On Wednesday, Angela and I received word from the specialists that she has gastric cancer and that there is no proven or man-made cure. Without chemo treatment they gave us a timeline of three months to two years... with chemo, double the time.
We were/are in shock. It's a difficult thing to wrap your head around. It all seems so surreal. There are moments where we cry and yet many more of laughter and great delight in God. I was standing in a Tim Horton's line on Thursday and just started crying. Then, as quickly as it came, I was back to "normal" and ready to order a double-double. I suspect there will be many moments like that. I know it is the same for Angela.
We're still hoping and praying for a miracle. However, we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Ro. 8:28). So if God has other ways to work in and through this we are at peace with His wisdom and plan.
We're taking the next few days to get more of a grasp on the situation so that we know how to proceed in this next season of life. We are praying for wisdom and discernment. We've talked about holidays as well as spending time loving others. Angela has a huge heart for people that don't yet know the life and love of Christ. Jesus means the world to both of us and we are more heart broken over the thought of people missing out on the delight and hope we have in Him than we are in our current trial.
It is the reality that the majority of our city doesn't yet know Christ that drives us in our life. It's why we live in Mission. It's why we give up our weekends and evenings to either love the searching or disciple those that have found Him. It's why we live with less and take jobs that earn less money. We only get one crack at life and even still there's no guarantee that we'll live to be a 100. Add to this the reality that Jesus could come back at anytime and it makes every day and every life an amazing opportunity to enjoy living in the life and love of Christ.
It's the reason our Church family put a stellar float in our city's annual Candlelight Parade! Everything we do should be a living sacrifice of worship to our Creator and Savior. We had many gracious, gifted, and generous people offer their lives as an offering of worship with the float. Josh P. saved my butt by building the risers, installing them, then helping with the trees, construction, and tear down. Greg P. cut and delivered all the trees. Katy H. and Monica M. did a phenomenal job with prepping the decorations and outfits, then decorating the float. They went through 25 cans of flocking, 5,000 staples (my guess), 20 bales of batting, and a few hundred feet of Christmas lights. Cindy W. and Alison O. helped out with the decoration on the day of the parade. Willy and the Wannabees, accompanied by Karin O., did a great job serving through music. Then Gabby, Taylor, Chris, Katy, and I got to walk alongside the float and hand out candy. Carmen H. watched kids. Mark H. secured the trailer and truck. A friend of mine from Surrey, Mark Hunt, came out and set-up our lighting and hazer... he did an amazing job (see his company's website at www.productionelements.ca). Then the Lambert boys helped with clean-up. It was a busy, but very fun and rewarding couple days.
The float was so much more than just fun. We did it for a number of other reasons: 1) to be engaged and present in our city (about 10,000 come out for the parade); 2) to bless our city with a beautiful float for their enjoyment; 3) help communicate that our Church cares about our city; 4) let our city know that we care about them and are here for them; and 5) let our city know about our new name. If you'd like to see more photos, check out our photo album at www.facebook.com/parksideonprentis.
On Saturday, we headed out to McDonald's with some friends and family then hopped on over to the Eco Dairy in Abbotsford. Charlie loves looking at the cows. We tasted some delicious yogurt and then I bought a $5 quart of milk. It was good, but not worth $5. Saturday afternoon, Josh and I finished the float tear down.
I enjoyed our gathering today. It was our first official gathering as Parkside Church. I love being a part of our Church family and getting together each Sunday is a highlight of my week. If you want to check out our new Church website (parts of it are still under construction), go to www.parksideonprentis.ca.
I hope you have a great week, living in the love we have in Christ.
I was really touched by your passion and vision...giving up your time, living with less, wanting to share the love of Jesus with your community.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to your family in this season. I have never experienced a situation exactly like yours and I can only imagine how desperately you must want to protect your loved ones from pain and suffering. If I could give you one gift, my first impulse would be healing. But, my second thought, and I think the better gift, would be faith.
Faith is a shield. Faith connects us to God, and God "...who promised is faithful...so let us not throw away our confidence...because...he rewards those who earnestly seek him" (Heb 10:23,35;11:6).
I don't know what God has in store for you. In some ways our lives are like a float in a parade, a brief flash of glory and then we are dismantled.
"...Thine is the kingdom...Thy will be done," we are taught to pray. What do we know of God's plans, but that they are better than our own? (Heb 11:40) And so we "hold unswervingly to the hope we profess" (10:23).
We will be lifting you up in prayer. "Grace and peace to you...."