Merry Christmas from our family to yours. I pray today is full of wonderful memories and celebration of the birth of our Saviour.
The past few days we have been enjoying time with family and friends. ❤️ There have been lots of fun times and laughter, as well as some serious discussions about the future. I am pretty emotional and have to fight off fears of this being my last Christmas. I am so thankful for my family and love them so much. ❤️🎄
Merry Christmas!
What???!!!
Merry Christmas to the Small family! I’m glad that you have had time with family and friends. I was so encouraged to see from your post that managing your body’s response to your medications has been going better, but I don’t lose sight of how that in and of itself does not change the ultimate unknowns that you face. There are many standing with you and for you in prayer. Like you said in a previous post, “And while stage 4 breast cancer was a surprise for me, it was not a surprise for God. He has allowed this to be part of my life and will be with me each step of the way.” Sometimes when you don’t know what to say to a friend who has cancer, you remind her of what she said that was so true and beautiful. We love you and your family and we are praying with you and for you! Christ the Savior is born!
I hope this helps, I am a bit afraid to write this. Yes, my wife did have a last Christmas and left my boys and I to face our 3rd Christmas without her. It is hard to explain the love of Jesus that we have felt this two and a half years. Someday you will have a last Christmas, we all do but Jesus says to not fear. He says, “I am with you.” He will be with you when the time comes and He will be with them in such a special way that you and they can not understand till the time comes. My mother was told she had cancer years ago, she died at 94. Thank you Jesus for the wonderful plans for many many more Christmases you have for all of us. I send my love to you and your family.
Ohhh Jennifer , those words! The truth is that none of us know if we just celebrated our last Christmas. My time with family is more special as my grandkids are becoming adults and have jobs. I treasure the moments and pray God will impact their lives as they examine mine! One day at a time. Live each day selflessly and you’ll have no regrets!
Amen to what Bob and Marilee have said. Bob – as you have experienced cancer from both sides of what it can mean, you have done a good thing to encourage Jennifer and her family in this…Marilee, well said, I wonder who I know has celebrated Christmas for the last time. One more thing (as I’ve had struggles with the effects of the powerful medications they use to “fight” against cancer) – take your tears with a grain of salt. They are not necessarily an indication of how your soul is doing, but most probably from the effects of the meds. Even if they are from your soul, the remedy is to turn to your Savior and trust Him fully, and use your life to give it away…who knows but that He won’t then advance you more time on this earth to proclaim His excellent Mercies! Thank you for the gift of blogging to us; your humility and vulnerability are a measure of His grace in your life…you could exclude us from it all and we would be the poorer from it. I hope you have a wonderful time celebrating the New Life He brings, in the New Year.
Jennifer I am glad you were with family and friends today. We love you and pray you had a blessed Christmas with you family.
Love you
Love Aunt
We are so happy that you had an enjoyable Christmas. The Lord is with in all your decisions. All our love sent to you.
I’m so glad you had a wonderful Christmas. Your family is beautiful. We serve a good and faithful God. These verses have always been encouraging to me and still are. Isaiah 26 :3,4 “He will keep you in perfect peace, when your mind is stayed on Him. Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.” I love you and pray for you.
thanks for sharing beautiful pictures of your family and so glad to hear you had a wonderful time with family and friends during Christmas. may Jesus our Emmanuel always be with you! you are loved!
Jennifer, what a lovely Christmas photo! You are indeed blessed. As I read your words, about fearing this possibly being your last Christmas, my heart wept for you because I understand exactly where you are coming from and how you are feeling. Cancer seems to compound our fears because it thrusts us into the world of the unknown in such a finite way. But I know, you know, that only God knows our future and He is certainly not the author of fear or confusion. I think He understands well that we, as humans, in our frailty, often fall prey to the lies from the enemy even if they are only a tiny whisper. And though you may have only felt that fleeting thought, it was valid and the Lord had compassion on you and does every minute of every day. You are so precious, Jennifer! I am so sorry your cancer has advanced. I commit to pray for you and your family daily and have your photo on my fridge to remind me to lift you up. There are many standing in the gap for you as you continue to fight. Never give up hope. We love you and want you to know you aren’t alone. Bless you sweet friend, Bonnie
Oh Jennifer, your family photos show God’s glory in all that you and they have been dealing with. His light is shining through the smiles of each of you even in these trials. It warms our hearts knowing you had a blessed Christmas with those you love. The Word says God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, His ways are not our ways, but He has loved us from the moment He knew us and this love is more than we could possibly fathom. You are His beloved child and He’s with you and in you every step of this journey. I praise Him for all the love and joy He has put in your heart, even your uncertainty. No one knows the plans He has for any of us or what the future holds. We are told to trust Him in all things with praise and thanksgiving and prayer, believing His promises in the Word. God never changes. My love for you and your family grows deeper as I follow your blogs. I believe there are many, many more who don’t reply. And I do believe in the power of prayer. May God bless your new year with hope. I love you!!