Desert Experience

It's been a while since I expressed some of my thoughts and feelings regarding our current life situation, so I guess it's time. Nancy finished her thirty days of radiation treatments February 8 and since then, we have been on the road exploring the southwest. It was so good to finally be done with radiation and the daily drive to West Bend. Nancy rang the chimes on her way out the hospital door!

A beautiful, strong, and courageous woman! Nancy, I love you!

On our way to Arizona, we camped one night in New Mexico and woke to a frigid 9 degrees and blowing snow. At Winslow, Arizona we were diverted south, as I-40 was closed due to snow and crashes. We ended up driving to Sedona through the mountains, on one-lane forest roads, in the middle of a white-out mountain blizzard. Don't get me wrong, it was absolutely beautiful, and the experience made us both feel very much alive!

Arriving in Sedona, we stayed almost two weeks in the second home of the family of Andrew's friend. What a blessing it was to get away from the Wisconsin winter and soak up the warm Sedona sun together. We spent our days hiking on area trails, and our nights soaking tired bodies in the hot spa while watching the stars in the cool evening sky. There was no better prescription for Nancy to heal and recover from what she has been through - to get away from the emotional stress of being poked and radiated. Thank you Barb and Craig for this indescribable blessing and the use of your home!

The living room windows show only a glimpse of what the day will bring 

Sunset from the Sedona airport plateau

February 24 brought us down to Maricopa, Arizona to visit some good friends that we haven't seen in years. We shared a meal with Phil and Sandy, and talked about God's faithfulness. Sandy has been dealing with cancer as well, so it was good to talk and reflect on our experiences. As we have said before, God uses all kinds of circumstances to draw us to himself and bless us. Exploring our past reveals the truth of Romans 8:28 most powerfully. As we live our lives in Christ, and view life from God's eternal perspective, it is quite clear that God works "all things together for the good, for those who love God, and are called according to His purpose". Thank God for this blessing!

Two of the best women on the planet! Just my opinion...

We had one night of camping at the Desert Trails RV Park, then on February 26, we moved to the Gilbert Ray Campground in the Sonora Desert, near Old Tucson. What a beautiful place! More hiking and driving through the Saguaro National Park. Nancy really enjoyed the warm Arizona sun as we hiked about 2 miles a day. It was so much fun, Nancy invited Tim to, "Come join us!". So Tim and Matt flew down to Tucson!

Sunrise at Gilbert Ray campground, site 26. God is quite the artist!

With the aid of a second strong young man (I'm the first), we hiked out to the top of the Devil's Bridge arch.
Check off that box on the bucket list! You did it!

In picturesque Slide Rock State Park

Taking a break in the shade, overlooking the Cow Pies

Almost back to the truck, I dared Nancy to climb up and sit on this giant boulder.
With a little help, she got up, but getting down was a different story! Fun!

The customary "family by the park entrance sign" photo

Sunsets in the Sonora desert are spectacular!

A desert hike near Old Tucson

We had several fabulous days of hiking with Tim and Matt. The pace slowed to one 2-mile or less hike per day, as physical deficits and radiation fatigue were coming in conflict with just about everything. 

On March 1 at about 5:45 pm, after a day of sightseeing and hiking, Nancy was exhausted and not feeling well. We called it a day and drove over to Tiny's Family Restaurant for some dinner. As soon as we sat down in the restaurant, Nancy told me she was having a problem with her left hand. This quickly developed into an emergency, so we got Nancy out of the restaurant and into the truck, and called 911. I thank God for having Tim and Matt with us during the exhausting two day event to follow; Nancy's first seizure. 

Sometimes it feels like we are alone, having to care for ourselves, like we are in a deep desert experience without God. But feelings are not facts. The facts recorded in God's Word, and standing on these fact despite what things feel like, is where God meets us with His grace and strength. Not our strength, but His. Not of our doing, but of His merciful love for us.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  -- Philippians 4:13

Through Christ. In Christ. Not in or of our flesh, but in and through Christ.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.  -- 2 Corinthians 12:9-10