Memorial Service

HARRINGTON, Francis Edward Harrington, III, 73, of Mesa, AZ passed from this world into the presence of Jesus Christ, his Savior, on September 11, 2011, in Mesa. He is survived by his wife, Mary Harrington, a son, Kenneth, and a daughter, Kristina. His daughter, Elisabeth, predeceased him on February 11, 2006. A memorial service will be held at 2pm Saturday, October 1, at Christchurch, 7464 E. Main St., Mesa. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent to either Moody Bible Institute, 820 N. LaSalle Blvd., Chicago, IL 60610 or Christchurch (see address above).

Gone Home

In some ways, we were not expecting an end to this blog. But in God's timing, the love of my life has gone Home to be with His Lord at 7:35am this morning. He spent about 7 hours in a Hospice facility before leaving this world. Saturday he came down with a high fever and pain that couldn't be relieved by all his pain medication. So we took him to be admitted at a Hospice facility about 4 miles away in hopes they could give him stronger medication. They tried everything, even morphine, to no avail. He spent a restless night. By morning he was talking and seemed to be calmer. The nurse left for a few minutes, and when she came back he was gone.

Today, September "11" brings three significant memories for me. Ten years since 9/"11," our daughter, Lesa, passed away on February "11," and my love went Home on 9/"11." Could all this be "coincidental?" I don't think so!

Today was planned a special "Celebration of Families" along with a celebration for our 55th Anniversary at our church. Of course Ed wanted to be there. But the celebration went on with so many of our "church family." We included in that a "celebration of Ed's life." What a special celebration that was! A number of "family" members planned it all and created a 50's theme, which was the time Ed and I started going together and eventually marrying. It brought back so many good memories.

So, it's been an eventful day for me. We so appreciate how you have stood with us in prayer and uplifting comments throughout this journey. I praise God for your friendship.

John 5:24 says, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my Word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."

Pain

What causes pain? Whatever it is, the pain pills I receive from Hospice really help control it for which I am very grateful. Last Saturday I was taking more of the pain meds than I had ever taken before, and I wasn’t getting relief. Being a rational and practical sort of guy, I thought that maybe the growing tumor was putting pressure on some organs and it could increase until no amount of pain pills would help. Not a very good ending for a guy who doesn’t like pain. Resting and medicating myself all day Saturday resulted in Sunday afternoon being much better.

Another possibility to my excessive pain could be attributed to my excessive Friday activities. Our grandson, Chris, and his lovely bride, Kylie, visited us during their honeymoon. What a wonderful but busy day, and that may have contributed to my bad Saturday. Lesson learned: Don’t overdue Ed!

I received some unexpected encouragement this week while reading the fourth chapter of Acts. “When they...realized that they (Peter and John) were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus.” If I was able to choose how I wanted to be remembered, I would hope others would say that I was a man that “had been with Jesus.” What was it about Peter and John that was different? Their character? Places they went? What they read? People they hung out with? Their concern and actions toward others? Guess that I’ll have to continue thinking on this one.

How much effect did your prayers have on me recovering last Sunday afternoon? I honestly don’t know, but I do know that I am grateful for each of you and your prayers. We have a big God who can do anything! Thanks.

Fifty-five Years

On Tuesday, August 30th, we celebrated 55 wonderful years of marriage at a small Thai restaurant.

Were all of those years smooth sailing and without turbulence? Of course not! When it rains everyone gets wet. So why do some survive and others crumble during the storms of life? There is a story in the Bible about two men who built houses. One built on the rock and the other built on the sand. Which was standing after the storm? What makes the difference between where we build our house or life? The one on the rock not only knew God’s truth from the Bible, but he put it into practice. He applied it. There is the answer to why some survive.

Have we always obeyed God? No, but the desire of our hearts has been to honor, obey, worship, and please Him in all of life’s events. Because of His grace and mercy we have made it this far, and we’re looking ahead to the next 55 years! Every year gets better when Christ as Lord.

My Hospice nurse, and other friends who see me, can’t believe that I’m feeling and looking so well. Some have commented of my strong faith. How I appreciate the compliment, but I feel that I have the least amount of faith of anyone I know. Only God gets me through one day at a time. Actually it is a really stress free way to live. I suggest that we all try it for a week.

As you can see by how I’m doing, your prayers are being answered. Thanks so much.

A Sure Investment!

A friend of ours lost her job after fourteen years. Other friends lost their home in a foreclosure. My pension fund is not worth what is was a few years ago. We are living in anxious times when many wonder where a secure and safe investment can be found. I found it while reading I Timothy 2:4, “God...wants all men to be saved...”

While pondering this statement, I came to the conclusion that if God wants people saved then some must be lost. So how does God get the people on the lost side of the bridge across to the saved side? Since He is God, can’t He just pick them up and carry them across or does He give us the opportunity to be involved in this miraculous process? I sincerely believe that He allows us to invest our lives in others for eternity. Everyday is another day of decision! What will I invest in--temporal things of this world that will pass away or in people who are lost and would like to be saved? What better way to end my journey here than to hear my loving Heavenly Father say, “Well done, good and faithful servant?” If you’re still anxious about the economy, try investing your life in others.

My Hospice nurse made her weekly visit to see how I’m doing. For a guy who wouldn’t even take an aspirin for a headache, I’m transitioning to my pain meds satisfactorily. Never thought I’d see the day that I’d be like those "old" folk I observe taking all those pills! Now I am one! But I thank God daily for the quality of life that I can have in this winter season of my life as a result of a few pills.

As the tumor grows the pain increases, but because of so many of you praying, God’s grace is sufficient. Thank you dear friends for your concern and prayers.

Do What is Right!

This has been a good week. We continue to receive phone calls, cards, and emails~some from folk we haven’t heard from for over forty years. How grateful we are to have such caring friends. So what is the lesson for me? Don’t wait until my friends get terminal before I encourage them!

My pain is under control and Hospice has provided me with an energy pill to help get me “moving,” and it seems to be helping.

Sunday was fabulous, as always, as we worshipped our awesome God at church, and afterwards we enjoyed an Old Chicago deep dish pizza with a church friend. Monday was our library day when we exchanged our weekly DVDs~watching an old movie is an excellent relaxer since we discontinued our cable TV service over a year ago. Tuesday I had my routine six week stent replaced in my ureter ~if any surgical procedure can be considered routine! Wednesday and Thursday were days of email and other business catch-up tasks (we’re not yet caught up!) Friday night was a highlight of our week as we again gathered with friends for fellowship and discussion of Bible truths.

I titled this, “Do what is right!” It is a challenge today to find people in the news doing what is right, but I found one just this morning while reading 2 Chronicles: “Joash (King of Judah) did what was right in the eyes of the LORD.” Wouldn’t you like that on your tombstone? “(Name) did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.” The wonderful part of this challenge is that it is never too late to do what is right no matter how bad we’ve messed up before. God forgives! Didn’t Jesus die for our sins? Remember that today is the first day of the rest of your life.

Thanks for following us on this journey. Your prayers continue to keep us focused on others and not ourselves. Keep praying!

Cancer/Hospice

One week ago I signed up for Hospice care since the tumor in my back continues to grow and did not respond to the chemo treatments. Hospice will control any pain and do all that is possible to make me comfortable.

This week was very encouraging. Besides celebrating my birthday, we had several visits from friends and phone calls from folk we haven’t talked to for quite awhile. Isn’t it wonderful to have friends?

My highlight for the week from God’s word is Matthew 24 where Jesus said, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” With the tumor sucking the energy out of me, I don’t feel like watching for anything. Then I had this image of me lounging on the couch with a bag of potato chips watching a game show on TV. There is a knock at the door and as I look through the peek hole I see Jesus! Wow! Do I invite Him in or try to clean up my act first?

Maybe you’ll be challenged, as I am, and spend more time watching and preparing for His return. Please continue to pray that I’ll end well. He has promised to never leave me~and He hasn’t!

A New Direction

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that we had some tough decisions to make in the near future. Since the tumor continued to grow during the clinical trial chemo, I decided to cease that treatment due to the adverse side affects. The CT scan I had yesterday confirmed its steady growth. There was a possibility of starting a new treatment, but after talking with two oncologists, the consensus was that the best I could expect was a few more months of life. The possibility of a cure is practically nil. The decision was made yesterday to discontinue all further medical treatment. I will meet with a Hospice representative this afternoon to discuss my future.

Many of you were praying for us to make the right decision, and we have complete peace that your prayers were answered. While reading I Chronicles, I noted several times where King David inquired of God. If a nation’s leader feels the need to go to God for guidance, why not me?

When we began our weekly trips to Tucson for chemo back in January, we had decided that the experience could be bad or good. It was up to us, and we went for the good and anticipated an adventure every week. This week was a highlight as we visited St Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Monastery 8 miles south of Florence in the middle of the desert! Six monks from Greece founded the place in 1995 and have since built a lovely oasis in no-man’s land with the help of about 43 newer monks. There are beautiful chapels, water fountains, living quarters and gardens. A must see if you’re ever passing through Florence, Arizona.

Seems that this cancer thing is now taking us in a new direction. Please continue to pray as you feel led since the more challenging part of our journey lies ahead. Thanks always for your concern, friendship, and prayers.

ENJOY LIFE!

My last chemo treatment was over four weeks ago and what changes have I experienced? The feet and fingers continue to be numb. It is difficult to describe, but from my thighs to my feet it feels like achy mush, and I’m not sure if my legs are going to give out. The tumor in my back always aches, but I control the pain with pills. One of the side effects of the pain medication is” faulty plumbing"! The good news is that my energy level has increased somewhat.

How do you enjoy life? Seems that most of us in America “enjoy” by having more stuff and doing more things. Interesting how our priorities for enjoyment change as our situation changes. If you lose your job, a new job may bring enjoyment. If you get sick, getting well brings enjoyment. Since I have terminal cancer, what do you think I need to “enjoy life?”

The wisest and richest man in the world, King Solomon, said, “Enjoy life with your wife...” I’ve been doing that for nearly 55 years and it’s been great. In August of 1956, Mary and I vowed to stay with each "for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish from this day forward until death do us part." We have both found that King Solomon was right. Real, fulfilling enjoyment is not found in the temporal stuff that the world has to offer, but in enjoying life with each other with Christ as the Lord of our marriage.

In spite of the cancer and chemo, your concern and prayers make every day brighter. Thanks.

Thirsty

If you have ever hiked in the desert in the summer you know that the number one rule is to drink lots of water. Recently the heat wave has moved east where it is more humid, but one still needs to obey rule number one. The psalmist said, "...my soul thirsts for you (Lord)..." So what is the difference between my body or my soul being thirsty? I satisfy my body by turning on the water tap, but what about my soul? Does it need satisfying too? What is my soul? Is it the real me?

Interesting that the psalmist thirsted for the Lord. What else could have satified his soul? What else would I want to satisfy my soul? I will try and follow the example from Psalms and thirst for God!

Since the chemo treatments have ceased for the present, I was looking forward to returning to a
somewhat normal lifestyle. So why am I still fatigued and achy? The doctor said that it takes time to rid the body of the chemicals. So what is my excuse for not seeking and thirsting after my Lord? As we used to say in the military, "No excuse, sir." Guess that is me!

Thank you for praying, and please continue. There are still some tough decisions to be made concerning my future.

Eliminate

Websters definition is: to completely remove or get rid of. Since Ed "quit" chemo, his last being on July 7, his body has about 4 weeks to completely remove or get rid of the residual chemo in his body. His next appointment with his oncologist at present is on August 4, and they are talking of another type of chemo that might give him a few more months beyond what the previous chemo promised. He will also have another CT scan to see how the tumor is doing. So we are praying, along with many from our church as well as YOU, that God will lead us to the right decision.

Ed has been feeling somewhat better these last few days, with a little more energy and not quite as fatigued. We praise God for that. Today he even walked around 2 of the 5 lakes we have where we live!

While he waits until the chemo is flushed out of his system, we are reminded that God will NEVER leave us as He states in Hebrews 13:5. While circumstances change, He is changeless! What a promise that is as we walk through this together.

How grateful we are to each of you for your steadfast prayers and concern. God is a God who CAN perform miracles, and we are proactive in asking Him for one! Are you?

I QUIT

If you are like me you don’t like quitters. “Finish what you start,” my mom used to say. So yesterday, after consulting with my oncologist, I quit the chemo treatment for the present time.

The cumulative affect of the chemo has caused me to be so fatigued that I’m barely able to function other than to sit in a lazy boy and read a book. Also, after six months of clinical trial chemo, my tumor continues to grow.

So what’s next? In August I’ll return to the Cancer Center in Tucson to be evaluated. It is amazing that the doctors say that I’m very healthy except for the cancer. Meanwhile, the tumor grows, my backache increases, and I get to experience more of God’s grace. So where do I go for hope? Doctors? Diets? More drugs? The psalmist said in Psalm 62:5, “...my hope comes from Him (God)...” Sounds like a winner, so I’ll continue trusting in Him!

Thanks again to each of you for your concern, prayer support, CDs, cards, notes, emails, suggestions. Although my hope is in God, you are my flesh and blood encouragers.

For what would you ask?

Suppose you could have only one wish. For what would you ask? In Psalm 27, David asked to, "...gaze upon the beauty of the LORD..." This was a thought provoking question for me this week. I could ask for more "stuff" that I can't take with me! I could ask to go someplace like the moon. But it would only offer a temporary high. Maybe David was on to something! If I want to be like my Lord, and if I want Him to have all of me, what could be better than hanging out with Him and gazing on his beauty? Share some of your wishes with me.

Thursday was a routine chemo day for me, and now I get to sit back and see what side effects show up this week besides fatigue. It has now been six months since my chemo began. We also discovered another good Tucson Mexican restaurant called San Carlos Grill.

Since my days here appear to be getting shorter everyday, I have been trying to be more selective in how I spend my time. Discussing with friends how we can make a positive difference in people's lives has been fulfilling. Focussing on individuals rather than the whole world has helped. I have a tentative appointment with a Vietnamese gentleman. He is from a Communist, atheistic country and expressed a desire to know about God. I can't save the world, but if I can introduce one or two folks to the living God who changed me, isn't that worth the time and effort?

Because of your prayers our spirits continue to be up. Thanks so much and pray especially for my dear wife and caregiver, Mary. Since I am doing less and less due to fatigue, she is doing more and more.

The Tumor

Yesterday's CT scan showed that the tumor is continuing to grow, but since the Chemo has shrunk some of the lymph nodes, my Oncologist and I decided to continue treatment for the present time. In the near future, we may change treatment plans, but my options are few.

I have been reading through the Old Testament for my daily devotions, and this week I came to Job. Here was a God-fearing, righteous, and fairly well-off man who lost everything except his wife. So just when he needs a word of encouragement in the worst way, she says, "Curse God and die." His reply really spoke to my heart: "Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?" WOW! Seems like we're always asking for and thanking God for the "good stuff." Yet, we are not immune from trouble!

Remember the hymn, "Have Thine Own Way, Lord?" In one of the verses it says, "Thou art the Potter, I am the clay." What right does the clay have to dictate to the Potter how it is to be made and what it is to experience? God has promised a new, flawless and glorified body to those who are followers of Christ. Sounds good to me! Until then, one day at a time in fellowship with Him.

Thanks for praying. From a human perspective, I may not be healed. But Mary and I are in good spirits and seem to have continuing opportunities to encourage some of those who work at the cancer center on a weekly basis.

Are we there yet?

I've been visiting the cancer center in Tucson for over 4 years and doing it weekly for the past 6 months. It is just over 100 miles and about a 2-hour drive from our home in Mesa, AZ. Seems like I'm slipping into that, "Are we there yet?" mode. Why does something that was once fun and adventuresome become boring?

Having grown up in the Washington, D.C. area, I was used to GREEN trees, grass, shrubs, and vines. When I moved west the wide open spaces of the BROWN desert were new, exciting, and beautiful in its own way, but repetition and time can lead to boredom. This can happen with going to work or school every day. How about staying home and caring for the kids and cleaning house? Even the weekly date with my spouse can get old after awhile. Why does this happen?

Maybe I'm looking for happiness for me! Think of some of the ways to find happiness, but they don't last. It is only temporary. My marriage to Mary was the happiest day of my life up to that time and then the thrill of this new relationship slowly started to wear off. We weren't ready to call it quits, but something was slipping away like a candle burning out. I needed something fulfilling that wouldn't end!

Then I read in John where Jesus came to give me an abundant life! What's that? Could it mean a life with purpose, meaning, direction, joy, peace, and everything else? I decided to accept His gift by faith and see it there really was something more than a temporal happiness. I found that lasting joy is found in Jesus Christ, the solid rock, the eternal God.

"Are we there yet?" still slips into my thoughts as we travel to Tucson, but by God's grace, I am able to focus more on all that I have and am in Christ.

Your continued prayers are always welcome. Thanks for your concern.

The cure

What is the cure for cancer? It depends on the type cancer. Chemo cures many kinds, and in the last couple of months several new drugs have come out for treating metastatic melanoma. But these new drugs only "maintain" or slow the growth of the tumor. They do NOT shrink or remove it. Presently there is NO cure for the cancer that I have, so extending a fair quality of life is the aim of the treatment. This is not what one would call encouraging news unless there really is a better place beyond this life!

Jesus told us that he was going to prepare a better place for those who are his followers. What a great promise! So why should I continue chemo treatments if I'm only delaying my time to see my Savior face to face? Good question, and my answer is that God has not finished with me yet here on earth! Just last weekend we met a young couple who are our new neighbors. How will God use us in their lives? I don't know, but we'll be ready and available.

I trust that you're looking for opportunities to be a blessing to others too. There are so many hurting people all around us.

Mary and I continue to be encouraged by your prayers. Thanks so much.

Nurse Ann

Nurse Ann became a nurse after a long time in the hospital as a little girl. Her arm went through the wringer of an old washing machine, and when it arrived at her shoulder it continued to turn and peel the skin and muscle away. This was a bad event in her life, but God used it for good! Today she is healed and helping folks like me receive their chemo infusion.

I'd say that cancer is a bad event in my life. Can God use it for good? Normally I am an active person, but the fatigue from the chemo has changed that. So God tells me to stop and wait on Him. In the first chapter of Revelation it says that one can be blessed by hearing and reading the Bible. Wow! I can do that, and it is working. Every day I read a portion of God's Word and He shows me a promise or something else that is comforting or encouraging.

Don't know if you're experiencing any "bad events" today, but God can use it for good.

Thanks again to each of you for your prayers and concern. We can sense God's power in our lives because you prayed.

Options!

Have you had the bill collector call on an overdue bill and you're short of cash? You may have asked, "What are my options?" Yesterday I presented a similar question to my oncologist concerning the 5 inch melanoma tumor in my back which is wrapped around my aorta and ureter.

Our discussion concluded that the tumor is too big for radiation and even if we did go that route, more damage could possibly be done to the surrounding organs and tissue. How about radioactive implants? I asked. Pretty much the same answer as before. Since the melanoma has metastasized, removing it from one area is not the cure.

Therefore the clinical trial chemo that I'm on is the only hope for killing the cancer cells. So I press on and am thankful that in spite of the side affects, that I'm basically doing well.

Writing this reminds me of all the options that I have when I get up in the morning. Number one is mentally deciding whether I'm going to have a good day or a bad day. Since I'm a follower of Jesus Christ, I normally decide on the good day. If not, wouldn't I be saying to God that, "You can't handle what I'm going through today?" My God is bigger than that and I trust that your God is too!

Thanks to each of you for notes, emails, cards, prayers, and to Bob and Anne for the uplifting CD.

Flawless

What would it be like to have a flawless body? Until my latest bout with cancer, I thought that my body was almost flawless. Well, maybe I was a little overweight! The eyes were failing, but I fixed that by wearing bifocals. My sore back only acted up when I twisted the wrong way or lifted something that was too heavy.

This last week was a real reminder that I'm still living in the realm of the flawed. After having the stent between my kidney and bladder replaced, I was completely wiped out and useless for the rest of the day. Even though this is my week off of chemo (I have it 3 Thursdays out of 4), I still needed the blood test which revealed that my white cell count (immune system) was very low. Boy am I flawed!

While going through the Old Testament for my daily time with God, I read 2 Samuel 22:31, "...the words of the LORD are flawless." This was worth pondering. Everything on the earth is flawed in some way. It's either dying or deteriorating, but here is an exception~~God's Word! So with limited time to spend here on earth, what will I do with my time? Spend it with flawed, temporal things or with something that is eternal? Flawless? God's Word?

Interesting that this topic would come up when so many are wondering what will happen tomorrow. Some are saying that the rapture will take place and others that the end of the world will come. I don't know about you, but as for Mary and me, we have placed our faith and hope is Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Bring it on. We're ready!

Finger Nails

If you've ever had a really bad itch, you know why God gave us fingernails! Several weeks ago my fingernails started looking and feeling like I'd hit them with a hammer. They continue to function as scratchers, but not as before due to their being sensitive. This is a result of the chemo and it is now spreading to my toenails. Since I don't scratch with my toenails, that isn't a problem, but the sensitivity slightly affects my walking. Before this chemo started in January, I didn't have an excuse for forgetting things or tiring out while Mary pushed ahead as we walked around the lake or Walmart. Now I can blame all of my shortcomings on the chemo!

Why do I need a reason for not being perfect? Why do I have to blame someone or something? Isn't human nature interesting? How grateful I am for the promises in God's Word~they assure me that I don't have to be perfect for God accepts me just as I am. One day Jesus will return to take ALL of His own home or someday He'll call ME home. Then I'll be free of pain, and this aging body will be with Him forever! With no more itching, I won't even need these fingernails anymore!

Don't forget to thank God everyday for the little things~like your fingernails. I regularly thank God for you and your prayers for Mary and me as we continue this journey.