Friends, Farewells, and Festivities
Everyone needs a friend, we say. What a blessing when that friend is a brother or sister in the Lord! Would that every brother or sister could be such a "friend"! But that doesn't happen, in real life, and we cherish the really close relationships we are able to build here below.
Now, one of Abbie's "friends" is leaving. Jackie and Jaime are in the closing stages of getting everything packed to be shipped to mainland Portugal---the rest is gone: given or thrown away. All their properties are for sale or sold; their future is still indefinite. They will be staying with Jackie's sister in northern Portugal for the time being; they would like to visit another sister who lives in Australia, and a return to Madeira is not on the list of options, at least for the moment.
Abbie and Jackie at the Flower Festival last April. They both share a love and a talent for flower arranging.
Last Friday (the 13th) was Jackie and Jaime's 35th wedding anniversary, and as part of the Sunday evening service, they renewed their vows to one another. With the move and all the uncertainties involved in that, plus the latest word on Jackie's health, more than ever they will need to count on each other's love and commitment.
Jackie has been very ill for three years, at times apparently near death, but she has never given up. The worst part is that no doctor ever seems to do anything about her problem, or tell her what her problem really is. The doctor who looked at her test results last week put his hands on his head and said, "Ma'am, I don't know what to do with you. Everything is wrong with you. Your liver is enlarged, your kidneys are barely working, and your heart is bad. Your blood pressure is uncontrollable. If we try to help one organ, we harm some other one." In the end, he basically did nothing. Maybe a doctor in Oporto will shed some light on her problem and provide the treatment medicine can give. In the meantime, the church continues to pray for her, which is what has kept her going so far. The doctors have certainly not made any headway.
Next week, Lord willing, they will be setting off for another phase of their lives. The whole church will miss them; Abbie will miss her friend. But we praise God for the moments we have together, and tonight we took them out to eat for their anniversary. It wasn't really a big festivity, nor was it a farewell (yet), but we were with friends.
Taken Sunday after the service.
Now, one of Abbie's "friends" is leaving. Jackie and Jaime are in the closing stages of getting everything packed to be shipped to mainland Portugal---the rest is gone: given or thrown away. All their properties are for sale or sold; their future is still indefinite. They will be staying with Jackie's sister in northern Portugal for the time being; they would like to visit another sister who lives in Australia, and a return to Madeira is not on the list of options, at least for the moment.
Abbie and Jackie at the Flower Festival last April. They both share a love and a talent for flower arranging.
Last Friday (the 13th) was Jackie and Jaime's 35th wedding anniversary, and as part of the Sunday evening service, they renewed their vows to one another. With the move and all the uncertainties involved in that, plus the latest word on Jackie's health, more than ever they will need to count on each other's love and commitment.
Jackie has been very ill for three years, at times apparently near death, but she has never given up. The worst part is that no doctor ever seems to do anything about her problem, or tell her what her problem really is. The doctor who looked at her test results last week put his hands on his head and said, "Ma'am, I don't know what to do with you. Everything is wrong with you. Your liver is enlarged, your kidneys are barely working, and your heart is bad. Your blood pressure is uncontrollable. If we try to help one organ, we harm some other one." In the end, he basically did nothing. Maybe a doctor in Oporto will shed some light on her problem and provide the treatment medicine can give. In the meantime, the church continues to pray for her, which is what has kept her going so far. The doctors have certainly not made any headway.
Next week, Lord willing, they will be setting off for another phase of their lives. The whole church will miss them; Abbie will miss her friend. But we praise God for the moments we have together, and tonight we took them out to eat for their anniversary. It wasn't really a big festivity, nor was it a farewell (yet), but we were with friends.
Taken Sunday after the service.
posted by EP | 7:31 PM | Permalink
1 Comments:
Jackie and Jaime (along with the Potters) were a tremendous influence in our lives. Jackie will be missed as she is welcomed by her celestial father. Her smile and loving attitude will never be forgotten.
Sam and JoAnne Simoes
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