Some final thoughts prior to bedtime, night before the surgery…

• There we were, the four of us sitting together on India’s bed this morning trying to discuss the reality of the day or two head of us. Daddy: “Today’s a big day kiddos! Today’s my last day with this tumor and then tomorrow the surgeon is going to take it out!” India: “Yay! Then we can eat it!” Jones: “India, it probably will feel like brain” Daddy: “I think it would taste and feel like a salty olive” Jones: “Dad, all olives are salty” Daddy: “right.”
• A couple of minutes ago I was laying in bed with Jones trying to be a good dad and “encourage him” concerning tomorrows potential stress. Daddy: “Hey man, you got any questions about the big day tomorrow?” Jones: “Nope. What’s so special about tomorrow?” Daddy: “Well I’m going to get that tumor out of course!” Jones: “What’s so special about that? People have tumors all over the world right now.” Daddy: “That’s so true man. I guess it’s something new for our family, but its pretty normal across the whole world huh?” Jones: “Yeah, people are dying in some parts of the world right now with tumors” Daddy: “Dying? I think lots of people are having their tumors taken out and are being saved right now!” Jones: “What about people with tumors in Africa where there might not be good doctors or adequate medical facilities?” Daddy: “Wow, you’re right man. I guess we should feel really lucky to have such good doctors huh.” Jones: “yeah…” Daddy: “Umm…ok, well…I love you. Any other thoughts or questions?” Jones: “Nope. Can I have another pillow?”
• I won’t take too much time to report on the overwhelming, amazing, beautiful night that was the prayer time hosted for our family at Compass church this evening. I cried too much. There were too many people. It was beautiful in its depth and simplicity. It felt right, it felt like community, it felt like God, it felt…uhh….I just don’t have words right now. Thank you all so so much. I can’t think of any better way  to enter into tomorrows surgery than with what happened tonight. Maybe I can write more cohesively about this another time. Thank you.
• Finally…no better way to follow up a night of prayer and a fast starting at midnight with pizza and Cold Stone ice cream.
• Surgery is scheduled for noon.
• Oh, and last thing, I’ve been told to repost this one more time…If you’d like to help my fam while I’m locked up in the hospital, here’s what’s been setup:
  • If you would like to provide meals or gift cards please contact Erika Albright on Facebook, email (ealbright2k3@gmail.com), or phone 360-521-4143
  • If you would like to help with jobs that need to be done. From laundry to yard work. Please contact Patty Jacobs-Kunkle on Facebook, email pattykunkle@msn.com, or call her at 360-798-7139
  • If you would like to contribute money to Ryan’s medical bills you can do that at any Columbia Credit Union in Ryan Woods’s name. account # 444289 or through online giving here:http://ow.ly/3yjhL or by sending a check to PO Box 873575 Vancouver, WA 98687 written to “Renovatus” and marked for Ryan Woods

peace.