the first two

Luke 4.18-19  The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim the good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor.

God is mounting a tremendous burden in our hearts to see this scripture fulfilled through His people.  After her birthday, Kelton began praying about what Jesus would have her do with the gift cards and cash she had received.  The LORD gave her a vision to provide one man and one woman with a backpack filled with supplies, clothes, food, etc.  

Today Kelton and Chris hit the streets in San Bernardino.  They simply prayed that God would direct there steps to the people HE desired to provide some help and encouragement to today.  As they drove around down town, the streets were cold and grey with the looming clouds overhead threatening a chilling rain on those loitering about.  While driving and praying, the LORD lead them to 4th street.

Meet Kristen and Kenneth.  These two beautiful people were blessed to hear that JESUS had guided us to them.  

Kristen shared about how she has been on and off the streets for the past 8 years.  She used to have a house, a job, a car, and friends she loved.  One day she fell and hit her head.  As a result of her injury she has heard voices, suffered other mental disorders and has since developed diabetes, and kidney and liver problems.  She spends her nights in the alley behind a local church building and credits the LORD for her survival while on the streets for the last 8 years.  Please pray for her mind and health to be restored, for protection and safety, and for greater faith in GOD.

Tonight is Kenneth's last night on the streets.  For several years he has lived on the streets and endured having both jaws broken with a baseball bat from a beating.  He professes that the LORD has healed from cancer three times.  He loves JESUS and was so thankful for what GOD has provided him.  Beginning tomorrow his pastor will be allowing him to live in an RV in his yard.  Please pray that he is kept safe tonight and that the LORD will continue to give him favor.

We know that a couple of backpacks and jackets are not the remedy for the epidemic that this city faces.  We know that while they are encouraged for one night, and truly grateful, these people have real problems that only God can cure.  But we also know that GOD and HIS power.  We know that Satan has a stronghold in this city and we believe that JESUS CHRIST will loose those bonds as we are faithful to pray and to be HIS hands and feet while on this earth.  Please join us in praying for these dear souls, and the others who are hurting there with them.  Pray that GOD will redeem this city of darkness one needy soul at a time.  Pray that GOD stirs in the hearts of many the same burden He has ours.

4-3=1

This last week, I had another doctor visit.  While there was tremendous anticipation for the test results from the blood that was taken the week prior, the report was not in when I went to my appointment on Tuesday.  But by Thursday morning, we had received the report and confirmed with the doc some great news!  The cancer count is down from 4% to 1%!  GOD is GOOD!

While last month I was a bit discouraged and concerned at the thought that my body was no longer responding to the Gleevec, I have renewed hope.  Rochelle has remained optimistic throughout this process, and the LORD has continually used her to encourage me when I am down and lacking faith.  Praise GOD that HE is always faithful despite our weaknesses!  So with the concerns of needing to switch medicine, and the uncertainty that comes with such a switch being extinguished for the time being, we are so thankful and relieved.

The plan for the time being is to continue on the current dosage of Gleevec (600mg) and check the numbers again next month.  Thank you for your prayers!  Please keep them coming.

-Chris

This site is craking me up.....are we weird?

-Roche

it is official: she is a ballerina!

little frankie "no-no" basirico has always been a ballerina, now the world can come into agreement with what we've all known for quite some time.  not only was she cuter than words can describe, but she was really good!  enjoy the photos below, and be sure to watch for her debut at the pantages!

recent pics

Check out two beauties looking fabulous!  Marlie perks up and totally poses every time the Nikon clicks!  Gotta love it!

Here is the fireplug herself going strong at the park!  There is nothing better than the little ones having a blast with ear-to-ear grins!

Check out big sis Kelts.  Always keepin' it real.  She's not just pretty either, she's sharp as a tack.  Nothing but high marks from her teachers and they were all in agreement with her election to honor role!  Go girl.

Life Brings Forth Art

Some say that at times life imitates art.  Others say that art imitates life.  Perhaps it is better said that life brings forth art.  This picture is the remains of a chocolate bar that Frankie enjoyed.  With her sticky little fingers covered in melted goodness, and her tummy about tuckered out from the bounty an entire bar offered, she set down the remnants to enjoy the melted chocolate off of her finger tips.  Little did she know that the hurried, arbitrary placement of her delicious treat would solidify in a position that the most skilled artist would suffer to sculpt.  If she hadn't devoured what was left the next day, I would contemplate sending this to Hershey for their museum.

Our Creator is the most magnificent Artist ever!  Whether you can find appreciation within His creation; the beauty of a face, the flowers of the fields, or a masterfully painted sunset in the sky, the strokes of Jesus' brush command profound emotion, and provoke deep thought.  The wonder of our Maker is often displayed in the subtleties that we take for granted.  Often times what most would regard as chance can reveal the wonders of the King.  I say, we are privileged to know such a wonderful Artist, and I pray that our eyes would be opened to the most minute beauties that He has planned for us.  Enjoy this day, and all of the beauty that God has filled it with.  

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.

-Psalm 19.1

11.5.08 Chris' doc visit

Well people, though this blog is still not anywhere near what I want it to be, I figure there is no better time than the present to start using it for its purpose, so here we go. I met with Dr. Gamal this morning and while the news isn't stellar, it is not dismal by any means. No matter what, GOD is good all the time. As most of you know, last month we increased my dosage of Gleevec from 400mg to 600mg. You may remember that with CML patients, there are 3 stages of remission. Stage 1 is the hematological response which we achieved right at the 3 month benchmark. Stage 2 is what we are working towards which is the cytogenic response. The process of approaching cytogenic response is managed by way of the PHISH test. The PHISH test measures what percentage of my cells are actually considered to be cancerous. Last month I had improved from 15% to 4% which is encouraging, however we are past the 6 month benchmark for 0%, thus the increase in dosage. As of today I have been at the increased dosage for about a month and the numbers from the most recent PHISH test show 4% still cancerous. It appears that the Gleevec may have plateaued, but we need to be sure. So the process from here is to continue on the 600mg dose for one more month. Depending on the results from the next PHISH test, we will either stay the course (if the numbers improve to 0%) or we will increase to 800mg (which Dr. Gamal is not partial to) or switch to a different medication called Sprycell. Sprycell approaches CML in the same way as Gleevec, however it attacks different mutations. You may recall that the CML mutation I have is the most rare type. That being said, Dr. Gamal believes I will respond well to the Sprycell but, "We don't want to burn any bridges with Gleevec because once you switch from it we will never go back to it."

It is so important to us that each of you know how much your prayers are felt and appreciated. Please continue to pray for GOD to work in our lives, and the lives of others through this process. We love you all!

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3.8-11

ok peeps...we are just feeling out this whole blogging action for the first time.  we hope that this site will serve as a place to update everybody on our life together; what GOD is doing in our midst as we follow after HIM, the status of our beautiful chillun (children), updates on chris' progress, and how the lovely and talented rochie b is the glue that keeps us all together.  we hope you are blessed.  peace out!