Journeying together

Getting right to the point, for those of you who heard something but not sure of what, we discovered a couple weeks ago that my dad has nasal cancer. Unfortunately, we also recently discovered that the cancer has spread to other parts of his body. One thing that we are very grateful for is that the doctor said that at this stage, he shouldn't actually be able to walk but praise God, he's still be able to run around. It was really encouraging also that he was given the opportunity to speak on the Doulos for the last Sunday of the year (27 December 2009). I will be trying to get a copy of this message to put on the web and possibly make CD copies if any of you are interested but I warn you that it could take me a while. :)

At the moment, my mum has gotten my dad started on some alternative treatment while we wait for the radio/chemotherapy. This morning my parents are out to the hospital to get some sort of shell thing made in preparation for the radiotherapy but the earliest they will actually begin will be 12 January. One of the treatments that my dad has been doing currently forces him to sleep for about 2 hours so we all feel like that has been somewhat helpful. Otherwise, he's also been "over-supplemented", as he says, with all sorts of alternative foods. Apparently, one tastes like copper, the other tastes like wood and the rest are bland. I've felt really bad as I'm putting back all the weight I've lost by inhaling everything in sight. Between June and November, I had lost almost 15kg so you can imagine the amount of catching up I've got to do. Haha!

As for my mum, she has been simply amazing! Please do continue to pray for her too as her hernia has not been looked much into though she is coping. She's been wonderful in bringing my dad from one treatment to the other and making sure he's got whatever foods he needs. Perhaps it is a time like this that the love of God really shines through their marriage and though it be painful, it is a beautiful sight bringing much glory to the Father. I suppose it makes it so much more special as they approach their 25 year of marriage at the end of March 2010.

Well, I've been kept from work these last few days (which has been a good thing) but now I've got a free afternoon so I've got my folders out. It's been wonderful distracting myself from it with all the lovely emails and facebook messages but I guess it's time to discipline myself to make sure these things get done. I'm not sure how often I'll be able to update, reply emails, etc so please do bear with us as we may be slow in getting these blog updates out.

We hope and trust that you have all had a truly wonderful Christmas and pray that you will also have a Spirit-led New Year as you journey in faith into 2010. Thank you for continuing to walk with us on this journey of faith through friendship, support and prayer.

As Christmas quickly approaches, many (including myself) find ourselves not ready. Who knew I would only be left with two weeks without having done all my Christmas shopping or Christmas cards, etc. As for the many things that are happening building up to this most joyous occasion, it's been a little difficult to really enjoy all these blessings that God has given. I do want to give thanks to the Lord for answers to prayer concerning flights. My parents, who are now back in Singapore, managed to secure me a flight back to Singapore on 22 December as well as a slightly more complicated flight back on 8 January. Praise Him for this provision. I am thoroughly looking forward to being back in Singapore to spend Christmas with family and friends.

Of course, in the midst of the holidays, there are still responsibilities that need to be considered. Please pray with me as I'm struggling through the amount of essays that I'm expected to churn out by the end of the year. One of them is actually due this Wednesday and the other 2 and a half are due by the 31st of December. I also have 3 sequences of an average 6 lessons each to plan over the holidays, which isn't too bad but does still require effort and thought. Thankfully, I only have two more teaching days in this year left though in truth, I am not prepared for either of them. I've also got 3 tests to take on the morning of the 22nd (yes, that is the day I'm flying but my flight is at night). Though these tests are not immensely difficult, I'll still need time to prepare for them.

Perhaps after reading this, you'll be realising that I'm often finding it harder to "stay positive" and I often worry I'm turning into the pessimist of the year. Then I listen to songs like this:

Hosanna (by Paul Baloche)

Praise the Lord for songs like this that just reminds us of God's presence in our lives. He is mighty to save! He is sovereign! He is Good! He is faithful! He is Emmanuel! Hosanna in the highest! Praying that you will join with me in praise and adoration of our Lord, the servant king, this Christmas, who humbled Himself and came to dwell among us. Blessed Christas!

I was thinking about what I should title this blog. It's sometimes hard to know how to sum up everything that I want to say in just a line so that I can put it in this little subject heading and click 'publish'. Some of you might recognise that saying from my dad's messages. As I was praying this week in the midst of the stress and the hunger and the tiredness, this little saying just kept coming back to mind.

The early 4:30am starts are still something I'm getting used to. The late nights of planning, marking, filing, organising, etc are also somethings that need some getting used to. Then of course, my classes of hyperactive kids. *smirk*. In all honesty, though some days are just really tough and I find myself realising that everyone is in a similar boat. I won't tell you what happened yesterday but it made me realise that I'm not the only one that sometimes just wants to sit down in a corner somewhere and cry. I don't know about you but I get really embarrassed if people see me cry. I guess I've just never been this stretched out but as I find myself in that kind of state, it's been really refreshing to learn from David in the Psalms just how to release all that anxiety, stress and tears into God's hands. I'm not there yet, I pick up more worries and stress during the day but God has been faithful. Where I am weak, He is strong. When I'm down, He picks me up again... there are a few songs out there on this, aren't there?

Well, things aren't going to be getting any easier. Quick update for those who have been asking. My parents are heading back to Singapore on the 8th of December for my dad to start his radio and chemotherapy. We are hoping that he will get an appointment to do an MRI here in London before he leaves (because it's free here) but if not, may have to pay a sum to do it in Singapore. I'm still waiting to hear if I've got a seat to fly back to Singapore on the 22nd straight after my 3 exams. If not, I'll also be paying for a budget flight or something. I'm planning to be staying in Singapore until the 8th when I have to return because I'll already have missed a week of school and need to be back in order to finish certain assignments. My parents will stay on for as long as the treatment takes. We have been told it will be about 6 months where my dad will have to go to the hospital 5 days every week. I have heard that he will be allowed breaks though, which means he will still be attending some meetings inbetween.

We are entirely grateful to the Lord for the many friends and family who have been in touch with us and have prayed faithfully with us. It has been overwhelming to see God's love, grace and faithfulness through His people, His church, our family. Praise Him indeed for this strength in unity.

We continue to trust in His sovereignty.

Debbie