time to focus on connecting with family and keeping in touch with everyone. Thank you for those of you who still keep us in your prayers.


Prayer Requests:
* Help on the job search for Dan--open doors and job offers soon
* Endurance for long hours at work and safety for me
* Successful tumor ablation (June 29th at Stanford) and hip replacement (July 28th in Whittier)
* Continued grace and peace as we seek God's will for our marriage and family

Life and Death

I just got this from my friend who had asked us to pray for Brennan:

Brennan passed away last week. His uncle and wife who lives here (CA) were able to go to the funeral. The night Brennan died he told his mom that he wanted to give his "Mamaw" a birthday present. You see his "Mamaw"(his grandmother, his mom’s mom) is in heaven and that the next morning was her birthday. Well that little guy gave his Mamaw a gift - he gave himself and on her birthday.
Thank you for your prayers and please continue to pray for his parents, Kristi and Albert, that they will stay together and survive the struggle of losing their son.

Along with this news, my daughter-in-law's grandfather, Bill Kee, passed away this past Sunday morning. Bob and I were able to be with the family at the time of his passing from this earthly life to his heavenly one. Would you join me in praying for Peggy, his wife of 48 years, and the rest of the family who are already missing his presence with them.
It is such a sobering reminder of the finality of death. I pray that each one of you has accounted for this inevitable journey into eternity and you are ready for what lies ahead.

John 3:14-16 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?"

May 2

My Dear Family and Friends, May 2, 2011

A GOOD NEWS UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dan passed his Teaching Event! (over 60 pages + video of his student teaching) Ashley and Dan came north for a few days and celebrated Passover with us at our church with about 200 people. Bob led the Seder and Dan was asked and honored to read the Hebrew prayers and he did a great job! Still to come for Dan after graduation in June is one more “microwave procedure” on the last tumor remnant and his hip replacement in July.

We celebrated the Passover, the LORD God’s deliverance of our people from slavery in Egypt so many years ago (about 3500). The Passover is such a significant event and it is referenced many times throughout the Bible. It is fulfilled in the death of Jesus the Messiah, who was called “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

In the Passover observance the element of the “Afikomen” is a picture of his death and resurrection. Its origin is unknown and indeed it is unusual that it is not explained in the Seder as everything else is! The tradition of the Afikomen started sometime after the prophet Malachi and before the time of Jesus. The middle matzoh of the three matzoh in the matzoh tash (bag) is taken out, broken in two, wrapped in a linen cloth, hidden or “buried” to be found by a child after the supper and the child who finds this hidden matzoh is rewarded.
Does this not sound like Jesus, who like the matzoh, was unleavened (without sin), pierced and striped, broken and buried. Those who “find him” are rewarded with eternal life. “Afikomen” is a Greek word, meaning “the coming one”. (What is a Greek word doing in the Hebrew Seder?)

Those of you from a Jewish background may want to ponder these things and ask the God of the Universe, Melech ha Olam, if these things be true!

Those of you not from a Jewish background and not sure about your plans for eternity could ask the God of the Universe too, if these things be so. He is ready to listen to any and every heart that truly seeks him and believes in the Passover Lamb of God slain for the forgiveness of your sins.

Certainly we live in unsettling times. One may wonder what in the world is going on with so many people in multiple countries rising up against their leaders and being killed by their own governments.

Continual pressure against the tiny country of Israel to become even tinier and give up land won in hard fought battles against countries that had vowed to wipe them off the face of the earth. (And are still actually talking about wiping them off the face of the earth. The Holocaust Remembrance Day, May 2, is a day to remember the past horrors of WWII and to never let that happen again.)

Tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, weather changes! Is it global warming or is it a merciful God trying to get our attention and turn our hearts toward him? Are these events that Jesus predicted would happen in the end times?
Tragedies, accidents, miracles happening left and right and some of us march on as if there is no God!

The Good News of God:

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Messiah died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 15

8 But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART"—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."
Romans 10

I must comment on the talk of the day - justice! Everyone is celebrating the “justice” in Bin Laden’s death. Do we really have justice? Or more appropriately, do we really want justice? Of course we do, especially when we have been wronged. Do we want justice to be applied to our life? Or do we want mercy? I am sure none of us have committed sins as heinous as Bin Laden and we are definitely appreciating that he is not around to plot more wickedness. But truth be told, all of us have sinned and all of us will stand before The Judge of the Universe. We will all be found guilty of sin in varying degrees, whether in thought, word or deed; whether as huge as Hitler, Stalin or Bin Laden or as small as the “good person” who on the outside appears good to all of us, but is still a sinner before a holy God.

More good news: God loves us so much He sent His Only Son to bear the penalty for our sin and Jesus did that with His death. He became that Lamb of God sacrificed on our behalf. If we believe that Jesus died for our sins and resurrected to eternal life, we too can have that eternal life because the justice we deserve for our sins has been paid. Those who believe are given the perfection and righteousness of Jesus, the God-Man, who is Immanuel, (which means God with us) in exchange for our sin.

For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

So the choice before you is this:
The perfect justice of God for all you have even done, said or thought.
(Think of how much we as imperfect beings desire justice, how much more will a Holy God desire justice to be done)
OR
The amazing mercy and forgiveness of God granted to those who believe

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2



Hoping and praying that you will want His mercy, not His justice, and that you will believe in Him. If I can pray for you or pray with you, I would be honored to do so. With love, Jamie

trusting

Dear friends and Family,
Heading back to Israel next week for the Robotics Competition with 14 others including Jessica! We will need your prayers for our trip: letting our light shine to those who do not yet know the Lord, great attitudes in traveling and competing, fun with our Israeli friends, health and safety for the 15 of us. The enemy has tried his best to get us down but we are persevering. Bob will not be going this time and I will miss him!!!!! On the home front everything is looking great!
May you find in Him your peace and joy and rest.
Here is the latest blog from Dan & Ashley:
tuesday, february 22, 2011

The New Year
Yes, we do know that it is half way through February and we are just now blogging about the new year. That is just how life is right now.

Back up to Christmas: we were blessed to have our families come to Southern California to celebrate a few days after Christmas. Since Lise and I worked all of the holidays, it was so refreshing to make our own holiday celebrations. What a wonderful way to start the new year!

Dan has started back at UCI to finish his teaching credential. He is BUSILY doing his teaching event (TPA) and student teaching. He is training in a middle school in Garden Grove, teaching algebra and geometry. From what he says, he will like being a teacher but does not like the process of getting there. The next few months will be just as crazy as the last couple have been. The "light at the end of the tunnel" is June when he gets his credential, though Dan will have to take one more class in July to be officially done. Then, we hope and pray that God opens doors for Dan to find a job.

Ashley is now working days on the oncology unit. It is a fairly stressful and busy unit, though in a different way than her last unit was. The patients are more complex, which means Ash is learning a lot. God is also providing lots of opportunities for her to give spiritual care and take care of the whole patient and their whole families. The hospital is busy right now, so there have been quite a few long days and extra days...which makes for one tired Ash most of the time.

All that to say, the Howens are ready for a break soon, but are pushing through like always. We are praying that we will be able to make a trip up for Easter....hopefully.

On the cancer front, Dan had a CT this month that showed us good news. The tumors have not grown and his liver is healing from all of the abuse it has been through. At this point, we are waiting to schedule the 2nd ablation until after Dan graduates. The surgeon and oncologist feel it is safe to wait since the tumors are not doing anything scandalous.

That should about sum it up for now. Dan and Ashley are busy and tired, but learning and growing. God is good; He is in control.

Please pray with us that God will continue to protect us and give us the endurance to keep on the path He has set us on.

Food for today:

Psalm 33

1 Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
2 Praise the Lord with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.
4 For the word of the Lord is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.
5 The Lord loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love.
6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars ;
he puts the deep into storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all the people of the world revere him.
9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.
10 The Lord foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
11 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people he chose for his inheritance.
13 From heaven the Lord looks down
and sees all mankind;
14 from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth—
15 he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.
16 No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.
17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.
18 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
19 to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.
20 We wait in hope for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.

Hallelujah!

GOOD NEWS!!!!!!! GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!!!! WONDERFUL NEWS!!!!!!!!!!! WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dan had a liver CT last Monday and it showed a decrease in the scar tissue and HEALTHY NEW LIVER GROWTH!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is an answer to prayer PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank You LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I cried and screamed and danced with the dog (no one else was home) and praised the LORD God King of the Universe!
New liver growth after the doctor told us that it would not happen since it had not happened after 4 months of challenging the liver to regenerate and regeneration shows up after 4-6 weeks.
Yeah Liver cells! You go and keep on reproducing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dearest Family & Friends,
Seek the Lord Jesus.
He is GOD. We need Him!
He is the Savior and there is NO OTHER!

Isaiah 45
20 “Gather together and come;
assemble, you fugitives from the nations.
Ignorant are those who carry about idols of wood,
who pray to gods that cannot save.
21 Declare what is to be, present it—
let them take counsel together.
Who foretold this long ago,
who declared it from the distant past?
Was it not I, the Lord?
And there is no God apart from me,
a righteous God and a Savior;
there is none but me.
22 “Turn to me and be saved,
all you ends of the earth;
for I am God, and there is no other.
23 By myself I have sworn,
my mouth has uttered in all integrity
a word that will not be revoked:
Before me every knee will bow;
by me every tongue will swear.
24 They will say of me, ‘In the Lord alone
are righteousness and strength.’ ”

Philippians 2 Speaking of Jesus
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death–
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.