Picture Slideshow

Just a Quick Update

We wanted to let everyone know that services will be held at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship Church on Saturday April 11, at 10:00 a.m. The church is located at 1595 S. Alma School Rd. in Chandler on the corner of 202 East (South Loop) and Alma School Rd.

Standing in HIS Presence!

Face to face....oh what a wonderful site!  A husband, a dad, a grandpa, a brother, a son, an uncle, a friend and a servant of the one true God has reaped the benefits of believing in the Lord Almighty. 

My dad passed away on April 7, 2009, at 1:11 a.m.

Right now we don't have the details regarding the funeral service, but will let you all know as soon as possible.

Cody for the Bishop family

Simply put...

I have rehearsed what I wanted to write to you over and over in my head several times and now that I sit here before the computer I stumble with the words.

Today will be the last posting on the blog until the time comes for Rusty to meet our Heavenly Father face to face. If it is the Lord's will to heal him...beleive me we won't need the blog to announce that as we will be lifting the roof top with glorious praise!

Sadly the cancer is moving much faster than we had hoped. As a family we will be spending precious time with him here at home.

Rusty knows that he is loved by each and everyone of you. What an absolute blessing you are to us. If you wish to post a comment to Rusty we will glady read all of them to him.

We love you all,
Robyn, Ashley, Cody and Luke

Update from Cody

Many of us have been to amusement parks at least once. We all know the routine. You jump in the car early in the morning to get there right when the park opens. Getting closer to the park your excitement causes you to look intently for the bright colored thrill rides. Finally arriving, you jump out of the car and rush to the entrance of the park. Hearing the themed music playing, you wait impatiently for the gate to open. It's finally time! The gates swing open and you push and shove to get through the crowds as quickly as possible. Once in the park, you run to the biggest, most thrilling ride. You wait in line and observe the speed of the train. It goes this way and that way, back to the top, quickly down, through a loop, twists and turns, and then back into the boarding station. Suddenly you begin to have second thoughts and wonder if you should continue. Can I handle this ride? Fear begins to creep in. There is that one friend with you in line that always comforts and nudges you to continue on. The gates to the train then open. You're hesitant. Your friend, along with that inner adventure in you pushes you to climb aboard and take your seat. The lap bar locks! There is no going back. The train pulls forward and begins its assent. With the loud, "Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick..." in the background, fear explodes inside of you. You either begin to shake or have a quiet, pale look on your face. At the top, you take one good look around and then... the drop, twist and turn, then the loop, then the corkscrew, back to the top, down again, and then you are brought back into the station. The lap bar releases and with a smile on your face you jump out of the car. You feel in a way stupid that you feared the ride at first and now are filled to the brim with satisfaction.

I have been on many roller coasters in my life. I love them! I get a rush of energy and satisfaction. I know many of you that read my dad's blog have noticed that he relates his fight with cancer to a roller coaster. I thought I would add to that and give it a shot. Let me tell you this is one roller coaster that fear has truly crept in. But you know, the coolest thing I have had through this journey are friends who stand in line with me to comfort and help me through this. That friend is my family and all of you that read our blog. So for that, I would like to say THANK YOU! Your prayers and comforting words bring so much strength and simply put, comfort to our family.

This week has been very trying for my dad. However, he is a fighter! His cancer has become more aggressive than we had hoped. Dad tires easily and his appetite has decreased dramatically. I haven't expressed really how I feel about all this. It took me a while to get to this point but I look at this journey as a blessing. We must remember that God says he will never give us anything we can't handle and for Him to know that we can handle this is a big blessing to me. Of course I still have my good and bad times. We know you all have been so faithful in this, and we continue to ask you to pray for strength and comfort for our family. Thank you all again!

Cody for the Bishops

A Million Bucks

When we lived in Papua New Guinea our newsletter gave us the opportunity to share the mighty works of GOD in that country along with needed prayer requests. The newsletter was such a blessing to us. It was a way we felt connected and loved by all our friends and family while we were so far away. I shared with Russ the other morning that I feel like this blog is kinda like our newsletter. God has given us this wonderful opportunity to share HIS amazing grace and love for our family and on top of that our prayer requests. Truly our cup runneth over!

Monday, the 23rd was what we call the "scary day"! Russ was overcome with such pain, nausea, uncontrolable shakes, fever and a few other symptoms all within such a short period of time. Hospice got to our home in record time. Tammi, his Hospice nurse, was great. She was the calm within the storm. Russ was able to rest peacefully through the afternoon and into the early part of the evening. We truly see God's fingerprints all over this. He gave us the wisdom to sign up for Hospice the week prior...thank you Lord! ...and thank you for all your prayers.

Sometimes I think the word "hospice" paints a grim picture for many so I would like to share with you that hospice is truly looked upon as a blessing to us. Please know that Russ is very mobile and active. (Right now he is making Cody an egg mcmuffin) He does however, tire easily and is on pain meds 24/7. Hospice helps us by no more trips to doctor office's, hospitals or pharmacies. Tammi, the nurse comes once a week or more if we need her. She has helped with getting pain meds under control and monitors Russ's symptoms with the hopsice doctor.

After the episode on Monday I have told everyone that Russ is looking like a "million bucks." Thank you Lord for all these precious days you continue to share Russ with us!

We are enjoying all the visits, phone calls and oh so many added extras you are blessing us with.

God Bless you all so very much
Robyn for the Bishops

Extra Prayer Please.

It is amazing to me how many people are following my Dad's blog. This website has made it even more apparent to me how lucky and blessed my family and I are to have Dad as our Dad, Husband, Brother, Grandpa, Uncle and/or friend. I want to say thank you to all of you for your prayers, comments and words of encouragement you have provided for my family. They are greatly appreciated and are read numerous times throughout every day.

As I say thank you for all of your prayers I ask tonight that you say a little extra prayer for Dad. For now my family would like to share only that my Dad had a difficult day and is at home sleeping now. We ask that you pray especially for his comfort and rest at this time. Please pray for my mom and brother as well, and that they take care of themselves, not just my Dad. I also ask that you pray for wisdom for the hospice team taking care of Dad. They are wonderful and have responded quickly when needed by my family.

This is a vague post I know, however what my family needs is a simple extra prayer at this time! Thank you all for following my family and walking alongside us during this long journey. You are all appreciated and loved.... Thank you.

Ashley for the Bishop Family