Saturday, January 21, 2006

The last few days have been a time for me to try to recuperate physically and meet the needs of my family.

Rex started taking the chemo pills on Tuesday evening. So far, he is tolerating them very well. He also started radiation on Thursday. He was able to work most of this week.

God has blessed this week. Rex has been able to eat more than he's eaten in several weeks. The blessing we say before we eat has taken on new meaning. Thanking God for food has become a genuine request. And, as we ask the Lord to allow Rex to be able to eat and swallow it, it makes us much more thankful for our ability to eat. You don't realize how much you take just the simple task as eating for granted.

We were able to have some family time Friday afternoon as we ventured out on an afternoon road trip. We spent much of the time traveling in quiet thoughts being content just to be together.

Several of you have asked me how the girls are doing, and we really can't see much difference in them other than that they want more lap time with daddy, and Amber has been writing love notes to us almost daily. I have told them that Rex is got some really serious sickness trying to take control inside his body, and they know that it's called cancer. They also know that their Granny and Nanny died of cancer. Still, we were not really sure the depth of their understanding. Yesterday, Amber (6) wrote a note that I would like to share with you. I will write it just as she wrote it, through the mind of a six year old:

My Daddy is sick and has cancer and I am praying for him and My mommy's side is hurting I am praying for her My sisster Erin is praying for Daddy and Mommy to. Lindsey dosn't understand. Me and Erin do. Lindsey is only 3 I am 6 and Erin is 8 My Daddy is 37 and My Mommy is 36 and she is shorter than Daddy. Daddy and Mommy have a big bed Me and Erin have a little one.

I think this pretty well reflects an understanding deeper than I even gave her credit for. However, they are not anxious. We are trying to teach them that God is good all the time, and that He has a perfect plan for all of our lives; we must pursue to live a godly life that pleases Him and glorifies Him no matter what storms we face. This is a storm allowed for God to do a marvellous work in our lives -- what is our response? There is NO TURNING BACK! We must surrender all of our fears, trust Him completely, and be obedient daily. We are holding on to God, and we are not going to let go until He blesses us.

Phillippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

I would like to ask you to think about what fears you have hidden deep in your heart that you can't seem to give up or surrender. Make a fresh renewal to allow God to work in your heart and make a conscious effort to give that fear to Him. There's no better place for it than in the precious care of our Lord. I promise you that you will be blessed when you surrender yourself to Him.

Thank you for every prayer you have said on our behalf.

Only because of Him,

Donna Meadows