Comfort and Joy

Zac and I have been getting into the Christmas spirit and have enjoyed listening to Christmas songs in recent weeks. Tonight we were listening to God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. We began reflecting on the words to the song, in particular the chorus "o tidings, of comfort and joy." So often we sing these songs in church but do we really listen to the words? I hate to admit it but we weren't sure what tidings meant...so we looked it up. : ) It means news or report. The author was celebrating the news of the fullest comfort and joy - the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world!!! As we were reflecting, it was hard for us to imagine no hope in our life. Before Jesus' birth, the people of the world had no comfort, no joy from death and sin. They had a list of rules to follow if they wanted to make it to heaven, but continued to sin every day. However, we now celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our true comfort and true joy who is our only way to eternal life.

God rest ye merry, gentlemen,

Let nothing you dismay,

For Jesus Christ our Savior

Was born upon this day,

To save us all from Satan's power

When we were gone astray.

O tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy,

O tidings of comfort and joy.

We've included the link to this song. Merry Christmas. And may you know true comfort and joy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWpiFnNBtpE

Happy Thanksgiving!!

No matter what season of life you're in, there are still so many things to be thankful for each day. We were reflecting this afternoon that exactly two years ago this weekend, Zac proposed to me in our favorite spot - Decorah. It's been such a fun two years and we have so much to be thankful for! During those two years we have enjoyed reading the Psalms together and one of our favorites is Psalm 145. It's a song of praise from begining to end. It talks about the greatness of God, the goodness of God, God's everlasting government, and the grace of God. Verse 2 says: "Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever." How often do we roll out of bed and begin with complaints rather than praises for God? May every day we praise His name. Be thankful for God's grace today and always!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Welcome to our Blog!

It's been almost two years since I was first diagnosed with an incurable brain stem tumor. Because of where it's located, the only treatment at this time is a one-time round of radiation, with hopes of shrinking the tumor. Any other treatment would further damage my hearing, vision, etc. Some of my doctors feel like the best option is to "watch and wait" to see what the tumor does. At this time, that is what we're choosing to do. Every 6 months I have gone in for an MRI. The MRI's have shown no growth, however, the doctors believe it is growing at such a slow rate that it can't be measured on the MRI. Praise God! My next appointment will be at the begining of February.

Those of you who know us, know that we believe in a BIG and MIGHTY God who can perform miracles and has called us to pray. Scripture has commanded us to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17). In Luke 11, Jesus teaches us the importance of prayer and gives an illustration of one being persistent in prayer. We will continue to pray continuously and pray with persistence for healing to the God "who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." (Ephesians 3:20)

We have started this blog to keep you updated on our situation. It has been a humbling experience to know that so many of you have us in your thoughts and prayers, and many of you we have never even met! Our hope is that through this we can encourage and be encouraged with the body of Christ!