Together again

Well, he is home!  We went to the airport to pick Wil up a week ago today.  He was to arrive and then a half hour later his brother was to arrive.  A brother we have never met.  It was not planned, it just happened that way.  Well, Wil's plane was delayed and Norms was right on time so Norm came first and thanks to facebook, I knew what he looked like and we welcomed him first and then waited for Wil.  The girls and I had made huge bright, neon signs that said "Home Sweet Home"  Wil so he couldn't miss us and we appropriately made a spectacle of ourselves so he couldn't miss us as he came out with everyone else on the plane.  Then we went to dinner with Norm and his co worker and then we headed home.

It has been an emotional week.  On Tuesday, we drove back into the city for Wil to visit Bob, his dear friend, who is dieing from pancreatic cancer.  I had been up to see him several weeks ago and although his physical appearance wasn't worse, his mental capacity has diminished greatly.  It really brought forth the memories of the last days of my fathers life.  I am so thankful that God found it best for Bob to be able to sustain until Wil came home but it has been a hard week.  Wil has spent most of his time with him, talking to him in his clear moments, consoling and supporting his wife and just being there during this tough time.  We know that these are his last days but we do not know how many or how few he has left.  If you have had a loved one touched by cancer, the last days/weeks/months are so hard for everyone. 

That really has been our week.  We ended our week with church.  It was fantastic to have all of us in church for the first time in 10 months.  Wil got a bit of star treatment, because everyone in church know he has been gone.  His name has been in the bulletin every week asking for prayer for him as he is away.  Add to that that everyone in the choir and bell choir has been praying for him on a regular basis as I give them updates.  So he was a bit overwhelmed I thing by everyone coming up to him and welcoming him back and saying thank you for his service.  Then when he was welcomed home from the pulpit and then Tiana had asked the youth pastor, who was preaching, to ask for prayer for Bob, it made for a very emotional service. 

I would ask for prayer for all of us.  For Wil as he continues to split his time between home and his friend.  For the girls and me as we try to be unselfish and share him as we want him to be in both places as the same time.  For Bob and Vica as they go through this horrible period.  Bob and Vica are not believers as far as I know so pray that God opens the doors for us to witness to them.

This week I will be traveling to Colorado for the first time since we left.  It will be a quick trip over the weekend, to see my nephew get married and see family and friends.  I am struggling with leaving during this difficult time but Wil and I agree that it is ok that I go.  I have not told many people because I am only there for a couple days.  I will have a longer trip there in May so I will try to see everyone then.

My love to all.

The wait is over

WELCOME HOME!!!

Well today is the day.  Exactly 10 months ago, Wil left for British Columbia and 7 months ago he left on the ship.  Well today he comes home.  YAY!  The girls and I will go to the airport and pick him up this afternoon and our family will be complete once more.  I tell you what this has been a long 10 months.  Longer than I thought it would be but now this part is over.  Wil is going to be home for almost 2 months and then he will be heading back to BC but we won't think about that right now.  I am afraid that this 2 months will go by super fast.  There is so much that I would like to do with him while he is home but we will see what we get to do.

The first thing we will do is go visit Wil's closest friend Bob.  Bob was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last fall and is not doing well.  Bob and Vica visited us in Colorado Springs and last June moved about 45 minutes away from us.  We were so excited to know that when Wil got back we could spend some time with them and even talked about going on vacation together.  Now we pray that Bob will survive.  I know it has been very hard for Wil to be away during this time so we will head up there to see them tomorrow.

After that we will take it day by day.  Wil deserves some time to decompress and just enjoy being off work but of course I have a list of things I need his help with but they can wait for a bit.  Plus I want to do some family things also.

My heart is heavy for Wil and Bob but my heart is also heavy for our pastor.  Pastor Don and his wife Tricia have been fantastic supports for our family.  They have taken us to lunch to get to know us, they have been available for tough conversations and have been a resource for me when I needed something while Wil was gone.  Well Pastor Don has just been diagnosed with prostate cancer and the news we are getting is that it has gone to the bones.  He has been at our church for 16 years and this is devastating for everyone in the church.  We are praying for a miracle at this point.

Cancer has been ever present in my life and I hope that my past experiences will help me be supportive and in Bob's case a great witness to God's love.

The girls have finished their first semester of 10th grade so now they are on to the second half of the year.  They are looking forward to some great activities with the youth group and Tiana is looking for a job. 

Because I didn't go to BC to meet the ship (Wil's decision), I am taking a quick trip home to Colorado to see my nephew get married.  I am so excited to spend a couple days in Colorado.  I get to have some quality time with my close friend, Michelle and some quality time with family.  It will be a fast, furious and fantastic 5 days.

I apologize for the lack of regularity of the blog.  I always updated on Sunday mornings before the girls got up and since October we have had skating lessons for the girls on Sunday morning before church.  So I will try to be better but with Wil home ...it may be awhile again.  Please feel free to email me if you have any questions and I do update my facebook page with pictures regularly.

If you want to see the ship come in, here is the link (really wish I could have been there)

http://www.globaltvbc.com/video/hmcs+vancouver+homecoming/video.html?v=2198946145#stories/video

My love to all,
Brenda