Clinging Tightly, Burning Brightly (well, sort of...)

Greetings Beloved Friends & Family,

My Mexican healing adventure is in full swing.  The first 24 hours after arrival were rough but Patrice & Celia (who is helping us to settle in here) have been endlessly helpful & oh so kind.The hands of Jesus ministering to me…  And I can’t thank you all enough for the words of encouragement and prayers and love.  I continue to feel like a tidal wave of love is carrying me along.  Sorry I haven’t been able to respond to each of your kind messages, but please know they really touch my heart. 

On Tuesday I had my first treatment. They put me under sedation to do the PEF ablation, biopsies, direct immunotherapy  & chemo injections into the tumour. (For those of you who have curious minds.)  The aftermath was pretty horrible.  I liken it to being in labour for hours with no breaks in between. 'Herbie the Hitchhiker’  (a.k.a. a pancreatic tumour)obviously fared even worse than I did! It wouldn’t be so bad except that I know this is only the first of 6 treatments so in the night I was seriously trying to figure out an escape plan, haha! I was in hospital for a little over 24 hours. 

I’m leaning into my Good Shepherd and would appreciate prayer for courage, physical strength and peace and that there would be no complications from the treatments.  Also, praying this thing would disappear SOONER than the 6 week plan. I just can’t even imagine going through that one more time, let alone 5!  

On a brighter note, we had a sweet little miracle concerning our accommodations.  We were looking for a cheaper place since I have to be here for several weeks of treatment. Patrice and Celia were researching and driving to so many places trying to find something that would actually be accessible for me. (Harder than you can imagine now that I am also dealing with the shoulder injury making transfers more difficult and the fact that it is Spring Break here.)  They finally found a place that worked but it cost significantly more than we originally wanted to pay.  The hotel staff were so kind and when they found out we were here for medical treatment they offered the hotel room to us at basically 1/2 price! Ahh, the kindness of God in the midst of adversity ❤️. We will be moving into that place today.  

New place - ocean view but set on a busy hwy.  no complaints here! 

Amazing buffet breakfast full of a variety of Mexican dishes that Patrice LOVED! 

And a pool! 

Today I am in a bit of a drug stupor from all of the interventions to beat the pain and nausea and spasms, but I just began singing the Graham Ord song that keeps going through my mind in these weeks…”The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all, He has compassion on all that He has made....” (Psalm 103)  He is carrying us all and our present circumstances all very temporary. The best is yet to come and I pray for the strength for all of us to keep clinging tightly and burning brightly.  Feels like my little wick has been flickering and weak but this story is not over!  God has a plan for each one of us and I pray that He will continue to be glorified in all of our lives, whether we feel weak or strong.  I’m overwhelmed by His love expressed through all of you in a multitude of ways.  He promises that He will use ALL things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28) so that is exceptionally good.  

Praying multitudes of blessings and the goodness of God to be poured out on all of you in your various circumstances, hard and good.

“… I found the one my heart loves. I held him and would not let him go…”
‭‭Song of Songs‬ ‭3‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Much Love & Gratitude 

Beauty in the Mix

In between treatments and dealing with abdominal issues and discomfort, Patrice rented a car and made sure we had access to some fun in the journey.

That was very insightful of her as those bright spots were amazing.

A morning at an estuary (think I already mentioned it) left me feeling like a marine biologist (Jaques Cousteau, move over!)

To find a spot that was relatively "untouched" and not yet taken advantage of was refreshing.  The silence and isolation was amazing - getting swept into my own little jungle adventure.

There was an art walk with an enticing rich atmosphere of live music, street food, beautiful art and hand crafts.

A Sunday morning Coffee  run in downtown, cobblestone San Jose del Cabo revealed a plethora of beautiful bright spots.

It was so peaceful and relaxing.

Patrice found a cafe latte and I had the yummiest chai latte that ii've had in months since they haven't really been on my menu....

(Groans of pure delight!)

And a church service was a delight as I have been missing the aspect of coporate worship. 

Patrice even spent time scoping out accessible beaches for me giving me the opportunity to sit right at the ocean side breathing in the familiar ocean air.

Churros at Artwork were a real highlight following Tostados.

I took a tiny nibble of the end of a churro, not daring to set off an uncomfortable abdominal episode which seemed to occur more often as we moved through the month of March.

The End.

We gave it our best shot, but basically too little too late and I wasn't taking proper care of my intestines setting off what turned into a bleeding duodenal ulcer which we discovered the Tuesday after getting home. 

Beautiful & Bittersweet

Yes, joy cometh in the morning...

Look at the glorious blue bird day we awoke to, this view right out of our front window. 

We called the front desk to let them know about our inaccessible "accessible" room and they immediately upgraded us to a gigantic end suite on a higher floor. 

The king bed is even higher in this suite, but there is a Murphy bed that we will figure out and I can use the 2nd bathroom without a "lift" so that's good. 

The clear day gave us an amazing view of the snow capped mountains glowing in the afternoon sun across the water. 

We decided to head to a sweet little village called Cumberland to do some sightseeing and to grab lunch and coffees since the day was so lovely. 

We hit up a quaint bakery that smelled heavenly and grabbed a chocolate croissant and a Cronut for dessert which we ate while checking out a lake and some mountain bike trails that Daniel is interested in visiting at a future date.

My mother's heart is full and happy to have time with these two treasures. 

How did this happen, that two such stellar adults are now my  lifelong companions and friends and forever family?

They fixed a delicious meal of salmon, potatoes and asparagus for supper.

Watching them work together effortlessly in the kitchen brought my heart so much joy.

As much as I feel like I should be the one serving them, the tables have turned and I am now being cared for and waited on with so much love and kindness.

 

It's bittersweet and beautiful.

His goodness and mercy follow me, as undeserving as I am.

I am forever grateful for the love and kindness of these kids.

I spent time in the night listening to worship from a revival that is breaking out on University Campuses in the States. 

It brings me to tears and I watch from a distance telling God - "here too"!!

Come set our hearts on fire here... everywhere!

After a rough night of spasms &. sweating and waking Patrice up to help me change my position we awoke to this glorious view from our bed.

It's all tangled together, the hardship and the goodness.

This is boot-camp, after all.

Preparation for the biggest and best and most magnificent forever that is just a breath or two away...

Island Getaway

Having a "time away" on the island with the kids.

The trip over the mountains was exhausting but I did it and arrived to a lovely warm welcome at Patrice's where I promptly fell asleep on her easy chair.  Willow was so happy to see me and she cuddled right in beside me. 

It was so nice to get to see Patrice's new living arrangement and to spend time with her there.  Her tiny house is being rented out to another A Rocha worker and Patrice is enjoying having company in her new place with her room-mate Carly - the farmer! 

The next morning we drove into Vancouver to pick up Daniel and then headed to the ferry to begin our little island adventure. 

Here's a picture of his new home and the blue skies that showed up for our send off. 

The suite Daniel reserved is right on the ocean and the kids wasted no time in donning their bath robes, cinderella slippers and heading out to the steam room and hot tub. 

Supper was an extravagant affair at the resort restaurant overlooking the ocean.

A special drink for each of us was ordered to toast the 36 year anniversary since the accident! 

(Mine was a sample which was just the perfect size with a sweet flavour)

Obviously God has a purpose and destiny for each of us to fulfill and so we are alive for such a time as this.

Decadent meals were ordered...

and watching the kids enjoy all the flavours and exquisite cuisine was definitely worth it. 

They are both such foodies making the experience so much richer.

I haven't been eating much so I ordered a side dish of mushroom risotto and had tastes of their two different fish dishes. 

Super yummy! 

All of the food looked like fancy artwork!

The dessert didn't disappoint either -  lavender ice-cream and three tiny lemon curd tarts served with fruit and meringue

 

Soooo special and delish!

This resort has a strangely beautiful arrangement of lights and flowers giving the place a disneyish feel so we didn't quite know how we felt about that, but it's all about the experience and doing this with the kids is just so special. 

The room, as beautiful and perfectly situated as it was didn't work well for me as the bed was too high and the toilet was definitely not accessible for me, but Patrice and Daniel are my superstars, lifting and helping me. 

It's always so difficult when I am out of my element and need to be so dependent.  The bed was so soft that I literally could not lift myself up into a sitting position or get out of it. 

Felt like being in quicksand, but thankfully nights come to and end and joy cometh in the morning as the good book reminds us! 

 

BOUQUETS of LOVE

Sometimes heaven just touches earth and we are caught up in so much sweetness, joy and love we don't quite no how to contain it or even comprehend it...

Saturday was one of those days.

Lisa made a plan for us to gather to feast and worship at my place and our little prayer tribe all showed up, each one of them bringing food and carrying a glorious bouquet of exquisite flowers which they presented to me.

How does one respond to such extravagance and undeserved love and kindness?

I just opened my arms wide and received and received, overwhelmed with this outpouring of goodness.

I mean... just look and behold the outrageous beauty!! 

Bouquets of pure love, 

turning my home into a fragrant flower garden.

We began with prayer and communion, nourishing our souls on the goodness of God, 

remembering the sacrifice of our beautiful Saviour, Jesus. 

Honouring the giver of every good and perfect gift. 

We feasted and then we sang.

Arms upraised, the music swirling around us, heaven's kisses pouring down, we worshiped with abandon and love.

It's ALWAYS a good time to give thanks and to proclaim the goodness of God.

Donara showered me with rose petals as we sang and it was all so very good. 

I don't deserve friends like these, such kindness and pure love, but God doesn't give us what we deserve. He just pours out love and draws us closer and closer into His beautiful heart...

In the midst of all this my sweet friends Kaitlin, Anna, and Levi showed up before flying off to Calgary to say a quick goodbye.

And lo and behold they too were holding two massive bouquets of gorgeous flowers!! 

Only God can plan something like this, so once again I opened my arms and received, exceedingly and abundantly more than all I could even ask or imagine.

It really does happen!! 

We took the opportunity to pray for these precious ones and send them off with words of courage and hope as they set their sails for new beginnings. 

We, the children of God, are able to celebrate and live with wild abandon despite any untoward events or diagnosis or trials that the world tries to throw our way because we know who has the final word, and it's always  GOOD! 

"Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Amen