Best Laid Plans...

This is a closeup of part of the state of Amazonas. We leave for Brazil on Friday. We found out today that we will NOT be going with our missionary, Andre, or going to the Satere nation due to a malaria outbreak around Maués. So, I will not see Joia this year; maybe next year. We have been planning this trip for a year, especially Adam Miller our mission pastor, and Toni Blackwell, the administrative assistant. But God. "You know every step I will take before my journey even begins. You've gone into my future to prepare the way" Psalm 139: 4b-5a. God went into our future, saw the malaria outbreak, and changed our plans. He will honor all of the planning that we have done. We go where He leads us, and He is leading us to Beruri where we will put the well. I don't know the other villages we will go to, but God does, and we listen, and that's all that matters. Beruri is southwest of Manaus. Maués is further south. I am excited about what God is doing and praying that God is preparing hearts to hear about Jesus. I also am excited about how God is going to use us in ways He chooses that we haven't even imagined. How cool is that!

I saw Dr. Baltz today. He is really pleased about how I'm doing. Bloodwork is fantastic. Weight is maintaining (I could definitely lose a little). Side effects are not debilitating and are manageable. I will have chemo every week for 2 years. It is becoming routine.

I changed up my lip balm a bit. I decreased the amount of beeswax and increased the coconut oil. It has the consistency I need, and I am really liking it. I use Aquaphor on top of that. My lips are doing much better. Today, he gave me the prescription for the Magic Mouthwash, so that will help. I do not have any sores in my mouth, but the inside is very sensitive. I don't know if it will help with the cold sensitivity, but it is worth trying. Today, my throat felt uncomfortable with room temperature liquids. I'm not worried. God has me.

I am grateful for so many things:

• My cancer can be treated

• My side effects are not debilitating and manageable

• My job is flexible

• My friends are amazing

• My God is Sovereign

• Our trip to Brazil and just what all God is planning