A Very Frightening Day
Before I begin, I need to tell you that this is not a posting from Dwayne. I am the person previously referred to as "my wife". My name is Janet. Dwayne is in the hospital as I type this. On our way back from family camp we stopped to enjoy the afternoon with some church friends when Dwayne suddenly experienced very severe abdominal pain. We drove him to Big River where the decision was made to send him by ambulance to P.A., and then on to Saskatoon. The doctors think that the tumor is causing some fluid build-up in his abdomen. They are going to reevaluate on Monday.
During our trip we had several "God appointments", as I was given the priveledge of sharing my faith with the ambulance attendant. The nurse in Big River was a Christian as was the nurse in P.A. They both encouraged us to trust in God. God has been faithful to us during this time, but this is not to say that we are without fear and sadness. I have had some very precious verses flowing through my mind, and I remind myself again that although this event took us by surprise, God was not taken unawares. We are so thankful for all the prayers on our behalf.
posted by DH @ Sunday, July 24, 2005
21 comments
21 Comments:
You are held by the prayers of many. Janet. Continue to be "strong and courageous". What wonderful 'God moments' in the midst of crises. Bless you Janet and your children as we intercede for each of you..and of course for Dwayne.
Peggy
Janet, Dwayne, Ashlynn & Tyler
We are so very, very sad for your pain. We think of you all day and pray for you often. We are so thankful for your friendship and the many times we've shared together, and the opportunities we've had to grow together. Know that we love you. We wish so much we could be closer and see you in person today. We will continue to pray and to trust God. Hello to Ashlynn and Tyler from our boys. Love Brun
We continue to pray!
Bill & Kath
Dear Janet, Dwayne and Ashlynn & Tyler,
I have spent some of the day reading Dwayne's journey and been most uplifted by the grace that God has given you on this difficult path that you are on. I wanted to let you know how encouraged I have been in my faith today, just as I was 13 years ago to this day on the Sunday after my mom died and Dwayne was the guest pastor at Ebenezer. My feelings were raw but I wanted to be with the church family for support and Dwayne was the speaker. He began his sermon saying that he had thought and thought about what he could speak on that would be encouraging to the church family and he felt what would be most encouraging for us is if he talked about "heaven". It was a healing balm for me that day to hear him speak as I knew my mom was there and one of the songs that was sung that morning was "We Shall Behold Him". It is a precious memory I vividly remember and hold dear as God used Dwayne to comfort me in my hour of sorrow, just as God has used Dwayne's Journey to encourage me today. My family and I are visiting friends in Calgary, but I wanted to share something I read this morning from one of those calendars that is entitled"God's Promises".
You're blessed when you've lost it all. God's kingdom is there for the finding.... You're blessed when the tears flow freely. Joy comes with the morning. Luke 6: 20-21.
My prayers are with you all at this very difficult time. May you feel God's hands holding you and feel His Holy presence.
Lovingly,
Grace White
Dwayne and Janet,
We have been keeping up with the blog and have been praying for you regularly. And we still are. God is in control, as you know so well.
God bless,
Rod and Denise
Dwayne and Janet,
My heart hurts for you... which makes me marvel at how much more our Heaven Father's heart is touched by your hurt. I can't imagine how intensely He longs to hold and comfort you.
Our prayers for you continue. Thanks for the update.
Joanne Derksen
I have been keeping up with Dwayne's condition, as has my pastor (he wanted to get in touch with Dwayne personally, but didn't know how). We have him on our prayer list, and will continue to pray for his total healing.
If Dwayne feels like it later, perhaps he can visit our church website, and contact my pastor.
http://www.bethelfwc.org
Blessings...
Janet,
We just heard and are so saddened and concerned. We will continue to pray for God's Holy Spirit to hold you all closely and give you the strength you will need over these next few days. Mitchell is also concerned about Tyler and Dwayne as well, so please send them his best. If you need anything,call....
Shelley
Janet, Dwayne, Ashlynn & Tyler,
Like many others, I have been reading your blog regularly and keeping you close in my prayers. Many times I have wanted to respond but have felt "what is there to say". This is such an unbelievable journey that you guys are on.
Today, however, I have felt a keen desire to respond. My thoughts are to remind you that Our Lord is not only walking alongside you on this journey but indeed carrying you when the road seems dark and rocky for only HE knows the way. And as only a FATHER can be HE does not want you to get lost along life's road. From my own personal journey, I know this to be truth, for even when I didn't completely understand what it meant to be Safe in the Arms of Jesus that's where my family was during our years of turbulent travels. So I encourage you to continue falling into those Arms for they will carry you through.
As we pray for your healing, Dwayne, we also pray for your Mom's journey towards her heavely home, Janet. May Our Lord's peace be with each and everyone of you.
Kathleen
P.S. May you find comfort in these familiar words:
FOOTPRINTS
One night a man had a dream.
He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his Life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of his life.
This really bothered him, and he questioned the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times of my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why, when I needed you most, you would leave me."
The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you." -Margaret Fishback Powers
To let lyou kow that it is nice to be able to keep up with the situation as it unfolds. You are often in our prayers and our church is also praying for you.
Cousin Sarah
Janet, Dwayne, Ashlynn & Tyler
I continue to pray. Give the kids hugs and kisses for me.
My love and prays,
Opal
Janet Dwayne and the kids.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you daily. We feel sad for your pain. Dwayne, you have been a great friend and your encouragment through your letters is remarkable. God is with you and he is holding you in his arms.
Love your friends
Byron & Brenda
hey janet and dh,
just thought i'd send you this link to a blog posting i wrote the other night. it's like a comment in itself, but it's up in my blog. i heard about the family room. feel free to print the blog entry out(it'll print in black text with white paper, no worries!) and to let DH read it.
blog entry:
http://obsidianfyre.blogspot.com/2005/07/its-been-hard-this-past-while.html#comments
just copy and paste if it's not linked.
praying for all of your family,
-Lindsay
Dwayne and Janet (and family),
My heart has been heavy ever since I heard the news about Dwayne's health. I have been encouraged with each blog entry. I even have some of my friends here in Rosenort reading them. We pray for you often and desire for you all to feel His presence and peace during this time.
In His Mighty Grip,
Rebekah Friesen
We continue to remember Dwayne and your family each day and we ask the Lord largely for Dwayne's healing and strength for the family during this trial. God is well able.
Kristin and Eric Amundson (Darren's little sister)
Hmmm... interesting turn of events for our brother... no more waiting for treatment... no more delays in consultations...kind of makes me wonder what God has in mind... how He's arranging things for Dwayne and Janet...
Good to know our God actually wasn't caught off guard by this turn of events...
Continuing to pray in faith, believing God for His will to be accomplished in your lives...
blessings,
mjb
Hey Dwayne
I know I haven't talked to you in a long time, but though you aren't pastoring from the pulpit my heart has been encouraged all the way out here in Quebec. Your whole family is in my heart and prayers.
Sherry
Hi Janet,
My parents have been reading Dwayne's blog and have passed the address on to me. I've read some of it. It's very moving, and very encouraging. What courage God gives you in the face of such danger! You're in my prayers, and I've even got a friend in Uganda praying for you too!
Love,
your cousin Stephen Wiebe, son of David and Vera
Dear Janet, Dwayne and family,
I only know you through my sister's family, but my heart is saddened by the painful journey you're walking through. Know that you are in my prayers and that you are thought of a lot. Reading your blog is an amazing journey for me as I can feel Christ flowing through your words and He is alive in your lives. May God continue to place people in your lives to walk through this journey with you.
Corrie
Janet and Dwayne, I must apologize for not writing sooner. I want you to know that if there is ANYTHING I can do to lighten your burdens,please let me know! When I heard that Dwayne had cancer, I was stunned! Totally unable to "get my head around it". Once the shock wore off,the sadness and angry crept in...why would God do this!! It was just WRONG!!! I was sitting outside a couple of days later,doing my devotions,when I looked up to the sky and asked God "Why? Why?.I don't understand!".The words were barely outof my mouth when a gust of wind came out of nowhere and flipped the pages of my open Bible from Mattthew to Job 38-39! I knew at that moment that God was telling me "MY will be done,Karen". I know you and your family must be frightened about what each day will bring,what the doctors have to say and the plans they may have for treating you,and frightened about what those treatments will entail. I want you to know you have a HUGE number of people praying for you-all of you. I am keeping my faith that God will heal you!! May God keep you in His loving embrace. Karen L.
We continue to pray and intercede for each of you.....that you will feel God's love embrace you. We are so very thankful for your family in our lives and how your walk with the Creator has impacted our journey in life. We love you and we feel so much compassion for your pain. We lift you up in prayer.
Wendy, Rob and Daniel
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