A Father and Son Journey with Crohn's

Here is a story about a Father and Son by the name of Russ and Keegan journey with Crohn's. Russ and Laura Lessard hail from Texas. They have two children: Keegan, age 16, and Madeline, age 11. Here is Russ's story as the father of a child with Crohn's disease: As far as being a father is concerned, life was pretty normal until my son hit the 8th grade. Until then, our only concern with Keegan was getting him to do his homework, clean his room, and brush his teeth -- pretty standard stuff with a growing boy. But I'll never forget the night before I began a new job, in December of 2012, when Keegan started complaining of severe abdominal pain. As that night went on, he was literally writhing in pain. And then came the kicker: blood with bowel movements. This is when my wife and I realized there was something very different going on with our son. 2012 began our journey as parents of a child with Crohn's disease. Keegan went in and out of Texas Children's Hospital, and through batteries of tests and exams. It took months for the final diagnosis to come, and as with many Crohn's patients, it was the only diagnosis left after all other possibilities were excluded. This is when I began to do my own research. Prior to 2012, I had only heard of the disease, but had little to no real understanding of the disease, its symptoms, or its long-term implications. Once I began to realize what the complications were, the pain that would be in my son's future, and the fact that there is no cure, reality hit hard. No parent wants to hear that their child has an incurable disease. Like any Dad, I had coached my son in sports, had been his Den Leader and Cubmaster, and watched him or participated with him in many father and son activities. I always assumed he would be in good health. Now fear gripped me because I was concerned that he wouldn't be able to live a normal life. Even worse, no parent wants to outlive their child. Since his diagnosis, due to the unpredictability of the disease and the pain that comes and goes, we have had to forego Boy Scout trips because our son might become sick in the middle of an isolated trail with no assistance available. This has caused us concern about other opportunities, such as a Boy Scout trip to Sweden or taking an ocean cruise with the family. Can we ever truly, as a family, get too far from a good hospital? Now that Keegan has turned 16, college comes into the picture in two years. Once again, as a family, we are wondering what options Keegan has because he always needs to be close to medical care. With all of this said, one thing I have come to peace with as a Dad is that my son is as tough as nails. I wish he cleaned his room more often, and frankly, I've never been able to convince him of the merits of brushing his teeth. Where I admire my son greatly, though, is how he soldiers on in life, in all of his passions. Even though he has missed out on some of the Boy Scout activities he would like to have experienced, he is currently working on his Eagle Scout rank and should have it before he turns 17. He is doing this while also playing baseball at a very competitive level. Keegan idolizes Craig Biggio, the career Houston Astro about to be inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame. Due to the fact that Biggio was Keegan's baseball hero, he has modeled his game after him. Keegan has always sought to wear #7 any time the number was available, and he has always wanted to be the dirtiest player after a game... because no one plays harder or hustles more than Craig Biggio (the dirt proves it). Keegan is currently a sophomore catcher and plays club baseball during the summer. I'm very proud of my son. He understands that Crohn's disease is a part of his life. He does not want to give into it. Rather, sometimes he just has to "play through pain." You hear NFL guys talk about playing through pain. But for Keegan, that has a special meaning. As his father, I don't live in fear of the disease and its ramifications for my son any longer. I hate that my son has this disease, and I hate seeing him suffer. But my son son has grown with the disease since 2012, and I know he can handle it. What more could a father want? Honestly, when I really think about how well he copes with his life, it brings tears to my eyes. I got a text one day from my son that said, "So this is my life and I have this disease, so be it!" Wow! Courage! In 2014 I found out that my longtime friend Matt Jackson had become the Take Steps Walk manager for the Houston Chapter of CCFA. Since then, CCFA has introduced me and my son to other patients in the Houston area who suffer from this disease. Keegan had the opportunity to serve as the 2015 "Honored Hero" for his CCFA chapter's Walk. Getting involved with others has been very good for Keegan and I. We are very thankful for CCFA, the team, and all they do for families like ours.

Not Saying Goodbye

The weekend has come to an end and were are starting a New Week with Read: Philippians 4:1-9 Bible in a Year: Psalms 7-9; Acts 18 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. —Philippians 4:9 Francis Allen led me to Jesus, and now it was nearly time for Francis to meet Jesus face to face. I was at his home as it grew time for him to say goodbye. I wanted to say something memorable and meaningful. For nearly an hour I stood by his bed. He laughed hard at the stories I told on myself. Then he got tired, we got serious, and he spent his energy rounding off some rough edges he still saw in my life. I listened, even as I tried to sort out how to say goodbye. He stopped me before I got the chance. “You remember, Randy, what I’ve always told you. We have nothing to fear from the story of life because we know how it ends. I’m not afraid. You go do what I’ve taught you.” Those challenging words reminded me of what the apostle Paul said to the believers in Philippi: “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do” (Phil. 4:9). Francis had the same twinkle in his eye this last day I saw him as he had the first day I met him. He had no fear in his heart. So many of the words I write, stories I tell, and people I serve are touched by Francis. As we journey through life, may we remember those who have encouraged us spiritually. —Randy Kilgore Who has been your mentor? Are you mentoring others? Live so that when people get to know you, they will want to know Christ. INSIGHT: Paul often showed his appreciation for people who had worked with him, and he often singled out individuals for special mention in his letters (see Rom. 16; Col. 4; 2 Tim. 1:16-18; Titus 3:12-13). It is estimated that he designates some 80-90 people as his “fellow workers” in the book of Acts and in his letters. Included are fellow missionaries and interns, independent ministry associates, traveling companions, fellow prisoners, and supporters. In today’s passage, he urges two women to reconcile and lovingly acknowledges that these women, together with Clement (not mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament) and an unnamed list of fellow workers, have labored with him in spreading the gospel (vv. 2-3).

Help for a Heavy Load

The week as come to an end we have made it to FRIDAY! YES! with these words of wisdom Read: Numbers 11:4-17 Bible in a Year: Job 41-42; Acts 16:22-40 [The men] shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone. —Numbers 11:17 It’s amazing what you can haul with a bicycle. An average adult with a specialized trailer (and a bit of determination) can use a bicycle to tow up to 300 pounds at 10 mph. There’s just one problem: Hauling a heavier load means moving more slowly. A person hauling 600 pounds of work equipment or personal possessions would only be able to move at a pace of 8 miles in one hour. Moses carried another kind of weight in the wilderness—an emotional weight that kept him at a standstill. The Israelites’ intense craving for meat instead of manna had reduced them to tears. Hearing their ongoing lament, an exasperated Moses said to God, “I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me” (Num. 11:14). On his own, Moses lacked the resources necessary to fix the problem. God responded by telling him to select 70 men to stand with him and share his load. God told Moses, “[The men] shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone” (v. 17). As followers of Jesus, we don’t have to handle our burdens alone either. We have Jesus Himself, who is always willing and able to help us. And He has given us brothers and sisters in Christ to share the load. When we give Him the things that weigh us down, He gives us wisdom and support in return. —Jennifer Benson Schuldt Who has come alongside you? Have you thanked them? God’s help is only a prayer away.

Darkness and Light

As the holiday weekend as come to an end and even though we still are some what in vacation mode as we start this New Week with Read: Psalm 91:1-8 Bible in a Year: Job 32-33; Acts 14 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, . . . nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness. —Psalm 91:5-6 When I was a boy, I delivered newspapers to about 140 homes on two streets that were connected by a cemetery. Since I delivered a morning newspaper, I had to be out at 3:00 a.m. walking through that cemetery in the darkness. Sometimes I would be so frightened that I would actually run! I was afraid until I was standing safely under a streetlight on the other side. The scary darkness was dispelled by the light. The psalmist understood the connection between fear and darkness, but he also knew that God is greater than those fears. He wrote, “You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness” (Ps. 91:5-6). Neither terrors of night nor evil in the darkness need to drive us to fear. We have a God who sent His Son, the Light of the World (John 8:12). In the light of God’s love and grace and truth, we can find courage, help, and strength to live for Him. —Bill Crowder Lord, I come to You, the Light of the World. I want You to bring Your light into the darkness of my fears.For help in overcoming worry, read discoveryseries.org/q0711 You need not fear the darkness if you are walking with the Light of the World. INSIGHT: Psalm 91 celebrates the safety and security of those who trust in God. The psalmist warns of danger from insidious schemes of men, uninvited troubles, physical attacks, sickness, and disasters. But the Lord protects those who trust in Him. This psalm does not promise immunity from danger, but security in the midst of it. Various metaphors are used to describe the safety of the Lord including “the secret place of the Most High,” “the shadow of the Almighty,” a “refuge,” and a “fortress” (vv. 1-2). He will “cover [us] with His feathers,” “under His wings” we take refuge (v. 4), and “His faithful promises are [our] armor and protection” (v. 4 nlt).

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

WOW! So here we are Celebrating with Family and Friends as America is Celebrating it's 239th Anniversary of Independence July 4 is a federal holiday marking America's independence from Great Britain and the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. It is celebrated nationwide with parades and fireworks. Just want 2 wish every one a HAPPIE 4TH OF JULY! May this day be filled with JOY & BLESSINGS. Have a Safe and Happy Fourth of July

A Letter from the Battlefield

The week has come to an end YES! It's Friday as we prepare ourselves to Celebrate Independence Day with Family and Friends let's take a moment to reflect on these words of wisdom. Read: 2 Timothy 4:1-8 Bible in a Year: Job 25-27; Acts 12 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. —2 Timothy 4:7 For more than two decades, Andrew Carroll has been urging people not to throw away the letters written by family members or friends during a time of war. Carroll, director of the Center for American War Letters at Chapman University in California, considers them an irreplaceable link to tie families together and open a door of understanding. “Younger generations are reading these letters,” Carroll says, “and asking questions and saying, ‘Now I understand what you endured, what you sacrificed.’ ” When the apostle Paul was imprisoned in Rome and knew his life would soon end, he wrote a letter to a young man whom he considered a “son in the faith,” Timothy. Like a soldier on the battlefield, Paul opened his heart to him: “The time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Tim. 4:6-8). When we read the letters in the Bible that the heroes of the Christian faith have left for us and grasp what they endured because of their love for Christ, we gain courage to follow their example and to stand strong for those who come after us. —David C. McCasland Lord, give us strength for the spiritual battles we face today, knowing that You have won the ultimate victory and that we will one day live eternally with You. Run the race with eternity in view. INSIGHT: Titus and 1 Timothy were probably written after the apostle Paul was released from house arrest in Rome (ad 61-62) and during his fourth missionary journey (ad 62-63; see Acts 28:30-31). When persecution broke out under Emperor Nero, Paul was imprisoned again. During this second Roman imprisonment, Paul wrote 2 Timothy (ad 65-67). This time he knew his death was imminent (4:6-7). Paul warns that a time is coming when Christians will not “endure sound doctrine” and will turn away from the truth (vv. 3-7). To counter false teaching, Timothy is to “preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (v. 2).

NEW MUSIC HARDROCKLOVER By Prince

OK! So here I am transitioning out of the month of June into the month of July changing ALL my Social Media Profile when ALL of a sudden I'm checking my Twitter feeds around midnight when I see it Prince has just Twittered out a New song called HARDROCKLOVER through Prince & 3RDEYEGIRL SoundCloud YESSSSSSSS! So ALL U PURPLE HIPPIES out there YES! It's HERE the much anticipated New Music 4 the Summer has just drop. I know y'all been THIRSTY 4 some Purple Music well I hope this quinces U're Thirst on these HOT Summer days and nights. Well I know it's going 2 quinces this Queens thirst.