Journeying to Wholeness

David Edward Hazzard November 7, 1953 - May 27, 2021 The below blog post was written in May of 2019. Dad's diagnosis at the time of writing it was "we will do what we can but it's not looking good." Our family looked to God for whatever His will would be—hoping for a miracle, but also preparing for Dad's death. We watched him lose a tremendous amount of weight as he suffered from acute pain; he was on a heavy pain relief regimen and needed 5 litres of oxygen 24 hours a day. He planned his funeral; we started palliative care. His family came to say their goodbyes. Many people may not have realized how critical his condition was at the beginning of the diagnosis. But as you look back and read the journey, you will see what God did. I wrote this post in the middle of all that I just described with a heart fully surrendered to God's plan for Dad, and peace despite the tears streaming down my cheeks. But I was not released to post it. God asked me to wait until t

We continue to journey well. Dad most of all. Each day is one of gratitude for the incredible blessings God has poured out over us. We have come to the end of treatments for Dad. He recently stepped back from all work commitments and we have been focusing on our time as a family. Physically he continues to weaken. His appetite is very low. We are thankful that his pain is managed well so he is comfortable. He is also well emotionally. Spiritually he is doing just fine, resting in the truth of the song "In Christ Alone" that says "No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me. From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny." And in Dad's words: "And who knows, His destiny for me may include healing and my time will be extended, but Psalm 31:15 shares the final word, 'My times are in your hands, O Lord.'" Mom has been an absolute rock in this journey. She has always been a model of grace, kindness, an

 Hi Friends, With you, we welcome this New Year with hope and anticipation! While none of us know exactly where 2021 will lead us, we do know that the eternal God, who is everywhere, will already be "on location" wherever our journeys may take us. Jesus said, "I am with you always...!" 2020 was an exceptional year for Stacey, me and our family. We are so grateful for God's grace and mercy throughout. I have felt very good in spite of the cancer diagnosis. In mid December, I received news that the treatments I had received for the past 20 months had diminished in effectiveness. Consequently, on January 7 another treatment plan will be initiated that involves chemotherapy and likely localized radiation on an as needed basis.  We are so grateful for thoughts, prayers and every expression of faith, hope and love received on this journey. I continue to live in the joyful freedom of Psalm 31:15: "My times are in your hands, O Lord." Richest blessings to you

We’ve been doing a lot of trusting these days. Over the last few months Dad has undergone some tests that have shown the targeted therapy he has been on for the past year has begun to lose some of its effectiveness. He will continue to remain on the targeted therapy but has also been accepted into a clinical trial at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. I must admit that when I first heard the news about the cancer starting to grow again, I was disappointed but at peace. A strange mix of emotions that are hard to grapple with. I have complete faith that God can heal my Dad fully and completely, I am disappointed that He hasn’t yet. I have hope that all things DO work together for good for those that love God and are called according to His purpose, but I also want to see my idea of what His purposes are be the ones that are fulfilled. I am certain and secure in His goodness and love, but I wonder what part of His goodness and love could mean possibly losing my Dad.  

Someone recently asked me how Dad was doing. My initial reaction was to say, "No news is good news." But that didn't seem right because the statement implies that there IS good news. There might not be more additional good news but the good news is still active and alive and should be spoken! In Dad's case here's the good news: His last oncologist appointment was on November 18th. The x-ray still shows that his lungs remain clear—this is miraculous. His strength is back to almost 100% and he is back working at about 80%. He is preaching, ministering, praying, loving, laughing, crying, mourning—he is alive and living it to the fullest. We are thankful. But this kind of good news is temporal. One day Dad will die. It could be tomorrow or in twenty or twenty-five more years. Only God knows. Will that be a day when there is no more good news? There is a reason the gospel is called The Good News. It was Good News thousands of years ago, it is Good News today a

We recently attended my cousin, Janette's wedding. It was a lovely, God-honouring ceremony and Janette had asked Dad if he could walk them through communion. As I watched Dad speak quietly with them and serve them the emblems, I started to cry. Because what came to mind was a conversation Dad had with Janette from his hospital bed four months earlier. And now he is present, active and serving communion. His recovery continues! The latest Oncologist report: No more appointments for six weeks and the x-ray shows almost no sign of the tumor. "If I didn't know your diagnosis," the doctor said, "I wouldn't be able to tell you even have cancer." We continue to praise and we continue to pray. In the thick of the worst of it, back in April, I was driving to the hospital. It was a time of bad news followed by more bad news and I was meeting my parents and my sister to get more news (there wasn't much hope that it would be good). On my drive I was pray

We continue to hold fast to God during each step of this journey. Many of you have reached out with words of life and encouragement, and we know so many are praying. We are grateful. God continues to show His faithfulness and provide us with His peace. An amazing report came back to us last week from the Respirologist. He put up x-rays of Dad's chest before treatment and a current one and replied: "You are having a miraculous response to treatment." (We really like when doctors use the words 'miraculous'!) The cancer is still there but it has shrunk significantly. Mom and Dad are currently enjoying some time of rest at the cottage. School is almost out so they need all the rest they can get before the grandkids descend on their peace and quiet :) I have asked Dad to write a note to you all with his thoughts. A note from Dad: Stacey and I were delighted to attend recent wedding celebrations for our nephew, Devan Green, and his new bride, Kirsten. While th