This past weekend was a celebration of Eric's 30th Ordination Anniversary (September 17, 1978) and a farewell after seventeen years of pastoral ministry at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Minnesota. There were moving tributes to Eric as a pastor and his influence on so many at all four services from the pastors, youth, members, friends, and Alyssa. It was an emotional time for everyone and wonderful to see so many people. Our family members came as they were able: Alyssa and Kwame and Micah; Eric's two brothers, Gordon and Wayne; two of Karen's sisters, Kathy and Kristi, and her dad, Ralph Doble; and more family and friends from all over. We had an impromptu dinner at our house for everyone in the afternoon and it was a great time together. Then we had an appointment on Monday at the Cancer Center next to the University of Minnesota hospital in Minneapolis to discuss a new chemotherapy treatment for Eric. It sounds promising, though it is experimental, so we have set up a bi-weekly schedule. It will be easier on him since the chemo is given through the port-a-cath in his chest and will only take a few hours, not a hospital stay. We also have an appointment at the Mayo Clinic for Monday, October 6, 2008, to see if Eric would qualify for any clinical trials they are doing now. Thank you so much for all the cards, greetings, hugs, tears, food, and prayers that have been coming our way through this time. We appreciate it greatly and are blessed to be part of God's family in this place at this time.
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