Good morning,

On the evening of 7 December 2023, 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar, is the first night of Hanukkah. John 10:22 states, “And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.” This “feast of the dedication” is a reference to dedication of the temple in 165 BCE.  To understand this verse, we need a history lesson.

The Hanukkah Story

Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and nights, starting on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar (which is November-December on the Gregorian calendar). In Hebrew, the word “Hanukkah” means “dedication.”

The holiday commemorates the rededication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Jews’ 165 B.C.E. victory over the Hellenist Syrians. Antiochus, the Greek King of Syria, outlawed Jewish rituals and ordered the Jews to worship Greek gods. In 168 B.C.E. the Jews’ holy Temple was seized and dedicated to the worship of Zeus. Some Jews were afraid of the Greek soldiers and obeyed them, but most were angry and decided to fight back.

The fighting began in Modin, a village not far from Jerusalem. A Greek officer and soldiers assembled the villagers, asking them to bow to an idol and eat the flesh of a pig, activities forbidden to Jews. The officer asked Mattathias, a Jewish High Priest, to take part in the ceremony. He refused, and another villager stepped forward and offered to do it instead. Mattathias became outraged, took out his sword and killed the man, then killed the officer. His five sons and the other villagers then attacked and killed the soldiers. Mattathias’ family went into hiding in the nearby mountains, where many other Jews who wanted to fight the Greeks joined them. They attacked the Greek soldiers whenever possible.

About a year after the rebellion started, Mattathias died. Before his death, he put his brave son Judah Maccabee in charge of the growing army. After three years of fighting, the Jews defeated the Greek army, despite having fewer men and weapons.

Judah Maccabee and his soldiers went to the holy Temple, and were saddened that many things were missing or broken, including the golden menorah. They cleaned and repaired the Temple, and when they were finished, they decided to have a big dedication ceremony. For the celebration, the Maccabees wanted to light the menorah. They looked everywhere for oil, and found a small flask that contained only enough oil to light the menorah for one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days. This gave them enough time to obtain new oil to keep the menorah lit. Today Jews celebrate Hanukkah for eight days by lighting candles in a menorah every night, thus commemorating the eight-day miracle.

Why is this important to us? First Jesus and all the Apostles celebrated the “feast of the dedication.” Second, this points to Jesus as being the light of the world. (John 8:12)

Each night a candle is lit, prayers made, and Scripture shared as to why Jesus is the light.

Happy Hanukkah.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning, 

This week we will begin with a Grace Gem on Monday and Tuesday, then Wednesday our series begins on Hannukah. We will begin with the history of Hannukah. Thursday, and each night following, I will give you detailed instructions on how to conduct the lighting ceremony. All you will need is a menorah and candles. 

Nothing but God’s infinite mercy has held us up! 

(Charles Simeon)  LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio 
 
“You have delivered . . . 
  my soul from death, 
  my eyes from tears, 
  and my feet from falling! 
I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living!” 
Psalm 116:8-9 
 
What a miracle of mercy it is, if our feet are kept! 
 
Consider with what innumerable snares and temptations we are beset on every side! 
 
Consider what corruptions reign in our own hearts, ready to precipitate us into any evil! 
 
Consider the deceitfulness of sin also–what pleasing and even innocent forms it will assume! 
 
Consider also the malice and subtlety of our great adversary, who is going about continually as a roaring lion seeking to devour us! 
 
Consider more particularly, how many holy people in the past have fallen into sin–a David, a Solomon, a Peter! 
 
O have not we reason to adore our God, if our feet have been kept from falling. And more especially, when we reflect how near we have been to many grievous falls, when nothing but God’s infinite mercy has held us up! 
 
“This is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of all whom He has given Me, but raise them up at the last day!” John 6:39 
 
“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand!” John 10:28-30 
 
“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory for ever and ever! Amen.” 2 Timothy 4:18 
 
“To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ!” Jude 1 

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning, 

This week we will begin with a Grace Gem on Monday and Tuesday, then Wednesday our series begins on Hannukah. We will begin with the history of Hannukah. Thursday, and each night following, I will give you detailed instructions on how to conduct the lighting ceremony. All you will need is a menorah and candles. 

God’s love displayed in the salvation of His people! 

(Charles Simeon)  LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio 
    
Who can comprehend the height, and the width, and depth–of God’s love displayed in the salvation of His people! That God should so pity us as to give His only-begotten Son to die for us! That He should lay our iniquities on Jesus, as our sin-bearer, and thus make a way for the display of all His glorious perfections in the salvation of ruined and rebellious man! What shall we say to this? Every part of salvation is inestimable and far exceeding all finite comprehension! 
 
The riches of grace contained in salvation, are “unsearchable!” 
The peace flowing from salvation, “surpasses understanding!” 
The joy imparted by salvation, is “unspeakable and full of glory!” 
 
The whole mystery of salvation . . . 
  as planned by the Father in election, 
  as accomplished by the Son in redemption, 
  as applied by the Spirit in regeneration, 
  as experienced in the souls of the elect, 
is so great, that we cannot contemplate it for a moment without exclaiming, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!” Romans 11:33 
 
“May you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should–how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is! May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully!” Ephesians 3:18-19 

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning, 

Grace Gems is “A Treasury of Ageless, Sovereign Grace, Devotional Writings.” 
 
“Our Purpose is to humble the pride of man, to exalt the grace of God in salvation and to promote real holiness in heart and life.” (www.gracegems.org)  

Monday:  How may I attain great degrees of love to Christ? 

Tuesday: How do we deal with trouble? 

Wednesday: How do we avoid hell? 

Thursday: How cleansed is the believer in Christ? 

Friday: How sufficient is Christ? 

Jesus Christ is completely sufficient! 

(author unknown)  LISTEN to audio!  Download audio 

(You will find it most helpful to listen to the audio above, as you read the text below.) 
 
“For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power!” Colossians 2:9-10 
 
One of the great tenets of Scripture, is the claim that Jesus Christ is completely sufficient for all matters of life and godliness! 2 Peter 1:3-4 
 
He is sufficient for: 
  Creation (Colossians 1:16-17) 
  Salvation (Hebrews 10:10-12) 
  Sanctification (Ephesians 5:26-27) 
  and Glorification (Romans 8:30). 
 
So pure is He, that there is no blemish, stain, spot of sin, defilement, deception, corruption, error, or imperfection in Him! (1 Peter 1:18-20) 
 
So complete is He, that . . . 
  there is no other God besides Him (Isaiah 45:5) 
  He is the only begotten Son (John 1:14, John 1:18) 
  all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Him (Colossians 2:3) 
  the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Him (Colossians 2:9) 
  He is heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2) 
  He created all things–and all things were made by Him, 
      through Him, and for Him (Colossians 1:16) 
  He upholds all things by the word of His power (Colossians 1:17, Hebrews 1:3) 
  He is the firstborn of all creation (Colossians 1:15) 
  He is the exact representation of God (Hebrews 1:3). 
 
He has no beginning and no end (Revelation 1:17-18) 
He is the spotless Lamb of God (John 1:29) 
He is our peace (Ephesians 2:14) 
He is our hope (1 Timothy 1:1) 
He is our life (Colossians 3:4) 
He is the living and true Way (John 14:6) 
He is the Root and Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star (Revelation 22:16) 
He is Faithful and True (Revelation 19:11) 
He is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2) 
He is Captain of our Salvation (Hebrews 2:10)  
He is the Elect One (Isaiah 42:1) 
He is the Apostle and High-Priest of our confession (Hebrews 3:1) 
He is the Righteous Servant (Isaiah 53:11) 
He is the Lord Almighty (Malachi 3:17) 
He is the Redeemer (Isaiah 41:14) 
He is the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 54:5) 
He is the God of the whole earth (Isaiah 54:5) 
He is the Man of Sorrows (Isaiah 53:3) 
He is the Light of the world (John 9:5) 
He is the Son of Man (Matthew 20:28) 
He is the true Vine (John 15:5) 
He is the Bread of Life (John 6:48) 
He is the Door to Heaven (John 10:7) 
He is the Sovereign Lord (Philippians 2:10-13) 
He is Prophet, Priest and King (Hebrews 1:1-3) 
He is our Sabbath rest (Hebrews 4:9) 
He is our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6) 
He is the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, 
    the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) 
He is the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4) 
He is the Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5) 
He is the Rock of Salvation (Psalm 62:2) 
He is the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:13) 
He is the Counselor and Comforter (John 14:26) 
He is the Messiah (John 4:25-26) and 
He is the great I AM! (John 8:58) 
    ~  ~  ~  ~ 
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning, 

Grace Gems is “A Treasury of Ageless, Sovereign Grace, Devotional Writings.” 
 
“Our Purpose is to humble the pride of man, to exalt the grace of God in salvation and to promote real holiness in heart and life.” (www.gracegems.org)  

Monday:  How may I attain great degrees of love to Christ? 

Tuesday: How do we deal with trouble? 

Wednesday: How do we avoid hell? 

Thursday: How cleansed is the believer in Christ? 

Friday: How sufficient is Christ? 

Milk-white! 

(Thomas Watson, “The Lord’s Supper“) 

LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio 
 
“The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all our sin!” 1 John 1:7 
 
Christ’s blood is a CLEANSING blood. 
 
As the merit of Christ’s blood pacifies God, so the virtue of it purifies us. Christ’s blood is heaven’s bath. It is a laver to wash in. It washes a crimson sinner, milk-white! 
 
The Word of God is a looking-glass to show us our spots, 
and the blood of Christ is a fountain to wash them away! 
 
“On that day a fountain will be opened, to cleanse them from all their sins and defilement!”  Zechariah 13:1 
 
But this blood will not wash, if it is mingled with anything. If we mingle our good works with Christ’s blood, it will not wash. Let Christ’s blood be pure and unmixed, and there is no spot which it cannot wash away! It purged out Noah’s drunkenness, and Lot’s incest! 
 
“Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow! 
Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool! 
    Isaiah 1:18 
 
“They are without fault before the throne of God!” Revelation 14:5 
 
   ~  ~  ~  ~ 
 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning, 

Grace Gems is “A Treasury of Ageless, Sovereign Grace, Devotional Writings.” 
 
“Our Purpose is to humble the pride of man, to exalt the grace of God in salvation and to promote real holiness in heart and life.” (www.gracegems.org)  

Monday:  How may I attain great degrees of love to Christ? 

Tuesday: How do we deal with trouble? 

Wednesday: How do we avoid hell? 

Thursday: How cleansed is the believer in Christ? 

Friday: How sufficient is Christ? 

By the fire which burnt down our city! 

LISTEN to audio!  Download audio 

(Thomas Vincent, “God’s Terrible Voice in the City!” Written shortly after the “Great Plague of London” and the “Great Fire of London”) 
 
By the fire which burnt down our city, God calls upon London to secure themselves against the fire of Hell! 
 
London’s fire was dreadful, but the fire of Hell will be a thousand-fold more dreadful! 
 
The fire of London was kindled by man; but the fire of Hell will be kindled by God Himself! “The breath of the Lord, like a stream of burning sulfur, sets it ablaze!” Isaiah 30:33 
 
The fire of London burnt the houses of the city, and consumed much of the goods; but the fire of Hell will burn the wicked themselves, “Depart, you cursed ones, into everlasting fire!” Matthew 25:41 
 
The fire of London burned most, but not all of the houses in the city–some are yet remaining; but the fire of Hell will burn all of the wicked, not one of them shall escape and remain! 
 
The fire of London was extinguished and lasted but four days; but the fire of Hell will be inextinguishable, it will burn forever! It is called everlasting fire, in which the damned must lie and burn eternally, without any possibility of ever leaving. 
 
If you had known before of London’s fire–where it would begin, and how it would spread and seize upon your houses; surely you would have taken some course for the prevention of it. You surely know now of the fire of Hell–the Word of God has revealed it. O take some course for preventing of it, at least for securing of yourselves against it. 
 
When the fire was burning in London you fled from it, lest it should have consumed your body as well as houses. O fly from the fire of Hell, into which you will be thrown–if you go on in sin! Flee from the wrath which is to come! Flee unto Jesus Christ, who alone can deliver you! 
 
   ~  ~  ~  ~ 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning, 

Grace Gems is “A Treasury of Ageless, Sovereign Grace, Devotional Writings.” 
 
“Our Purpose is to humble the pride of man, to exalt the grace of God in salvation and to promote real holiness in heart and life.” (www.gracegems.org)  

Monday:  How may I attain great degrees of love to Christ? 

Tuesday: How do we deal with trouble? 

Wednesday: How do we avoid hell? 

Thursday: How cleansed is the believer in Christ? 

Friday: How sufficient is Christ? 

In short, all must drink of the bitter cup! 

(Jared Waterbury, “Meditations and Prayers” 1840)  LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio 
 
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble!” Psalm 46:1 
 
“Man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upwards!” The world in which we dwell is but “a valley of tears.” Sin has caused these tears to flow; and every sinner must, sooner or later–pour in his contribution of personal grief, to swell the general tide of sorrows. The domestic circle must be invaded by the ruthless hand of death! Wealth may abound one day, to be followed by poverty the next; or even if retained, riches may prove a source of anxiety and temptation to its possessor. In short, all must drink of the bitter cup! 
 
Alas, the poor lost sinner, who finds all his happiness in the things of earth–when these are gone, has nothing left. He has no shelter from the storm. It must beat upon his naked head. But not so the Christian. He can say, under the severest afflictions, “God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble!” 
 
O what an unspeakable blessing to have an almighty support! How calming to the soul in the dark hour of adversity, to be able to pour all its sorrows into the bosom of God! When death has seemed to hover over us, to aim his shafts at us or ours–what sweet consolation have we found in God! In “the secret place of the Most High,” we have been able to dwell safely. When the world without has been covered with gloom, all has been sunshine within. When the power of the tempter has overwhelmed us, the arm of Jesus has lifted us up and pointed out a way of escape. Whatever then are our trials, let us still trust in God, our “ever-present help in times of trouble.” His promise, whatever is our situation, is “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me!” 2 Corinthians 12:9 
 
PRAYER 
O God, it is the hour of darkness for me. “Fearfulness and trembling have come upon us, and horror has overwhelmed us.” Where can we look, but unto You? What now can be our support, but Your precious promises? You have declared Yourself to be “a refuge” to Your people, “their ever-present help in times of trouble.” Often have Your redeemed people experienced the truth of this comforting declaration. When trouble and sorrow, fear and anxiety, have taken hold upon them–they have fled to this sweet refuge. They have poured out their souls unto You, and You have helped them in the time of their distress. You have calmed their rising fears, and enabled them to resign every event into Your nail-scarred hands. What peace has then pervaded their souls! Let Your merciful loving-kindness then visit us in this hour of our tribulation. Hide not Your face from us. O speak peace to our troubled spirits. Hide us under the shadow of Your wings “until these calamities are over and past.” Strengthen our faith to take a firm hold of Your promises, and let no vicissitudes of this life, no threatening dangers–shake our confidence in You or in Your declarations. For the sake of Jesus Christ, our hope and our Redeemer. Amen. 
 
   ~  ~  ~  ~ 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning, 

Grace Gems is “A Treasury of Ageless, Sovereign Grace, Devotional Writings.” 
 
“Our Purpose is to humble the pride of man, to exalt the grace of God in salvation and to promote real holiness in heart and life.” (www.gracegems.org)  

Monday:  How may I attain great degrees of love to Christ? 

Tuesday: How do we deal with trouble? 

Wednesday: How do we avoid hell? 

Thursday: How cleansed is the believer in Christ? 

Friday: How sufficient is Christ? 

Undeserving, ill-deserving, Hell-deserving! 

(Thomas Vincent, “The True Christian’s Love to the Unseen Christ!“) 

LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio 

How may I attain great degrees of love to Christ? 

Be much in holy contemplation of Christ. Spend time in secret retirement, and there think and think again–of the superlative excellencies and perfections which are in Christ. Think how wonderful and matchless His love is: 
  what heights of His love, which cannot be reached; 
  what depths of His love, which cannot be fathomed; 
  what dimensions of His love, which cannot be comprehended! 
O the ravishments of love, O the transports of soul–which some believers have found in their retired thoughts and views of Christ! 

“O dear Jesus, how lovely You are in Yourself . . . 
  the darling of Heaven, 
  the delight of the Father, 
  the admiration of angels! 
O what brightness of glory–what shining luster are You arrayed with! 
You are clothed with most excellent majesty and honor! 
You are girded with infinite might and power! 
The beauty of Your face is most wonderful! 
The smiles of Your countenance are most sweet and delightful!” 

“And does this beauteous One, this fairest of ten thousand, this most excellent and altogether lovely One–bear a special love to me? 
  To such a vile worm as me! 
  To such a dead dog as me! 
  To such an undeserving, ill-deserving, Hell-deserving sinner as me! 
O what marvelous kindness is this! What infinite riches of free grace! 

Has He given Himself for me, and given Himself to me–and shall not I give Him my heart! I am . . . 
  written in His book, 
  redeemed with His blood, 
  clothed with His righteousness, 
  beautified with His image! 
Has He made me His child, and prepared a place in the Father’s house for me! 
O how wonderful! O how astonishing!” 

“What shall I render unto Him? What returns shall I make? Had I a thousand tongues, should I not employ them all in speaking His praise? Had I a thousand hearts, should I not present them all, as too poor for a thank-offering unto Him? And yet am I slow–slow of heart, to love this dear and sweet Jesus! Awake, O my soul! Awake from your dullness and stupidity! Shake out the dust of the earth which has gotten into your eyes, and keeps you from the view of your matchless Beloved! Arise, O my soul, unfetter yourself; take the wing, and mount up above the sky and visible heavens, to the place where my lovely and dear Jesus is! Bid farewell to . . . 
  the flattering honors, 
  the deceitful riches, 
  the glancing pleasures, 
which are here below! Bid adieu to them, and leave them to those who place their chief happiness in them!” 

“Why do you hang downwards, O my soul? Why do you bend so much to the earth and earthly things? Everything here below, is altogether unworthy of your love. How empty and vain and thorny–are these worldly things! Do not waste your time and weary yourself for every vanity! Do not sting and wound yourself with these things anymore!” 

“Come, O my soul! Ascend, and soar aloft–with your thoughts, and desires, and loves, and hopes, and joys, unto the Heavens! There you may see, and view, and admire, and embrace your dearest Lord Jesus!” 

Such retired contemplations of Christ, and soliloquies, and pleadings with your own souls, when alone by yourselves–will tend exceedingly to the promotion of your love unto Christ. 
 
   ~  ~  ~  ~ 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning, 

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving day. It is a day that is set aside for our nation to give thanks for all God has given us. Most will be focused on football, turkey, and naps. As believers in Christ, God has blessed us abundantly. Maybe we should thank Him. 

Why are we thankful?  

Thanksgiving is the word that should characterize our lives. What makes us thankful?  

Family, loved ones, jobs, recreational opportunities. We also should be thankful for the freedoms we have. We have the freedom to express ourselves, political freedom, ability to elect our representatives, and to attend and worship as we please.  

God gave us a free will to choose to follow Him or Satan. He laid out His standard in the Bible. He tells us how the world was created, why one man’s transgression has made us all sinners, the result of that sin, how the conflict in the Middle East started, the creation of the nation of Israel, the history of the nation of Israel, the need for a blood sacrifice, and the ultimate redeemer who came to die, being the one time blood sacrifice for all mankind, Jesus Christ. So we should be thankful that God gave us the Bible.  

Jesus was the Holy Son of God. Never sinned, never did any wickedness, creator of all things. Then God did something special for each of us by sending Jesus to earth to pay our sin debt with His own blood. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17) We should be thankful that God gave us His Son as Savior for all mankind.   

God made sure that salvation was of faith not works. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) God made accepting Jesus easy. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” We should be thankful for salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  

If you are interested in knowing more about the Bible, Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection on your behalf, or how to make this happen in your life, call or email me.  

What are you thankful for?  

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001  chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Ingrid Ling was the CEO of WASI and was diagnosed with cancer. Her words should be an encouragement to us all.

Good morning,

Today’s devotion is from Ingrid. Although this is an update written by Ingrid, it is inspirational, challenging, and heartfelt. Please continue to pray for her as she “Enjoys the journey”.

INGRID’S UPDATE

Count it all joy.

I have had perhaps the most trying yet incredibly wonderful couple weeks of my life.

As many of you know, I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer that presents in the bones in the form of lesions. It sometimes presents as soft tissue tumors as well.

After a short time getting used to the idea that I had cancer and making plans to treat my multiple myeloma which, although it has no cure, treatment options are improving. Giving patients great hopes for long term (up to 11 years) remission -I had my first oncologist visit at which I learned that the oncologist was no longer certain that I had multiple myeloma (mm). Instead he gave me a 20% chance of having mm and an 80% chance of having a different kind of cancer. He listed off five other cancers that are the likely culprit….which, again, I have an 80% chance of having. All of which have a life expectancy of less than one year.

I felt like I had the rug pulled out from under me. Like I had the wind knocked out of me. I admit joy and contentment we’re not the first attitudes that I chose to embrace.

I was scared (oh so very scared), confused and I thought that I had every right to embrace whatever attitude I to chose.

God had different plans. And I am so very thankful.

Over a rather short period of time God replaced my tears of grief and fear with tears
of thankfulness, humility, silliness and pure joy.

God has placed just the right people in my life to help me along the way. One individual who’s been through cancer herself said.,” enjoy the journey- regardless of what the doctors say, you don’t know how much time you have left. Only the Lord knows.”

Enjoy. the. journey. What a beautiful way to sum up this adventure. Not all journeys are easy. Some have bumpy roads along the way; flat tires; transmissions that go out; cracked windshields. Some journeys take you into the dark recesses of valleys. While others take you soaring high on the mountain top where you feel as though you can touch the sun…views so beautiful they put tears in your eyes; oh the smooth sailing.

But, I thank God for cracked windshields, bumpy roads and faulty transmissions, for without them, I would have never known the love and generosity of my family and friends.

My sweet family and friends have given of themselves in ways that I would have never dreamed. They’ve given money, resources, time, sweat, tears, and prayers.

I spend each day in a hospital room filled with family and friends. Smiling, giggling and joking. I sport polka-dot toenails lovingly applied by my best friend who flew from Virginia to be by my side.

And at night, my room is cram packed full of as many people as we can fit. My sweet girl, Emily or my sweet husband, Shane Ling, unusually sleeps with me in the hospital bed.

I may not know the type of cancer I am facing. I may not know how long I have on earth. But I know that God is with me on this journey. And He gives me the strength daily, to smile, to laugh and to enjoy this journey. A journey of joy and contentment that only God can help find the beauty in.

Thank you all for joining me on this beautiful journey.

******************************
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. James 1:2-3
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Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippians 4:11

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com