New Beginnings

It has been a while since I have sent an update with our lives, maybe a sign that we are adjusting to our new reality. We continue to covet your prayers for Madelyn and Bev as they both continue to recover. Bev came home on December 30, but is obviously limited in what she can do. Physically the scar from the surgery is healing, but we now see that after surgery there is more to recover from than just the incision. Bev has been tired and I think it has taken more of a toll on her than she anticipated.

The girls have been absolutely fantastic in helping around the house, and the fact we have our whole house has made a huge difference.One of the most optimistic things we heard was the possibility that Madelyn could be moved to Langley sooner than later. Originally we were told to expect her to be in Royal Columbian for the majority, if not all, of her time. We have not bothered to ask about the possibility of a move to Langley, but the doctors brought it up today with Bev. For those who don’t know, Royal Columbian is the top hospital in the province but is about 30 minutes away. Langley is a wonderful hospital but smaller, but is only 3 minutes away (literally up the hill). This would definitely be something we ask you to add to your prayer list. She also hit the 1300 gram mark, still small, but we count grams like a Dutchmen counts pennies! The last couple of days her weight gain has slowed a little so the doctors have added a protein supplement to get this back on track.

The help that we have received continues to be overwhelming and humbling. I honestly wish I had the words to describe what this community has done and is doing for us. The prayers of the people have sustained us through difficult times. The meals that have been cooked by friends and family have relieved a huge burden for everyone. Again today we found a mysterious Shepherd’s Pie at our door; thankfully the cat didn’t get to it first. People have been huge in offers to drive Bev to the hospital as she doctors have told her she can’t drive to herself. There are days where we feel we have things planned, but realize that things change quickly. Yesterday we were discouraged that for the first time we wouldn’t be able to see Madelyn when some friends called at 3:30 wondering if they could take Bev to the hospital. Off she went as we ate a sweet meal provided by the parents of one of the players I coached this past year. Today someone else took Bev to the hospital while another friend from church watched Emma and cleaned the house! We received an email and a phone call from Anneke's and Corina's teachers, and little things like are big things because it validated for them that they too are part of this story. What a blessing to have wonderful teachers! Like I said, I can describe these things, but the words don’t even capture what they have meant to us and the girls.

My school has also been very generous in allowing me the space to go and be with the family when needed. The community at Fraser Valley Christian continues to amaze me. The prayers, words of encouragement, conversations, and hugs today from fellow teachers made a tough day a little less tough. I also shared the story of Madelyn today in class, when I got done the students decided to gather around me, laid their hands on me, and just prayed for our family. Yes, it was emotional. I couldn’t imagine going through this without the community at Fraser Valley.

Well, that is “all” that is happening in our lives. We do thank God for each one of you. And while you are not strangers in our lives, I hope this “Celtic Rune of Hospitality” captures a little of what you have done for us.

A Familiar Stranger

You saw a stranger today.
You put food for us in the eating-place
And drink in the drinking-place
And music in the listening-place.

In the Holy nameof the Trinity
He blessed myselfand my family.
And the lark said in her warble
Often, often, often
Goes Christ
in the stranger's guise.

O, oft and oft and oft,
Goes Christ
in the stranger's guise.