My siblings and I are experiencing what many in our country are struggling through; how to lovingly take care of mom and dad when they are not well. Both my parents are moving around well enough to be independent, but both grapple with rare forms of cancer. I am told Mom has one of two active cases in the USA for her type of cancer. Dad’s particular form is 1 in 100,000 of similar cases.
They’ve lived in the metropolis of LaBarge, Wyoming. The extraordinary Huntsman Cancer Institute was three hours away in Salt Lake, Utah. It became necessary for them to leave the home and Christian ministry they built together and move to Idaho with one of my brothers. Dad and Mom are beyond disappointed to no longer be able to serve the oil and gas field workers they have grown to love over the past decade. The reality is that my dad can no longer handle the 6,500 foot elevation while struggling with metastasized cancer lesions on his lungs.
A bit of LaBarge…not many more ‘bits’ left…
So, while mom was attending week-long appointments in Salt Lake, we finished emptying their home and moved them north. Several of the good people of Fellowship Baptist helped us and Pastor Gary Powell went above and beyond to serve us. I am proud of my siblings and their gracious spouses. Each one worked hard to help make the transition as easy as possible for my parents. The sacrifices our parents made for us over the years as well as the example they’ve set for us in their Jesus-freak care for others outside of our family made the task far easier than it would have been otherwise (they have a LOT of stuff!).
My family at @sievechurch graced me with time away this week, so I need to share a few pictures of the adventure of being in Eastern, Central, Mountain and Pacific time zones and back again beginning 6:40pm this past Monday night and ending about midnight Friday night. I am grateful I only had to travel in a four-wheeled vehicle the Salt Lake to Spokane portion of the route. I was in five different airports and seven different states along the way! (Kentucky, Minnesota, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana and Washington)
This is Big Sky Country
Hour 10…on route from Wyoming through Idaho, Montana, and back to into Idaho
A New Place to Hang the Hat
The Surroundings!
Not exactly indicative of the flight routes, but this is fairly close.
TheNarrowRoadPursued 
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Robert, as well as your parents and siblings. Another ‘season of life’…… Psalm 16:11. – Bruce Peters
You’ve been an challenge to me on so many levels. I pray I do nearly as well as you have in the times to come. You are a blessing, brother!
I hear Misti and Anthony talk about you all the time. First time I’ve felt I know you personally. Thanks for the post.
Both are such a blessing to me! I am grateful God connected us together. Thanks for reading!
Sorry. I didn’t tell you who I am. Misti Sheltons dad!
I knew you are the wizard she speaks about all the time. You are deeply loved!