Tuesday, Sept. 7th Update from Joni

Tuesday, September 7th Update from Joni:

Last evening Ken and I waved goodbye to my sister, Jay, who was here helping me through my second round of treatment — my sisters have so beautifully yielded their hands for Christ’s service to my husband and I, and they have really helped make this time of cancer treatment ‘doable.’ I thought you’d enjoy seeing this snapshot of Jay and I right before she headed for the airport :-).

The treatments have been tough at times, though; I’ve struggled through a couple of rough nights — often, lying awake, I’ve had to rally my senses, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God!” Then I remember that the core — the absolute bull’s-eye — of God’s plan in my life is to change me, refine my faith, strengthen my heart, and rescue me from sin — tough times are all part of the threshing/purifying/polishing/refining process that uproots any fears hiding in my thoughts, any anxieties seeking a toehold, and any restless discontentment that raises its ugly head. God’s will for me (I keep reminding my soul) is “good, acceptable, and perfect” (Romans 12:2).  

And what a blessing your prayers, blog comments and scriptures have been — each time I read the blog, it really bolsters my spirits. So on this journey (and I have a few rounds of chemo to go), I invite you to join Ken and I in partnering with the Lord as He refines our faith and strengthens and changes us to be made more like the Lord Jesus — it’s a journey I wouldn’t trade for anything, and I know you agree!