Yesterday my dad celebrated another milestone--his birthday--and the hospice staff brought in his favorite chocolate silk pie! My dad also had a visit from his sister, his brother, and his dad who flew in from the midwest to see him. They also brought a meal and an apple pie. I was able to call my dad later in the evening and wish him a happy birthday.
Physically, however, my dad's birthday was a rather rough day for him. He was dealing with an uncomfortable situation that the hospice nurse was unable to take care of and ended up going to the ER at 10:00 p.m. last night. The hospital gave him IV fluids for dehydration and antibiotics for an infection. My parents came back home about 6:00 this morning. I am praying that he is resting more comfortably today and that my mom also will have the rest she needs after such a long night.
We are thankful, however, that so far my dad has not developed any sores from being bedridden. That is a continual prayer request for him. The nurse did say that his heels(?)--where his feet lie on the bed--have some "wear and tear," so my mom is being careful about taking care of that, but so far no sores! The swelling in the leg where he had the clot has also gone down a lot, which is a huge answer to prayer.
Please continue to pray for my parents and also for me and Justin as we consider travel plans to visit my parents at some point. Right now we're keeping in touch every day and praying for wisdom as to when to go.
September 27, 2012
September 17, 2012
Update
I've also had many conversations with my mom who has been keeping us up-to-date with what's going on. I'm so thankful for her and that she has now been able to stay home on leave from work to care for her husband. She has also expressed that she wants to enjoy him for as long as she has him.
Since the end of last week, my dad is now bedridden. He had become too weak to lift himself out of raised chairs and then too weak to stand and reposition himself to get back into bed. This does make it more challenging for my mom to care for him, so please pray that God will give her strength and that she wouldn't injure herself. She had hurt her back last week trying to help lift him out of a chair. That was improving, but please pray that she'll completely heal. My dad now has two aides each day--one that comes for a couple hours in the morning and another that comes for an hour in the afternoon. I am thankful for this help for him and also for my mom.
The doctor and nurse last week both told my parents that my dad might have a couple months yet to live (on earth) although that is just a guess (and of course God could do a miracle if He so chose). They said that if my dad were to develop other medical problems, like pneumonia or a wound, he could go sooner. I think that was a bit of a surprise for him, but he is at peace that he will be with Jesus.
Yesterday and the night before, my dad was dealing with an uncomfortable physical situation that made it very difficult for him (and for my mom) to get some sleep. Please pray that this would resolve quickly--for his comfort and for my mom, who is caring for him.
One huge answered prayer is that the oozing area he had on his leg is healing on its own and has not developed into an open wound. Thank you!
I am thankful that, for my dad and for all who believe in Christ, this earthly life is the worst we'll ever have--that our best life is ahead of us in eternity with our Lord. My family and I will miss my dad very much but we can trust that the Lord is a good and sovereign God and if we know the Lord, we will see him again.
Maybe it's true (as was mentioned to me this past week) that the Lord sometimes does good to his children by taking them home...
Since the end of last week, my dad is now bedridden. He had become too weak to lift himself out of raised chairs and then too weak to stand and reposition himself to get back into bed. This does make it more challenging for my mom to care for him, so please pray that God will give her strength and that she wouldn't injure herself. She had hurt her back last week trying to help lift him out of a chair. That was improving, but please pray that she'll completely heal. My dad now has two aides each day--one that comes for a couple hours in the morning and another that comes for an hour in the afternoon. I am thankful for this help for him and also for my mom.
The doctor and nurse last week both told my parents that my dad might have a couple months yet to live (on earth) although that is just a guess (and of course God could do a miracle if He so chose). They said that if my dad were to develop other medical problems, like pneumonia or a wound, he could go sooner. I think that was a bit of a surprise for him, but he is at peace that he will be with Jesus.
Yesterday and the night before, my dad was dealing with an uncomfortable physical situation that made it very difficult for him (and for my mom) to get some sleep. Please pray that this would resolve quickly--for his comfort and for my mom, who is caring for him.
One huge answered prayer is that the oozing area he had on his leg is healing on its own and has not developed into an open wound. Thank you!
I am thankful that, for my dad and for all who believe in Christ, this earthly life is the worst we'll ever have--that our best life is ahead of us in eternity with our Lord. My family and I will miss my dad very much but we can trust that the Lord is a good and sovereign God and if we know the Lord, we will see him again.
Maybe it's true (as was mentioned to me this past week) that the Lord sometimes does good to his children by taking them home...
Conversations
"I still want God's will, not mine" - Dad
I've been encouraged lately by conversations--encouraged that my dad, although his body is slowly failing, is still spiritually strong and thanking the Lord. Who knows, maybe there will come times of discouragement for him, but I pray that God would strengthen him and that all of us around him (whether physically or virtually through the phone lines/Internet) could be a comfort to him (and to my mom).
On one conversation, my dad expressed that "in some ways, it's [his cancer] been a blessing"--not that he would have chosen it--but that he and mom have gotten to know each other so much better through this trial. At the end of that conversation, my dad asked if he could pray for me and J--for US--even though he was the one lying in a hospital bed in my parents' living room. I turned the phone on speakerphone so that both J and I could hear my dad praying. What a beautiful moment.
On a couple conversations, Dad has wanted to sing. Once he sang "He Is Lord" and another time "I Cast All My Cares upon You." Since childhood, I've loved hearing my dad sing, and I treasure each moment that I can hear his voice. Even now, despite his fatigue, he sings out a heartfelt song of praise to God.
"Whom have I in heaven but You?
And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Psalm 73:25, 26
I've been encouraged lately by conversations--encouraged that my dad, although his body is slowly failing, is still spiritually strong and thanking the Lord. Who knows, maybe there will come times of discouragement for him, but I pray that God would strengthen him and that all of us around him (whether physically or virtually through the phone lines/Internet) could be a comfort to him (and to my mom).
On one conversation, my dad expressed that "in some ways, it's [his cancer] been a blessing"--not that he would have chosen it--but that he and mom have gotten to know each other so much better through this trial. At the end of that conversation, my dad asked if he could pray for me and J--for US--even though he was the one lying in a hospital bed in my parents' living room. I turned the phone on speakerphone so that both J and I could hear my dad praying. What a beautiful moment.
On a couple conversations, Dad has wanted to sing. Once he sang "He Is Lord" and another time "I Cast All My Cares upon You." Since childhood, I've loved hearing my dad sing, and I treasure each moment that I can hear his voice. Even now, despite his fatigue, he sings out a heartfelt song of praise to God.
"Whom have I in heaven but You?
And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Psalm 73:25, 26
September 07, 2012
Two Weddings, Generations Apart/ Dos bodas, dos diferentes generaciones
This is a picture of my Grandpa C and Grandma R's wedding. I was named after my grandma (and my mom) but never met her (my grandma). I think it's cool that her hair was done similarly to mine on her wedding day. :-)
Esta foto es de mi abuelo C y mi abuela R el dia de su boda. Mis papas me pusieron el nombre de mi abuela (que tambien es el nombre de mi mama) pero nunca pude conocer a mi abuela. Me parece chevere que nosotras, sin saber, nos peinamos el pelo muy semejante para nuestras bodas. :-)
Esta foto es de mi abuelo C y mi abuela R el dia de su boda. Mis papas me pusieron el nombre de mi abuela (que tambien es el nombre de mi mama) pero nunca pude conocer a mi abuela. Me parece chevere que nosotras, sin saber, nos peinamos el pelo muy semejante para nuestras bodas. :-)
Wedding Pictures/Fotos de la boda
It was SO hard to pick which photos to put up here. Thank you, Lord, for the wonderful day and for my sweet, wonderful husband.
Fue TAN difícil escoger las fotos! Gracias, Senor, por ese día maravilloso y por mi querido esposo.
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| Before the wedding... (My cousin M photographed the ceremony. G made the bouquets, and A did my hair. Thank you!) Antes de la boda... (Mi primo M saco fotos durante la boda. G hizo los ramos y A me peino el pelo. Gracias!) |
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| My parents Mis padres |
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| J waiting for his bride J esperando a su novia |
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| Walking down the aisle Caminando al frente |
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| Mr. B officiated the ceremony. This was probably during the message. El Senor B nos caso. Creo que esto es durante el mensaje. |
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| The vows Los votos |
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| The kiss :-) El beso :-) |
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| After lighting the unity candle, J and I prayed together for the first time as husband and wife. We had the song Household of Faith playing in the background. (The dress and the veil were made by my Aunt G.) Después de encender la vela, J y yo oramos juntos por primera vez como esposo y esposa. Se estaba tocando la canción Household of Faith. (Mi tia G hizo el traje y el velo.) |
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| The receiving line after the ceremony. These are two of my little cousins. La fila después de la ceremonia. Aquí estamos con dos primitos míos. |
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| The new couple! After the wedding, we had pictures in the chapel. La nueva pareja! Después de la boda, sacamos fotos dentro de la capilla. |
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| My family (minus my nephew P who was sick) I am so glad that t was able to come to the wedding and be in the picture with us. Mi familia (menos mi sobrinito P que estaba enfermo) Me alegro tanto de que t pudo venir a la boda y estar en la foto con nosotros. |
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| J and I with his parents--my new family J y yo con sus papas--mi nueva familia |
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| My siblings with J and me Believe it or not, I'm the oldest--just the shortest. :-D Mis hermanos y yo con J Si lo pueden creer, soy la mayor...y la mas bajita. :-D |
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| My dad and I Mi papa y yo |
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| Then J and I went outside and had more pictures taken before heading to the reception in the back. :-) Luego salimos al patio de frente para sacar mas fotos antes de ir a la recepción detras de la iglesia. :-) |
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| The cakes--made by my Aunt L. The big one was pale blue with white trim. Los bizcochos que hizo mi tía L. El grande era azul clarito con borde blanco. |
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| The groom's cake for my handsome drummer boy! El bizcocho del novio para mi guapo baterista! |
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| Cutting the cake (My cousins P and S donated the tent and tables for the reception, and many other family members and friends helped with the wedding and food. Thank you all so much!) Cortando el bizcocho (Mis primos P and S dono la tienda y las mesas para la recepcion, y muchos amigos y miembros de la familia ayudaron con la boda y la comida. Muchisimas gracias a todos!) |
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| Our hands Nuestras manos |
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| My brother T and his wife C. They were married 13 days before J and I. Behind them is Aunt C (my dad's sister) and two cousins S and J. They all traveled far to come to the wedding. Mi hermano T y su esposa C. Ellos se casaron 13 días antes que J y yo. Detrás de ellos están mi tía C (la hermana de mi papa) y dos primas S y J. Todos ellos viajaron lejos para venir a la boda. |
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| Grandma and Grandpa G with the bride and groom Mis abuelos G con los novios |
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| My cousin S caught the bouquet. Mi prima S cogio el ramo. |
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| Whoa! J went for the garter. I love my friend T's face. hehe J buscando la liga. Me encanta la cara de mi amiga T. jaja |
September 05, 2012
My Dad's Hope (and Mine)!
My hope is in the Lord
Who gave Himself for me,
And paid the price of all my sin at Calvary.
For me He died,
For me He lives,
And everlasting life and light He freely gives.
No merit of my own
His anger to suppress.
My only hope is found in Jesus’ righteousness.
And now for me He stands
Before the Father’s throne.
He shows His wounded hands and names me as His own.
His grace has planned it all,
’Tis mine but to believe,
And recognize His work of love and Christ receive.
Let me first update you on a couple things I mentioned in the last post. My dad did not have an MRI yesterday. Due to his weakness and the fact that it would be difficult for him (and my mom) to get him out of the house for the testing, they decided, at a nurse's recommendation, not to go ahead with the MRI. Also, my mom has now decided to take a leave from work in order to stay home with and care for my dad. I am praying for both of them and am touched by her display of genuine love towards him.
My daddy's hope (and mine) is in the Lord, and that's a wonderful thing. I know that if and when the Lord sees fit to bring my daddy home, he will be in a much better place. I am encouraged by my dad's desire to pray for and encourage people and by his confidence in the Lord.
To be very honest and open, times like these make you wonder sometimes if heaven's real, if God's real, if Jesus is real, if God's word is true. My sweet husband prayed for me last night that God would help me be aware of his "realness." When I look back on my and my family's life and see God's hand working in all things, He reassures me that He is real. I see how God used my little brother's special needs to bring others to himself. I remember how God showed me that he loved me and rescued me from struggles as a teenager. It's amazing how God brought my parents to Blizzard Land just at the right time. He brought L and G together. He provided care for little t. He's brought my mom near her family for support and also enabled her to be near and care for her aging father (my grandpa). He provided an apartment for A and K. He used my dad to bring me and my beloved J together from two completely different states after many years of prayer on both our parts. At the time we didn't always understand what God was doing, but He was always working.
His word also encourages me that He's real. It just makes sense like nothing else. My God is the God of Creation, a God of order and beauty. He designed the beautiful, intricate works of nature we see outside. His word makes sense of the world, of "what's wrong with it," and of the sinfulness and rebellion of mankind against Him. His word makes sense of life. This is not all there is. Life here is temporary and fleeting. Eternity is far longer and more important, and someday we will all stand before God. It would be foolish to live life for this life alone, not considering eternity ("to gain the whole world, and forfeit [your] soul"). His word tells us that the wages of our sin is death--that our rebellion against Him (our desire to live life our way and not His) separates us from Him and that, if we die in our sins, we will spend eternity away from Him suffering His wrath, which our rebellion against Him completely deserves.
His word gives hope. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." God's word teaches that Jesus Christ, the Eternal Son of God and yet God Himself, took on human flesh and died as a substitute for sinners, taking the wrath of God on Himself. It teaches that Jesus Christ rose from the dead, proving that He was indeed the Son of God (who He claimed to be) and that His work on behalf of sinners was complete. God's word teaches us that "whoever" turns to Jesus Christ and places their trust in Him alone as their Lord and Savior will be forgiven, will not perish (will be saved from the wrath of God that they deserved), and will have a sure hope of eternal life in heaven with their Lord.
I love how God's word is so different from how the world thinks. It just proves to me that it is true. The world would (and does) teach a salvation based on works--on "good things" we do--as if we could possibly earn God's favor. But God's word says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." The fact is that the work has already been done--Jesus Christ's death as a substitute for sinners on the cross. To insist on any other way of salvation is really just continuing to demand your own way and rebelling against God. The truth is that good works never could and never will save anyone. In God's eyes, "all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment." But the good news is that there is a salvation--a salvation that God freely gives to all those who trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and in his already finished work on the cross.
I also love how God's word changes people. When a person comes to Christ by faith, God gives them a new heart. "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." Before a person trusts Christ, he is continually rebelling against God--trying to live life his own way--and cannot please God. But afterwards, God changes that person's heart so that the person wants to please Him and gives that person the Holy Spirit to enable him to do so. It's not that the person will be perfect. A saved person will still struggle with sin until he/she goes to heaven. However, a person who truly knows Christ personally and believes in Him will desire to live for Him.
Thank you, Jesus, for the hope that is in You!
Here's a video of my dad from last year talking about "his Hope."
Who gave Himself for me,
And paid the price of all my sin at Calvary.
For me He died,
For me He lives,
And everlasting life and light He freely gives.
No merit of my own
His anger to suppress.
My only hope is found in Jesus’ righteousness.
And now for me He stands
Before the Father’s throne.
He shows His wounded hands and names me as His own.
His grace has planned it all,
’Tis mine but to believe,
And recognize His work of love and Christ receive.
Let me first update you on a couple things I mentioned in the last post. My dad did not have an MRI yesterday. Due to his weakness and the fact that it would be difficult for him (and my mom) to get him out of the house for the testing, they decided, at a nurse's recommendation, not to go ahead with the MRI. Also, my mom has now decided to take a leave from work in order to stay home with and care for my dad. I am praying for both of them and am touched by her display of genuine love towards him.
My daddy's hope (and mine) is in the Lord, and that's a wonderful thing. I know that if and when the Lord sees fit to bring my daddy home, he will be in a much better place. I am encouraged by my dad's desire to pray for and encourage people and by his confidence in the Lord.
To be very honest and open, times like these make you wonder sometimes if heaven's real, if God's real, if Jesus is real, if God's word is true. My sweet husband prayed for me last night that God would help me be aware of his "realness." When I look back on my and my family's life and see God's hand working in all things, He reassures me that He is real. I see how God used my little brother's special needs to bring others to himself. I remember how God showed me that he loved me and rescued me from struggles as a teenager. It's amazing how God brought my parents to Blizzard Land just at the right time. He brought L and G together. He provided care for little t. He's brought my mom near her family for support and also enabled her to be near and care for her aging father (my grandpa). He provided an apartment for A and K. He used my dad to bring me and my beloved J together from two completely different states after many years of prayer on both our parts. At the time we didn't always understand what God was doing, but He was always working.
His word also encourages me that He's real. It just makes sense like nothing else. My God is the God of Creation, a God of order and beauty. He designed the beautiful, intricate works of nature we see outside. His word makes sense of the world, of "what's wrong with it," and of the sinfulness and rebellion of mankind against Him. His word makes sense of life. This is not all there is. Life here is temporary and fleeting. Eternity is far longer and more important, and someday we will all stand before God. It would be foolish to live life for this life alone, not considering eternity ("to gain the whole world, and forfeit [your] soul"). His word tells us that the wages of our sin is death--that our rebellion against Him (our desire to live life our way and not His) separates us from Him and that, if we die in our sins, we will spend eternity away from Him suffering His wrath, which our rebellion against Him completely deserves.
His word gives hope. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." God's word teaches that Jesus Christ, the Eternal Son of God and yet God Himself, took on human flesh and died as a substitute for sinners, taking the wrath of God on Himself. It teaches that Jesus Christ rose from the dead, proving that He was indeed the Son of God (who He claimed to be) and that His work on behalf of sinners was complete. God's word teaches us that "whoever" turns to Jesus Christ and places their trust in Him alone as their Lord and Savior will be forgiven, will not perish (will be saved from the wrath of God that they deserved), and will have a sure hope of eternal life in heaven with their Lord.
I love how God's word is so different from how the world thinks. It just proves to me that it is true. The world would (and does) teach a salvation based on works--on "good things" we do--as if we could possibly earn God's favor. But God's word says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." The fact is that the work has already been done--Jesus Christ's death as a substitute for sinners on the cross. To insist on any other way of salvation is really just continuing to demand your own way and rebelling against God. The truth is that good works never could and never will save anyone. In God's eyes, "all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment." But the good news is that there is a salvation--a salvation that God freely gives to all those who trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and in his already finished work on the cross.
I also love how God's word changes people. When a person comes to Christ by faith, God gives them a new heart. "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." Before a person trusts Christ, he is continually rebelling against God--trying to live life his own way--and cannot please God. But afterwards, God changes that person's heart so that the person wants to please Him and gives that person the Holy Spirit to enable him to do so. It's not that the person will be perfect. A saved person will still struggle with sin until he/she goes to heaven. However, a person who truly knows Christ personally and believes in Him will desire to live for Him.
Thank you, Jesus, for the hope that is in You!
Here's a video of my dad from last year talking about "his Hope."
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