In the Middle of Extremes

It seems that pretty much every time I write an update on here, I mention that "life is busy".  However, I've been thinking in the last little while that all those other times that I've said "life is busy", it's really just been a walk in the park, a relaxing leisurely vacation, a stop-and-smell-the-roses time of life.  Because right now, life is BUSY, and it's difficult, and it's full of joy, and it's full of sorrow, and the only way to fill up the emotional capital being drained at an exponential rate is to drink up the promises we have been given by our almighty and merciful Father.  What a treasure we have in His Word:

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  

They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.  

I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.'

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him;

It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."

(Lamentations 3:22-26 )

The last time I wrote a real update was August 22 - a lot has happened since then.  Two days after that, on August 24, my newest little nephew was born!  Little Benjamin Simon was welcomed into the world, healthy and beautiful, and very sweet!  Mike and I were able to visit him and his proud new parents that afternoon, and we've been able to see how well he's growing in the several visits since then.  We're very thankful that all is well and that he's finally arrived (although I was CERTAIN that he was a girl!  Gotta tuck that pink sleeper back into the closet again, perhaps for October?).  

On the Labour Day weekend, we gathered as a family in Strathroy for a few days of hard work, good fellowship, tears, prayers, and good time.  We ended up painting most of the upstairs of Mom and Dad's place in preparation for Dad's time of isolation after the stem cell transplant.  Flooring is to be ripped out and replaced starting at the end of this week, the goal being to make their home as clean and sterile as possible before he comes home.  We were thankful for such a tangible way to help with preparations and for the time we were able to spend as a family looking ahead to a long time of difficult changes.  

Updates from Dad and Karen and information about Dad's transplant can be found at his blog:  http://rvanderdeen.blogspot.com

Your prayers are coveted, especially for the specific items which he mentions there.  

Mike and I were thankful to have the opportunity to visit with Dad and Mom in the hospital yesterday evening, to be able to give Dad a hug (completely didn't expect this, but very thankful!), to be able to walk with them through quiet parts of the hospital and talk together.  We don't know how often we will be able to see each other physically in the next few months once strict isolation is in place (thankful for Skype!) so we appreciated being able to visit.  It was good as well to see family at church in Strathroy, and to enjoy a coffee with Karen and Andrea before we headed to the hospital.  

We sit this evening looking at tomorrow, Day 0, and it feels like we are waiting for a tsunami.  The first week of hospitalization, intensive chemotherapy, and pre-transplant treatment turned out a little different than we were expecting - hard to know what to expect, I suppose - but we know that there are hardships and trials just around the corner.  It's hard not to be anxious, worried, uncertain... this Psalm of David has been a rich blessing to us lately: "The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? .... I remain confident of this:  I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord" (Psalm 27: 1, 13-14)

And so we wait.  

I feel a strong dichotomy of feelings over the past few weeks - I knew this was coming, but now that we're getting into the middle of everything, it is sometimes overwhelming.  When I look at our VD family, there is sadness, anxiety, tears on the verge.  However, our M side of the family has been experiencing events of much great joy, abundant happiness and rich blessing.  We joyfully greeted little Benjamin a few short weeks ago and look forward to celebrating his baptism this Sunday.  What a blessing to witness this little one receiving the covenant promises of God!  We also are looking forward to celebrating the marriage of Danielle and Timothy in just a few short weeks - another huge blessing, another reminder of how the Lord is in control of all things, and is able to work out His plans in ways that we can't imagine!  

So, in between the laughter of baby and wedding celebrations and the tears of hospital visits, we find ourselves in the middle of September - drenched in showers of abundant blessings and waiting for a tsunami of trial.   

The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to  you;

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

(Numbers 6:24-26)