Dear Friends and Family,
It has been quite some time since I sent an update to you on our physical situations, and since we will both will be away at our Lake Ontario cottage, I wanted to update you on our health challenges. Jean continues to do well with the exception of dealing with fatigue, which prevents her from being as active as she would like to be. She was given a clean bill of health in March after chemo, surgery and radiation. Her biggest need right now is for weight gain, so please keep that in mind when you pray for her.
I was planning to head to the lake the first week in July, but I have been recently struggling with the side effects of chemo-mainly fatigue and dizziness caused by frequent bouts of dehydration, which drops my blood pressure resulting in lightheadedness (no comments please!). In my mind it is something new, but there are others who might suggest otherwise.
After church this past Sunday, one of my special friends suggested to me in the Family Ministry Center that I shouldn't wait until July to head to the lake, but that I should consider leaving after services on the 24th. I thought about his comments, which were based on how he viewed my physical situation, which has resulted in my working more of late from home than the church and certainly at a much slower pace than I am used to. Yesterday, after spending eight and a half hours meeting with my doctor, having blood work and receiving chemo, along with a couple of bags of fluids for hydration purposes, I returned home depleted of energy and ready to seriously consider my friend's suggestion. Interestingly enough, my doctor also confirmed my friend's observations when he said, “I need to slow down and consider stopping ministry for the duration of my treatment”, which is only five weeks away. This was something I didn’t want to hear, as it has been so difficult for me to step back from doing what I love to do, but with Pastor Jared and Pastor Nick providing such strong leadership, and a great support staff to complement their ministry, I feel very comfortable about stepping away for my vacation a little earlier than I expected. Jean and I plan to be away until the middle of August, and during that time, we will be joined by our children and grandchildren, something we really look forward to each year.
As you may know, Jean and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary this month on the 19th, which interestingly enough is Emancipation Day on my calendar. I confess that emancipation may have been something that we both have both thought about at times during those 50 years of marriage. But it always comes down to the question we both ask of ourselves: "Who would have either one of us" ? Seriously speaking, we are grateful for our marriage, and the time the Lord has given us to love one another, and we look forward to whatever challenges and adventures He has in store for us in our future time together.
We were both so surprised by the celebration you held for us following the second service. Just before I wrote this message this morning, elder John O’Neill dropped by to deliverer the beautiful poster board display with notes and pictures of Jean and I and our family. Also Included was a packet filled with a number of additional personal and encouraging notes that you had taken time to write. What a blessing to read those hand-written notes, which so beautifully expressed your prayers for us, and which shouted out your love and appreciation for our ministry. Special thanks to Julie Harris who helped compile the notes and who assembled this wonderful display, which now proudly hangs on our bedroom wall.
We are so blessed by the many ways you reach out and love one another, and how grateful we are that we are a part of the family that is encompassed by that love.
When I think of you, I am conscious of the words the Apostle Paul penned when he wrote the Philippians reminding them of his love. "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, thankful for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:3-6 RSV
Yours in faith and friendship,
Pastor Tom
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