God's birthday present

Mim and Bes have just rung to say they got the visa - no explanations, just an official stamp in the passport. They booked their flights last night - coming in Saturday 28th, heading straight for Scotland, but will be in UK until March 31st, largely based in Bristol. Mim's facebook will gradually fill-in with detailed plans -their need at the moment just rest.
And the birthday present? Well today is my 46th Birthday, since as an eleven year old I turned my will to following God's direction for my life. I could take you to the spot on the pavement in Wick (KW1 5QW) where life changed forever, but online satellite images seem to consider Wick as not worthy of detailed inspection - can any good thing come out of Wick?.....
So thank you God, and thank you praying friends. Dave

The Most High rules in the affairs of men

Chemo at lunchtime today - in and out of hospital in 3 hours. Tiredness now creeping in, but wished to flag up that Besmir will hand in his documents at the British Embassy at 0900 tomorrow, Tuesday, and returns at 1500 for their verdict on the visa. Please pray that hardened hearts will be changed. Mim and Bes have sought to cover every angle, but when an Embassy insists that you provide evidence of National Insurance payments, and you have never made any, such evidence is hard to obtain. They have been made aware of my condition by my consultant, and they will also have before them this time round proof that Miriam has applied for a one year residency in Albania, the marriage certificate plus many photos from the wedding, letter from employer, letter from church, bank statements, 12 month flat lease, letters from UK citizens testifying as to the long term nature of the relationship etc, etc ad nauseam.

Please pray that justice will be done. Dave & Elaine

No news is.....................?

Good news.............or frustration??
From a medical perspective, the fact that I have not posted this past week is good news. Monday and Tuesday rather low key days at home, but last 3 days I have spent 8 hours each day at the office. And today and tomorrow, back with that sense of making best use of wellbeing before Monday's chemo.
But for those of you looking here to catch up on visa progress, frustration. Mim & Bes submitted e-mail last Monday requesting interview, and while they were reasonably expecting reply within 24 hours, are now being told that a 5 day delay is not unusual. Please pray for speedy conclusion - the plan is still to fly in on Thursday, with family holiday in Scotland commencing next Saturday. Dave

Wipeout

A fairly accurate description of yesterday, (Round 3, day 5) lying poleaxed on the settee, totally lacking in any mental or physical energy. Feeling a little better today - sitting rather than lying down. But having been born in Scotland of English parents, I'm not looking forward to this afternoon's six nations rugby - I feel wipeout once again imminent.

Update on the walk

I like to write when I feel inspired - today I write because I feel I owe you all one - may God fold back on you the blessing that you pray for me. Monday was a long hospital day - the blood test I'd given on Friday at the local surgery was still in transit in the snow somewhere, so fresh blood test at 12, meant results not back until 3, and left chemo around 6pm. Took a break early afternoon to pop home and do some e-mails, while Elaine caught up on shopping - the blessing of having treatment only 15 mins away. Tuesday was a pyjama day, but I made it to the sofa, and mindful of the encouragement of some of you out there, pecked two thousand words on the laptop. I'm not sure, Lesley, that it will ever get published, but it does reflect a passage that has been very meaningful to us this last month. Psalm 71 v17..18

Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvellous deeds.
Even when I am old and grey, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.

God met me in my youth, but my story began well before that in preceding faithful and praying generations. I've been conscious over the past year, that while my children have seen the outworking of that story, I've never told them the detail of those building blocks that have made me who I am. Not so much knowing about God, but rather the knowing of God through daily walking together. So I'm 2,000 words in, but only age 8, because the foundations go back 3 generations.

Good to see Nick (see Feb 2nd posting) last night. He's flown back to New Zealand today, but confirmed that parts of the clean room were still in operation, and that the accounting structure I devised 20+ years ago was still serving the company well!! One hour at the hospital yesterday afternoon for chemo unhook, about four hours at the computer doing paid work, and two or three hours rest scattered through the day (did not have the energy to celebrate the 36 years since our courtship began on 11th Feb 1973 - our own Valentine's day). My body has taken about two hours this morning to get in gear, but I'm off for a late breakfast (0930), then get to the (virtual) office. May I and you walk hand in hand today with the one who came to live alongside us.

Twas the night before Chemo

As Ruth commented to her brother Stephen on Thursday - dad's back on form. By that she meant that I'd been out to spread grit on the icy junction outside, was drafting letters to the British Embassy in Tirana, and had written to the North Somerset PCT about the place of prayer in the treatment of those facing serious illness. And yes today I've felt better than any day for the last six months. Chemical warfare resumes tomorrow lunchtime, but we're thankful that it is bearing fruit.

Ruth and Amelia flew back to Albania this morning, Amelia having noticeably grown over these last three weeks - they'll appreciate the 21° C recorded in Durres last week, as well as the warmth of Maki's welcome! Now our prayer is for our next Albanian visitors - Miriam and Besi apply for a visa this coming week, with the hope of being here mid-month. Will post again when their appointment is due.

Joined with church friends tonight to pray about the path ahead. Included in that a prayer that in our regular meetings with patients and staff in the oncology unit, we might look beyond our own needs, and recognise where we can bring Christ's hope, comfort and peace to others.

If you're finding it a bit of a pain checking to see if this website has been updated, here's a technical tip for users of Internet Explorer 7. On your toolbar above you'll see an orange icon designed to give you notification of site updates.

See http://timeatlas.com/tutorials/ie7rss.htm for a video tutorial on how this (RSS) works. Also available for Firefox, Chrome and web-phones.

25th anniversary - and a story

Couldn't let today go by without acknowledging that 25 years ago today I entered the accounting profession. An elder in the church had linked my love of numbers (tho total lack of any accountancy experience), with the desire of a newly converted member of the church to bring Christian principles into his business practice. And so Nick and I began six years of working together, also brought to mind when Nick rang a couple of weeks ago from New Zealand having just heard our news, to share his care and prayer. Another example of those Body of Christ relationships that transcend time and geography. It's time I told you another "God story", so click on the comment below to read how God demonstrated His love in a major business decision.

90 mins at hospital this afternoon for routine "PICC line care". 90% would describe my physical health today.