Lessons learned, but a Grace that is unfailing

Has anyone ever learned a really tough lesson in life? One of those lessons that is what I call "hard to stomach"? Maybe you have wronged someone and it shot back in your face and came full circle, or maybe you made a wrong decision and later turned out to be something that would hurt you in the end. I have learned a really important lesson this last week in my life, and even though I do not wish to share the specifics, I would like to expound on God's unfailing Grace that he extends to us in all situations. Romans 8:1 Says that "therefore there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus". This passage basically says that if you are in Christ and he is in you, you will not be condemned for your sins and wrong decisions. Now that does not mean we are free to run around and do whatever we please but it does mean that if we do fail, God forgives us with a Grace that is unfailing. His love is never too much out of reach for us. This gives me quite a bit a hope in my life right now as I am facing some really tough relational issues. Even though my heart is not settled and still hurts, I am secure in the fact that I belong to a God who is merciful and will always protect me and lead me back to a peace in my life. That peace may be some time in coming but I know it will eventually arrive. I have spent many of the past few nights in prayer and through that, God has brought me to several realizations, even apologies that need to be made to certain individuals. (I am in the process of doing that). I do not have regrets about what has happened because I believe God puts people and relationships in your life for a reason and I would never change the time I spent in the relationship because I love this person and always will. I encourage you to exam some of the situations in your life and think about the mercy God has extended you, maybe even realize some bad decisions in your life and learn something from them.

On to my health: I am doing pretty well this week with very few symptoms of my lupus with the exception of being extremely worn out. Most of this fatigue is due from the relational issues discussed above but with Lupus any stress can trigger a flare up in activity so I try to keep the emotions as easygoing as possible. I go for Chemo number 5 next Tuesday so I ask you to keep me in your thoughts and prayers for that. I will be blogging live from the session and describe my experiences as I go through the day so please check back for that. Again, like always, I appreciate you all for letting me express some of my most inner thoughts to you through my blog. Take care and God Bless.
I did want to share one of my favorite verses that provides me comfort:
Isaiah 53:2-5
He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. he was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted. BUT HE WAS PIERECED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS, HE WAS CRUSHED FOR OUR INIQUITIES; THE PUNISHMENT THAT BROUGHT US PEACE WAS UPON HIM, AND BY HIS WOUNDS WE ARE HEALED.
Kyle

Heading on a Roadtrip

Anybody ever took a good old fashioned Road Trip with friends? They are great, a couple of days to get away from the office and just hang out with some guys. Tomorrow, I am going to St. Louis with Adam, Tim, and Daniel to see Hillsong United in concert at the Fox Theatre. I have been wanting to see them perform live for a long time but they hardley ever come to the United States. (they are from Australia.) Hillsong is responsible for many of the current worship songs most us sing in our churches. It should be agreat worship experience. I look forward to hanging out with the guys doing guy stuff and probably having an extroadinary amount of inappropriate converstations (odd since we are going to a christian concert). We are also going to play golf on Wednesday morning before we come home. Please pray for safe travel for us all.

Now, on to my health update. I am doing very very well. Last Monday, I saw my nephrologist for an update on my kidneys. The whole point of the chemotherapy is to fight the nephritis from the Lupus and avoid a transplant (much to the liking of my twin brother Adam, who's kidney is earmarked for me if I ever need it). My labs that were drawn for the appointment came back excellent! My CD3 and CD4 counts were normal as well as my blood compliments. My creatine (kidney function) was almost normal which its not been in a long time and my protein filtration is better! To sum it up, the CHEMO IS WORKING! Also, I have been experiencing very little pain in my joints and have had a good amount of energy. The only issue I am having is with my weight. Now I know you all probably don't think Im fat but my doctor said I need to lose 10-15 pounds. The problem is that I am still on a very high dose of steroids so I stay hungry all the time. I guess I need to learn some better nutrition rather than sprinting for the Totino's Party Pizzas.
Well I hope each of you have a fantastic week and I will blog soon to update you on our trip to St. Louis.
God Bless
Kyle

Chemotherapy, round 4

Hey everyone, this is round 4 of my prescribed chemotherapy regime. I had the treatment yesterday at UK hospital and all went as planned. My infusion began at 8 and I was checked out of there by 3. It was in stark contrast to my chemotherapy session 3 where I was there from 8-6 because the doctors where checking the results of my lymphatic biopsy, which turned up negative. The nausea has hit me sooner than expected this time because normally I don't get sick until two or three days after treatment. I did manage to get to the office for a few hours this morning so that was a blessing. Hopefully, my nausea won't last long and I will be out causing trouble in no time.
After this session, I only have 2 more treatments to go unless my doctor thinks I need more. The main reason for the early nausea is that my doctor increased my dosage. I know she is trying to do whats best for me, but I'm not sure how much I can take. Thank you all for sticking with me on this wild ride.....I will continue to keep you updated through this blog.
Until next time,
Kyle

Easter

Easter. A time to remember the sacrifice that was made for all of us on the cross. What amazes me the most is that Jesus was a man with very few earthly possesions and demonstrated what true love really is, the kind of love that is unfailing and unconditional. If we really are honest, do we have that kind of love for anyone in our lives? The kind of love where we would die for someone else? Think about the people in your life that you are thankful for and tell them how you feel, they may not know. I am so thankful that my savior thought I was worth dying for. It makes me want to become a better man and treat people with the kind of love God shows me. Now, I fall way shoot but I strive everyday to get better.
If you are reading this, know I am thankful for you and that you care enough about me to a read my blog and continue to pray for my healing. I don't think I can ever express how much it means to me. Happy Easter and know Jesus was sacrificed for you too!

Easter