Hi All

Andrew here (sorry to all who would like to read Kath’s wonderful thoughts).

On Sunday 27th July, Kath talked to the NVCF congregation and gave an update on Phil’s Recovery. You can hear it here or download via Podcasts here.

Well, my darling hubby had the sniff of freedom, with the surgeons “all clear, see you in 6weeks”. By the time I picked him up he was packed and waiting at the front door.

We arrived home to a cleaned house [thank you to those who gave us that gift!] and a fun welcome home banner from the SONset [evening church] crew… I love that it was trimmed with chocolates, that Beth and Sam were delighted to take off!

Phil has smiled almost as much as we both did on our wedding day, having toured the house and garden hugged the kids as they arrived home [surprise for them!] we have said “I love you” more times in the last few hours than we possibly have said in … well … actually we have been saying it a lot before now too!

Another dinner delivered with love and smiles. Our hearts and home are at peace. Grateful for the miracle of life, for your love and prayers, for pain that is normal and so much more well managed than even 24hrs ago.

We have 3 months of recovery ahead [so we have been told] I think it will be a gift for us all. Time to support Beth in her trials and HSC and perhaps we will even become more contemplative. We have been left weathered but filled with a new joy.

Well, my friends here ends my daily entries, one day I think I will read them myself as I have typed away at the end of days that seem a strange blur to me. Still waiting for the tears, God knows, I am just hoping you will forgive me if they come at an irrelevant time with a flood … maybe I should have a car sticker that says “warning female driver who admits she is emotionally fragile”!

We love you all and will forever feel a grateful warmth towards you because you have taken our valley journey with us, with generosity of love and spirit.

Jeremiah 31:13 “I will turn their mourning into dancing” or in our case a slow waltz in the kitchen!

Thank you for the continuing notes and emails and gifts. WOW! We have been absolutely blown away by peoples love! Actually it is kind of humbling to realise how much we are loved by so many people through so many different connections.

Phil doesn’t feel like he is being very brave but you can be proud of him as I am. You can also praise God with me as he slept for 6 hours last night. He is up and walking, 5 walks today around the corridors. He still has times of intense pain that last for hours but he was better this morning than he has been so far and that was lovely.

For those who understand we have negotiated some Digesic into the day and I think your prayers along with some “good oil” are helping. Back rubs and hugs have been in order too!

Sam had a great day at school and Beth, bless her heart, is responding to the antibiotics and will go to school tomorrow. I have to say both schools have been so kind we have had notes, calls, emails and gifts from the schools and school parents.

Here are the things I am thankful for tonight …
That Phil is alive
that Dalcross is close
that I don’t have to pay to park
the staff are more than wonderful
that God has given me people to love and to love us
that I didn’t have to think about what to make for dinner!
That my children love each other and their mum and dad!
That God is our help and strength!

Phil and I are trying to take hold of scripture each day – here is today’s.
“So we do not lose heart …. For this light and momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure” 2 Corinthians 5: 16

Did I tell you that Phil said when he is not sure where God is when he is in pain he looks at your faces in the posters and sees Christ.

May the wholeness of Christs love dwell with in you all!
Kath