Halfway

Halfway is defined as a point of progression. So if you are halfway through a difficult task, it's a good thing. However, if you are halfway through something fun and enjoyable it might start to upset you because the end is soon near. Halfway is relevant. For me it can get very tricky. I find once I arrive at "halfway", I tend to rest. Do you do that? It is as though I feel a break needs to be taken. Maybe to reflect on where I have been or perhaps where I am headed. However for me resting often leads to sitting. Sitting can lead me to staying. Staying can get me stuck. Then when I get stuck that is where it gets tricky. It is then when things tend to fall apart  Sometimes I  question all that I know to be real and true, even when I know better. Do any of you do that?

I feel like that is where I have been. "Stopped." Here we are a full week into August and I feel like time has stopped since June 16. That is the day I was laughing and ending my wonderful visit with Joy in Canada. We were on our way to Toronto where I would catch an evening flight, when my cell phone rang. It was the phone call I had dreaded. The voice on the other end said my mom wasn't going to make it through the night and I should come home as soon as possible. "Halfway" between Joy's home and the airport a phone call changed my life and now things would never be the same. To make a long story short, mama passed into the arms of Jesus about an hour before I was able to reach her. Since then, I will be honest, I just haven't caught my breath. Life has taken on such a different view for me. I can't put into words how yet, I only know that it has changed. It has been a month since I have updated the blog and I know your prayers and thoughts have been with Joy and with me. Please know they are so deeply appreciated and welcomed. Please continue your prayers as I move out of this time of grieving and into a time of healing and peace. Jesus never promised life would be easy, He did promise He would never leave us. I know He is with me always.

So now you're up to date on me, so let me tell you about Joy. Girls have you seen our precious friend lately! Let me tell you this girl is working the color coordination of a head scarf. Two Snaps and A Whistle for Joy!!! WOOT, WOOT!! Yes, she has her bad days, but mercy sakes I don't even know what she is going to do next!!! I mean one day she is laying on her bed after chemo sick as a puppy and the next she is posting Facebook pics of herself behind the wheel of a new Camero Convertible! Mercy! LOL

Seriously loved the pictures she shared with us about going to their trailer at Muskoka Bible Conference Center. Glad she is able to get a change of view for a couple days now and then. (If you aren't already Facebook friends, you should be.  That's where Joy posts all her pics.) I was also celebrating with her being able to go there without her "hair"!!! What courage that took!!! Amazing is simply not enough of a word to describe Joy. Beautiful is another word to describe her. At a time when she doesn't feel her best and senses all eyes upon her, what strength it took for her to sit outside on her porch without her wig, 'al natural'. I have only seen her beautiful bald head through video and pictures, but long for the day I'll kiss the top of it in person.

This week we find Joy "Halfway":
Halfway through her chemo treatments. Number four will be this week. Each treatment has made her sicker than the last. The good news is Jesus gives her enough strength to handle it and she comes out of it just a bit stronger than she went in. Her numbers look good and doctors are saying good things at this point. However please do not let up with your prayers. We are still far from over with this fight. We are not "Halfway" through the cancer battle by any means. Joy will have her blood work done on Wednesday and a consultation with the oncologist, and then all being well, chemo will be early Thursday morning.  Please remember to pray for her blood pressure to be good on this trip as last time those numbers were elevated somewhat.  Praying all reports will be in the "normal" range this time.

Since last week Joy's husband has been battling a nasty cold. Joy has been trying everything, except living in a germ free bubble, to stay healthy. So far she is succeeding, but she has to stay healthy or chemo gets pushed back.

Next week (14th) is Joy's birthday and please pray her day will be filled with health and happiness. Usually the 5-7 days following chemo are not good for her, so pray really hard this month.  A day of bed rest would even be fine as long as it wasn't accompanied by the expected joint pain and upset tummy.  We know God is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.

Chris, her son, will be going back to University over Labor day weekend. Joy will not be able to make that trip with him because of her next treatment. Pray as things get prepared for his return to school.

Finally, pray for God's hand and provision for my hopeful trip back to Canada in September.

"Halfway" is defined as a point of progression. Whether you are moving on or towards something, halfway is still better than not moving at all. Because when you are "halfway" you have made progress.

Standing in the gap with "Faith", Joy,
Diane, "Hope"