Well, we survived the surgery. Stayed in the hospital 1 extra day as the doctors were concerned about some pain in Gordon's chest, post-surgery. They did two EKGs and blood work, which indicated no heart issues, but he continued to have some pain for several days. He seems to be mending nicely. Has quite a long incision at the back of his neck. The procedure he actually had done, removed some of the hardware (screws and nuts) he had from his previous surgery. His spine has shifted and the nerve in his neck was laying against some of the hardware. He may possibly have some permanent nerve damage, indicated by numbness in his shoulder and arm, which continues. Please pray that God will heal him COMPLETELY. He (Gordon) has had a LOT to deal with these past few months, and he has a very difficult time laying it all in God's hands. I know God is faithful, AND He is ABLE to take care of all of this.
My Mom's brother, Uncle J.C. went to be with the Lord on July 2. His daughter sent the following message, which so aptly expresses his attitude toward life. I only HOPE I can accept all that comes to me with the same attitude and peace of mind that he had.
This is the final Frinkogram coming from Jane and Stephen instead of JC.
Today Daddy traveled the last part of his journey in this wonderful world. He never let his cancer get him down, kept a positive outlook on life, entertained until the end, enjoyed people, and loved having all of you as his friends and family.
Every part of his journey on Earth was "great" and he never failed to share how lucky he had been throughout his entire life. He attributed his good fortune to you, his friends and family. Cancer brought him one last adventure and unfortunately it had an end that was not planned. Everyday he has said that it was his greatest day ever. Today was his "greatest day ever!!!!!!!!" We can only imagine the fun he is having with old friends and family as they tell their stories and share fond memories in heaven. He left peacefully and with the loving care of a wonderful Hospice team. As he has been saying the past two weeks... "If you get a chance to work with Hospice, sign up because they are terrific!!!!!!!!"
As Daddy would say... "Thank you, thank you, thank you for being my friends, I can't stop thanking you" Please keep in touch with us. Your friendships with our family made us what we all are today.
My Uncle J.C. was a wonderful example of selflessness and a positive attitude. He could not have maintained this without God's help. He set a wonderful example for his friends and family, and I KNOW God used his circumstances to bless others.
I have been reading from a devotional called Experiencing God by Henry T. and Richard Blackaby. I would like to share a comment on Phil. 1:12, "But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which have happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel."
There are two ways to look at every situation: How it will affect you and how it will affect God's kingdom. The apostle Paul was always concerned with how his circumstances might aid the spreading of the gospel...Regardless of his circumstance, Paul's concern was how he could use his current situation to tell others of God's good news of salvation.
Often when we encounter a new situation, our first thoughts are not about God's kingdom. When we face a crisis, we can become angry of fearful for our own well-being, rather than looking to see what God intends to do through our circumstances. If we remain self-centered we will miss so much of what God could do through our experiences, both for us and for those around us. "
It is my prayer that God's power will be manifested in my circumstances and that He will use them to show others the difference Christ's presence can make in our lives.
1 comment:
Oh, my dear, sweet friend and sister in Christ, how you continue to amaze me and strenghten me with your faith and outlook on life. You are such a wonderful example to us all. I know that you will give Him all the glory and honor as you should, but, dear one, you have beoome a willing vessel to hold his mercy and grace and to pour it out on each of us who are blessed to be your friends and family. So many people, even believers, have chosen to give in, give up, give out and not reach for His help and see His hand working in their situation, but you have not. You are a testimony to Him. I must confess that I do that at times, but I am trying to claim Romans 8:28 for my family. Thank you for your kind words, thoughts, and most of all your prayers for us.
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