Feb 27 update

From Elva Brooks:

Another episode of Chest tightness lead to trip to Emerg by Ambulance and some hours there and many tests. Home around 9.30pm last night - with clearance. Happy for my own bed and for His loving arms and for the prayers of many. Please continue to pray for wisdom in the way forward.

Feb 24, 2016 - Update from Elva Brooks

Good morning.

There seems to be long silences from my side. I am thankful to Rachel and to Sarah, for the updates they post on my behalf. (Hard for them too, working from a distance)

I am thankful too for a loving family here on earth and for also being blessed to be part of such a wonderful family, as the family of God. We are also thankful to have a loving Heavenly Father who has blessed us with “all heavenly blessings” – according to “His great riches”.

There are days when reading and writing seem to be beyond me – but then, I can be even more appreciative of the days when both eyes and brain seem to be functioning together.

Yesterday, we had another visit to the Oncologist to discuss “the way forward”.

She does want to do another “test” and so meantime – we will have a further wait, with no more treatments. Next week on Thursday, we will return for a further review of the situation.

Don continues to be my RIGHT hand man – and is adjusting to his new role of care giver. Thank you for praying for him – it is no small adjustment.

We are daily being loaded with benefits. Psalm 68:19

[E.S.V.] “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah”

[NASB] “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, The God who is our salvation. Selah.”

[KJV] “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.”

Indeed, it does us good to “pause and consider” and perhaps this is the reason that we are laid aside, so that we will take the time to do just that “pause and consider” We too, can bow in wonder at the One who took time to consider us.

“what is man, that thou are mindful of him……

The “BIG” birthday (70) came and finally went – how many celebrations can you have for 1 birthday?

Ontario Government impressed us with how quickly their services moved into place and we were reinstated into OHIP and immediately had various service personal wanting to assist us and make sure that we had the help that we needed.

Thank you again, Heavenly Father, for directing our steps to enable all of this to fall into place – we know it was no “Cosmos accident”, and we were not directed by time and chance – but rather, by a Great and Mighty God who has everything in His mighty hand.

Please take time to remember and pray for our colleagues who are working in preparation for camp and conferences back in Zambia. We’d love to be able to help but we are being reminded that the work in the Lord’s and He raises up and at times sets aside but ultimately – the Work is HIS.

We still do not know what lies ahead but we know the One who has all in His control

I Know Who Holds the Future

I do not know what lies ahead,

The way I cannot see,

But one stands near to be my guide,

He'll show the way to me.

I know who holds the future

And He'll guide me with his hand

With God things don't just happen,

Everything by him is planned.

So as I face tomorrow,

With its problems large and small,

I'll trust the God of miracles,

Give to Him my all.

I do not know how many days

Of life are mine to spend,

But one who knows and cares for me

Will keep me to the end.

I do not know the course ahead,

What joys and griefs are there.

But one stands near who fully knows,

I'll trust His loving care.

Please also continue to pray for our colleagues back in Zambia who are preparing for Camps and Conferences. Of course, we would love to be able to but personally, do not have the ability.

--Elva Brooks

Feb 17th. Prayer update.

Mum continues to be very very exhausted. Using the wheelchair more now. She has a hard time mustering up the energy to eat. Her thought processing has been slow of late. Appearing indecisive, likely due to her brain being exhausted. Mornings are harder Please continue to pray for strength and wisdom for those looking after her.

Tomorrow she will be officially under OHIP. So hopefully that should give them some more nursing care options.

Tomorrow is her 70th Birthday. Thank you to all who have sent me e-mails for her, as I requested. Memories and greetings. If you have sent one and not received a confirmation reply from me please let me know. I usually reply within in a day or two.

Thank you. Rachel V.

70th Birthday Greetings

My Mother, Elva Brooks, will turn 70 in a few days (Thursday, FEBRUARY 18, 2016). I thought it would be a nice present for her, if her family and friends would write one (or all) of the following:

1. a memory you have of Mother

2. something you appreciate about her.

3. simple birthday greeting.

4. send her something in the mail (contact me for address etc.)

Please send your notes to me at leonardandrachel@gmail.com

Thank you,

Rachel VandenBerg

Feb 10 Chemo will continue

(EDITED) Feb 10 -- Mums Doctor thinks that the heart tissue damage was just from the first chemo, when she had the allergic reaction. So they plan to go a head and do chemo #3 on Thursday. Which will be the smaller dose same as #2 chemo was.

Mother still continues to feel very week and exhausted. She has been able to have some regular meals, trying to get more protein.

Right now my Dad and Mum are just on their own, no family around. However the Family of God has been very good to them. Christians in the area have brought meals, and someone to clean once a week. As well as a list of people has been made, for my Dad can call when he needs to go out, so that there is someone always with Mum.

Thank you to all who have prayed and for all who have made meals or wrote e-mails or called. And those who have visited. All are much appreciated. If anyone would like to call or visit or e-mail just contact me and I can give your their contact info.

--Rachel VandenBerg

Feb 3 - out of hospital

Feb 3 -- Mum is coming home today (Should be home by now I would think). There will be no chemo this Friday. But will have a doctors appointment on Tuesday to decided what the next steps will be.
--Rach V. 

Feb 1st - Intensive care

Feb 1st. Mother (Elva) has been moved to the 3rd floor Intensive Care Unit of the Welland Hospital. Where she is being treated as a heart attack patient. (they are not 100% sure if she did infact have a heart attack or not, but are treating her as if she had). I believe she will be there for 3 days. I know they have done an ultrasound but am not sure of the results yet. Please continue to pray for her and my Dad, who is quite tired. He goes home at night to sleep and then goes back to the hospital during the day.
--Rachel V.