My mom said she received a few calls saying, "The blog! It hasn't been updated!" That was my cue to update the blog. It's been quite a week!
Three weeks ago today is when my dad spelled out on the letter board, "I feel like I am in the last stage of this disease." He had sensed that something had changed in his body. We are so glad for the "couple of days" that has turned into a few weeks. Family and friends have had opportunities to visit and encourage him in the last days. We've just had so much of the gift of time.
His health and strength continue to decline. He drinks when his muscles will allow him to swallow. He spends most of the day resting though muscle loss has made being comfortable very difficult. The disease has attacked the muscles of his body in full force. (Muscle atrophy is caused by death of the motor neurons in ALS.) Unfortunately, the nausea has returned. No one is sure of the cause but it makes things very difficult. He continues to, "Wait on the Lord," with great patience and thankfulness. Continue to pray for physical, emotional and spiritual peace during a turbulent time.
We were all very encouraged by the Word shared at church this morning. Gerry talked about the hope that we have in the face of death based on a few promises found in Philippians. We were reminded that God is in the business of doing a complete kind of work in us and using whatever He can to conform us to the likeness of His Son. We were reminded that this life is just the warm up to the main event. It's a drop in the ocean compared to eternity. And lastly, we were reminded of where our home is. As believers, our citizenship is in heaven. I so look forward to a painless, tearless and fearless heaven!
Please continue to pray. For my dad, pray especially for physical ease. For our family, pray that we would be reminded of who God is at this time and that we would be guarded against discouragement. We are so thankful for the support we have received during this time. So many of you have been the hands and feet of Jesus to our family. Thank you!
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Thanks so much for the update! Garth and I have the opportunity to go stay with my relatives in Kelowna while Cole is at camp this week. We will continue to be checking the blog for updates.Know that we will be continuing to pray for ALL of you! Mark 1:13 is where Jesus went out to the desert and Satan attacked Him with temptations. How comforting for Him that the "angels attended him." As Jesse is being attacked physically with this disease and with discouragement, I pray "angels will also be attending him".
"A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume. And the day you die is better than the day you are born." -Ecclesiastes 7:1.
Steph, I found this verse a few weeks ago when my Grandma passed away but this morning I was reminded of it by your post. We often celebrate births and mourn so strongly over deaths which is completely normal. However its so amazing to be reminded the day we die is better than the day we are born because of what is in store for us! Please share this verse with your dad as encouragement for him.
We love you guys and are so blessed that we've been able to spend as much time with you lately as we have.
Praying for you always!
xo Nat
Absolve, we beseech Thee, O Lord,
the soul of Thy servant Jesse,
from every bond of sin,
that being raised in the glory of the resurrection,
he may be refreshed among the Saints and Elect.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
In company with Christ,
Who died and now lives,
may Jesse rejoice in Your kingdom,
where all our tears are wiped away.
Unite us together again in one family,
to sing Your praise forever and ever.
Amen.
Glory be to the Father
And to the Son
And to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning
Is now
And ever shall be
A world without end.
Amen
Eternal God,
in whom mercy is endless
and the treasury of compassion
- inexhaustible,
look kindly upon us
and increase Your mercy in us,
that in difficult moments
we might not despair
nor become despondent,
but with great confidence
submit ourselves to Your holy will,
which is Love and Mercy itself.
Amen.
Our prayers remain with you all during this time. God is good all the time and his mercies endure forever. To God be the Glory, Great things He has done!
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