Be a FROG

Mickey Elrod was a good friend. She had a profound influence on everyone who knew her. For example, in the school where Mickey worked, they honored her by placing FROGS as decorations in strategic places. I never thought of Mickey as a reptile person, but when I asked her husband Michael about the frogs, he explained it to me. FROG is an acronym for Fully Rely On God, and Mickey was a great example of that acronym. 2022 is the year of the FROG for me. I have always tried to rely on God, but I will lean into that faith action even more, this year. Today I started the radiation treatment, so I am actively involved in all my cancer treatments. I have injections twice a week, Chemo pills every day, and ten radiation treatments. I also have a bone treatment once a month, and just for fun, I will have an upper and lower G.I. I only include the medical stuff because I know you care about me. All your love and concern humble me, but God’s got this. I need to be a better FROG. My goal is to be faithful through the journey and give God glory in all that occurs. In Him J. Tom Washburn

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go

Well, we have reached the time when I am about to begin treatment. I would love to say that I am excited, but the truth is that I am a little nervous about what the next year holds. On Monday, I will begin my Radiation treatments (ten in all), and I will also start Chemo injections and Chemo pills. The regiment is a little overwhelming. I will take an IV for bone growth one time a month. The injections are two times a week for two weeks and then two weeks off. The pills are three weeks on and one week off. There are other pills to help with the pain and stamina. Right now, my head is swimming, wondering how I will keep up with all of this, but I know we will figure it out. I started by saying that I am a little nervous about the year. I don't know why I am worried. I know that there will be discomfort, but I also know that God is preparing blessings for me. Those blessings will always show up at just the right time. I love the faithfulness of God. I love the people of God that allow God to use them for blessing others. When I look back on 2022, my prayer is that the discomfort I will face is nothing compared to the fabulous presence and blessings God has there waiting for me. In Him J. Tom Washburn

Faithful through the test of Grace

Dear Family Have you ever considered the testing of grace? Over a month ago, I shared that my health was not as good as we would like. This past week my doctors informed me that I most definitely have Multiple Myeloma (Cancer) and that treatment needs to begin soon. I will be having Radiation and Chemo for what looks like most of 2022; however, the outlook is excellent. My goal is to stand before you and preach as often as my health permits. I began this letter with the phrase, the testing of grace. I truly believe God is good and faithful, even in our hurting. If God had not allowed me to suffer, I would have never gone to see my doctor. If I hadn’t had the blood test, I would have never had the CT scan that pointed the doctors to the markers of something more serious. Understanding the testing of grace is the understanding that God works, and He works for my good in all things. Yes, He can use pain to remind me of His presence and His provisions. I am so grateful for your prayers and your concern. Please don’t let your concern take you away from your opportunity to praise God for His mercy, His grace, and the Promise we all carry. In Him J. Tom Washburn

Update

This is just going to be a short update. I will have a biopsy of the places on my spine. The biopsy will take place on December 9th. Hopefully we will have some answers after that. As always I know God is watching over all of this and my prayer is that He will be glorified. In Him J. Tom Washburn

Trying to find the name

This past Sunday, I informed the congregation that I may have multiple myeloma. So this week, I went to see the cancer doctor, and he assured me that I don't have cancer until he sees cancer in a definitive test result. So I am now going to have more tests, and this time, they will be targeted to find specific markers. As I listened to the doctor, I thought how about how much our fears guide our decisions. Julie and I are not afraid of what is ahead of us. We want to know what to expect. I found myself preaching to myself, Tom, you are not in control. God is in control. Trust God. How many times have I seen God clear a path in front of me? How many times have I felt His presence beside me? How many times has He protected me? How many times has He provided unexpectedly? Since God has been faithful up to this point, don't question His faithfulness at this point. When I tuned back into what the doctor was saying (there were many things I did not understand), all of a sudden, it didn't matter. There was no urgency because I am God's favorite child, and He is holding my hand. Bring it on.

MY PRAYER

Have you ever taken the time to figure out what your greatest request is? It is not unusual for me to have a whole laundry list of things that I come to God with when I pray. Like dirty laundry, I want God to clean up the mess, but only in a way that agrees with my desires. I am so selfish, and I imagine you are selfish also. When I was young, I loved looking at the Sears and Roebuck Christmas catalog. I could find something on every page that I wanted. If my parents had ever asked me to pick out just the one thing I wanted, it would have taken me hours to figure out the irreducible minimum. I could go to God with a long list of things I want Him to fix in my present situation. I want him to take the pain away from my back, from my ribs, take the sensation of pins sticking me in the night away and take away those sleepless nights when you just can’t get comfortable. I want to be able to walk fast and run, I want to stand up without pain, and I wish not to be tired all the time. When I look at my list of requests, and I narrow it down to the irreducible minimum, that request says, “I want to be faithful through this journey.” Pain is just the now, but faith is for eternity. I want others to see that you can trust God when things are difficult and inconvenient.

Humbled

In my life, I have always tried to take care of myself. If I could do a job, I would do it. If it needed to be lifted, I would try and do it. If something needed to be done for the group, I would figure out how to take care of it. Like most Texans, I thought my stubbornness was an attribute, not a weakness. The truth of the matter is that my stubbornness was just selfishness in a macho set of clothes. Recently I have had to humble myself and ask for help. Monday, my macho self showed up, and I ended up straining my back. If you have ever had somebody put a knife in your back and turn it wildly, you understand the pain. So, Tuesday, I asked Melinda to carry my bag to the car because I could not. Wednesday, I asked Donita to help me take off my coat since I could not do it myself. Finally, Julie went to the store and bought me a cane to get up and down and walk with less pain. I am learning that God has surrounded me (and you) with all of the help we need to live the life He wants us to live. A life that glorifies Him and depends on His provisions. Humility is seldom anyone's first choice, but in the upside-down nature of the Kingdom of God, it is the best choice. P.S. on November 16th, I hope to give everyone a definite name for the illness.

When God Shows Off

This past Sunday, Tim read a letter from me to the congregation. In that letter, I let everyone know that I have been in pain for some time. Unfortunately, we do not know the problem, so I asked the congregation to pray that I will be faithful through the journey. When you start going to doctors, you keep going to doctors; at least, that is the way it seems. After many tests, we have eliminated some of the scary things that take up space in your mind. However, I still have tests in front of me and appointments that will take up much of my time. Last May, I asked Trey Morgan to be the speaker at our “Mans Day.” Little did I know that God was already putting blessings in my path. Trey has been through many of the things I am facing, and he gave me great encouragement. I love watching God show off. I look forward to seeing the presence of God throughout this entire journey. Blessing In Him J. Tom Washburn

I Trust God

The new ring tone on my phone is “I still have Joy.” That is the message I want everyone to hear. Unfortunately, we have only eliminated possibilities despite going through several tests (no real pain in the test). We know some things that are not causing my symptoms and pain, but we are still unsure what is causing the symptoms and pain. I have been referred to the Walker Cancer Center. Some of the monsters in front of me have vanished, but some of them remain. The only thing I know for sure is that Jesus is going to walk with me through – whatever. He has also given me Julie and a great family who will stand with me. Today is a day I hurt, and that is ok. I will be sure and enjoy the days I don’t hurt. Funny, the things we take for granted. I don’t want to take for granted the presence of Christ and the presence of the people He has placed in my life. In Him J. Tom Washburn

Unwanted News

On Sunday, October 10th, Julie and I were given some unwanted news. We were told that my health was not the best. Of course, nobody ever wants to hear that news, but it does no good to hide your head in the sand. I have been hurting for the past several months, but I just thought it was old age. Here are the facts that I know. 1. God is in control. 2. God will be with me through whatever happens. 3. Julie loves me and will stand by me. 4. We don't know, at this point, how bad or how good things are. 5. I trust God. On Tuesday, I told the staff most of the things that the medical report stated. Tomorrow I will see another Doctor. Today I will have more tests. I am still confident of the five things I know, and my prayer is this, "God help me be faithful and trust in you for the rest of my life." Amen

Letter to my boys

Dear Trey and Preston: I want you to know for sure that you have been loved your entire life. I know I am not perfect, but I am forgiven and more than anything else in all the world I want you to know the one who forgave me and the one who wants to forgive you. I want you to know Christ. Whenever you search for Him, you will find Him. Follow Him all the days of your life. Love your PaPa