Handmaiden Music: News/Journal

David shows no marked improvement, some jaundice has now set in ... David is sleeping more...he's been in and out of a semi-conscious state the past couple weeks...and is markedly weaker...though he still eats regular food, and has regular input/output (a good sign we're told), and can still have good conversation or play cards with his kids.

Do pray, that we will continue in the grace of God as we wait upon the Lord for His intervention. All I can do is love on and make David comfortable, while praying...


Continue to pray that IN CHRIST we will both HAVE ALL WE NEED during this severe trial of our faith. Amen?!

AND THANK YOU!

We received understanding of the reason David was being dismissed from the hospital so quickly, with his urine yet brown. There is nothing more physicians can do for David. A fistula has developed between the colon and the bladder, and also between the colon and the protrusion on his buttocks, leaving a 3-way avenue of infection and contamination. They have told me short of a miracle that it is just a matter of time until sepsis or kidney failure will take him home. Any moment now...he will be in the presence of the Lord, though the presence of the Lord is with him even now.

Please keep me in your prayers, and the family as well, as we walk this "waiting" out and continue to trust God's love, his goodness, and his sovereignty. May God's divine will be done, whether it is to call David home, or give us a radical miracle to report. I am just ready to see David's sufferings be over, and his "well done" pronounced.

I brought David into the ER yesterday, and he was admitted to St. Francis Hospital/Tulsa/Room 4334.
He is being given blood for a low hemoglobin count, and he will be given IV antibiotics for a severe urinary tract infection that he has developed. Please keep us both in your prayers, as we will more-than-likely be here for a few days.
Thank you for your loving...

Just wanted to let you all know that David is gaining strength, and is even getting back out into the Living Room for a few minutes each day. The cancerous protrusion on his buttocks is shrinking somewhat, and he has gained weight (153 at 6'2", but it is a considerable gain!)

We are encouraged and will continue to delight in his progress, and continue to pray for healing.

Thanks so much for your prayers. David's wonderful outlook is as that verse in Psalm 23: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou are with me..." Amen!! We are so thankful to know Christ and to have THE HEALER abiding in us and with us.

"David's nurse told me Tuesday that his protrusion on his buttocks which is growing quickly in size means that his cancer has probably been metastasizing, inside and out. His meds have been increased as his pain has intensified."

HOWEVER, at this same time, David and I have come into such a REST in
our hearts, and an assurance that God is doing healing, that it really makes
no logical sense between the symptoms/reports and what the Spirit within our spirits is telling us. So I guess my report is: We have peace; so God be praised. David is alive still and full of faith; so God be praised. We have provision enough; so God be praised. We have increased love for one another as husband and wife through this; so God be praised. We are seeing the Body of Christ reach out in love and concern; so God be praised!

And whatever "manifests" over the weeks ahead; We are joyful and at peace;
and God will be glorified. He amazes David and I daily with his presence, even when tears are shed, or concerns are expressed, or pain is experienced emotionally or physically...

Keep the intercessors praying! For we are being "carried" on their prayers, as God has now brought us to a resting place."

Thank you for continued prayers...
God is hearing, and is sustaining David...for on June 24, while in St. Francis Hospital, David was given 30-60 days life expectancy by the doctors. We are about at the 45 day mark, and David continues to hold his own. He has actually gained some weight (though still skin and bones)...and he is now able to get into the shower and walk on a walker several steps a day.
His pain is extreme, so for that we need prayer...due to the cancer doing its thing.


We need "a healing breakthrough"...so if you'd really press in for us in your prayers over the week ahead we would be so thankful. We grow weary, for it truly is a good fight of faith that David is fighting, and I am relying daily on God's strength to continue with caretaking after these many many months too. (I have forgotten what a good night sleep is, for I get up every couple hours, for months and months now.)

Oh that God would continue to give us Great Grace. He IS DOING THIS.

We praise him this day for his wonderful provision, and his sustaining presence. My, but it is a JOY to know He is near, and will never leave us nor forsake us. I don't know how others can manage without Christ as their "foundation".

Our Love to you all.

Elizabeth and David

Amidst our trial, we have a praise...
David was approved for social security very quickly due to his detailed medical history, prognosis, and his not having worked since last August (almost a year).
The claim went through so fast, reported our Hospice Case Worker, that she could hardly believe it. I told her I knew it was God knowing we needed that income and bringing favor, and she agreed!

Yep, even though the monthly allocation will end up being less than our monthly mortgage, the social security is still the greatest substantial source of income that we have now that jobs have ceased, and we know God will make up the difference. We both have "a peace" undergirding us, that God has things in control.

Already people have been helping us with meals, and we've gotten a couple fruit baskets. The help goes a long ways right now. And some heavier chores around here are being done too, by a few precious saints with servant's hearts. We give God praise for these blessings...for as we are met with grace our hearts fill with thanksgiving.

So thank you so much for your prayers, and your continued prayers for David's healing and our care to be cast daily on the Lord.

I was led by the Spirit to read these two verses tonight. Maybe they will bless you too:

Psalm 67:1 "God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us. (I'm sure you'll want to pray this sentence prayer for yourself too!) (Smile)

Psalm 68:19 Blessed be the Lord. who DAILY....LOADETH US...WITH BENEFITS! even the God of our salvation. Selah. (God is no respector of persons, so you have this happening in your own life! Let's ALL, therefore, keep ALERT to see these daily. For joy will be ours then...) (smile)

May He bless each of you...and may your eyes be opened to your daily benefits! (smile)

We all have so much to be thankful for, don't we....

David is home again...
The hospital returned him to his very own bed by ambulance. We will now be walking this out a day-at-a-time...focusing on the Lord, relationships with loved ones, and the caring for his body. David's spirits are good, his heart at peace... and naturally he holds onto his faith to be healed.

The doctors told us upon discharge that they estimate 30-60 days as life expectancy, and didn't paint a very pretty picture of what we can expect the cancer to do during these next days. But fears aren't as powerful as the Spirit within us...and we will overcome...through Jesus.

We are aware of God's presence, and naturally hold onto Him at this time, desiring for Him to give healing, yet also asking for release of suffering. However He decides to work in our lives, we give Him praise, for His grace will be sufficient and his strength made perfect in our weakness.

A Hospice nurse will be assisting me with his care a couple visits a week, and an aid three visits per week.
Pray for my strength as I take care of him the rest of the time, day and night. I'm happy to do it as long as I am able.

We appreciate your continued prayers. And love you all.

Elizabeth and David

David was taken by ambulance to St. Francis Hospital on Saturday night (June 21) because of multiple complications...and remains there...but will soon be back home under Hospice care, when he has stabilized...though life expectancy isn't long now...according to medical experts.

Of course we know that the Lord IS the medical EXPERT, for he is also our creator. David will receive from the Lord healing, whether it be here, in this season of our lives together, or whether it will be the ultimate healing in heaven...Our hope remains in the Lord's grace, either way.

I thank you for all your love, prayers, and support during this trial of faith and dependency. I can see clearly that my employer letting me go just a week earlier was "a God thing". Without that stress I can now devote myself completely to David.

Sorry, I don't have access to my cell phone in the room there, but I will check messages periodically.

Elizabeth

I am thankful that my job as an Office Manager lasted as long as it did amidst our trials here with David's cancer battle...and that I worked the last month or so from home... Yet today I was let go from my job, so that the company could maintain consistency in the position.

I was growing exhausted with both working full-time in the home, and care-giver duties, so I will consider the dismissal by my employer as God's care of me, and let fears go about what to do now..

Keep us in your prayers as we will trust God to "Fly Like An Eagle" above these circumstances as my recent devotion shared. (Guess we'll put this to the test ourselves.) I am already knowing God's grace will be made perfect in our weakness. I can't go out and find a job right now, nor can David. So pray with us, alright? That we will experience God's goodness, have wisdom to know what to do, when... and just patience to continue as we await God's intervention.

Love you all.

I want to thank you for your prayers. I hesitate to report that my husband David went back under Hospice care three weeks ago, due to severity of the colorectal cancer attacking his body. I will not get graphic and will protect David's privacy here, but will share that it appears that his systems are now failing and pain is increasing, though his spirits are not. He continues to believe in faith for a miracle...

We continue to know God has control...so we Wait...and Pray...
We rely on God's great grace daily, as we deal with the day-by-day sufferings and we wait upon the Lord for His sovereign will to be performed.

We know Jesus intercedes for us as well. My main prayer is "Great Grace, God. Let us bask in it..."

Somehow I know "all this is going to work out for the good...for we DO love God, and ARE CALLED according to His Purpose."(Rom 8:28)

Have a Blessed Day, and thanks for listening!

Love, Elizabeth

Many of you were praying about my divided heart between working to make our living, and the need for David to have someone home with him. God answered marvelously!!!
My employer, Strategic Contract Resources, has set me up at home as a teleworker. I've moved over company phone, computer, monitor, printer, and all my "office stuff"... so PRAISE GOD, I can work still
and be close by for David ...BOTH....

Keep praying for David. No real improvement yet physcially, but he is holding his own...
We keep believing to see God's goodness as time unfolds...and that divine healing will be his future testimony in Christ. (smile)

Love you all! Praise the Lord with us! His loving care is being experienced amidst the trial. God is GOOD.

Elizabeth

Friends,

You may have noticed that I haven't done much with this site of late. My energies have been focused on standing alongside my husband as he has been battling for his life in the Good Fight of Faith.
David was diagnosed with terminal colorectal cancer in July 07. These past months have been the most difficult of our lives. I have been working at a secular job to support us as David hasn't been able to work since August, and I have been by his side the rest of the time.
Long story short...six weeks ago, I was told by Hospice that David had 2 weeks to live. Hospice had been seeing him for several weeks prior and made this report based on what they were observing.

The testimony I GIVE is that HE STILL LIVES. (Praise God!)

It's not exactly "living" when you are in continual pain though, or in continual concern of a loved one... when your energies are drained until you both tremble from weakness...

We would ask for and appreciate your faith-filled prayers in our behalf, as we are BOTH getting worn down spiritually, physically, and emotionally now that this trial has seemed so lengthy.

They say if you hold a full glass for a few moments, it's not heavy. An hour in front of you, it becomes heavier. And as time goes by, your arm then feels as if it will fall off (in pain and weariness) as you hold that glass out....
So too, this rings true with a trial like this: The length of it has brought us both to our very weakest...
We know indeed it has been God's strength that has allowed us to last this long. Amen!

We have been holding on to the verses that "Those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength..." and that "It is good to both to hope and to quietly WAIT for the salvation of the Lord."

NOW we realize, we need to take this struggle more public and trust the Body of Christ in a greater measure than ever before.

We NEED Intercessors as LIFE is definitely in the balance...and we are acutely aware of a tremendous warfare raging over our lives.
Ours is a LIVING RESURRECTED CHRIST who has given us life both here and in the afterlife, so we will not fear...
As the song goes, IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL...rings true...in our hearts.
However, David does not believe it is "his time" and believes his work on earth is not complete. Amen!

I would appreciate your love, support, and prayers as we NEED YOU right now... to just intercede as the Spirit would put it upon your hearts, and as you can pray IN FAITH BELIEVING.

David has turned away Hospice, so that he can return his focus to LIVING not dying...

Though my job is 15 minutes away, and I come home at lunch and can be home at a phone call if David needs me... Yet, I grow weary of my stressful life.. and grow in concern for my husband at home. I need to have wisdom to know what to do...and when. Or provision is needed so I can take off to be with David without feeling I am letting him down in the other area...that of keeping a roof over our heads.
Wisdom and Strength... this is what I need. Daily. Will you pray this for me, as I want my love to be full toward David.


THANK YOU SO MUCH! for listening and for praying..and for caring. May we all know the length and width and breadth and height of God's LOVE !

Love, Elizabeth

Whether it was my imagination, or a revelation of the Spirit of God...I know not. But it is "remarkable" enough (to me) to share a PHRASE I heard within my mind/heart as I prepared a MusicTeacher Lesson tonight:


Christ's MATE IN 2008

After this statement seemed to become sealed within my heart, I went online and found these definitions of MATE that I found rather "interesting" when looked at with "spiritual eyes" and in context with what was spoken to my spirit:

mate - One of a matched pair: "the mate to this glove"

mate - To join closely; pair.

mate - To become joined in marriage.

mate - A spouse.

mate - A person with whom one is in close association; an associate

mate - the officer below the master (on a ship)

mate - copy that corresponds to an original exactly; "he made a duplicate for the files

mate - engage in sexual intercourse; "Birds mate in the Spring"

mate - a chess move constituting an inescapable and indefensible attack on the opponent's king

mate - informal term for a friend of the same sex. A close friend.

I think I'll expound on this with the insight the Spirit gives, replacing the 2007 entry on this website come 2008, BUT FOR NOW I just couldn't wait to share the phrase and the joy it's bringing to me (smile).

I'm going to ask you give EACH DEFINITION your OWN PRAYERFUL PONDERING...as far as your personal relationship with Christ goes.

You may find it quite an interesting contemplation. (smile)

As you consider being Christ's MATE in 2008, consider this: The "relationship" between MATES goes BOTH WAYS and they shouldn't be separated!! So, MAY CHRIST BE YOUR MATE IN 2008 too! (smile)

God revealed three distinct declarations...by His Spirit...to me during this past year (2007):

Submit and Commit...
Receive and Believe...
Trust and Obey...

As I was contemplating them, I came up with a few insights in regard to these six facets of truth, but I know there are more:

1. There seems to be no order or progression in these spiritual declarations to my heart... as in one step leading to another.

2. Rather, they appear to be all simultaneous and interlocked one within the other, as far as our spiritual growth...yet perhaps varying in degrees as the Spirit works within us individually, focusing on this or that.

3. God is revealing to me that He desires them to be ALL....EQUALLY... STRONG. All six facets with their fullest meaning. I believe if they manifest IN US personally, WE will be strong ...becoming MATURE...able to reflect Him...and pair up...and able to be HIS MATE.

I'm not sure if he's done giving the phrases, but this is what I now have to consider (smile).

Anyway, I LOVE MYSTERIES. Perhaps you'll get an insight from the Spirit and something you'd love to share with me in regard to these three declarations after pondering them. Write me! Perhaps I'll share the shared insights in a new MusicTeacher Lesson during 2008! I'll add your name to the insight, if you'd like (smile)...

We can teach one another.

I was enjoying time with the Lord this week, when he took me again to Matthew 14:13-21, about the feeding of the multitude.

This time, however, His emphasis spoken to me personally was THE SAME as he was relaying to his disciples in His day:

"YOU feed the people that want to be near me."

"Don't make them go away and BUY their nourishment."

"I'll take what you have given me, and will multiply it."

"Now you and other 'disciples' distribute it."

"FREELY GIVE"

"I'M THE GIVER"

"You are just assisting me..."

------
Look it up in the Word!
In this real event of scripture, the multitudes were told they could sit down, relax, and just receive nourishment, from Christ.

Well, I guess this is what my Lord wants me to do for you...the people with no money to enjoy receiving too!

And did the disciples in Jesus day then take up a collection or donation?

Nope... only to pick up the left-overs... for Jesus was "the source".

SO, friends and any listeners who happen upon this website, please know I purposely give you FULL tracks of the music. And I am fully aware that you CAN copy down the songs onto your own computers and make your own CDs to grow spiritually, and make CDs for your friends and church family.

Just don't try to sell the music, or reuse it for gain, or perform or play it without ASCAP notification, ok?

I'm okay with the freely given to you, being freely given to others though.

The Lord asked me recently, "Do you want the music passed ON? or do you want it passed on? (meaning left alone). I emphatically said "passed ON !" It being FREELY GIVEN should give you great incentive to let everyone you know, know about it.

(and I'll be a happy handmaiden! and He'll be a smiling Lord!)

Rejoice With Me!

These past weeks have been busy, as the Lord has given me instruction to go ahead and release the CDs:
Christ Within
Kingdom Living
Truth's Banner
Reigning Prayer

In addition, the performance track from Christ's Sermon in Song is being released for those who'd like to do it with their church, youth group, home school, or individually perform. (ASCAP)

This is mainly a digital distribution release--going to various internet stores for download of tracks and full cds. Stores like itunes, payplay, etc. We don't have personal funds to replicate all the CDs and distribute in stores or to radio stations, etc. Yet with digital distribution the music can get out to the public. Praise God for the changes being made in the music industry! It's gonna help the gospel get out!

Prayer Request #1: Please pray that this music will reach those "out there" that may not venture into a church or perhaps have wandered away from the Lord in lifestyle and devotion...that this music will minister to their hearts and draw them closer to Christ. May Christ be glorified! Thank you!

As David has asked me to be abit less public as far as he and the colon cancer/no-job situation is concerned...
desiring to lean upon the Lord and His strength and go through this next season quietly and in rest.

I wish to honor David, and simply thank you for your prayers even if we don't post news. We are so blessed to have you care and express your love.

A verse was given us this week, that's awesome: Psalm 112:7 "He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord."

Truly this is where David is...
and I'm getting there. (smile)
This website is for the glory of God, not focus on ourselves or the Enemy's works.

I've erased all the updates to date, and we'll turn again the focus onto Christ, and away from ourselves...for HE always causes us to triumph! Amen.

Music Teacher Lessons began 2/14/07 with a new email publication, which is now being integrated into this website instead due to email file size complications.

Check Music Teacher Lesson on menu around 1st and 15th for the link to the newest lesson (they are dated).

Music Teacher - redefined:

a.- One who teaches WITH music b. - A spiritual gift for the body of Christ c.-Sharing Lessons given by the Lord for his people d.-Your "lesson" is in the music, and the music helps "the medicine" go down...(smile) e. -Lesson: The additional information added scriptures and spiritual insights for more indepth studying with a featured song, which will be posted bi-monthly.

ENJOY Growing in Grace and in the knowledge of Christ and His Word!

I love you all!

Just thought I'd share the good news that now 14 Live365 radio stations have added Safe Harbor and Musical Gardens to their playlists...including stations from Norway and South Korea and Hawaii. Will you pray with me... that some of the listeners will follow the "artist links" and find their way to this website? My heart is that they be exposed to Christ and the Word through the music. Join your prayers with mine concerning the Mission of this Music being fulfilled. Thanks friends!