Trip completed

I am thankful for another safe trip and for the special days that I had with several of our family members over the Thanksgiving weekend. I got an early 4 AM start this morning so was back home well before dark. I have some head and chest congestion that interrupted my sleep so I decided to get on the road rather than fight for a bit more sleep. Hopefully I will be able to catch up on the sleep a bit tonight and see the doctor tomorrow.

Daughter Sue who had surgery on both knees last week was unable to join us due to the danger of blood clots from travel, so she had some of Jeff’s family visit for a couple days. I suspect that she was on her feet a bit too much so has had some extra pain but says it is not excessive.

Friend John is still having a difficult time in the hospital and it appears that he will have to be moved to a Hospice unit in a few days when they locate a vacancy. We are praying that there will be an opening in a facility that is closer to their home so it will be easier for Mary Ella to commute.

Donna’s mom was moved today from a nursing facility that was not satisfactory to a Hospice unit which is much better staffed and will provide better care. Getting into the right place can be a challenge.

As I have been praying for these people I am continually reminded to pray for the caregivers also and am reminded of Isaiah 40:29 as I pray for them:

“He [God] gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak.”

Thanks for praying,

Chuck

Heading out

In a few minutes I will be getting an early start for our Indiana lake house where as many of the family members as can, will gather for the Thanksgiving weekend. Yesterday I was not certain about the advisability of heading North with the pain and congestion in my head and some congestion in my chest. But with the help of my doctor and Pharmacist Nathan, I am feeling much better and expect to be completely cleared out in a couple of days.

Daughter Sue came through surgery on her two knees well yesterday and called me from the hospital in Michigan to report all went well and that she had already been up and walking. She will not be able to be with us due to the possibility of blood clots from travel, but we are hoping to get as many of the family as possible together again for Christmas.

Friend John (Carol's cancer buddy) is not doing well in the hospital. They find that the cancer has spread through his bones and is in the other lung, his stomach and other areas. Donna's mother is also not doing well and has been moved from the hospital to a care facility. Do be in prayer for each of these dear folks and their families. To a Christian death is not feared, but sometimes the process is very difficult for both loved ones and the family.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow, let us be truly thankful for the many blessings that have been given to us. It is always easy to focus on the difficult times and forget how much the Lord can, and hopefully has, taught us through them.

Thanks so much for your faithful encouragement and prayers. May this weekend be a special time of thanksgiving to the Lord for each one of us.

Love to you all,

Chuck

He hears!

Our study yesterday focused on Psalm 116 and was a wonderful encouragement as we thought about the Psalmist’s words:

“I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
He heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live…

I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the LORD;
‘Oh LORD save me!’

The LORD is gracious and righteous;
Our God is full of compassion.
The LORD protects the simple hearted;
When I was in great need he saved me.”

Then the Psalmist continues to discuss how he can repay the LORD, ending the Psalm praising the Lord for all that He has done for him. A good reminder for me to remember to praise him too!

Several dear friends are in need of a touch from the Lord currently:

Carol’s “cancer buddy” John was admitted into the hospital today very weak, tired and uncomfortable. Pray for wisdom, encouragement and peace for him and his wife Mary Ella. Mary Ella is also extremely tired from nearly constant care of him these past days.

Bob’s wife Marcia has returned home to the Bahamas following his service in Canada and will be having another memorial service at their church in the Bahamas on December 2nd. Pray for Marcia and daughter Tahnee as they adjust to life without Bob.

Donna’s mother Phyllis has been moved from the hospital to a nursing facility where she is not doing well. Do pray for her and the family as they make many decisions and deal with their emotions as she does not seem to be responding well to medications.

Thanks so much for joining me in prayer for these dear people. As I think of the shortness of this life verse 15 of the Psalm is a great encouragement; “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” What a wonderful future we have to look forward to, but sometimes the process of arriving there can be difficult.

Have a blessed week!

Love to you all,

Chuck

Hope

Isn’t it amazing how some weeks seem to fly by and others just drag on? This past week was one of those fleeting weeks for me. I was a bit behind in my daily activities from working at the voting polls and trying to get some of the fall yard work completed. Then this past weekend I made a quick trip to Indiana to check on the progress of the roofing job at our lake house. The project was going well with about ¾ of the old roof removed and new underlayment in place so there is reasonable protection against the elements in the event of a sudden shower. I was pleased to see the quality of workmanship at this point.

The trip went well and the weather was beautiful. Friend Brian went with me which made the miles seem to go much faster than when driving alone. Keith had taken care of the bulk of the leaves, but there were still more that had accumulated, so we were able to help out a bit by raking and hauling leaves in that fantastic fall weather.

Karin, Keith, Gavin and Calli joined us several times on the weekend and we had a special time of worship and Bible study at their church Sunday. The message was appropriately on “Redefining Hope” which spoke to my heart as we reflected upon the experiences of many individuals in the Bible that did not let themselves get stuck in hopelessness, but continued to hold fast to that hope that we have in Him. Lamentations was a special reminder to me about placing my hope:

“I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!’ The LORD is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him.” (Lam. 3:20-25)

Lord, help me to keep my focus and my hope, upon YOU!

Love to you all,

Chuck

Special Prayer Needed

On October 16th I received an email from Friend Bob who has been receiving chemo in Edmonton, Canada. His opening words were Psalm 18:1-3:

“I love you O Lord, my strength,
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold,
I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
And I am saved from my enemies.”

As Bob gave me his upcoming chemo schedule, he said; “We are in the Lords Hands and He is guiding the Oncologist.” His final sentence in that email was: “We know & trust we are safely in HIS HANDS but also know he likes to hear the praises and concerns of His children so I greatly appreciate all your prayers, cards, calls and visits.”

On Sunday while attending the church service, he felt something was wrong and had his wife take him to the emergency room. After examination, he was admitted spending the afternoon and early evening there. Marcia said that “Bob was cheerful, cracking jokes and being upbeat. Suddenly, without much warning, and artery broke and Bob was gone in about 4 minutes.”

Please join me in praying for Marcia, their daughter Tahnee and the family and friends that will be celebrating Bob’s life this coming Saturday in Edmonton. Carol and I were with Bob and Marcia at Sanibel Island in January ’08 and I was with them in Nassau this past February. He like Carol refused to let cancer “hold him down” but fought the good fight to the very end with Marcia close by his side.

All of us will greatly miss Bob, but at the same time rejoice in his faith and trust in the Lord and the assurance that he is now with Him for eternity. As I thought about Bob’s strong testimony over those difficult years, I was reminded of a prayer that I recently read in Indeed and which I have tried to incorporate into my prayers each day:

“Jesus, let your presence dwell powerfully in me, in my family, and in my work. Manifest Yourself in every area of my life.”

Amen,

Chuck