The Waiting Is Over!

Well the waiting for Christmas day is now over!

We were able to spend some time with the Klein-Geltink clan Christmas eve. This day is one of the best parts of this time of year. It was full of the family: kids' noises, heart felt conversations with siblings and Mom and Dad, the competition of the table hockey game, the messages from Santa for all the grand kids, and Christmas music. We had the traditional dinner - Chinese food ending with the cracking open of the fortune cookies. The opening of gifts was a highlight for the kids big and small. How fun it is to see the excitement of receiving a much unexpected item and the pretended delight of opening a gift from a child who has told about the contents earlier that day. One thing that we have tried to do each year is line up the family for a portrait. After a few takes here we are:

Christmas morning, I had the privilege of once again attending church for the first time in almost one month. How good it is to worship amongst God's people. How I miss this so much during these past few months. And oh how more special it was to be there on a day like Christmas morning.

During the service, the children blessed us with singing and reading of the Bible passages. Everyone can attest to the fact that each little girl and boy brings a certain delight to any service and this morning they truly did not disappoint us. Their sweet voices, some louder and some softer, added a richness to the praises which are being lifted. The children were dressed in white garbs, like our image of the angels who brought the "good news" to the shepherds. What cute little angels they were.

That was the theme of the service - Waiting for the "Good News." When Stephen began the message it was like God spoke right to my heart. It was as if he had read my blog posting of a few days ago and was speaking directly to me and me alone. Stephen began with " Have you ever waited for news about..." Well, for me this year that seems to be all we have done most of this past year. Once again, like most days, I was brought to tears. They were not ones of fear or sadness, but ones full of recognition that God truly does know me and speaks what I need to hear at just the right moments. Once again He was there ready to tell me something that I should not miss and would bring great comfort and solace on this Christmas morning. It is sometimes the waiting that is hard but the message is often well worth it. Stephen made the point at the end of the service that hearing the angels proclaim the "Good News" was one thing but acting upon it was more important. We need to met the Saviour, accept him, and live a life for him. Waiting for news can be difficult but this accepting this "News" is exhilarating.

Cindy

p.s On a totally different note. I have been waiting for something else for a while too. On December 24 first thing in the morning I had walked past a mirror and what to my wondering eyes should appear but ... "bed head". Yes, my hair has grow to a length that I now have to consider some sort of style. For this one morning though, I did not straighten it but walked downstairs proudly making sure that everyone saw it.

I am taking a brief moment to write ..... the girls and Ryan are out in the backyard toboganning down the hill and building a snow village. Oh how great it is to enjoy all this snow!

It has been a while since I have written. I am finally getting more use out of my left side and I am hoping that after writing this note my muscles will not throb too much. I have had to learn a hard lesson once again - have patience.

I have had a hard time taking it easy and have had to try to be patient as recovery takes time. Just when the pain medication is doing its job, I feel able to do everything and forget that I need to be careful. Stephen has been great looking after me and telling me not to overdo it - even though I have not listened everytime. It was good to have my mom over for a few days - a pair of eyes making sure that I did not exert myself too much. I have been blessed to have a few "angels" sweep through our home to freshen it up and wipe away the dirt that can accumulate too quickly at times.

Waiting for Christmas to come takes patience too. Our girls have been counting down the days - for the "Nutcracker" play performance at school, christmas vacation to begin, when they can spend time with their cousins, the days til the gifts can be opened, the end of the falling of the snow. Each event has been long awaited and at time our patience for the events to happen wears a little thin.

These past days when I contemplated patience I am amazed at how patient God is. How patient He was with the unveiling His plan to reveal His gift at the prefect time for us to enjoy. How He worked out the perfect way to reveal gift to the world. How He waits with great excitement for us to open, enjoy, and take hold of His gift extended to us. During this season as we await the excitement of Christmas, I hope that you too will revel in the joy of the greatest part of this season - the gift of His love extended through Jesus.

Merry Christmas to you all!

Good Morning:

Well as I promised here is the update concerning Cindy's follow-up appointment with the Surgeon.

The Surgeon was very pleased with how the surgery went and the results that came back from the pathological report. He told us that the margins around both of the tumours were clear. He also told us that after testing 24 lymph nodes that only two of them were infected. He also said that the chemo had definitely attacked the cancer. So the appointment was a good one. The news appears to be good and for that we are very thankful.

After the appointment we decided to do a little Christmas shopping. So off we went to busy stores, looking for the perfect gifts for our family members. This is not always the most joyous thing to do, but since it was Cindy's first day out of the house in two weeks it was great. We of course didn't find any gifts.......

Then last night we attended the Christmas play at our children's school. The play was "The Nutcracker". What a joy it was to watch all the children singing, acting and having a good time. The one downside to the evening was that Nicole slipped in the hallway and cut her bottom lip. This happened right before the play had to start. However Mom and Dad were very proud because even though she was in pain she still took part in the performance.

So yesterday was a busy day, but it was also a good day.

Hope each of you have a great day. Maybe Cindy will write the next blog update.

Stephen

Good Morning:

Thought I better write a short blog to let you know how Cindy is doing. It has been awhile since I wrote and I am sorry about that.

Cindy continues to recuperate from surgery. Last week Friday the nurse removed the surgical drains and so that gives Cindy a little more freedom. The nurses have been pleased with the healing and we are very thankful for that. However Cindy still has pain, and continues to take pain medication. Today when I left for work the pain seemed to be a little worse than yesterday. Maybe that is because she is trying to do a little too much. But overall things have gone well.

Tomorrow we have an appointment with the surgeon in London. So once again we will be traveling down to London. We hope that the surgeon will be able to tell us a little more about what he found, and how the surgery went. We are not sure that he will do this since the pathological reports are probably not back yet. Whatever we find out tomorrow I will post on the blog.

Once again we want to thank everyone for the prayers, support and encouragement we have received. You truly have been a gift to our family.

Well I should get back to work. I have to prepare a sermon for this coming Sunday. And since I will be out of the office tomorrow I have a little less time to get it done.

May each of you have a wonderful day.

Stephen

Hello:

Thought I would give you a quick update .

Cindy is doing remarkable well. Though she is still experiencing pain she was able to downgrade her pain medication. Also we hope that by Friday or Saturday that the drains will be removed. So it has been a good week and the healing process is moving along very well.

As I stated in a previous post we had a snow storm which started Saturday night and continued until Sunday afternoon. As we often experience in Goderich the roads coming in and out of town were closed. The storm and the roads being closed meant that our girls had to wait until Monday to come home. It was so great to see their smiling faces as they ran into the house to see their Mom. They had a good time at Grandpa and Grandma Tamming's house, but it is good to have them home again.

This week Cindy's Mom and Dad are visiting. They are helping out with the girls and making sure that Cindy doesn't do too much.

We are so thankful for our wonderful parents. They have been so helpful to us and we don't know how we could get through this without their love, support and help. So thank-you Parents! We Love ya!

Also Happy Birthday to my baby brother Kevin. Yesterday he turned 35. Hope you had a great day. It was good to talk to you yesterday and I hope the computer problem is solved.

To each and everyone of you have a great day. And remember there are only 15 days left until Christmas.

Stephen

Cindy is Home

Hello

Cindy was discharged from the hospital and came home this afternoon. She is doing well and her spirits are good. She is still in some pain but that is too be expected.

We got home just before the snow storm hit Goderich.

Stephen

Another Step in the Journey

Good Evening Everyone:

Well the surgery is over and it went very well. Cindy is doing great! She still has that wonderful smile that I love so dearly. First, we want to thank our God who was with us each step (and I mean that literally) that we and especially Cindy had to walk today. Secondly thank-you to all those who keep us in their prayers today. Interceding to God on our behalf.

It was however a very long day. It started by getting up at 5am and leaving the motel at 5:45am. Once in the hospital Cindy was admitted and we went to the surgical waiting room. Surgery was supposed to start at 8am. However due to an emergency she was delayed until 11:30am. The surgery was completed at around 2pm and she was in recovery until 4:30. Finally I was able to see my sweetheart. That was such a precious moment. One that I will always remember. To see that smile was great.

So that's all I will write for now.

But again I say thank-you God! Our God is an awesome God! And I also have an awesome sweetheart that I love so much!

Stephen

I just wanted to add even though I know that Stephen has filled you in about our week.

We have been overwhelmed this past week and last night was ...........beautiful. It is incredible to know that God is with you every step on one's journey. It is something else to see His people surrounding you and your family in such a powerful way. As our family stood in the midst of the circle, it was, for me, the first time since March where I was not brought to tears as petitions were raised for our situation. It is amazing to feel such peace admist His people. There was a comfort in knowing that we are looked after, cared for, loved and definitely not alone. I know that will continue beyond whatever tomorrow brings.

"The Lord is my strength and song." for Exodus 15:2 is a verse and theme that has continuously been highlighted for me over the past months. And last night once again I was reassured of it.

Blessed

Tomorrow is the date for Cindy's surgery. I have to admit that we are anxious and nervous about the surgery. It has been difficult and even internally painful to see what Cindy and the girls are going through. As a husband and father I wish there was some way that I could make the cancer go away without the surgery. But I can't. All I can do at this moment is love them, hold them, pray for them and encourage them (especially Cindy).

But even in the midst of this we have seen the hand of God. This week has been difficult but it has also been wonderful for us as a family. Let me explain.

On Tuesday evening someone from Rotary dropped off a reservation from a Hotel in London. This person knew that we had to be in London early Friday morning and thought that we should have a relaxing evening in a Hotel in London. So on Thursday evening we will have a Hotel. That will give us an extra few hours and we won't have to worry about Huron County weather. What a blessing this was. Cindy and I are so thankful for this wonderful gift.

Then last night as we were eating we had a knock on our front door. When I opened it Hugh B a member of our church community was there. He asked our family to come outside. Once outside a whole group (to many to name) starting driving up. They asked us to stand in our driveway as a family so that they could pray over us. In the middle of rain and sleet we stood with hands on us, being prayed over and feeling the power and love of God. What a truly amazing and powerful moment. At night as I thought about what had happened the words of the writer of "Hebrews" came to mind:

"Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Hebrews 10:19-25

What a blessing!

Thank-you to everyone for what you have done for us. Your love and your support are a blessing from God.

Well it is time to sign off. But again Thank-you! I will try to update the blog on Friday evening to let everyone know how surgery went.

Stephen

Anticipation!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, anticipation is hanging in the air at the Tamming house. About what you may ask? Well it is not about what you may be expecting......... it is anticipation about CHRISTMAS.

On Friday we finally broke open the Christmas boxes and Stephen began to set up the tree. The most troublesome part of Christmas decorating is the stringing of the lights on the tree. I am proud to say that for the first time in seventeen years of trimming our tree, there was absolutely NO fighting or arguing between Steve and I. I will repeat that again. It has taken seventeen years to finally figure out how to decorate the tree in peace.

Once the tree was set up and the lights were attached, it was time to decorate. We have a tradition that the kids put on the ornaments with the more breakable items carefully supervised by Steve or I. We could hardly unwrap the ornaments fast enough for the eager hands to hang them on the boughs.

Our tree is may not win an award for the best decorated, but it would win an award for the most memorable. It is decorate with items that Stephen and I purchased during our first Christmas as a married couple. It is filled with decorations that Stephen and I have received over the years. It is adorned with ornaments made by the tender hands of girls. To us, it is the most beautiful Christmas tree.

The last decoration that we set up was the nativity scene. This was a teaching moment for the kids at this time. It was a time in which we are able to remember the true meaning of Christmas - what this advent season is about - the joyful news of the coming of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

We hope that the next several weeks may be a time of anticipation for you also!