No More Treatment

John and I at the Cancer Center working on a jigsaw puzzle.

Monday, May 12 was quite a day for us. We decided not to go for IV fluids. What John most wanted to do was to work on the puzzle at the Cancer Center. As we road up the elevator, John prayed, "Lord give me an opportunity to speak." As we were leaving, he said to the nurses standing there, "Let me tell you something. I hope you all know the glory of God in your lives. There is nothing more important than the glory of God. Whatever your fears are, only the glory of God will remain. God is working in me even as my body is dying."

(On Saturday John said to the lady cutting his hair, "I hope you know Jesus and that you'll be there with us." She was a little taken back and said she had her daughter's graduation to attend.)

Two of the puzzles John enjoys. One he finished last week, the other is a work in progress.

My big plan for the first day of "no treatment" was to drive into Chicago. It was a gorgeous day. John LOVES Chicago. We drove along the lake and then to Hyde Park where John went to University of Chicago. It was too chilly and windy for John to get out of the van, but he enjoyed the sites... when he was awake.

Driving on the Eisenhower. Its illegal to talk on your cell phone while driving, but taking photos???

Rockefeller Chapel at U of C

While we were sitting at the puzzle table a lady came in with a McDonald's bag. John pointed to it and said, "I would like that for lunch." I said, "McDonalds? You've got to be kidding!" John said, "No, that is what sounds good to me." "Woo-hoo!," I said. "This is my lucky day!" John hasn't eaten at McDonalds with me in YEARS! He can't stand it! I was thrilled that we could tuck a burger and fries into the van and head out to the city.

Powell's, John's favorite bookstore. He spent HOURS here buying books for the library.

When we arrived home from Chicago, Josiah had discovered a new toy. I pulled this out of the garage in case it might be useful in the days ahead. What would you do with an UN-USED bedside commode if you were two years old?

We invited friends to come worship and pray on Monday evening. We were all blessed by the presence of the Lord. Each of us were delighted that John chose to pour out his energy on the piano. He played for quite a while. It was beautiful.

You can see I am capturing the worship on video. Highlights were My Shepherd Will Provide My Need by Isaac Watts and the song by Robert Dufford, Be Not Afraid.

John has expressed his concerns about what will happen to me and the children when he dies. He told me that the Lord said, thy Shepherd will provide thy need. He knew that included us. As he went to bed he asked everyone there to pray for me. They prayed for me and assured John they would support me for many years.

After the worship we had a precious time of prayer. Our desire was to pray as Jesus would pray for John. There were prayers for healing, prayers for relief from pain, prayers for freedom from fear, prayer for the freedom to go if the Lord calls.

Each night John goes to bed saying, "Father, into Your hands I commend my Spirit."

My Shepherd Will Supply My Need

My shepherd will supply my need,

Jehovah is his name;

In pastures fresh he makes me feed,

Beside the living stream.

He brings my wand'ring spirit back

When I forsake his ways;

And leads me, for his mercy's sake,

In paths of truth and grace.

When I walk through the shades of death,

Thy presence is my stay;

A word of thy supporting breath

Drives all my fears away.

Thy hand, in sight of all my foes,

Doth still my table spread,

My cup with blessings overflows,

Thine oil anoints my head.

The sure provisions of my God

Attend me all my days:

O may thy house be mine abode,

And all my work be praise!

There would I find a settled rest,

While others go and come;

No more a stranger or a guest,

But like a child at home.

Text: Isaac Watts, 1719

If you're interested you can hear this hymn at the following link:
http://www.lycoming.edu/choir/mp3s/chamber/quotations/myshepherd.html