The Pastor's Pen
THE ROAD AHEAD

So, here we go, and let the journey begin! As you are likely aware, the Gott Family is setting out on a journey in Cancerland, a place we'd rather not be...and like it or not we are! Ready or not, this is what we're doing. We might just as well do it just as well as we possibly can!

Given that this kind of journey is inclined to have a few bumps, bruises, and detours along the way, I expect it'd be a good idea if we shared with you about "The Road Ahead." With that in mind...here goes!

Linda continues to heal in the aftermath of her surgery with no significant difficulties. We are now in the radiation therapy phase of her treatment, which will involve about six weeks of five days a week sessions in Lewiston. Needless to say, this regimen will tend to take over and run our calendar. She will likely encounter a number of side-effects as a result of the treatments. Upon completion of the radiation therapy, she will have a five year regimen of hormone therapy. As is probably the case with all cancer therapies, once again, there will likely be some side-effects for us to deal with. And, Basically, We're Entirely Optimistic! We've been to this rodeo before, and we know the ride can be rough. We also know from prior experience that our God is really good at giving enough strength for the day. We expect He'll come through with flying colors again!

However, our prior experience of making a cancer journey is that it impacts a whole lot more people than the family that's actually going through the therapeutic response to it. Basically, you're on this journey with us! That means I probably need to talk with you about your responses. Hang on, because this is where we call a spade a spade!

About Us

• Please note, Linda's not dead...So let's agree not to treat her like she is! And, she can still talk about other stuff besides cancer! In fact, some days she might kind of get a little tired of talking about it. It's okay to ask her how she's doing, but if you ask...Listen!
• By the way, telling her that she looks awful, pale, frail, or any synonyms thereof, probably won't build her spirits up all that much. (She will probably respond well to hearing that her husband is ruggedly handsome, however.)
• If you appear to be suffering from colds, flu, leprosy, dengue fever, or sundry other noxious and infectious diseases...Please limit your contact with us. We need Linda (and her beloved main squeeze...that would be me) to stay as well and strong as we possibly can.
• And...If we need help...We promise we'll say so.

About Ministry

• Linda's therapy is going to be pretty dominating of our calendar and, necessarily, as a result we're not going to be able to get everything done that we usually do. We will try to keep too much ministry stuff from falling through the cracks, but prior experience would tell me that some things still will. Please be patient with us, and with the people who are filling in for us.
• Expect me (Harold) to be more distracted than is already the case. You already know I can't juggle, and this ball is really hard for me to keep in the air!
• IT'S TIME TO PULL TOGETHER!!! And you can do this!!! So around the church building...Pick it Up...Put it Up..Clean it Up...Turn it Off...Close It...And basically, just leave things better than you found them!!! We actually spend a good deal of our time and energy doing things that someone else coulda-shoulda done already if only they woulda! So just go ahead and do 'em!!!

About You

• No More B's!!! Don't Bicker, Bite, Belittle, or Browbeat each other. And, by order of the Elders, this has now been declared officially to be a "No Bellyaching Zone!!!"
• Have a major, major, major focus on Golden Rule Living!!!
• Go second! Practice the "You First...Me Whenever!"attitude!!!
• Determine that God is going to use the experience of our cancer battle to bless and grow all of us into being the people that He wants us to be. And then faithfully pray to learn the lessons. 

About Rumors

• If you're gonna start rumors make them really good ones!!!
• Example: They're going to re-start the space shuttle program so that Linda can have therapy in space. 
• Example: Linda's buying a Harley so that...well, just so that she...well...it's a Norwegian thing.
• Example: You know, she's always wanted to live in Winnemucca. They're moving to Winnemucca! (And I'm sure of it! I'm sure that I saw Harold thinking about renting a Ryder truck!)
• If you promise NOT to start rumors...we'll promise to keep you (in the dark) informed. 

About the Road Ahead

It's a journey, and along the way there'll likely be some bumps and bruises.And, it's a journey we're on together. There'll be times that we can't see our way very clearly. And through all of it...God will be with us! He will give us strength for the day, and joy for the journey. That doesn't mean that the journey will always be easy, but it does mean that we will never make it alone. Keep believing! Keep celebrating the beauty that our Lord has made. Be grateful, always be grateful. Smile more than you have to. And laugh...even if it hurts!

This Is the Day The Lord Has Made...
And I Propose We Are Supposed To Rejoice In It!!! 
Cancer shouldn't change that!!!

Thanks for your love. Thanks for your care. Thanks for your encouragement. Thanks for your prayers. Thanks for your kind generosity. When we are through this journey I believe it will be said of us, as Winston Churchill said of his nation during the dark days of the Battle of Britain, "This Was Their Finest Hour!" Indeed! And so may it be - Amen.

 God Bless You...Way More than Lots!!!

Pastor Harold
Email: harold@grangevillechristianchurch.org