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Thursday, June 10, 2021

A Few Mil In Vanuatu

 Last night was just horrendous...unremitting pancreatic pain that made me weep...and this morning's got acute nausea added, and just getting to me feet makes it really hard to breathe (and swollen, painful feet...what's that about?). 

I still say I'm living the dream (nearer my God to thee!) but some aspects of cancer are kind of messy, and why don't they show those in the Hallmark movies?

Ordinary life has gotten pretty difficult. Things like walking, eating, sleeping, breathing, and other things.

So one might assume that since I've been to Heaven and back twice (March 14 and May 3), that it's lately been on my mind.

No, not really.

See, it's kind of like having a lot of money in an offshore tax haven. You can't bring the money here; to spend it you have to go there. Sure, you can dream about it and look over your account statements, but if you still have a life right here, that's a kind of futile pursuit.

And it takes away from the life you're living...I mean, look at it from Barb's perspective. Would you want to be married to someone who was dreaming about being somewhere else, even if that place was Heaven?

She deserves better, the dogs deserve better, and everyone I touch through this blog deserves better...as in, my undivided attention.

So Heaven's my swelling bank account in Vanuatu. I think about it sometimes, but I'm not sketching out the beachfront bar I'm going to open. Time enough for that later. It's waiting for me, no worries.

As for the promised narratives, they are coming...Barb's pastor has strongly recommended that these are all written up and presented as one witness, and that's what I'll do.

This is a strange and awkward position to be in, for me...getting tapped by God to carry this message of hope become certainty. But I'll do my best.


I've seen the place where angels dwell

with Almighty Lord on high;

I've come to know it very well,

and it's not up in the sky,

but on a brightly transformed earth,

free at last from death and sin,

an Eden given fresh new birth

so that we may now begin

through all forever's golden ages

to see what gentle God intended

when at first He wrote the pages

that once were torn, but now are mended

so that we, beloved of His heart

may in His Heaven play our part.


Music from Coldplay, with their charming music video Life In Technicolour II (please click here if the video doesn't come up on your device).


Thanks to Carol Ashby, Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart is back on Kindle, and will be available in paperback soon.

Friends are everything. I couldn't have done it.

Below are my recent releases on Kindle -please excuse their presence in the body of the blog. I haven't the energy to get them up as 'buttons' in the sidebar. You can click on the covers to go to the Amazon links.







34 comments:

  1. Hi Andrew.
    I would hazard a an educated guess that the foot swelling (oedema) is where your lymph system is draining as effectively as it used to - pretty common for people who aren't as mobile as they were. Resting with your feet above kidney level should help a bit.
    And you're right about how cancer is portrayed in the movies - annoys me incredibly to see how picturesque they make it.
    In the meantime, I'm looking forward to eventually visiting your Heavenly beach bar and meeting you in person. I figure you're a beer guy but maybe you can include a few tropical mocktails on the menu for me?!
    God bless you and Barb, my friend

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    1. Liz, thank you for this thought...I do have a badly compromised (and tumour-ridden, now) lymph system, and this makes sense.

      I've pretty well stopped watching movies, especially those that deal with illness, though I will make exception for "Brian's Song", which is really more about friendship anyway.

      And there will be tropical mocktails awaiting you! And yes, I generally stick with beer!

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  2. Writing up your experiences is a great idea! Perhaps another book? I hope you have as good a day as possible. Glad you are still joining us to write with FMF. One day at a precious time. My aunt is not on hospice care for cancer. I'm praying she has time with her loved ones before she finds heaven. My mom and dad will fly to see her next week.
    Pray for Linda and her family. Thanks! Jennifer

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    1. Jennifer, another book is possible, but I'll need some kind of remission. With the dogs and blogs, every day's a sort of maximum effort. But it's fun.

      I'm so sorry for you, about your aunt, and join you in prayer for Linda and her family.

      God bless!

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  3. Thank you again, Andrew, for your meaningful posts. My husband and I just read a devotional about bringing heaven here, and your words truly "bring it home" for us. Sending love and gratitude! Karen (FMF #6)

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    1. Karen, gosh, I'm so honoured that I could be of help with the devotional! That makes my day!

      Love back!

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  4. I'm with Liz. Save me something icy and cold with an umbrella in it. If you were anyone other than who you are - you would already be setting up the cabanas on the Crystal Sea. I love both of you.

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    1. Susan, will do...cold, and the vital umbrella!

      We love you too, dear heart. XOXOXOXO

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  5. praying this morning for you and Barb even as i type away here, friend ...

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    1. Linda, thank you so much for your prayers. Scary days now. So darned hard to breathe!

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  6. Amen Andrew. Praise be to God. Continued prayers for you and Barb. Blessings.
    ~Selah~

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    1. Paula, thank you so much for your prayers...and please know you are in ours, for a quick healing!

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  7. Andrew, what a beautiful summation of this life and the promise we hold to now but experience later! To be present in the present! I think it's hard to maintain reality for very long, whether it is now or future. And isn't it wonderful we write words to help ourselves, as well as others. Praying for you. I watch a lot of Hallmark movies. They all have happy beginnings (at the end).

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    1. Mary, this is such a lovely comment, so full of beauty and truth, that it's hard to maintain a present or future reality for long. Wow. That's awesome!

      We don't get Hallmark Channel, but when they were occasionally on broadcast, we'd watch...and in spite of a bit of unreality, we enjoyed them.

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  8. Praying for you and Barb!! Always grateful for your words. Deirdre FMF #2

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    1. Deirdre, we're always honoured to see you here, and honoured by your prayers. Thank you!

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  9. I always love your insights, Andrew, and I appreciate you sharing your journey with us.

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    1. Lesley, I truly appreciate your words. Thank you so much!

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  10. I will likely never hear the term "offshore account" in the same way. Haha.

    Amie, FMF #16

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    1. Amie, I'm glad I changed the paradigm for you!

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  11. (((((Andrew)))))

    I love your words and message today.

    Annie in Texas

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    1. ((((((Annie!!!!!!!!))))))

      Thank you so much!

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  12. I hadn't read your words before, Andrew. I'm truly sorry you are walking through cancer. I pray your heart is encouraged today by the prayers of those who are reading.

    Peace and grace to you and Barb,
    Tammy

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    1. Tammy, thank you so much for dropping by, for your kind words, and most especially for your prayers.

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  13. Stephanie, thank you so much for this lovely affirmation. You have been, and are, in our prayers.

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  14. "Someday I'll wish upon a star
    Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
    Where trouble melts like lemon drops
    High above the chimney tops that's where
    You'll find me..."

    Your sonnet speaks with grace. Thank you for it. I run out of things to say, so I'll let "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" speak for me. Someday things will be better, life will be easier, joy will be a constant, and love will be the great unifier. It's lovely to think about. Andrew, for all the beastliness of this thing called cancer, you've not lost your strength to endure, encourage others, and look forward. Glad you're still with us. I smile at your courage. You're one tough dude. God is patient, longsuffering, and full of lovingkindness. The Lord bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you. Still praying.

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    1. Oh, my dear Norma, "Over The Rainbow" speaks to my heart.

      Thank you so much for this, and for your gentle, loving words. (And please forgive the delayed reply...this has been a really bad week.)

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  15. Andrew, I so appreciate your perspective about heaven and living in the now while you're here. Your poem is beautiful. You and Barb are often in my prayers. Thank you for your consistent, quiet presence here. Your words encourage me.

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    1. Jeanne, thank you for this, and so much for your prayers.

      I'm so glad I can offer encouragement. It makes the whole trip worthwhile.

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  16. God doesn't waste anything - I'm glad you're writing - I'm glad you're showing how hard it is - and bringing grace, humor, your Andrew-view to it! Your pastor has an excellent idea!

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    1. I love the thought of God now wasting anything...thank you so much for this!

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  17. Jeanne, please forgive my long, LONG-delayed response here...thank you so much for your prayers, and for your encouragement.

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