Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus

Thank you Cousin Julie for taking the time to write about our days. I have been silent because my heart is grieving and I can't seem to put into words anything more then tears!

From Julie:
This beautiful old Hymn has been constantly playing through my mind for about a week now. As I watch Rachel dealing with the many ups and downs of this sickness and the constant uncertainty, the One who is always constant in our lives is always on my mind and Tis so sweet to trust in Him! It is very hard to watch someone you care about so deeply declining (at least her body is) so quickly. I try to stay positive, but many times I find myself (selfishly) crying out to God to let me have more time with her!
’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus says the Lord!”
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!
O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.
I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
He will be with Rachel till then end of this life on earth, but the great new is we know even longer after that - He will be with her throughout eternity! Praise the Lord we have that sweet assurance.
As Rachel battles with the latest "down" of the cancer, the vomiting and not being able to keep food down, she is being constantly surrounded by so many who love her! There is her ever faithful husband Rob, always serenely standing by ready to get his love whatever she needs. He has been the picture of the perfect husband for Rachel and a great example to his boys.
Of course there is her Mom, my Aunt Barbara, who definitely gets the Mom of the year award. Constantly there for Rachel in whatever she needs, whether that be to rub her feet, get her medications, sleep by her side, or watch her two boys. Aunt Barbara is a picture of strength and love all at the same time. Then there is her sister Betty, the constant servant, loving her older sister enough to do anything for her, and I mean ANYTHING. Between making Rachel smoothies, calling the hospice nurses, and helping to tote around the boys, Betty has been an unbelievable sister to Rachel. I admire these two women so much and their true picture of the servant's heart that Jesus spoke of in the Bible. Matthew 23:12 says, "For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted". Betty and Barbara have most definitely chosen to live by this principle.
Rachel also has been blessed to get visits from her Aunts and Uncles who, as everyone else, love her so dearly. Aunt Betty comes almost every day to sit and talk and pray with Rachel. Aunt Paula and Uncle Joe came up from Kentucky to be with Rachel for almost a week. Relishing in the short time they got to spend with Rachel, Sunday was a very tearful goodbye as they had to head back home. Then my Mom and Dad, Uncle Jim and Aunt Lois came up from Georgia to visit Rachel. They spent a couple of precious days loving on their cherished niece.
Then there is the Amish couple Henry and Barbara, fast becoming best friends after they met at a Stihl conference years ago. The brought their 3 daughters and son to see Rachel. Rachel has been such a great example and friend to these girls and you can see how much they love and admire her as they struggle to understand with tears in their eyes. Rachel has been such a great example and mentor to those girls, I am sure they will up wanting to have a close relationship with the Lord and serve Him with their lives as Rachel does.
Thank you all so much for your support and prayers. It has meant more to Rachel and our family than you will ever know. From the meals, flowers, and cards, taking the boys, etc. you have all been wonderful! Please pray for Rachel that she will be able to keep the vomiting at bay and slowly be able to add some food. It is not easy for any of us in the family - we do not know how much longer we have with Rachel, but as the song above says, "Jesus Jesus, Precious Jesus - O for grace to trust Him more". This beautiful old Hymn has been constantly playing through my mind for about a week now. As I watch Rachel dealing with the many ups and downs of this sickness and the constant uncertainty, the One who is always constant in our lives is always on my mind and Tis so sweet to trust in Him! It is very hard to watch someone you care about so deeply declining (at least her body is) so quickly. I try to stay positive, but many times I find myself (selfishly) crying out to God to let me have more time with her!
’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus says the Lord!”
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!
O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.
I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
He will be with Rachel till then end of this life on earth, but the great new is we know even longer after that - He will be with her throughout eternity! Praise the Lord we have that sweet assurance.
As Rachel battles with the latest "down" of the cancer, the vomiting and not being able to keep food down, she is being constantly surrounded by so many who love her! There is her ever faithful husband Rob, always serenely standing by ready to get his love whatever she needs. He has been the picture of the perfect husband for Rachel and a great example to his boys.
Of course there is her Mom, my Aunt Barbara, who definitely gets the Mom of the year award. Constantly there for Rachel in whatever she needs, whether that be to rub her feet, get her medications, sleep by her side, or watch her two boys. Aunt Barbara is a picture of strength and love all at the same time. Then there is her sister Betty, the constant servant, loving her older sister enough to do anything for her, and I mean ANYTHING. Between making Rachel smoothies, calling the hospice nurses, and helping to tote around the boys, Betty has been an unbelievable sister to Rachel. I admire these two women so much and their true picture of the servant's heart that Jesus spoke of in the Bible. Matthew 23:12 says, "For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted". Betty and Barbara have most definitely chosen to live by this principle.
Rachel also has been blessed to get visits from her Aunts and Uncles who, as everyone else, love her so dearly. Aunt Betty comes almost every day to sit and talk and pray with Rachel. Aunt Paula and Uncle Joe came up from Kentucky to be with Rachel for almost a week. Relishing in the short time they got to spend with Rachel, Sunday was a very tearful goodbye as they had to head back home. Then my Mom and Dad, Uncle Jim and Aunt Lois came up from Georgia to visit Rachel. They spent a couple of precious days loving on their cherished niece.
Then there is the Amish couple Henry and Barbara, fast becoming best friends after they met at a Stihl conference years ago. The brought their 3 daughters and son to see Rachel. Rachel has been such a great example and friend to these girls and you can see how much they love and admire her as they struggle to understand with tears in their eyes. Rachel has been such a great example and mentor to those girls, I am sure they will up wanting to have a close relationship with the Lord and serve Him with their lives as Rachel does.
Thank you all so much for your support and prayers. It has meant more to Rachel and our family than you will ever know. From the meals, flowers, and cards, taking the boys, etc. you have all been wonderful! Please pray for Rachel that she will be able to keep the vomiting at bay and slowly be able to add some food. It is not easy for any of us in the family - we do not know how much longer we have with Rachel, but as the song above says, "Jesus Jesus, Precious Jesus - O for grace to trust Him more".