Just A Trip To Town

We went to town last Thursday. Left the dock at 10am, went by boat taxi 20 min. Then hiked up the long slippery clay river bank to a waiting car taxi. We crammed 5 of us in the little taxi and drove 45min to the Mission Headquarters. We had made arrangements to borrow a car for the day. Jim forgot and left with our borrowed car. Phil made some cell phone calls and decided to start walking in that direction. We flagged down another taxi. Finally we were with our car borrowed for the day.

We got 3 stops made before we met some friends for lunch. First stop the electric supply for parts, then fan repair shop and finally the most important- gas for the car. Lunch was fabulous. We ate at a wonderful buffet with all kinds of yummy meats right off the rotisserie grill, lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and AIR CONDITIONING. The rest of the afternoon was spent walking the crowded down town streets shopping for all those important things for us and other staff members. Including the open air vegetable and fruit markets that are about a square block each. Oh the smells, mostly of produce in varying stages of decay.

At 5pm we were back at the MH meeting up with everyone and loading a van with everyone's valuables. Back we went in the van through the streets. This time we had a Brazilian driver in rush hour traffic. We had more than on close call with horns honking and inches from contact with buses and trucks. Back at the river bank 45min later, our boat taxi driver is late. While we waited we watched a huge truck of 28# propane bottles be unloaded onto a barge. They rolled them down a narrow ramp, banging and slamming into each other. Woh......OCIA would have a fit.

The taxi finally came. Of course by now it was raining and the river banks were as slick as snot. No one fell, but our shoes were gummed with so much mud I almost went down trying to get from one end of the boat to the other. There we were in the dark with no lights on the boat, trying to make it through huge patches of floating grass. At last we were flying along in the open water of the Amazon so close to home. The clouds had parted some and the moonlight was beautiful. I could see the stars and a big jetliner high in the sky. The warm breeze felt good on my face.

Across the water I could see a small light coming out to the dock. What a welcome sight, a flash light. Soon we were making our way across the dock and the narrow plank then up the slippery bank. I was so grateful for the HS boys that made all those trips to bring our goods up from the dock. Home again safe and sound. Thank you Lord. It was 7:30pm. Shower, supper and off to bed. I slept good that. night.

Memories Moving Forward

Past
I was so fortunate to walk the path of life with Fred for about 40 years. We had the privilege of raising 4 children together. Serving God, we endured all the normal trials of life together. We enjoyed great adventures with family and friends. Every season of our life together was cherished. We all have enough wonderful memories of Fred to last us a lifetime.

Present
Yes, I miss Fred by my side. I can still hear his subtle comments and humorous observations. He spent the last years making sure I was prepared to go on without him. Fred was a planner and wanted us to be prepared for the future. In his last weeks he was planning a trip to Australia. I found the file on his Ipad. I will enjoy the fruits of his planning the rest of my life. Thank you dear.

Future
My plan, at this time, is to keep my home in Alaska and travel in the winters. This winter I left Alaska Nov 30. I picked up my camper and Sadie (Fred's dog) and I headed out. Our first stop was at Shane's. He and Kristi are students at Multnoma University in Portland. I enjoyed spoiling those 4 grandkids for about 10 days. Then I drove over the mountains to Misty's. I spent Christmas there with her family. Carrie came down from Alaska and joined us. One day we had Shane and family, Misty and family, plus Carrie and I all together. We went swimming and out to dinner. It was a great day.

Friends flew in from Alaska and drove with Carrie and I to Arizona the first week of Jan. My camper and dog are happy back in Uncle Norman's camp spot southwest of Phoenix. I have been enjoying lots of time with all my aunts and uncles in the area. We have a great time together.

The past couple of years Fred and I came to Brazil to visit his sister, Cindy and husband Phil, here on the Amazon. So I decided to come down again this year. I have been here for about 10 days already and have about 2 weeks left before I head back to AZ.

Thank you
I just want to say thank you again for all your prayers and support through the years. God has blessed me through you.

Our house of 20 awoke to fresh snow this morning. Shane, Carrie, Wade, Misty and a lot of family were here to celebrate the life of Frederick L. Lambing. Fred passed away on Sunday, October 24, 2010 at 4:55am. Shane, Carrie, Wade and Misty were by his side for the final 32 hours of life.

Doctors and Nurses marveled at the calm, peacefulness in his room as we celebrated all the wonderful memories together. At times there were up to 30 people sitting around Fred, laughing, praying and just saying goodbye.

Please go to www.fredlambing.com to share stories, memories and thoughts.

Sunrises and Snow

The sunrise was beautiful over the mountains again this morning as I drove to the hospital. Summer has slipped into fall and soon the snow will be down the mountain.

It is always hard to give everyone bad news, but it is time for me to share with you about the past couple of months. July was good for Fred. In August he was showing signs of discomfort. Labor day he was in the ER with shortness of breath. The next week we had body scans again here in Alaska. There were 3 new big tumors. Fred was too weak to go the DC and we were able to arrange for radiation treatments here. He had 18 treatments over the next 30 days and did very well.

October 15th, just two days after he finished with radiation treatments he was taken by ambulance to the hospital. He had emergency surgery for a perforated bowel. He came through the surgery well but has been in ICU for a week now. It has been pretty touch and go. Please pray for peaceful rest for him in these difficult days. We trust God completely. Fred is in His hands.

There has been a lot of laughter and some tears too in these past months. We have gotten to share some good days with Fred's mother who has been here for about 5 weeks now. We have also enjoyed visits from both of his sisters. Family has always been so important to Fred.

Thanks again for all your prayers and support.

May, June, July, Oh My!

May 22, Fred and I arrived back in Alaska, just about a month later than we planned. The word I came up with for being here was overwhelming. Overwhelming in every way.

Fred was pretty wiped out from the radiation treatments and the bad cold he got right after he finished the radiation treatments.

We hired a young man, Hayden, to help us catch up on all the spring clean up. I spent the first 3 weeks keeping ahead of him. We raked and cleaned the driveway and yard, stripped and stained deck, cut and stacked trees that had fallen. Our goal was to get things rid up before company started arriving.

Home just 3 weeks and the fun began. Barbara L arrived from Texas first. The next week Misty and family arrived from Boise. We had a great time even with all the rain. The twins turned 4 the week before they arrived, that made all three of the kids 4 and 5 years old. They loved swinging on the rope swing and exploring in the woods around the house. Sadie loved all the excitement. Go to Scrubbydeer.com to see photos.

Time went by too fast and it was time for everyone to head home. It was great blessing for Fred and I to have this time with everyone.

July 5. Two days after everyone was gone Fred and I headed out for DC and Doc appointments. Fred had body scans and appointments in 3 different clinics in 3 days. The good news is we adjusted and changed a few of Fred's meds. Now he is doing much better, with more energy and less pain. All the Docs were impressed with how well he was doing. His numbers are down and his bone strength looks good. He does have a small tumor that has some muscles in his tush inflamed, but we are hoping that things will settle down soon. If not we will have some treatment done on it.

July 9-11. 41 years, can you believe it. That is how long it has been since I graduated from high school. Fred and I stopped in the Black Hills on the way back home and attended my class reunion. It was so fun to spend time with people that I shared my life with in boarding HS at Sunshine Bible Academy so many years ago. Hope it will not be so long before we gather again.

August, we plan to take some B&B guests.
September, we are headed to DC.
October, we are plan to head back to the lower 48 for the winter months.

Once again thank you for your prayers and support. We are so blessed by you.

Fred's glowing

Fred getting his morning dose of radiation. Today was the half-way mark.

59 and Counting

Fred had his first radiation treatment on his head this morning. He will have 10 treatments over the next 2 weeks, finishing up on May 11.

This morning we also saw three of our oncology doctors. They are having blood work done every week now, watching his white blood count. This has to do with the isotope therapy he had in March.

The doctors and I agree that he looks much better now than before his treatment in March. Actually all the Doctors comment on how healthy he looks for as sick as they know that he is.

I am enjoying watching spring bloom here. Everything is lush and green. The azaleas are blooming in every color of pink and fuchsia. I think the white ones are my favorite. The azaleas remind us of when we lived in Japan 38 years ago. Can it be that many years ago?

Speaking of years..... I turn 59 today. What a great gift to be with Fred today. He is telling everyone here it is my birthday. I have had hugs from our motel maids and birthday wishes from all his doctors, plus lots of calls from family and friends. Thank you.

My birthday plan is to go out to a light dinner and enjoy a big chocotate dessert.