Life Song!

After attending Jaques (Van Wyk)'s new CD launch, he sung a Casting Crowns song, called Life Song. Not listening to this song for a long time, I was reminded that our lives are like songs unto the Lord. What song does our lives sing? Does the song of our lives bring glory to Him? Or does it bring glory to ourselves? I have been pondering on this the whole day.

Eph 3:19 - [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!

Lifesong
  Empty hands held high

Such small sacrifice
If not joined with my life
I sing in vain tonight

May the words I say
And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing
Bring a smile to You

Let my lifesong sing to You
Let my lifesong sing to You
I want to sign Your name to the end of this day
Knowing that my heart was true
Let my lifesong sing to You

Lord I give my life
A living sacrifice
To reach a world in need
To be Your hands and feet

So may the words I say
And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing
Bring a smile to You

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Let my lifesong sing to You

And Now my Life Song Sings (see the Video)

My Love

Movies with the Girls

It was great to go to the movies with the "Girls", had a great time. I guess after 3 weeks in hospital, I'm really going to want to get out.....look forward to our next movie... :C)

Its about "Getting Up"

Eagles

Part of the word that was given to me was about how an eagle at a certain age in life, would strip his beak, talons and feathers, and that for a time he would be naked and exposed, but after he healed he would fly higher than ever before. It really was so applicable to what has been happening in my life.

Yvette received an email this week of the exact same thing, for me a confirmation.
See the following link: http://charl-blog.blogspot.com/p/eagles.html

I also received an email from my Mom, with the following extract:

"There is a lesson for us to learn from the eagle who sits on the edge of the precipice who watches the dark clouds over head filling the sky with blackness. He sits perfectly still, turning one eye then the other towards the storm as the forked lightnings play back and forth. He never moves a feather until he feels the first burst of the breeze. It is then when he knows the hurricane has struck him. With a scream he swings his breast to the storm. It is the storm itself he uses to to soar upwards into the black sky. God wants this experience to take place in every one of His Children! He wants us to "soar on wings like eagles". We can turn the storm clouds into a chariot!"

She Loves Me! Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!

[Before] and After

I didn't think that my hair would actually fall out, but when I woke up this morning, I realized the time had arrived! As a good friend of mine said - The Japanese believe those without hair will become very wealthy, Russians believe those without hair are more intelligent and woman know that men without hair are "stronger".

Stem Cell Surprise

On Monday morning, I had to go for blood tests, to check my stem cell levels. According to our schedule,  my stem cell harvest was due on Tuesday morning. I received a call around 11am on Monday from the doctors rooms, to say that my response to the medication was very successful and that they wanted to harvest the cells, that afternoon. Yvette has to scramble all the arrangements with the kids, and take me to hospital.

So my harvest happened on Monday instead of Tuesday, the good news is that I had more than enough stem cells mobilized, which makes the harvesting process so much easier, and also shorter. The fact that I responded well to the medication was a blessing.

The worst part of the harvesting process was the "knitting needles" they had to put into my arm and veins. They first tried my left arm, and .... didn't work, I nearly went through the roof. Yvette tried to pinch my ear to relieve the pain....doesn't really work. Then they tried my right arm, which was fine .

The whole process including setting up the machine and harvesting took about 5 hours. Everything went well, I felt a bit lightheaded and hungry afterwards.

Thanks for all the prayers and support during this time, I really do appreciate it!

Before we started

Stem Cells being harvested, I've been watching "Strat Pack"
Music Video

Stefanie's 1st Stem Cell Transplant

Cecelia Cares!

Here is 110ml of life that I will receive
on the 8th March

6am and 6pm - Glad its over

At 6am and 6pm, Yvette had to inject me with these "babies",  all to mobilize my stems cells. I'm really glad this is over!

My Dad!

Dad came for a surprise visit from Oz! Really great seeing him and catching up!

Beauty and the Beast

Dominique all dressed up for her Valentines Ball

Man Down

I wasn't feeling too well, getting up on Wednesday morning. My routine doctors appointment was schedule that morning too. After blood tests and seeing Dr.T, she said that the treatment that I had last week would be only kicking in right about...."now". She was right, my white blood cells where down to zero, which means very low resistance. By the time I got home, I got straight into bed ands slept the whole afternoon and evening. Flu like symptoms, where your teeth and bones ache.

I felt better this morning, my temperature is coming down, so thats good! 

I also had a surprise vist from my Dad, he flew all the way from Oz to come and see me, Amazing, Thanks Dad!  

Made it through the week End

On Saturday, I started with injections twice daily, 6am and 6pm. Yvette has to give them to me, I must say she is getting good with it. I think she missed her calling. The Lord is so good, I must say that on Friday afternoon, I really felt down, and this week end the Lord sent friends accross our path, that have been so encouraging and supportive! I thank the Lord for them, and what they mean to us. We also saw friends that we have not seen for a long time, it was really a blessing catching up, and to chat about the Lord and His work in our lives. I was also given a word, which really spoke into my life, thank you Lord, you are faithful and true!

When I am weak He is Strong!

The last two days have been quite difficult, I've been feeling weak and nauseous. The challenge is the feeling of not being able to respond to work and your usual activities. I really appreciate the people around me, my lovely wife and children! Yvette is amazing! Also friends and staff at work. Also friends that support me!

I realised that when I'm weak, He is strong, and that we are able to so much more through Christ that strengthens me!

2 Corinthians 12:9
But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving- kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!

Typical Day at the Office - Day 2

It's seems that this is becoming my occupation, spending the whole day with a drip in my arm! At least I can get a lot of work done, thanks to email and cell phones, etc. Although there was a time today when I was really out of it, flying like a kite.. Thanks for the Sms's and Skype calls today, really appreciated!

I must say I feel better today, not as nauseous, Dr T prescribed some meds, so hopefully it all works. I also received all my injections for th next 10 days in a cooler, Yvette will have give them to me in the stomach, twice daily starting on Saturday. I've received so many drips and injections, and blood tests, I really look forward to this all coming to an end!

I know the end is just around the corner, so I should just hang-in there! I spend some time watching one of my favorite music videos "Cross Roads" with Eric Clapton and friends, inspiring stuff! Nothing like the Blues!

I read some great scripture this morning (Ps 91), this really stirs my faith in Him!

HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand] I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust! 

For [then] He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. [Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler.

You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day, for He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service]. They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the serpent shall you trample underfoot. Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness—trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never].

He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.

I look forward to "with long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation"!

Day 1

It feels weird to start with "Day 1", but I guess that's the way it is. Today I started with high dose therapy, this all in preparation for my stem harvest later this month. It was quite a long session arrived a 8am, started with IV around 9am, and finished around 2pm. Came home, really felt flat... And of course a visit to the big white phone, really have been feeling nauseous. Tomorrow more of the same, with Thursday being a "rest" day. Thanks for your prayers and support, really appreciated!

Stem Cell Harvesting - Some Good News

On Tuesday we had our Family meeting with Dr T, which really marks the kick off for my stem cell transplant. The Meeting was to discuss the procedure and process over the next two months. The Stem Cell transplant consists of a harvesting process and then later a the transplant process. I start with the harvesting regimen next week Tuesday. All in indications was that I would be hospitalised for next 2 weeks. So here is the good news, I don't have to be in hospital for this. What a relief! I'll go to the doctors rooms for chemo, and will have injections at home, but will have to see the doctor for regular checkup's. The actual harvest will be on the 21st Feb. I'm off for 2 weeks. Then on the 6th March I'll have to go to hospital for 2-3 weeks for the actual transplant. The big thing with hospitalisation is isolation from infection and bacteria, so the biggest challenge is going to be solitude. I'll be taking my laptop, books, etc to keep myself busy, also planning to take my guitar, so I can brush up! Dr T has also confirmed my current levels as being normal, which is fantastic, showing that the treatment is working, my m protein is 2, which has come down from 4. I really trust and pray for complete healing and recovery, and know that though Him, who is able, all things are possible!