All our plans are held loosely as we don't know how Ed will feel from day to day. He still gets tired but we are so grateful that even with radiation and chemo, he continues to feel well. We had a wonderful weekend and were able to enjoy a family reunion on Saturday and a full Sunday of activities. We spent the Fourth splashing in the Juniata River with friends at a nearly empty state park in the Pennsylvania mountains.
I'm not sure why I'm surprised that Ed is feeling so well when so many of you have told us you are praying. His blood count numbers have been excellent and, besides some dizziness and skin irritation on his scalp, he has no side effects at this time.
On Sunday evening we enjoyed a hymn sing at church. There were so many meaningful hymns shared I can hardly choose just one to share.
It may seem depressing to sing a song about death, but to me this song is joyful because its focus is the glory of God. The words are from a very long poem written by Anne Cousin, but most hymnals only list four or five stanzas.
The Sands of Time Are Sinking
(Also known as Immanuel's Land)
By Anne Ross Cousin
The sands of time are sinking,
The dawn of heaven breaks;
The summer morn I've sighed for,
The fair, sweet morn awakes;
Dark, dark hath been the midnight,
But dayspring is at hand,
But glory, glory dwelleth
In Immanuel's land.
O Christ! He is the fountain,
The deep, sweet well of love!
The streams on earth I've tasted
More deep I'll drink above;
There to an ocean fulness
His mercy doth expand,
And glory, glory dwelleth
In Immanuel's land.
O, I am my Beloved's,
And my Beloved's mine!
He brings a poor vile sinner
Into His "house of wine,"
I stand upon His merit,
I know no other stand,
Not e'en where glory dwelleth
In Immanuel's land.
The bride eyes not her garment,
But her dear Bridegroom's face;
I will not gaze at glory,
But on my King of grace.
Not at the crown He giveth,
But on His pierced hand,
The Lamb is all the glory
Of Immanuel's land.
And here is a chance to listen to this beautiful hymn. (If reading by email, you may need to click over to the website to listen.)
What an excellent report!! Praise God!! Prayers continue, sending love and huggs!!
ReplyDeleteI thought so many of the songs we sang Sunday eve. mentioned trials and submitting to God's will, but they all had some encouraging thoughts. Many of the song writers must have gone through hard times and found God faithful. We are so glad Ed's been feeling well.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful hymn! Please know dear one, I'm praying for you all everyday. Is there anything else you need? Because of the distance I can't bring a meal but I can send a gift card for you and family. Let me know. I have your email address from when I contacted you some time ago.
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely Gina! Our family has been blessed by the hymns you are sharing. We pray that God would continue to help Ed feel well. We pray that God would send your family comfort and joy for each day.
ReplyDeleteLovely! Praying for you!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful song ♡
ReplyDeleteGood to hear Ed's blood counts are so well and that he is feeling well.. Many
Blessings..
I can't begin to imagine what you are going through, but I just want you to know that you and your family are still being prayed for in Hawaii.
ReplyDeleteHallelujah - so wonderful to read this. I love that old hymn, we used to sing it at my church. Blessings to you :)
ReplyDeleteGina, I am so pleased Ed is feeling well despite the treatment. I have never heard that hymn so will have to listen to it when I get a chance.
ReplyDeleteDear Gina, I'm so glad that you have found some fun things to do as a family during this difficult time. Praying that the treatments go well, praying also for peace when it may be further on with the treatments and recovery from them may take a little more time. The hymn is very beautiful with its, words its a new one for me to read. You are all in my thoughts and prayers,
ReplyDeleteshelley p
from over the pond
What a beautiful hymn. It has been a blessing listening to the hymns you have shared. So happy to hear that Ed has had minimal effects from the treatment and how nice that you were able to have fun as a family. Keeping you and your family in prayer..blessings to you all.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful hymn! Today I came across a poem that has greatly blessed me and thought I'd share it with you.
ReplyDeleteWhen Thou Passest Through
"When thou passest through the waters"
Deep the waves may be and cold,
But Jehovah is our refuge,
And His promise is our hold;
For the Lord Himself hath said it,
He, the faithful God and true:
"When thou comest to the waters
Thou shalt not go down, BUT THROUGH."
Seas of sorrow, seas of trial,
Bitterest anguish, fiercest pain,
Rolling surges of temptation
Sweeping over heart and brain -
They shall never overflow us
For we know His word is true;
All His waves and all His billows
He will lead us safely through.
Threatening breakers of destruction,
Doubts insidious undertow,
Shall not sink us, shall not drag us
Out to ocean depths of woe;
For His promise shall sustain us,
Praise the Lord Whose Word is true!
We shall not go down, or under,
For He saith, "Thou passest THROUGH."
Annie Johnson Flint
I am so happy that you are able to do some fun family activities! Praise the Lord that Ed is feeling well enough to do them . Life does roll merrily along , if we let it. We are continuing praying for all of you.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved this song, even as a child. And when we sang it Sunday night with the different harmonies - it was gorgeous. Then we hit the 8 part haromny on the last verse - I had goosebumps. The words spoke to me as well. We are praising God to hear of the blessings he is doing in your life.
ReplyDeleteJohn 10:10
ReplyDeleteThe devil whispers:
I will steal from you
The believer answers:
It is written:
‘A thief must repay seven-fold’
The devil shouts:
I will kill you!
The believer answers:
It is written:
‘Those who believe on the Lord Jesus have everlasting life’
The devil says:
I will destroy you!
The believer answers:
It is written:
‘Many are the afflictions of the righteous
but the Lord delivers him out of them all’
Jesus says:
It is finished and I have overcome!
Thank you Gina for sharing these hymns with us I just love them. Many times through out the day Ed comes to mind and I always stop and pray for him. Blessings to you all.
ReplyDeleteKeeping you all in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear the good news, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDelete