Tell the Next Generations

It is good to be reminded of things that are important.  This week during my daily Bible reading the Lord has pointed out to me the importance of loving Him -- not only for me but for my children and grandchildren both in our family and those around us that God has put in our lives.

How thankful I am that my parents took the time to impress on me God's goodness.  I can remember in the days of parallel parking when my mother would come upon a parking place and thank the Lord for it.  She would also tell me how when she needed a dress she would pray about it and then go to the store and the Lord would have just what she was looking for at a reduced price.  These "minor" examples have stayed with me over the years.

Our grandchildren have prayed for Hu's surgery and now his recovery.  What a blessing we have to be able to share with them how God is answering their prayers.  One of them recently asked, "When are you going to be all better?"  Hu shared with him that this isn't like a cold but it will take a long time.

Hu has had some mild cardiac issues over the years, and it was suggested that he see a cardiologist as a follow up after the severe trauma his body has been through.  The doctor described him as "frail", but we were encouraged by the fact that his heart condition does not seem to have changed significantly or require medication at this time.  She confirmed that much of the difficulty he is experiencing with breathing and strength is due to his being extremely deconditioned by multiple surgeries and complications.

We have appreciated your prayers for my mother, as well.  There has been a remarkable change in her condition for which we are thankful.  We thank the Lord that He has given her renewed strength.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Deut. 6:5-7

The Parallel Journey

If you've followed our story from the beginning, you know that during November 2011, I entered the hospital for what was expected to be about 4 days for lung surgery and recovery.  But because of extreme complications that followed, the hospitalization actually lasted for 7 weeks.   The first 10 days were most severe, so much so that my family and the medical staff at times did not think I would survive.  I was totally unaware of all of this, being heavily sedated and medically paralyzed for several days to give my body a better chance to recover.

In spite of my critical physical condition, I was simultaneously very much aware of being on a different journey that I can only describe as an “experience”.  It was not like a misty and incoherent dream, but rather a journey or process that had definite beginning and ending points with a continuous thread of related thoughts and events, punctuated throughout with many details that I still vividly remember.  

It began as an adventure that my wife Sherril and I had decided to take, having read a book about the amazing journey another couple had taken.  We also wanted to go and come back so we could tell people about the place they had seen.  That place was none other than…Hell!  

What I saw and experienced could fill a book, but, briefly, it was a journey into the earth on something like a theme park ride that transported us from the entrance on a slow, downward spiraling track.  It gradually deteriorated from entertainment into gloom, apprehension, and trials.   

Although I had expected the trip would not be easy, I had felt that it would be worth it to gain first-hand knowledge so I could warn people effectively and with passion about this place.  But I had no idea of what lay ahead.  In future posts I plan to share more details of what that experience taught me and how it has changed my life.
       

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  1 Peter 2:9

Fabulous

"Fabulous!"  That is the comment we were hoping to hear as the nurse looked at Hu's wound that we had thought was healing.  Now it looks like we don't have to meet with the plastic surgeon as we originally had planned.  The Lord has been faithful to us through each step of Hu's healing process, and we are trusting him to continue the process.  Most of his visible healing will soon be completed but we continue to pray for increased strength level and breathing ability.  Thank you for your faithfulness in praying with us.

My grace is sufficient for you , for my power is made perfect in weakness."...for when I am weak, I am strong.  2 Cor. 12:9b

(This verse was sent to us by an extended family member this week--thus the addition at the end)  

I want to be in the story!

Did you know that I'm a character in a story?  You are, too!  I got some insight into that as a result of a gift of a devotional from a friend when Hu was in critical care.  It was Randy Alcorn's, "90 Days of God's Goodness".

In one of the devotionals he speaks to people who may be going through a trial or a difficult time but says if they know the Lord it is part of the story that God has written for our lives.  He goes on to ask if we would prefer to be eliminated from the story.  Of course, my answer is a resounding, "No."  The end of my story will find me in heaven and I want to be in that story.  Whatever happens, whether to my liking or not, it is part of God's bigger plan for my  life.  It doesn't take the sting or heartache out of the trial but I know God is making me a better person for having experienced this.

Each time the nurse has come and assessed Hu's wounds he has been experiencing progress with their healing.  On Monday, she looked at them with concern and no usual upbeat comments.  That disappointed us.  However, yesterday when I changed the bandage it looked to me that amazing progress had been made in the last 24 hours on the worst of the two wounds.  Praise the Lord!  I am looking forward to her report tomorrow when she comes again.  Hu continues to eat small meals twice a day now in addition to his tube feeds and is trying to regain some of the 20 pounds that he lost during his hospitalization.

Keep praying with us that we continue to develop into the characters that God wants us to be in His story!

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials. knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  James 1:2, 3

Persevering

Another milestone on the adventure!  (Thank you, Lord.)  Yesterday, Sherril took me to our church’s Saturday evening service – my first time since surgery three and a half months ago.  I’m very grateful for this progress.  But an even greater reason to be thankful was the privilege to join together with like-minded people in worshiping the one true God and hearing the Word of truth preached without reservation.

Uncanny (Or was it?), how the message I was hearing seemed to be intended especially for me... Ever been there?  “Persevere under trials and afflictions!”  I thought, “Isn’t that what I have been doing for the past few months?”  But is there a difference between enduring and persevering?  I think so, and I have probably done a lot more enduring than persevering.  Not that enduring is inferior; it’s just that persevering implies moving ahead, while enduring is more about standing firm.

If we, who say we believe in Jesus, do not have a clear goal for our lives, we cannot persevere in the faith.  Since persevering implies moving forward, we must have a destination if forward is to have any real meaning.  Having just been brought back from the very brink of eternity, I have been given the goal to reach out to people in my sphere of influence with an urgent message to be sure of their salvation in Jesus, warning them of the horrors of hell, of which I have gained new insight.  In sharing this message I must persevere.

When we come to the end of this life, whether sooner or later, what will all our accomplishments be worth to us if we are not prepared to enter eternity?

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?  - Mark 8:36

Jesus Loves Me

On trips I frequently see mile markers -- today we hit mile marker #3.  Hu was discharged from his speech therapist (the last of his three therapists) and told that his diet now can include whatever he can tolerate.  The graduation meal tonight was an avocado and tomato sandwich.  Hu has missed those!

The past two months I've probably done more reflection about heaven than ever before.  When I see my loved ones and dear friends dying it makes heaven even more real and I look forward to joining them in God's timing.

As a child I and many others learned the song, "Jesus Loves Me", and it will always hold a special place in my heart even as an adult.  A friend sent me the words to a "Senior Version" by an unknown author.  

Jesus loves me, this I know,
Though my hair is white as snow
Though my sight is growing dim,
Still He bids me trust in Him.
(CHORUS)
YES, JESUS LOVES ME.. YES, JESUS LOVES ME..
YES, JESUS LOVES ME, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.

Though my steps are oh, so slow,
With my hand in His I'll go
On through life, let come what may,
He'll be there to lead the way.
(CHORUS)

When the nights are dark and long,
In my heart He puts a song..
Telling me in words so clear,
"Have no fear, for I am near."
(CHORUS)

When my work on earth is done,
And life's victories have been won.
He will take me home above,
Then I'll understand His love.
(CHORUS)

I love Jesus, does He know?
Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say,
That I love Him every day.

 CHORUS)

I want to be faithful to thank Him every day for His great gift of His love to me! 

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!  2 Cor. 9:15 

Sherril

My Valentine

Values his time in prayer and Bible reading

Always takes time to help

Leader to his family in spiritual growth

Enjoys challenges

Notorious for healthy eating

Thoughtful and reflective

Insightful in relationships

Never doubting that he will live eternally in heaven

Exemplifies Christ through his actions

Forty six years ago this month Hu and I became engaged.  I am grateful to be his wife and to have the opportunity of sharing these years with him as the head of our family. Shortly after our engagement we took this verse as confirmation of our commitment to each other—This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.  Psalms 118:23

I also celebrate my mother today, who has had such a godly impact on my life.  She was the one that introduced me to Hu when she discovered that we had a mutual friend.  We would appreciate your prayers for her as well, since she has been experiencing some difficult health issues. 

Hu continues to work each day practicing breathing exercises, climbing steps, walking laps inside our home, and exercising to strengthen his arms and legs.  We are thankful for the progress the Lord has allowed him to make in the seven weeks that he has been at home.  Truly every day is a gift!

Why me, Lord?

Sometimes I have to remind myself of what I have been through to appreciate the extent of my recovery so far and to thank God every day for His gift of life to me.  In fact, it wasn’t until this past week that I realized that Sherril had kept a journal of those dark days in November.  I’m so thankful that she did. 

Because I remember only a few brief events during my first 10 days in intensive care, reading her journal has helped me to piece together a clearer picture of my near-death experience.  Three major surgeries in three days, massive blood loss, several transfusions, severe dehydration, atrial fibrillation, critically low oxygen level and drug induced paralysis all added insult after insult to my weakening condition.

Truly, it was a miracle of God’s grace and power that I pulled through all that with no apparent long term consequences, except for the reduced lung capacity that I expected.  I remember someone in the hospital saying that any one of those events could have potentially been fatal or the cause of permanent heart or brain damage.

I have to ask the question, “Why me, Lord?”  Why did He choose to spare me, yet others with great faith and also with many people earnestly praying for them are taken?  I simply do not know, but an all-wise and trustworthy God does.  I do know that He does not waste anything and will use this experience for good.  In His wisdom I was chosen for affliction to learn to know Him better and to be able to help others with that knowledge of Him.  I look forward to seeing Him do that.

 
It is good for me that I was afflicted that I may learn Your statutes. Ps. 119:71

Me, Write a Journal?

A journal?  That was my reaction when David suggested that I keep a daily log about Hu at the beginning of his hospitalization.  Keeping up with a daily journal is not something that I enjoy on a regular basis but, appreciating his wisdom, I made regular personal updates.  Although Hu now knows much of what happened, he can better understand it from a day to day basis by reading the journal.  We even started taking pictures to document each phase.

It hadn't occurred to me to tell Hu about the journal until this week.  I began to read over it myself and it gave me a new appreciation of how far he has come in this journey.  Recently, the therapist warned me not to attempt assisting Hu going up the steps.  But when she left on Tuesday she said he would be perfectly fine with my monitoring him.  In addition to his daily trip up the stairs, rest and descent, his record is 10 consecutive laps around the first floor with the walker.

A dear friend promised Hu their family's favorite pie when he passed his swallow test.  On Sunday, our doorbell rang and her husband delivered the pie. Turns out, it was one of Hu's favorites, too.  While sitting at the lunch table during lunch with a family member and me this week, Hu said, "I think I would like to try some of that."  A whirl in the food processor and he was sharing the meal with us.  Looking back in the journal, I remembered that during some of the most difficult days it seemed that there was little possibility of Hu's enjoying fellowship over a meal around our table within three months.

I'm also so grateful that all our children (unexpectedly) were here with us during those days.  Actually, it was the first time in over 26 years that we were all in the same country -- let alone the same city -- for Thanksgiving.  How blessed we are as a family that we experienced this together and now can pass the story of God's goodness to our family down to our sons' children and to generations to come.

In the future, when your children ask you, "What do these stones mean?" tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord.  When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.  These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.
Joshua 4:6,7

The Power of Friendship

The past few days I've been thinking about the value of our friendships.   I  have been amazed by our friends since Hu's hospitalization.  Our family has been contacted by people all over the world who have prayed for Hu (and us) and taken the time to let us know of their interest. 

Sometimes I wanted to ask--how did you know?  This has been so encouraging.  We have had visits by friends from our local area, several parts of the U.S., Germany and Panama.  Cards, emails and phone calls continue to amaze us.  Friends have sent our prayer requests and praises around the world to people we don't even know.

I have realized that the Lord did not make me or anyone else to live in this world alone.  My friends are another one of God's gifts to me.  When I open a gift I handle it with care and excitement.  I hope that I treasure my friendships as much as I would a material gift.

The best part is that Jesus is a better friend than any that I will ever have.  He is the ultimate friend who has died for me so that I can have eternal life. What a "Friend I have in Jesus"!

Yesterday, Hu was signed off by the second of his three therapists.  For his grand finale he walked up the 14 steps in our home, rested shortly and walked back down.  We are so grateful for another milestone in his recovery process.

This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.  John 15:12,13

A Better Plan

Dear family, friends and blog-followers, I am both excited and grateful to be able to begin posting again to the blog I started just two weeks before my surgery.  I knew it would be an adventure that would challenge my faith but in my wildest imagination did not foresee the scope, depth or duration of the journey that was ahead.

Today, a friend in our church life group came by for a visit and was talking about the ways God answers prayer.  We’ve often been told that He always answers the prayer of faith, but His answer may be, “Yes,” “No,” or, “Wait.”  But she shared an insight which I had not heard before that, I believe, more accurately reflects the true character of our loving heavenly Father.  At the end of a recent sermon  our pastor David Chadwick said that God’s answer may be, “Yes,” “Wait,” or “I have a better plan.”  Instead of the blunt sounding "No", He who has our good in mind has the best plan for us, even though we may never fully understand it this side of eternity.

Rather than the four-day stay in the hospital I was expecting, I awakened after ten days and discovered I had a long way to go.  We had prayed fervently for a quick recovery – that was what we wanted.  In His better plan, however, a longer recovery was now clearly His choice.  We don’t know why, but that’s why it’s a faith adventure.

Without faith, it is impossible to please God.  Heb 11:6a

Isn't the Lord Good!"

Lisa, our daughter-in-law sent me an email and said, "Isn't the Lord good".  I had told the family that Hu's swallowing was evaluated and he progressed to the next level which meant he could eat some pureed foods and that avocados were on sale this week!  They happen to be one of Hu's favorite foods.  In addition, the nurse took off the wound vac today, and we will be dressing it like a normal wound now.  

In our Bible reading this week I was struck by the phrase,"by faith Abel...by faith Enoch...by faith Abraham," and others.  Hu and I know that "by faith" you have been praying for him during these recent months and the Lord has heard and answered.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  Hebrews 11:1

"You missed it!"

The weather was lovely and the PT therapist was coming so I decided that I could squeeze in a little walk while she worked with Hu.  When I returned she said, "You missed it!  Hu went up 8 steps, walked down the driveway and back and then went up 5 more steps".  That was so exciting after watching him struggle as he has faithfully exercised for the last two months. 

Tomorrow is the big day for the next swallow evaluation.  Pray with us that he will do well enough to get some needed nutrition by mouth to help his recovery process.

We praise the Lord for His continued healing for Hu and your intercessory prayers.

He will not fail you or forsake you.  Deut. 31:6b