Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Losing Jim

It has been such a long time since I posted and so much has happened since Sept when we moved Rob's parents back out to Midland. So interesting to see God's hand in all of it. It was such a crazy move and we did not quite know what all we were in for with it. The way it happened was shocking and sudden. All the while, our Lord knew what was coming and knew that we needed to get them out here ASAP. Last week, while on the youth ski trip in Colorado, we got a call from Rob's daddy's (Jim's) doctor. He wanted us to bring Jim and Wanda in the next day because the scan they took showed that he has ADVANCED cancer of the liver, pancreas, adrenal glands, lymphoma, etc.....They are only giving him a week from now to maybe a month. I will be surprised if he is with us even for a few days. Each day we are seeing such a downslide. It is horrifying to watch. Today, after not being able to make it down the hall and having to sit on a stool two x to get down the hallway of a two bedroom apt, Jim just cried out, "How Long???" I said, "for what" He said, "Til I die. How much longer do I live like this?" It is hard to let someone go that you love. We do love him. Rob had a sweet time with him on Monday night. Jim played with Tom Landry for the University of Texas in football. Rob went over and joined him for his last Texas game. Sad to think that he won't be there to do that anymore.
We are, however, thankful that we know that Jim's salvation is secure and we will see him again in heaven.
For a very competitive football family, LOSING is never easy....whether it is football or your life. Pray that this comes without pain. As believers, our loss is Christ's gain and Jim will gain eternity with Jesus......no losing matter there......but it is still hard. God is faithful and carries us in these times.