This week's newsletter from Gene

From 60 to Zero

We are accustomed to hearing from 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, or whatever the time, as a car manufacturer brags about how fast their car will go from 0 to 60 miles per hour. What we are not accustomed to hearing is how long it takes to go from 60 to zero. Lynn and I have experienced that the past couple of weeks. We were full-speed ahead this summer with the youth in Florida in June, our vacation time in NM and Colorado in July, then to take a group of 27 people on an Alaska cruise, leaving last Friday, then back to her teaching preschoolers at Casner and a full fall schedule. Everything was fine, except last Friday, instead of leaving with the group to Alaska, we checked her into Seton hospital for what will probably be a month-long stay as she is treated for leukemia.

How did that happen? No one knows what causes it, but it is like a switch gets flipped and you have leukemia. No warnings, no lifestyle factors, but a flipped switch. Last week was spent getting things in line to go from 60 to zero. Lots of things to shut down. So many of you have been so kind in all your expressions of support and prayer. We don’t know what the next month(s) holds, but do know that God is on his throne and we are His kids, so He is responsible. Her first week will be chemo, then the next three weeks will be getting her over the chemo. If that first treatment works well, she will have 2-3 5-day treatments each of the following months. Hopefully this will be behind us by Christmas. 

Here are some specific things you can pray for. That her treatments go well without complication, that she be able to get her brain and expectation from 60 to slower, wisdom for the medical staff (her Dr. is Dr. Chawla) and that God would “flip” Lynn’s switch back to normal. For a speedy recovery so she can be out of the hospital and healthy and strong enough to enjoy Tiffany and Jason’s first baby, due in early Oct.!! Pray for the group in Alaska. I appreciate Bruce and Jean Murray helping out with that leadership.

We have a number of people in Hillcrest who have gone from 60 to zero because of cancer, and several  who are dealing with that right now. Others have various factors that caused their life to go from 60 to zero; all need prayer. You’ll regularly see those requests if you are a part of the prayer chain. We need more prayer warriors. If you’re not one, contact the office and let them know to include you.