Safe Harbor

On the 18th of June, 2 loon chicks hatched in the back bay!  On Wednesday, June 19, Janet and Dick took a quick ride in the pontoon boat and discovered the loon family of four at the deep end of Elliott Bay.  The chicks, sitting on mommy's back were little balls of fluff!  But they were safe and far from wandering fishing boats and kayaks.  Janet was ecstatic!  How wonderful to watch a new family as they grew and enjoyed the summer sun and warm water.  Diana and Carin and their families were due to arrive next week so it would be fun for them to watch the loons.

Sunday, June 23 brought an amazing service at church!  A guest speaker from New York came to speak and after an amazing talk and invitation, a number of people went forward to lay their concerns at the feet of Jesus and to reaffirm their commitment to the Lord of all!

On Tuesday Judy, a friend at church, told her she had goosebumps about a verse.  "Janet, the Lord gave me this verse for you. 'But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength' Isaiah 41:31."
Then that following Wednesday evening there was another outpouring of the Spirit which moved deeply within Janet's heart.

As her healing has continued it has been filled with struggles and emotional highs and lows.  She realized she had always been an emotional person and 3 years of dealing with brain cancer proved to her how rocky and unstable the brain can react. She praised God that she could think rationally, could balance the checkbook, could remember past events with utmost clarity but she could also dissolve into tears at the slightest provocation.  Hunger, fatigue, slight misunderstandings triggered the sobs.  She was thankful these episodes happened when she was in the house alone or with Dick but the outbursts disturbed her.

She was also thankful for the continual slow progress she was making.  She definitely had more energy and she continued to push herself and try new physical pursuits.  For example, she could now fold sheets!  That sounds like a simple chore but by carrying the bunched up sheets to the spare bedroom she could stretch and lay them out on the bed and then by using mostly her left arm and hand, but with slight help with the right hand and fingers, she folded the sheets!  What a HUGE accomplishment and she gave God glory!

However, she continued to struggle with the lack of physical dexterity in walking and use of her right arm and hand.  Emotionally, she still had difficulty accepting her reduced mode of living.  Having recently read a book by Joni Eareckson Tada, the quadriplegic (over 40 years) dynamic Christian, she realized what blessings she did have.  She could walk and partially use her arm!  So, as she sat through that Wednesday Bible study, she wondered if 'pride' was again her enemy.

At prayer time after the study she confessed her 'pride' and spoke about her emotional struggles.  Then Dave, the guest speaker from NY, spoke to her.  "You are like a ship that has gone through a violent storm with waves pounding, winds blowing...your ship almost was destroyed by the fierce storm.  But you survived the storm and now you are in a safe harbor and that's where Jesus is.  He is your 'safe harbor'.  And what does a ship do when it's in harbor?  The ship rests.  It is refurbished, re-fueled, repaired, cleaned, inspected.  All to get ready for the next voyage.  Jesus has given you this time, this safe harbor, for a reason, Janet.  Rest in it and listen to Him."

She thought so much on those words of counsel.  Yes, just rest.  Regain strength, let the body and brain heal. "Wait on the Lord and renew strength." There is more work to do.  The voyage is not over.

The loon family continues to grow and flourish.  Because of erratic summer weather...cold, rainy, high  winds then hot and humid, the loons have been hanging out in York Bay, just beyond our 'back bay'.  Seventeen of the Weisiger family, including Beth, also Glenn and Stephanie's family were here at the lake for about a week enjoying fishing, swimming, jumping off the raft with the 4 lab dogs, water skiing, boating, eating ice cream, playing 'kick the can', walking the lane, looking for bears, fishers (dangerous animal, like a weasel, will feed on porcupine), so of course looking for porcupine, deer and looking for loons on the lake.  Lots of laughs, noise, dirty wet towels and LOVE!

And in the midst of all the interaction and confusion, she kept her focus on her care giver, the Lord, Jesus Christ.  Just as God provides the family of loons with their safe harbor in York Bay, just remember, Janet, that He has provided you with safe harbor in Jesus to recuperate.  REST!