New information

3:59 p.m. Today's project was to enjoy a fine morning at women's Bible study with friends and new acquaintances, wrapping up our lessons in the book of Esther. It is truly wonderful to see God's providential hand in the background of all of mankind's endeavors, knowing that He had a plan for the deliverance of His people all along. Two of the ladies had baked "Haman's Ears," a triangular shaped cookie filled with jam, which is served at Purim to mock the infamous enemy of the Jews.

After filling up my gas tank for a trip to Disneyland tomorrow (with a birthday dinner for my daughter-in-law Marisela and Kriss at Downtown Disney); sending a fax to my life insurance company; and picking up a pair of slacks with a new zipper installed, Steve and I enjoyed a peaceful afternoon at home.

My sister-in-law Sharon called to let me know that she had collected new information from a geneticist about all of the Kruckenberg children's odds of developing early-onset Alzheimers. Apparently, Steve's and Larry's children have a 50% chance of developing it, but the older siblings Linda and Sharon, because they have already passed age 60 without developing the disease, don't run the high risk of passing that to their kids.

One key point Sharon wanted to make is that if any of our children are diagnosed with Alzheimer's they can lose their group and life insurance, and I would extrapolate, by the way genetic factors have been used in court cases (now outlawed by the privacy act signed by President George W. Bush) that even a parent's diagnosis, if undisclosed, could be used to mount a fraud case against them. Dire warnings indeed! Praise the Lord for our family's prudence in having all of us insured for both life and health already.

Neither Steve's primary care physician nor his neurologist has made a diagnosis, but state that he is being treated as if he were an Alzheimer's patient. And with the improvements we've seen in Steve over the last few months, I'm beginning to think that they have been wise to take that approach. The Lord knows those who are His, and He has known every detail of Steve's life since before conception. No matter what I may consider or decide about this information, I have a Bible full of assurances that this "news" about Alzheimer's and genetics is not "news" to my God!

"Man proposes, but God disposes, " an old saying goes, confirming Proverbs 16:33: "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD." 50% chance of contracting a disease? A Christian does not fear, 50, 60, 75 or 90%! We walk in newness of life in Jesus Christ, and whether we are able or disabled, we are bold and unafraid!

Isaiah 49 :16 says, God speaking to His people, "Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, but I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands."

I'll go with God's unblinking love and watchcare, thank you, Jesus!