Friday, Dec. 3rd Update from Joni

Friday, December 3rd Update from Joni:

Okay, which one of you was it? Somebody has been hitting his knees hard on my behalf, I know. Cancer treatments aside, my pain levels in the last month or so have been so, well… manageable. Even mild. That’s amazing. My heart’s been overflowing with thanksgiving for all the many blessings with which I’ve been graced, and I know it’s because you friends have been knocking on heaven’s gates for me. What a blessed Christmas gift you’ve given Ken and me!
 
Over the last months, through all the ups and downs with surgery and cancer treatments, God has helped me to be in an ‘unhappy’ place well (as Dr. John Piper would say). I’ve learned how to be struck down, well. To be in turmoil, well. To be downcast, well. To have waves break over me, well. And as Christmas draws near, I’m able to say with a smile, “It is well with my soul.” True, my bone density is pretty dismal (I got the report earlier this week), and true, I’m now on a once-a-day pill for the next five years (some nasty side effects, I read), but the joy of the Lord is my strength… joy that tickles at the edges, is peaceful and profound, and always moves me away from fear and into courage.
 
My sister, Kathy, will be flying out from Maryland to spend Christmas with us — for once, she won’t be shuttling me from one medical appointment to the next. We’ll finally have time to hit Trader Joe’s for a nice rib roast for a holiday dinner. I pray the coming week will find you often reflecting on how well it is with your soul… all because Christ entered our dark world to shine His saving light into our hearts!