The Promise of Newness

There is a word that sparks excitement to my psyche. The word is “new” or its numerous derivatives. As a New Year begins, it is common for people to think of beginning anew by making New Year resolutions – new diets; new exercise routines; new plans for study; develop new financial plans. The truth is I feel like a new man. After 18 months of medical treatments including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hundreds of prescriptions, pills of varied color, size, and shape, and thousands of encouraging emails and prayers, I feel like a new being.

The devastating effects of the energy of radiation administered in radiation therapy and the powerful toxic effects of chemotherapeutic drugs are designed to destroy the old and facilitate a regeneration of new tissue; to bring an end to the cells of death and create a new beginning for the cells that would bring life. Certainly, my recovery gives me a new sense of what it is to become new.

This is a new year, a new semester, a new month. You may have new classes, new plans, new job assignments, and new ideas. In a few weeks, Americans will welcome a new President and usher in a new government. But the God of grace and mercy whose hands can heal and whose words can bring a new beginning is able to bring new life and a new spirit here and now, and a new vision of what you want to do this year. Let him give you new strength for this new encounter.

Recently I did a search to find some of my favorite biblical passages that incorporate that word, new, or its variants. Here are a few I want to share with you from the New Living Translation:
Ezekiel 36: 26: I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.

Revelation 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared.

Psalm 40: 3 He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.

Lamentations 3: 22 – The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 – Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin anew (sic) each morning.

My best wishes to you for God’s richest blessings in this New Year!

Christmas Greetings

Season’s Greetings
from
The Archers
December 2008
As another year-end approaches, it provides the opportunity to reflect on the blessings and challenges of the past year and to share with you, our dear friends, a summary of our activities and God’s goodness to us. After the trials of 2007, battling cancer and the effects of the numerous radiation and chemotherapy treatments, this year was indeed a blessing – recovery, increased strength and energy, and an almost full return to work, exercise and other physical activity. Several PET and CT scans have confirmed the absence of cancer though tissues of the pharynx remain inflamed and swollen. The loving healing hand of God vividly evident to me!

This year we were blessed with the gift of another grandson. Nick and his wife, Erin, welcomed Caleb Nicholas on August 22 – one day after our 31st wedding anniversary - and seems to have inherited his paternal grandmother's green eyes. Proud big brother, Christopher is almost six years old and is happy to be in school with “the big boys.” Nicholas is continuing to enjoy his profession, serving as the Finance Manager of Florida Hospital – Celebration Health and Erin has returned to Altamonte Springs Elementary school after some much appreciated time at home with baby Caleb.

Lilly is about to begin her final semester at Florida A & M University School of Law and is anxiously looking forward to her law career after graduation in May and bar exams in July. Along with her Masters degree in Public Health, she hopes that she will be well prepared for a successful career. This past summer she completed an internship in the legal department of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Along with her brother, sister-in-law, Erin and a few other college friends she leads a vocal ensemble, Made to Worship and served as a panelist on several editions of Hope Sabbath School, periodically aired on Hope TV.

Nichole is doing well, her motherly instincts so vital in doing what she loves most– taking care of us all. The occasional opportunity to use her culinary talents catering for local events certainly keeps her happy. She also enjoys her at home job with Florida Hospital that provides the opportunity to be Caleb’s babysitter. I, on the other hand, have enjoyment of frequently taking Chris to and from school. Grand-parenting is surely a lot of fun. Our family is indeed thankful for the numerous blessings God has provided – improving health, stable employment opportunities and children and grandchildren to dote over. Blessings indeed!

The joys of Christmas and the anticipation of the New Year bring hope, strengthens our faith, and renews the promise of our Saviour. We celebrate his birth and look forward to his return.

Thanks for your love, friendship and prayers over the years, and especially over the last 18 months. Our family wishes yours a joyous Christmas season and God’s richest blessings for the year, 2009.

With our love,

Len, Nichole, Lenis, Nicholas, Erin, Christopher and Caleb

Health Update XXVII

It has been one year since I completed my last dose of chemotherapy. Every day I find many reminders of what my life was like 12 short months ago. I often read my thoughts from a year ago – typed messages I sent to many of you expressing the painful steps of this terrible journey. One year ago, I cried out in pain pleading with God for strength to endure the burden of pain and illness; today, I can look back and find much richness in the experience.

Last week, I made a business trip to Washington, DC and had the opportunity of seeing many friends and relatives at the Metropolitan SDA church – Lystra, Evo, Hazel, Adrian, Nedra, Wanda, Brenda, Edsell, Gordon, Bonny, Betty, and many more. To a person, the greetings went like this:

Len: Big smile.

Friends: A look of surprise and wonderment followed by a BIG hug.

Friends: “Len! It is good to see you! You look good! Boy, we have been praying for you!”

Len: (Bigger smile) “Thank you very much! God has been good to me!”

This initial greeting was then followed by the pleasantries of old friends greeting each other – the casual talk and the inquiries about my wife and kids. Inevitably, the conversation migrated back to the many prayers and longings for my full recovery. I have learnt many lessons through this experience but the one that lingers most is the generosity, love, and prayers of my family and friends, my colleagues at work, and my fellow church members. There is a generosity and sincerity of spirit that is often displayed among Christians during times of crisis that we can often take for granted. I have been reminded that among Christians “a friend is always loyal...” Proverbs 17:17 (New Living Translation).

During the mid 1980’s while attending graduate school at Indiana State University, I met Cheryl. She was an undergraduate student who attended our church while she attended college to obtain a degree in nutrition. A devoted Adventist Christian, she became attached to our then pre-teen children. I picked her up on Sabbath mornings for church and she often spent the day with us, taking refuge in our home during the Sabbath hours before returning to the dorm. We remained in touch over the years and during my illness she frequently emailed or called to encourage me. Two months ago, Cheryl, barely 40 years old and recently married, was diagnosed with liver cancer. Please pray for my friend, Cheryl because “… the prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness.” I know. You have been praying for me.

Today, the lingering effects of radiation include symptoms of neuropathy – numbness of the soles of my feet; trismus – the inability to open my mouth fully; xerostomia – dry mouth due to lack of saliva; constriction of the esophagus and trachea resulting in the restrictions of swallowing and breathing. The oral deficiencies prevent me from singing as I was used to doing. But as I like to say, “other than that, I am perfect.” Perfect, because the God whom you beseeched on my behalf has written a new song in my heart. And for you and me and Cheryl, the greatest privilege we can share would be that of singing together the rich harmonies of the earth made new. The song is called “The Song of Moses and the Lamb.”

Love and Blessings,

HEALTH UPDATE XXI

March 18, 2008


I believe in the power of prayer! I grew up in a home where the expression of faith and the power of prayer were as evident in our daily lives as a breath of fresh ocean breeze. During the last few months, the expression of prayer has played a key role in my speedy, miraculous recovery from surgery and the treatments of radiation and chemotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer. Miraculous, I believe, because the God whom we petition is a God of miracles; a God who specializes in doing for us what life itself cannot do; what medical science often misunderstands; and undoing what the ravages of sin bequeaths to us fallen humanity. My family and I have been strengthened physically, emotionally and spiritually during this experience. I believe that your many prayers have been answered over and over again as you petitioned God on our behalf.

A week ago, I informed you of a setback in my progress. We all prayed that by God’s divine intervention I would be spared another round of surgery. Today, I believe your prayers, our prayers, have been answered. The answer is a confirmation of your faith. The neck and throat swelling that I experienced last week has receded; my breathing is far less labored and near normal. After a visit to my otolaryngologist today, the report is: no cancer, no surgery. He declared that there was no longer a need for surgery since the swelling was far less severe and there was no evidence of active cancer. A later visit to the medical oncologist supported the earlier conclusion. Another follow up PET scan is scheduled for late June with follow up visits also scheduled. Meanwhile, a gradual return to normal activity, including exercise was recommended.

Although my words fail to express the depth of gratitude I feel, I found some which clearly suffice:

Psalm 40
1 I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.

Psalm 145
17 The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness. 18 The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. 19 He grants the desires of those who fear him;

Psalm 146
1 Praise the Lord! Let all that I am praise the Lord. 2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live. I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath.

Psalm 147
1 Praise the Lord! How good to sing praises to our God! How delightful and how fitting!

Love and blessings to you all!

Len