I am in the middle of a 30 day Sabbatical to clear my head, get myself re-centered and refocused. I have to admit, a few things have cropped up within myself. It's funny how all work and no time to think fuzzes one's thinking.
First, I saw how exhausted I really was. Some think that pastors don't work as hard as most people. Perhaps there is some truth to that- especially compared to construction and factory workers (non-union ones that I know). However, the trouble with pastoring is that you never truly leave your work. I am constantly jotting notes for sermon ideas, keeping track of prayer needs, and taking phone calls of problems and issues. These wear one down after awhile.
Second, I realized that I am not superman- nor super-pastor. As much as I try to do it all- bulletins, calendars, reports, prayers, studying, teaching, preaching, visitations- I can't do it all. I have to restructure myself and my people so that we do better ministry together.
Third, I have learned that a lot of people care about me and my needs. Most of my congregation has spoken to me of the need I have to take this personal time off. I am still in my house, still next door to the church and still run into people downtown. But I am not being called as normal. I thank God for the respect of this time by my brothers and sisters.
Fourth, I need to fish more, get pet household projects done and spend some extra time with my wife and family without having to prepare a lesson or run to a meeting. We have spent time around a campfire and on Silver Lake. (Thanks to Ron Rickard's camper)
What's next as I enter the last two weeks? I think I'll watch "Gone With the Wind" and read a few more fiction books. But I also sense a draw to more prayer and fasting. I need to hear from God more.
Tchau.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Naomi's Surgery at U of M
Naomi had a successful surgery here on Monday at University of Michigan Hospital. Thanks so much for your prayers during our several month ordeal with “pheo-chromo-cytoma”- adrenal gland tumor. The surgery took a bit longer than usual but she did very well considering the heart problems and diabetes. We are forever grateful for your continued prayers and encouragement. We have an awesome God who has awesome prayer warriors like you.
She is resting comfortably and will be in Intensive Care for a day and then another day in a regular room. We expect to go home Thursday. Certainly being in a hospital with the kind of staff they have for this problem was very comforting. I have never seen so many doctors hovering over her at one time!
Dr. Gauger, the surgeon, said that her blood pressure has steadied to a somewhat normal level (after months and months of high blood pressure and, more recently due to medication, high pulse rate). There was nothing unusual through the surgery and, of course, they will biopsy the tumor (golf-ball size) but anticipate it will be benign. Hopefully this will alleviate the angina that she has going through more recently. She will be under endocrinology care for awhile to make sure all the chemical and hormones balance properly.
How to pray:
-Her blood pressure is still running a little bit low- they would like it a bit higher than 110-120 over 50-55. Also, her sugar levels are running high (300’s). And she is in some discomfort pain from the incisions.
-Continue to pray for our kids- Andrew & Charity all the way out at Bethany Bible and Joshua- who was able to spend Monday and Tuesday am with us.
Once again, thanks so much for your prayers and we ask that you will continue to pray for a speedy recovery and that we will be able to get back to normal (whatever that might be).
In Christ,
Rob
She is resting comfortably and will be in Intensive Care for a day and then another day in a regular room. We expect to go home Thursday. Certainly being in a hospital with the kind of staff they have for this problem was very comforting. I have never seen so many doctors hovering over her at one time!
Dr. Gauger, the surgeon, said that her blood pressure has steadied to a somewhat normal level (after months and months of high blood pressure and, more recently due to medication, high pulse rate). There was nothing unusual through the surgery and, of course, they will biopsy the tumor (golf-ball size) but anticipate it will be benign. Hopefully this will alleviate the angina that she has going through more recently. She will be under endocrinology care for awhile to make sure all the chemical and hormones balance properly.
How to pray:
-Her blood pressure is still running a little bit low- they would like it a bit higher than 110-120 over 50-55. Also, her sugar levels are running high (300’s). And she is in some discomfort pain from the incisions.
-Continue to pray for our kids- Andrew & Charity all the way out at Bethany Bible and Joshua- who was able to spend Monday and Tuesday am with us.
Once again, thanks so much for your prayers and we ask that you will continue to pray for a speedy recovery and that we will be able to get back to normal (whatever that might be).
In Christ,
Rob
Thursday, February 08, 2007
U of M visit
As most of you are aware, Naomi has a tumor either on or in the left adrenal gland (which can be found on top of the kidney). This is called pheochromocytoma. Most of the time these are benign- as we expect this to be. This was found incidentally last October during a CT scan for another problem. She has experienced radical blood pressure readings and dizziness- increasingly. The doctor/surgeon has put her on a medication that brings down the blood pressure to a very steady and normal reading in preparation of surgery. However, any activity (physical or even having fun with friends) increases the pulse rate dramatically and creates other issues with her heart. Consequently, Naomi is now on medical leave until mid-March.
Tuesday we embarked to U of M in Ann Arbor for a week of scans and tests. The objective of this “tracer” study is to determine the specific size and location of the tumor. The surgeon is not fully convinced that it’s in the adrenal gland (as is most common with pheochromocytoma) but could be just outside of it. We are to plan on being here through tomorrow (Friday) on which we have a 3-4 hour physical/consultation. Surgery is set for February 19. Recovering following surgery shouldn’t be too long and life should return to “normal.” (Whatever normal might mean.)
How can you pray?
-Safe travel in and around and back from Ann Arbor.
-Our focus. Isaiah 26:3 is our verse: “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts You.” We want our mind to be continually focused on our Lord through this time.
-Wisdom for the surgeon, doctors and nurses who will be working with us. We are grateful for the technology, medicine and skill that God has enabled them to have. But we still need God’s wisdom for them during this process.
-Our children away at college. This is tough for them to have see us from a distance due to their calling. Pray for Andrew & Charity (Bethany Bible) and Joshua (Indiana Wesleyan). We would greatly appreciate that.
-Our public witness. We will encounter people (and already have) that remind us of how blessed in Christ we are and we will encounter people who need Jesus Christ personally in their lives. This is what we live and breathe for. May we be ready and used as God sees fit.
We are thankful for you and count it a privilege to know you as friends.
Tuesday we embarked to U of M in Ann Arbor for a week of scans and tests. The objective of this “tracer” study is to determine the specific size and location of the tumor. The surgeon is not fully convinced that it’s in the adrenal gland (as is most common with pheochromocytoma) but could be just outside of it. We are to plan on being here through tomorrow (Friday) on which we have a 3-4 hour physical/consultation. Surgery is set for February 19. Recovering following surgery shouldn’t be too long and life should return to “normal.” (Whatever normal might mean.)
How can you pray?
-Safe travel in and around and back from Ann Arbor.
-Our focus. Isaiah 26:3 is our verse: “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts You.” We want our mind to be continually focused on our Lord through this time.
-Wisdom for the surgeon, doctors and nurses who will be working with us. We are grateful for the technology, medicine and skill that God has enabled them to have. But we still need God’s wisdom for them during this process.
-Our children away at college. This is tough for them to have see us from a distance due to their calling. Pray for Andrew & Charity (Bethany Bible) and Joshua (Indiana Wesleyan). We would greatly appreciate that.
-Our public witness. We will encounter people (and already have) that remind us of how blessed in Christ we are and we will encounter people who need Jesus Christ personally in their lives. This is what we live and breathe for. May we be ready and used as God sees fit.
We are thankful for you and count it a privilege to know you as friends.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Manantial de Vida Update
December 24th at 3pm Iglesia Manantial de Vida had their first church service. There were presents for the children, supper afterwards and 7 people received Jesus Christ. Total attendance: 52 children + 43 adults + 25 Americanos.
We praise the Lord for what is happening!
Continue to pray for Pastor Carlos Santana, his wife Gretta and son Nicolas. US Immigration is processing their application.
Our next service will be January 28th at 3pm and Pastor Carlos is preparing for a baptism service in February.
We praise the Lord for what is happening!
Continue to pray for Pastor Carlos Santana, his wife Gretta and son Nicolas. US Immigration is processing their application.
Our next service will be January 28th at 3pm and Pastor Carlos is preparing for a baptism service in February.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Hispanic Church Update
Oceana Wesleyan Hispanic Minsitry is really happening! This is for real.
In Shelby, a new church is being planted- Iglesia Wesleyana Manantial de Vida- Water of Life Wesleyan Church.
Prayer requests: Pastor Carlos Santana. His wife Gretta and son, Nick, had to return to Colombia to await the immigration process. His health and safety while doing ministry.
A Hispanic Bible Study will start next Sunday 3pm at the Banderas home east of Hart on 120th Ave.
Keep on praying for God to keep on moving.
In Shelby, a new church is being planted- Iglesia Wesleyana Manantial de Vida- Water of Life Wesleyan Church.
Prayer requests: Pastor Carlos Santana. His wife Gretta and son, Nick, had to return to Colombia to await the immigration process. His health and safety while doing ministry.
A Hispanic Bible Study will start next Sunday 3pm at the Banderas home east of Hart on 120th Ave.
Keep on praying for God to keep on moving.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Whew!!
The summer has finally ended. Josh is graduated, Charity married off, both of them in college, the Hispanic ministry moving forward, Naomi's health stablized, campmeeting a distant speck in the rearview mirror and deer season closing in!!
I am ready for this new turn in life. I pray continually for my children that they God would protect them and they would keep their hearts pure.
I don't have time but hopefully I can post some summer pictures.
Adios!
I am ready for this new turn in life. I pray continually for my children that they God would protect them and they would keep their hearts pure.
I don't have time but hopefully I can post some summer pictures.
Adios!
Monday, May 15, 2006
Meijer Heart Center- again.
Last week Naomi and I spent a few days at the Meijer Heart Center. Wonderful place to visit and even stay. Except we didn't want to be there.
Naomi had a stent placement again after flagging on the nuclear stress test. She is now home recuperating. With a week off we hope that she will be back to full strength.
Too bad stent placements can't change the human condition of sin. Of course, if we can understand how the working of the Holy Spirit happens in the person's life we can use the heart cath as an anology. (But I will save this for another blog.)
What impresses me is the technology. And what impresses me more is the peace that we can have by the Holy Spirit. We have a wonderful Sikh doctor who is tremendously gifted. And yet our confidence lies not in the steadiness of his hands or concentration of his mind, but in the healing touch of God.
Isaiah wrote of Jesus in his 53rd chapter: "By his stripes we are healed." It is a verse that we cling to knowing that Jesus endured the torture of the cross for our sakes so that we might be saved, delivered and healed.
Last week probably is not the last visit for us. Of course, God can deliver her completely from heart disease. But until then, our hearts will go on singing and living for Christ.
Naomi had a stent placement again after flagging on the nuclear stress test. She is now home recuperating. With a week off we hope that she will be back to full strength.
Too bad stent placements can't change the human condition of sin. Of course, if we can understand how the working of the Holy Spirit happens in the person's life we can use the heart cath as an anology. (But I will save this for another blog.)
What impresses me is the technology. And what impresses me more is the peace that we can have by the Holy Spirit. We have a wonderful Sikh doctor who is tremendously gifted. And yet our confidence lies not in the steadiness of his hands or concentration of his mind, but in the healing touch of God.
Isaiah wrote of Jesus in his 53rd chapter: "By his stripes we are healed." It is a verse that we cling to knowing that Jesus endured the torture of the cross for our sakes so that we might be saved, delivered and healed.
Last week probably is not the last visit for us. Of course, God can deliver her completely from heart disease. But until then, our hearts will go on singing and living for Christ.
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