Radiation is complete...I rang the bell

November 6, 2013

Day 32. The last day of radiation. I rang the bell.  Today.  For someone who missed ringing the bell at the end of chemo ( remember that the cancer recurred during chemo, thus indicating that the chemo was ineffective) it was an amazing experience to actually ring the bell.  Plus, we have evidence from the MRI that the radiation is working. The cancerous nodule is shrinking in size.  Today has been a day of celebration. I am grateful. Thankful. Hopeful. Tired.

It's been a longer journey than I anticipated. Before we started, thirty days (that's how many days I was originally to have radiation) seemed easy...piece of cake. The reality was different. Tedious. Relentless. For many of the days I drove myself. When you are sick, there are many things you have no control over. Driving myself gave me some control. I could leave when I wanted, I could listen to whatever I wanted on the radio; or not. Control.

Every day I had to drink 24 ounces of liquid the hour before I had radiation. A full bladder is helpful in keeping the bladder safe from the effects of radiation.  The last seven days, which were known as "the boost" I drank 20 ounces of liquid. And, I had the added pleasure of an ultra sound on my bladder before radiation to ensure my bladder was filled to the right amount. There was a small window of tolerance. Some days I had to drink more.  Other days it was too full, which meant I had to eliminate a specified amount. This is as hard to do as it sounds.

The boost focused the radiation on the cancerous nodule. During the twenty five days of radiation prior to the boost days, a larger area was radiated.  When you radiate the abdomen area the effects of radiation are nausea and irritated bowels. I experienced both. I learned that anti-nausea medication was my friend. I never left the house without Imodium. It was hard to eat because it seemed no matter what I ate disagreed with my stomach. Plus, by the end, the tiredness set in.

As I read through what I've written it sounds depressing. So I want you to know I am in good spirits and I was for almost all of the days. I worked every day. The normalcy of work was a gift from God. I ate what I could and for the first time in my life worried about losing weight instead of gaining weight. Chuck Reedstrom was my strength and near the end took me to radiation when he was in town. He was present today when I rang the bell. My good friend, Darrell Luthi took me several days when Chuck was out of town.  Our boys, Richard and Kirk, picked up dinner when Chuck was out of town and were so patient as I tried to figure out what I could eat.

Mostly it was a little over six weeks of having an irritable stomach, frankly a little like those early weeks of pregnancy!  I would do it again in a heartbeat to beat cancer. And that is just what the Dr. believes we are doing. Beating the cancer.

I'll have an MRI in four weeks and we'll be able to see how much more the nodule has shrunk. The Dr. is managing my expectations, she told me not to expect that it will be completely gone. She reminded me that the radiation will continue to work for three months after the last treatment.

So, celebrate with me today. Ring a bell. Keep praying that the radiation will completely kill all the cancer. We're praying the word "cure" in the Reedstrom home.

Thanks for loving me and encouraging me in this journey!

Suzy

Oh no! Allergic Reaction

May 31, 2013

The day started typically, nothing to make me think this would be anything other than a shortened version of Taxol and the regular infusion of Carboplatin. All was good. Pre meds all good. Those would be anti nausea (two different kinds for me), Benadryl and steroids (to help prevent an allergic reaction), and Pepsid to coat the stomach. This takes about an hour. Next the Taxol, apparently this is the protocol, as doing the carbo before the taxol makes it harder for your blood counts to rally, who knew? They started the carbo about 12:30.


I began feeling bad, walked to the restroom and realized in addition to feeling bad, the palms of my hands were red and itchy, then the back of my throat began to itch. I stood up and was light headed. The nurses station is right next to the rest rooms...great design! I walked out, saw my nurse (great male nurse named Spencer) and said, "Spencer, I'm really feeling badly." He jumped up, grabbed me and had me sit down. From this point on my account is pretty hazy. Suffice it to say they got me back to my little room and began working on me. By this time I'm hot, sweating, and feel like I'm having a very bad case of heart burn. They called the CERT which I think stands for the cardiac emergency response team. At one point there were about 10 folks working on me, several doctors, lots of nurses. They've paged my dr. My blood pressure is being taken close to every minute and bottoms out at 68 over 35. The great news is at this point, I began coming out of the reaction.

Once I started feeling better I told Spencer, "well I guess I let you all have a real life experience for what you train for!" The good news is, my heart is fine and I'm feeling back to normal. The not so good news is I only got 10 minutes of what should have been an hour drip of the carbo. Dr Tung and I will discuss what happens next and what are the alternatives
Several God moments occurred. Nurse Spencer shared with me before we started what the symptoms were when you have a reaction to the chemo. I was in the out patient hospital and not a doctors office when the reaction occurred, and because of very dedicated drs and nurses who responded quickly I am home and feeling fine.
The journey continues...

Some thoughts on hair

Today I am sitting in a chair at the Ricky Knowles Hair and Wellness. My long blond wig sits on the floor is a red and black bag. It was only four months ago that I ceremoniously took it off the desk in my bedroom and placed in box on the top shelf of my closet. “Done,” I thought. This long blond wig would only be used for Halloween. But of course, plans do not always unfold in the way that we think. Scarcely a month after I had deemed myself “safe” from a recurrence; I began to spot. Just a little, not much, “Maybe,” I thought,” it’s just dryness.” It continued and then one day it was more. Anxious, I made an appointment with my doctor.

The recurrence was a mere eleven months after I had joyfully rung the bell, celebrating the end of chemo and the beginning of life in remission. Eleven months was not long enough; but it was what I was given.

So here I am again, recovered from a second successful surgery, one round of chemo down. Again, we are hopeful, again we hope the chemo will knock any remaining remnants of this dreadful disease from my body.

Today my thoughts are more, “here we go again, no more hair.” It’s not fallen out yet…but soon. For those of you who do not know, hair begins to fall out somewhere between 14 and 19 days after the first chemo. I’m at day 14. I still have hair. But, for the last two mornings I have awakened to sore hair. That’s the best way I can describe it. Technically, I think it is my hair follicles that are tender. It’s like when you’ve had your hair pulled back in a pony tail all day and you take it the rubber band out. You’re hair feels sore; this is the same feeling. So I know, my hair is on its way out.

Honestly, I’m sad to lose my hair. It’s the tangible and visible confirmation that the cancer has not left me. I did not win the last battle as I thought I had. But, I’m ready to fight again. I’m ready to win this time, win the war not the battle. This reality is not easy to face, but face it I must.

So, I sit in the chair, sharing my story with Ricky. Asking him to cut this long blond wig in a style that looks more like what I looked like before my life was rocked with a diagnosis of cancer. He’s kind, he listens as he cuts the wig that is now on my head. He asks how I wore my hair, am I a hair tucker; that is do I tuck my hair behind my ears. Since I’ve not had hair long enough to do that in more than a year, I have to think. “Yes,” I say, “I do tuck my hair behind my ears.”

Foreign, that is the word I would use to describe the feeling of a wig on your head. I was never really comfortable with one on. I never tucked the synthetic hair of the wig behind my ears during the last bald period of my life. It did not feel normal. Ricky is cutting the hair so that I can do this. Maybe, just maybe, this time I will feel more like me with this wig on my hair. Today, this is my hope.

...and the chemo begins!

May 10, 2013

First day of chemo regimen two.  Our appointment was for 9 AM, we arrive at the Methodist Infusion Center about 20 minutes early.  At 9 we're taken back and there is no      private rooms available - it's a busy day here. We ask if when one of the private rooms becomes available -  we could have it.  "Yes, of course," they say.  The problem is, they make no note of that so there is no way to be assured that this will happen. We get settled, blood pressure, pulse and temperature are taken.  All is good, as is my blood work.  Finally, my nurse comes in, she says it will take about an hour for the chemo to be prepared.  So we wait and wait and wait.

At a little before eleven, I walk down the hall, find an empty private room and in my take control mode of operation, I basically take it.  A nurse is walking down the hall with a patient that will have infusion and is about to put her in the room when I intervene.  I ask if she will be here for most of the day, I tell her I will be.  She says no and that yes I can have the room.  Not sure what this says about me but I am thankful I have a private room and that Chuck can now work at the little table and chair that sits outside of the room. It is now 11:15am and no sign of my nurse or any chemo, not even the get ready meds like Benadryl, steroids, ain't nausea, etc. are here.  At the rate we're going I could be here until tomorrow.

The chaplain came in earlier, a nice baptist chaplain.  I, of course shared with him that I was Methodist clergy and then shared with him my directed prayer request, that the chemo will put me into long-term remission.  He prays, "Father..."  I love the Baptists!

Each private suite in the infusion center has a name.  The room I have commandeered for myself is called, "courage". Today I am thinking that patience would have been the better room for me to be in as I am running short of that at the moment.  My nurse is stressed and in the two hours that I have been here, I have only seen her twice.  Apparently there's some mix up on the doctors orders.  She just walked by my room, not looking this way, I think she may be afraid I'm going to tackle her to find out what's going on.  If it were me, I'd have been in to see me every thirty minutes or so to let me know what was going on...even if there had not been any progress.  Here is just another example of how I wish I was in control and the reality that I am not...bummer!

So here are the bright spots for today. It is pouring outside, we've been under severe weather alerts all morning.  We are up on the 21st floor and have an amazing view of Houston, our car is safely located on the sixth floor of the parking garage so it is safe from flooding and hail and we are in the Medical Center in the Methodist Out Patient Hospital that has a generator should the electricity go out.  Wearing yoga pants so I am very comfortable and have on my real comfy socks (really turquoise) so my feet are comfy, brought my own cuddly blanket that Chucks mother made for Richard and Kirk years ago (thank you Lemoine) and my favorite pillow. Oh, and the thing I love the most...warm blankets whenever you need them!

Ok time alert, it is now 11:30 and still no movement or sign of my nurse to let me know what is going on...color me frustrated!

Update:  it's noon all the meds given before the actual chemo begins have finally arrived, getting anti-nausea now, they've pushed the Pepcid and Benadryl so staying awake is a bit of a problem. Plus I've learned another bright spot: no nasty burning sensation when you push the Benadryl through the port.  Color me at the moment...thankful.

So here we go again....prayers for the chemo to put me into long term remission would be greatly appreciate. From my lips and your lips to God's ear!

I rang the bell!!!

I rang the bell!!! I stand in a long line of tradition of those who ring bells as an act of celebration, thanksgiving and making a joyful noise to God.

The ringing of bells dates back to the time the time before Christ. In ancient China, these were originally used for laborers to play after their work in the fields had ceased. These bells were used as a way to relax and bring joy to the end of a hard day’s work.

In Biblical times, bells were sown on the bottom of the vestment of Priests. You might recall that the Priest who entered the “holy of holies,” the place where the Ark of the Covenant resided in the temple, wore bells on the bottom of his vestments as a signal to alert those on the outside that the Priest was still alive. If the bells stopped ringing, they could literally pull the priest out by a rope tied around his waist.

The ringing of bells as a sign of celebration has a long history. In the book of Psalms, bells are used as a way to make a joyful noise to the Lord. In about the 5th century bells began to be used to summon monks to worship. This tradition has continued throughout the centuries as we still find bells being rung on Sunday mornings summing God’s people to worship.
During World War I, the bells were silenced for two years and did not ring again until the celebration of the Armistice.

For those of us who go through a series of chemo-therapy, bell ringing takes on a very special form of celebration – a bell is rung signaling a celebration – this series of chemo is over!

The tradition began at MD Anderson and continues in many infusion centers throughout the country and I suspect around the world. The Methodist Hospital Infusion Center carries on this tradition.

On my first day of chemo, just as I was finishing, I heard the sound of a loud, ringing bell and the cheers and applause echoing through the halls. “What is that?” I asked the nurse. Smiling, she told me, “Someone’s just completed their last round of chemo, when that happens we have a celebration and you ring the bell. When you finish, you too will ring the bell.”

Emotions run high when you are going through chemo. Those words spoken by my words brought tears to my eyes. Tears of thanksgiving for the one who had completed the chemo, tears of hope that I too would be able to ring the bell, and tears of acknowledgment of the reality of the journey that was before me.

It has been a journey. There have been ups and downs but through it all I have been surrounded by the love and encouragement of friends and family and many that I do not know that have prayed for me. I’ve met so many who have walked this journey before me who have been my inspiration.

On Thursday, Maundy Thursday, the day that Jesus met with his friends in the Upper Room and shared what we call today the “Last Supper” I finished this round of chemo. Jesus reminded those that surrounding him that while the journey as they knew it was coming to the end, there was “more” ahead. A more that changed the way we look at both life and death. Hope for the present and hope for the future became a reality.

As my wonderful nurse, Beverly, gently and loving pulled the needle out of my arm and wrapped a bandage around my arm she said, “this is it, let’s walk down the hall. It’s your turn to ring the bell, it’s your turn to celebrate and bring hope to others.”

As many of you know, I hate to cry. But, as I rose out of my chair and began the walk down the hall, tears flowed freely and unexpectedly. I was not prepared for the emotions that both filled me and overwhelmed me.

Beverly was the town crier, as we walked down the hall, she announced, “It’s time for celebration, someone’s finished, we’re ringing the bell. Come and join us.” And as we arrived at the spot where the bell was, I was surrounded by nurses and staff who have been with me on the journey. Loving me and gently taking care of me.

I was surrounded by family as well, my husband, Chuck was at my side and our youngest son, Kirk. But truly I was surrounded by all of my family who have been so supportive since the news arrived that I had ovarian cancer and family, friends, the church…the list goes on and on.

I read the words inscribed on a beautiful cross stitched hanging:

Ring this bell
three times well.
It’s toll to clearly say
My treatment’s done,
this course is run,
and I’m on my way.

I rang the bell, loud and clear. Cheers and applause filled the air. My treatment’s done and I’m on my way…new life and resurrection await me.

Round 4 of Chemo - How it went

We're home. All in all it was a good day. Lots of folks at the infusion Center today. They took us to a back section, not normally used for infusion. They let us have a room with a window that had an amazing view. But that room did not have a reclining it had a stretcher instead - which I was not so sure about at first. It turned it was more comfortable than the reclining chair. By the afternoon we were the only ones there so it was very quiet.

We started off a bit rocky, my veins did not want to cooperate. The first one we started with ended up failing and we had to stop the anti nausea drip. Finding a new vein that would work was a bit of an adventure. First they tried a vein in my hand, then went to the other arm and the first vein there did not work. Then the nurse called in another nurse who, thank heavens was successful. I call it rolling veins she said my veins we're "running"... great imagery!!! I thinking my veins are ready for the poking and prodding to stop.

Chuck and I are settled in for the evening. He's cooking and we'll watch Midnight in Paris later. I'll go get that shot for my white blood count at 8am - no sleeping in for me, rats!!

Day before Round 4 - February 24, 2012

My white blood count (with the help of the shot I had after the last round) decided to cooperate so tomorrow I will have the fourth round of chemo. The count was up to normal levels - 6300 which was great news. I'll have that same shot on Saturday to help those cells continue to multiply. The side effects were not bad and I'm hoping I will have the same experience this time.

All seems to be going well, Dr. Tung is pleased that I seem to be tolerating everything so well. Plus, the CA 125 levels remain low - this time they were just 5, which is practically nonexistent. (this test is my marker for ovarian cancer, my presurgery level was 69) I still am feeling good. I did experience several days of pretty severe tiredness after the last round, we'll see if that continues this time...but I can't complain as I've never really felt bad.

I'm hoping that a late night tonight will allow me to sleep some tomorrow - but I'm not counting on that. I downloaded a new book to read and I've got some other things that will keep me busy.

Thank you for your continued prayers, support and encouragement. After tomorrow I will be two thirds done!

Round 2
…and the steroids win

The first round of chemo went very smoothly, I was so impressed by the staff at Methodist. We met with the welcome team, a nutritionist, the “Look good, feel good” representative, not to mention the chaplain, who is my good friend Sandy Londa and the nurse. It was a busy day and even with Benadryl I was awake most of the time we were there.
So, I promised myself, round two, I would sleep for a majority of the time. Before the chemo begins, they give you a variety of medicines to ensure that you won’t have an allergic reaction and to keep the nausea at bay. I was ready for the Benadryl this time, ready for the “whoosh” of sleepiness that comes when they inject it in the IV. Ready to sleep. Or so I thought. As the nurse injects the Benadryl, I immediately feel the woozy, peaceful, sleepy rush, but we don’t stop there. She immediately follows that thought of sleep with the steroids; those pesky meds that make you jumpy and keep you up.
I leaned back and tried to sleep – no luck, my eyes just kept popping. As the day progressed, I became more and more awake. I thought about Jesus’ words, as he told the parable of the ten bridesmaids: “keep awake for you do not know neither the day nor the hour.” All ten of the bridesmaids slept but some had come prepared with extra oil in their lamps.
I emailed my colleagues, I emailed my friends, I read my book and finished it, I looked for things to do. I got up and walked the halls, pulling my bags of chemo with me. Everyone else was sound asleep in their rooms, quietly letting the chemo do its work. Except me. The nurses asked where I was going. “Just walking,” I said, “I can’t sit still.” As I walked, I prayed quietly for each person’s room I passed, praying for strength and healing and health.
I also thought about those bridesmaids and how they would have liked me. While they slept, I could have gone into to town, bought the oil, filled the flasks and trimmed the wicks. Of course, that’s not what the parable of the ten bridesmaids is about. Jesus is reminding each of us to fill our hearts and minds with his love and grace. Maybe that’s just what I need to do when the steroids win!

Great Food, Foot Races in Olympia, & Worship among the Idols

September 14, 2010

Best dinner on the trip? Hands down it was last night at the hotel we stayed at in Olympia. Overlooking a beautiful valley, we sat outside under a grape arbor as we laughed, shared the favorite experiences of our journey and ate fabulous Greek food!

Olympia
This morning we traveled to Olympia and toured the place of the ancient Olympic games. On the grounds is a huge temple dedicated the Zeus. The pillars of this temple were made of limestone. Temples for the gods and goddesses faced typically faced east, inside the temple would be a statue of the god or goddess. As the sun rose early in the morning, the god or goddess would be illuminated by the first rays of the sun. In this temple (see picture to the left of the ruins of the temple) dedicated to Zeus in Olympia, the statue was said to be 12 meters in height. Based on writings of the time, the temple was built in the 1st half of the 5th century BCE while the statue of Zeus was completed in the second half of the 5th century. The statue was made of ivory and gold. Zeus was seated on a throne and in his had he held a small replica of Nike the winged god of victory. The picture to the right is a painting of what the statue was said to look like.

We ran (at least the competitive women ran and I've got proof in the picture to the right!) the length of the stadium where the first foot races of the ancient Olympic games were held. The men watched and cheered us on. They said they were the judges!!?!

At the altar of the temple of Hera, the wife of Zeus, we saw where the Olympic flame is lit every four years for our modern Olympic games.

While you may wonder what this has to do with the journeys of Paul, let me remind you that in several of his letters, Paul uses the imagery of athletic competition as he writes to the small house churches encouraging them to stay strong in the faith. In 1st Corinthians 9:25 he reminds them “athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one.” The picture is our group standing in the stadium of the first Olympic games.

Corinth
During the time of Paul, Corinth was an active port city because of the small isthmus. On one side was the Aegean Sea and on the other is the bay of Corinth (part of the Ionic Sea). Ships would do one of two things, they would off load their cargo and it would be carried to the other side to put on ships to head Italy or other places along the Ionic Sea or they would literally put the ship on rollers (like a trailer) and the entire ship would be hauled to the other side. Now there is a canal cut through the isthmus, in the picture on the right, you can see a sail boat making its way through the canal.

It was here that Paul stayed for 18 months, working in the trade of tent making with Prisca and Aquilla. We walked the streets of the ancient city noting where the shops were located, seeing a beautiful area where fountains and gardens (pictured on the left) would have been and the public square where public discourse would have taken place. It is here that Paul was taken before the tribunal for “persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to the law.” (Acts 18: 13) We saw the bema (in English this word translates as “podium”) where Paul would have defended himself and testified that Jesus was the Messiah. (me in front of the bema)

Our travels here in Corinth, as in other places along the way, opened our eyes to the many gods and goddesses that were worshiped in Corinth, Athens and the many other places to which Paul traveled. In Corinth, there was a large temple to the goddess Athena (left picture)as well as an active cult dedicated to Aphrodite, the goddess of love (right picture). Read again 1st Corinthians 6:12-20 and as you do think about the pagan worship of the goddess Aphrodite and you will hear Paul’s words in a new light or read 1st Corinthians 10 again concerning the worship of idols. Remember now that the sailors who came through Corinth often brought with them the pagan deities that they worshiped and established in Corinth. Around every corner you would discover shrines to gods and goddesses. Pagan worship was everywhere. It is in the midst of this culture of pagan worship that Paul came proclaiming the good news of Christ.

Thanks be to Paul for his zeal and witness to the Corinthians and to each of us as he faithfully reminded us; we who are many are one in the body of Christ.

Tomorrow: Ephesus and Patmos. Until then, in the words of Paul; “my love be with all of you in Christ Jesus!

Suzy

Greek Isles, Corinth, Mycenae...briefly!

Septbember 13, 2010

We're back on the mainland after cruising for three days in the Greek Isles. While I must admit, our cruising experience was not what we had hoped for, the islands were fabulous and the conversation and companionship has been wonderful.

We had to be up and out of our rooms by 6:30am this morning, at 8am we were on our tour bus and on our way to Cornith, Mycenae and then Olympia. Because of the late hour here, I'm going to post some pictures for you this evening to give you a taste of the Greek Isles and Corinth and then write more in the days to come.

1st Picture is Patmos Island - the Book of Revelation

2nd Picture is of the Knossos Palance on Crete

3rd Picture is a sunset on Santorine

4th Picture is our group on the streets of Ephesus

Temple of Apollo at Corinth (left)

The "Bema" where Paul preached in Corinth (right)

The Lions Gate at Mycenae (above)

The wifi connection keeps going doing down, I'll post a few pictures and then try again tomorrow.

Thanks for being patient and for checking in on us...we're seeing wonderful sights!

inJoy,
Suzy

Day 3 Delphi, the Plaka and an excursus on desserts

This morning we were up bright and early as we made our way to Delphi. We made a brief stop on the way at what might be Greece's rival to Buckys. We enjoyed a midmorning coffee break on the porch of this Greek version of a Texas favorite!

Do you remember the “Oracles of Delphi” from your Greek mythology days? The temple of Apollo was at Delphi. It is said that Apollo resided in Delphi for nine months of the year and then for three months left. During his absence, Dionysus (the god of wine) was said to take up residence! The oracles of Delphi were priestesses who uttered prophesies that were said to inspire Apollo and others. Their prophesies however, were never a straight forward answer to the questions that anyone posed.


The picture to the left is a model of what the sanctuary, temple and treasure houses of Delphi were said to look like. The picture on the right are the ruins as they look today. Priests and priestesses offered sacrifices to the god Apollo, young men came to this place of the gods and practiced their athletic skills and others came for the plays performed at the theatre. The picture to the left is a bronze statue of a charioteer found in the excavations that have occurred at Delphi. The picture on the right is a close up of the detail of the back of the statues head. Great detail work was done by the artists as their renditions were not for humans but to be pleasing to the gods! In fact, this statue has eyelashes made of bronze, long eyelashes - those lashes made some of us envious, but I'm not naming names!

It seems no matter where Paul may have journeyed in Greece, he encountered cults of numerous gods and goddesses. However, he did not let this deter him in his mission to preach the good news of Christ. He was steadfast in his belief and the faith of Christ who had led him to this place.

Once back in Athens, we had dinner and then headed for “the Plaka” located near the foot of the acropolis. Its narrow cobble stone streets take you back to an earlier time. Shops, restaurants and ruins line the streets. We’ve all bought some fun Greek items and eaten tasty Greek food. Most of the time…

Except perhaps, for the traditional Greek dessert we had last night with dinner. We’re still not sure what it was, but whatever it was we’ve certainly laughed a great deal about it. We thought it was some kind of wonderful chocolate dessert. We readied our spoons and dug in only to discover a gritty, dry concoction that not one of us could swallow! We tried to ask about it and the answer we always got was… “Oh, it is a traditional Greek dessert! Did you like it?” We never could answer because we were laughing so hard. We’ll work on figuring out the name before we come home so you can be sure NOT to try it!

Tomorrow we’re headed for a cruise of the Greek Isles including the island of Patmos and a stop at Ephesus. No wi-fi on the ship so it may be a few days before I’m back blogging, unless I can find an internet café.

Until then, we all send you our greetings. Peace be with you!

Suzy

Day 2: The Acropolis and a brief Greek lesson

Athens, Greece. September 8, 2010

Yani, our guide (in the blue hat) began our day with some notable Greek words and a brief etymology lesson. Kalimera (good morning), Ne (like nay but it means yes!), okhi (no) and Efharistó (thank you). Does thank you look like another word you might be familiar with? Well, maybe not when you see it written with the English letters but if you saw it written with Greek letters it actually begins “eu” like… Eucharist, the great Thanksgiving, the breaking of the bread. Interesting but not surprising. Just think when you use the work Eucharist – you’re speaking Greek and you didn’t even realize it! OK, enough Greek, time to get on the road.

We headed for the Acropolis and the Parthenon this morning. Acropolis means the high city. The Parthenon, located in the Acropolis, is the temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. A statue of Athena, 12 meters high was said to have stood in the Parthenon. Made of gold and ivory, she must have been a sight to behold.

Athens was filled with a plethora of worship to a variety of gods and goddesses during the time of Paul. One scholar noted that there were more deities in Athens than there were men. This is the situation that Paul encounters when he first comes to Athens to preach the good news of Jesus Christ.

Once you’ve walked through the Acropolis and the many museums that house the statues of the gods and goddesses that were worshipped in Athens, you begin to grasp the enormity of the pagan worship happening in this city. Paul was determined to introduce Jesus and the hope of resurrection in this city filled with idols. Acts 17:16 notes that Paul was “deeply distressed to see that the city was full of idols.” He argued in the synagogue, debated with Stoic and Epicurean philosophers and preached at the Areopagus (a hill next to the acropolis). We stood in the Areopagus today and read Paul’s words to the Athenians. We gave thanks, like Paul did almost 2,000 years ago, to the God in whom we “live and move and our being.” You can read all of those words for yourself in Acts 17:22-28. The picture above is our group at the Areopagus standing in front of a plaque inscribed with Paul’s words.

As Paul would say…Grace and Peace to you. I bring you greetings from the entire group!
Suzy

the journey begins...day 1

We’ve arrived!

We're, tired from the long plane rides and very little sleep but the tiredness has not damped our spirits.

It’s evening now and I am sitting on the hotel roof top, next to the pool looking out over the lighted Acropolis. The stars are shining, the air is cool and crisp. It is truly an amazing sight and I am thanking God for this place that I am in.

On the flight over I could not help but think what an odd turn of events it is that I should be the one leading a group to walk in the places where Paul walked. Honestly, Paul’s letters are not the place in scripture where my heart and mind connected to God. For me, it is the gospel stories, meeting Jesus as he taught, walked among the people and showed us how to live. But I know that for many, the words of Paul are the place where God touched their hearts and lives. Big names, like Martin Luther as he read Romans and John Wesley whose heart was strangely warmed while he heard Luther’s introduction to Romans being read. One of my professors at seminary also had a life changing experience while reading Paul’s letters. And I ran into a old friend on Sunday who told me Ephesians is her favorite book in the Bible. I am clear that Paul’s letters are the source of not only inspiration but conversion for many.

As I write this, I am reminded that many of the scriptures that I actually know my heart are from the letters to Paul. So I too, am indebted to the man who was so overtaken by his experience of the risen Christ that he could do nothing else but preach to gospel and compel others to become followers of “The Way” not just in Jerusalem and Israel but throughout the world.

I hope you will get a taste of the places Paul walked and preached the good news as you follow us on our journey through Greece.

InJoy...Suzy

Three Days and counting

It's almost time. Bags are out, clothes are being washed, we're headed for Greece! Nineteen are on the journey and it's sure to be an amazing experience. Check in daily and see the sights we're visiting.

Unexpected Joys

I made a promise to myself just before I left on this trip; that I would try the unexpected. On the first part of the trip the unexpected were water related…swimming in the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea…unexpected joys and great fun! In the culinary department, I ate the Peter Fish when while we were at the Sea of Galilee. It’s the whole fish…head, tail, fins and all! Truly the picture is worth a thousand words. In case you are wondering, the story of the Peter fish can be found at Matthew 17: 24-27.

But my favorite culinary delight has been discovering the pomegranate. I have almost embarrassed myself rushing to the salad bar so that I can be the first in line to put on my plate the salad that has pomegranate seed in it. When you bite into the seed, they burst in your mouth with juice that tastes amazingly like Kool-Aid. Only I’m told that they are filled with anti-oxidants. Bonus! Beverage of choice today at lunch…pomegranate juice!

We started the day at the Israeli museum to view the Dead Sea scrolls. Also, now at the museum is a huge replica of ancient Israel during the time of the first Temple. It was fascinating to see what the temple area would have looked like at the time of Jesus.

From there we traveled back into the old city to the remains of the Pool of Bethesda. It is the place where those who were ill – blind, lame or paralyzed laid beside, hoping to be made well.

At my last visit to Israel 2 ½ years ago, I had trouble visualizing what the pool would have originally looked like. Today, at the museum, the replica of Jerusalem and the Temple that had been made, allowed me to see what this pool and its porticoes might have looked like. Another unexpected joy.

Next, we walked the Via Dolarosa (the Way of Sorrows) the path of Jesus from his trial to his crucifixion, death and resurrection. There are 14 stations to visit on this journey. The last four stations are within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

After leaving the place of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we headed for Bethlehem, the place of his birth. While clearly our order was upside, the Church of the Nativity was one of the most amazing unexpected joys of the journey. As with the church of the Holy Sepulcre, crowds of people were present to visit and experience this most holy of sites in the Christian tradition. To enter the grotto of the nativity, you must walk down very steep steps, packed with people. Once there, the room is very small, many push (not us, of course!) to try to see this place where Christ was born. We gathered at the back of the room, to read the scripture from Luke’s gospel. When we were finished, we began singing, Silent Night. Now, while our singing has only rated about a B- on this trip, this time we were joined by others, who sang this song in their native tongue. Christmas in September, truly the most unexpected of joys.

May I be the first to wish you... Merry Christmas!
Suzy

P.S. Hapyy Birthday, Kirk - it's October 1st in Jerusalem!!!

Shana Tova from Jerusalem!

Shana Tova, or "a good year" to you. At sundown today, Rosh Hashana begins, the Jewish New Year. Our hotel is filled with generations of families as they have come to this holy city to celebrate together. Elevators are filled before they make it to the lobby, and yes, there is one elevator that is under "shabbot control" which means once you're on, you stop on every floor - even if you're the only one on the elevator.

We began our day by walking into the old city of Jerusalem through the Zion Gate. located on the south side of the city. We walked through the winding streets in the early morning to the Upper Room. While often there are many other large groups at the sites we are visiting, this morning, for a few minutes, we were alone in this room. We listened to the scripture in John's gospel of how Jesus washed the feet of his disicples and gave them a new commandment, "to love one another as I have loved you."

After we left this room, we gathered just down the street at a quiet spot and broke bread together - fresh, right out of the oven bagels!

Next we walked through the Jewish Quarter and visited the ancient ruins of the "Cardo Maximus" or the main road of Jerusalem in the Roman and Byzantine Periods. In ancient times, stores lined the streets and this was one of the main centers of activity. The same is true today, and I must say, we did our share of shopping in the modern market that is there now.

The Western Wall is always a special part of any trip to the Holy Land and this was no exception for our group. Each of us had written prayers to be taken and placed into the small cracks of the wall. There were hundreds of people praying at the wall today, it was a holy priviledge to be there with others from Jerusalem and literally across the world as we each prayed our individual prayers for ourselves, our families and the world.

Caiaphas' House, now the site of the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, was our last stop. Gallicantu means "cock-crow" in Latin and this is the place of Peter's triple denial of Christ. In the courtyard, we listened again to the scripture of Peter's denial. In the quiet of this courtyard and as the wind blew quietly around us, my thoughts turned to those times in which, I too, have denied my Lord. As with Peter, each of us, through God's grace, is offered opportunities to begin anew. Thanks be to God!

Shana Tova!

Suzy

Walking the road

Greetings from the Red Storm group in Jerusalem! Red Storm? That’s right, it’s our new group name, what do you think? Last night, when we went down for dinner, we were told that our tables would have our group name on them. Everyone began looking, but no luck. Finally I spotted three tables with Red Storm on the place cards. Red Storm…Reedstrom, now you get it! The group laughed and laughed and then asked, “How’d you get that so quickly?” Telephone solicitations is the short answer.

The Mount of Olives overlooks the city of Jerusalem. It is a place of beginnings and contemplation that ultimately leads to decision. It is here that Jesus began his entry into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey with crowds of people surrounding him and shouting "Hosannas" as they waved palm branches. We walked this road today.

We spent time in the Garden of Gethsemane (Gethsemane is literally translated as "olive press"). Many of the trees have huge, gnarled barks, some having to be supported with mounds of stones. And yet, these trees continue to sprout shoots that bring forth new life. The olive trees in this garden may possibly be between 1100 to 1800 years old. It is in this garden that Jesus beseeched his disciples to stay awake with him, it is here that he prayed fervently to God. As we closed our time in the garden, Carol led us in the Lord's prayer using both words and sign language. With Jesus, we prayed, "thy will be done."

Our final destination of the day, the Holocaust museum showed us, in very real and powerful ways how we, as humans, can inflict destruction, death and desecration upon one another when we do not center ourselves in God's will. However, our faith tells us sorrow and death give rise to hope for God is with us, we are not alone.

"Hear this, O elders, give ear, all inhabitants of the land! Has such a thing happened in your days, or in the days of your ancestors? Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation." (Joel 1:2-3)

Pray for shalom,

Suzy