9-15-07

Dear Friends and Family,

As we begin a new school year and finish up the summer we are once again reminded of our many blessings. How good the Lord is!

Lucy has only about a month to go with the little guy in her tummy. She's truly a supermom, handling all the discomfort and difficulties that come from having another person growing in her body. She suffers with such patience and self-giving love! As for the little guy, he's happily growing and growing. It is amazing to feel him kicking, elbowing, and even occasionally getting the hiccups for a few minutes. What an incredible gift from the Lord!

Lucy has been continuing to work at the Association of Catholic Colleges and even approaching nine months is still commuting. She's keeping quite busy preparing for the next national conference of presidents which takes place in February. The work, she says, is very productive, fulfilling, and helps to take her mind off the little motherly worries that tend to arise. Still, we certainly look forward to her time off and later to her being able to work part-time from home.

Matt has been working very diligently on his thesis this summer and has turned in all of his chapters for review. Matt has also been working part time throughout the summer at both research jobs. We are thankful for these jobs which have allowed for a flexible schedule both with school and treatments. He has begun studying for his oral exams for the Licentiate and will hope to graduate with the licentiate in December. He will still continue his course work for the Ph.D. (God willing), and finish this portion up in the Spring of 2008.

As far as plans and schooling after the lil guy is born, we are still praying and trusting in the Lord's wonderful plan. We would like to move back to Texas, but we are open to seeing where God leads us over the next year. This summer overall has been jam packed with wonderful visitors; Cosette, Grandma and Grandpa, Troy, Lucas, Sam, Mark, and Fr. Mike Sis, Nick, Aunt Carol, and Linda coming up for a bit- just to name a few. As someone at Lucy's work stated, it is such a testament of the love of our family to have, and continue to have, been blessed by so many visitors. These visits have been wonderful blessings and have allowed us the opportunity to focus on the gift of hospitality. Matt's sister Elise came in to visit us from Anchorage, AK, and planned an amazing baby shower with Matt's sister-in-law Marlen. All in all there were about 35 people who came to celebrate the gift of this child's new life. Elise then stayed with us through the week and helped us with setting up, putting together, and cleaning things to get everything ready for when the baby comes.

Two weeks ago we had the opportunity to take a final mini vacation before the lil guy comes. We made our way to Princeton, NJ, visiting Matt's aunt and uncle and then taking a detour home to enjoy the beautiful beach of Cape May and take an unexpected 75 minute ride on a ferry from New Jersey to Delaware. It was such a treat to be on a nearly empty boat as we sailed into the sunset. Though we got home 6 hours later than originally planned, the vacation was a much needed break and allowed us to focus on spending time with each other. We were so thankful for the hospitality given by our family in New Jersey.

We apologize for a poor job on updates regarding Matt's treatment and scans over the summer, but we do thank you for all of your continual prayers, and are constantly uplifted by those of you who have expressed your daily prayers for us. Matt has had 2 major scans in the past few months- one MRI and one PET/CT. This MRI came up negative to any new spots- praise God!! This past PET/CT scan of his whole body showed a decrease in activity level in the cancer in his adrenal gland which was also wonderful as there had been no change in this prognosis since we began treatment last July. The cancer is still scattered in various places (kidney, shoulder, lung, pancreas, and adrenal gland) but is being held almost constant in these areas. Our doctor is opening up more and more and blesses us with his caring smile each time we see him. Today we will go in for Matt's regular treatment and in the upcoming month we will be due for another scan of sorts.

Emotionally, these treatments have been a bit more difficult (probably a little bit of the pregnancy hormones kicking in:) ) so we do continue to ask for your prayers and support as each day is a new day to offer to the Lord. Today's readings were particularly inspiring as we prepare for this treatment...

"Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church." Colossians 1:24

And so we offer this day for you, our prayer team, family and friends . . . the body of Christ!

Thank you for your continual uplifting support.

In Christ's arms of love,
Matt, Lucy and Baby Coles

PS. Gig'em Ags! Our dear friend and neighbor Chris has this new internet thingy (official name) that allows him to get cable from his parents house back in Florida...where the Aggie game happened to be showing. Thus we had the privilege of watching the game and cheering them on (though not in 107 degree weather)! Baby Coles is all set for the big game as Matt's aunt and uncle gave him a set of aggie overalls:)- Whoop!