Can you believe this has been two years ago already - in some ways it feels like forever ago, and in other ways, like yesterday [except Brian looks so young here!!]

We want to start by wishing you all a beautiful New Year, filled with love, laughter and wonderful memories.  We have enjoyed seeing/hearing about your holidays together  - your gatherings, trips and holiday fun with young and old.  It is such a blessing to have these special times of year to refocus on those we love and the gifts we have in each other.  While our Christmas was not your picture perfect, stuff of carols or cards or cheesy movies, but we were still together and so very thankful for that!  We even had  'Three Wisemen' at our door Christmas morning [along with a remote 'angel' on speed dial, for guidance and parts!] to fix our water! [water stopped working Christmas eve, not the best timing - but gave us another reminder of how blessed we are to have such caring friends - Thank you Thalen's and Rodney!!]

Unfortunately Wayne has had some decline in his health the past number of weeks.  Recent scans, blood work, and how he has been feeling, all point to progression of the cancer.  We are not going to get into details - [in my professional experience, I often find that people get focused on the details, and the negatives, and not focus on what really matters . . .], but know that he is still 'fighting'!! His pain can sometimes be hard to control, and he is generally quite weak, but we are managing here at home.  I am currently taking some time off work, as this is where I am needed.   Many times over the past two years, this cancer has had the upper hand, and Dr's have questioned what to do next.  While we stand at this crossroad, once again, we know that whatever comes we will face it with faith as our foundation.  

As some of you may know, we had amazing plans to celebrate New Years in Florida this year with all our kids, the girls boyfriends, the other half of our DeBummel family and their extras, and our dear friends, the Vokes family - 19 of us in total!  It was going to be a great time to be together and forget about this other crap for awhile.  Unfortunately, our plans had to change.  We tried, right up to the day we were to leave, to figure a way to get Wayne there and still be able to enjoy this time together, but the decision was taken from us - we could not go.  Yet, even in this, some good can come.  We are so proud of  our children, they decided to still go [as Brian said "I'm not a baby anymore, I can do this!].

It may seem strange that this makes us proud, but they have shown more strength and courage than many people much older.  They know where we put our faith and trust in, they are thankful for every small moment we have together, and most importantly they have never let this horrible reality hold them back.  They have continued their studies, their work, their teams, their interests, their social lives - never using their Dad as an excuse!  This is so very important to Wayne.  When we talk of cancer, it is an evil.  It can do horrible things to the body, but when you let it take over your hope and your will, the evil really has won.  I'm not going to lie, there are times when we feel defeated and hopeless, but we very consciously remind and help each other through those dark times.  We try and focus on the positive, we try and keep up our normal routines and lives as much as possible, we try and keep conversations and interactions upbeat, and we wake each day - thankful for another one and each other.  

As I write this, our gang is traveling home again.  They had a fun week together with everyone, and we had lots of skype time and chats with them too.  We had a nice week, just the two of us as well [again, not movie worthy or anything - although we did watch a lot of movies!!],  but together still.  We pray for safe travels for everyone, we can't wait to see them all again, and hear all the stories [we never get together without great stories!!]  So, thank you to our DeBoer and Vokes family, Bryden and Joe,  for being their with our family, journeying with them on this strange path of life - modeling strength and courage along with them.

2019 has definitely not started as we planned, but has already shown us where and how we should stand  -  together  -  rooted in Faith, Hope and Love.  We thank you for your continued love and support, and we covet your prayers for Strength as we face each day.