Some thirteen or fourteen years ago, when my granddaughter, Lauren, was around three or four, we were driving them back to Louisville to catch a plane back home to southern CA. Lauren was looking out the window and was amazed at all of the trees along the roadside because they simply don't have that terrain where they live. She began telling us the difference in what she saw. When we would come one bunch of trees, she. would tell us, "that's a woods". Then maybe the next place she would say "that's not a woods, that's a forrest". She did this for several miles of the trip. I never knew what made her distinction. Perhaps it was the density of the trees and whether she could see through them or not. Today --- I know the distinction.

Yesterday was a miracle news day. Byron had his PSA testing done and his number have dropped wonderfully again this month down to 46.4. Three months ago his numbers were way up in the 600's. That was the forrest with very limited vision of a way out. It is very easy to feel lost and alone when trudging through the deep vegetation of a forrest. So often, one has to literally hack their way through, while only hoping you are going in the right direction.

Yesterday's reading has put him in the woods. He's not free, but he can see the sun streaming through and the path is clearly visible. Even more importantly, he can see that there are many of us walking that path with him and we are following the light of God Almighty as God leads us all through. The goal is to reach a point where he is simply walking through a "stand" of trees where everything is clearly visible and the walking is truly easy and friends and loved ones bring picnic baskets and lean against that one large oak tree and relax. That oak tree has always been the tallest tree in the forrest, in the woods, and in the stand. It is the power of God. Its branches are the prayers you have sent. When we lean against the power of God, we can always find comfort and peace.

Byron has asked me to help spread his joy and his gratitude through my blog. I will do so again through my sermon message for next week. He sends his love and appreciation to all of you who continue to support and pray for him; and he acknowledges that it was your prayers that have brought him to this point. The journey is not finished. There are still some muddy streams to cross and no doubt the occassional briar patch to work through. So, keep those prayers coming, and God bless you for the ones you have sent.

It is a 22° morning and the sunlight is streamng across the roof and on to the beautiful red leaves of the firebushes. The Cardinals and other birds are busy eating and flitting around. What a glorious morning! I hope your morning is the same.