Polycystic Kidney Disease

This nasty looking picture is a picture of two kidneys. The one on the right is a healthy kidney. The one on the left is a PKD kidney.

It was almost four years ago in 2004 when I was first diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). When the doctor first told me, I had never heard of it before and wasn't sure what to think. I'm sure he spent the necessary time to explain the disease to me back then, but it was one of those moments when hearing words like, "no cure" and, "you have probably about three years" made it impossible to digest anymore information at that time. I have to admit that it took me a few months to process things.

Four years later, I have learned a lot about PKD and I'm glad the initial three year time-line of my doctor was not accurate (although I still do have PKD). God has been gracious to me and I am still doing fine for the time being. I am now involved in a clinical study through the Kansas University Medical Center (HALT-PKD) to help doctors in their research in fighting the progress of this disease. There is much information about Polycystic Kidney Disease on the PKD Foundation website. PKD is the most common genetic, life threatening disease affecting more than 600,000 Americans and an estimated 12.5 million people worldwide - regardless of sex, age, race or ethnic origin. In fact, PKD affects more people than cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, hemophilia, Down syndrome and sikle cell anemia - combined.

It is my desire to help doctors in anyway that I can to find a cure for PKD, not so much for me, but for my three sons. You see, they have been tested and all three have inherited PKD from me. Although they have a good attitude about it, it sure makes me feel terrible that I passed the disease to them. I would feel so much better if a cure could be found soon enough that they could benefit from it. For those that would like to donate to the PKD Foundation and help in the research for a cure of PKD, I am part of a virtual Walk for PKD Fundraiser.

I'm thinking about my friend, Matt

Matt and Tammy have been close friends with our family for more than 15 years. Our children (same ages) grew up together from preschool up through most of high school. Matt and I worked together on staff here at Victory Baptist Church for many years. Our families would spend countless times together at each other's houses, Bar-BQing, playing games, celebrating birthdays, holidays and just enjoying each other's company. Matt and Tammy were married the same month and year that Val and I were married in August of 1986, so to celebrate our 15 wedding anniversaries back in 2001, we traveled together as couples to Cancun, Mexico. We had a great time! We had so much fun together that just last month we agreed that we would celebrate our 25th wedding anniversaries (approaching in August 2011) together by going on a cruise with all of our kids. Even though Matt and Tammy moved to Oklahoma a couple of years ago, our friendship has continued to grow. I could share so many other things that would demonstrate how special Matt and Tammy and their children are to me and my family. I love them so much! Last night (9/29/08) I received one of those phone calls that nobody wants to receive. Tammy called me on my cell phone crying and asked me to pray because she came home to find Matt laying in the yard. The ambulance had just taken him to the hospital and she was scared. She couldn't talk anymore and said she would call me back as soon as she had more information. It is hard to describe how I felt after that phone call. I felt numb all over and in shock. I prayed and I prayed, and I called as many church friends as possible to pray for my friend Matt.
After about an hour of waiting and praying for my friend Matt, my cell phone rang one more time. As I looked down at the screen, it indicated that it was from Tammy. Part of me was afraid to answer and the other part of me was convinced that it would have to be good news. As I answered my phone there was a moment of silence on the other end, until I heard Tammy quietly say the words, "He's with the Lord now" As I sat there in my chair, the air seemed to leave the room and I could not find any words for the next several moments. The moment felt like a bad dream that I couldn't wake up from. As I looked up at the rest of my family, they could tell that the worst had happened and sadness began to fill the eyes of everyone. After what felt like forever, all I could push from my lips to say on the phone was, "Tammy....I'm so sorry." There was not much else that was said in that call other than the crying that could be heard from both ends.

...a couple of days have passed since I began this post....and probably the word to describe my feelings is "numb"

Today as I walked around the property of Victory Baptist Church, it struck me that my friend Matt had left his mark on so many things. The tree that I was standing under was planted by Matt. The water fountain that I got a drink from was installed by Matt. The well house that I walked into was built by Matt. The concrete ramp that I walked up and into the office was poured by Matt. The gate that I opened behind the office was designed and welded by Matt. Everywhere I looked, I was reminded of the handiwork of my friend Matt. But the amazing thing was that his handiwork was not just limited to things. His handiwork was, and will continue to be evident in the people that knew him. Matt left his mark in people around him by being the kind of friend you could only dream of having someday. I know that I am a better person today because my friend Matt left his mark in me. I know I will one day see Matt again, but I must admit that it saddens me to imagine that he's no longer a phone call away. Until I see him again, I'm going to really miss him.

VBC Missions Trip to Nicaragua

A group of eight of us from Victory Baptist Church went to Nicaragua to work with our missionaries, Brian and Rachel Weed. We were there for 10 days from June 21 through June 30, 2008. It was a wonderful trip! Brian and Rachel are doing an excellent job planting churches in Nicaragua and turning them over quickly to National leaders. We spent most of out time on this trip approximately 4 hours north of the capital city of Managua in the city of Pueblo Nuevo. The church there is less than a year old. They recently were able to purchase a large older home in the middle of the city and are working to turn it into a meeting place for the church. During this missions trip, we were able to help with a lot of the demolition and clean up, along with mixing concrete and painting. It was hard work, as you will see in the video, but it was a lot of fun also. All the team members worked really hard and said that they were really glad that they were able to go on the trip. We praise the Lord for a safe, life changing experience there in Nicaragua. We also praise the Lord for Brian and Rachel Weed, who are taking the Great Commission seriously and are truly making a difference in Nicaragua (as well as all of Central America) for the Kingdom!

Remembering My Mom

A couple of weeks ago on May 16, 2008 I had the opportunity to visit my mom's grave in the little Kansas town of LaCygne (while I was on my way to Kansas City from Springfield, MO). The cemetery is located just outside of this small town surrounded by large trees in every direction. It's a very quiet place away from any major highway. As I walked around some of the tombstones near my mother's, it made me wonder what the story was for each life. It also made me contemplate what others would write on my tombstone if it were my time.
It would have been my mom's 62 birthday. It's kind of hard to imagine what she would have been like at 62, since she was only 43 when she died. She was really a great person. I can only tell stories of her to my kids (Stephen was not even 2 years old when she died). I guess one of the main things I have learned over the past 19 years is to never take the people you love for granted. You never know how long you have on this earth with them. Make ever day count for the important things!

Celebrating the Meaning of Easter

The greatest thing about Easter is the fact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ! Even though our society has made it sound like it's more about egg hunts and bunny rabbits, anyone who takes the time to research the facts will discover that it's about victory over death. Three days after His crucifixion, Jesus Christ rose from the grave. That single piece of history is the most pivotal in all eternity.

Think about it: Almighty God sent His only Son to this earth to pay the price for our sins on the cross of Calvary. He paid the price by giving His life, but He didn't stay dead....He rose from the dead on the third day! Praise the Lord for a God who has the power over death and the grave!

Another Birthday

Well, it's hard to believe it, but I finally reached 42 years today. I remember when that seemed to be so old. I know one thing for certain, it didn't take long to get here. I remember when I turned 15, it felt so good to be half way to 30. But now when I think that I am half way to 84, that just doesn't feel right. Oh well, I'm not complaining, just letting everyone else know who might be reading this that time flies by faster than you realize. Invest everyday in the important things of life...things will last for eternity...things that will make a difference.

Later...