Dear Family & Friends,
It was very encouraging to hear from many of you after our last update, thank you for writing and letting me know you were thinking of me, praying for us and I appreciated very much the many words of encouragement passed on by so many. Included is a photo of our family with Zac, you received a similar photo to this several weeks ago but check this out, we have added Zac in, thanks to photoshop!!! Zac is still in America, he is not here in Chiang Rai with the rest of us but he will be coming home for Christmas!
Probably the most encouraging word from God I have had this past month would be from Joshua 6. You know the story of the Israelite army who were led by Joshua. God had told him to go and march around the walls of Jericho seven times and then on the final time to give a shout of victory! You & I were not there but from my perspective I would think that this was a pretty ‘strange’ thing to do, (with the people of Jericho possibly jeering at this army’s tactics and way of doing things) it was most unconventional way of “fighting the battle”. However it was what they believed God had told them to do… so in faith they obeyed. As I read this, I was deeply encouraged. They marched around those walls to claim a promised victory and yet, there were no signs of this victory being accomplished. As yet I do not have any signs of healing being accomplished but I acknowledge I do not see the big picture, so I continue to obey. Some days, it has been a struggle to remain steadfast, but every time I wait on the Lord and seek to hear His voice again, he encourages me to continue….. with encouragement’s such as these from Joshua 6.
So please keep praying for my health…… we are still ‘walking’ in the confidence that God has spoken and He is healing me. My pain was worse after my last update for a while but has decreased again now, it was very interesting during that time because I read from John 20:29 “Blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed!” Yes! I do wonder at times what is happening but I recognise that if I dwell on that, I find myself trying to ‘work it out’ in my own strength and ‘make a plan’ and I believe part of the lesson God is teaching me, is to just simply trust! I believe sometimes God keeps away encouraging results until we learn to trust without them! So we continue to wait and trust and this is what God has spoken to us!
I have registered at a health farm in Malaysia for a 20 day cancer detox program beginning Nov 4th. I am not really looking forward to being away from home-life again for these weeks but I do feel it is the right thing to do and we are trusting this will help my health progress also. Jaci will come to be with me for the final 10 days and will link in for a 10 day program to see if that can help her health too, as many of you know she still struggles with chronic fatigue.
Caleb is doing much better, his feet continue to heal, he walks around with just one crutch now, it has been 4 months since his accident and he is having physiotherapy only once a week. He is back at school doing his senior year. I am attempting to work only half days, and rest but it doesn’t come naturally for me. My hubby and kids are good at reminding me to slow down and keeping me accountable in this though.
Several people too have asked about Hope who broke her femur in February, she is completely better, she runs, rides her bike and has no problem at all with her leg. It took 4 long months of healing for her but she is completely better, more than half of that 4 months, she was confined to bed in traction! So thanks for praying for her too, we can rejoice together that she is all better!
Thank you for keeping on praying for our family, we need it and value this support from you all.
Blessings,
Penny
(for the whole family)