Back to Work

When I said caregiving is over in the last post I never dreamed that my husband would be back to work so soon. I thought that I would have him a bit longer at home. I am thrilled that he is able to go back to work even if it is part-time, yet I will miss having him around the house.

So many are amazed on how well Charlie is doing. Today I read a story in the Bible that reminds me of what we recently experienced. The story of Peter being miraculously released from prison is found in Acts 12. The Bible reads, "Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him." One group of Christians were praying at Mary's house (John Mark's mother) when Peter knocked at the gate. A young lady named Rhoda heard the voice of Peter and was so excited that she didn't even open the gate, but ran in to tell those praying that Peter was at the gate. Those praying then said unto her "Thou art mad, But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel." The Christians gathered to pray for Peter really did not believe that Peter would be released or so it seems. One of Charlie's good friends last night told us that Charlie's condition seemed so bad that he wasn't quite sure that he would make it. Of course this friend was praying for him, but he knows that it is not always God's will to heal us at least on this earth. I too am guilty of not being so sure that God would see Charlie through the stem cell transplant. Of course, I was praying fervantly, but when Charlie's stem cells were taking so long to engraft, I started preparing myself for the worse.

On Thursday we got the news that Charlie's white blood counts and neutrophils are totally normal. The other counts are not totally normal but are coming up. We also got news that it is safe for him to go back to work on light duty. I haven't seen Charlie so happy in months.

For now everything is starting to seem "normal" again. We are attending church again, Charlie is singing in the choir again, etc. We know that things could change in the future, but we KNOW that the Lord will see us through no matter what comes our way. God has supplied our every need and some of our wants also. He has shown us so many things. We have a greater assurance now that it is God and God alone that supplies our needs. I lean on my husband for security, and that is good, but I have learned that when my husband is weak Jesus is there for my security. Jesus supplied my peace and security when I needed it most. I KNOW that when I need it again HE will be there.

If any of you would like to see how well Charlie is doing, you can see and hear him any Sunday at 10:45 a.m. or 7 p.m. or on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Charlie sings in our church's choir and if you watch it online you almost for certain will be able to see him on our church's website www.fbchammond.com. He sits on the first row on the right.

I want to say thanks to all of you that have prayed for us, those that wrote notes of encouragement, and to those that just read the updates. We are so grateful to all of you. Please continue to pray for Charlie because he will always have a chance of problems reoccuring.