Ann has stage 4 cancer and is now in Hospice Care. She is a SPECIAL and wonderful Christian woman who has lived a hand-in-hand walk with Christ. Her husband has and is serving the Lord as a seminary professor. During her time here, Ann held a Bible study with 2 women in her treatment center. Both of them had stage 4 cancer. Pastor Lukus had the privilege of being with Ann while they both witnessed to Pam and Nancy. To God be the glory, they both received Christ. Pam has gone on now to meet the Lord.
Ann's daughter Ann Janel (a missionary wife to Brazil) writes the following letter about her mother. I hope you will be blessed in reading this and reminded to pray for dear Ann and her family:
In the midst of all of the sad news I've had to share recently I wanted to take a moment to share how good God has been.
Through all of this I'm truly seeing how loved my mom is. She gets at least one to two cards in the mail daily from people all around the world. She gets so many phone calls it's hard to keep up, but keep up she does. She just finished writing individual Thank you notes to 25 second cousins and relatives who sent a generous gift to her. When she is able she returns phone calls to the many who just want to hear her voice and express their love and concern.
In just the past week we have received several meals from neighbors and friends. A church had a ton of groceries delivered. One neighbor paid the Schwan man and sent him over to let us pick out whatever we wanted! What a treat! Also mom's house is full of fresh beautiful flowers from so many who love her.
This weekend mom and I were invited to a tea hosted by a friend. She wanted to encourage 5 of her friends that are suffering from cancer. What an event! Up to the day, each person wasn't sure whether their health would even allow them to be able to attend. 4 precious women made it. From 34 to 70 years of age these women are battling for their lives. As each took time to share how God has worked in their lives through the midst of cancer I wept. What stories, what suffering, what a faithful God. My precious mother really broke my heart as with struggling breaths she shared her story. When she said that Pam's and Nancy's salvation made the whole thing worthwhile I stood in awe. She has suffered much and done so graciously!
Mother's Day was very special. Marcus and his family were here. Jon surprised mom and flew in from New York just to be with her. She wasn't feeling well so we had a service together in our living room. It was a precious time of singing and sharing (and tears!)
Patrick arrived safely! Praise the Lord our family is together again. Many ask me how the kids are handling this time. God has truly blessed me with precious, flexible children. They've gone 2 months with just a mommy, a mommy trying to take care of Grandmom AND them. They've done so well. They just go with the flow, whether it's sitting in a waiting room playing "I spy" and reading Highlight magazines or being quiet so Grandmom can rest or shopping (not Nathanael's favorite thing) for things Grandmom might need or having to stay with someone so mom can take Grandmom to a doctor, they just adapt and keep going! Thank you, God, for these precious kids!
We started Hospice yesterday. I think that was the most difficult thing I've done-- calling them. It broke my heart. Then as mom signed Do Not Resuscitate papers my heart broke even more. I can't believe this is happening. The hospice nurse encouraged us when she said "I can't believe she isn't in pain, Someone is looking out for her." It is wonderful mom isn't in pain, and we praise the Lord. The cancer is aggressive, very aggressive. The nurse was shocked to learn that the tumor on mom's breast and the cancerous fluid in her lungs didn't show up in a PETscan in March. This cancer is moving quickly! But God has been good.
There is much sorrow around our house and many tears. We love this woman and are sad to think her life on earth is coming to a close. She is up and around and not in pain, for this we are so grateful!Thanks for letting me share what God is doing! Continue to pray for us.AnnJanel
