Elaine continues to lose ground and is now bedfast. It has been weeks since she could walk, even with help. We were in the Hospice In-Patient Unit for 10-days to get her pain under control, which they did. We came home the 29th and have a hospital bed and other amenities in our living room, a setting that gives her comfort for her remaining weeks or months.
We are under Hospice medical care, and they are incredibly skilled, generous, and caring. Their nurses, aides, chaplain, and social worker visit us and are available 24/7 at a moment’s notice.
We continue to petition God for Elaine’s healing, but the most important thing to us is that we walk through this, together, in a way that gives testimony to God’s grace and joy. Nearly 63 years ago we committed ourselves to living for His purposes and His glory and that’s not about to change because of troubles.
Elaine still has that beautiful smile, and her ongoing quiet and persevering spirit helps so much as she awaits the upward call into Jesus’ Presence, where she will be welcomed by two adult sons, five siblings, her parents and more.
God is enveloping us with His Presence in Spirit, but also through those who come to our aid. We are experiencing the meaning of family and of the Body of Christ in deep ways. The distinction between the institutional church and the Biblical Church is profound in times like this, and our Sunday afternoon small group is stepping up generously and unselfishly.
And then there’s family who drive 400-miles each way to invest some time with us. And the many who drop by (please text me first) to express their love and to pray for us, and those who come to be with Elaine for a couple of hours so I can do other needed things. And those who bring us great meals!
A key factor in God’s provision is the way Mark (son) and Jodie are standing in many gaps and helping in countless ways. They, with the skill and sacrificial love of granddaughter Chelsea (Brian & Sandi) who is an RN and spends much time here, help lift much of the burden of such a time. Chelsea helps me understand things that are happening and how to respond.
Assuming that suffering and death are part of life; that God knows all and is with us always; and that an indescribably wonderful eternal reward awaits us, why would we NOT join Paul in saying “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”? https://biblia.com/bible/esv/philippians/1/20-21
Thanks for your ongoing prayers for our continued faithfulness to our Lord Jesus.
Ken
CLICK HERE for a printable pdf.
Prayers for you continue! Praying that God, who is your strength in times of trouble, will build you up in Him and carry you through this valley. May His grace and peace rest upon you as you trust in His abiding presence. God bless you as you give of yourself to Elaine.
Thank you. Sorry for the slow response – I’m not on public media these days. Your continued support is treasured! Ken
God bless you both. Prayers for strength and the peace that passes all understanding.
Love,
Jerry and Karen Christensen
Thanks for your ongoing support. It is quite a journey!