Today has been full and draining, but it has brought much clarity. I spent a lot of time last night uncertain about our final transition plan. I worrried about whether Nancy should end her days here at the house, or in a hospice facility.
God gave us a few moments together this morning when I could explain that we faced this hard decision. She looked at me and told me she neeeded my help. I asked her to let me make a decision and promised she wouldn't be alone wherever her journey from this earth was to end.
Hours later, many discussions later I concluded that we will move Nancy to a hospice house ten minutes from here. We were convinced that we need around the clock help with her so that we could focus on surrounding her with her family's love. The social worker is 95% sure we can make this move tomorrow. Pray that can happen smoothly.
This is all very sudden. I am struggling with disappointment, and self reproach to have to do this. We are letting go of some last dreams like having her home for her birthday this coming Sunday. But Nancy's brain is being poisoned by her liver failure. That is creating a number of issues that leave us needing around the clock professional assistance.
Tonight Josh, KJ and I calmed her with Scripture, a time of singing and my enouragement to know that she was going to see Jesus soon and the angels were starting to sing her welcome song. Tomorrow she will leave this house, where we shared so much life, where walls are graced by her paintings and take her to the house where she will see Jesus face to face when he comes to take her HOME.
A very important part of our journey is coming to a sad and sudden close, we have a stretch run ahead of us, and then she will cross the finish line.
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22 comments:
May God give all of you, and us as well, eyes to see the glory of God that IS on display. No words can adequately express the range of emotion that surrounds this journey, but we do have THE WORD that assures us that His will is to do us good, the greatest good of bringing us all, one by one, to Himself to be in His presence where there is inexpressible joy.
With all our love and prayer,
Phil & Chris Fisher
Gilbert, Arizona
Dan, you and Nancy have shown remarkable courage and faith as you have run this race together. I know the hospice decision was agonizing, but I think you again showed courage and wisdom in that decision. Having Nancy's physical needs cared for well by those trained in that area will allow family and loved ones to provide what only YOU can provide - much needed love and support for all of Nancy's non-medical needs.
My prayers are ever with you on this last stretch of the race. Death does NOT have the final victory, and Christ has indeed defeated the enemy. The angels are awaiting Nancy's arrival with excitement, and she will soon be welcomed home as a good and faithful servant when Jesus comes to take her there, where she will live in bliss and joy until she is joined forever by you and those who love her so much.
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."
With love - Cindy Nore
Dan,
You and the kids have cared for Nancy so well. It is a testimony of God's faithfulness to His people. We are sad for the pain that you are experiencing, but thankful to God for the ways your family has faithfully supported Nancy through this journey. We have been happy to know you over this last year. We continue to pray that the Spirit's comfort will uphold you, the kids, and Nancy.
This is so heartbreaking. May God sustain you all. What a great promise we have, that our God will wipe away every tear from our eyes, and that
No chilling wind nor poisonous breath
Can reach that healthful shore
And sickness, sorrow, pain and death
Are felt and feared no more.
We are praying in Charlotte for the peace of God that transcends all understanding to guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
With harmonies that we can't even imagine He is singing over us. He is unlimited in His love, unlimited in the ways He meets each of us so intimately.
Dan, you are leading and loving Nancy so well. It is a beautiful grace. Your courage and hers is supernaturally fueled.
I think of the watercolor Nancy gave us years ago. One that depicts the parable of the good Samaritan.
The Good Samaritan is now in the process of binding up our wounds and Nancy will soon experience complete wholeness, understanding and a new body with which to worship and sing, all paid for by Christ. Imagine the works of art she will create in His presence.
We love you all.
We weep and we worship.
Ger, Wendy, Sarah and Sean
Dan, Nancy, Leah, Josh and KJ,
Our prayers are will you as you finish "the home stretch" of your journey. Dan and Nancy, you've modeled Christ's love to me since the time I was a teenager coming into you home to watch movies with the youth group gang late on Saturday nights! Even more now you are teaching us how to rely on Jesus in the most difficult of time. May the peace of God, which passes all understanding guide you across the finish line.
Love,
Rich Ransom
We absolutely hate for Nancy and all of you to be going through this, and we are with you as much as we can be through prayer and just thinking about you lots. And what counts for more, Paul tells us that Jesus is interceding, Jesus is praying for you, too, the same Jesus who wept over Lazarus. Love you guys.
Dear Dan, Nancy, & family,
We love you & are praying. It is definitely a fiery trial. We believe that you are making good decisions about care. Jesus is walking with you.
Love,
Dan & Gini Herron
Granada, Spain
Dan, we love you guys so much and are filled with such emotions - sadness at nearing the end of this journey, yet longing for the time when there will be no more sadness. You are preparing Nancy for heaven in beautiful ways! Thanks. We love you guys.
Phil and Shanna
Dear Dan and Nancy,
Rodger and I were so sorry to hear about the need to move Nancy into hospice care. Everything to do with your journey seems to go at lightening speed. We are praying that God will extend His grace to all of you and especially to Nancy as she will be leaving so many that she dearly loves.
Love, Ginny and Rodger
Dan and Nancy,
Our love and prayers are with you each day and as many times in the day as the Spirit brings you to mind. May you all experience His deep, deep peace.
Carol and Daryl VanDyken
South Africa
Dear Dan,
So sorry to hear things have taken this turn but my guess is you are not completely surprised and God has been preparing your heart and He has allowed such sweet closure for you guys. I will be praying for you all as you pass through this difficult journey. How wonderful to know that Jesus is waiting at the end.
Love you- Robert
Obviously God's grace and mercy is alive and well in the Macha household. How we praise Him for these gifts. He is your rock. We pray for you. We love you.
John and Shelly
Dear Nancy, Dan, and family,
"The wilderness and the parched land will be glad, And the desert will rejoice and blossom; Like the crocus It will blossom profusely And rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy.
They will see the glory of the LORD, The majesty of our God.
Then the lame will leap like a deer, And the tongue of the mute will shout for joy
For waters will break forth in the wilderness And streams in the Arabah. The scorched land will become a pool And the thirsty ground springs of water;
A highway will be there, a roadway, And it will be called the Highway of Holiness
No lion will be there, Nor will any vicious beast go up on it;
These will not be found there,
But the redeemed will walk there, And the ransomed of the LORD will return And come with joyful shouting to Zion,
With everlasting joy upon their heads They will find gladness and joy, And sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 35
Love, Bill and Charlotte
Dear Dan and family,
I am SO deeply sorry. Thank you for being an example of faith and trust in Christ through this. Thank you for looking to eternity and to Christ. I pray Nancy's final days are filled with love and joy.
Neha
We are praying for you both, and are so grateful for the great faith that you have demonstrated in the face of this struggle. As always, you both are an encouragement to us. In our sadness and disbelief, we also will rejoice knowing how the journey for all of us "ends." We love you.
We are praying for all of you as you run this race together.
May God continue to bless you with his peace & the knowledge that he is near.
We love you all,
Brian & Sandy Hammerschmidt
Dan and Nancy -
Please know that Malissa and I are praying for all of God' comfort to be with you as Nancy "nears the door" to meet her beautiful Savior.
Psalm 27 " I will see the goodness of the Lord in the Land of the Living .. be strong and wait for the Lord"
Clint Files
Phila, PA
Dan and Nancy, you have been in my thoughts constantly yesterday and today. Our prayers are with you in this very difficult time.
We are holding your hands from afar. Your blog entries really give us the privaledge of sharing in this amazing journey. Please know that the England Southall team is with you...and praying through your every step. I sense that you are on holy ground. God is near.
Luv, Jim and Janice Weiss
“Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.
This is the Lord; we have waited for him;
let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” -- from Isa 25
and yet it is so hard to love him when what we love is taken from us...yet he takes it--her--to give her back, more radiant, more glorious, and healed forever.
ron and judi
Hey guys, I just wanted to say thanks for the warmth and love you guys showed me and Arod our first year in the Northeast. Nancy, please say hi to my Mom for me, when you see her.
Love you guys, praying for you,
Luke
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