Memories, Thanks and Praise – December 22, 2010

Dear friends,

I am indeed a very blessed and fortunate man! I have been reading the guest messages from this site, and realizing again what an amazing global family we have. Let me humbly and gratefully offer my deepest thank you’s for your wonderful messages. I have read many of these more than once, and I am stunned by the breadth of memories these names bring to me. Some responses are from key leaders who are just learning of my situation…some from people I have never met but seem to know me (this crazy business)…and some from IBO’s that we haven’t seen or heard from since the very early days of the business in the 70’s and 80’s (long before many of you global friends even knew of us ( or perhaps before you were even born!). You have encouraged me greatly… and I thank you!

If others of you are reading through these with us, you must be feeling as blessed as we are to read the depth of brotherly love, and class, and strength, and wisdom that these messages carry. To know so many are willing to lift us up in prayer is empowering and humbling for sure. Then to see the powerful faith in God and human spirit shown by people with whom I am not personally acquainted (yet), is bringing me to my knees with gratefulness. I have loved seeing some of these “names from the past” and we are both thrilled to know that you are “still out there”. We have enjoyed a long life in this business (40 years and going), and this has allowed us to acquire a long list of friends and dear souls that we have shared this journey of life and business with. Some not so “active” any longer…but your names have made us smile as we read and remember you….and see that you still remember me.

And to my international family….there are not words to express the feeling of knowing you are all out there praying and caring. I want to run out and hug everyone. And to be reminded of how many of you have been attacked by the same “invader” (and recovered) is both encouraging, and at the same time great perspective for me… as I see how many others are daily fighting the same battle…and also need prayer and encouragement.

Now…on to other thoughts. I have invested most of these past few days in two main activities: Getting final game plan from the doctors here, and preparing to begin the treatment protocol of Proton radiation therapy and Chemo, to shrink/attack the “invader”, and proceed with the medical solution path… while we await any miraculous/supernatural intervention from our Lord (I am open to that, and ready to go “on the road” to proclaim God’s glory). And additionally doing research on the other actions that I must take to further assure a victory. Precious Nancy is in “full mode” of assuring my diet is optimized, so that my immune system is strong and my body ready for the process. This, along with my great difficulty swallowing (while I still have this “invader/tumor” obstructing my insides), has lead me to the weirdest diet I have ever experienced. Check out the photos of my recent meals in this post. I know you are all jealous! Can you even imagine how passionate I will become about proper eating once we have defeated this with God’s help.

We are needing to grind the Nutrilite and put in oatmeal or yogurt or vegetable juice that we freshly create every few hours. Not the greatest taste I warn you, but can’t swallow the pills at the moment, so I am “developing some new tastes”. We are learning (and this is only the beginning for sure of my “lessons”) that Cancer is a complex invader and it must be attacked on many fronts. There is a place to use Chemo/Radiation/Surgery, but the true healing comes from a variety of sources and factors (in case you are curious about what I am learning in a new way).

Diet is a biggie! (surprised anyone?) I must and will absolutely avoid refined sugars,

processed, boxed, canned etc foods with chemicals and additives that are so prevalent now (especially in the USA), excessive animal proteins, dairy products, white flour/bread pasta,

Butternut squash, soy beans, apple sause. Anyone jealous?

and of course “fast foods”. Convenience is killing millions of people. We brought our family chef (Kevin) to Houston with us, so he is juicing and cooking fresh daily…. and I am in full “health attack mode”.

Attitude is also a key. Being positive about the situation and expecting to win (sound familiar?). Over and over even the doctors speak of the importance of this aspect
Strong immune system build-up. Alkaline foods and keeping the body oxygen-rich, as Cancer hates oxygen and loves acidity. We already own our own Hyperbaric chamber (credit Nancy, as it is a very expensive luxury usually only found in hospitals and private clinics!) which drives oxygen into the cells… and we are having it shipped as we speak to Houston so I can use it here. (doctors very suspicious of this so…). Few on this planet have the privilege to bring a private full-time chef for food… and their own hyperbaric chamber to their recovery/treatment world.

Almond butter and carrots. Parsley added by chef Kevin for drama.

Exercise…believe it or not, it really helps get through this all to stay active and keep the body moving and oxygenated to reduce the impact of the drugs and radiation. There is a full fitness center with all the equipment here with a spa etc… so we are all set. Trying to fit workouts into dining/juicing/hospital schedule is quite a challenge.

Faith! This is in my opinion the number one factor. First to assure I remember that God is always in control. A few of the many many scriptures we continue to claim and read daily are: Hebrews 11:6, (without faith, it is impossible to please Him). Matthew 10:29-31 “Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet none of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. But even the hairs of your head are counted. So don’t be afraid therefore, you are worth more than many sparrows. Isaiah 43:2; 2 Tim 1:7; Psalm 55:22; 1 Peter 4:12,13; and….Philippians 4: 4-7 which says; “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say it, rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” And Romans 8:37 which says that in Him we are more than conquerors! What a joy it is to know that we are in His will, and this season will be for His glory… and my education and improvement. Not a lot of “fun” right now…but necessary and worth it all if I can become a more effective soldier for the Kingdom as so many of you already are…perhaps as a result of your own mountain to climb.

He has me right where he wants me…I hope you all feel that way too. It’s not exactly that I ever desired to be asked so many “personal questions”, and poked with needles, and feeling like a “lab rat” while in the bowels of this large teaching/research University system. I am fully expecting a recovery and return to my dear family of winners soon….but it will not be simply because I “deserve it”, or because I am strong and positive. (I am…but no more than so many of you). It will be because it is His will, and because He is not “done with me” (especially the new/improved model, soon to hit the marketplace).

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11. This applies to each of you in whatever trials you may be experiencing. So comforting and empowering to not feel that life is random or “unfair”…or totally up to us always doing the exact right thing. We can’t and won’t always…that is why we needed a savior. But we can turn to Him daily…. and I pray that many of us will use this time to re-examine these spiritual areas to assure we are seeking the right goals and dreams for the right reasons. If we seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well; Matthew 6:33

So now I will send this update off and head over to the Proton center to get “Roasted” in the giant microwave. We can pray together that any negative effects are minimal and that the desired outcome is full elimination of this “invader”. This is definitely NOT the “weight loss program” that I wanted. I am looking pretty “fit” however…so there is one more “benefit”.

Love to all.

Jim

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