Wednesday 27 June 2012

Petra Classic World Tour

For all the Petra fans out there, I discovered that Petra got together to release a new concert dvd, doing all the old songs. I ordered the dvd from the US, and finally arrived, really amazing to watch, brings back so many memories of my early christian life as a teenager. Check out http://classicpetra.com/ for more info. I really recommend it. One of the songs that they played is "Grave Robber", this just a reminder that Christ has the victory, and through Christ, death has not sting. Here are the words of this song:

There's a step that we all take alone
An appointment we have with the great unknown
Like a vapor this life is just waiting to pass
Like the flowers that fade, like the withering grass

But life seems so long and death so complete
And the grave an impossible potion to cheat
But there's One who has been there and still lives to tell
There is One who has been through both heaven and hell

And the grave will come up empty-handed that day
Jesus will come and steal us away

Where is the sting, tell me where is the bite?
When the grave robber comes like a thief in the night
Where is the victory, where is the prize?
When the grave robber comes and death finally dies

Many still mourn, many still weep
For those that they love who have fallen asleep
But we have this hope though our hearts may still ache
Just one shout from above and they all will awake

And in the reunion of joy we will see
Death will be swallowed in sweet victory

Where is the sting, tell me where is the bite?
When the grave robber comes like a thief in the night
Where is the victory, where is the prize?
When the grave robber comes and death finally dies

When the last enemy is done, from the dust will come a song
Those asleep will be awakened, not a one will be forsakened
He shall wipe away our tears, He will steal away our fears
There will be no sad tomorrow, there will be no pain and sorrow

Where is the sting, tell me where is the bite?
When the grave robber comes like a thief in the night
Where is the victory, where is the prize?
When the grave robber comes and death finally

Where is the sting, tell me where is the bite?
When the grave robber comes like a thief in the night
Where is the victory, where is the prize?
When the grave robber comes and death finally dies
Finally dies






Friday 15 June 2012

Fantastic News!

We have just seen Dr T, my bone marrow test show no residual disease. In other words stem cell treatment has been successful. MRI shows no further lesions. I have to go for blood tests every month to monitor.

Praise the Lord! For he is gracious and compassionate!

Thursday 7 June 2012

What a Week! Also a Full Circle....

Its been some time since my last confession :-) Just joking! This week has really been one to remember.

We have come full circle, in many aspects. Last weekend what the start of the "groot trek", we started packing, luckily we got more boxes from Stefan, this time we made sure that everything was packed. We did not want to drive bits and pieces ourselves. Going through this exercise, one realizes how much stuff we have. We are more intent than ever to donate things we are not using. This in itself is a massive exercise.

We physically started moving on Monday morning, and by around 3pm most of the things had been moved. Now we still have the task of cleaning and handover the rental house and also unpacking our things. What has made it most difficult is that we have had contractors in and out of the house finishing off things, while we are trying to sort ourselves out. We could not wait to try out our new fire place.


Chloe took this picture from the stair landing. We are so blessed to be back at home, except everything is new and different. Yvette did a fantastic job on the interiors, and I must say it has turned out to be great! (I will be taking some pics...so watch this space). In many ways this has been a full circle for us as a family. When I left the house I was heathy, and now returning to the house healthy. All my operations and treatments happened during the time we where out of the house. I really trust the Lord for my healing, and I believe this is symbolic of my new start.

As a family we are so blessed that the Lord has been with us this whole time. That He cares and loves us. We also so privileged and blessed to be able to stay in a nice house, and ever more than ever want to be blessings to others around us.

This week also marks the 3 months after my stem cell transplant. At the moment my head looks like a dirty tennis ball. I'm not sure if I should keep my hair short, or let it grow long? I guess I'm too old for the long hair thing. So this also means that I have to go for my checkup's, as I will be seeing Dr T, next week Friday.

Today was MRI day. I went for 4 MRI's, Full Body, Thoracic, Lumbar and Femur. We started about 8:15am and finished around 11am. The longest one was about an hour. I must say I was Ok for most of it, except towards the end, I became claustrophobic, I became hot and sweaty, and started hyperventilating. I rung the bell and the radiologist took the blanket off me, and told me I had another minute to go. Hectic!

I have briefly read the report, its very technical, so not too sure what to make of it, there does not seem to be any other lesions, which is a good thing. I'm sure that I will understand more when I see the doctor.

Its amazing how the Lord reveals himself to us. When I was lying in the MRI tunnel, there was some masking tape stuck in the tunnel, in the shape of a cross. This reminded me when I was receiving radiation, and they had a small wooden cross stuck to the roof (See my blog on this last year). Lying in the MRI tunnel, I was reminded of the Cross of Christ, and the full work that He completed on that Cross. In the His full work I place my trust, through His Grace and Lovingkindness.

Tomorrow is another big day, I have to go for a Bone Marrow autopsy, not nice. I pray the Lord will go before me, and prepare my way.

So for now its unpacking and sorting out things at home. Cant wait for the weekend, and church on Sunday.