Bitter Sweet
Thursday and Friday were difficult days. Dwayne's medication combination was causing great agitation and anxiety for his body and emotions. He was not lucid and so conversation was minimal. On Thursday afternoon he asked for the elders to come and pray and anoint him with oil for healing. Amazingly within minutes several of our church leaders showed up at his room, all without a single phone call. We prayed in faith. God promises that all things work together for good...but it is the last part of the verse that is really important, and sometimes we miss that part. "For those who are called according to His purpose". God will fulfill His purposes, but not necessarily according to our requests.
Dwayne was not miraculously healed. Today, however, the doctors were able to change his meds and his mind was clear. He had very significant conversations with each of our children. Ashlynn is leaving for camp tomorrow, as per our joint decision, and so he said goodbye to her. Dwayne and I had some very beautiful moments together as well. We talked about his service, and what some of his wishes are. We tell each other often that we love each other.
Thank you again for your prayers. God is still able to heal...but we also want to finish well.
posted by DH @ Saturday, August 13, 2005
31 comments
31 Comments:
Dwayne and Janet,
You are constantly on our minds. Our family is praying for your entire family.
Thanks for your updates online. Like many, we follow them closely and feel we are part of this journey with you.
I continue to update our church family and will again this Sunday.
Leyton & Brenda Erickson
Dear Dwayne, Janet, Ashlynn and Tyler;
Thank you Janet for our phone conversation tonight. Our hearts ache for you all. Thank you Dwayne, for your presence in our lives. Thank you for giving us a "frame of reference" for just how chipper a person can be. :) We have often met "chipper" people and think right away of you. Thank you too for your continued hope that I would learn to drink coffee and then learn to enjoy it. Negative on both fronts so far, but I'm not in charge, so we may be surprised. Thank you to all of you for your amazing examples of courage and faith. We all love all of you - Sherry Anderson and Family
Dear Dwayne and Janet,
You are ever so often on our hearts and minds. We are praying for you everyday...even Caleb and Connor pray for you every night. We feel so far away now that we're in Germany and wish so much that we could be there with you but this site has made us feel like we're still connected and we check it constantly for any updates.
We continue to call out to God for a miracle.
Love Mark & Cyndy
Dwayne, Janet, Ashlynn and Tyler,
Our thoughts and prayers are continually with you. We continue to ask God for a miracle.
Thank you for your honesty in your updates. We are so encouraged by what you have learned through this experience. Thank you for sharing your lives with all of us.
The words of a Steven Curtis Chapman song keep running through my head and so I thought I'd share them with you:
"I can do all things
Through Christ who gives me strength,
But sometimes I wonder what He can do through me;
No glory on my own,
Yet in my weakness He is there to let me know...
[Chorus:]
His strength is perfect when our strength is gone;
He'll carry us when we can't carry on.
Raised in His power, the weak become strong;
His strength is perfect, His strength is perfect.
We can only know
The power that He holds
When we truly see how deep our weakness goes;
His strength in us begins
Where ours comes to an end.
He hears our humble cry and proves again..." [II Cor 12:9-10]
With love and prayers,
Perry and Dawna
PS We're praying that Ashlynn will have a great week at camp.
Dwayne and Janet,
We have been following your events and pray often. We thank you for the time we had at living hope and wish we could be closer at this difficult time. You have had an impact on our lives and we want to take the time to say thank you. Please continue to let your light shine.
Curt and Sara Willems
Dear Dwayne, Janet, and Children,
While proof reading our message the screen went blank, so will begin again. Excuse if you get a double dose from us.
Sorry to hear that Dwayne had such poor days the end of the week. So glad to hear that he was able to visit with the three of you on Sat. We hope and pray that he will have many more of these good days.
How we wish we lived closer so that we could minister to you folks as you did for us when I had major surgery in 1999! We remember fondly the visits, prayers, and food delivered right to our door.
May Ashlyn have a pleasant time at camp and be able to leave her worries behind for some of the hours she is away from home.
You are in our thoughts and prayers each day.
Take care of yourself, Janet. God's blessings.
Love, Axel and Anne
We continue to bring you before the Lord, Dwayne & Janet. We trust Him that he will continue to be close to you during this time of need.
Bill & Kath
Dwayne and Janet,
You probably don't remember me but I used to attend Silverwood Baptist Church and attended a few of your services when Living Hope took over. I am now attending Cornerstone Church and Russ has been updating us on Wayne's journey and told us about this site. I was very impressed with Wayne's exuberance and joy for life the few times that I have seen him. His light really shines for Jesus.
I am keeping you all in my prayers and praying for a miracle in your lives. May God richly bless you in this time in the valley.
Marie Panajotovic
Dear Janet, Dwayne, Ashlyn and Tyler;
I cannot say how we ache for you amidst a joy and peace that you and we belong to the GOD who understands and knows ALL. I 'drink' up your words saying: "We want to finish well" Only the power of an Almighty GOD could give you the strenth to say that at a time like this.
I still pray with you for a miracle, even more that one, however GOD plans to reveal them to us!
Remember always how much we love you! - Mom asks everyday, did you hear how Dwayne is today - her thoughts are with you constantly!
Janet , remember to take care of yourself! Love, Cousin Margaret
Dear Janet and Dwayne:
Many years have passed since our 'youth' and 'hockey' days at Ebenezer. We have been praying diligently for your family as we have read your daily entries.
We will continue to pray for you.
Tybie and Greg Elenko
Dear Dwayne,Janet, Ashlynn and Tyler:
Thank you, Janet for referring me to this wonderful website. When I came to see you today I was just on my way to the lake for two weeks vacation; however, Jack and I got on Dwayne's website, and were completely involved in every wonderful and inspiring word.
So, I am leaving for the lake two hours late, but so happy that I was able to feel this closeness and understanding of what you and your family are going through, and marvelling at the strength you are able to muster throughout it all.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Joan and Jack Sutherland
Dwayne, Janet, Tyler & Ashlynn,
Know that you are in my prayers constantly. May you feel the peace of God descend on you this very hour and may His strength carry you through these days.
Corrie Stoesz
Dwayne and Janet
I wrote a song the other day and knew it was for my own situation, but now I believe it is for yours well - God Bless We are loving you and Praying constantly
STOREHOUSE
The lilies of the feild
Here today and gone tomorrow
Yet you care for each and every of its needs
The birds flying high through the clouds in the sky
You see each and every one when they fall down
How much more than these will you care for my needs
You know every prayer before I even ask
Lord please teach me to se that your Storehouse is free
All I need to do is seek and follow you
Each and every day I struggle along
Trying to find my purpose and my song
You whisper in my ear
All you want is to be near
YOu will carry me when I just can't go on
All I'll ever need is to follow your lead
You'll provide for me before I even ask
Lord Please teach me to see that Your Storehouse is free
All I have to do is seek and follow you
You're my Jehovah Jirah, Emmanuel
Alpha and Omega, Adonai
My Provider, always with me
First and Last, my Lord
All I need to do is seek and follow you
Love Tiff
Dwayne and Janet,
You are also in our prayers out here in Colorado. You guys have been on our hearts alot lately,. We have been getting updates from different friends up there. WE know God has a plan for you . Thank you also for all your support when we lived up there.. you were a huge blessing in our lives! We miss you and will continue to be praying for your family!
Brad & Angie Benson
Dear Dwayne and Janet,
We praise God for your strenght and faith in this incredibly difficult time in your lives.
Our family has been praying for yours and will continue to do so. When I go for my walks on the Meewasin Trail this summer I often think of Dwayne and his dogs running full tilt - they were a fun team to watch, then I pray for him and for you all.
I was so happy to see Ashlynn a few hours ago at camp. We were dropping off Roddy for his first year at camp. I'm so glad that he will be there at the same time as Ashlynn. She is an amazing girl - always smiling, so polite and sweet. I'm glad that she could get away and do the things kids should be able to do on their summer holidays.
You and Dwayne have done an incredible job raising your children. Their love of Christ is so evident. I've read Ashlynn's essays and projects on display at our school. She is able to witness her faith so freely. Tyler too has walked others through the Sinner's Prayer. He is so young and yet so wise. Your whole family is inspirational. Thank-you all. Thank you for continuing to write to all of us on this blog too Janet.
Shawna and Rod Dykes
I dunno where to begin. I remmeber the first time I asked God into my heart. It came from lots of youth outtings and help from Pastor DH and Pastor PK. I know about some of the times the children have prayed for me. They r the nicest kids I have ever met and babysat. It was always a pleasure. Remember everyone is praying and I will continue to pray as well. All my love and prays *Opal*
Dear God,
I join hundreds of brothers and sisters around the world in bringing before you our friend Dwayne. He has been such a ray of light in our lives and we really don't want to see him go. So again I humbly bow here before You and beg that You miraculously heal him and restore him to health and strength. We recognize that this is something only You can do but we know that You are more than able and we wait expectantly on Your mercy and Your power to pour down upon our dear brother. Yours be the honor and glory Lord. Amen
Hi Dwayne & Janet,
You may be interested to know that on Friday morning I felt a strong leading to read and ponder Romans 8:28-39. I spent more than an hour trying to decipher the passage and write something in this comment box, but in the end I wasn't sure what God was trying to tell me (or you). It's a hard passage to make sense of in the face of your present circumstances.
Little did I know you were pondering the same passage with your elders. I feel now that I need to spend more time contemplating that passage.
You remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Peter
Your journey is teaching us all. I'm amazed that the elders all came at once; God surely knows. Not a sparrow falls to the ground without Him knowing.
I thought of Dwayne when I heard a sermon on healing at church yesterday.
Janet and Dwayne. Your story is inspirational and has caught the eye of the Star Phoenix. I have sent you an e-mail regarding this.
David Hutton
Dwayne and family-
God never ceases to amaze me..... Pastor Bruce at Forest Grove Church referred to some amazingly profound comments off of "Dwane's Journey" and has deepened my faith as a result. He preached this past sunday on 'Purpose and Promises' from Romans 8:28-30 . As he spoke, I was reminded of the one time that I had met Dwayne in a small group setting among leaders of Saskatoon this past spring. Through his honesty, openess, and hummility- God spoke loud and clear through Dwayne on the topic of priorities. I am forever changed because of his words. Reading the Romans passage has come more alive in me as a direct result of Dwayne's witness of faith. Jesus is shining so bright in you all.
My prayers are with you.
jodi Kozan
I would encourage people to go visit Dwayne if they can. He was moved to St. Pauls. I continue to pray as Im sure everyone else does as well.
I am reminded of this passage.
To every thing there is a season,
and a time to every purpose
under heaven.
A time to be born, and a time to die, a time to plant, and a time to
pluck up that which is planted.
A time to kill, and a time to heal,
a time to break down,
and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. Eccles. 3:1-8 May God guide you through this hard time. Prays for your family.
Janet:
I believe this blog could be very important for a lot of people to read. Perhaps you might consider publishing this as a book, so that many others can receive encouragement and see God's awesomeness through your journey. Brian and I pray for healing for your family.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1
THANK YOU for sharing of yourselves here. You've encouraged and challenged me, and I'm sure many others, to press on in the time we are given. Our prayers for strength and peace continue with you.
Joanne
Janet, Ashlynn, Tyler
Our thoughts, prayers and love are with you. May God carry you through this time. We love you.
The Andersons
Our thoughts and prayers are with you his family, his friends and his congregation. May God bless you and keep you all.
The Juneau Family
Terrace, BC
Dear Janet, Ashlynn and Tyler,
To believe that God doesn't make mistakes is a hard concept to grab onto today...but I know for a fact that He doesn't...He is faithful.
Our hearts are with you in your pain...
Eunice, Garth and Girls
I've been listening to different peices of news that I've recieved and prayed about the one thing that if Gods purpose is to have Dwayne go with him. That you wouldn't be suprised. I believe that giving him to God like that and not expecting all your prayers to be answered will be very glorifying to God. I see that you were prepared for God to take him. As hard as it can be at times, God is still there, and we just hope that what we are requesting is Gods will and plan for us. I've been praying for you and your children and will continue to do so.
Jay Ramage
Dear Janet and children,
Hello! We are friends of Wally and Linda Thiessen. We just finished reading through Dwayne's Journey and were so touched by the experience that we wanted to write.
Know that we, along with hundreds of others, are praying for all of you as you enter into this new chapter of your life.
Thank you sharing this journey with us. :-)
Scott & Mano Young
Romans 8:28
Do you mind if I quote a few of your posts as long as I provide
credit and sources back to your website? My blog is in the very same area
of interest as yours and my users would truly benefit from a lot of the information you present here.
Please let me know if this alright with you. Thanks!
Post a Comment
<< Home