Sick Day

Just a quick update... Dad has not looked good all day. He had a shower today which was good because he hasn't had energy for one in a while. It was all downhill from there. He's been throwing up even though he hasn't been eating anything or had any appetite. Throwing up is very distressing when you don't have any muscles! He asked everyone to pray that God would take him soon and that he'd be in healed body in heaven.

Busy Weekend!

The weekend has been busy and full of adventure. On Friday, we had the privilege of recording the song for dad. I'm just listening to the final mix now and it's awesome! (I'm told it's waiting for its debut!)

We've been blessed with help with the kids so Angela can spend some time with dad! And... we have a new addition to the family- Mom and Dad have a new grand-puppy.... Iggy (yes, named after Mike's favorite hockey player, Jarome Iginla).

I saw the smile today that I haven't seen for a while. My Aunt Remy was talking to him and at the end said, "It's okay Jesse- you're still good-looking!" His eyes lit up and his smile spread from ear to ear. I said to him, there's that famous smile that's been missing for a while!

Dad is doing okay. He does seem to get a bit weaker everyday but we don't know where the bottom is so for now, he's still here and we are cherishing the moments! We are so grateful for all the prayer support. It really does work! Thanks again, and I'll continue to keep you posted!

Transformation

I have so much enjoyed reading some of the comments from far and wide. I wanted to share this one with you from a friend all the way in BC. I just had to giggle at what he wrote because it is exactly my dad's instructions for his own funeral- "Make sure they talk about Christ, not me!" Enjoy...

"Transformation. Two Greek words combined to create this word - metamorphosis - and it describes the transformation process of a larva becoming a caterpillar and ending into a beautiful butterfly.

I knew Jesse before he surrendered his life to Christ in Richmond, BC in the mid-1980s. Kathy prayed consistently, expectantly, patiently for his conversion for four years before he finally did. And what a joy it was to see the transformation the Spirit of God brought to him. From one who ignored Jesus into a man who fell in love with Him. Jesse just could not stop talking about Jesus.

Before his conversion, he and Kathy once attended the Bible study I led in Richmond, and, he slept through it. After his conversion, he immediately shared his faith, getting to work early Friday morning for Bible study at Downtown Toyota with whoever wanted to come and listen.No, it was not merely that Christ was in his life; no, it was not that Christ was part of his life; but yes, Christ was his Life!

Knowing Jesse, he would now probably want us to talk more about his Christ than about him. The Christ that Jesse loved and served is One whose arms are open to embrace the repentant sinner, with the words, 'Welcome home, dear one. I've been waiting for you. What took you so long?' These same loving arms will welcome Jesse with the commendation: 'Well done, good and faithful servant.' Having experienced it firsthand, Jesse always sought to connect people with the transforming power of Jesus Christ. This is Jesse's challenge to me- what about you?"

I have to ask because I know my dad would... :) Have you experienced the transforming power of Jesus Christ in your life?

The Latest

Yesterday, I decided to head home to collect a few things in preparation for a more extended stay in Calgary. I got a call this afternoon from my mom saying that the nurse noticed a big change in dad. Today she found that his pulse is slower, his breathing is more shallow and his color is different. She said that we are getting closer to the end. Please keep praying that he will experience peace during this time, both spiritually and physically and that he will have a peaceful transition to eternity. Thank you for all the encouraging comments. We have been passing them onto him!

Tomorrow morning, we are going to record the song that Christina and Angela wrote for my dad so that in the likely event that we cannot sing it live at the funeral, it can be played! It is such a special song. My sisters are very talented! It's called, "I Want To Be Just Like You." They've been singing it for him everyday with hope of encouraging him. Here's a little sneak preview at the chorus:

I want to be wise, but not too proud to show my weakness
I want to be strong, but not ashamed to ever cry
I want to have faith, that never wavers in the storm
I want to be light in this dark world
And love with all I am
Dad, I want to be just like you.

The Energizer Bunny

He just keeps going and going and we are so thankful! He's still getting progressively weaker but we still have no idea how much time we have. He is on a new drug now that makes him a little sleepy and more relaxed. As breathing gets more difficult, the sensation that comes with it is more distressing. This drug is supposed to help that.

Ethan is enjoying communciating with Papa. He runs up to him and places either hand on his legs. (Raising his right leg means yes and raising his left leg means no.) He'll ask, "Papa, do you love me?" or "Papa, want me to sing again?" Dad raises his right leg and Ethan shrieks with excitement, "He said YES!" Maia still wanders up to Papa, softly rubs his hands and says, "Of-oo!" (which of courses means "Love you!" in toddler). She also wanders around the house saying, "Ssh. Papa." She's learned that he needs quiet in order to rest!

Last week they started a new game where she she would show Papa her tummy and he would touch it with his toes causing her to shriek with excitement. He usually became physically tired of the game before she lost interest! Last night he was sleeping on the lazyboy. She lifted up her shirt and said, "Papa?" She then wandered over to his sleeping body and pressed her tummy against his foot and still shrieked with excitement. I guess it's still a fun game if only one person is playing!

Thank you for your prayers! I will keep you posted.
Thanks for your prayers!

Still Waiting...

Thanks for all of your comments. I've been reading some of them to my dad when he is awake enough. Surprisingly, everyone who stops by mentions the blog to my dad and the other day he finally asked (by spelling on the letter board), "What are you writing on this blog?" I smiled and told him, I'm just keeping people up to date about you, what God is doing and whatever else comes to mind at the time.

Last night he said he was feeling weaker than ever before and it is becoming more apparent. He can hardly hold up his head and cannot carry much of his own weight when transferring between chairs. He's still been sleeping most of the days but unfortunately has been restless during the nights. He's woken up with difficulty breathing. Last week, the nurse suggested sedation when he approaches the very end. It does not speed anything up but will make him more comfortable.

Yesterday the old movie, "Heaven Can Wait" was on TV in the afternoon. Ang said to dad, "Is that what you're thinking Dad? That heaven can still wait?" He shook his head no and then I said, "You're probably thinking, heaven can come anytime now." He nodded. Keep praying for that peaceful transition into eternal life and I bet if you asked my dad, he would say sooner rather than later.

Still Hanging In There

My dad's brother, sister-in-law and sister drove up from Washington yesterday to see my dad. What a blessing they have been! We saw him get a bit of a second wind last night as he came to life in the presence of his family. My Uncle Lope today helped Mike and Frankie get their start on fufilling some of dad's final words in the garage (ie. tried to increase their mechanical inclination!) Auntie Bebot and Auntie Fely have been busy cooking. I asked dad if he was feeling the same as yesterday but he said no. He has noticed another change in overall weakness and breathing.

We've had the blessing of a long goodbye. We have all said what we think we need to say yet I cannot escape the feeling that there is always just one more thing to tell him. I had a moment of sadness wash over me last night as I sat beside him and he slept. I thought to myself, I'm really going to miss him! When he opened his eyes, I leaned in, tried to choke back the tears and told him, "Dad, I'm really going to miss you." I know that God is faithful. He has promised to provide for our every need. God has worked through dad to impact many lives, mine included and that legacy of faith will carry on through generations. I will be forever thanking God for what He did in and through my dad's life. There is nothing more I could have asked for in a father. And for that reason, I'm just really going to miss him.