Graduation Day for Tigers (to Wolves)

Today was not just another Thursday. Our son, Jacob, became a Wolf cub scout from orange to yellow/black. His Pack 94 graduated on the last meeting day until Fall. I remember Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts when I was Jacob's age but I shared "graduation" days with my brother Mike who blazed the trail for me to follow (like a good mentor). Mike shared his scripture, word and prayer today so I share it with you. It awakened the Wolf in me to help me fight the discomforts from acquiring a cold virus the past few days. I dreaded my medical team's assessment because I was afraid they were going to tell me I might have the flu! (I didn't want to become the first one in PA to be confirmed infected with the Swine Flu.) Today my belly discomforts were worse than my stuffy nose. I had some labwork done and I will get results tomorrow.

Sincere thanks to my brother, Tom, for bringing our mother up to help us this week while Cindy worked. And of course, thanks for everyone's thoughts and prayers (and keep your hands washed). Love, Frank and family

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain" (John 12:24, NKJ)

TODAY'S WORD

We all face difficulties and challenges in life. But you have to remember, as a believer in Jesus, you have the life-giving seed of Almighty God on the inside of you. When you go through disappointments or tough times, you may feel like you’ve been buried. You may feel like you’re in a dark, lonely place. You may feel like it’s the end, but in reality, it’s only the beginning. The fact is, you haven’t been buried; you have been planted. That means you’re coming back. And not only are you coming back, but you’re coming back in increase, better and stronger than before.

In those tough times, you’ve got to draw the line in the sand. Make a declaration, “This difficulty is not going to bury me. This loss, this disappointment, this injustice is not going to cause me to give up on my dreams. I refuse to live in self-pity. I know I am a seed. That means I cannot be buried. I can only be planted. I may be down, but it’s only temporary. I know I’m not only coming back, I’m coming back even better than I was before!”

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, thank You for filling me with Your life-giving seed. I choose today to focus on the potential for my future. I know that I will overcome every obstacle by Your power that is at work in me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Michael Drummer

The Music Man: May 1, 2, 3, 8 and 9

I attended the final dress rehearsal of the upcoming show Sunday evening. Thanks to Cindy's cousin, Andrea, who came down from Hazelton to help while Cindy was at work. I was feeling pretty tired yesterday but I was energized by seeing Keara and Jacob perform so well with the cast. It is really a magnificent show from costumes to singing talent. I hope you can get to one of the shows. This year it is at the new High School in a big comfortable auditorium.

I heard from some good friends and former colleagues at Sacred Heart: Diane G. and Belle G.. I miss them both and thank them for their caring thoughts and prayers.

Take me out...

Baseball at the "Grasshopper" level started this weekend, Saturday, April 25, 2008. Jacob was ready to live up to his nickname of Powerhouse.
The weather was summer-like and the sun burned as well especially pale-skinned me.

It was good to get out; I felt pretty good, just some vertigo. Cindy got to watch most of the game before leaving for work.

My sister, Denise, and my niece, Nicole, came up from Jersey to help us. It was greatly appreciated. We even went out for ice cream after a great supper. I ate well today.

Wash your hands well.

Jacob has Strep throat! Despite all efforts (handwashing, etc.) our son Jacob's sore throat turned out to be a positive Group A Strep infection. Fortunately Cindy got him to the doctor immediately and medicated. Jacob was well enough to go to school and rehearsal today.

I went to Saint Luke's Hospital today for weekly labwork and when they looked at my throat they swabbed it for a Strep culture (just in case). I also saw a pain management specialist to help with my chronic discomforts. With the right med(s) I hope to eat and sleep better.

My belly pain was better today; my mouth and throat are really sore though which makes it hard to eat well.

We heard from our friends Paul A. (from Lock Haven, PA) and Joanie (Lockwood) Smith from Cindy's home town (Tresckow, PA). It was really good to hear from them.

For those of you who live locally, the Catasauqua Press newspaper had pictures from the dress rehearsal of The Music Man advertising the upcoming show. Keara is in one of the pics; I almost didn't recognize her in full make-up and dress but her hair (as usual) gave her away. Hope everyone can get to one of the shows.

No Pain--No Gain

The past couple of days have been a little rough. I have had a lot to cope with, from my scalp to my belly. Fortunately we have had so much help. Pam Panto, our dear friend, helped "entertain" Jacob over the weekend and even provided supper since Cindy had to work. Then, on Sunday Pam took the kids to their ( 6-hour ! ) dress rehearsal for The Music Man show that will open on May 1. Pam didn't just stay to watch--she helped in the girls dressing room the whole time.

My sister, Niz, came up on Sunday to stay with me. She not only fed us but cleaned the whole house with my niece, Nicole.

Keara got to go shopping at the Prominon (?) shops with her friends, Casey and Natalie, thanks to their moms, Robin and Beth.

We also heard from Cristine Naegel with their family's generous offer to call anytime for help with the kids, et..

This kind of support really helps us get through the tough days. Thanks to all for your help and especially for your continuing prayers.

Jacob riding with his friend Mason and his sister

A Day Money Can't Buy (so spend it at the carnival)

Back to St. Lukes Hospital today to get a bone-marrow-booster shot to keep my protective white blood cell count up to combat immunodeficiency. I hitched a ride with Star Transport Service; they came and picked me up, got me to the infusion center, and got me home. It felt good to handle the trip without involving anyone else--gave me a sense of some control. I have Vertigo (loss of balance) from the Chemo so it is not safe for me to drive. A lot of aches and pains today but the nausea is under control. We went to Catasauqua Middle School's carnival tonight with the kids. It felt good to get out even though I had to use one of my hiking poles to steady my gait.

It was warm and sunny here; a great Spring day. My older brother Mike out in Denver, Colorado had a different kind of day but still had the following motivating words I wish to share:

Hi France,

I just wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers today. I hope all is going well with your next treatment. Mom said she’d be there with you, so am I in spirit. It’s snowing like the dickens here in Colorado, last week we had 70’s and next week we will too. These Spring storms are crazy here., they come and go quickly.

I’m hoping to leave early today, (I can dream can’t I) but wanted to say hello and send best wishes for you and your family. Enjoy the blessing below and know, truly know, something wonderful is going to happen.

Your loving brother,

Mike

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

"You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed"
(Psalm 139:16, NLT)

TODAY'S WORD

Did you know that God has already recorded every part of your life from the beginning to the end? He knows every disappointment, every loss, every challenge; and the good news is that your story ends in victory! God has written out a plan to bless and prosper you. Your final chapter concludes with you fulfilling your God-given destiny. Here’s the key: when you go through a disappointment, when you go through a loss, don’t stop on that page in your life. You’ve got to decide to keep moving forward. There’s another chapter in front of you, but you’ve got to be willing to take the next step.

Sometimes, we get so focused on what didn’t work out that we stay stuck, reliving the disappointment. If that’s you, recognize that you’ve been on that page long enough. It’s time to let it go and turn the page to the new chapter God has in store. You may not understand, it may not have been fair, but remember, the next chapter is full of blessing, full of favor, and full of victory! Make the decision to let go of the old so you can move forward into the abundant life God has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for the good plan You have for me. Today, I lay aside the disappointments of the past knowing that You have blessing in store for my future. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

Michael Drummer

Manager of Collections & Credit

Comcast Spotlight - Colorado

1601 Mile High Stadium Circle

Denver, CO 80204

303-603-6652

303-603-6163 Fax

Michael_Drummer@cable.comcast.com

Chem #2 day

Today I received infusion #2 after finishing my first 3-week cycle. It went well but had some nausea and belly pain. My brother, Tom, and my Mom came up from New Jersey to take me since my wife, Cindy, had to work at Target today.

I just started trying to share the URL for my new blog by e-mail so feel free to share it with whom you know would be interested. Thanks.

Every day a new beginning

Hi, this is Tom, or as Frank and Cindy call me, Tommy. Frank is doing well today. He took Jake to baseball practice. He had a little trouble with cramps in his legs in the evening. I'm here with Mama Parker, otherwise known as Terry. Or Mom. Mom probably doesn't like the use of her maiden name but I like the ring of it. Anyway, we are taking Frank to his second chemo treatment tomorrow early. REALLY early for me, because I don't get up early. We are worried about Frank feeling like S--- again after his next treatment. The cure sucks. But hopefully its all for the good. We have high hopes that this blog will keep you all posted on Frank, as we know you want to know and your caring and love and help and prayers mean more to us than you can know.