Darlene, Carol and Cathy
Evodia and CarolCarol's spirits are GREAT and she is still definitely up for visitors...but short visits are the norm now as Carol's energy is limited. Darlene came for a visit and played the violin last week...very fun! Carol also very much enjoyed meeting with our visitors from Hungary and Romania this past week...it was great to hear how the Lord is moving in providing for their needs and how He is opening many doors for ministry. Seeing the ministry increase into the Ukraine as well as in Romania and Hungary is of great encouragement to Carol as she was one of the first from VBC to travel over to partnership "face to face" with the Greathouses, Evodia, Bodi and Dori and others in the ministry there.
Carol's appetite is fantastic and her new favorite is grilled fish tacos and tortilla soup from Baja Fresh. Thank you all for the many delicious and nutritious meals you bring by every week...these are a great benefit to both Mark and Carol in keeping up their strength and stamina. Also, the many "acts of service" that you provide for Mark and Carol truly make a difference...it is amazing how some of the smallest things lift "weight" off the shoulders of Mark and Carol...YAY team Carol!
Specific prayer requests (other than wisdom for the doctors) would be for continued success in treating that pesky itchy rash and also for good sleep at night. Carol has been having difficulty sleeping at night for the last week or two...this is distressing because lack of sleep at night cuts into her energy level during the day.
The other day Carol and I had a great conversation...we were sharing with each other our favorite thoughts about Heaven...and what we are each looking forward to the most when we reach our "great awakening,"...the day my granddaughter, Addie, calls "Our Heaven Day." Carol's mind was turned to thoughts of getting to see Jesus face to face. We of course are still praying fervently for Carol's physical healing, but Carol wants you to know that she is looking forward to her "Heaven Day" whether it comes soon or in years to come...Carol lives with "good cheer" even though her body is at war with itself, (her equivalent of Paul's "cramped conditions")...she echo's Paul's words in 2 Corinthians (quoted from "The Message," below):
6-8That's why we live with such good cheer. You won't see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet! Cramped conditions here don't get us down. They only remind us of the spacious living conditions ahead. It's what we trust in but don't yet see that keeps us going. Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or rocks in the path are going to stop us? When the time comes, we'll be plenty ready to exchange exile for homecoming.
9But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that's what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions.
Along with Carol, be of good cheer as we walk...looking forward to our homecoming...while aiming to please our great and awesome God right now in this great adventure called life!
Posts
9 comments:
Hey Carol! Such good news about the liver and now we line up for a battle against the lungs. Lord, help us gird ourselves for this next round of chemo. Let those drugs attack the enemy, cancer cells. And thank you for Carol's walk with each of us. She is your precious child and our precious friend...amen. Much love, Judy.
I thought you'd appreciate this.
Muddy Boots
With the storm raging around me, I lose my footing once again. Voices in the wind taunt and threaten me as I struggle to catch my balance.
This journey seems endless, uphill, rocky, with ominous crags overreaching the path I am determined to follow.
There are days of sunshine and birdcalls, but lately, in this season, it is so stormy and frightening. The storms seem to wreak havoc on everything around me. Uncertainty and danger, real or imagined, is ever there.
Still I move forward – He is with me, walking beside me, though often silent. Relentless in His desire for me to complete this journey. At times I have believed Him heartless and at other times that He has abandoned me, none of which is true, but in the storm, it is hard to distinguish my tears from the rain on my face.
And my weariness- years of walking, falling, desiring, losing hope and regaining it. Doubting myself and doubting Him. Bruised feet and hands, confusion in my direction. Then there is another rock slide coming down in front of me. Another rock slide causing me to be forced in another direction, and I get lost or challenging me to the point of exhaustion.
Then I look at Him - the rain runs down His face like tears, He’s as mud splattered as I am. He looks as grim as I feel as we survey this present difficulty in our way.
But then…He looks at me from under His dripping hair. His eyes are full of love and encouragement. He’s not afraid. He knows where we are going. He’s been there before.
He raises His eyebrows in query – are we going on? On over the rocks that seem to force us out of our way? On through trees and brush and gullies filled with torrents of flood water?
I look at Him in despair and turn to look behind. No, I want to go back, back to where at least I’ve been before – I look at Him hopefully.
He shakes His head and tells me He’ll wait here for me but He won’t retrace His steps. He only wants to move on.
Oh, heartless Lord! My hands are chapped and bleeding, my feet bruised by this path we’re walking. Don’t You understand how tired I am?
I look at His face. He smiles gently and shows me His hands and feet.
Marian Tidsbury Jan. 12, 2007
Love, Marian.
Carol-My fervent prayer for you is continual hope, strength, peace and love be a blanket of warmth surrounding you. There's a song we used to sing long ago which says"He brought me to his banqueting table, his banner over me is Love". Feast at his table Carol for his banner over you is Love!
Love-Debbie Edmondson
"For this reason I kneel before the father... I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your heart through faith.
And I pray for you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,and to know this love surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
Ephesians 3
Larry Vold's recent observation that life on earth is the closest thing to paradise the Lost will know, while it is the closest thing to hell the Believers in Christ will ever know. I can only imagine the pain and chaos of your current trials, Carol. Jo and I constantly pray for you and the cancer that has invaded His Carol Temple here on earth, but always trusting your precious life is never out of His Loving Hands.
The testimony of your faith in our Lord during this current trial, is a constant encouragement and instruction to me. Your Salvation is safe in Heaven and your Faith is growing against all odds here on earth. With much love and fellowship, I am your Uncle Jim
Dear Carol & Family,
I was just thinking as I sit here typing Jesus sees me and He sees you right where you are too! He sees and He cares deeply about the things that concern us.
I also love worship songs and this is the one that He has put in my heart for you today. "Oh how He loves you and me, oh how He loves you and me!"
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one:
Jhn 17:23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
You bring Him much glory ! ! ! ! ! ! Enjoy this beautiful day :)
Carrying every thing to Him in prayer!
Denise
i love you, Carol...
Oh Carol, how good to know you are surrounded by many who love you as I do. But more important that the Comforter (Amp Bible says"standby") is there ministering to you on every side. I continue to praise God for all the life-changing input you have made into my life. I love you so much Carol, Kathy
I have tears in my eyes as I read of your discomfort and lack of sleep, but your amazingly positive attitude. I too can't wait to see Jesus face to face. Hugs.
Post a Comment