Pressing onward.

It has been a couple of difficult weeks, often spending a lot of time in bed with headaches, nausea, vomiting and many other discomforts. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel, this Thursday, October 13, will be the last Chemo pill followed by a 14 day break before I start the next round of chemo.

This round of Chemo that lasted 4 weeks has been particularly difficult. Doctors can’t explain why but I am told that each treatment is unpredictable, even though I use the same treatment as before. I had some good days in between and even felt good enough to go to church last Sunday. However each day is like a roller coaster right now, every morning I awake I am thankful but also wonder what the day may bring.
Even though I feel that each day is like a roller coaster, God remains faithful through this all. I often think of the poem” footprints in the sand”, looking back I often see only one set of footprints and that is a great comfort knowing that God is carrying me through.

On October 6, we visited the kidney specialist that did the surgery at the end July. He was happy with the results and gave me some more “old” news about the kidney and tumour that was removed. He informed us that 90% of the tumour had died due to the chemo treatments. This was good news and we continue to pray for complete healing.

In the last 4 weeks I had many opportunities to speak to people for which I am very thankful to God. One conversation really stands out and is still very much on my mind. After I was asked how I was doing, I explained my situation. However I really felt that I should ask this person a question in return, so I did and asked the following. How would you deal with it if your doctor told you that you had terminal cancer and only a year to live? It was quiet, than finally the answer came. I would pray like crazy and hope for the best. But what about if you would die in the next 30 minutes from a heart attack or accident, what then? Are you ready to meet God?

So now I ask you the same question and how would you react to that? Are you ready to meet your Creator? Do you have the assurance that all will be well? Where will you spend Eternity? John 3:16 gives the answer in a few words ”16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him”

I pray that all who read this and have not reconciled with God will waste no time. We can be summoned before God any moment.

We read in John 10:5 (Jesus said) I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came (Jesus) that they may have life and have it abundantly.11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Thank you for the personal visits, prayers, cards and emails. Please remember Henrietta in your prayers that she will have the strength to go on each day caring for her 90 year old mother and me.
God be with you all,
John