Welcome to Lori and Mike's blog!

While visiting with Mike and Lori tonight, Mike shared with me that although they deeply appreciate all the phone calls they receive  everyday, it is a bit overwhelming for him and he simply can't keep up!  They don't want people to stop calling, but there are times that Lori is not up to talking on the phone, and Mike is unable to call everyone back.  So, as a way to help Lori and Mike during this difficult time, this blog is being created as a way for all of their friends and family to be informed on how they are doing.  I plan on connecting with them everyday, and posting updates here everyday - maybe even several times a day. 

There are a couple ways that you can participate in this blog...if you talk with or visit with Mike or Lori and want me to post an update here (aka:  if you know something I don't know!), you can email me at: takemetomaui (at) hotmail (dot) com.  I will post it as soon as I am able to.  You can also leave a comment by clicking on "comments" at the bottom of each post.  (You'll be asked to choose a "profile" and you can just click on "anonymous".  After you write your comment, click on "publish".  Sometimes you have to do this more than once to make it go through.  I know, lame.  Let me know if you have problems).

This is more than just a place to share information...I would like this to be a place of hope.  A place of prayer.  And a place to share the love of Christ with our dear friends Lori and Mike, as well as with eachother - those of us who know and love them and come along side them as they walk this journey together.

Tonight, Lori is feeling very weak.  Her pain is being controlled by medication and they are keeping her as comfortable as possible.  She says she is at peace...a peace that passes all understanding for sure.  I asked her and Mike recently what specifically we can be praying for them...Lori said "courage", and her concern is for Mike more than for herself.  Mike only asks for prayer for Lori, that she would not have to suffer.  Lori was in pretty good spirits tonight, and enjoyed the many visitors she had while I was there.  She drifts in and out of sleep, and even though she needs her rest she still wants people to come.

Just in case you aren't fully aware of what is going on, Lori was diagnosed with primary liver cancer in October, 2009.  She had a short treatment of chemotherapy, which was not successful.  Other treatment options were unfortunatly ruled out. Last Friday, Lori was told by her doctors that she had about a week to live. 

That is what the doctors are saying......now here is what God says: 

"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness."  Lamentations 3:21-23

"Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth;
burst into song, O mountains!
For the LORD comforts his people
and will have compassion on his afflicted ones". - Isaiah 49:13

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be." - Psalm 139:13-16

We love you, Lori and Mike, and are standing in the gap for you!!

Lisa Howard