Friday morning 6:42 am, MAJESTIC !!… THE SUNRISE,, it literally took my breath away. As I always do the day of a mission I arrive very early, usually around 6 am to make sure all the last minute details are in place in my own effort to make it a smooth transition for everyone involved.
This morning is no different as I busy myself enjoying the quietness and stillness. Almost a little too busy until God caught my attention. I had walked to the bookshelf to get something and as I turned back around there it was causing me to gasp, hold my breath and smile.
As I stood there alone in the hangar this morning I spoke aloud, to no one but myself, “WOW!! God, how spectacular, thank You so much !!” I stood there momentarily in awe of His majesty in the meticulous placement of each cloud, the brilliant kaleidoscope of the colors, oranges, pinks, blues and purples as they faded into one another.
And then I could not resist the urge to take a picture in an effort to hold on to this brief moment, that I might somehow be able to enjoy it again in the future, knowing all too well that my picture would never do it justice. What a wonderful gift He has blessed me with to start this day.
Heaven is truly unimaginable!! And today, He has set before me this mission as well.
We arrive at Mayo Clinic where 72 year old Diana’s has come for treatment. We enter her room and immediately upon looking at her it is clear that she is extremely sick.
She has leukemia and her health has declined rapidly. Her skin is swollen and along with the what used to be the whites of her eyes jaundiced stained, almost a goldenrod yellow. Her body is no longer able to rid itself of the build up from toxins.
She has lost her hair as a result of the high doses of chemotherapy, leaving her scalp lightly covered with some sporadic areas of fine fuzz. It takes everything she has just to open her eyes in response to her name. A simple, spontaneous movement we all do effortlessly multiple times each day without even thinking about it.
She is very weak and weary. She needs to be near her family so they can love and comfort her. We gently cover her head with a soft pink cap and place some footies on her swollen feet. She is already covered in a warm velvety blue blanket that we tuck in around her shoulders.
It is cold in Minneapolis today and she will need this once we get outside. We gently scoop her up and head to the airport.
She seemed comfortable during her flight even attempting to raise her head a few times in an attempt to look out the window. We would stroke her hand and remind her where she was and where we were going.
W
hen we got to Bismarck I phoned her only daughter DeNeen (Diana had lost her only son several years ago) to let her know we were on the ground. Our ride is short and quick, we are only 3 miles from the hospital.
As we enter what will now be her room DeNeen stands. In her eyes the tears are beginning to well up until she can no longer hold them back and they begin to slowly spill over onto her cheeks. On her face it is easy to see the relief, that her wait is finally over, her mom is home now.
We present her with the olive wood cross made in Jerusalem, bible and book that each patient and family receives. She accepted them, smiling and thanking us for bringing her mom home.
She told us that her daughter Nikki and her children would arrive on Tuesday to spend time, telling us that Diana is very close to Nikki. She joined us as we prayed that God would richly bless their time together and then we quietly left, leaving the 2 of them alone.
PSALM 8:1 AND 8:3
O LORD, OUR LORD, HOW MAJESTIC IS YOUR NAME IN ALL THE EARTH!
YOU HAVE SET YOUR GLORY ABOVE THE HEAVENS.
WHEN I LOOK AT YOUR HEAVENS, THE WORK OF YOUR DINGERS,
THE MOON AND THE STARS, WHICH YOU HAVE SET IN PLACE.
Thank you to Hal and Jason for sharing this mission with me.
Many blessings
