update - 30 December

An increase in the pain medication is causing me to be somewhat sleepy when trying to write or work on the computer.
There are good days and not so good - but thankful that generally I am able to get some reasonable sleep overnight.
Blessed to still have Richard and Katherine with us - they tell me they will remain here until Sarah returns with Matt and family.

Praise the Lord - Matt did receive his Passport this afternoon.
Rachel and Lydia's stay was extended by one day due to a bad storm in Southern ON. Poor Rachel arrived back in her home in PEI around 5am
So good to have had them all here together.
Thank you all so much for words of encouragement and for your prayer fellowship.
WE continue to try and maintain some good nutritious intake while awaiting the next Dr's appointment on Jan 11th. I also still wait for an appointment for another Upper body scan and for the results of the mammogram done last week. Chemo is scheduled to begin on Jan 12th.
Other exciting news is that my sister and brother in law, from N.Z.have plans in place for a visit before the end of Jan.
We are greatly blessed.

Update Dec 28th

We have been so blessed and encouraged by having our 3 children here with us these past few days, and while Sarah and Rachel will be leaving today, Richard and Katherine and family will remain on for some time. Great to be able to sit and discuss together possible outcomes, both of the treatment and the disease, knowing that our Sovereign Lord has all in His control. He is both the Great Physician able to heal and to do "exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think", He also is the Good Shepherd who walks with us thru the valley of the shadow of death - we fear no evil - knowing that our life is hid with Christ in God.

We have also been encouraged by the outpouring of love and support from the family of God

Thankful for better pain control and for some nights of sleep.

I have also been able to eat more - and have actually put on 1 kg! Interesting the change of perspective here

Loving the opportunity to spend time with our newest grandchild - she is SO sweet - a cute little doll!!

2 of the other grands are sick and we are praying that they will be better soon in the will of the Lord.

24Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, 25to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.(Jude 1:24)

Triply blessed with all our children here for Christmas. Pray for the two dads who r looking after the other grands @ home.

Fwd: Surprise Christmas Present!

Surprise Christmas Gift -

Significance of "Christmas" this Christmas Eve 2015

What significance does "Christmas" have for me in the early hours of "Christmas Eve"2015

The words of the following hymn contain some wonderful truths:

Down from His glory,   Ever living story, My God and Savior came,   And Jesus was His name. Born in a manger,   To His own a stranger, A Man of sorrows, tears and agony.

O how I love Him! How I adore Him! My breath, my sunshine, my all in all! The great Creator became my Savior,   And all God's fullness, dwelleth in Him.

What condescension,   Bringing us redemption; That in the dead of night,   Not one faint hope in sight, God, gracious, tender,   Laid aside His splendor, Stooping to woo, to win, to save my soul.
Without reluctance,   Flesh and blood His substance He took the form of man,   Revealed the hidden plan. O glorious myst'ry,   Sacrifice of Calv'ry, And now I know Thou art the great "I AM."

From Hebrews 2 His own inspired words and explanation:

14Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
(He entered our world, with the express purpose of suffering and dying, so that we, who deserved suffering and eternal death – could be brought into freedom and light.)
 15and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

(death no longer holds any fear – even when you are looking it in the face)
 17Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
(He knew tiredness, hunger, thirst, pain and suffering and these he willingly submitted to)
 18For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

(Because He entered into and experienced all that for me, when I, to a very small degree,  am called to suffer I know that He understands and can sympathize with me.  And in these times – He is there beside me, giving strength and comfort.

He willingly subjected Himself to the plan of His Father – because, looking ahead, with great love, he anticipated with  joy, the day when all who entered into that salvation thru faith, would join him for eternity.)

"I gave my life for thee, what hast thou given for me?"

Do I enjoy the anticipation of pain, and nausea? "No".

Do I groan and cry during some of those times – "Yes"  – but even my Saviour cried, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me, never the less, not my will but thine be done"

And so, this Christmas Eve – I am thankful:

Thankful for my Saviour :-

who came that "first Christmas" with the express purpose of walking this valley ahead of me and freeing me from it's "sting"

Who promised to never leave me nor forsake me,

Who is my faithful High Priest – able to come to my aid and to the aid of all those near and dear to me, whether here, in NZ or in Zambia.

Who has removed the sting of death and who has the power to save, rescue and heal – if it is His will.

Thankful for the ONE who willingly submitted to the Father's will and I pray for grace to be as willingly submissive to His will, no matter the cost.

I am thankful too for the wonderful love and support of the whole family of God.

Thankful that one day there will be no more tears.

Thankful to know that our own dear Children walk in truth – and that they are seeking to bring up their little ones, in that same truth.

Looking forward to seeing today, Lord willing, our firstborn, Richard, his wife Katherine, together with 5 of their children, meeting their newest little Abigail for the first time and wondering who is going to be the first to see their firstborn, Elysha again.

Then also wondering – if perhaps today, or one day very soon, "This same Jesus, whom you have seen taken up into Heaven, will come again…"

So yes – the depth of the meaning of "Christmas" for each child of God – means that – we do indeed have Peace, and Hope – because we have experienced His sacrificial love.

I feel sad when I think of the many who face this time of the year or a major crisis in their lives, without that Hope. Saddened to think of those who do not experienced His love and who allow their experiences with major crisis, sickness or death to cause bitterness and anger to grow.

1 Out of Christ, without a Saviour,
Oh! can it, can it be;
Like a ship without a rudder,
On a wild and stormy sea!
Refrain:
Oh! to be without a Saviour,
With no hope nor refuge nigh;
Can it be, O blessed Saviour,
One without Thee dares to die?
2 Out of Christ, without a Saviour,
Lonely and dark the way;
With no light, no hope in Jesus,
Making bright the cheerless day. [Refrain]
3 Out of Christ, without a Saviour,
No help nor refuge nigh;
How can you, my friend and brother,
Dare to life or dare to die? [Refrain]

My prayer is that each who read this Christmas Post will know or come to know the Peace and Joy that only He can give – it comes – not just because He came as  baby – but because He came with the purpose of giving His life as a sacrifice for our sins. 
Because He lives – we CAN face tomorrow
May the real blessing of Christ – be yours this Christmas time.
Thank you for all the encouragement you are to us.


--

Elva Brooks,    

Update Dec 23 - Be thankful in all circumstances

Thank you all for your prayers. I am thankful to report that I did finally get some good sleep last night.
God is good ALL the time - ALL the time, God IS good

--Elva

Update Dec 22

Sadly the new meds did not take the edge off the pain last night but the Oncologist called me this am and has told me that I can increase the dose.Thankful.

We continue to be thankful for all the prayers and words of comfort and encouragement. We have just been dwelling on these verses and thoughts together this am.
Indeed, our blessings are Eternal, His love and mercy are unfailing and even tho we walk thru the valley of the shadow - He is ever present and His unfailing love endures forever.
Psalm 21:
6You have endowed him with eternal blessings

and given him the joy of your presence.
7For the king trusts in the Lord.
The unfailing love of the Most High will keep him from stumbling.
Paraphrased for us today:
He has given us eternal blessings and the joy of His presence
For I trust in the Lord and the unfailing love of the Most High will keep me from stumbling.
Psalm 118
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!
2
Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
3
Let the house of Aaron say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
4
Let those who fear the Lord say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
5
Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
the Lord answered me and set me free.
6
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
7
The Lord is on my side as my helper;
I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
8
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in man.

Prayer Update Dec 21

Today was an interesting and sobering experience for both Don and I as we were walking towards the entrance of the Cancer Hospital. We have made a number of trips to the Cancer Hospital in Lusaka –taking patients and helping them thru the ropes, pleading for their cause – always as the support person but we had a sudden reality check – this time it’s us – not someone else.  I said to Don, supposedly, I am dying of Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer and as I heard David Jeremiah say very recently – “it is not that I am afraid to die – but I don’t really want to die”.  Then, as we discussed the situation with the Oncologist and asked for her frank assessment she said there were no options to choose from – surgery was not possible and nor was radiation and to do nothing, given the rate of progress in 3 weeks, while she could not of course accurately predict, she wondered if I would outlive 3 months.

The only possible course of action from her point of view was CHEMOTHERAPY – and she suggested an aggressive approach (since I was in “pretty good shape at this point” she thought I could handle it) This of course would attack not only the cancer cells but my whole immune system. There are still some further tests to be carried out and bookings have been made for the 12^th January. They kept repeating that if we change our mind at any time – we are able to “call the shots” – they encouraged us to take an active interest in the course of treatment – and sent us home with a bundle of information to process.  Armed with a prescription for a Morphine related drug for the pain – we set off for home, and after waiting for some time at the Pharmacy, arrived home 10hours from when we had left the house in the morning. Hopeful that tonight I will be able to sleep.

And so meantime – we continue endeavoring to follow an aggressive nutritional approach and continue to value your prayers as we walk into this new year.  Lord willing Richard and family will be coming here for Christmas.  The plans for the rest of the family are not yet finalized. I know that they would appreciate prayer too.

We thank you for your prayers and continue to look to the Lord for His Wisdom and direction – step by step.

Appreciated encouragement from a book given to me recently “Comfort for Troubled Christians"

He Cares – He Cleanses -He Comforts –– He Controls-- He Knows.

Reference to Mal 3:3 brought to mind the words of a hymn a heard many years ago when visiting in NZ (partly copied below)   "Refiners Fire"

Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold

Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy

Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will

Purify my heart
Cleanse me from within
And make me holy
Purify my heart…..

Prayer request Dec 19

Today is Saturday. I have had good days and not so good days since last writing. Thankful that Tylenol 1 has given me some comfort from the discomfort but today is not one of my best days.

As we look forward to Monday and the appointment with the Oncologist at the Juravinski Hospital in Hamilton, both Don and I are praying for wisdom to know how to process the information we receive and the possible treatment options.

There is so much information out there - both positive and negative, with regard to the various treatment options but we are reminded of the words in James 1 "  ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind."

We look to the Lord for that wisdom and appreciate your fellowship with us in this request.

We are greatly blessed to have some many who are praying for us and while it is not possible to write to each of you individually, we are none the less touched by your love and concern.

All of our plans for Christmas are dependent on the outcome of Monday's appointment and the Lord's direction thru this.

We are especially thankful for the love, concern and support of our family and look forward to being able to see you all sometime in the next few weeks in the will of the Lord.

Yesterdays Psalm 18:v. 30 God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises are true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.

Today Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

Prayer Update Dec 15

Written Dec 15, 2015

Last night as pain took over, the verse that I repeated frequently was "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you." Is 43:2 Thankful that He is always true to His promises.

This am we were reading in Psalm 16: v1 Keep me safe, O God,
for I have come to you for refuge.
7 I will bless the Lord who guides me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I know the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

Later as we were reading MacDonald's commentary on the same Psalm
we came across this poem: (Author unknown)

For many a rapturous minstrel
Among those sons of light
Will say of his sweetest music,
“I learned it in the night.”
And many a rolling anthem
That fills the Father’s home
Sobbed out its first rehearsal
In the shade of a darkened room

Continue your work in me Lord!

--Elva Brooks

Elva's Cancer Journey: Prayer Update Dec 14

Elva's Cancer Journey: Prayer Update Dec 14, 2015

"Thank you all very much. I have just received the date of my appointment and it is on Monday next week 10.30am (Dec 21st). We still do not know what will come out of this discussion nor how it will affect our Christmas Plans but we do know the One who is in Ultimate (Sovereign) Control."  
--Elva Brooks

Elva's Cancer Journey Begins

December 12, 2015

To dear friends,

We do know that with God, nothing is impossible - we rest in Him and in His strength we go.

Not sure how much you have heard.  However, haven't really been feeling well since our return - but thought I had something like Amoeba.  After 3 trips to the doctor - and increasing pain, nausea and sleepless nights - we decided to go to the Urgent Care centre at the hospital thinking at this point that perhaps I had kidney stones.The care at the hospital was amazing and thorough but they didn't find anything to support the kidney stones however, in doing a thorough abdominal ultra sound saw something on my liver and advised a CAT scan and while saying it was not urgent they did tell me that I could have it that very day at a hospital in the next city.  So we thought - why not get everything done today and so they communicated with the hospital,  we went there and were almost immediately taken in for the CAT scan. (No one here has ever heard of this happening before!)

Following the CAT scan we were told to wait in the Emergency Department for a Doctor to discuss the results.  We were there for hours as they dealt with various critical patients including someone who had a Cardiac Arrest in the parking lot just as we arrived in Emerg - and then there were Ambulances bringing in other patients who had had heart attacks. (at one time 3 patients were brought in on stretchers at the same time!!)  After waiting for 4 hours we were finally ushered into a cubicle where I could rest and we waited another 4 1/2 hours before a sweet Christian doctor who knew about Zambia and some of our Mission Hospitals, came to see me. After discussion he informed me that he had received the results from the radiologist and they had shown a tumour on my Pancreas with spread (metastasis) into the liver and they would be referring me to the Cancer hospital in another city to be seen by the Cancer specialists and after they did another blood test we would be free to go home and get the results of the blood test later.  He left saying he would be praying for us!
All this has happened and we had not been back in Canada for a complete 3 weeks!

What an amazing God we have to orchestrate our plans so that we would be back here before I took sick - and where facilities and treatment centres  are so much more readily available. Our real purpose in coming was to reestablish health insurance coverage with in Canada and then, as the Lord enabled, make return trips to Zambia. Of course, this diagnosis came to us as a big shock.  Being a nurse I didn't need anyone to tell me that Pancreatic Cancer is one the worst cancers to be found with and one of the 4th leading causes of death from Cancer in North America!
But - as you have heard from Don so many times in the past year/s "Nothing happens out side of our God's knowledge and if he allows something  he allows it for a good purpose. His ways are higher than ours and His way is perfect "

What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From a life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand
Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand

And so we wait on Him - waiting too for an appointment at the Cancer hospital - where they will likely do a biopsy and there is the possibility of surgery and various other options - the outcome is in His hand

Someone posted this below on my FB page and it really sums things up nicely

and so we are waiting 

So thankful for the prayers of His people - probably the reason that I have not had another sleepless night.

The Lord be with you all

Our times are in His hand 

Because He lives, I CAN face tomorrow.

In Him

Elva