The New Year begins...

1 January 2015

A new year with an unexpected journey.

Brian and I are astounded at the sense of calm we both feel at this life-changing diagnosis (though of course we’ve shed a tear or two together). Perhaps we are in shock.

By far the hardest thing has been to let our family and friends know.

2 January 2015

This morning we received a text message wishing Brian and I blessings for our 32^nd wedding anniversary! Whaat? That’s one that hadn’t hit the radar!

However on this day, true love was amply displayed through acts of loving service – with Brian assisting me to shower, shave my legs and apply nail polish to my toenails!! Yes, really!!

Today there’s been blood tests (I have the serious misfortune of having very difficult veins to find) and a CT scan in Portland.

But what a blessing to have a wonderful Christian lady perform the CT scan – and sneaking in a spontaneous prayer with me before she left the room!

We knew this diagnosis would affect other people, so we have decided to make it clear from the outset what it is we are facing – without being too dramatic we hope. So today we sent out a basic email to many of our friends – and what an amazing response this has brought, from many offers of prayer and uplifting bible promises to claim, to a dear friend who arrived with rags and a bucket and gave our toilet/bathroom/ensuite probably the best clean they have ever had! Many others have offered support with such things as driving to appointments, gardening, food, pain management hypnosis and more.

We are so very blessed!

3 January 2015

Results from CT scan are probably available today (it’s Saturday), but I’m at peace not knowing until I can discuss them with my GP on Monday.

Meanwhile we continue to receive beautiful messages of support.

I was stunned to receive the following message from an American pastor, who had read by accident the open letter I had sent out yesterday.

Hello Mick,

I'm sorry to read about Lorraine.  Please let her know that she will be in the prayers of Perry Highway Lutheran Church in Wexford, Pennsylvania (a suburb of Pittsburgh) in the coming weeks and months.  I am sure my congregation would love to hear of her progress.

Have a blessed New Year.

Pastor Dennis Ferguson

I never underestimate the power of prayer and a loving church family and sincerely thank the 5 ‘prayer warriors’ who came around this evening for specific prayer and anointing. What comfort and preparation for the battle ahead.

We know we are not doing it alone.

 4 January 2015

Sunday, and one of the rare times Brian and I have not worshipped when there has been an opportunity to.

We later heard that our open letter had been read out to the congregation during prayers, and there was a time of powerful (and tearful) prayer, followed by the song “Cornerstone”, with phrases such as:

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus name
        Christ alone; cornerstone
        Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love
        Through the storm, He is Lord
        Lord of all

(sorry to anyone whose lunch was ruined due to the lateness of the service!)