Ron -- (rolling the R with force and gusto)

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.  Psalm 116:15

I think of so many things when I think of Ron Butler White

This is one of my favorites.  Ron agreed to be Moses during an Exodus study for our Family Alltogethers.

ROCK -- is a name that comes to mind -- it fits

Strong and  Foundational, maybe even stubborn --

Unmoveable in principles and ideas --Always if it involved truth and honesty - and definitely choosing to follow Jesus way.

Able to withstand the test of many hard times

He has been such an integral part of the beginning of Life Park Christian Fellowship.  

I remember those meetings of Shepherds when he would come forth with something strong and definite as he rubbed his balding head.

A precious conversation in early 2008 we had with Ron and Carol when they encouraged us to stay the course and plan God had placed on Terry's heart, us walking together as a team to accomplish the ministry and mission we felt God had laid out for this church family.

Ron was at every fellowship and even his shirts revealed what his life stood for- settling a Church on this property was so important to him.  I remember when we were celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles and how his group's shelter was clearly the best!

We know of only his later ministries -- the 20 years we were with him as Church family: Ministry to:
>  men released from prison -- how he had people pick them up and bring them to Life Park in the shopping center.  Every Saturday calling these men

>his TCC classes in religion that were always packed
He liked to counter any discussion -- I think to keep it more interesting -- that wasn't just in his classroom, either
>teaching GED classes
>even substitute teaching high school
>housing people who were trying to get on their feet or new to this country.

Ron was always a person who saw ministry to be done and tried to enlist others in the calling.  I remember how he would tap shoulders and say -- you need to .... or you should go up talk to that person --

He was an organizer and believed strongly in committees.  He always had a way he thought things could work.  When he and Terry would visit --even at the hospital -- he would have a plan for how he believed a certain  committee could get ministry done more effectively. The growth of the Church was always forefront in his mind.  His mind stayed sharp until the end.

Following Jesus -- answering this call on his life spanned the 88 years he lived.  

Growing up in an orphanage in India, later attending seminary - he and a fellow student learned of baptism and decided they needed to baptize each other.   

He was a power house in his early years serving as a Methodist Bishop in ministries in India, Singapore, Malaysia, Austrailia and America.

His conversations about Jesus revealed that as this old servant aged - his Master became even dearer and nearer to him.


Ron loved his family . . . 

Ron was blessed to have 3 of his four children, Paul, Janice and Sharon together with him in the past 3 weeks -- and he's home now his fourth precious daughter, Lynette.

Ron and Carol have built an international family.

Old and young -- his kids and Carol's kids -- they were all his!

Grandkids were especially near and dear to him

q

 So many of the grandchildren have come here to honor their papa in the last 2 1/2 years of his declining health.

Until his early 80's Ron would make regular trips to visit his children across the globe and enjoyed his time with each and every one of them.
His faith is a legacy he has left to each of them as they have come to know Jesus.  

Praying with and for them was especially important to him.  

I'm told he was even able to say a blessing over Dylan and Haiden's baby in the womb early this past week. 

Tynleigh has been such a sweet little caregiver for her Pappa.  Her favorite thing has been to bring him drinks and make videos of him -- she even made made up songs to him.

The other day she asked her great g'ma why Papa had to go be with Jesus - 
Carol asked her don't you think they will have a great time together --
To which she responeded, "Oh, yeah"!
As he progressed his life's journey - the more dear and precious the Communion service meant to him.   He's enjoying that Supper of the Lamb -- the Holy Eucharist as he called it now.

Last weekend when Terry was at his bedside, Ron gave him a blessing as he'd never done before, these two friends who used to argue about who would preach whose memorial service.  These two friends who could sometimes be frank with each other. . . but still honored each other as a close friend. 

On Monday night as we read verses, Terry would intentionally leave one out and he'd finish it.  We sang his favorite songs and this old soldier joined in.  

By Tuesday, his words were gone -- but he was able to give strong hugs to his returning Marine, Dylan.

But now to you, Carol, whom he called "Dahling" - you have been his constant caregiver, support, lover, nurse, helpmate -- this family you have built together, will continue to look to you as their matriarch with your laugh and nurture and the love you pour forth to all of them-- these children here and and across the globe -- love you and will stay connected through the lifeline you have built over the many miles.

Delay

Treatment #14 today -- Got a 3 week delay in surgery date -- since

 we suspended treatment last week for the CAT scan of my lungs

I tried to counter the plan but 3 doctors have to coordinate the 

whole process.--(does that make me a 'control freak?' ) 


I know God is in the details --


When I think about the fact that putting it off that long would 

allow time to rebuild strength and stamina - plus enjoy some relax 

time with family. .  .  

It would be 4 weeks to the day before school starts --

The healing time is 6 weeks and then radiation for 6 more --

But in the middle of all that healing -- we are welcoming a new 

baby girl into our family!!!

I'm feeling calm about the process -- but in the middle of all of that 

I KNOW -- God is in the details --

It's 11:07 and I just posted my last grades!!! I'm officialy on summer break

It would have happened sooner, but I felt so freed up when we got home from rushing to school after chemo to go through the close-out with my principals that I decided to enjoy some gardening which I hadn't been able to do -- so I had to put on a mask, double -glove --
Maybel that's why I haven't done it more!!!

It was perfect weed pulling with all these rains -- 
Making for one over-grown garden!!!

"Except you become as a little child" . . . Jesus

Campbell's concept of faith is growing by leaps and bounds . . .

She listens attentively to the Bible stories and then has a bazillion questions -- 

Last Saturday we were playing outside and she picked up a stick -

C:  "Is that the stick that became a snake when that guy picked it up?"  

ME: You mean Moses?

C:  What was that for?
ME: God did miracles when He called Moses to lead his people.  It was so the people would follow God.

C:  What miracles?
ME:  Like the burning bush -- that talked to Moses.

That blew her out of the water

C:  What kind of bush?  
Me:  I don't know-- but it wasn't even burned up.

C: I think it was a holly bush -- (she likes to pull the berries off our's and throw them all over the back yard"

When Bethany picked her up from preschool yesterday -- she said, 

C:  Mom, we learned about this guy named Paul -- he used to be called Saul.  That was when he didn't make good choices.  Mom can we read about him tonight?

AND MOM, we GOTTA read about the burning bush!
B wasn't sure where that came from!

 

I think I know why Jesus loved to hang out with little ones . . .

Milestones

Late this afternoon before leaving school, I wrote my last sub plans of the school year for Sharon.

As I was putting them together, I thought about the fact that I never thought I'd get through this school year way back there at the beginning of January.  I didn't see how I'd stay active the way the first treatments made me feel.  Marinelle and Sharon stepped up and said they'd stand in the gap for me.

BUT HERE WE ARE . . . tomorrow is the last day of school and tomorrow is my 14th chemo.
School is so much easier with chemo when you work with such wonderful friends!

God is my strength . . . and HE's given it in ample supply.

I have had so many prayers, positive encouragement and help from my family and friends!

I saw one of my former principals, Rick Dossett,  at a retirement party at school the other day -- he told me he lights a candle for me at St. Henry's Catholic Church. 

Youth Alive - A Double Blessing

I told my Youth Alive Leadership Team in December that I'd have to let them take take the reins this semester --

I said that we'd still meet each week -- but we'd need to switch it to Wednesdays instead of our regular Thursdays so I could keep my treatment schedule.

They didn't dissappoint.  They covered all the bases.  The schedule change hurt our numbers a bit -- but we continued to have great lunch times sharing Jesus and what we saw God doing in their lives.  Being with these students has helped me keep my focus on God's bigger picture in all of this.

Early in the morning, Courtney brought a  package by and said I wasn't to open it until we met.  It was pizza lunch and a busy morning getting my juniors and seniors ready for their finals so -- I let it set on my side table. I noticed it was heavy.   I was totally overwhelmed - when I opened it to find that they had all underlined their favorite verses and included encouraging words of hope and strength.  
Cute that they decided I needed the LARGE PRINT!!!

I'm loving letting my Bible fall open to the various notes.  

My plan early on for today was for them to write notes to their 22 yr. old selves and then I would mail them to them out there in the future. or they could keep theirs in a safe place and open them at that time.   I must have 20-25 to mail.  So funny -- some put money in them b/c they know at that time they're sure to need it.  Others put their school ID -- I told them to remember how much they put in them --
and to be sure and seal them -- I didn't want them to think that Mrs. Bell raided their envelopes or made change for that $20 bill I saw someone put in.

Manna Veres

These verses have been strong this week:

Decisions that have to be made soon . . . .

How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. 20 Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. 21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”  Isaiah 30:19-21

Thinking about our new granddaughter arriving in late summer. . .I found this verse in Friday's e-verse for that day, after I'd been knitting most of the day for our baby.

Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things.  Eccl. 11:5

   Thinking about retirement:   
"The purses of Heaven have no holes in them".  Seek first the Kingdom -- Luke 12:

Our Good - Bell Get Away -- 7 Days of R & R in Peurto Viallajarta

Mat and Bethany surprised us before Jack's birth in August of 2014 and said that Christmas for the whole family this year was a family vacation in Puerto Villajarta, MX.  We got our calenders coordinated and May 3 was the time we all found we could go.
This was long before Jan and I had a diagnosis of cancer or Terry had his Thyroid issues.
Little did we know what a welcome respite this whole week would be for the entire family.

Traveling together was lots of fun -- 

Pappa has a way of making every trip an adventure.

Syd never wants to be very far from him

Bethany had been packed for a week, there were snack bags in back packs for each girl.  Syd ate most of hers before we were out of Texas headed for Mexico.
There were plenty of toys for Jack, ipads, stickers, craft packs and color books --- Bethany had been scheduled to shoot a wedding for over a year so had only 3 hours sleep but stayed her same calm self the whole trip.  She and Mat worked so hard to make sure that all of us had all we needed --hosting this family vacation beautifully.

We started texting our CO family as soon as we hit the airport -- they were in an earlier time zone and good naturedly put up with our dozens of texts -- sending pictures of all of us at 5 am.

On the other coast, Marshall was completing his last interview for his 2016-2019 Fellowship in CT surgery.  We didn't hear much from him until all the interviews were over.

He couldn't arrive until Monday afternoon.

Marshall's birthday dinner of steak, prawns asparagus and the most delicious sweet potato / white potato combination
Mat and Bethany had wanted Lobster for his b.day - but it wasn't available in PV -- they had hoped to hire Mariachi singers to come for the evening.  Marshall loved all their plans.  If only we'd found a pinata -- Marshall thinks they should be a part of every celebration where kids are.

Jan's gift to Marshall -- A Harley headband -- I'm thinking it will show up with his surgeon's cap in the OR

Every meal was a feast!  Marco made the most wonderful Mexican breakfasts.  However we did love his pancakes the best!

His appetizers were AWESOME

Our view the whole time.  I sat and watched the coast for hours and found myself  thinking NOTHING

We loved getting time to spend with Marshall and Katie -- we tried to make up names for Baby -- but they weren't super excited about our suggestions.  We also tried to give our input on where we thought they needed to move for Marshall's fellowship next year. That was a decision they had to make by week's end. 

The girls lived in their swimming suits and vests the whole time.

Spa Day for the four Bell/ Good Women --
Pedcure for Katie, Facial for Jan, Massages for B & Me

I loved the time to cuddle with the kids and 
let them play jumpy jumpy off the edge of the pool till I wore out.  Sydney was our early bird, waking up most mornings at 5:15.  Pappa listened for her trying to help everybody else stay asleep.

Jack was such a trooper -- as long as
he had someone to hold him -- he was all giggles and grins

Jack taking Syd's baby captive!  Syd's never far from BABY.

Bethany and Katie take an early monring beach run.

Papa found the best tide pool with crabs -- 

This was the end of Terry's TCC semester so he had to do a lot of grading and he has an on-line class that is ongoing this month -- but he was still able to work in lots of family time.  We had a perfect view from our room.  I had to rest up a lot the first few days -- and by Tues afternoon was able to be in the pool and make it to the beach once.

The trip home on Saturday for Tand me  and on Sunday for Mat, Bethany and the kids meant lots of time in customs at the Houston Airport.  Their's included a runaway two year old -- our's included two hours clearing customs.

Alyce

Today's treatment and doctor visit took a different turn when I had to have a CAT scan instead of chemo.
I've had shortness of breath and a cough that interferes with my speaking.  Terry has been concerned - so it was a relief to both of us when Julie, the Nurse Practitioner, ordered a scan today with us getting results before we left.  We spent about 6 hours there -- but what a blessing to get test results the same day and on the same co-pay (LOL!!!)
  Best news is that there is no pneumonia and no cancer in the lungs!!! . . . just asthma flaring up -- triggered by all the pollen and mold I assume.

Down in Radiology, one of my nurses mentioned that she was a two-time cancer survivor.

As we waited this morning on our visit with Julie we met Alyce a 70 + volunteer who is also a cancer survivor as of last year. 

She was so chatty -- almost more than I had words for when we came to the physicians waiting room both times.  She told of her church, her dogs she'd adopted, people in her family, how many scarves she'd knitted. 

 When we came back to wait for my CAT scan results Alyce was still at her post and told us that her doctor had just sent word to her that he wanted her to come back into his office today while she was on duty for a consult. She wasn't sure what it was for -- but had some tests last week. Her husband arrived as we were waiting to join her for this doctor visit.  As she left her doctor visit,  she joined us a third time and mentioned that her cancer has resurfaced and she was going back into treatment.


As she left I promised we'd be praying for her.  She genuinely seemed grateful.

It was only after she left, that Julie came with our results.

I'm glad our paths crossed Alyce's today.  
I'm adding her to my "Cancer Kickers" list.

Happy Birthday, Marshall T

I found this Sonagram picture in my album of 33+ years ago during my pregnancy with you.

This was our Christmas present to our family in 1981 -- a picture of their grandson!

On the first day of chemo - I got this picture on my phone from you, Marsh.

At the end of all of this journey a precious treasure awaits us as we welcome -- little Miss Bell!

That day I had just counted up the weeks of treatment, surgery, recuperation, radiation and thought that's 9 months!  A woman could have a baby in that amount of time!!!

Marshall you have given us so many reasons to laugh -- you were always quick on the comeback!  You were always the center of lots of activity.

You always had a thousand questions -- "If God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit got in a race -- who would win?" 

You give us insight and we love your sense of adventure.  You've always found some where in the world to go study.

I have so appreciated your counsel and listening ear --- I find you stop to carefully answer me - when I'm rambling on and on.

As you await God's greatest treasure on Sept. 1, we want you know what a treasure you have been to your Dad and me.

R & R - Soaking up Family and Sun

Long before any of us heard the word "cancer" and "treatments" and "surgeries" Mat and Bethany gave us our Christmas gift last August.  It was a vacation this next week in Peurta Vijarta - at a vacation Villa they had reserved.  The whole Bell/ Good Clan gets to go be together for one entire week.  I had been saving my personal days -- my school has graciously allowed me to get away for the rest time and to renew my strength this close to the end of school-- the doctor has given me a "get out of jail" card from treatments next week and we're headed for Mexico in the morning - with lots of food warnings and masks.

The past few weeks the fatigue and dizziness have been more intense on days 3-5 -- but ibuprofen helps the body ache. The numbness in my feet has  improved and I can use my fingers much better.

Bethany and the kids dropped me off at TCI for dr. visit and treatment yesterday and I asked Sydney what she was going to do yesterday -- she shot back, "Go to Mexico"  I don't think she even KNOWS what or where MX is -- but she's in!  

We get to celebrate Marshall's 33rd birthday with him and Katie --
Get lots of cuddle time with the kids --
Walk the beach with the kiddos exploring all God's creation and critters -- looking for sand crabs --
Make lots of memories ---
REST up --and RENEW - and READY ourselves for what's ahead.

Jan Good (my son-in-law's mother) is healing well from her surgery and treatments.

God is in the daily and in the details.  HE's the provider of everything -- HE's my healer -- HIS timing is perfect.