an unusual "festive season" gift

by Laurie-Ann Copple

"The Lord, He is God!" - image #40 in Laurie-Ann Copple's "Colouring with Jesus" colouring book.  This book is available to purchase in South Africa via Takealot.  If you're interested, please click the link below!

Click to purchase "Colouring with Jesus" here!

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This past year of 2020 was a crazy year for us, as it was for everyone.  In our case, it changed our plans to return to Canada for further medical intervention against aggressive inflammatory breast cancer.  But God made a new way for us.  Thanks to his direction, and provision through kind and generous friends and family, we were able to keep afloat through expensive cancer treatments for me, as well as treatments for Tony (for TB and cataract surgeries). 

I am now recovering from the harsh treatments, and while I'm on considerably less medication, what I am on now is still expensive.   We plan to be in South Africa until sometime in May if possible.  Our original visas have run out, and our application for medical visas (along with our passports) are in the hands of Home Affairs.    We trust that their office isn't hit as hard by covid-19, as our town has been this past month.   Lockdown level 3 is back, the alcohol ban returned, and indoor gatherings are cancelled.  Weddings are postponed, but small funerals are ongoing.  There were two funerals of people we know just last week.  We are sad about that.  Yet we are also hopeful, despite being weary.  God is still in control.  We have a lot to thank him for.  The families of the girls we mentor have been struggling far worse than we have. 

We are thankful and we share, trusting the God will continue to supply our own need, and replenish our health as we remember to rest between tasks.  Part of that rest is to be thankful.   It is for that reason that my requested Christmas gift was for Tony to set music to special lyrics written by me.  I was inspired to just sing "thank you" to Jesus for saving my life.
Here is a taste of the lyrics:

Thank you Jesus 
by Laurie-Ann Copple 
 
Lord, you are near, not far
You hold all things together
Spinning planets with the stars
It’s a dance you set forever
 
And even though you hold all things
You noticed I was falling
You promised you would carry me
When the cancer came a calling.
 
Chorus:   Lord, I want to thank you
You brought me back to life
My healing is a foretaste
Under heaven’s loving knife.
 
You carried me close to your chest
As we went through death’s dark shade
This journey was for my best
In your face, my troubles fade.
 
Chorus:   Lord, I want to thank you
You brought me back to life
My healing is a foretaste
Under heaven’s loving knife.

I trust that I will remain cancer-free, but whatever happens, I know that I am in God's hands.  Jesus carried me, like in the Footprints poem.  He continues to carry us through this crazy time.  Just keep your eyes on Jesus, and your fears and worries will slip away.  He is in control.  You don't have to live in fear.   He's got you.