I have spent the last couple of days thinking about my brother in law. Lynn Taylor at Rouse Funeral Home wrote this for his obit. It pretty much describes him perfectly.
Craig served four years with the United States Navy. He then embarked on a forty year career as a professional truck driver and for the last twenty seven years worked with Southeastern Freight. He was a member of Garris Chapel United Methodist Church. Craig was well known for his sense of humor, his ability to tell a story and his love of family and children. He was an avid follower of UNC basketball, enjoyed surf fishing, a round of golf, cooking on the grill and cutting the grass. Craig also enjoyed Western movies and attending air shows with his brother.

Craig was diagnosed with cancer in December of last year, about a month after I was diagnosed. One of the traditions in our family was that Craig would cook homemade biscuits for everyone on Christmas morning. Last year when Diane and I were about to leave his house, Craig walked up to me and said, "Brother in law, this might be the last Christmas biscuits that we have together." I never for one minute would have thought that his prophesy would come to pass. In fact, I would surely have thought that I would be the one to go first.

News flash: God has a plan. It's all about Him.
Are you ready for it?

Tuesday, June 26

My heart is heavy today. I was at the hospital earlier this morning to be with my friend and brother in law, Craig Capps during his last hours on this earth. Craig was a special guy. Everyone who worked with Craig loved his personality. He was fun to be around on the golf course. Not once did I ever call Craig to help me do anything that he turned me down. He was diagnosed with cancer last December. We talked a lot about traveling the cancer journey together. I never thought that he would go so soon. But I trust God completely that it is part of His plan. Pray for trust and strength for Debbie and the family as they go through the coming days.

Do you trust in His plan?

Saturday evening June 23

Okay, so the Peanuts Gang did not actually sing to me, but some other people have. And I have had two great days celebrating my birthday. Yesterday I did some visiting with good friends, went to the church office, mowed the lawn and went to dinner with my honey. These are things that I like to do.
Today I arose early, as usual, and fished for a while. Then about 30 of my immediate family members came to my house to help me celebrate with a great meal. We had a wonderful time of fellowship. (The only downside was that my brother in law Craig is so sick that he and his family were unable to come. Please keep the Capps family in your prayers.)

It is impossible to explain just how blessed I feel. God is soooooo good to me! I can hardly wait to see what He has in store for me. It truly is all about Him!

Do you realize how blessed you are? Think about it. He has a purpose for you too.

Thursday, June 21

So, here is the deal. We went to Duke today to receive the results of my scan and blood tests. It was not exactly the news that we had hoped for. When Dr. Zafar came into the room, we noticed that he had some concern on his face. He shared with us that the scans looked the same as they did three months ago - no cancer. Yes! However, his concern is that my CA19-9 number is up. This is the number used to detect and measure cancer cells. Three months ago my number was 20, which is well below the accepted number of 37 or less. This month my number is 70, almost twice the number.
Since this did not make sense to us, he explained. Either the CA19-9 is a false reading (that would be good) or I have cancer that was not detected by the scan (not my preference).
How are we going to know which is correct? We have scheduled another blood test and scan in about six weeks.
Without faith this would be one loooong period of time for Diane and me. With faith, it is still a lot to think about for what will seem like a long time. But we will continue down the same road which we have been traveling since November 20. 2011, the day that I was diagnosed. And then we will remind each other that -
It's all about HIM!

Thank you for following my blog, and thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers.

Wow! It is hard to explain where my thoughts and feelings are today. I left Goldsboro on Monday, riding on the funeral coach with Bruce from Seymore Funeral Home. In the back was Mr. Bill Brieske. We were escorted the entire time by 17 motorcycles from the M25 Christian Motorcycle gang. We stopped in Virginia just short of Arlington for the night. The next morning we completed our journey to Arlington National Cemetery with a total of 5 bikes in front of us and 20 bikes behind us. Those guys are special. Then I experienced being the chaplain at the graveside with full military honors - caisson, band, 21 gun salute, taps, folding of the flag and all of the detail that goes with all of that. Thoughts and feelings - Awesome!

As we were returning home late yesterday evening, Diane called me to tell me that my brother in law Craig received some discouraging news. It looks like his cancer does not want to give up. It looks like it is in his liver in a big time way. Thoughts and feelings - immense sadness.

We will leaver here in a few minutes to travel to Duke for my 3 month scan. We will return to Duke tomorrow so that the doctor can give us the results of the scan. Thoughts and feelings - confidence, then concern, then confidence, then concern. . .

I sure am glad that no matter where our thoughts and feelings are, God's thoughts and feelings are always centered around His love for us. Aren't you?

Sunday June 17

Happy Fathers Day!

Just as an update; I watched conference on Friday via the web. Yesterday (Saturday) I went to Raleigh for the ordination service and the fixing of the appointments. I did great! No abs pain. God is good! By the way, I am excited to share that I was reappointed to Garris Chapel for another year.

Today is Father's Day. I have posted a picture of my Dad. What I remember growing up was that my dad was "a good man." Everyone in the community knew who he was. I remember that he was a good provider for his family. But I don't remember him being a "loving" husband or father. During my mama's 5 year illness with strokes, my dad's love emerged. He took care of my mama's every need in every way. He was right there til the end. Even now, his love continues to emerge. He tells my brothers and I that he loves us each time that he sees us. When I was diagnosed with cancer, he took it worse than I did.

What I realize today is that my father is a man of God. My prayer is that my children will think that of me.

What do your children think of you?

Friday, June 15

Happy Friday Blog Family. Annual Conference has been great so far. The Holy Spirit has been welcomed at the worship services. And where the Holy Spirit is welcomed, He goes. The business sessions have also been carried out in a positive manner, for the most part. It may be because this is Bishop Gwinn's last Annual Conference, but he has spoken from the heart on many occasions.

As for me, well I got a little bit of a 'scare.' I had some abdominal pains that felt all too familiar. On Wednesday I left the session early.I have not been attending the evening sessions, but have been watching them on the web since they are streamed live. I mentioned in my last post that I am still struggling physically just a bit. That has continued this week.
Early each morning as I get my day started I feel great. And for the most part, I am still doing extremely well. God really is good!!!

I have asked God for forgiveness about even thinking about a 'scare.' Romans 8:15 says that we have not been given a spirit of bondage again to fear. Ain't that great? That chapter also says that nothing can ever separate us from the love of God through Christ.

What are you afraid of today? No fear!

Wednesday, June 11

I mentioned in my last post that I have not been "on my game." I have struggled for the last two days a bit. Energy level and mental alertness has not been what I think it should be. It may have something to do with my lack of good decsion making with my schedule. Sometimes I forget that I cannot do as many things for the length of time that I used to do them.

The N.C. Conference of the UMC  will begin Annual Conference today in Raleigh. Attendance is required of all full-time pastors. There will be discussions about issues of stewardship, social issues, and UM polity. Decisions will be made in many areas. There will be an ordination service. But most importantly, there will be communion and worship services all through the week. To conclude the conference, on Saturday the Bishop will officially appoint each pastor to his/her church.
Pray that the worship services will serve to open hearts and minds to the Holy Spirit.

The conference will meet today through Saturday. There will be sessions each day and each evening. Pray also for me as I travel back and forth to Raleigh. And pray that I will have enough common sense not to try to do too much or stay too long on any day.

Monday, Jun 11

Sunday is my favorite day of the week. (Duh) I have the awesome responsibility and privilege of sharing God with others. I am sure that God is big enough to share Himself without me. And He certainly uses people other than me to share Himself. So I am humbled and grateful for my opportunity. Yesterday I was not on 'my game' at all. I can't explain it. From my very first words at first service, my body and my mind seemed as though it could not get it all together. During the second service, I sat down in my big chair, waiting for the choir to sing their special. The choir just stared back at me because I was not supposed to be sitting down. I was supposed to be baptizing Gracyn. It was awkward, but we laughed it off. And you know, the Holy Spirit still made His presence known during the baptism. God still shared Himself with the folks at GC - in spite of me.

I sure am glad that God can use imperfect folks like me. Is there some way in which God can use you today to share Himself? You don't have to be perfect because it's all about Him.

Thursday, June 7

I have actually walked/run twice this week. I am so thankful that I am physically able to do that. I am also thankful for the Garris Chapel small group "Run for God." It is a program that Karolee and Julie began some weeks ago. They have been meeting two times per week for devotion, sharing and running or walking. I mention this group because without the motivation I probably would not have pushed myself to do what I have done.
Now, you would think that a cancer survivor would not need motivation to get out and do something that he/she already loves to do, especially after seven months of not doing it. But the fact is, our minds, spirits and bodies all work together. When you are struggling with one, the others struggle also. That is why it is so important to take care of yourself, mentally, spiritually and physically.

I think that I get it. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength." (Deut 6:5)

Do you have one of these areas that you need to take more care of?

Monday, June 4

We had a fairly busy weekend. But it was surely a good one. On Saturday we attended the dance recital of my four year old granddaughter, Sally Ann. I know that she is smart. After all, she is MY granddaughter. But I did not know that she was able to remember all of those dance moves, and that she would actually perform them on a stage in front of hundreds of people. Awesome!
My older two granddaughters, Maia and Kelli stayed with us over the weekend. They are both so special in their own unique way.

Here is what I am thinking. Family is important. These girls will have memories long after I am gone. And while I am here, these girls are providing some special times for me. I never get tired of hearing the magic words, "I love you Papa." Brad, Wendy, Gabe and Donna have done a great job with these girls so far. I know that they will depend upon the Lord to continue to raise them.

Speaking of my family, today is my son Brad's birthday. Can't believe that I am the father of a 37 year old.

Did you know that the New Testament book of Romans says that everyone who is led by the Spirit of God is a child of God? That's right. We are all brothers and sisters, joint heirs with Christ. We are family!

Saturday, June 2

It is hard to believe that it is June already. Ain't God good to give us another month - another week - another day - another . . . ?

Yesterday I met with some old friends for lunch. I don't mean that they are old. I mean that we have been friends for a long time, and that I have not seen them in quite a while. Roger, Jimmy and Scooter were some of my friends that I love from my days at Southco. Each of us spent over 20 years (I was there 29 years) at Southco. It was fun just talking about old times. What made it even more fun is that the good memories far outweigh the bad memories. I think that is because our memories involve, not so much the things that we did, but with whom we did them.

Do you have an old friend that you need to spend some time with? Cancer almost took Scooter and me out before before we were able to share old memories. Yesterday we made some new memories.

Ain't God good to give us another . . . ? Don't waist it.