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Elizabeth Grupp Searles  Schutz Class ’67    [email protected]

9 hrs · 

(?  July 17)

Well, friends, I’ll be taking a FB posting break from August 1 to December or so. You can still message or email me, but don’t expect speedy responses, especially since we’ll be on-the-road or volunteering. Lots of reasons to go dark:
1) My mom, Susan Grupp, has few earthly weeks left (lymphatic cancer);
2) My own recent surgery means new physical/mental/emotional health priorities and routines;
3) Doug and I have both officially retired. In discernment about what that means for us as individuals and as a couple–pastures new;
4) We depart for India and other points east on Aug 23, returning Dec 15–lots of planning yet to do for travel, visas, volunteer assignments, etc . . . . . 
5) I am struggling to restore equilibrium and sustain hope in the face of recent tragedies and violence at home and abroad. So much needs prayer, healing, attention, transformation;

And then, there’s the election process. OMG.

I plan to resurface and resume posting from time-to-time, but can’t promise when that will be. Hoping to start a blog as well. But first, doing the things that really (really really) matter.

From: David and Leah Preston <[email protected]>
Subject: Divine Control
Date: July 21, 2016 at 10:08:03 PM EDT


We are looking for smooth roads ahead.

This picture of Heather and Dave was taken this month.(July 2016)  Dave is sporting a hat Heather bought in Ireland for him.
“God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a human being, that he should repent. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not establish it?”
(
Num. 23:19)

The last time I wrote all of you I was talking about roundabouts and speed bumps.  Dave has now finished his month of being washed out between chemo treatments.  You have that right, roundabouts, speed bumps and washouts make for rough travel.  This week Dave had 5 liters of fluid pumped out of his middle, he continues to lose weight and is now down to around 122 lbs. Pray that he will start feeling like eating again soon.

The good news is God is in control and has now shown us what road to take forward.  We did not go up to Johns Hopkins but we did have them check Dave’s DNA for a clinical study they have on right now, we found out today that he did not have
 what they were looking for.  This gave us a clear picture that Dave should start a new clinical trial down here.  Yes, it will be nice to stay home. Crizotinib is the drug Dave will start next week.  It is a targeted therapies and comes in a pill form, it has been approved for lung cancer. 

As we waited to hear which treatment Dave should start next the song below kept playing through my head.  For our hope is not in clinical trials or any kind of treatment, our hope is in the LORD.  Our lives have Divine Control.  Life cannot get any better than this.  Yes, I know Dave really would like some smooth roads to travel in the next few months.  Pray that God will use this new treatment to restore Dave to full health.

Third Day – My Hope Is In You

To You, O Lord, I lift my soul
In You, O God, I place my trust
Do not let me be put to shame
Nor let my enemies triumph over me

My hope is You
Show me Your ways
Guide me in truth
In all my days
My hope is You

I am, O Lord, filled with Your love
You are, O God, my salvation
Guard my life and rescue me
My broken spirit shouts
My mended heart cries out