33.33% Done

Julie is 1/3 of the way to the finish line! Well, the chemotherapy finish line at least.


This past week has been such a mixture of wonderful, sad, refreshing, hard and happy moments. We had the privilege last weekend to attend a marriage retreat at Sonrise Mountain Ranch, in Cimarron, CO. We went with some dear friends and had an amazing time. The normal 5 hour drive took us nearly 7 & 1/2 as we meandered our way through some beautiful Colorado locales, stopped for lunch and enjoyed God's amazing creation.


The retreat itself was very, very good. The location is such that there is zero cell phone coverage. No email. No texts. No Internet. No nothin. It was awesome. The accommodations were fantastic, we had our own cabin, the setting was serene and perfect.   Here are a few photos:

This is the view as you enter the Cimarron valley

Nice little nature trail that flanks the property

It was very serene!

So cute!

In my element

View from the lodge out onto a small lake

Matt and Chantal, the husband and wife team who run the center, are fantastic people - we feel like we made lifelong friends. I highly recommend it for any couple - newly married or old veterans. 


During the weekend, Julie began to rapidly lose her hair. It was a very emotional situation. Thankfully, I had packed my hair shaving equipment and during our 4 hour afternoon alone time on Saturday, I took on the task of shaving Julie's head. We played "Beautiful" by Mercy Me.  We both cried a lot and laughed a little, but in the end, it was a sweet, intimate time together. For the record, I'd make a lousy hair dresser. I think I picked the right career path! And for the record, it is amazing how beautiful Julie is without hair. It really allows  you to focus on her face and the great features the good Lord provided her. Her smile lights up the room more than it ever did before. 


Today was chemo treatment #2. Sadly, I was flying back from CA and didn't arrive until after she was done, but our dear friend Becky took Julie and sat with her through the whole treatment.  The regiment was about the same, but this time, they do a blood test and the oncologist evaluates Julie's ability to take the chemo treatment. Her blood counts were good - white cells were normal and red were just a little low. She was cleared for treatment and endured another several hours of dripping poison into her body.


This next week we expect to be much like the last one She will be very tired, nauseous, and a bit lethargic, but the second time through should be easier - she knows what to expect and how to deal with things better than before.


Julie's prayer has been from 1 Peter 3:3-4 "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such a as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." That is indeed our prayer.


Thank you all for your prayers and support!