Hello My Dear Friends,
It has been so long since our last post and I’m sure that many of you have had some questions about how Jim is doing. For some of you this blog has been the only place where you could find any updates. I am so sorry it has taken so long—- we have been praying for wisdom and guidance from the Lord as we do battle on Jim’s behalf. Finding the right words to convey what is happening and the right timing has been difficult. We kept waiting for more clarity. We are praying daily and standing on God’s promises. As believers, we know that our God is able- we know that He has the power to heal at any moment. We await His touch.
We trust the Lord and His love for us regardless of the outcome. Like so many circumstances with regard to life and illness- it looks hopeless in the natural, but we look to the giver of life.
There are many scriptures speaking of God’s promises and His desire to heal us! Below are just a few:
Hebrews 11:1 says “Faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things unseen!”
Mark 11:24– I say unto you, what things so ever ye desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and ye shall have them.
Psalm 107: 20– He sent His Word, healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.
Luke 1:37– For with God nothing shall be impossible!
Matthew 17:20– He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “move from here to there” and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.
We have been extremely blessed during the last 2.5 years since Jim’s diagnosis. The Lord has put countless prayer warriors in our life. You are an essential part of our journey and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We could not do or function with joy, as we have, without all of you and your prayers.
Jim also has had the absolute devotion of people that are here daily assisting with his care. “Team Jim” as we call it. Our close friend and doctor in Atlanta referred us to a wonderful nurse who is a believer. Susie not only administers IVs to Jim daily, but she prays over him and intercedes on his behalf! She also has organized a group of prayer warriors that have come and prayed over Jim and our family. Our precious masseuse, Anna, does daily lymphatic massage for 1.5 to 2.5 hours to sooth his body and move the lymph. She does a facial two times a week and scalp massage- how blessed is that. Ampi Ruelas brings her sweet kids, organizes conference calls and prays endlessly. Dave Ruelas has been a godsend as well- doing whatever, including Jim’s care, and a thousand other things every day- too many to name! Jim is a loving second father to both Dave and Ampi.
Two months ago my brother Chuck moved into our home and has stayed every night sleeping by Jim’s side so I can sleep upstairs. How can I be so blessed?! Rebecca, who many have met, has been our housekeeper and run my house for 25 years. She loves Jim beyond words and would do anything for him- and has. He need only ask!
Also starring on Team Jim, is Kevin- our personal chef. He has been a gift- traveling to Houston for 10 weeks, last year, with short trips home to see his sweet family! He prepared organic food, shopped, brought meals to us at the hospital where Jim got chemo, ran errands- did whatever- whenever. In Atlanta, he keeps everyone fed and manages the home- all without complaint!
I could not list our blessings without highlighting Jim’s N21 team- headed by Jeff and Shannon Neuber and their family and our “unmatched” staff her in Atlanta and those around the world.
Jeff has been the “glue” between Jim and the N21 responsibilities during this season and for 20 years. No one could have a better friend- actually son-like, than Jeff Neuber. They love and trust each other- and God provided long before we knew we would need it. Shannon has been a gift beyond- equipping and leading the events and support staff since the beginning- another gift from the Lord that no one can ever fully deserve!
Renee Merris was our first real staff, almost 30 years ago in California, and she has walked the “early road” with the love of the Lord and a complete love and trust in Jim’s leadership. We have shared and done life together all of that time.
I could write pages about the incredible friends and staff worldwide that run Network21 and serve you and us, in all ways needed. No company could have better friends for the “long haul” that Jim and I and our family. We are all in good hands.
Our kids- Heather, Eric, Abbie, Dave and Jules have filled in every other gap- entertaining him, sitting with him, praying over him, reading scripture, interceding, making tons of calls to doctors and doing research on any new symptom and solution. Thank you Heather and Dave!
Heather comes first thing in the morning and reads scripture and is on a first name bases (not always positive) at the hospital, in radiology impatiently waiting to pick up reports and with the oncologist here and the doctors at MD Anderson. Heather’s daughter, Ashley-Kate, was the bright star in our lives for years before the others were born. Jim is a devoted “Papa” and “spoiled her” thoroughly. They logged lots of time, stories, and golf. He still has a smile for her and the other little ones when they come.
Jules shows up daily to pray over him, kiss him, groom him, and writes countless messages on the white board for him to read. She often brings the girls to see “Papa” and give him tons of their kisses. Dave comes in between meetings and late at night and early in the morning showering love on his “hero”- what father could be more blessed. Eric and Abbie come- pray- read scripture and sometimes sing to him. Eric says it’s my pleasure as he spent countless days and nights at the hospital with me in the early years.
This business has allowed us so many resources- the financial is huge, but the most valuable by far- the people!! Who could have imagined that when we started our business so long ago that the greatest value would come in the form of people’s love and prayer support. Would that we could thank each of you personally.
How can we fully appreciate or thank all of you for everything you have done and continue to do? Countless people and their prayers, fasting, the books, the contacts, medical information and surgeons and doctors that called offering advice or help. We got prayer blankets, cards, flowers, gifts for the grandkids- on and on. No one could be more blessed.
When doubt and fear crept in, God would prompt one or more of you to send a message of encouragement or a prayer that had just the right message at the right times.
For me personally, I could not do this without you! This has been the most difficult test of my life. You are lifeblood to me with your encouragement. There are so many women that have been in my situation but with a completely different experience. I have never felt alone or without support on this journey. For that I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I’ll continue to keep all of you updated as we walk this season. We continue to pray and expect a great future. We know that God is at work. We believe great things are in store in our business and the incredible community of Network21 worldwide.
I know many of you are about to attend our DRIVE conference in California. It will be an unforgettable time of vision and fun for every single leader. It will be a time of refreshment and learning from the best in our “world”! John Maxwell will be there to add an incredible wow factor- as only John can. He is sought after worldwide, but his heart was captured by Network21 and all that it stands for. He loves us and he loves you!
Jim would want to be at Drive for more reasons than we can list, but neither he nor I will join you this time, but with God’s miraculous touch Jim will in the future.
Thank you for the continued prayers!
Nancy