Hey friends, 

Thanks for your prayers over the last few weeks as Pastor Dave has been battling the second round of chemotherapy treatment.  We had a rough patch last week and he had some very difficult side affects from the chemo. Most of those side affects are completely GONE! He still has a rash on his skin that should be going away in the next week.  Another complication is some swelling in his arms from the pic lines where they administer the chemotherapy. They are on top of the issue and expect improvement very soon.

He is still at Cedars-Sinai hospital as they are watching him closely. Once his blood levels and strength are in tact he will be released to come home for some rest!  We will be sure to let you know when he is back at home, we expect it will be sometime this week. 

You can pray for these specific things:

• That everything lines up soon so he can be released to come home!
• That the rash and swelling in the arm is completely healed.
• That once he is home he can rest and gain strength.
• For the doctor’s discernment and wisdom for the upcoming bone marrow transplant (not sure when it will be exactly).
• For the Stoecklein family.
• For all the people who are struggling with similar health battles.

Philippians 3:14 “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

God’s got this!

We wanted to give you a quick update. Since our call out for prayers a couple days ago, many of you are wondering how Dave is doing. 

The last few days have definitely been difficult, but in spite of it all God is with us and He has a purpose. In fact, just this morning Dave “preached” a mini-sermon to one of our wonderful nurses on the battle of good and evil in this world. About how Satan can bother us, tempt us, and even at times torment us… But God is bigger and stronger and has already defeated evil. We don’t have to be afraid. We just have to decide who we are going to live for. We just have to respond to God and live under the power of His presence and His grace. We choose Him. This nurse was blown away at how simple and clear our Pastor Dave explained this complex and confusing concept. That’s our Dave! God continues to use him from a hospital bed during some of his darkest days. Amazing stuff!

On Dave’s status: He is slowly getting better. His fevers are still randomly spiking, but not going as high as they were. His speech is getting a lot better - that is a huge relief to us. The confusion and memory loss are gone, as proved by his amazing “sermon” this morning. The hallucinations he was experiencing seem to have subsided. Still lots of pain in his feet and a hot rash over his entire body that looks like a severe sunburn. They are giving him a blood transfusion today so that will hopefully help him feel a little better.

God is answering your prayers. Thank you for the impact that you are making on this crazy journey with your love, your care, and your prayers. We need you and we appreciate you.

The Stoecklein family

Dear friends, 

I miss you IHC and hope to return in the not too distant future.  Leukemia snatched me like a thief in the night.  All of the sudden my life was not my own. Aw, but God…

I’m still on the  planet for a purpose and my situation is in the Father’s hands.  And, as a good friend reminded me the other day,  “the Father has really big hands!”  I’m trusting in God’s healing to my body as I submit to the process I’m in.  This week I will spend time again at the hospital undergoing chemotherapy treatments.  Depending on how that goes, we’re preparing for a stem cell bone marrow transplant as part of the cure.  Fortunately, one of my brothers is a perfect match for the transplant. “Thank you, Lord!”  Like I said, it’s a process.  I don’t want a process – I want to get back to IHC tomorrow.  Bummer for me, but God is hovering over everything, teaching me about Him and about me.  

Thank you for persevering with me and believing for His greater purpose even in the unknown realm.  Carol’s been by my side every step of the way and often she will read to me some of the hundreds of cards you have sent or blogs on the website.  I love it. What a great church you are.  Great because you are prevailing in what a church does in difficult times – you continue to love and serve and grow together, no matter what.  Hey, weekends are strong and we have a solid, biblical mission.  So, please stay the course.  I am praying for you and thank you for your continual prayers for me.  It matters.  

“Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word…” Hebrews 10:23 (Msg)

Love you all and God’s got this!

Dave

During his battle with this cancer, Pastor Dave is expected to undergo numerous blood transfusions. In his honor, we have organized a second blood drive with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Bone marrow donor testing/registry will also be available.

• Wednesday, February 8; 2:30 - 8 p.m.
• Thursday, February 9; 2:30 - 8 p.m.
• Building B, rooms 101/102

If you would like to participate, you may sign up for a time slot. Contact Michelle Nichiporuk in the church office via email or at 909.393.1577, ext. 218 with any questions. (Note: All who donated during the last blood drive are eligible to donate again.)

• FDA Approved Blood Donation Guidelines
• Iron Rich Food List

Hey friends, 

Today Pastor Dave went back to Cedars-Sinai Hospital for the second round of Chemotherapy.  They expect that he will be there for about a week. During this time, we will need your prayers big time.  Here are a few things that you can be praying and doing for Pastor Dave:

• Pray for zero complications or side effects from the chemo.
• Pray for Dr.Lopez’s wisdom and guidance.
• Pray for the nurses as they comfort and take care of him.
• Pray for the entire Stoecklein family.
• Pray for Dave’s spiritual, mental, and physical strength.
• Pray for Dave’s feet & hands as they are still numb and tingly [Neuropathy].

• Continue to sport God’s Got This wristbands (Buy them @ IHC).
• Continue to grow in your personal relationship with God.
• Continue to serve, give, and support Inland Hills Church or your local church.
• Give blood at your local blood drive or hospital.
• Get tested to be a potential bone marrow donor on a national registry (It’s easy and can save a life)!

We will continue to update you with any new information or ways you can help. Thanks again for your prayer and support. It is working!

God’s got this.

Hey friends, 

As you can see… mom and Austin have been enjoying the donuts our dad has been craving lately :)  Many of you know, we were planning on heading back to the hospital today (Wed) to start the second round of chemo.  Unfortunately, in the last few days Dave came down with an infection that will keep him at home for a few more days.  He is on a few medications that have already helped improve his conditions.  The doctors are expecting that he will be well enough by Monday to head back to Cedars Sinai.

While we are excited to have a few more days at home, it feels more like a delay.  Over the last few months there have been several of these delays that seem to get in the way.  It can be very easy to let these setbacks distract and defeat us from pressing forward.  However, because our faith is in God we are able to find strength and confidence as we press on.

A verse that has been ringing in my head as I think about my dad before going to bed is Proverbs 3:24, “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” That specific verse has been my prayer for him lately - that God would take any fear away and his sleep would be sweet.  My hope is that you would join me in this prayer, especially as your head hits the pillow.

God’s got this.

Andrew Stoecklein