Friday, 23 March 2012
Thank you
As a family, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks for all the ways we have been supported during Dad's illness and since his passing on to glory. The prayers & encouraging Bible passages, cards & messages, baking & meals, visits & phonecalls, your presence at the memorial service -- all of it has demonstrated an outpouring of love -- so much more than we could have imagined. We have truly been blessed by the communion of saints and have felt God's hand holding us up.
Tuesday, 13 March 2012
Live Feed
If you are unable to attend the memorial service for Dad yet would like to watch, it will be available on live feed via the church website on March 15 at 1:30 p.m.. Log in to http://www.langleycanrc.org/ and click on Live Video.
Monday, 12 March 2012
Memorial Service
The memorial service for Dad is scheduled to be held at Langley Canadian Reformed Church on Thursday, March 15 at 1:30 p.m.
The church address is 21804 52 Avenue in Langley.
(Dad's body will be laid to rest prior to the service.)
The church address is 21804 52 Avenue in Langley.
(Dad's body will be laid to rest prior to the service.)
Saturday, 10 March 2012
Eternal Rest
With loved ones by his side, Dad was taken out of this world and carried home to His Father in heaven. We love you!
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. " - John 14:1-3
How Long O Lord?
It wasn't even two weeks ago that a doctor faced my dad and said "months" with regards to the question "how long?". He didn't claim to know and he preempted his response saying that none of us knows how long we have. Yet God knows. And though our hearts may cry out to God, "How long, O Lord, until Dad is relieved of all earthly suffering?" we know that even in these final days God's perfect plan for Dad's life is being carried out.
"The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever -- do not abandon the work of Your hands." -- Psalm 138:8
"The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever -- do not abandon the work of Your hands." -- Psalm 138:8
Thursday, 8 March 2012
Surrounded By Love
The last few days have been very difficult as we have watched Dad's health rapidly decline. We are patiently waiting to have Dad moved to hospice and we covet your prayers that it may happen soon for the sake of Dad's comfort as well as Mom's.
I titled today's post "Surrounded By Love" because we know with certainty that Dad knows with certainty that he is surrounded by love. The love of his wife, his children (and grandchildren as we share with him their messages for beloved Grandpa/Papa), and his siblings and close friends. And by God's grace Michelle will be at Dad's bedside Thursday morning to shower him with more love. Extended family as well as his church family also wish to show love to him -- we just ask you at this time that if you plan to visit, please stay only for 5 minutes.
Most importantly, Dad knows that God's love encompasses all and he rests firm in the knowledge that his life is held securely in God's Hand. "Going home" has a much greater meaning now.
I titled today's post "Surrounded By Love" because we know with certainty that Dad knows with certainty that he is surrounded by love. The love of his wife, his children (and grandchildren as we share with him their messages for beloved Grandpa/Papa), and his siblings and close friends. And by God's grace Michelle will be at Dad's bedside Thursday morning to shower him with more love. Extended family as well as his church family also wish to show love to him -- we just ask you at this time that if you plan to visit, please stay only for 5 minutes.
Most importantly, Dad knows that God's love encompasses all and he rests firm in the knowledge that his life is held securely in God's Hand. "Going home" has a much greater meaning now.
“Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.” - Deuteronomy 33:12
Friday, 2 March 2012
A Long Overdue Update
First of all, sorry to have been so long in updating this blog. I know many of you check back often to see how Dad is doing and it makes everyone wonder when nothing new is posted.
Dad began radiation on his lung on February 14 and received the last treatment on February 20. That same week the radiation oncologist confirmed a large mass on Dad's leg pressing up against the bone, finally explaining the pain he has been feeling for so long. So on the third day of radiation, they began the first of five treatments on Dad's leg to shrink the mass and he received the last treatment on February 22.
Dad was very thankful when the radiation treatments were completed, as the daily drives into Abbotsford were becoming very tiring. Thankfully, Dad suffered little side effects of the treatment. In fact, the treatments seemed to have the desired effect as later in the week Dad was getting up and walking with no pain. Maybe the fact that his oldest grandchild, Philip, arrived the day before the treatments were done was enough to give Dad an extra boost of renewed energy!
Philip, on a university reading break, decided to leave Carman, MB for a quick visit to his grandpa. We all had a few wonderful days while he was here -- the sun was shining, Dad played a few games of crib with Philip, and we all got together for a family potluck.
This week has been a little more difficult, however. On Tuesday we met with a chemothery doctor and it was decided that Dad will not be receiving any chemotherapy treatments. “ 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." -- Isaiah 55:8&9
And that brings us to today, where we find ourselves visiting Dad at his hospital bedside again. At home yesterday evening he had great difficulty breathing (he described it as like an elephant sitting on his chest!) and was ambulanced to the Langley Memorial. He was given oxygen immediately when the paramedics arrived at the house and that brought immediate relief. However, the doctors do wish to determine what caused the sudden lack of breath and excelerated heartrate. At this time we have no definite answers. Dad is not in much pain but he is patiently waiting for the doctors to tell him he can go back home where he is much more comfortable.
We continue to feel supported by so many people -- almost everyday a new card or two comes in the mail for Dad & Mom with words of encouragement and support and words of God's grace and love. What a comfort it is knowing that when our hearts are heavy, so many people are lifting us up in prayer. How great our God is!
"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life." -- Psalm 143:8
Dad began radiation on his lung on February 14 and received the last treatment on February 20. That same week the radiation oncologist confirmed a large mass on Dad's leg pressing up against the bone, finally explaining the pain he has been feeling for so long. So on the third day of radiation, they began the first of five treatments on Dad's leg to shrink the mass and he received the last treatment on February 22.
Dad was very thankful when the radiation treatments were completed, as the daily drives into Abbotsford were becoming very tiring. Thankfully, Dad suffered little side effects of the treatment. In fact, the treatments seemed to have the desired effect as later in the week Dad was getting up and walking with no pain. Maybe the fact that his oldest grandchild, Philip, arrived the day before the treatments were done was enough to give Dad an extra boost of renewed energy!
Philip, on a university reading break, decided to leave Carman, MB for a quick visit to his grandpa. We all had a few wonderful days while he was here -- the sun was shining, Dad played a few games of crib with Philip, and we all got together for a family potluck.
This week has been a little more difficult, however. On Tuesday we met with a chemothery doctor and it was decided that Dad will not be receiving any chemotherapy treatments. “ 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." -- Isaiah 55:8&9
And that brings us to today, where we find ourselves visiting Dad at his hospital bedside again. At home yesterday evening he had great difficulty breathing (he described it as like an elephant sitting on his chest!) and was ambulanced to the Langley Memorial. He was given oxygen immediately when the paramedics arrived at the house and that brought immediate relief. However, the doctors do wish to determine what caused the sudden lack of breath and excelerated heartrate. At this time we have no definite answers. Dad is not in much pain but he is patiently waiting for the doctors to tell him he can go back home where he is much more comfortable.
We continue to feel supported by so many people -- almost everyday a new card or two comes in the mail for Dad & Mom with words of encouragement and support and words of God's grace and love. What a comfort it is knowing that when our hearts are heavy, so many people are lifting us up in prayer. How great our God is!
"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life." -- Psalm 143:8
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)