An Oldie (1979?)

My wonderful parents who have not stopped loving me since the day I was born.
I love you both.

I hope you don't mind that this oldie is on your blog! You have been loving me for 32 1/2 years now and this was soon after it all started! Thank you for being the best parents that a child could have.

Love Soph

Home Again

Dad is glad to be home again. So far everything is going well with his recovery from the surgery.  It will be nice to be able to sleep at home and get lots of rest. He is very tired after the trip home.

We are thankful once again that the Lord has provided for dad.  We don't know what the future will hold but so far He has given dad and mom strength to continue every day. These times are so draining on the body but faith has brought us through another week.

We have to carry on with our daily tasks but a large burden lies within. So many questions and thoughts we have about the future for dad. My heart cries every day. Maybe one can't see the tears that I would like to cry but they are there. I pray that God will give me the strength to continue on. To see your parent suffer with illness is very difficult.  Every day is precious and even though I can't see my family every day they are in my thoughts.

Thank you to everyone for your prayers and thoughtfulness. It means alot to us as a family.

I will end with a couple of verses that help me through each day:

The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside still waters.
Psalm 23:1, 2

Sophia (daughter)

Small Strength

"If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength."  Prov.24:10

When I first heard of Dad's cancer, I was terribly upset to say the least. Why my Dad? I've been blest with a wonderful family, parents that love us more than words can say, and siblings that love each other no matter what. I struggled with this for 2 weeks, I couldn't think about anything else. I was completely consumed by Dad's illness.

This week, however; I feel such peace. Peace that passes all understanding. God knew we would have trouble in this world. He knew this and has prepared us for this. I read a devotion the other day and they used the following story. "Newly manufactured products are often given a stress test. A pressure test, so that their strength can be verified. God does the same for us, as painful as it is. He's not testing our strength, but our inclination to depend on His strength. His power is the only power that can carry us thru."

This is so true. I feel so helpless as I stand beside Dad's bed and see him suffer. There's comfort in the fact that I can pray and know that God hears me. He provides everything we need for every moment. 

I still continue to pray for a miracle. I read the story out of Luke 13:11-16 where there was a women who had a "spirit of infirmity" for 18 years. Jesus healed her. I still believe these miracles happen.

Today Dad was doing quite well. He went for a walk with us and sat outside for a bit to enjoy the sunshine. It was a beautiful time. The last time we saw him he was in too much pain to talk. The boys (Seth and Luke) were quite happy that Papa was goofing off with them again. Tonight they were going to take out the epidural (it was already unhooked) and tomorrow hopefully he will come home! We are very excited about this and so is he!

Thank you for continuing to pray for Dad. We are thankful for all the kindness shown to us!

"Where we are weak, He (God) is strong" 
"Small strength allows room for God's power"

Love, Stephanie (daughter)

Pictures!

Here are just a few pictures of different visits we had with dad. Steph will post later again to tell you how things are going.

Dad and Mom- July 28

Ashlee and Blake with Papa and the blanket and birdhouse they made for him

Papa with Isla and Stormie singing hymns on the computer a few days before surgery

Luke and Seth with Papa-
Luke bought the pirate hat for Papa (who doesn't need a pirate hat when you're hospitalized?)
Seth brought Papa a pen and paper just in case he wanted to make notes

Hans, Stormie and Isla with Grandma and Papa- July 27

Tamara, Isla and Papa July 26

Papa and Isla

Responding to Trials

First, a little update on Dad. Tonight we showed up at the hospital and Dad had just gotten in from the patio where he was getting some fresh air and sunshine. He seems to be doing better than Wednesday. His pain is under control and they are slowly weaning him off of his IV and epidural. The doctor says he might be able to come home on Saturday. All in all he is healing well and his progress seems steady.

On the outside, dad really does look healthy. And I think for me that's decieving. Just the other day I had someone ask me how I was dealing with Dad's illness. To be honest, the question caught me off guard but it really got me thinking. How am I dealing with this situation? Do I just think that Dad's just going to pull through and be healed? Am I just trying to avoid reality? Am I trying to busy myself with the everyday things of life so that I don't have to face the fact that I have a seriously ill dad? I still don't think that I've found the answer to that question and it bothers me. I care so much about Dad and his struggles but I think deep down I'm trying to cope by approaching it the way I approach many things--through a black and white, matter-of-a-fact mentality. And I think that's why I'm having a hard time with this. Situations like Dad's don't fit my comfortable molds. I think I am responding to this trial in the same way that Dad is struggling with cancer.

On the outside everything seems as it should, normal; but on the inside there's a battle going on that nobody else sees.

And isn't that so human? To get busy, to fill our time, to get caught up in the routine of life? Not to say that the things of life are wrong or bad, but just that they often keep us from stopping and facing reality. Reality is a Dad with cancer. Reality is a famine in Somalia. Reality is a friend that gets in a car accident. Reality is a child running away from home. And eventually, reality is death.

Don't try to run or hide from reality, take time to think about it because it is in the middle of  suffering that we meet God. Romans 5:3-5 says that "we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." In short, suffering draws us closer to God. And it is the kindness of God through these trials that leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). 

I'm not telling you to go out and find suffering, I'm just saying that we need to respond in the right way--faith... something my Dad is an example of.

Jeremy Van Woerden

The Lord's Care

Here I am using the word "care" again but it is just so real in our lives and it is worth sharing.
To my surprise John was up and walking today when I got to the hospital.
Doesn’t  matter what you have been through movement is important so they get
you out of bed.   John had more pain today and it was just a real tiring day for him.
 I had a lot of quiet time sitting in the hospital today.  This morning before I headed
to the hospital I was reading in my Bible out of Psalm 112 and verse 7 really hit me.
"He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.
As we go forward from here we can trust in the Lord to supply our needs even in the midst
of the unknown, we do not know what lies ahead.  We have had 33 years of a very blessed
marriage blessed with loving and caring children, blessed with 6 grandchildren (another on the way) the Lord has always provided for our needs and still daily provides. As we experience the Lord’s
daily provision for us it humbles us. I am realizing more and more how helpless we human beings are when someone we love is suffering, we cannot take the pain away.  We can cast all our cares on Him for He cares for us.
 I Peter 5:7 it says, "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." The comfort
of knowing that we can take all our cares to the Lord that is such a blessing.  These words are
for everyone, if you are suffering in one way or another you may also “cast your cares upon
him.” 
We thank you all for your prayers, emails, cards, visits (even though John may have been sleeping)
 and willingness to help in one way or another it is very much appreciated.

Henrietta

Peace

Today was a hard. There is no other way to explain it. I went with Isla to visit this afternoon.
Dad was doing well and was taking a little nap when I came. Mom said they had him up sitting in the a chair to eat breakfast which tired him out.

Dad looked healthy, with the exception of laying in a hospital gown, with an IV in his arm. If you blocked those things out then you would say my dad looked healthy. Except for the fact that there is cancer in him. I don't know when it's going to become a reality for me. So that's why I say today was hard. There is no other way to explain it.

On the drive home I had a long hard cry. It was like I had all these emotions bottled up in me and they had to come out. So I cried.
Cried because it's hard to watch dad go through this, but still realizing that it's God's plan. 
As I got closer to home I felt a peace in my heart. The peace that is spoken of in Phillipians 4:6-7

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

The peace of God. That is what I felt. The peace that comes only through knowing Christ as your Savior. Knowing that He loves and cares for us and gives us exactly what we need. Both trials and grace to endure them. God is in control, He is sovereign. He is faithful. God will take care of  us.

Thankyou for all your continued prayers for dad and all of us.

In Christ,
Tamara (daughter of John & Henrietta)

God Cares for us...

The Lord has blessed us all again today. He has spared life and made all things so well. John was in
surgery for two hours and his recovery was two hours. He actually called me from the recovery room,
can you imagine that! He is doing very well and had a full dinner this evening, he is also enjoying some sleep. During the night when I was pondering about this day of surgery and what lie ahead a song came to mind and gave so much comfort for me to leave all things in God's hand. The Lord has
provided so abundantly for us thus far that I know He will also guide along the path that lies ahead.
The song is from Psalm 68:

Let God be praised with reverence deep;
He daily comes our lives to steep
In bounties freely given.
God cares for us, our God is He;
Who would not fear His majesty
In earth as well as heaven?
Our God upholds us in the strife;
To us He grants eternal life,
And saves from desolation.
He hears the needy when they cry,
He saves their souls when death draws nigh,
This God is our salvation.

Dr. Andreou who did the surgery spoke with us after surgery.  He said the tumor on the kidney was very large. The kidney was removed and the adrenal gland.  The other adrenal gland is a bit enlarged but whether or not it is cancerous has not been determined.  They will keep an eye on that adrenal gland to see what it does. Dr. Andreou stated also that after the Chemo treatments there hasn't been much improvement.  This obviously is still a concern but the Lord has provided that at this point the diseased kidney was able to be removed and now we go forward in faith knowing that the Lord has all things in His control.  As we read our devotion yesterday it stated how sometimes we do not see the way but if we trust in our guide we will get to our destination, He gives light on our path.  Faith is not always seeing but more often just trusting.  The Lord has given quiet and peaceful hearts and we cherish all that He gives us.
We thank you all for the prayers and concern shown to our family. It has been so appreciated.

Henrietta

O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His steadfast love endures forever.

Psalm 118 Speaks of Gods faithfulness and love that endures forever. Again we saw His faithfulness and love in answering prayers. With thankful hearts we can tell you that although yesterday was a very busy day, it was a day where we again saw Gods faithfulness. We visited two hospitals and an Outpatient and Surgery Centre. I went through all the necessary tests and spoke to many people to make final preparations for surgery.

What a great God we serve to take care of me. I see this as an answer to prayer, not just prayers from me, but also from family, friends and blog readers. I can never thank you enough for all these prayers and best wishes I receive. We stand amazed at the outpouring of love and care. Thank you so much.
Lord willing on Monday morning I will undergo surgery to remove the left kidney at Surrey Memorial Hospital. I have been told to expect a 5-7 day hospital stay before going home. I place myself in Gods care; He knows the beginning from the end and the end from the beginning.

Henrietta and our children will be posting daily during my hospital stay. I want to thank you again for your prayers and thank the Lord above all for all His blessings. May the Lord bless you and keep you in His Fatherly care.
John

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

"Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer"

Yesterday was a special day, it was the last day of my Chemo treatments for which I am very thankful because it appears that the Chemo is really building up in my body. It is showing its presence in many different and unpleasant ways and I am ready for a break. God has been so good; I did not lose any weight this time and for that I am very thankful. In the next 10 days important decisions will be made and I ask you if you will join us in prayer that surgery will take place on July 25. On July 21 I will receive a CT scan, if this shows that the Chemo has made an impact on the cancer, surgery will take place to remove my left kidney. If it has not given the desired results I can only place it in God’s capable hands. The beautiful Hymn comes to mind "Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer" Please take an opportunity to listen to Charlotte Church with with her amazing voice.

The Lord has been an amazing God, giving me a quiet heart for things to come, as the Hymn says “Open now the crystal fountain, whence the healing stream doth flow.” As I go through all of the hoops of seeing doctors and taking my medications I can only look upon Jesus and ask His blessing on it all. I often pray for His healing hands to touch me. It makes me rejoice when I read in the Bible how Jesus healed the lame, sick, cripple and even raised the dead to life again. I know He is almighty and can only pray, Lord touch me and restore me as before.

Lately there are people that have sent me cards with the same text from Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Not only is this my hope and prayer, it is my comfort and trust. It confirms over and over again that I am not alone in this battle, God is faithful.
I will post once more Lord willing next week after my scan. If surgery goes ahead I will give this blog over to Henrietta and my children. They will post on the blog when I am unable too.
Thank you so much for your prayers. God be with you and bless you.
John

1. Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,
pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but thou art mighty;
hold me with thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me till I want no more;
feed me till I want no more.

2. Open now the crystal fountain,
whence the healing stream doth flow;
let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong deliverer, strong deliverer,
be thou still my strength and shield;
be thou still my strength and shield.

3. When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside;
death of death and hell's destruction,
land me safe on Canaan's side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises,
I will ever give to thee;
I will ever give to thee.

O Lord, teach me Thy way.

The days are going by quickly and there are only 8 days left in my second round of Chemo Therapy. Amazing how quickly time goes by, it is like the Bible says, an ever rolling stream. The last round of Chemo is going better than the first 4 weeks. This time the side effects stayed away longer and are not as severe as the last time, I pray that it will continue to be that way. Although I have been very nauseated throughout this round of Chemo, I have been able to eat and mostly keep my weight on. The Lord is good indeed and is answering prayers.

If surgery is going ahead as planned on July 25 I will need the weight. I have been told that it will be a substantial surgery that it will lay me up for 4 to 6 weeks. There are times when I look up against it but most times I have peace with it. The song I printed below gives me much courage when I have little left. I can’t always express myself the way I feel and in the way the Lord is leading me. I think this song sums it up in every way. May you also be blessed by it.

I know that no matter what happens, my life is in God’s hands, just like your life. The truth is that there is no difference if we are lying on a surgery table or walking in the park, we need the Lords protecting care no matter where we are.

I have just started reading a book by L. Duncan, Fear Not. In this book is a quotation that really has made me think “everybody wants to go to Heaven, but nobody wants to die” Take some time to think about this, are you ready for this journey?

 Please continue to remember us in your prayers that surgery will happen as planned, that the Chemo treatments are working and for courage and strength, also for Henrietta as we will enter into a time where important decisions will be made.
Thank you for your prayers and cares in many different ways                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
John                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Teach me Thy way, O Lord, teach me Thy way!
Thy guiding grace afford, teach me Thy way!
Help me to walk aright, more by faith, less by sight;
Lead me with heav’nly light, teach me Thy way!

 When I am sad at heart, teach me Thy way!
When earthly joys depart, teach me Thy way!
In hours of loneliness, in times of dire distress,
In failure or success, teach me Thy way!

 When doubts and fears arise, teach me Thy way!
When storms o’erspread the skies, teach me Thy way!
Shine through the cloud and rain, through sorrow, toil and pain;
Make Thou my pathway plain, teach me Thy way!

Long as my life shall last, teach me Thy way!
Where’er my lot be cast, teach me Thy way!
Until the race is run, until the journey’s done,
Until the crown is won, teach me Thy way!