Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Unexpected Blessings

My husband was driving to church on Sunday morning and noticed a couple strolling near the church. The closer he got he realized he knew them and pulled over to greet them. Our pastors from Beaverton, Oregon had come down for a surprise visit. Bro. and Sis. Barry King were our first pastor as a married couple and what a blessing it was to sit under them for four years. God knows exactly what we need when we need it.

And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. Jeremiah 3:15

Bro. Booker once said "I have fallen into the hands of good men". And we have found that to be true in our lives as well. What a blessing to have men of God to feed us 'with knowledge and understanding' born of experience and wisdom.

I saw my oncologist on Friday. The tumor is still shrinking in size and cancer mass. The radiologist is unable to tell how much is scar tissue and how much is cancer at this point. My chemo treatments have been extended to an undetermined length of time.

Please pray with us as we meet with a surgeon on Thursday. I am facing some tough decisions.

Thank you for your support,

Janiver

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Stale Crackers

Have you ever sliced a perfect crisp Gala apple, some cheddar cheese and grabbed a few crackers and a good book, then sat down for a nice hour of relaxation...reached for a cracker, bit down only to discover it was stale? Well that's what people have told me about my blog lately, and I apologize. : ) It's been a tough two weeks dealing with Chemo junk. I won't bore you with the details...but I do appreciate your prayers lately.

I was laying down in my husband's office on Sunday morning, listening to the preaching and feeling a little blue. Satan was doing his best to discourage me. Then suddenly God renewed a promise to me. My husband began reading the scripture in Job that God had given me several years ago when I first began this battle with cancer.

Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?
When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,
And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,
And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed? Job 38: 9- 11

And do you know what? It wasn't stale! God's promise was as fresh as the first day He gave it to me! Praise His Name. I am encouraged today in His Word.

We enjoyed a wonderful visit with Bro. and Sis. Doug Wright and their son Mark. Good friends. My brother in law Carl came this week to help us with some painting for our son's room. God has given us great people to help us through this valley. Thank you to you all for your prayers and help.

Your friend,

Janiver

Friday, September 5, 2008

More Chemo

My mother is here this week from Oklahoma. I've enjoyed digging up memories with her.

My chemo this week was canceled. The pharmacy refrigerator died over the long weekend and all the chemo drugs died with it. I start again on Monday. I've enjoyed the well-timed break from the major symptoms.

"And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you..."
2Corinthians 12:15

This scripture has grabbed my attention recently. There are things that we give willingly to God and others and there are things that circumstances, etc. TAKE from us. But Paul said he was 'glad' to be used in all of it. Quite a goal to reach for. Tonight we are meeting with a couple that we met at chemo. They are very curious to know about the peace they sense around us. Pray with us that we can reach them with the knowledge of our Prince of Peace.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

Janiver