7-4-26 Blessings. 105 prayers. Patriots. BANNED. Warriors! Lawn. Boom!

 Retired/Missionary Life. Sunday.

HAPPY SABBATH!! Here! Have a Jesus Picture! He LOVES YOU!

The Bible says: "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church' and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up;....." James 5:14-15

We experienced that today. After church, we met with family and Hanna and I both received blessings. She begins her new treatment this week (including five different appointments with various medical folks...). We both were a bit unsettled and discouraged. We felt the spirit strongly and were comforted and strengthened. Miracles happen.

Sacrament Meeting. Combined everyone meeting to learn about protecting religious freedom. Missionary Correlation Meeting. Then the blessings. (Sack lunches were consumed in the truck at one point...)

Back at home, we took nice long naps, read, studied, and watched an episode of Heartland.

We are thankful for our belief and faith in blessings. I have had many, including some from folks in a different faith than mine. They are always powerful.

Retired/Missionary Life. Monday.

Kind of a preparation day. Kinda.

In the morning, we figured out our crazy schedule for the week, made up nutritious menus, created a meticulous grocery shopping list, typed it into the Safeway app, pressed submit, and watched money literally leave our bank account.

Next up, I paid the bills, did up the family books, reconciled a bunch of medical statements. Just like as if I hadn't retired.....

After a walk with the boys, and a little bit of studying, we showered and got ready and went to town. We attended the monthly Senior Couple Meeting at the Mission Home, which included chowing down on some delicious sloppy joes and hearing a message about the Book of Mormon.

Back at home, we tuned in to the weekly mission-wide Zoom meeting to receive counsel from our leaders and hear testimonies from missionaries that are about to go home. And, the Mission President informed them about Hanna's health issues and pleaded with the 130 young missionaries to pray for us. It was touching. And it will be powerful. Expect miracles.

The drive was beautiful as usual. See for yourself!

Retired/Missionary Life. Tuesday.

We just ran like crazy today.....

- Left early for a Tuesday and took the "we refuse to start up" scooters to a FedEx Store for packaging and shipping back to the manufacturer.

- Missionary District Council Meeting. Lessons on how to safely use technology as a missionary. And how to help folks we're teaching keep commitments. The technology lesson was taught by one of our favorite Elders and he did a stupendous job!

- The meeting ran late, so lunch was picked up at Carl's Jr and eaten in the truck.

- I had my semi-annual Doctor visit (yes, I need those too, not just Hanna.) I got three new prescriptions...sign of old age for sure. But all signs are that I'm healthy.

- Stopped at a park to let the boys relieve themselves. They were happy, even though they were hoping for a full-blown walk.

- Met the Elders at our tutor's home for a Spanish Lesson on how to properly conjugate verbs. (I didn't do too bad on the first test. Second one is not shown for a reason........)

- We then headed for the nearest Centennial Trailhead, but it was just after 5 and the traffic was horrendous and time-wasting, so we turned around, picked up the groceries, and went home. And there, I made the dogs happy by taking them (finally) for an evening walk.

Busy medical and missionary day!

And......the selfie is because Hanna and I won the contest for most patriotic patients at the doctor's office!

Retired/Missionary Life. Wednesday.

The boys woke up with energy. They immediately stole and then destroyed an entire box of Kleenex. And then both looked at me like "who? us???" Who else did that? The cat????

Taco Omelettes for breakfast. Yummy weekly tradition. (When we actually have leftover taco meet.)

We spent most of the day in Idaho. (This goes here.....hey WA folks! It's July 1st! And that means your gas taxes went up another 2.2% today! Woo Hoo!!!) We were in Idaho to spend time with Hanna's Medical Professionals. We met with one of the Cancer Practitioners to go over the new Chemo crap. And then she went into an MRI to see why her tongue is swelling up or what. (This is a symptom of AL Amylidosis which she has as part of the Multiple Myeloma.)

Between appointments, we took the boys for a much needed hike at Black Bay (lots of folks were in the water) and ate salads at Denny's. And yes, Fries and Rings go very well with healthy salads. And we actually had dessert. Cancer-killing ice cream was needed today. (And yes, it does kill cancer cells. Proven fact from prior scientific experiments that we conducted ourselves. Ask me about them and I'll explain further........)

Good news, bad news from the Cancer Practitioner. Good first. Hanna has always without fail responded well to the cancer drugs they have filled her with. Not many side effects. And great long-term effectiveness in keeping the cancer cells under control. Bad news. This particular drug not only kills cancer cells, it also kills her immune system, especially at first. So, for the first few months (at least) of treatment, we are barred from being around sick people and doing any international travel. Ugh. That may change in a few months if she does well. But for now.......

Planned Carribean Cruise in January......ON HOLD.

Planned trip to UK in February........ON HOLD.

Almost planned trip to Israel in April...........ON HOLD.

Sad. But. Whatever it takes to extend her life.

And it also won't be a good time to come for a visit, just like before. Family and missionaries only and only if they are healthy and not spreading anything. For now.

Retired/Missionary Life. Thursday.

Well, today was the day! Hanna's first dosage of the new expensive cancer killing drug. So today we woke up in CANCER WARRIOR mode!!! Below is an actual picture (serious, it is) of me when I fought off my cancer in 2019. And it is now joined by an actual picture I took of Hanna this morning (seriously, that is her!). CANCER WARRIORS! Do NOT mess with us!!!

Our Warrior Dance was so strong that it registered a 2.2 on the Richter scale in Spokane!

We started out our battle by worshipping in the temple, receiving strength. And peace. And reassurances.

After a few mundane errands (picking up more drugs at the pharmacy, dropping off dirty white shirts at the cleaners, eating sack lunches in the truck in a parking lot) we ventured into the Cancer Clinic (again, we were just there yesterday...) to do battle!

It took just over two hours, administered via IV. She says she can feel the cancer cells dying! (No doubt they are just collapsing in fear at this point!...that WARRIOR LOOK on her face!!)

Since we were in Idaho, we filled up with cheap gas on the way home. At home, we ate some leftovers, read, and watched an episode of Heartland.

Hanna seems to be doing well. No apparent side effects at this point. She's loaded up with Steroids, so not sure how well we'll sleep tonight. Perhaps we need to watch some sort of TV marathon.

The cancer cells on the other hand are DEAD OR DYING!!!

WARRIORS!!!

Retired/Missionary Life. Friday.

Old People go to Breakfast Day!! Which is delightful because then I don't have to fix it! Chicken Fried Steak for me. Bacon scramble for Hanna.

Speaking of Hanna, she had no side effects from yesterday's infusion. Except part of the treatment is a heavy dose of steroids and that caused her to wake up early and be super hyper!

Since it wasn't super hot out, we took the boys for a walk on the Trail of the CDAs.

Canola is still in full bloom.

Today's largest project was to mow the lawn. And I also filled the storage tanks in our basement with fresh water. Last year when we attempted this, we flooded the basement FOUR times! Not this time. I used a timer and a water alarm. No spills.

In the evening, we ran to town. Picked up some more drugs at the Pharmacy, washed the filthy truck, and met up with the missionaries for them to teach an English Lesson. (The Elders are pictured; Las Hermanas are not...)

And here! Have a wild young critter from the Highlands!

Retired/Missionary Life. Saturday.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!! THE BIG 2.5.0!!!

Frivvy knew someone was coming today. He could just feel it.

Before guests arrived, we, as is custom and tradition, watched ID4. We almost switched to Apollo 13 or Top Gun, but just couldn't make the change.... Be like these heroes!

Frivvy enjoyed the movie too!

The company arrived (Las Hermanas that serve with us in our congregation along with Del and Ella.) BBQ featured burgers, dogs, sausage dogs, and potato salad. Plus a spiritual lesson.

Most of the rest of the day was spent watching the 250 celebration in DC. We were well represented there!

Here's to another 250...............