Dear Ones,
Cathy and I know and appreciate all of the prayers and warm wishes from all of you. To tell you how God has answered would fill a book! We are blessed and comforted every day. We have supernatural peace and joy.....yes, joy as we do our part to help Rachel, Neil and the kids.
Cathy of course is the main stay...laundry, dishes, changing beds... The children come to our apartment across the street to play and spend time with us almost every day, some times staying for sleep overs. This allows privacy for Rachel during the nursing visits and time for Neil to do errands [ he has sold his business ]. They are doing well and can talk of their mom's loss.
Andrea who lives above us is the great Aunty when she is not working. Her struggle at this time, is having to choose between work and time off to be with Rachel. Her boss is very understanding. We are thankful.
The 5 1/2 months have been filled with good memories that we will all cherish. Time together is precious as we grieve. So many with sudden losses [two of our close friends have lost children in the last 3 weeks] do not have the blessings that we have had just to be and to cherish and to say "I love you". Time as a family. Visits from so many. A wonderful time at the cottage in May with Rachel and the kids with exceptional weather. .....all blessings.
Rachel has suffered bravely of course and fights nausea and pain everyday. Her narcotic requirements [along with 11 other medications] are significant with almost every bone in her body involved but her palliative doctors have done a great job. Nurses now visit every day and a team approach is obvious. This is a big relief for me. I have been able to be her dad and not her doctor.Recently her abdominal fluid and liver enlargement were so great that fluid drainage has been necessary. This has led to accelerated protein loss in the fluid and consequential significant measurable weakness and leg swelling. She cannot walk even with help now and spends most [almost all] of her time in bed. We are thankful for the computer and phone which allow her to continue 'living'. An inspiration to many still from her sick bed, she is. But she is failing quickly.
Her friends have helped in many important ways including providing a housekeeper every week, gardening,planting, tending flowers, food and child care. So generous. More offers of course than we can use.
The reality of the final loss is definitely more and more on our minds. Only the Lord knows our times and we trust Him daily for patience and strength.
As most of you know, Rachel's testimony found at www.deathisnotdying.com and the audio at www.churchonthewestside.com has had literally millions who have heard her message given originally to 550 women at a conference in early March in Vancouver. [John Piper and Nancy-Leigh DeMoss and others picked it up and broadcasted it recently on Christian radio ] DVD's can now be purchased from the internet site to share with others. This message has spread in a supernatural way around the world with China being in the top 5 countries where the video is being watched! We give God the credit for this wonderful use that her life is and will be in an on going y leading many to Him and making many more serious about being followers of Christ.
Life is short. We are created to give Him glory by doing good things and living for Him. We value your love and send you ours in return as we have been loved by Him who gave His best for us.
Do not feel you have to respond. Let this be an encouragement to do today what God is calling you to do, maybe for someone else....tomorrow will have enough troubles of it's own.
Love
Ben and Cathy
Subject: Rachel's promotion......
Received: Thursday, July 2, 2009, 5:14 PM
Dear Ones
Cathy and I wish to rejoice in Rachel's promotion to be with Jesus and to be free of her physical suffering. She slept away peacefully early this morning at home. Her life finished well. She loved Jesus. Our sure hope is in her eternal life and our anticipated reunion with her.
For those of you who wish to remember her and celebrate with us, the funeral will be at St. John's Shaunessy Church,
1490 Nanton Ave.,
Vancouver, BC,
V6H2E2.
This will be on Wednesday July 8th at 1 PM. A reception at the church will follow .
In lieu of flowers please consider sponsoring or a donation to a child through Child of Mine found at www.childofmine.ca or World Vision at www.worldvision.ca.
We are so grateful for all your past and present care for our family. Thank you.
Love
Ben and Cathy
uu
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
I just came home from camping but had heard of Rachel's passing while I was there. I am delighted for her, of course, but saddened for the family. As friends of the Sawer/Barkey clan we must remember to uplift them in prayer not only now but also in 3 months and 3 years from now. I encourage all of you do so as they encounter the "firsts" this year with out their beloved daughter, mother, wife and friend.
Post a Comment