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

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

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

Empty Nest

We are enjoying a brief visit from Stan who has a break from school. Shedding some tears because Bethany is moving to Sacramento to complete her Bachelor's program in Speech Pathology. (I'm so glad to still have Nathaniel at home. He's becoming a great friend.) Bethany is excited to be working with her professor on a project that gives her some great experience in testing and some treatment. Something she would normally not get until she's in a Master's program.

I am taking things a day at a time. Still have about three months of treatment. My oncologist is referring me to a surgeon to discuss some possibilities of surgery. Pray with me about that. God is good and allowing me enough strength for each day.

Your friend,

Janiver

Praying Friends

We had such a wonderful time at Camp Meeting. Seeing friends, enjoying family, soaking up good preaching and teaching. We didn't realize how isolated we had become over the last six months. I was so encouraged by all of you and inspired by the closeness of this great family of God.

I was meditating on the Lord and His people one morning and God spoke to my heart. "If My people love you enough to hold you up in prayer, imagine how precious you are to Me." How true that is! These wonderful people, many of whom I'm merely acquainted with, pray for me daily, fervently, effectually because the God I serve has placed me in their hearts and minds. Those same prayers are answered by that same great God. How marvelous that He chooses to use us in this way. We need not be alone when we walk through dark valleys and climb treacherous mountains because our God and His family walk with us. Thank you Jesus and thank you to everyone of you who hold us up.

May our God, who is more than enough, richly bless you today.

Janiver

Great News!

Clayton and I enjoyed a couple of days at Pacific Grove...bumming around thrift stores and sitting and watching the waves. Very relaxing.

Friday I had a doctor's appointment. She said the tumor has a vapor pocket in its center which indicates that it is dying! My CEA count is down to virtually zero...not enough cancer cells to count. Praise God. My cancer is in remission. We serve a great God. This progress is not entirely due to Chemotherapy....but to a miracle working God.

All glory and honor and praise belong to HIM who has heard our prayers.


Shout here.....dance here....

Thank you again for all your continued prayers. I will be in chemotherapy for about another 16 weeks...

See you at Camp Meeting in Santa Maria.

Janiver

July Already

Nothing like letting TIME get away from you. Hope all my faithful friends out there are ok.

When I resumed Chemo, the Doctor reduced my dosage which helps my recovery to be speedier. So I feel stronger faster and better all around. Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers for me. My next CT scan is on the 17th of this month. Still believing for miracles.

We had a brief visit from Stan. He is practically buried under studies, tests, projects, study groups, and this next week they will add Clinical study to the mix. He loves it though...except for the 'no sleep' part. smile

We enjoyed a visit with our friends Gordon and Sandi Richardson on the Fourth. Great people, good friends.

Love you all,

Janiver



"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. "
Psalm 91:1, 2