SHARING OUR STORY


Last week we had our 
nursing home auxiliary meeting. 
I was asked to bring some devotional thoughts 
and share our personal situation. 
Then I thought that I should
use this also as a blogpost. 


In the last four months, the following words from Job of the Old Testament have often passed our lips. “Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?"

I could now take the time to tell you all the difficult details of Peter’s and my health situation, but I think that would be putting the focus on us rather than on the Lord.  That’s why I’m thankful for this opportunity to share a few thoughts with you about the Lord's work with us.

God’s timing in our move to the Millwoods Manor was amazing.  We had no idea that so soon after moving in, within a month actually, we would be applying for Home Care help. We are totally settled in and enjoy living here!

God’s faithfulness was evident every step of the way:
·     in providing the free moving truck from Dwight Streu - ReMax – I think over the years he sold for us all the homes we’ve owned!

·     in working things out so that Ken and Melissa loved taking some of our furniture for their family and we could buy some smaller items for our now smaller apartment

·     in giving us excellent moving weather and in providing Ken and Mel and friends to help with the physical move, as health challenges made it so we couldn’t physically help very much with lifting and carrying. They worked very hard into the night and even set up our bed for our first night's sleep! We had packed it all up though and then Angela and Evelyn helped to put our new furniture together in the new place! Each day we had new strength to make a place for everything and put it in its new place! In one week we were done!

God’s wisdom sent spiritual and physical refreshing in the midst of everything as we traveled up north to visit Tim and Evelyn and family in High Level for Thanksgiving – just before the move. What a blessed highlight for the family! --- During our visit I had to take Peter to Emergency up in High Level. The doctor who looked after him was a most caring, compassionate man. He called the specialist at the U of Alberta insisting that Peter’s appointment with the Urologist Consultant be bumped up immediately upon our return.

God’s love surrounded us with an unprecedented outpouring of prayer support for all we were going through – the list is too long of all who wrote and phoned to say they were keeping us in prayer and those who stopped to pray, right then and there when we talked, wrapping us in their loving concern. It continues to encourage and astound us! We’re not worthy of this love but God confirms it time and again. 

Having cancer is not just about us – but also about the work the Lord is doing in the lives of those who are nearest and dearest and loved by us!

God’s peace that truly passes our understanding is such an unexpected gift!
“Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1, 16-17). 

OK, in case you were wondering, we’re not jumping around for joy that cancer has invaded both our lives, but there is a quiet submission to the will of God, which will never take us where the grace of God cannot keep us. We have asked the Lord to be restored to good health and complete healing! We know that God is able. God is not surprised by any of this and He has promised to never leave us or forsake us as we go through this.

God’s promises to do us good and not harm us – are holding true.  Our time is and always has been in His Hands.  He is the same yesterday, today and in all eternity - that is the verse given to us at our wedding. Now almost 46 years later, He is still teaching us more and more to trust Him!

God’s mercy is evident every new day.  My second surgery at the beginning of January, revealed clear margins and no node involvement! I will, however, have to undergo five weeks of radiation treatment and possibly Tamoxifen for five years after that.  God’s mercy takes us through lessons of life we haven’t ever thought would happen. -- Peter was always a man of deep empathy and compassion, but he now knows what hot flashes menopausal women go through! We’ve had an amazing marriage and life together – but have been reminded that some who have cancer haven’t even had a chance at living much of a life!

Let me direct your thoughts once more to a verse of Scripture, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” May this verse keep echoing in your spirit and cause you to give God the glory! Pray for us as the Lord brings us to mind.  And for those of you who know me very well, you know that  – hugs are always welcome! 



LOTS OF LOVE TO YOU ALL!

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing with us, Karin. You and Peter are in my thoughts and prayers often throughout the day. This is such a beautiful post. Sending my love across the miles. God bless you both.

Shug said...

Good evening Karin...

Your words in this post are absolutely beautiful...I admire you greatly for your strength and for your wisdom in knowing God's word. You are indeed a Blessing to me and I want you to know that my husband and I, along with our church family, have been praying for you, your husband and your family...May God Bless the two of you in your health and in your daily walk with Him..
Big hugs to you...
shug

ellen b. said...

Thanks for posting this update Karin. We've been going through Job at church with Sermon series called Desperate Times. I'm glad the Lord is holding the two of you and that you have loved ones sharing with you during this hard time in your lives. I will pray for the two of you. It really is wonderful how God provided the new smaller space for you with some care available, too....

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Karin, You are such an inspiration to ALL of us... Your move, your illnesses ---all that you have been through as a couple---yet you still have the greatest attitude a person can have..

Half of winning the battle with illness is attitude. AND --you still can smile and see the good in everything. So many of us humans don't or can't do that.. Like I said, you are such an inspiration... You are putting God first in all that you do--whether it is good or bad...

God Bless you BOTH... You are in my prayers.
Hugs,
Betsy

pam said...

So glad you shared this. God has brought the two of you to mind many times. And I LOVE hugs...so I send one your way! Will continue to pry as He leads!

Mari said...

Your words are such a testimony to the peace that God gives us in good times and bad. And in the middle of hard times, I find it easier to see how God is working in the middle of it all.
Praying for both of you!

Ruth Hiebert said...

My prayers are with you. You have been and still are such an encouragement to me,I would like to give just a little of that back to you. With God all things are possible. I am sending virtual hugs to you. Blessings.

Ginny Hartzler said...

I have been thinking of you this week, and was going to e-mail you tomorrow. How have you both been doing, really?? And Peter? What kind of treatment has he had?

Betty W said...

Your words show how you've grown in wisdom with this experience. Your witness will be for the glory of God and
I'm sure he will bless you both with peace in whatever is to come! Will keep you in my prayers!

Unknown said...

What a wonderful testimony to God for your care and timing. Amazing that you can focus on God rather than the cancer. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

P.S. Praying for both of you.

Aritha V. said...

Thank you very much for this words, written with heart and hand. My daughter works in an hospital(oncology) Cancer is a disease that has many manifestations. What surprised me is how open you are about your life with your husband, sickness and God. It is instructive and encouraging. Yes, our Lord has everything in His hand. Knuffel/big hug.

Beck's Bulletin said...

So well said Karin! You are such an encouragement to me to keep on keeping on! And the reminder that His will never leads us where His grace cannot keep us......praying for you both!

Glenda said...

I read this with tears running down my face. What simple trust and rest you have found in Him. Some of your words struck my heart anew. Thank you for your willingness to share His story in your lives! I will be praying for the two of you!

Peggy said...

So sorry to hear of your health problems, but am uplifted and encouraged by your faith shining through as you've shared. Thanks for sharing with us! Blessings and prayers!

Judy said...

Thanks for the update...and your testimony to the 'peace of God that passes all understanding'! Blessings to you in your new home. My thoughts and prayers are with you both.

Kimberly Pitman said...

Continuing to pray for you, friend! I have a cup of tea in my Canada mug often as my reminder to pray.

Anneliese said...

Karin, thank you for sharing these encouraging thoughts... looking for the things to give thanks for, rather than what must be so hard to understand. I love how you said that "Having cancer is not just about us – but also about the work the Lord is doing in the lives of those who are nearest and dearest and loved by us!"
May God continue to be your strength in all that lies ahead.

NCmountainwoman said...

What a wonderful post. I can only hope I will have that attitude when I face a major health crisis. You are an inspiration!

George said...

Thank you for sharing your moving story with us. You (and your entire family) are an inspiration and example for all of us.

Wendy said...

What a positive and inspiring post, Karin.
God bless you both and keep you free from harm.
Sending gentle hugs, my friend.

Noelle said...

Karin, so beautifully written~!! I do love the Lord and I am learning everyday to fully trust Him!! This has not been easy, I have been a Christian for my entire adult life, but you find in your walk, in getting closer and closer in relationship with Him, you have to learn to trust unconditionally, no matter what!! You are inspiring, and that is an understatement, thanks for stopping by from Mildred's and following! I will definitely be back for your wisdom and inspiration are priceless!! God bless!!!!

Marg said...

Thank-you for your inspirational words. You have so humbly given us insight into your new life, but also given us the hope of the joy that only Christ can give. I have shared your blog with a few others who have found themselves in exactly the same situation during this past Christmas season.

Marg said...

Thank-you for sharing your inspirational message with us. You continue to give God the glory regardless of your situation. I have so much to learn from you. I have not been able to move too much forward over my past year through the pain of an unhealthy relationship that I shared with you. But I know that God in his timing will continue to move my heart.
I've been able to share your blog with a few others who are going through the exact treatment.

Karen said...

Sending you hugs today. Thank you for sharing this. God is so good.