Dear friends,

We have come to another checkpoint. The next set of CT scans, and along with these, Jen's second Zometa injection (bone strengthener). We thank you for reading our updates, being interested, and praying for Jen and our family. We've been reminded lately of the preciousness of our fragile lives, the nearness of eternity, and the steadfast love of our Saviour Jesus Christ. How dear His Word ought to be to us, since He speaks to us in it, and how glorious has been our time in worship of Him with our dear church family, both members and visitors (so many recently!). These realities we have in Christ, we find we must reach for and cling to, when the weariness of dealing with health conditions can cause us to feel at times hollow and senseless, and at some other times to ache and grieve. And yet, thankfully, much of our living is enjoying the moments God has given.

Here are a few things that have happened, and for which we would appreciate your prayers.

1. Curt's back is fully healed. Thank-you so much for your prayers for my back injury in December. It quickly healed. The doctor and osteopath seemed quite surprised. Friends, family (Jen's sisters came to help Jen), and our church family were so immensely accommodating during that time. I was also given as many Sundays off as I needed to heal. We praise God it went so well and quickly.

2. We got a new bed! :) It might be strange we mention this. However, it is such a blessing to us, and the way we got it was a remarkable providence from God. On our sabbatical in Florida, we had a power adjustable bed. We have been recently trying to think ahead as to what we might need if/when Jen's condition deteriorates, and we thought such a bed might be a good idea. So I looked at Facebook Marketplace, but the results were populated by company ads. After paging down hundreds of ads, I found one in our city. Now, we don't usually, if ever, buy 2nd hand beds, but the cost was much steeper than we felt comfortable with. So we thought it was worth looking into, and we would consider how new it was and how clean the house. Well, let us just say, we had no reason at all to be concerned, and the bed was practically brand new! But as we were talking to the couple about why we were buying it (stage 4 cancer), the gentleman said, "Wait...I have to ask you one question...do you know Christ as your Lord and Savior?" We tried out the bed and were quickly sold, but the couple came and told us they wanted to give it to us. We insisted on paying the extremely low price they had listed it for. But the next Sunday, they came to our church, worshipped with us, and gave us an envelope, in which they said was an encouragement card. We opened it at home and found all our money back! We felt like Joseph's brothers, opening our sacks and finding all the money. Wow, God's personal love is so clearly expressed through all His dear people. And they pray for Jen too. And the bed...is amazing!! Our kids call it the "Florida bed," and occasionally we give them a ride.

3. On Thursday Jen had her appointment with the doctor and then her injections, including the bone strengthener. The doctor said the CT scans looked good overall, and indicated minor progress against the cancer.  Specifically, the spot in the liver has decreased from 1.6cm to 1.3, and the nodules in the lungs have decreased in number and in size.  Except for one rogue nodule, which has noticeably increased. :(  We praise God for His mercy in this. Jen discussed with him recent head pain she has had and he said it might be due to the cancer spot on her skull so he did order a CT scan for her head to be safe. This appointment still needs to be booked.  After the appointment he asked to pray with both of us. He is a believer and he prays for Jen regularly.  The injections went fine. The first day and a half after went quite well for Jen, just an overall body ache and tiredness. However, pain all over and especially in her ribs while breathing, set in on Saturday. Thankfully pain killers take the edge off and it's been nice she can sit up a bit in the new bed rather than just laying flat. Please pray the Lord will uphold her through these next days.  Thanks also to Jen's parents for babysitting the kids, and Dan & Jolene for taking in Jesse! :)

4. Jen's parents are taking Jen and her sisters for a one week trip to Florida in March!  We like to think this is for medical reasons (Vit. D and sea level pressure), yet the anticipation of it undoubtedly does help. We are so thankful for this, and for Tim & Charlene for being willing to babysit our kids during this time.

Again, so many thanks to everyone for prayers, encouragement, dinners and gifts cards, and help.  Ellen (lady from church) tutors Evan every school day, and he just loves it and makes great progress.  God richly blesses us every day.  "For I proclaim the name of the LORD: ascribe greatness to our God.  He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He."  (Deut. 32:3-4)