Doing well

Hellow friends and partners:
The Lord has been good to me. I am doing very well. Not 100 % yet, but just about ready to reenter being used again. My diet has changed, I eat less and have lost 20 pounds (at least). I eat slowly and not too much at one time. My strenghth is returning more each day. My doctor feels I should not have any more chemo and I'm scheduled to see another doc to confirm her conclusion. I'm schduled to speak at Harvest Christion Fellowship in Frederick Maryland Sunday morning December 27th, then start filling in my schedule for 2010. My web site soon will be updated. God's mercy has truly been upon me during these past months and I am very grateful.
Thank you for your prayers during this time, they have brought me through a difficult time. Please pray I will not have to do chemo again. During one of my lowest times, the Lord gave me Habakkuk 3:17-19
Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the field,
and the cattle barns are empty,
yet will I rejoice in the Lord!
The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
able to tread upon the heights.

There were some very empty and barren days and still the enemy attacks occassionally telling me of all the wasted time, but, he is a liar. I have gained great insight into God's mercy and compassion for those who are ill and feel hopeless. You are in our prayers daily, thank you for your love and support.

In Christ,
AL & SHERRY

Still Receoveing

The last three weeks have found myself in two hospitals, one for dyhration and for other water around my heart and one lung. They had to remove it and it was a little tough. I am home now and am fllling bettter. Please pray for e that I will eat and exerise for good. PLease pray for STRENGTH and the will to get better.

God is my all in all. With your prayers and God's help I am coming through this with colors.

Pray for sherry. She is concerned about bills also.

WE LOVE YOU ALL>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Marathon Man - Please Pray

Would you please agree in prayer for recovery for my dad.

I receive a phone call from him about 10 minutes ago, and he has not been able to keep food down for the past 2-3 days. Obviously, he is loosing weight, and because of this, is discouraged.

Also, he has been advised to have another 2-3 courses of chemo to make sure that no cancer is left from the surgery. Though the pathology report came back negative for cancer, (what they took from his body during the surgery), the doctor's have recommend that he follow up surgery with more chemo. My dad took it like a man who finished a marathon and than was told to run another 5 miles. Not fun.

So, please pray that his body would come into allignment with the Word that Lord is for the body, and the body is for the Lord. He needs to eat and sustain a healthy diet for healing and for living a normal life. He is asking for a breakthrough in keeping food down specifically. This is urgent.

My dad is on the path for total recovery and I know that you are there carrying him down the path.

Rich Blessings upon you!

Justin

Recovering because of You

Well, the big surgery is over, I am home and sleeping in my own bed. The surgery was to take almost 8 hours, it took four, I was suposted to be in the hospital for 10 days, we left on the 7th day. I am very weak, moving gently and carefully, so thankful it is over and the recovery can now begin. This has been the biggest 'bump in the road' in my life. There were times after the surgery that I felt so much pain, I cried out in angony. I didn't thing pain could go that far and wide. But, being home, I pray much more when the pain comes and God does help me in His grace.

At the risk of being a broken repetitive old record, I have to say: Thank you for loving us and sharing that love with us. We try to mail thank you notes to all who give and we are behind. Because Al is not speaking, our income dropped greatly. Many have come to the bat to help us. Often, we never know from whom and where, or how they heard about us. We are just thankful. I'm thinking about resuming our schedule in November, please pray I will be strong enough by then. Some churches where we were susposted to minister gave us a love offerring even though we couldn't come to speak - such an expression of God'd Love! We are praying for you and trusting you are walking in His love. Mail us you prayer requests, praying in the midst of a trial can be very powerful (1 Thess. 5:24)

God has been giving us fresh dreams and visions about the future, about this ministry and our calling. Things will change. More power is coming, He has changed us and that means bigger and better things are soon to be revealed. You are part of that change....

Much, much, much Love to You,

AL & SHERRY THOMAS
http://www.celebratinghislife.com/

Recoverying Well

Christ is the Wonderful God!

This is Justin Thomas, Al's son.

Thanks for all your prayers and caring words over the last few days. They are spiritual words that do make a difference in my dad's life.

The surgery had no 'complications', as Dr. Yang said, the chief surgeon who led the four hour surgery at Johns Hopkins.

He is recovering in ICU for another day and then will be transferred to general care. He is still in considerable pain, as anyone would be after having extensive surgery, but medically he is doing quite well.

Amazingly, twelve hours after the surgery, they got him up to walk around the ICU for one lap...a considerable task, I think. The Nurse Practitioner said it was the fastest lap she has ever seen. I guess he was looking forward to getting back into bed. lol. He is not allowed any fluids for another day as his esophagus needs to have rest from any drink or food. After two days he will begin to drink small amounts of water, and slowly build up to solid foods over time.

Thank you again for your friendship and partnership with him, helping him continue to walk forward through this challenge. He is stronger because of you.

I will update you soon as events unfold.

Justin (Al's son)

Last Post Before Operation

Dear Family:

Today Sherry and I travel to Johns Hopkins, we will be put up tonight right across the street from the hospital, then report @ 10 AM for the 12 PM operation.

Please pray. I am glad the time has finally arrived so we can get it over with. Thank you for all of your encouragement, card etc. during the last five months. Sherry is a bit nervous and I'd be dishonest if I said I wasn't. Yet, I am trusting the Lord. I will come through this and then move on with my life and ministry.

Our son, Pastor Justin Thomas will update this blog shortly after the operation to let you know how it went.

Please pray for our continued provision since neither Sherry or I have preached (worked) in the last 4 1/2 months and will not until perhaps December. With the Lord's help I will heal quickly and be back soon than that. A friend (Mike) has encouraged me (he had the same operation) and said they start feeding you the 2nd day. This was very encouraging.

The moment I get home and start feeling better and stronger, I will pick up my schedule again and contact all the churches that had to be postponed. God has promised me a greater anointing when we return along with a fresh compassion for the sick and lost. "Fresh talents will be revealed..." (Matthew 25: 1-23) Use you talents today, do not waste what God has given you. whether it be gifts of the Spirit, encouragement, giving, administration etc. Tell your family you love them every day, don't miss one moment of enjoying family, friends, life and your relationship with God. Our time here is limited and no one know when it will end. Don't waste time, it is one of the most precious gifts God has given us.

I can't wait to visit many of you again on the road.

Thanks for you prayers and support.

Mega Love and Blessings to you and your family,

AL & SHERRY 1 Thess 5:24

Two Weeks to Operation

Howdy:

Last week we visited Johns Hopkins to see the surgeon who will do the operation on Sept. 17th. He explained the risks, possible complications, (1-2% death; 60% all will turn out well, 10 % leakage inside; etc. etc.). Then I signed that I understand the latter. Actually, we were put at ease with his calm demeaner and he assured us all will go well...

Then I had a pre-operation exam, quite detailed, quite long and boring. I have to confess I am so tired of waiting for this journey to end. I have gone before the Lord asking that the process be excellerated, but we are two weeks to the operation, almost there. My feeding tube, which I donot use (but will, after the operation) has fallen out twice in two days and it looks like I going to to the emergency room in little bit to get that corrected. I've always wanted to wait in emergency rooms, please forgive me for complaining.

Pain is my companion. I take 7-8 pills a day (down from 14) at breakfast. Some for the stomach, the tumor, the esophagas, the throat, and for other things. The Doctors tell me that for the type of cancer I have, the size of the tumor and the stage it was in, I am doing very well. Yes, I get very tired and occassionally sick (from the chemo and radiation), yet they say I should be in quite bad shape.

I mistakenly was taking a steriod when I wasn't supposed to and just stopped that. It was only supposed to be taken during radiation, so once weaned off of it I got very sick.

The good news is this will end soon and I will be back ministering and on the road again.
Thank you for helping Sherry and I with your prayers and support at this time.

MUCH love,

AL & SHERRY