A year of living.

[Wade]

There are people that come across your path that can't help but to affect your perception of who God is. I think it comes with a closeness to God that these people are used of Him in such a way.

Years ago I sat in Lester Bauman's living room for an afternoon and that meeting change my life, it changed my perception of Who God is and opened my eyes to more of His kingdom.

When Lester was sick I never called... Wayne and Betty did. Wayne has had something to say about visiting the sick - he got that from Christ.

I wouldn't say Wayne and I have connected on Mennonet always in a positive way. But his call drew me.

I prayed and didn't know what to say before Wayne and I experienced fellowship over the phone this evening.

I'm tearing up trying to write this. It was again one of those few experiences in my life where the peace and love of God flowed through another vessel so God could show me better, more clearly Who He is and the reality of His kingdom being present now. This only happens through a yielded, surrendered humble human.

I am not sure how to say it... I don't feel like I visited with a sick man this evening.

Wayne has joyfully been willing to be used through this in many ways and one of which is that of helping me to pick of the phone and connect with a brother receiving much blessings - to God be the glory.

I want to echo what Wayne has said about visiting or calling those who are sick. It's amazing what only an hour can do.

Thank you Wayne and God bless you brother!

[steve-in-kville]

Wayne is one of the bravest men I have come to know. Sharing his journey here on MN as well as social media. Many in his shoes could become miserable and hate the world and all that moves. Instead he chooses to be a light to all those around him. May God add His blessing.

[temporal1]

Wayne is one of the bravest men I have come to know. Sharing his journey here on MN as well as social media. Many in his shoes could become miserable and hate the world and all that moves. Instead he chooses to be a light to all those around him. May God add His blessing.

This, and more.
For me, Wayne is giving a voice to experiences that usually go undocumented, little seen or known, except by those closely involved, loved ones, nurses, caretakers. These experiences are very real. Usually quiet. The internet allows voices to be shared as not before. Those who are ill or disabled do not have to be isolated as before, dependent on real life visitors and visiting hours.

On MD, i began to realize this, the way the internet can “level the playing field” of communication for the isolated, esp because of PaulJD, a young member with debilitating pain. i’m not sure how he’s doing. his mother was able to find a diet that helped him, i hope he’s doing well. he described his life, with some sadness that he could not be active with his brothers, friends, church.
he often posted in late nights. the internet opened doors for him.

Wayne is expressing in a new way what blessed others have experienced (always). It’s a joy to read.
i always hoped Wayne would write more on forum. i never dreamed it would be as it is. God’s mysterious ways.

[Betty in Maine]

Good morning All,
Thank you to those who have reached out. This is uncharted territory and at times I have felt to be standing on holy ground, not because of Wayne himself, but because of God's power and presence.

In thinking about how to support someone with a terminal illness, yes, contact them. What can you really say that is "wrong"? Not much. Be present, be able to listen. No platitudes, cancer stinks. There's another word usually used there but I'm in polite company. Cancer is an isolating disease, and it is capricious in nature - we expected to be camping and boating these last weeks in Maine. There is nothing to be done for it but to give it back to God.

[Grace]

Good morning All,
Thank you to those who have reached out. This is uncharted territory and at times I have felt to be standing on holy ground, not because of Wayne himself, but because of God's power and presence.

In thinking about how to support someone with a terminal illness, yes, contact them. What can you really say that is "wrong"? Not much. Be present, be able to listen. No platitudes, cancer stinks. There's another word usually used there but I'm in polite company. Cancer is an isolating disease, and it is capricious in nature - we expected to be camping and boating these last weeks in Maine. There is nothing to be done for it but to give it back to God.

Sending love and prayers your way today.

[Wayne in Maine]

Wayne is one of the bravest men I have come to know. Sharing his journey here on MN as well as social media. Many in his shoes could become miserable and hate the world and all that moves. Instead he chooses to be a light to all those around him. May God add His blessing.

This, and more.
For me, Wayne is giving a voice to experiences that usually go undocumented, little seen or known, except by those closely involved, loved ones, nurses, caretakers. These experiences are very real. Usually quiet. The internet allows voices to be shared as not before. Those who are ill or disabled do not have to be isolated as before, dependent on real life visitors and visiting hours.

On MD, i began to realize this, the way the internet can “level the playing field” of communication for the isolated, esp because of PaulJD, a young member with debilitating pain. i’m not sure how he’s doing. his mother was able to find a diet that helped him, i hope he’s doing well. he described his life, with some sadness that he could not be active with his brothers, friends, church.
he often posted in late nights. the internet opened doors for him.

Wayne is expressing in a new way what blessed others have experienced (always). It’s a joy to read.
i always hoped Wayne would write more on forum. i never dreamed it would be as it is. God’s mysterious ways.

And reach out to their spouses and children! They have a very different need - they are losing a loved one and they have new burdens and needs to bear all while struggling to keep their spirits up for the sake of their loved ones. They, often more than the sick person, need the “fellowship of the phone”, a shoulder to cry on, someone to listen. They need support for the strength and bravery to minister to one they love and are losing.

My precious wife has been a real trooper through this. She too, and all spouses and family members of those who are sick, need the saints to hold them up.

[Wayne in Maine]

There are people that come across your path that can't help but to affect your perception of who God is. I think it comes with a closeness to God that these people are used of Him in such a way.
...
I want to echo what Wayne has said about visiting or calling those who are sick. It's amazing what only an hour can do.

Thank you Wayne and God bless you brother!

There is a scene from the film "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" where Franchesco (Francis of Assisi) is throwing away all his possessions. He turns to has puzzled father and say "I want to share my Joy with you"!

My brother Wade let me do that and likewise shared his Joy and his experiences where God came especially close to him and His family.

These are the things we should be about as brothers and sister, fellow citizens of the Kingdom in which we can live here and now - encouraging each other as we grow in discipleship, building up that "deep reservoir of peace" that is there to e drawn from when you face hardship and suffering - that peace that make naught of suffering itself and turns it instead into joy.

Thank you Brother for the fellowship of the phone, and for sharing our joy here.

[Wayne in Maine]

It was an odd sort of busy day. I asked Betty to get some rest herself at home and come in later. I’ve re-organized my space here – it’s sort of a little office for me. I had several business-related phone calls and a nice chat with my day nurse who is a Christian. Another brother called and we had some good fellowship over the phone. I did a lot of walking today, increasing my distance each time and calibrating my pace to where I am not breathless. By the end of the day I did my stroll with Betty and noticed a significant increase in my pace and steadiness. I’m getting stronger!

Good news! They identified the particular bacteria in my bloodstream and can use the exact best antibiotic to kill it. It is a nasty, dangerous bacteria that left unchecked would destroy my heart valves. I told the doctor that I intent to die of cancer, not heart valve failure! – he smiled.

The primary source is likely the port they use for my chemotherapy. It will have to be removed but the surgeon will just replace in a few days. It has a lifetime warranty! That's a little disturbing when you think about it. I’ll ask to keep it, I can use it for my Boy Scout lecture about cancer. The hospital might let me get hooked up with the electronic portable monitor for the lecture! The boys will think that’s really cool!

So as I was taking my IV pole for a stroll this afternoon a surgeon walked up to me and asked if I was Wayne. He will be inspecting my heart valves endoscopically (I guess the way to man’s heart is indeed through his stomach!) We chatted and I of course said to him “This is a test: how many of these procedures have you performed?” He answered “Thousands” and I said “Wrong, you were supposed to say ‘I’ve watched a couple YouTube videos’, because that seems to be the joke going around the last few surgeons I had”. We got a good chuckle over it.

My roommate is gone. I talked to my evening nurse about some of his behaviors "don't hold that against Baptist Ministers". I will pray for him, he needs more than a salvation prayer and a "born again" experience to rely on for eternity. But as it happens we will probably have dinner with him and his very sweet wife at the sub shop / restaurant where I go for lunch after my chemo (the owner has the same oncologist as I do). They do a big special on Wednesday nights and we'll meet them sometime. Small world.

And as I was chatting with my son this evening the second surgeon came around and we had a good discussion about remove Larry (my chemo port). I’m not squeamish about things like this anymore, so he will remove it under local anesthesia right in my room at noon tomorrow and put a new one in on Monday. And he passed my test “I saw a YouTube video on the procedure”.

I'm getting a new room mate as I'm writing this. The nurse I played my swallow the bottle of bile joke on (it was maple syrup) stopped by as well as a couple other nurses and a student nurse - "Nurses as far as the eye can see". We all chatted. Nice people. This is a nice place to be, a place of healing and of joy.

[steve-in-kville]

I'm getting a new room mate as I'm writing this.

Hopefully this one lets the nurses alone

[Wayne in Maine]

Wayne is one of the bravest men I have come to know. Sharing his journey here on MN as well as social media. Many in his shoes could become miserable and hate the world and all that moves. Instead he chooses to be a light to all those around him. May God add His blessing.

John Wayne said: “Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.”

I am not brave. I have been strapped to this horse! I only have stubbornness and a measure of stoicism as strengths to get me through this, and even these are dangerous virtues - I have had to be surrendered to where I am utterly dependent on God and his wise ministers of heath.