Final Round Begun!!!

Body: Thank you to all of you who have been praying about low blood counts and have been wondering if I was able to begin the chemo regimen this week. Here is how God answered your prayer. My white counts continued to climb into normal range (4.2) AND my red counts went from 38 (LL) to 294 in one week (well into the normal range). This brought a "wow" from the nurse checking my counts. I say, "Praise God and thanks prayer warriors." So, they began the last round of treatment yesterday and today I continued with it.

The infusions have gone well...they have just taken a long time and I feel tired at the end of the day (completed at 4:00 pm yesterday and 3:00 today). There are a few side effects which are more of a nuisance than anything else. I can't complain a bit. The Lord has been so very gracious!!

Spirit: From the heart...this past week has had some very bright and dark days. Our family continues to do well as we adjust to the home going of Dad Landru. Andrea speaks to Mom regularly and we are grateful for a loving family that is close at hand to offer assistance and support to her. But we also know she grieves deeply and Andrea grieves too. Thanks for remembering these special ladies in my life.

My Mom undergoes hip replacement surgery on Monday which is a concern as she has osteoporosis and is 86 years of age. However, she is active and this is really cramping her style. So, by God's grace, she will be up and at 'em in a few weeks. Please pray.

Many of you know that Krista's job was terminated due to budget constraints of the Waukegan school system. We rejoiced with her yesterday when she received a call that they have a position for her and are excited about her rejoining the faculty this fall. That has been the prayer of our heart for her because of the contribution she has made to the school and the love God has given her for the students. May this year be an even more productive year of ministry and service.

Personally, this week was a time of great joy as I was able to study and preach on Sunday. I was extra tired on Sunday afternoon, but the privilege of preaching the Word was a great joy. Monday, though was a very difficult day for me in a number of ways. The cascading together of several things brought me to the edge of real discouragement and despair. Not to worry, the Lord was very gracious and gave me some wonderful encouragement on Tuesday through the blood counts and some of the reading/curriculum evaluation I was doing. I was re-centered and re-focused by Tuesday afternoon.

I share this because spiritual attack can be so unexpected and intense. We must always be on guard. I would also share that as a result of this attack, I believe I have some insight into ministry improvement which will make a difference for the Kingdom as we move forward. What Satan means for evil, the Lord can use for good, if we are watching for it.

So, no passage from Scripture, but a personal life story from the McIntyre treasure trove of God's gracious lessons/blessings. Thanks for your love and support.