Chemo Countdown...

Lovely lazy Sunday again... We spent the afternoon with the family at Afton Grove. The children were so excited to spot the resident Goshawk on her nest in the Bluegum tree near the chicken run (keeping an eye on the prize at all times!) Pops put the telescope up so they could all get a really good look at the bird. They never tire of the fun to be had at Afton and managed to find a new Chameleon too. They have decided to decorate their treehouse for Christmas this year - that will keep them busy for the next while.

Nix has been really battling with sore joints over the last few days and looks quite tired. She has been battling to sleep at night too which is no good for the joints - so it's a vicious cycle sometimes. It has been a long and painful journey and even though she is still unbelievably strong, it can take it's toll on her every now and again. Anything is more challenging when you are sleep-deprived too. Please could we ask you to keep her in your prayers and ask God to bless her with sweet sleep and to restore her energy, especially for the coming week.

Proverbs 3:24

"If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet".

The week ahead is another busy one with her next Chemo treatment scheduled for this Wednesday, so please keep her in your prayers ahead of that. She will go for blood tests as usual on Tuesday to determine whether she will be able to go ahead with treatment on Wednesday so we are praying for another good report with the tests so that she can continue without any hiccups or delays.

Daniel's 5th birthday is planned for next Sunday, the 29th, and Nix will be doing a fair amount of party planning and preparation ahead of that (we will help her, but she loves to do it and is so good at it - she always puts her original and unconventional spin on things) so please pray that she will be strong and fit for the party and all that comes with it. We pray that she will be able to really enjoy it with her precious little boy.

Mark 11:24

"Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them."

This passage of scripture and accompanying study notes (below) have meant so much to me in the past week, and I would like to share them with all of you too:

2 Corinthians 4:7

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies."

Study Notes: But we - Not only the apostles, but all true believers. Have this treasure - Of divine light, love, glory. In earthen vessels - In frail, feeble, perishing bodies. He proceeds to show, that afflictions, yea, death itself, are so far from hindering the ministration of the Spirit, that they even further it, sharpen the ministers, and increase the fruit. That the excellence of the power, which works these in us, may undeniably appear to be of God.