A New Year Has Begun

Hope you all had a blessed Christmas with your families and friends. We had a very good Christmas break. The whole family was home over Christmas. Opa and Oma, Dad and Mom Pennings, celebrated Christmas with us.
The most amazing thing happened... Opa (my dad who hates animals in the house) was being so entertained by Felicia, our Father's Day cat, that he asked if he could buy her!! This cat loves to play fetch and she will bring back the paper ball in her mouth and place it back at your feet to have it thrown again. Dad said he liked her because she was already trained. Watch out Mom, you might still get an animal in the house even after being married for over 55 years.

Opa and Christine
We are very grateful for our parents (and grandparents) who have had and still have a very positive influence in our lives.

Jessica and Ryan impatiently waiting to open their gifts on Christmas Eve.

Irish Mountain Bed & Breakfast
Dec.20-23 rd Gary and I went to a Bed and Breakfast at Irish Mountain in Meaford, Ont. to celebrate our birthdays away from it all.
We recommend this place to anyone who likes a secluded get-a-way with a fireplace and a private outdoor hot tub.(www.irishmountain.net)
Our get-a-way to Collingwood area was both peaceful and relaxing.

A self portrait on our cold, snowy walk.

We had a beautiful view of Georgian Bay as we sat in front of the fireplace looking out over piles of snow just outside the bay window. The skies were grey and we did not see the sun the whole time we were there but the roads were all clear of snow so the 3 hour drive up and back were great.

Gary finished his 3rd round of chemotherapy on Sunday night. His immune system remains strong. The chemo has not effected his appetite either (as the doctor predicted) He has tolerated this treatment very well and only suffered flu like symptoms.

You may be wondering about the results of the MRI Gary had on Dec. 14th. The pictures showed no change in size of the tumor and there was a little more swelling again this time. The doctor said it was hard to know and see what the tumor or tissue was really doing at this point so he would continue the treatment as planned.
Please pray that in the next 7 weeks the chemo will work over time and the MRI will show definite signs of improvement.

God is still hearing our prayers and has allowed Gary to continue doing what he has always done with the exception of needing a little more rest. The doctor was pleased that he is sleeping and eating well and still able to go about his daily tasks without any major problems.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes, love and concern. We continue to covet your prayers,

"Therefore in all things He (Christ) had to be made like His brethren (born as a baby), that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.(died for us)
For in that He himself has suffered, being tested, He is able to aid those who are tested." Hebrews 2:17-18

We are putting our hope and trust in this Christ who is merciful and faithful and understands what we are experiencing.

Love Joanne and Gary

JESUS

He came not to a throne, but to a manger.

He lived not as a king, but as a servant.

He chose not a kingdom, but a cross.

He gave not just a little, but everything.

Holley Gerth