Sometimes the Lord sends the Maranatha family trials. These are times for the Lord's family to gather together and to ask the Lord for His wisdom, love, protection, guidance, grace, and strength.
Update from the Stratfords--Nov. 11, 2009
The last two weeks have been a surprise to us. We’ve been working on getting Steve off one anti-seizure med and adding a new one to replace it. In the process, he had a fairly significant seizure poke through on Monday night, a risk that needed to be taken and that we were aware of. Following this seizure, which Steve was conscious through, the doctors decided to up the med they were adding to its next level in hopes that it would prevent any further seizures from poking through. Because the major side effect of this med is upset stomach, they instructed us to have him take it each meal; however, Tuesday within an hour after the meal, I realized that he was becoming very confused, and he couldn’t talk without jumbling up his words. Unfortunately, he was also aware of what he was hearing and realized that was not what he was thinking. It is not a joyous experience to feel that you are losing control of your mind! The effects seemed to wear off as the evening passed. I called the doctors the next morning, and they decided that we needed to give the new regimen a chance, so I repeated their instructions with much hesitation on Wednesday. Unfortunately, the same thing occurred within an hour after taking his med. I was convinced that night that it would not happen again. Since that was the only thing that changed, it had to be a drug reaction of some kind. All his other meds were taken about 8 hours apart, so I posed the idea of splitting the dose half at supper and half at bedtime, which worked much better through Monday night of this week. Last night, for the first time, we were given permission to try moving the supper med to bedtime, and it works even better, giving him more time prior to bedtime when he doesn’t feel doped up.
Needless to say, Mr. Lefty has taken a hit over the last month and after this last seizure, he’s gone on vacation. His oncologist squeezed his hand today, and there’s still some response there, but it’s very weak. His doctor is not concerned that this weakness is related to the tumor growing, and Steve is doing well with his chemo treatments, so he had his treatment today as a matter of routine. Steve was encouraged to give his hand and left leg some therapy at home, and I showed him some of what we did back in mid-December when we were in UW’s acute rehab facility. Next week he has an appointment with the epilepsy clinic, followed by a friendly visit with his neurosurgeon who removed his tumor a year ago (11-24-08). Then the following week, he is scheduled for another MRI (Nov. 23), followed by another treatment (Nov. 25). Being the assessor and achiever that he is, he’s bound and determined that he will have more squeeze and pinch power next week and when he returns in two weeks to see his oncologist. Watch out! Mr. Lefty is determined that he will not give up without a good fight!
Steve’s sister had the opportunity to visit us last week, which was of the Lord. She arrived after supper on Wednesday night and stayed with us through Saturday afternoon. What a comfort she was to both of us! Since she lived with us years ago when we lived in Michigan, she is like a daughter to us. She’s an answer to my prayers of years gone by to have a sister, since I only had brothers growing up, and to top that, she is a very Spirit-led woman who has gone above and beyond normal expectations to encourage, sacrifice, and uphold us spiritually and physically. She was as surprised as us when she arrived, but we worked through Wednesday night together, jotting down notes to share with the doctors on Thursday, and each day got better until she left. Steve really appreciate her company during the day while the transition was ongoing, and Cindy appreciated having peace of mind while she tried to go back to work and get caught up from working at home earlier in the week to monitor Steve’s unpredictable physical reactions.
In addition, our niece popped in for a quick visit, arriving late Friday night and staying through Saturday afternoon. She wanted to visit with us since this year she will not be able to join our Thanksgiving gathering. She’s going to be cooking her own first Thanksgiving turkey for a young man that the Lord’s brought into her life as a very good friend. Uncle Steve and Aunt Cindy were thrilled to hear all about her schooling and how God is working in her life and pleased to hear that she is basing her decisions upon biblical principles and not emotions. After having one of her aunts pass away from cancer and reading about our present journey, she knows that giving herself to someone “till death do us part” is a serious commitment that could be a burden, instead of a joy, if you are not joined together by God. Someday we’ll look forward to meeting this special guy!
Today they tested Steve’s blood drug levels, which they will discuss by our appointment next week. Here is how you can pray for us:
1. Pray that Steve can maintain the present dosage without any seizure activity.
2. Pray that the doctors will be able to pull him off the dosage still left of the drug they are trying to take out of his regimen without seizures.
3. Pray that Steve can decrease steroids and medications related to them, which will allow him to drop medicine-induced weight.
4. Pray that through all of this, Steve can be encouraged with little signs of improvement each day, feeling more like himself, feeling safe, and feeling like he’s accomplishing goals that he sets for himself each day.
5. Pray that Mr. Lefty will come back soon and begin rebuilding his strength. We sure miss him!
Steve’s youngest brother hopes to visit this weekend or next, which we’re both looking forward to. Cindy doesn’t have a lot of chores left that need to be accomplished prior to winter. It will be good for Steve to have some fellowship with his brother. While Steve has company, it is easier for Cindy to feel she can focus on things she needs to do, knowing that Steve has help if needed.
My mother has also had some difficulties arise. She has torn her rotator cuff in one of her shoulders. Please pray that with anti-inflammatory treatment and physical therapy surgery will not be required. She has been such a blessing to us keeping a watch on Steve during the days when he’s had to work through anxiety following more serious seizures.
Through these last two weeks, we have been reminded again that “God is our refuge in times of trouble…and when we put our trust in Him, He will not forsake us when we seek Him” (Ps. 9:9-10) These promises are why the psalmist could begin this psalm “rejoicing with his whole heart” and “showing forth all of God’ marvelous works,” allowing him to be “glad” and “rejoice” and “sing” even in the midst of a difficult time (Ps. 9:1-2). What a comfort it is to be in the hands of such a loving Heavenly Father! Like the psalmist, we continue to cling to God’s Word and His promises which are “new every morning: great is God’s faithfulness” (Lam. 3:23). Thank you for your ongoing prayers and encouragement to us.
Resting and rejoicing in the Lord,
Steve and Cindy
Update from the Stratfords--Oct. 14, 2009
Our update is a little later than usual because Steve’s labs, doctor’s appointment, and treatment were in the afternoon instead of the morning this time. We finished up around suppertime, so we had a date at the UW Café so as to not have to drive in rush hour traffic in the darkness of night that is coming sooner these days here in Wisconsin.
Since our last update, Steve’s been having a “Morning Musing” time when he gets up with Lady around 5 a.m. He fixes his coffee and has been doing various studies on trials, temptations, and testings, as well as facing death, and posting some of his thoughts on Facebook. If you are interested in his blog, follow this link: http://sstrat.blogspot.com/ (click"musings about my trial" at the right).
A couple of teens and our youth pastor came over on Oct. 3 and helped us with some outside chores in the garage, garden, and yard. They also helped Cindy get garden things up to the garage attic and carry down the burlap bags that we put around our some of our shrubs for the winter. This was a tremendous blessing and really saved her back.
The following week, we picked whatever remained in our garden. We got another couple of meals of green beans, some little zucchinis, butternut squash, and green bell peppers, and beets. Everything was canned, frozen, stored, or eaten, leaving the garden ready for its final layer of shredded branches and dried vegetation following the first hard frost that finishes everything off. We’re still getting a little broccoli that holds up to the lighter frost, so we’ve left the fence to protect that from any bunnies in the area.
Though our hearts are thankful throughout the year for God’s many blessings to us, Steve spent several days writing a list of 101 things that he was thankful for. This is also on his Facebook page somewhere. We are, of course, grateful for far more than 101 things; however, it was an interesting exercise for him to count his many blessings as he looks to the one-year anniversary of his brain surgery date (Nov. 24).
Steve did enjoy going into work for a half day on Oct. 5. He was able to attend an ice cream social for those teachers who taught a distance ed class to meet the students they taught. The students who stopped by were a great encouragement to him as they expressed their appreciation for his teaching them through summer school. The ice cream was an added bonus, along with the time to fellowship with fellow professors at Maranatha.
Early Oct. 6 and twice this morning, Steve had minor focal seizures, minor in the sense that only his fingers twitch. It lasts what seemed like a very long time (14 mins.); however, during the seizure activity, he is able to open and close his hand and is in full control of everything else. His doctor thinks we are very close to reaching the right dose to control the seizures, but it required us to add another half pill to the mix he’s already taking, so we’ve been patiently working through the increase in medication while his body is adjusting to feeling wobbly and being fatigued that he will eventually tolerate. Even during this transition time, he’s been able to do his daily exercising, help around the house, and keep up with emails and Facebook contacts. Some days he needs more rest than others, but we are encouraged that by the time we see his doctor in November we should be on a maintenance plan that hopefully will keep him seizure free. Please pray with us to that end.
We had a little snow on Saturday, but nothing that stuck to the ground. The air’s been crisp. The geese are flying to their winter retreats. We still are enjoying our apples, which should last another couple of weeks. Once the leaves drop off our grape vines and apple trees, a friend will come and work with me while Steve teaches us both how to trim and shred the branches no longer needed. When you garden, you learn that without pruning, you can’t get blossoms. Even as the Lord prunes things from our lives to help us blossom more for Him, we need to prune our gardens to increase the yield for next year.
Today we had to take Lady, our 13-year-old dog, to the vet. She doesn’t seem to be hearing us like she used to, and we needed to find out if she had an ear infection (ruled out), a need to have the wax removed from her ears (doubtful without further testing), or was just going deaf. They scheduled her for a ear flush and thorough ear check on Monday. She’ll have to be knocked out in order for her to be still for them to look that deeply into the auditory canal. She’s doing well when she’s in her home territory and following our very structured lives. She still has good eye sight and can follow our hand commands quite well. We’re thankful for her German Shepherd intelligence and are praying that Monday’s procedure will reveal a simple solution to what appears to be some kind of hearing loss.
Steve also got a good report. His treatments continue to be a matter of routine. Continue to pray that his body will tolerate the treatments and that the cancer will not figure a way around the treatment that is keeping the disease from progressing. He slept the entire way home from his treatment and will sleep until it’s time to take his meds and then sleep through the night.
We discovered this week that Wisconsin sparrows are very aggressive. Evidently there were some bugs or spiders in between our storm windows and screens. That didn’t stop these birds. They just pecked holes all across the bottom of the screen until they could get through and feast upon their catch! Thanks to two of my retired neighbors, they were able to get the screen out, drop it off at a local window place, and have a better grade of metal screen put in the window. The owner said that the birds will not get through this screen ever again. This project allowed Cindy to work through cleaning and sealing our windows for winter as our neighbor returned to put the screen back in place. Each night this week, she cleaned storms and window tracks inside and out so it “brings all the sun in.” Only three window remain on the east and north side, and one more fall project can be crossed off her “to do” list in preparation for the fall winds to blow.
God has sent Cindy a several special visits this month. The first came from Kurt Brown, who is now a pastor of a northern Pennsylvania church. He brought his wife and lovely family to visit the college and popped in. What a joy to hear how the Lord’s worked in his life and ministry and help him build some connections with Maranatha. That same evening, another one of Cindy’s fifth graders, Tamra Porath Wilkes, emailed Cindy with memories of Cindy being her teacher. Though we’ve never known the joy of having our own children, we can still testify that “children are an heritage of the Lord” (Ps. 127:3). The children God has entrusted to our care over our years of teaching and being involved in educational ministry will always be our kids. It’s such a blessing to hear from them and hear of God’s using their lives now as they rear another generation “To the Praise of His Glory!” Won’t it be exciting to see all the eternal connections that each of our lives has made over the years God gives us to sow and reap in Earth’s harvest fields!
In the last two weeks, God has also supplied several meal and money gifts that were timed just perfectly to give Cindy a break from cooking or help pay for gas for our bi-weekly trips to and from the hospital for Steve’s ongoing treatments. Steve loves to see me sit and rest periodically and jokingly states, “Look! She’s sitting down” (with a grin on his face). He’s still my protector and helps me to pace myself. We both agree that we wouldn’t have thought to ask for the help we received; however, when the Holy Spirit lays something on anyone’s heart, it is always timed perfectly to meet the special need that God knows even before we do. This hasn’t been the first time such gifts have been given to us, and we pray for God’s blessing on these who have allowed themselves to be Spirit-filled, listening and obeying His leading whether it is something big or something small. You can see that Steve’s list of blessings could go on forever!
Thank you for your faithfulness in upholding us along our journey. May this update find you actively reaching your worlds for Christ as well.
Rejoicing and resting in the Lord,
Steve and Cindy Stratford
Update From the Stratfords--September 30, 2009
Dear Prayer Warriors,
This morning we sang our way to UW for Steve’s thirteenth chemo treatment. Singing accomplishes two things: expressing the joy we have in the Lord and providing Steve with vocal therapy to strengthen his breath capacity and vocal strength. We would encourage everyone to hide music in your hearts. When you go through trials, verses and songs that you have hidden in your heart are what the Holy Spirit can bring to mind to remind you of God’s promises and the foundational truths that you base your life and testimony on so you can keep keeping on.
The diagnosis of Steve’s MRI was that he has a “stable disease.” The treatment Steve is getting is keeping the cancer from progressing. Like someone who has heart disease or diabetes, Steve has a stable disease. What we need to pray for is that his treatments can continue to keep his disease from advancing and that the treatments will not have any adverse side effects on Steve that would prohibit him from continuing to receive these treatments. We will be continuing to go for bi-weekly treatments through October, with his next MRI scheduled on November 23, the day before his one-year anniversary of his brain surgery, which removed most of this aggressive cancer. Our doctor was very encouraged by this week’s MRI and Steve’s ongoing improvements. We love to know that we put smiles on our doctors’ and nurses’ faces.
Another matter of prayer is for Steve’s anti-seizure medication to prevent focal seizures from popping through. On September 25, Steve had a 3-minute seizure at the conclusion of supper that totally surprised us. We were thankful that we were together, so I could protect him and get him the help he needs as soon as possible following the seizure. These seizures are like doing multiple workouts in a matter of 3 minutes, so they basically put Steve out of commission until he can get a thorough rest. It also makes Mr. Lefty go backwards on the advancements he’s made through therapy, but we’ve been surprised how Mr. Lefty rallies after several days of rest and regains his strength again. Mr. Lefty doesn’t give up! Pray that Steve adjusts quickly to the new levels of medications that are being prescribed as a preventative measure.
On September 27, Steve and I enjoyed hosting a one-year celebration of the life that God blessed us with. The day before, Steve’s brother Jon, Lee, and Bethany visited to help us with some preparations for the special day, as well as some odds ‘n ends that needed attention around our house. It was a blessing for us both to greet some extra special people who have been going above and beyond encouraging and praying by doing various things to meet special needs we’ve had. Our garage was filled with chatter, praise, and expressions of gratitude. For those of you who Facebook, you can see the pictures of our party on Steve’s Facebook site. What a blessing our neighbors, our coworkers, and our church family and friends are to us in addition to those who daily encourage us through emails, cards, phone calls, and ongoing prayer support. Throughout this journey, we have never felt alone. God, of course, promises “never to leave us, nor forsake us” (Heb. 13:5b); however, we have sensed along the way that other heroes of faith have gone before us on a similar journey, and there are many who are traveling the same journey as us or folks who are upholding and refreshing us along the way. May we all as Christians lead those who will follow in our paths in a way that brings honor and glory to the Lord.
This week, Cindy had the opportunity to attend chapel at Maranatha. The music and preaching really touched her heart. While singing “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah,” tears of thanksgiving came to her eyes as she sang “I am weak, but Thou art mighty; hold me with Thy powerful hand.” The hymn goes on to ask the Lord to “open now the crystal fountain, whence the healing stream doth flow. Let the fire and cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through. Strong Deliverver, strong Deliverer, be Thou still my strength and shield.” The music was followed by a message by Pastor Mike Gordon, who spoke from 2 Chronicles 1—Solomon’s prayer. Solomon could have asked God for anything, but he asked humbly from his heart for wisdom that would give him the ability to make a difference in the lives of the people he would rule that would have eternal value. When Steve and I began our journey we asked the Lord to allow our lives through this trial to make a difference in other’s lives, pointing them to God. We have felt so ordinary, and yet God has given us something extraordinary. We have felt so inadequate and weak, yet He has given us strength and courage beyond ourselves. He has replaced our fears with His peace. He has opened doors of ministry to individuals we would have never otherwise met. He has given us innumerable blessings, sometimes that have a name and face to thank and sometimes as a surprise (like the Culver’s gift card left in our mailbox as a loving help so Cindy can have a night off from cooking and a date with her hubby)! What a comfort and blessing it is to be able to talk to God personally and specifically and see Him orchestrate every detail of our lives! Thank you all for having such a powerful ministry to us as you continue to uphold us in your prayers.
Resting and rejoicing in the Lord, Steve and Cindy Stratford
Romans 15:13
Update from the Stratfords--September 16, 2009
Another two weeks have passed. Steve is adjusting well to his new second anti-seizure medication that he began on Sep. 4. The first day he basically rested; however, the tiredness passed quickly, and he’s regaining the weakness that he was losing on his left side. He does therapy by walking up and down our basement steps while singing up and down various scales, intervals, and songs; riding his bike; walking our dog; and watering and picking the garden so I can process the harvest the Lord continues to provide for us. He’s had tears of joy looking at the beautiful Macintosh apples that we are still enjoying from our tree. It’s always rewarding to be able to see the fruit of your labors. Steve wasn’t sure how many more seasons he would get to enjoy when we began this journey, and his heart is filled to overflowing with thanksgiving for every day the Lord continues to give him.
We both enjoyed our visit with Mom Stratford and Ginny, Steve’s sister, over Labor Day weekend. Sometimes we fail to see the subtle changes that are occurring every day. When someone who hasn’t seen our daily progress visits, they are such an encouragement to us, reminding us how far we’ve traveled on this journey.
Music is something that has been such a part of both of our lives. Sometimes along the way, we’ve felt that we were going to explode because we’ve not been able to sing and express ourselves as we’ve done in the past through music. Recently, God has directed us to find some songs that speak of His comfort and care that we’ve never heard before. It is easier to memorize words set to music, so we’ve been enjoying hiding some new treasures in our minds to carry with us along our journey. Lord willing, we will be able to share them again with others through ministry sometime in the future. In the meanwhile, we are blessed to see God working through others to minister to us with their musical talents.
Last week, Maranatha enjoyed a special 9-11 chapel, remembering the events of 9-11, the sacrifices made, the lives affected, and giving thanks for our “God who is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1). Reading through this psalm, you can clearly see that God is our refuge in whom we rejoice and rest. Three times the psalmist gives the instruction of “Selah,” which instructs us to pause and meditate on what we just read. Ps. 46:10 literally tells us to do the same, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” We continue to be amazed that God can take normal, ordinary folks like us and use our lives in extraordinary ways to point others to Him. Continue to pray that the seeds planted and testimonies shared from our lives will bring honor and glory to the Lord. This continues to be our hearts’ desires.
Today was Steve’s twelfth Avastin treatment. His labs, doctor’s consultation, and treatment were a matter of routine. In the consultation, Dr. Robins’ assistant said that as far as the tumor goes, the MRI last time looked very good. Steve is scheduled for an MRI a little sooner this time (in 2 weeks) because of the subtle changes that the last one revealed; however, we have not reached a fork in the road without still having options that we can try, so we continue to cling to our hope and trust in the Lord.
Sep. 27 will be Steve’s first anniversary of his “rebirth.” “I’m still here,” he says, raising his hand. We plan to mark the anniversary by hosting a drop-in party after church on the 27th (invitations have been sent) serving yellow cupcakes topped with dark fudge frosting, chocolate sprinkles, and single candles, and served with Moose tracks ice cream. Yummy! His first life was the life given to him from his mother and father. Eternal life was given to him when he accepted Christ as his Savior in his late preschool years. Now he’s looking forward to celebrating his first birthday since this entire journey began, rejoicing with and thanking all who have had a significant, tangible part in helping and supporting us through it all. It is very easy to be “out of sight, out of mind,” and yet old and even new encouragements are regularly upholding us along our way. “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers” (1 Thess. 1:2).
Resting and rejoicing in the Lord, Steve and Cindy Stratford
Update from the Stratfords--September 2, 2009
It is hard to believe that the calendar says September again. This was the month that our journey began (Sep. 27, 2008). This past Sunday our pastor preached from Rom. 11:33-36. We remember singing this when we served in our choir at Inter-City Baptist Church in Allen Park, Michigan. What a blessing it is to know that God is all-sovereign, knowing every little detail of our lives. Though we can’t fathom the depths of His mind, we rejoice in knowing that He doesn’t need the counsel of anyone in order to orchestrate every step He’s ordered for us to take. Truly He is deserving of all that we can give to Him—every aspect of our lives!
When I think of the word “journey,” I think of other words like highways, roads, paths, and trails. The path of our journey has passed through valleys, but as Ps. 23:4 states, “we walk through the valley,” not camping there to be overwhelmed by the oppression that surmounts us on every side. Then the pathway has gradually led us to new heights. As Is. 40: 29-31 continually reminds us along the way, our strength comes from Him alone. When we feel faint, in Him we are strong (2 Cor. 12:9-10). Though we may not have the strength of our youth, God has granted us the wisdom of age to pace ourselves with increased trust in the promises He has given to us, and we continue to take one step at a time, rising up hills and overcoming mountains that loom on our horizons, “walking and not fainting” as we go. That does not mean that we haven’t shed a few tears along the way when we’ve stubbed our toes on a rock, twisted our ankles when the pathway grew uneven and we didn’t see a pothole, or felt the aggravation of a pebble that got caught in our shoes. We’ve been slowed by blisters that forces us to stop and rest a while along the way as well; however, after a rest, we pick up and keep heading to the next fork in the road, “leaning not to our own understandings, but trusting with all of our hearts in the Lord” (Prov. 3:5-6). We’ve seen what seemed like mountains moved, even when our faith seemed small in comparison (Matt. 17:20), sometimes pebble by pebble, sometimes by landslides, and sometimes by climbing over the rocks with whatever strength we had that was bolstered by God’s grace and strength. Through all of this we’ve been merely human; however, we serve a great God who knows our journey from beginning to end, so we continue to follow as He leads us onward.
Recently after Steve’s seizure on August 17, a second anti-seizure drug was added to his daily regime. It has been administered one week at time, increasing the dose gradually so his body could get used to it; however, we have found that his left side has been weaker, so continue to pray for wisdom as to how much is enough that will allow Steve to work on his therapy and normal activities.
Today Steve had another Avastin treatment. Prior to his treatment, his doctor explained that Monday’s MRI had some subtle changes that might indicate disease progression, but the changes are so subtle, we would not see any change if he showed us the MRI. Steve continues to be scheduled to receive Avastin treatments every two weeks, with another MRI in a month to watch this “subtle” area. Continue to pray that this treatment proves to be effective and these subtle changes prove not be anything to be concerned about. Though sometimes unexpected news may knock the wind out of our sails, God controls the “wind and waves of life” (Matt. 8:27). God continues to faithfully show us that His promises are true (Lam. 3:22-24) and to those promises we cling.
Resting and rejoicing in the Lord, Steve and Cindy Stratford
Update from the Stratfords--August 19, 2009
Finding the Able in Disabled
August began Steve’s health sabbatical from his Maranatha responsibilities. This has provided Steve the time to get the complete rest he needs to work on therapy that we hope will strengthen his left side and possibly restore his left fine motor coordinate. Time will reveal God’s will in this matter. It’s been an education to us both to learn about what disability means, and we have been thankful for the wise counsel that God has provided us to walk through these unexpected bumps on our journey.
Steve has found that wearing weights on his left arm and holding something in his left hand keeps his left arm from feeling restless. Mr. Lefty wants to be busy, and we’re both learning to watch out for Mr. Lefty, who sometimes leaves what he’s holding behind, creating a little Sherlock Holmes sleuthing on our parts to retrace our steps. Since we live rather routine lives these days, it’s not too difficult to find what was left behind and chuckle about it once we have the mystery solved. We have five little imaginary friends that pop up in our conversations—Hugh Betcha (You Betcha said with a slur), Hugh Better Believe It, Hugh Got It, Hugh Got to See it to Believe It, and Hugh Know It. They pop into our lives at opportune times and always make us chuckle, no matter how difficult the moment, bringing along with them a smile and some laughter that lightens the burdens we sometime face.
Monday evening after supper was one such moment. Cindy went out in our garden to finish picking it where Steve had left off from his morning therapy. Steve joined her sitting under the apple trees to keep her company and bring her baskets as they were filled and even caught a good amount of Japanese beetles on our grape vines before the rain began to come down a little more consistently. When he went inside to recharge his IPod, which he uses to listen to books, and check on a DVD he was burning, he had a focal (partial) seizure. His left fingers became paralyzed, electrical twinges began to shoot down from his shoulder and back up again his left arm repeatedly, his hand seized into a fist, his arm stiffened like a board in a bent position, and he curled a bit toward the left from the seizure activity. Cindy walked in at 7:12 p.m. and found him in his chair unable to talk coherently, but at least this time about every fourth word was right. The seizure was over already. Immediately we got his meds down, called for advice from the on-call neurologist at UW and help from Mom Basso and Pastor Moore, and in less than 10 minutes, Steve was back and able to answer our questions and talk coherently again. The next morning, he was able to recall every detail from the beginning to end, so it appears that this seizure was not as intense as the one on July 19, though still a matter of concern. Both of our doctors decided that an additional medication will be necessary. Please pray that Steve tolerates the new medicine without and that they will help to keep him seizure-free without any side affects.
When you have something like this going on in your body, you can’t help but analyze and try to figure out if there are warnings or things you can do for yourself to help prevent them from occurring in the first place. Steve is learning when to push and when to rest and how to plan ahead to conserve energy when we have something to go to that will drain his energy. His life’s verse is 2 Tim. 1:7 “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and of a sound mind.” He is trusting God to guide him and give him the peace he needs in the midst of a fearful time like a seizure, even as Cindy is trusting God to help her to be the care giver that she needs to be (Prov. 3:5-6) as she “trusts in God with all of her heart and leans not to her own understanding.” God has never forsaken us on this journey or any other we’ve been in during our lifetimes, and we are confident that He won’t forsake us now (Heb. 13:5b). God has also given us a multitude of wise counselors (Prov. 11:14b) to help us to make decisions that will keep Steve as safe as is humanly possible. Mom Basso has volunteered to pop in and out mid-mornings and afternoons when Cindy is working to check that Steve’s okay. Steve can also pop emails to and from Cindy periodically while they are apart, which allows her to know that he’s vertical and functioning, which a good thing.
Tuesday we stayed home together and rested. We missed having fellowship with all of our coworkers at Maranatha for the Fall Family Picnic; however, after biting his tongue during the seizure, socializing would have been difficult for Steve verbally and energy-wise, and he needed to be as strong as he could be for his Aug. 19 chemo therapy. We love our little home and treasure every hour we have with each other, so though we missed our friends, we still had each other and our “Honeymoon Haven” that we enjoy still after 28 years of marriage.
Today’s treatment went as a matter of routine. Steve is now resting comfortably and most likely will need to take it easy a bit more for the next few days. Thank you all for your ongoing prayers and encouragement to both of us. Continue to pray for the treatment’s effectiveness, God’s protection of Steve, and a clear MRI on Aug. 31 prior to his Sep. 2 treatment. It will be interesting to see what progress has been made since the last MRI (July 6), which gives the doctors the ability to see inside his brain in order to determine how to guide us on our journey.
Things seem to be falling into place nicely for the beginning of another school year. With the faculty’s return, the energy and excitement builds until all the students return on Aug. 31. We look forward to the many blessings that God has for us as we continue to serve as God enables and directs “To the Praise of His Glory.”
Resting and rejoicing in God’s goodness and grace, Steve and Cindy Stratford
Thank You from Dr. Loggans--August 19, 2009
Thank you so very much for the beautiful bouquet of flowers! I certainly appreciate your prayers for me and your faithfulness to our Lord Jesus Christ!
I have had the opportunity while recovering from my surgery to do some reading and came across this interesting quote: "In his (God's) presence are eternal pleasures--the greatest beauty, the highest value, the deepest satisfaction, the longest lasting joy, the most satisfying delights, the most wonderful friendship--eternal pleasures are found in God."
Once again, thank you so very much for your generosity to me. You are a blessing! It is a joy to serve together here at Maranatha! May God continue to bless you as you continue to live for and serve Him!
Serving Christ--Pastor Bob Loggans (Ps. 40:8)
Update from Colleen Oats--August 13, 2009
I arrived home about 8 p.m. yesterday. My pathology reports came back negative so we are praising the Lord for His goodness to us. Not to say that He is ever not good...I had a few "bumps along the road" but nothing developed into anything really serious. My surgeon did say that my colon was alot worse than he expected and he removed more than he thought he would --about 12". Alot of diverticuli still remain throughout my remaining colon. Monday my surgery R.N. came up for a "visit". She said that my insides were very angry and I really needed to have the surgery. She applauded me for having it done as so many don't until it is an emergency and then it is a crisis. As I look back, I have been having "issues" with my colon for years. Looking forward to rest and healing. Will start to slowly have a normal diet.
Thanks again for everyone's prayers. Colleen
Update from the Stratfords --August 5, 2009
Today Steve had his 9th Avastin treatment. His next treatment will be August 19, with another MRI taken on August 31 to check on the progress these treatments are making. For the first time, one of the nurses had difficulty getting the IV into his vein, which caused some discomfort; however, another nurse was able to help out. Today’s treatment was generally without any problems. Steve had a good rest when I brought him home, with only a small headache later in the afternoon that didn’t last too long.
Our ride to Madison has spanned all four seasons now. Our first ride was when he had his initial seizure (Sep. 27), followed by his surgery (Nov. 24), coming home after acute rehab (Dec. 4-22), with many miles of treatments, doctors visits, and scans. We’ve seen the snow blowing, trees blossoming, fields being planted, roads being repaired, hay being mowed, and now the corn tasseling. “To everything there is a season, and time to every purpose under the heaven:” (Ecc. 3:1) is the passage that came to mind as we drove from our appointment today. We were reminded that in each season, God has wonderfully and lovingly orchestrated every detail of our lives as His children, filtering each detail through His protective love for us.
Vacation days are over for Cindy. Having her Fridays and Mondays off throughout most of the summer has allowed her the extra time to keep up with yard work and housework. The garden seems a little slower this year, most likely due to the cooler spring and summer here in Wisconsin. On Cindy’s last vacation day, we harvested two pecks of green Roma beans and a half peck of yellow Romas. M-m-m good! Some we’ve enjoyed eating, while storing the majority of the crop away for leaner winter days to come. We’ve also been able to pick one of our apple trees and quarts of applesauce stored for the winter, as well as enjoying eating some of the tart apples. Our second tree will be ready for picking in a couple of weeks, and then the master of the house will give the mistress of the house a tree trimming lesson.
Our neighbors continue to be such a blessing to us. George keeps our lawn mowed since Steve’s July 19th seizure. Donnie mows the extra grass between us and the corn field. Mark and his sons keep the grass between our willow hedge trimmed up when they are doing their lawn and have also helped us with other odds and ends that have needed a few extra hands or stronger muscles. Andy and Deb, our newest neighbors, have also pitched in and helped with heavy boxes or putting our screen room up after our roofing job was complete. The Ballous have also been there for us when emergencies have arisen, advice was needed, or when we couldn’t accomplish something alone. Others have stopped to chat and encourage us that they are praying for us and willing to help as the needs arise. You see, whether we have something big or small, we have never felt alone on this journey. God has never forsaken us (Heb. 13:5b). He continues to put the right people in our lives to help us with any need that arises.
Between our harvests and neighbors, we’ve been blessed by the Lord “exceeding abundantly above all that we could ask or think” (Eph. 3:20). As the Lord has blessed us, we’ve been able to pass along those blessings to others, sharing the harvests and encouragements so that not one apple is wasted and the blessings keep multiplying themselves. Only eternity will totally reveal the extent of all that transpires from one day of living for the Lord. It will be exciting someday to hear the “rest of the story”! Until then, may He find us faithful in the work that He has for each of us to do “To the Praise of His Glory”!
Resting and rejoicing in the Lord, Steve and Cindy Stratford
Update from the Stratfords --July 22, 2009
Dear Prayer Warriors,
Today’s Avastin treatment went routinely. Thank you for your prayers to that end. We were encouraged that it would be wise for Steve to see a neurologist to find a reason why his seizure medicine is not protecting him from all seizure activity, so our prayer request for tomorrow is for God to grant Dr. John Jones and us wisdom in doing what is best for Steve’s overall well-being. James 1:5 promises that God will give us wisdom when we lack it and ask it of Him, so we are claiming that promise. Cindy’s life’s verses (Prov. 3:5-6) also reassure us that God will direct our paths when we lean not to our own understanding, trusting God.
Last night Cindy was able to teach a couple of younger ladies from our church how she makes applesauce. It was a joy to see their eagerness to learn something new that would help them provide well for their households as virtuous women (Prov. 31).
Since we sent out an update recently, there’s not much more in the way of news to share. With uncertainties our trust in God increases. Not knowing what a day may bring forth, we live with gratitude for each day and moment we have to live for the Lord and share together. As we read Scripture tonight and had our quiet prayer meeting at home, we couldn’t help but praise the Lord for His many blessings to us and bring many of you dear folk and your needs, along with our own, to the Throne of Grace that has all the resources to meet each and every need. Thank you for your ongoing encouragement and prayers.
Resting and rejoicing in the Lord,
Steve and Cindy Stratford
Update from the Stratfords--July 20, 2009
Yesterday we got home from Ben and Melissa Rhine’s wedding in the Quad Cities of Illinois. We unpacked, rested, ate supper, and were glad to be home at our church to hear the testimonies of our young people who just returned from a week at Camp Chetek. Following church, Steve felt like going for a walk, so we took Lady for a short walk. Then we decided to scout out the garden and do a little watering because it hadn’t rained since we watered on Friday before we left. The mosquitoes were aggravating Steve when he was picking berries, and then we discovered a June bug who didn’t know that it was July! Last year our area had an infestation of them, so we decided to head into the house, get a jar of warm water with a little liquid detergent in it to begin our ritual of catching and drowning these destructive critters before they got our berries. Once inside the house, Steve began having a focal seizure on his left hand. Immediately he took out his emergency dose of pills. As he began to get off the counter stool he was sitting on while taking the pills the seizure increased in intensity, and his entire body stiffened and twisted toward me as he was attempting to get to the floor. I was able to use what determination he had and what strength I had to get to the floor without him falling; however, his right ankle got twisted up in the stool, which caused it to be slightly sprained. His seizure only last 2-3 minutes, but it was far more intense than other focal seizures that he’s had, so I called his doctor who recommended that we go to the emergency room by ambulance and have Steve examined to be sure there were no other reasons to be concerned. We were thankful when we heard that there was no bleeding on his brain nor any break in his ankle, and we headed home around 12:30 a.m.
From the moment this began until we laid our heads down to sleep, we were bathed in prayer and support. One glance out my dining room window told me that Dan and Kelly were home. Kelly was able to reach our pastor and my mom at our church’s bonfire. Dan was able to take care of Lady and keep her out of the way of the emergency folks when they arrived. Since the bonfire was not concluded, instantly everyone at church knew our need and took us before the Lord to guide us through yet another unusual experience. One day later, our pastor and his wife would have been heading to Pennsylvania to visit their family. God’s timing certainly is perfect! We can only marvel at how He can protect and provide for His children.
Today God provided for us in other ways. Mom spent last night in case we need to return to the hospital and spent the morning with us to help me with some gardening chores. She was able to thin our swiss chard and beets, while I cleaned the greens to use in salads or steaming them as a side dish. Then we all picked Steve’s Lodi apples. Steve even helped Mom and me by hooking the higher branches with his cane and pulling them down where we could pick them. We figured that we have over seven bushels to sauce this year—a record harvest! That seemed to be enough work for one day, so we rested this afternoon, counting our blessings.
This Wednesday, Steve will have another chemo treatment. If you saw him today, you couldn’t imagine that anything happened yesterday. Thank you for praying for us so faithfully every day. We just wanted to let you all know that your ongoing prayers are being heard and answered in ways you might not even know about until you receive one of our updates. You are having a powerful impact in our lives and the lives of others that bring before God’s Throne of Grace. May we all keep living our lives praying without ceasing as if God is walking side by side with us each step that we take on life’s journey.
Psalm 121 comforted me, as it has many times, as I followed the ambulance to the hospital. I knew where my help was coming from. My help came from the Lord who made heaven and earth. He would be my firm foundation, and even though I didn’t know how long I would need to stay alert and responsible for Steve’s well-being, God would not get tired and go to sleep, leaving my problems for another day. I knew that God would keep me, shading me from the heat of the experience of Steve’s emergency. I also knew that as long as God desired Steve to have life, He had a purpose for him to live and accomplish God’s will in a way that would bring praise to God. Every moment God gives us is orchestrated by Him. “Every step is ordered by the Lord, and we delight in life He gives us knowing that though we in our human bodies may be weak and imperfect, falling in various ways . . . the Lord upholds us with his hand" (Ps. 37:23-24). Truly His “grace is sufficient” (2 Cor. 12:9), and the peace He’s given us “beyond our own understandings” (Phil. 4:7). What precious treasures we have to cling to daily or at special times such as these!
Resting and rejoicing in the Lord,
Cindy Stratford
Update from the Steinbarts-- July 14, 2009
Dear Praying friends,
Thank you for the many prayers sent to the Father for me. Today I finished radiation! It is only through your prayers and the grace of our great heavenly Father that I have done so well through this all. Many have commented that I look good and seem to be doing good--this is a direct answer to your prayers. Thank you so much. My chest area is sore and will probably get worse before it gets better. I do have a few areas that look almost scorched. Must admit I walked out of that clinic with a lighter step knowing that I won’t be back(except for follow-up). As I got into the van I reflected on James 1:2-4 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” What a journey it has been and what a precious Lord we have! Although I would like to not have gone down this road, I would not trade how precious the Lord and his Word has become to me. He truly walks with us in the midst of our trials, speaking words of comfort and love. How can I but praise His name!
I do have one last appointment that I need wisdom in and this is on August 7 with the oncologist. I need wisdom on whether to go with the hormone treatment or not. I would appreciate prayer on this. Thank you all for bearing our burdens; nothing I can say can adequately express our appreciation to each one of you. We love you and God bless.
Resting under His wings,(Ps. 91:4)
Mary
Update from Larry Blumer --July 10, 2009
Dear Friends and Family,
Isaiah 40:10 Fear thou not for I am with thee , Be not dismayed, for I am thy God. I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee, yea, I will strengthen thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
This verse is one we quote to each other so much, and we know that we are in the hands of the Almighty God. Most of you have heard about the young man who lost his life as he plowed at 100 miles an hour into our rental home in Quinnesec, Michigan. We are praising the Lord that 5 days earlier we had moved out to our new home in Kingsford. The only things left in the house were a mop and broom and cleaning fluids. We do not have to pay rent now or clean or mow the lawn etc. Some of our kids did not understand our desire to get moved so quickly as we had a lease until the 7th of Sept. Now they are praising the Lord with us. I wanted to get in completely before Larry started his heavy chemo treatments.
Our hearts are heavy for the young man's family. He was going about 100 in a 25 mile zone and missed 2 stop signs before hitting the trees in front of the house and dragging one into our bedroom. He went through the bedroom and through a bathroom and into the next bathroom tearing out the wall over the bathtub and damaging the kitchen wall. The tree the car pulled in was 10 1/2 inches across the trunk. If we had been there he would have hit the head of our bed in the dead of night. Our children would be planning a double funeral. God makes no mistakes and this is a big reminder that we are in the strong mighty hand of God. We never know most of the time what the Lord protects us from but this time we know for certain. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear the Lord and delivereth them.
We are getting settled and finding much to do. Larry helps as he can but his eyesight does impede his doing some things and he gets quite confused following written or oral directions. He would dearly love to drive but his doctor complimented him this week for taking the fact he cannot drive so well and not fighting it. He does have some short term memory problems. Cannot play his violin which is hard, too. But, all in all he is doing pretty good.
Please, pray for this coming week as he goes to 400mg of Temodar a day for 5 days. The last time at 300mg he had a lot of nausea, a fever of 102 and just felt terrible so is not looking forward to this at all.
We are at peace and praising the Lord. So glad He is in control and has each step of the way planned for us. Could not live without Him.
Love, Larry and Rhoda
Update from the Stratfords --July 8, 2009
It’s hard to believe that another two weeks have passed, but not without a multitude of blessings.
* God has strengthened Steve and allowed him to be able to complete teaching his distance education class.
* God has reminded us daily through emails, comments, cards, and expressions of encouragement that folks are continuing to keep us before His Throne of Grace, inquiring as to how God is answering their prayers for us or telling us how our trial has touched lives.
* God has brought unusual encouragement in the form of an unexpected visit from Cindy’s matron-of-honor and her husband, flowers that provide a rainbow of scents and hues that feed our eyes and hearts with an appreciation of God’s beauty, a fat toad who needed rescuing from one of our window wells that put a smile on our faces as we transferred him to our vegetable garden where he would be a better help eliminating unwanted bugs, a generous harvest of rhubarb and currants that were partly enjoyed and partly stored for future days, and an encouraging MRI that showed the effective results from Steve’s treatments. Only two areas remain that are under his doctor’s watchful eye, but the entire areas appear grey now, with no visible white as far as we could see. We’re so thankful that God gave us doctors who take time to be thorough and exact while guiding us along the journey we are on. Steve’s next treatment will be July 22. His next MRI will be August 31. Continue to pray for God’s protecting Steve’s body from any adverse effects from the chemotherapy and the ongoing effectiveness of his treatments.
* God’s grace and strength been sufficient as we’ve waited for reports, waited for the passing of time, waited for projects to get done, and just generally waited on Him. Though Cindy’s thumbs have been getting an extra workout this summer doing things that Steve use to do, they rest as they get used various ways so they are ready and have been able to meet the next challenges when they come.
* God also has reminded us of the heritage that He’s given us in the lives He has allowed us to touch—our spiritual children. Can you imagine having your fiancé suffer a viral attack on his heart two weeks before you are to be married? Our daughter in the Lord faced this very trial, and she has shared with us that God has given her peace, strength, grace, and confidence to do things above and beyond what she could have imagined. Knowing that our children remember and know that God will be with them even as He’s been with us makes any sacrifice worth it. Trials like hers and ours are not about focusing on us, but rather testifying of how God can use our lives to praise Him. As these two join in marriage and prepare for ministry, we’re sure these experiences will make them better able to minister to others (2 Cor. 1:4).
* God has also reminded us both how “fearfully and wonderfully” He made us (Ps. 139:14). There was a time that Cindy could not have worked outside as she’s been doing due to her allergies to grass pollen and yet, she’s been able to work without wearing any allergy mask and without suffering from severe headaches that used to handicap her and put her out of commission. Steve continues to see changes in his body as it fights back. Though progress is slow at times and very obvious at other times, he still has never hit a plateau, which encourages us that he will continue to progress by God’s grace and with a great deal of work.
* God has also allowed all of Steve’s family to gather together for a family reunion that we plan to travel to this coming weekend (July 10-13). The trip itself will tax Steve’s strength, but it’s a drive we both enjoy, one that I know I can drive from the many times we’ve traveled to help Mom Stratford. The hugs and memories will last forever. How often are families with six children able to be together twice in one year? What a blessing this will be!
Thank you all for your continued prayers and encouragement. To know from many that we are remembered every day is such a blessing. We promise to continue to keep you posted as the Lord continues to move our “mountain” by faith.
Resting and rejoicing in the Lord,
Steve and Cindy Stratford
Update from the Steinbarts --July 8, 2009
Dear Praying Friends,
Thought I’d take a few minutes and update. Only 4 more treatments to go! Thanks for all who have prayed and helped me to bear this burden. I do have a prayer request- I made cinnamon rolls today and wrote a thank you note to all who have been involved at the clinic with my treatment. It ended up being 10 folks from the Dr., a couple of nurses, the techs and receptionists. I also told them that I would like to share about Christ with them and asked them to read the enclosed tract. Please pray that the tract and gospel would be received with as much pleasure as the rolls were received. Somewhere along the way I would like to see someone saved as a result of this trial.
Over all I am doing well. I do get tired come night time- some days worse than others. Hard to know if it our lifestyle or the radiation as the whole family is tired. My skin is quite red and itchy in some places (this is said to all be normal). The effect of the radiation will continue up to a week or so after the last treatment. The Dr. said by the time I come back in on Aug. 11 for a recheck the tiredness should be gone and the skin should be better. He did say he wanted me to lotion it up for up to 6-9 months afterward. Psalm 91 is just perfect for the treatment. I am able to say the entire Psalm during the entire radiation treatment. How good of the Lord to impress upon my heart to memorize it. It has been a perfect way to keep my focus where it needs to be.
Finding out the greatness of his loving heart, Mary Steinbart
Update from the Stratfords--June 24, 2009
Steve celebrated his 7-month anniversary since his brain tumor surgery. It’s incredible to think of where we’ve been, how far we’ve come, and how far yet we have to go! Through it all, God has never been surprised and never forsaken us. We can’t thank our prayer warriors enough for upholding us when we’ve been tired. God has used many to lift us up with various forms of encouragements, to lend helping hands, and to love us by allowing God to use them to meet a special need or desire. What a blessing it is to be children of the King!
Today, Dr. Robins said that Steve looked great. The last time we got his treatment, he was pretty wobbly by bedtime, so we decided that it might be best for us not to push it too much on treatment days and both really rest that evening, letting the medicine work and our energies rebound. Steve got a good nap in during our drive home and throughout the afternoon, and we’ve taken it easy tonight and will hit the hay early! These days remind me of growing up and going to bed when the sun seemed to still be up at 8 or 9 p.m. We’re thankful that neither of us has a problem going to sleep and entrusting the cares of our days to the Lord.
Last weekend, Steve was able to mow our lawn by himself. He used the push mower and took his time. One night he did the side of our property where you have to mow around apple trees, berry bushes, and hedges. The next day he did the front and side lawn, which is an open grassy area. Quite an answer to prayer for someone who couldn’t move his left side 7 months ago!
While Steve was doing this, Mom Basso and I organized and had a garage sale at her apartment. We had planned to have this last summer, but never got around to it. Before we knew it, September was here, and we decided to just store what she planned to sell in our basement. The very day (Sep. 27) that Steve had his first seizure was the day that I had picked up her items and carried them to our basement, following which I found Steve unconscious. Mom and I were determined that these items would not return to our basement again, after being moved twice, and the Lord blessed and helped us to find good homes for what we no longer needed.
Wisconsin seems to have gone from spring to summer as quickly as turning a faucet from cold to hot. It’s been too hot to work in the yard safely these last few days, so on Monday, Steve and I worked on a job together wiring a trailer harness for our utility trailer. Between his brains and my hands, we were able to successfully replace the old harness that had a broken wire. I added a lesson in soldering, wiring, and taping electrical wires to my hidden abilities. When we did our final check, the left and right directional lights, brake lights, and headlights all worked on the car and the trailer. This reminded me again how thankful I am for the hours I spent as my father’s carpentry helper and for the oneness that I share with my husband so that we can work through a challenge together as a team and accomplish whatever the Lord directs us to do.
Now we’re waiting again. Dr. Robins said that we would continue getting chemo treatments until the MRI’s show we don’t need any more treatments. How long that will be only the Lord knows. The next MRI is July 6, followed by another treatment on July 8. Pray that the treatments will work effectively and quickly without adverse side effects.
Steve is looking forward to concluding his summer school, distance ed class on July 5. He has planned out a spreadsheet of various therapies that he wants to work through.
July 10-13, the Stratfords plan to have a family reunion at Mom Stratford’s home in Grinnell, Iowa, which we plan to attend. The next weekend, we plan to drive to Illinois to attend Melissa Boucher’s wedding. Melissa was Steve’s student assistant over the last four years and has become like a daughter in the Lord to us both, and we want to be there to see her hand given in marriage to Ben Rhine. He’s getting a gem!
This brings you up-to-date on our lives. Life is filled with routine activities that fill our days, weeks, and months as the Lord reveals His will to us. None of us knows what the future holds for us, but we pray that each one reading this update knows Who holds your future. Then when the challenges of life seem to overwhelm you, you will be able to tap resources beyond your earthly limitations to live with eternity’s values in view, hopefully making a difference to the praise of His glory.
Resting and rejoicing in the Lord,
Steve and Cindy Stratford
Update from the Stratfords--June 10, 2009
Today Steve received his fifth treatment of Avastin. His fourth treatment went so smoothly that we didn’t feel we had any news to share. Since our last update, Steve was able to complete teaching his courses for the regular school year and begin his distance ed course, which concludes July 8. What a thrill it was to be able to see him march in Commencement this year! With the beginning of spring, our garden needed to be rototilled and planted, flower beds thoroughly weeded, soil loosened, and mulch laid. It was too cold to accomplish all of this when Steve’s family was with us, so Steve and I worked on this together and now have the yard looks as it always looks at this time of year, only needing normal maintenance care throughout the growing season, which will give me time to return to sending regular updates to our faithful prayer warriors shortly after times when we have treatments. Please know that we are always grateful for your encouragement and prayers, even when our lives are merely normal routines. How we praise the Lord for His goodness (Lam. 3:22-24), His strength (Is. 40:31), His continued answers to prayers (Mark 11:24), Phil. 4:19), and His ongoing grace (2 Cor. 12:9) in our lives throughout this past month, as well as the help that we’ve received from several family members, neighbors, our church family, and friends.
This Saturday, Steve and I will celebrate our 28th wedding anniversary. What a blessing this day is to both of us, considering that we didn’t know whether he would live to see this day! It has been a special blessing to enjoy 28 years of honeymooning and serving the Lord together, and we’re both looking forward to many more as God wills. This year, God helped me get Steve his anniversary gift. With Steve’s left side being still a little weaker than his right, he has to be careful of his balance, so we thought a three-wheeled bike would be better than a two-wheeled bike, and a recumbent bike would be easier on his weaker back muscles. The problem was there were no recumbent bikes in any stores in the general Watertown area, so I turned to the Lord and asked Him to show us a couple that had an extra bike that was a recumbent style that they wanted to sell second hand that would meet Steve’s need. That very Saturday afternoon, a wife listed her husband’s bike on Craig’s List about one hour prior to Steve’s checking this resource, and there was a bike that was exactly what I prayed for online. The seller had two bikes and preferred the two-wheeled one to the three-wheeled one and had used the recumbent tricycle to go to and from work for one year. In addition, the man selling the bike was Steve’s general size and build, so the bike was adjusted perfectly for him. Thanks to the Lord, I was able to get him the best anniversary gift I could, giving him a tool for therapy and his independence back when he wants to get to and from school without me always having to drive him.
Steve had a similar praise in getting his anniversary gift for me—a freshwater pearl necklace with matching earrings. He was looking for ideas as to something that would be special for me; however, he couldn’t drive to the jeweler’s alone. When I shared my idea with him, we decided that we would stop the next time we were downtown together in the car. The entire month of May kept us so busy in the yard, we never had time to run downtown to the jewelers. When Steve asked me to stop in last Saturday, the necklace was gone. The manager thought maybe it was one of the two they had in the window display, but he wasn’t sure, and I wasn’t sure as well, as the lighting made it look different. The storekeeper’s wife was expected by the end of my Saturday shopping errands, so I stopped at home, talked with Steve, and he said, “I’ll pray that the Lord will have the right necklace be there for you,” as I headed back to the store. Sure enough, the necklace was the exact one that had previously been in the glass case and matches a special dress that I purchased on a special trip we took together to San Francisco the year that Steve graduated with his Ph.D. Now I have two treasured keepsakes to remind me of how the Lord supplies our needs and our desires and answers our prayers above what we can ask or think.
That brings us to today’s treatment, which also went smoothly. Dr. Robins said that Steve looks great. Steve continues to show forward progress in regaining stamina and coordination. Now that regular school responsibilities are over, Steve’s developed a spreadsheet of exercises and therapies to strengthen and build dexterity. When the exercises get a little too easy, he adds weights or tries to do them against the clock to increase the challenge. No one can say Steve’s lazing around during his summer vacation!
We were encouraged today that the doctor agreed with us that we could decrease some of his medications and take others at different times. We are hoping this will help clear his focus during the day; however, his doctor wants to guard against any possibility of seizures as a protection during his chemotherapy. We are so thankful for the wise counsel God has given us to “direct our paths” (Prov. 11:14)
In the last month, we’ve been able to share our testimonies three times to various groups of people (Ps. 34). We have felt so unworthy to be put in the spotlight; however, different individuals have expressed to us that God used these times to be a blessing to them in ways we never would have imagined. What a blessing that God would give us this privilege to share our lives in a transparent way that would be a blessing to others in ways we may never fully know! It certainly makes it worth it all if our lives make a difference for eternity, so we continue to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14). Getting to know God better through this incredible journey has been a joy and continues to be a blessing in our lives as we continue to walk the paths of life He has laid for us to travel. We conclude this update with our garden beginning to sprout, our flowers in bloom, and our hearts filled to overflowing as we “count our many blessings” that are ongoing as we continue to know the Lord better every day.
Resting and rejoicing in the Lord, Steve and Cindy Stratford
Update on Mary Steinbart --May 15, 2009
Dear Praying Friends,
Thought I should take some time to update everyone. Thank you so much for your prayers through this journey. They have made a world of difference and they are much appreciated.
I started radiation this week. Tuesday was just a trial run with Wednesday being the actual start date. Must admit I was a little nervous on Wednesday as they plopped me on the table, positioning me in just the right way- even calling out numbers to the gals around me and they lined me up accordingly and then left the room. I just kept asking the Lord to be my shield and to put His hand on all the parts of my body that didn’t need the radiation and that it would just effect the necessary area. It was all over in a little over 5 minutes. I was going to bring a CD player but glad I didn’t as there wasn’t much time to listen to anything. Through the Lord’s prompting I plan to use the time to memorize Psalm 91. A verse a day with some days left over to review it. Focusing on the verse for the day was a tremendous blessing on Thursday and Friday. What a difference meditating on the Lord and His word makes! “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Isn’t that a GREAT place to be- under the shadow of the Almighty. Verse 2 says”I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.”
A dear lady at church mentioned on Wednesday that as she was reading through a diary of a grandmother (I think), who was from Germany and a dear saint of God, she came across a entry which stated that the Dr. gave her 3 pills and she prayed over those pills and asked the Lord to let them accomplish only what they were suppose to do. I thought that was a good idea and would ask that you folks would pray over the radiation and that it would accomplish only that of killing of any cancer cells and would not harm my body(ex. Lungs, ribs, etc., etc.) After much reading, Ray and I decided just for me to follow some recommendations in a book on preventing and treating cancer with natural medicine. They recommend some diet changes and a variety of supplements to bolster the immune system and others that have been shown in studies to be beneficial for preventing breast cancer. Ray felt that since I have no signs of cancer and technically am in remission, if we can say that, that doing the recommendations for prevention would be the wiser course. It’s an affordable route and had the most scientific studies behind them. Just seemed right and we are taking it as the Lord’s direction. I will meet with the oncologist in August and will most likely do the Tamoxifen as well.
Through this trial I have had to make some of the most difficult decisions in my entire life. Thank you for those who shared information with us, for your prayers, etc. By God’s grace we will continue moving on.
Love, Mary
Update on Mary Steinbart --May 15, 2009
Friends,
Well, things are moving forward again. Today we met with both the Oncologist and the Radiation Oncologist.
The Oncologist had the results from the last test based on the tumors removed from Mary in April. This test was the oncotype test, and was the last one to determine whether chemo would be recommended or not. The test results fell into a “grey” area between the clearly do and clearly do not do chemo ranges, but more towards the side of do not do chemo. Based on all the other pathology results, the recommendation of the Oncologist is to not do any chemo and later on to do hormone treatment (which lasts for five years). So this is a major praise, not to have to go thru any chemo!
We met with the Radiation Oncologist and we are going to begin a course of radiation treatment. After doing a lot of reading and weighing the different viewpoints and opinions, this course makes the most sense for Mary to have the best chance for not having a recurrence of her cancer. The treatments will begin at the end of May/early June and go for six weeks, five days a week, or about 33-35 separate visits. This is expected to make her very fatigued, which could also last for weeks after treatment ends towards the end of July.
So, pray for us for the coming new chapter in this “adventure” that God has us in. We will certainly need God’s strength and grace this summer, but hopefully, by the end of summer things may begin to settle down and the most disagreeable parts may be past. Thank you for your prayers for us. God continues to show Himself wise and good and gracious, and just how needy we are and how much we need Him each day.
In Christ's Service,
Raymond M. Steinbart
Update on Steve Stratford--May 13, 2009
Today we were able to see the MRI’s of April 7 and May 11 side by side. In our doctor’s words, it looked “great, with significant improvement,” meaning there was an incredible evidence of shrinkage in the tumor area. As our doctor left us this morning, he said, “Congratulations!” He was very busy today, so we didn’t get to chat much more than that; however, as Steve said, “the future looks brighter” as we continue to wait on the Lord and fight by staying focused by faith and leaning on His strength and grace for each day that He gives us.
Between October and November, we saw how quickly these cells could grow, so we praise the Lord for His sovereignty in having this treatment available to be given when Steve needed it most. Waiting is not an option when fighting this type of cancer. Dr. Baskaya’s expertise removed as much of the tumor as possible, which gave the next doctors a better chance to hit it with radiation and the first kind of chemo. Then we saw that a different treatment was needed, while the tumor was growing back, and the new chemo seems to be “knocking the wind out of its sails” before it gets a foothold again. Continue to pray that it keeps shrinking the tumor until it is completely gone!
As we waited for this morning’s treatment, we were thankful that God’s peace continues to surpass all of our understandings, keeping our hearts and minds (Phil. 4:7). This allows us to think on the next verse’s list of things (Phil. 4:8)—things that are “true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of a good report …having virtue and praise.” Continuing on in this same passage, we find ourselves “not in want, for whatsoever state we have found ourselves” throughout this journey, we have learned “to be content” (Phil. 4:11) and find joy with gratitude for what we have at that very moment. God has “led us beside the still waters and restored our souls” (Ps. 23:2). We are totally dependent upon God through this journey, and we give Him all the praise for what He has accomplished in and through our lives. This is not about us, but all about Him!
Now that graduation is past, Steve is teaching a summer distance ed class until July 5, after which he looks forward to a period of total rest and more intense, consistent therapy opportunities. Last night for the first time, Mr. Lefty was able to begin keyboarding with his left hand. Every day Steve continues to notice more and more subtle improvements in Mr. Lefty’s dexterity and general usability, as well as his left arm’s range of motion. Continue to pray that this continues and strengthens as Steve works hard through goals that he’s setting for himself through the summer months.
We thank all of our prayer warriors for their ongoing prayers and encouragement. You have had a powerful ministry to us and to those whose lives we touch. We hope you will rejoice with us over this exciting news and continue to “pray without ceasing” as we all continue to “wait on the Lord.”(Is. 40:31).
Resting and rejoicing in the Lord, Steve and Cindy Stratford
Update on Mary Steinbart--May 11, 2009
Thank you for upholding us in prayer during this experience. With all the things going on, what with the end of the semester, finals, grading, etc, it has been easy to push off an update, but here it is.
Some background: By the end of April, when we visited the surgeon, he commented on how well Mary has been healing from the surgery. We told him it was due to the prayers of God’s people on our behalf. He reviewed the pathology reports on the tumors that were removed. Overall, the results were very good. He believes he got all of the cancerous cells. But (don’t we just hate to hear that), when doing this type of operation, the goal is to not just remove the tumor, but also some good cells all around it to get a “clean” margin. In this case, in one area, they did not get the amount of margin desired.
So, to correct this, the options we have been given are:
-Do nothing, just accept what has been done, do no further treatment of the area. They say that Mary has about an 80% probability of not having any recurrence of the cancer.
-Do some additional surgery. Go back in to the area in question and cut out more tissue. However, the area in question would require actually cutting out the skin and then grafting back on some new skin. This has the potential of limiting Mary’s range of motion with her right arm. The original surgeon said that he did not want to do this surgery because of this. We got a second opinion and the second surgeon echoed these concerns, plus said that as the tumor is now gone, how would he know that he was cutting the exact area that needed excising.
-The final option given is radiation. This would be a course that would be five days a week for six weeks. Mary would have a tremendous amount of fatigue both during, and for weeks afterwards. Plus the potential that the radiation, in killing off any remaining cancer cells in the original tumor area, might cause some other cancer. Having radiation would boost the confidence of no recurrence up to about the 90+% level.
At this time we covet everyone’s prayers for us. We have an appointment with the radiation oncologist next Friday, May 15, to discuss these things again. But at the moment we are unsure what course the Lord would have us follow. Surgery is pretty much ruled out, so either we do nothing or go with radiation. Please pray that God will provide very clear leading in this matter as our wish is that in all of this, that God’s Name be magnified.
In Christ's Service, Raymond and Mary Steinbart
Update from the Stratfords--April 30, 2009
Today Steve had his second intravenous chemo treatment. All went as a matter of routine thanks to everyone’s prayers for us both. During the pre-treatment consultation, Steve’s doctor said that he saw “clinical improvement” and was “optimistic,” words that were like music to both our ears! The clinical improvement that Steve has seen over the last week is better left hand coordination movements, as well as increased stamina. The nurses giving the treatment told us that when patients see improvements, it usually means the treatment is working and to hang on to that thought, which, of course, we are, but not without giving praise to the Lord for answered prayers.
Steve plans to continue to give God praise each day for the days God gives him to serve and be thankful for what God gives him to serve with. After all, we all should daily say, “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Ps. 118:24). As Paul said in 2 Cor. 12:9, “May grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” This is what allows us to “not speak in respect of want: for we have learned, in whatsoever state we are in, therewith to be content” Phil. 4:11. This is chain reaction that James writes of in James 1:2-5—“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” Steve and I feel God has given us so much, more than we could have asked or thought to ask Him for. We pray that your hearts are full to overflowing with gratitude to God as well.
Our Heavenly Father does hear and answer prayers. Thank you to all of you who literally keep us before the Great Physician’s Throne of Grace 24 hours a day! In our last update, I mentioned a water heater that needed to be replaced. God laid it on the heart of a friend, who doesn’t usually call us on a regular basis, to call ask what we needed on the very day when Cindy needed someone to advise her and take her shopping. Not only did God provide the advice, but the water heater on sale with an additional in-store discount, a trailer to get it to our home, and another plumber friend to install it as a gift, even hauling the old one away so she didn’t have to. Isn’t that just like the Lord to handle matters so completely?
In addition, you have been praying for God to guide us regarding the roofing needs for our home. The right Christian roofer was found, a man whom we prayed for years ago when his wife was falsely accused and ended up facing a legal battle that exonerated her. To think that we not only prayed for him, but now he’s helping us in our trial! You can never out give the Lord! Furthermore, since the last update, the Lord has supplied meals to help on all of our treatments dates, even those scheduled into the future, as well as some surprises on in between weeks, which has given Cindy some nights off from cooking so she could catch her breath on other household matters.
One thing we’ve observed through all of this is the fact that all like to be doers. We hope everyone praying for us realizes how much they are “doing” for us. It may be more difficult to see immediately what you are doing, but you are definitely accomplishing much in our lives and the lives that our lives touch. Only eternity will reveal the impact of your daily prayers for us. The above answers to prayers are only the tip of the iceberg. As news travels by word of mouth, by sharing our updates, etc., only the Lord knows the ultimate outcomes. Won’t it be a lovely surprise when we get to Glory one day and see how the Lord chose to use such as us to bring glory to Him? We hope you, like us, never get so busy that we forget how precious it is to “be still, and know that God is God” (Ps. 46:10a). If we are grateful for each day God gives us and seeking to live that day for Him, then we should look forward to “being still” and getting our directions for the day from Him. Then we can thank Him throughout our days and at the end our days when we pillow our heads for all we witnessed throughout the day, orchestrated by Him in and through our lives.
This coming weekend we look forward to having Steve’s sister for a visit, and the following weekend the rest of his brothers and their families. What a blessing to have them come to encourage and love us first and foremost, but also to help with some chores that we had hoped to accomplish this year. Shortening our “to-do” list will really help Steve rest with the free time he will have after concluding his distance ed class in June. How thankful Steve is that he’s been able, by God’s grace, to complete his teaching responsibilities this year! Pray for those who will be graduating on May 8, another generations of our young people trained to serve the Lord will be sent forth literally around the world.
So now we all wait again. While we wait, we pray, we watch, and we trust in “God’s mercies and compassions that fail not. They are new every morning: great is His faithfulness” (Lam. 3:23). As we wait and think, “in the multitude of our thoughts within us God’s comforts delight our souls” (Ps. 94:19) and hopefully yours as well.
Resting and rejoicing in the Lord,
Steve and Cindy
Update from the Stratfords--April 15, 2009
What a privilege we have that we serve a living Savior! Since we last wrote, our Heavenly Father has been lovingly watching over us day by day and moment by moment. He made it possible for several of Steve’s family to visit with us on April 11. Two of his brothers were able to help us with some household chores prior to leaving. Though there were times of tears, they were far outweighed by moments of laughter and rejoicing together at God’s goodness to us all.
Easter Sunday was another day of rest for us. Long before we received the news that Steve’s tumor was growing back, God appointed Cindy’s teen youth leaders, who are now serving with Baptist Church Planters, to schedule their recruitment trip to Maranatha, staying at our home. It was a spiritually uplifting visit, with each of us encouraging each other in the things of the Lord. Even though we had to miss the special services with our church family, our pastor’s family came Easter caroling in the afternoon. From their grandchildren to their parents and even Grandma and Grandpa Moore, our hearts were filled with joy as we celebrated together the joy that we have in Christ’s resurrection.
Just to keep us distracted, our hot water heater began to leak, but God provided a church couple to help Cindy purchase a replacement that was on sale and another plumber friend who will install it tomorrow night. In addition, we have been working on finding the right bid for replacing our roof, a job that Steve had planned to do this summer but obviously can’t do by himself as previously planned. Each decision is falling into place as we seek God’s provision for each need.
Who knows what a day may bring forth? We began today with our house in order, upheld by the prayers of many (Jam. 5:16), taking a huge step of faith, and trusting the Lord for grace, strength, and provision to meet this day for we long awaited (1 Pe. 5:7; 2 Cor. 12:9). We began our trip to the hospital with prayer. Our pastor was kind enough to drive us to the hospital today, so I could focus on Steve and his needs and rest in between answering questions.
When we arrived, we were informed that there were some concerns as to whether Steve’s treatment would be approved; however, our support system encouraged us to press forward as planned. The treatment was made available (Phil. 4:19) as our doctor recommended, and Steve did very well receiving it over an hour and a half (Phil. 4:13). We were both quite fatigued by the end of the day and very grateful for our pastor’s chauffeuring us back home, after pausing prior to heading home to thank the Lord for His goodness, provision, and protection (Ps. 34:1-4). Great is His faithfulness (Lam. 3:21-26). Once again, God affirmed to us that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14) Upon arriving home, a meal was provided that refreshed us both. We also received in the mail a precious book of verses (some of which I’ve noted in this letter), as well as beautiful pictures that capture the handiwork of God. We had our own home prayer meeting and time of rejoicing at God’s goodness to us! Then we got a surprise visit from two of our smallest Easter carolers, bringing three lovely daffodils, bringing us great joy from the love with which they were picked and delivered to us. We both look forward to a good night’s rest tonight now.
Steve will get some additional rest at home the rest of this week. He is grateful that he survived the first treatment without any ill effects. He will have additional treatments on April 29, May 13, and May 27. The key date will be May 27, as he will have another MRI that should show whether these newest treatments are starving the tumor cells from their blood supply, which kills them.
Though it is impossible to reply to all the emails, cards, and expressions of encouragement that we’ve received, please know that each and every one are appreciated, saved, and reviewed as we continue to “wait on the Lord” (Ps. 27:14) and “trust Him with all of our hearts” (Prov. 3:5-6). We continue to pray that our lives will be used by Him “To the Praise of His Glory” as we continue on this journey He has given us to travel with Him.
Resting and rejoicing in our Living Savior, Steve and Cindy Stratford
Update from the Steinbarts--April 14, 2009
Isa 63:7 I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us . . . which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.
Last week we received the pathology report from Mary's surgery. The lymph nodes came back negative for cancer (this is generally the biggest area of concern as these are usually tied to the tumors and their being infected indicates that the cancer has spread elsewhere).
Also, the tumors were staged as T1b or stage 1, with the largest being about 0.6 cm in its largest diameter. There was no evidence, both during the surgery and again in the biopsy, of the tumors having spread outside of themselves, such as to the chest wall or surrounding muscles.
So, according to the surgeon, this would indicate that the tumors have been completely removed. But (don't you just love it when someone uses that word); in performing the surgery, the surgeon removes some good tissue around the actual tumors. This gives them what is referred to as margins. The "But" is that in one area the pathologist did not see the "margins" around the tumor that they would normally desire to see.
What this means is that we are looking at Mary most likely needing some follow-up procedure to help ensure that nothing was missed and to attempt to keep the cancer from reoccurring. The doctor said that this follow-up could be either radiation treatments and/or another surgery (to try to obtain the desired margins).
Pray for wisdom for us as we meet with the various doctors working on Mary's case (the surgeon, the oncologist, and the radiation oncologist), that we will know what questions to ask, that we will be able to clearly evaluate the different options presented to us, and that we will be sensitive to the Lord's leading and will in which course of action to follow.
Pray too for opportunities to witness to the medical people. And pray that we will not become so focused on these issues that we lose sight of the lost around us and fail to fulfill our part in carrying out the Great Commission as we travel along this path.
Psa 31:19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
1Ch 16:10 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
Thank you all for the many prayers, cards, and expressions of concern for us all.
God bless you all,
Raymond Steinbart
Thank You from the Steinbarts--April 7, 2009
Dear Maranatha family,
When we began this trial of our faith (James 1:2-5), little did we know the rich rewards we would reap. How precious our Lord and Savior has become. He is indeed a jewel beyond compare. The other reward we have reaped is how rich is the love of fellow believers. We have been humbled and overwhelmed with your many expressions of love toward us. Thank you so much for the tremendous prayer support, the lovely flowers, the many notes, cards, words of encouragement and concern given to our family. How we thank the Lord for each one of you.
Love,
The Steinbart family.
“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Heb. 6:10
Mary Steinbart, Update --April 6, 2009
My heart is overwhelmed with joy and praise and thanksgiving and thankfulness as I write this. It is Saturday afternoon, and Mary is home already from the surgery! God is SOOOOO good! ALL the time! I can truly say, as the Psalmist does in Psalm 89:1 "I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations."
Yesterday we went to the hospital (Community Memorial in Menomonee Falls) about noon. Mary's sister, Sue, and one of our assistant pastors, Pastor Hollandsworth, and his wife Leslie, joined us there about 12:30. About 1:00 Mary was taken into the admissions and pre-op area. After they got her changed and they started her on an I.V., Pastor Hollandsworth, Leslie, Sue, and Pastor Mark Gilmore and his wife all came in. The two pastors prayed, and Mary said that what was spoken was exactly the same as what God had impressed her with that morning, that all of this is by God's design, it is not by chance. Then they took Mary off to the Nuclear Radiation department.
In the Nuclear Radiation section they injected a dye which pinpointed the main lymph nodes associated with the two cancerous areas, so the surgeon would know which ones to take out to check for whether the cancer has spread or not. Back to the pre-op room, then, and then about 3:20 they wheeled Mary out to surgery. The doctor said it would take about two hours.
About 5:20 PM the surgeon came out to the waiting room and briefed Sue and I on the surgery. The preliminary biopsy on the lymph nodes (they call them the sentinel lymph nodes) came back negative for cancer. And while removing the tumors, the surgeon said that he saw no evidence that the tumors had spread to any of the surrounding muscles or chest wall. Both of these are very encouraging because it means that, at least at this point, the cancer has not spread. The doctor was VERY encouraged by what he saw. Mary told him that a literal army of people have been praying for her and for him.
About 7:30 PM Mary was moved from recovery up to a private room. She kept dozing on and off, but when she was awake said that there was not too much pain - all she wanted was some Tylenol. I left her about 11:30 PM. Today, Saturday, when I got in, Mary was sitting up and looked very good. After having a lunch at the hospital (to make sure that she would not get sick after eating) she was discharged, and by 1:00 we were home.
Please continue to pray. The final biopsy on the tumors should be in by Tuesday or Wednesday. Pray that the results from this will match the preliminary results, showing that the cancers had not spread. Pray for Mary because for now she cannot use her right arm (move it away from her side) for the next two weeks, so she cannot do very much until then. And after that it will then be several more weeks before she gets her full range of motion back. Pray for wisdom in regards to what, if any, other treatments will be recommended. At this point it does not look like any radiation will be recommended. Some hormonal treatments have been discussed, but nothing will be really recommended until the final biopsy comes back.
We thank each one who has prayed. Mary commented that going into the surgery she could almost picture the Throne of Grace being bombarded with prayers. I know I received a number of emails from various ones saying that they were praying specifically as the surgery went on. We are just overwhelmed at the response from God's people towards our family as we have gone along this path that He has charted out for us.
God bless you all,
Raymond and Mary Steinbart and family
Mary Steinbart, Update --April 3, 2009
Surgery is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. April 3, at Community Memorial Hospital in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. The surgeon has said that Mary will be kept overnight and should be discharged sometime on Saturday. The last two biopsy results have come back, and the other suspicious areas on Mary’s left side are NOT cancerous, so the operation will only be on her right side (she is left-handed, so there will be less disruption for her). Mary did want to tell everyone a big THANK YOU for all the cards, notes, personal greetings and most importantly, prayers that have been made. Please pray for the surgeon, and pray that we will have opportunity to witness at the hospital, and to others as we have opportunity in the coming days.
Mary Steinbart, Update --March 30, 2009
Dear Friends,
The adventure continues. Last week, Mary was scheduled to go in for surgery today on her one side, to remove the two areas of cancer that had been diagnosed thus far. At the recommendation of the Radiation Oncologist, and her surgeon, she had an MRI done on Friday morning, to establish a baseline for follow-up work and to give the surgeon another view of the area to be operated on.
On Saturday afternoon the surgeon called our house with the results of the MRI. They had done both sides and the MRI detected some suspicious areas now on her left side (up to now, all the focus has been things found on the right side).
So, the surgery has been postponed pending Mary getting a new (third) biopsy done, this time on her left side. From when the procedure is done it takes two working days to get the results from the lab. The surgeon would like to still operate this week if at all possible.
The prayer requests are then that we can get scheduled for a biopsy either today or tomorrow; that what has shown up is benign; and that we can get the surgery rescheduled for Thursday or Friday this week; and for complete healing and recovery.
We thank God that this has occurred, as one of the tumors already detected is an invasive type, meaning it has the potential to spread to other areas. While this new information was a real shock this weekend, we are confident that our Lord has designed this for us, and for all whose lives intersect ours. He is showing Himself strong and marvelous. While we are having a lot of emotions because of this, nonetheless we know that God is with us, that His strength is upholding us, and that this is for our good and His glory.
Thank you for upholding us before the throne of grace.
In Christ's Service,
Raymond and Mary Steinbart
Update on Mom Senn--Mar. 10
Several of you have written asking for an update on Mom. Sorry for not updating you more frequently. In this case, generally speaking, “no news is good news”. Although the long term affects of the stroke remain, overall Mom is and has been in good physical health since my last Mom Senn update early in December.
SOCIAL NEWS
We brought Thanksgiving and Christmas to Mom at the nursing home. It was pleasant enough for John, Shaaron, Nick and I to celebrate with Mom, but we sure missed having Dad Senn with us. It was his first Christmas in Heaven.
In early January gastro enteritis swept through her nursing home—quarantining every wing but Mom’s and claiming three souls. Mom was unscathed which was especially providential because that was the same week Dwayne Senn and three of his kids and their families traveled from the four corners to visit Mom. The Lord certainly orchestrated events so that their trip to see Grandma was not in vain.
Mom enjoys the numerous visits from family and friends. Several college students visit her regularly and every Wednesday night different ladies from church come to the nursing home and have a personalized hymn-sing and prayer meeting with Mom.
Mom even reports having a few celestial visitors. Let me explain. One Wednesday night, mid-January Mom repeatedly called the CNA (Cari) into her room to tell her that she was "going home" that night. When Cari asked, "Is Carol coming later to take you home for a visit?" Mom said no and that there were angels in the room and Dad was there too. When I asked Mom some specific questions regarding that event she said the angels were "purplish", that they wore "dresses", and that they did not have wings. Dad was not in a robe, but wearing regular clothes, and he looked pretty much the way we remember him. She couldn't remember if any of them had spoken to her; but she said they were there in her room a long time.
On February 13th we were able to transport Mom to campus at Maranatha for the Valentine Artist Series Concert with the Foundation Brass from BJU. The whole evening was a tremendous boost to her spirit. She hadn’t been outside the walls of Golden Living Center since November 15th. The evening was the perfect antidote for her winter cabin fever.
MEDICAL NEWS
Keeping Mom’s feeding tube unclogged has proved to be an almost impossible task in the long term. For a while there she was in the ER about every two weeks to get it either unclogged or replaced—neither being a pleasant procedure. About a month ago a slightly larger tubing was inserted and a new flushing protocol was begun and (knock on wood) she has been clog-free for a record time!
This semester Mom’s personal speech and physical therapist (me) has not been able to give her therapy every day as before because of play practice most evenings. As a result, a diminishing strength in her arms and legs is evident. Please pray that I can work things out to get to the nursing home more frequently.
Mom Senn was in the hospital for four days last week. While she was being treated for that horrific 24-hour stomach flu that has been going around they discovered she also had a urinary infection. Her taking of the common antibiotic Cipro interacted with her other meds and thinned her blood too much, so they had to change antibiotics and pull her blood thinner for a few days. She returned to the nursing home late Friday.
SIDE NOTE: Mom graciously “shared” that flu bug with me and last Thursday I had to cancel my classes and lessons—only the third sick day I’ve taken in more than 25 years of teaching at MBBC. (Seems like I’m made of the same tough stuff as my mother!) This morning it’s looking like I too shared the bug with Shaaron. Alas! :>/
An unexpected blessing came out of Mom’s recent hospital visit. The hospital physicians decided to do a new swallow test on Friday and determined that Mom is able to take pureed food and thickened liquids by mouth. This will be more for pleasure and quality of life than for sustenance. Mom is so excited about this. Please pray that the nursing home follows through on the doctor’s orders.
Thanks so much for your prayers, cards, visits, e-mails, and other encouragements. I share your messages with Mom. She always enjoys hearing from you!
Carol Senn Ruffin
Update from the Stratfords--Jan. 11
Someone gave me a little thought-for-the-day card once that read, “A day hemmed in with prayer is less apt to come unraveled.” As we think of the beginning 2009, we are thankful for the powerful ministry of prayer. Our friends from our past ministry, Inter-City Baptist Church in Allen Park, Michigan, had a weeklong prayer emphasis this past week. Our church will be having its annual weeklong prayer emphasis at that end of this month. We have had the joy of praying for many of you, even as you have had the joy of upholding us before the Throne of Grace. Let me share with you how God answered your prayers for us this week and share matters that you can continue to keep before the Lord.
- 1. Monday Steve’s blood work was well within the normal range. Continue to pray that his platelets, hemoglobin, and white blood counts stay strong.
- Monday was the first day that Steve returned to work. Throughout the week, he was able to attend the teacher in-service meetings, get settled back into his office, and update his syllabus for the class that he’ll be teaching this semester. By Friday, he worked an entire 8-hour day. Continue to pray that his stamina increases.
- Monday Steve was assessed by both occupational and physical therapists here in Watertown. The last time he was assessed was just prior to December 22, his discharge from UW’s Acute Rehab. He has made so much progress in two weeks, that both therapists felt he only need to see them each for 45-minute sessions only once a week for three weeks. Pray for continued progress as Steve assesses himself and works on fine tuning and strengthening various muscles and joints to regain the range of motion and endurance he had before the surgery and seizures.
- Wednesday night at prayer meeting, Steve noticed that his voice was improving as far as his ability to sing various pitches. Continue to pray for this improvement and that the strength of his voice will be sufficient for the demands that teaching will place on it each Tuesday and Thursday.
- Thursday we had a little scare. A couple hours after Steve’s radiation treatment, his left forearm began to feel numb and his left fingers stopped being able to bend. We contacted the team of experts the Lord has given us, and they put him back on the steroid that he was on prior to surgery, which reversed the effects immediately. Obviously, they are hitting the same area that he was experiencing difficulty prior to the surgery, which is what needs to happen, and they appear to be right on target with the necessary help to minimize any side effects. Three weeks of chemo and two weeks of radiation are done. Continue to pray that these treatments proceed as a matter of routine over the six-week treatment period.
- Friday morning, we woke to snow that continued to fall through rush hour. We were warned of the forecast of snow and its timing for our morning commute for Steve’s radiation treatment, so we had planned an extra half hour in order to reach our appointment on time. We had to drive about 10 mph slower than the speed limit most of the way; however, we made it there with 15 minutes to spare and only were slowed once due to a couple of cars that had spun out. Continue to pray for our safety as we travel each morning for about 45 minutes to and from Steve’s radiation treatment, as well as traveling to various therapy and doctors’ appointments over the next several weeks.
- Saturday afternoon we had the privilege of visiting with one of our dear prayer warriors, Elayne Senn. Better known to us as “Mom Senn,” Elayne is being cared for following a stroke at the Golden Living Center in Watertown, a nursing home/rehab facility. What a thrill it was to walk in and have her see how the Lord has answered her prayers for Steve and me! Her face said it all—eyes popped open wide with a sparkle of joy and her smile lit up her face! Steve and she certainly were able to empathize with one another as to how one feels when your brain is still working, but your body doesn’t respond to mental commands. It was a joy to us to see how God has been answering our prayers for her as well. We were encouraged to see her increased ability to move her hands, her arms, her feet, and we enjoyed the improvements in her speech, which made it easier to communicate and share our hearts with one another. We are so thankful that we have senior saints like Mom Senn who see the importance of ministering even from their own bed of affliction. Our life’s work here on earth is never ended until God calls us home to Glory.
- Saturday night, we enjoyed attending our church’s Ministry Appreciation banquet. It has been an annual tradition that our pastor and his wife and the secretary of our church and her husband put on a banquet to express their appreciation to the members of Fellowship Baptist Church who have served with them, doing the work of the ministry for various years of service. It was an added blessing to have Pastor Rich Akins as the one invited to bring us a challenge. Pastor Akins has had a couple of strokes, the side effects of which have not hindered him from fighting back by God’s grace to continue by ministering faithfully to those the Lord brings into his life. Though life changes and sometimes gets scarred through a time of trial, it was a living encouragement to us that we can still give our lives in the Lord’s service and use whatever resources He gives us “to the praise of His glory.”
- Today in Sunday school, the adults were studying the parable of the house on the rock, Lu. 6:46-49. It was our collective conclusion that the house (a life) is built by “digging deep” (hard work) and must be anchored on a strong foundation (a personal relationship with the Lord that gives one a life that is based on biblical principles rather than personal passions). Steve made the comment that unless the foundation of your life is joined to the Rock (the Lord), the foundation can fall in ruin. Both houses, the one built on the rock and the one built on the sand, had to weather the storms; however, only the house on the rock “could not be shaken.” Last year, I remember that our pastor preached a series on the godly character traits of Christians. I remembered that he said that Christians had to always live by biblical principles because it was not IF a trial or testing would come, but WHEN a trial or testing would come to reveal what character we had and what foundation our lives were based upon. It was an encouragement to us to rejoice in the Lord and worship Him today with our Christian family, praising Him for the firm foundation He has given us to weather our present storm and protect us by His grace and strength.
We hope you won’t mind our updates decreasing to a weekly or bi-weekly basis as school begins this next week. Pray for the safe return of our young people, the joy of our lives, as we seek “to develop leaders for ministry in the local church and the world ‘To the Praise of His Glory’” (Maranatha’s mission). Be assured of our ongoing appreciation for your prayers and our ongoing prayers for many of you as we each seek to faithfully serve the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Serving together with joy,
Steve and Cindy Stratford
Update from the Stratfords--Jan. 3
It seems like a long time since we’ve sent out an update. Steve was discharged from acute rehab on Dec. 22, and we came home to celebrate Christmas with my mom, who was watching our home, and Steve’s mom and sister, who traveled up from Iowa. What a blessing to be home after 30 days in the hospital! Ginny and Mom Stratford headed home on Friday, so Steve and I had Saturday and Sunday to get our home routine established again. Sunday, Steve was able to attend church for the first time. It was so good to see our church family so they could see with their own eyes how God’s been answering their many prayers for us. This Christmas is one we'll never forget. Our hearts were filled with the blessings God sent us from His own hand and through the outpouring talents of our doctors and care givers, as well as the encouragement, prayers, and loving support of our friends and family. It would be impossible to wrap some of the gifts that we received. It would even be more difficult to place a finite value on the infinite value each gift has meant to us! Thank you to each of you who have been such a special blessing to us during this special time in our lives praying, encouraging, and sacrificing on our behalf.
On Monday, Dec. 29, Steve began his radiation treatments. Each morning Monday through Friday, we’ve driven to Madison and back. Steve has done well thus far with no apparent side effects. These treatments are received in conjunction with an oral chemotherapy pill taken at bedtime each night. The anti-nausea medicine makes the chemo treatments tolerable. Both of these treatments will be ongoing through the month of January and early February, so we would appreciate your ongoing prayers for Steve’s tolerance, stamina, and the effectiveness of the treatments taking care of any cellular cancer that remains in the tumor area unable to be seen with the naked eye or detected by MRI scans.
Cindy was able to return to work this week. It was such a privilege to get back to her ministry, seeing familiar faces of co-workers who have been filling in or sending encouragements to her during her absence. By the end of the week, things were caught up. Cindy will still need to flex time from her ministry to drive Steve back and forth for treatments, doctors’ appointments, and therapy; however, she’ll be able to catch up quicker now and stay on top of daily responsibilities.
Steve hopes to try attending the first day of teacher In-service on January 5. He’s been spending his time exercising and strengthening his left side. He walks with a cane when we go to appointments, but he is able to walk around the house without a cane most of the time now. His left hand has a strong grip now. Left fingers can be flattened and flexed consecutively. Mr. Lefty, as he fondly calls his left hand, is learning to be more useful every day. This coming Monday, Jan. 5, Steve will begin his follow-up physical and occupational therapy, which will continue the rehab we began at the hospital. We think they will be surprised at how much more he’s gained since Dec. 23. His stamina has increased so napping is not something he has to do as much during the day, and his eyesight has settled down so that staring at the computer for long periods of time is not as tiresome for him anymore. It still is important for him to pace himself and rest when his body tells him to do so, and he is learning how to maintain this balance.
We know that one thought that will cross folks’ hearts and minds is whether there is anything they can do for us. Really our routines are simple. Our home needs are under control and give us a sense of living normal lives again. The one thing we continue to need the most are your prayers. We don’t make this request flippantly. As we have reviewed the conclusion of 2008 and the beginning of a new year, we have come to the conclusion that it was your prayers that made the difference in our lives and specifically in Steve’s ongoing recovery. We know that our journey is not over, and so we covet your ongoing prayers that we might complete this journey in a way that would glorify the Lord. James wrote in James 1:2-5, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of your lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” Though the future is still filled with uncertainties, God is helping us to work through the unknowns in His time and with His contentment which fills our hearts. When we face another fork in the road on our journey, He is giving wisdom to know which path to take. Truly, He is supplying our daily needs and has kept His promise to “never leave us nor forsake us” Heb. 13:5b. It has been an incredible experience changing our lives from one routine at home to another one at the hospital—a whole new world. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolations.” Many of you who have gone through some similar tribulations have reached out to comfort us with the same comfort that has come to you from God. Some of you have written us that a verse or praise that we have shared has touched your life at a moment when you needed encouragement from the Lord. Only eternity will reveal all the blessings that are connected to the journeys of life that we travel at the hand of God. Truly the Lord has been “faithful, who has stablished us, and kept us” 2 Thessalonians 3:3.
Last Sunday our pastor shared the following poem as an opening illustration in our morning worship service sermon. I hope it is a blessing to you as it was to me.
A Year Untried Before Me Lies
A year untried before me lies.
What it shall bring of strange surprise, Of joy, or grief, I cannot tell; But God my Father knoweth well.
I make no concern of mine,
But leave it all with Love divine.
The sun may shed no light by day,
No stars at night illumine my way.
My soul shall still have no affright
Since God is all my life and light.
Though all the earthly lights grow dim,
He walks in light who walks with Him.
No ill can come but He can cure,
No word doth all of good insure:
He’ll see me through the journey’s length, For daily need give daily strength!
[Source unknown]
Thank you for your ongoing prayers and encouragement in this new year. May God give you much fruit for your ministry to encourage you in the powerful change that you are making in our lives and the others for whom you pray.
Rejoicing and resting in the Lord,
Steve and Cindy