Out with the Old Year!

Another year has come and is nearly gone. Time moves faster as we get older it seems and while this year has come with its challenges--looking back we can clearly see the hand of our loving God directing and protecting.

The year began on a huge high note, our beloved pastor and friend Robert Francis came back to our church and things were going very, very well. We were great friends and ministry partners and had an awesome four months, but in April Robert started having some severe shoulder pain and was looking for a solution when in early May he suddenly passed away. This was a huge blow to our church and to the Hulsizer family.

On Saturday, May 7th, we spent the morning at the University of Central Arkansas proudly watching our oldest daughter, Jessica (23), graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. The last five years of hard work and study had paid off. What pride we had, cheering from the stands, as she received her diploma! But that afternoon we hurried back to participate in Robert’s memorial service and what a magnificent service it was! He touched so many lives and the attendance and the service itself proved that. Another year has come and is nearly gone. Time moves faster as we get older it seems and while this year has come with its challenges--looking back we can clearly see the hand of our loving God directing and protecting.

The year began on a huge high note, our beloved pastor and friend Robert Francis came back to our church and things were going very, very well. We were great friends and ministry partners and had an awesome four months, but in April Robert started having some severe shoulder pain and was looking for a solution when in early May he suddenly passed away. This was a huge blow to our church and to the Hulsizer family.

On Saturday, May 7th, we spent the morning at the University of Central Arkansas proudly watching our oldest daughter, Jessica (23), graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. The last five years of hard work and study had paid off. What pride we had, cheering from the stands, as she received her diploma! But that afternoon we hurried back to participate in Robert’s memorial service and what a magnificent service it was! He touched so many lives and the attendance and the service itself proved that.

Exactly two weeks later, on May 21st, Jessica married Matthew Petty. It was a beautiful wedding and we are so happy to have Matt as part of our family (especially me! I love my girls but another guy in the mix is a good thing!) Jessica passed her NCLEX and is now a licensed RN. She began work at the same hospital in which she was born, another huge blessing!

But in mid-October she noticed some swelling around her neck. Long story short she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She has begun treatments on what her doctors tell us is a practically guaranteed cure. She is doing well, but we still appreciate your prayers for complete healing. We are so proud of and thankful for Matt, he is taking extremely good care of her. We also are very grateful to our church family for their prayers and thoughtful provision of meals and moral support.

Jennifer, our youngest (19), is a sophomore at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway working toward a degree in Early Childhood Education. She is very involved in the Chi Alpha Ministry on campus, babysits at a local church, and tries to make us believe she studies the rest of the time. Her grades do reflect that she is working very hard and we are quite proud of her! We are looking forward to her being home for Christmas and New Year’s. She’s a big help taking care of Matt and Jessica’s dog, a Corgi named Scarlett that has come to live with us while Jessica is taking treatments.

Shelia has had a busy year. She had some changes in her job but now is happily settled in as a Registrar in the “hub”. She works with three other registrars who serve several area schools, one of whom is a close friend (Bobbie Lindley). She works hard but loves the new environment. Her big news is that she entered and finished the St. Jude’s Marathon in Memphis—that’s right 26.2 miles! It was a major milestone for her, but one she says she won’t need to revisit!

Since the passing of our beloved pastor, I have been serving as Interim Pastor. This has increased my workload substantially but I have enjoyed the opportunity to preach. A couple of months ago, our Worship Pastor was called to another church so I’ve been helping with the Music ministry as well. After the first of the year we will hear a candidate for Senior Pastor. We are praying for the Lord’s will but hoping for a speedy process.

Exactly two weeks later, on May 21st, Jessica married Matthew Petty. It was a beautiful wedding and we are so happy to have Matt as part of our family (especially me! I love my girls but another guy in the mix is a good thing!) Jessica passed her NCLEX and is now a licensed RN. She began work at the same hospital in which she was born, another huge blessing!

But in mid-October she noticed some swelling around her neck. Long story short she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She has begun treatments on what her doctors tell us is a practically guaranteed cure. She is doing well, but we still appreciate your prayers for complete healing. We are so proud of and thankful for Matt, he is taking extremely good care of her. We also are very grateful to our church family for their prayers and thoughtful provision of meals and moral support.

Jennifer, our youngest (19), is a sophomore at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway working toward a degree in Early Childhood Education. She is very involved in the Chi Alpha Ministry on campus, babysits at a local church, and tries to make us believe she studies the rest of the time. Her grades do reflect that she is working very hard and we are quite proud of her! We are looking forward to her being home for Christmas and New Year’s. She’s a big help taking care of Matt and Jessica’s dog, a Corgi named Scarlett that has come to live with us while Jessica is taking treatments.

Shelia has had a busy year. She had some changes in her job but now is happily settled in as a Registrar in the “hub”. She works with three other registrars who serve several area schools, one of whom is a close friend (Bobbie Lindley). She works hard but loves the new environment. Her big news is that she entered and finished the St. Jude’s Marathon in Memphis—that’s right 26.2 miles! It was a major milestone for her, but one she says she won’t need to revisit!

Since the passing of our beloved pastor, I have been serving as Interim Pastor. This has increased my workload substantially but I have enjoyed the opportunity to preach. A couple of months ago, our Worship Pastor was called to another church so I’ve been helping with the Music ministry as well. After the first of the year we will hear a candidate for Senior Pastor. We are praying for the Lord’s will but hoping for a speedy process.

Hoping 2012 is your best year yet!

Update on Jessica

Here's the latest on our journey to complete healing:

We are home from the hospital. Jessica was released around noon yesterday (Sunday) and was able to go home. It was a welcome change of pace and scenery for her to be at her and Matt's house. Their dog, Scarlet, was especially glad to see her.

Before we left we had a long talk with Dr. Mazher, her oncologist, to discuss the plan of action. After her I-port is placed she will begin 6 cycles of chemotherapy, each cycle is made up of 2 treatments 15 days a part, so that will mean about 4 1/2 months of chemo, followed by six weeks of radiation treatments, 5 days a week.

This is going to be a long, hard process but we have very good odds of beating this thing completely and fully. We have been very impressed with all of the medical staff we have met and feel like we have an awesome team of star players on our side. We have always known that Faith Baptist Church in North Little Rock is a loving, caring group of wonderful people and the love and support we have already felt just backs that up in a wonderfully, comforting way. We have also heard from friends and love ones from literally all over the world. We know that prayer is the greatest tool we have in our arsenal against this disease and we are so thankful for each prayer that has been and will continue to be prayed for Jessica.

We are so proud of and thankful for Matt. He has stepped 'large and in charge' into the role of protector, provider, and chief bodyguard for Jessica. We are so blessed to have such a awesome son-in-law be the main caregiver for our daughter. I would be remiss to omit our other daughter, Jennifer, from this post. She spent her whole Fall break from college right by her sister's side at the hospital or running to Austin to take care of Scarlet, run errands, and anything else she could do. It warms this dad's heart to see her helping Jessica with her hair, assisting with trips to the bathroom, showering, or anything else she could find to do. Shelia's mothering instincts have also pinged over into Ninja mode as she, with cunning accuracy, anticipates practically every need or desire Jessica has. Matt's grandmother has come down from Mtn. Home to cook and clean (Jessica is loving that big time!) and my parents are sitting on go as soon as we know of something they can do to help in any way.

We are so thankful for the awesome help and care we have received from Dr. Jay Geoghagan and from Marc & Michelle Daniel as they were there right away to give us some great advice on how to proceed through this process. God is good!

Again, we are so thankful for the love and support we have already seen and felt and simply ask that you continue to pray for complete healing and for an easy journey through the treatment process. We will try to keep you updated as best we can as things progress.

"Praising Him in the Storm"

Trusting in the Storm

It has been a long few days in the Hulsizer family. Our oldest daughter, Jessica (age 23), the RN and newlywed, had a place swell up on the left side of her neck about 3 1/2 weeks ago. We all thought it was strange but thought it was probably an inflamed or infected lymph node. She went to our family doctor who put her on an antibiotic and told her to come back in two weeks if it hadn't taken care of it. The swelling went down just a bit but not completely so she was scheduled for a CT scan this Thursday.

On Wednesday, while at work at the hospital, she began experiencing pain in her chest and under her left arm. At 6:11 pm she called me and asked me to come get her and take her to the Emergency Room at Baptist Hospital in North Little Rock. I wondered why she wouldn't just go downstairs to the ER in the hospital at which she works, but she explained that it's best not to be a patient where you work.

At any rate, we got to the ER, her husband and her mother arrived right away and we waited 25 minutes to be seen. I was pretty agitated that it took that long even after we told them she was having chest pains. I was honestly worried it might be a heart situation.

After we finally got in (thanks to some strings being pulled by our good friend and fellow church member, cardiologist Jay Geoghagan) they quickly did an EKG which appeared normal, her heart rate, however, was fluctuating a good bit.

They did the first CT scan and assured us this was not a cardiac situation but that we might be looking at something more involved than an infection. It was determined that she would be admitted and have a biopsy on a lymph node.

After the biopsy the doctor hit us with the news. Our baby has Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. That's the bad news, the good news is that it is one of the most treatable, curable forms of the disease.

She is in stage IIB, which is the most treatable, and has a 95% cure rate (Praise God!) The oncologist said we were looking at about 6 chemo treatments, 15 days apart, followed by some radiation. We were told yesterday that it will be a pretty rough three months, but that by this time next year this will all be a bad dream.

Our friends have been awesome, we have had meals brought to us during the long days of waiting at the hospital, she's received lots of snacks and gifts, and every visit has been a precious reminder that she (and we) are loved.

We covet each of your prayers, we trust that all will be well, but we also know that prayer works. Thank you all for your love.

Twelve Sermons: this morning I preached the 12th sermon in a series titled "Avoiding the Pitfalls of Life". The concept for this series was given to my dear friend and pastor Robert Francis just a few weeks before he died. He had given a copy of the topics and the book of I Samuel from which the sermons would be taken. When God called him away I thought it would be good to pick up this list of topics and the reference and see if I could build sermons for them. God had, after all, given this idea to the pastor of the church at that time, I think God would want someone to preach them.

It has been an interesting 12 Sundays or so, some subjects came together easier than others, but I'm glad we've made it through. I finished with "addictions" today. There are so many things that we can be addicted to out there; we only think about drugs and alcohol too many times, but worry, fear, negativity, self-serving, etc are all addictions. Jesus is the only way to truly be free but most of us don't really want Him to intervene.

Jesus just wants us to be free, to be able to live the life He gave us. Trusting Him and obeying Him so that our joy can be full and so we can live the abundant life He's promised us! So break free, break that habit, experience the freedom we can have in Christ!.

A Walk on the Beach

My wife, my youngest daughter and I have been enjoying a much needed vacation the last few days. We are enjoying a great time of rest and relaxation on Miramar Beach just east of Destin, Florida.

This morning I arose early, made myself some coffee, and started looking at my computer. Just then, good judgement from God's Holy Spirit came over me and told me that this computer is going home with me, the beach isn't, so I slipped on some flip-flops and headed out to the beach.

Jennifer wants to make a little seashell collection for her new apartment in Conway next fall so I've been picking up a few along the way. This morning I found more than I had found all totaled for the week! I spoke to some guys fishing, saw a small stingray swimming around, I watched a heron fish for a time, and saw a crab or two rolling with the tide.

While I walked, I met a few others out for a stroll and some of those crazy people out jogging/running on the beach. Some ran past as I leisurely strolled through the surf. We all left footprints. But as the waves licked up onto the sugary beach the footprints were wiped out, removing any sign that anyone had been there.

That reminded me of the forgiveness of sin that God offers. No matter how big the footprint, how deep the imprint, how close together or how far apart, the wave washes the footprint away. The same is true for God's children. God isn't some pompous policeman sitting on a throne in heaven watching for us to slip up so He can throw down a judgment to 'get us'. Rather He is a merciful father who watches His children to help them back up when they fall, to brush them off and put them back on the right path. God doesn't love us less when we fail, His love is contingent upon Him, not us, and He is perfect...in love, in mercy, in forgiveness and peace.

I know we all let stuff build up in our spirits; wrongs that we've done, things we've done that don't please God, or things that embarrass us after the fact. The fact is God forgives, thoroughly and completely, as far as the east is from the west. Not north and sound as there are points both north and south, but there is no end to east and west, they just dissolve into one another, like footprints disappearing on the shore.

I am convinced we are too hard on ourselves. We need to fill ourselves with the joy and peace that God offers and let Him remove from us the pain, hurt and guilt that sin brings. Enjoy the day my friends. It's a gift from your Father!

Welcome Home!

It was a windy ride over to Central Flying Service this morning, but what a great way to start the day. We, the Patriot Guard Riders, had been asked to help welcome home a group of Nat'l Guard soldiers who had been in Kosovo the last year. The tears of joy, laughter, smiles, hugs, etc. given these returning heroes from family and friends warmed my heart and made me really glad I was there.

As I shook hands, patted backs, and welcomed these heroes home my mind went to Kosovo to another hero who is still there, Missionary David Helmick and his family have made that country their home in hopes of leading people to Jesus. Thank you Lord for people who still answer the call, those from their country and those from their Lord.

10 things to never stop

Borrowed from a friend (thanks Jon Cook).

As people grow older and the chapters of life begin to accumulate, there are certain things that should never stop. These are the important things in life, the ones that would lessen your life if they were forgotten.

1. Never stop making new friends. The world is full of people who have the potential to become your next great friend. It’s ideal, or at least very optimistic, but with the amount of people in the world, it’s definitely not far-fetched.
2. Never stop forgiving. I have heard numerous stories of men on their deathbeds regretting those offenses they never forgave. Life’s too short to not spread grace generously.
3. Never stop learning. The day you stop learning should be the day that you die. Mark Twain said about a colleague, “He died at 30. They buried him at 60.” Don’t let that be your legacy. Live to learn.
   
4. Never stop reading. You may hate reading. You may think it’s the greatest thing in the world. Whatever your taste may be, reading will be relevant in your world for the rest of your life. Reading is a great equalizer among kings and peasants: both can possess and develop this skill with equal opportunity.
   
5. Never stop thinking. Don’t be a blind consumer of information. Chew on it and think through what you’re hearing and reading. Eat the meat, spit out the bones. Like the good, lose the bad.
6. Never stop listening. As my dad says, “God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason.” Listening is an art to be perfected. If you know what you’re going to say before the other person stops talking, you’re not really listening. Guilty as charged.
   
7. Never stop dreaming. If we lose that idea of how to chase an idea, we’ve lost our creative nature that echoes the image and nature of God. These are the bucket lists and the wish lists, the “what-if’s” we dare to ask, and the dream vacations and the faraway places you wish to see.
8. Never stop asking questions. Being curious and inquisitive is one of our greatest gifts from God. Some of the most successful people in the world are also some of the most curious. Coincidence?
9. Never stop mentoring. The gift of knowledge is meant to be shared. When you’re gone and all that’s left is your legacy, who will be there to remember what you taught them and how you poured into their lives?
   
10. Never stop caring. Apathy is the bane of human existence. If you stop caring, you stop living. To care is to know that some things still hold value, that some things still matter and are worth the next breath we take.

A Labor of Love

I have been a busy guy lately. But it's a good busy! I've been helping my best buddy "Grumpy" and Ms. Vicky redo their kitchen. It's been a big job. We tore out a wall and extended the kitchen out about 4 feet and then added a laundry room. We ripped the old floor system out down to the concrete floor, ripped the walls out down to the studs, tore out the ceiling to the joists, added one and relocated another window. Then we started with the replumbing, rewiring, and reinsulating.

We added 4 new doors (a sliding glass door, a pocket door, and two storm doors. We put up sheet rock, a plywood ceiling, and built up the floor. On the plywood ceiling we added 3" tongue and groove pine material and lacquered it. It really looks nice. Then we installed the new wall cabinets.

After that we put in an electric floor heating system, covered with a self-leveling floor material, then laid ceramic tile. The latest addition was the base cabinets and the plywood top to get ready to install the marble tile countertops.

It's been a lot of work and a lot of hours but I'm having a blast. Why? Because I'm seeing progress and I remember what it looked like when we started. I've got to spend time with my friend and I've learned a lot of new things (some at the risk of slight injury). I look forward to finishing the project just so we can enjoy the fruits of our labors. But the two of us are already planning the next project! Are we nuts? Maybe so. But it's a wonderful thing to have a friend. Someone that you can count on and one that can count on you.

It's also really cool to see how each part of the process improves the whole. While I was thinking about the next time we can get together to work on this project I was impressed with a spiritual correlation...

Jesus is that friend that sticks closer than a brother. He loves being with us, whether He is helping us with or through a particular challenge or project or just hanging out and enjoying one anothers company. Jesus is also that master carpenter that can take the broken down shell of a sinful man, woman, boy or girl and make him into something new, shiny and wonderful. We are His creation!

The next time I'm helping "Grumpy" I hope I remember that I'm still a project in the hands of the Master and to enjoy that work as much as I enjoy working with my friend.

I hope you know Jesus as your friend! He's like no other!

Have a great day my friends,

J