Recently, we went to our children’s Christmas concerts. Oh how much fun it is to watch budding singers and musicians. They display their excitement and pride in their new skills, waving to parents from the risers or sitting tall to peer over their music stands in hopes of seeing a loved one.
What I really enjoyed was watching the conductors with their students and their interactions.
Once the band conductor appeared the students watched very intently, wanting to perform their best and display their efforts. They had learned they would perform best if they followed the conductor’s lead. At times, it was obvious the conductor was talking to the students between songs, or perhaps even during the songs, but the sound equipment was positioned so that the audience could not hear. Only the students could hear and see the conductor’s messages.
What joy he displayed both before and after their performances!
The past 5 weeks have been filled! Time with family, time of illness, time preparing big school projects, time enjoying where we are, time sharing about our ministry, and time preparing to make another transition.
In all the hustle and bustle: shopping, working, cooking, and preparations (or in my case packing, sorting, and purging) are we aware of our Conductor? Are we watching his movements? Are we listening to his words that perhaps are only meant for us? Can we perceive the joy He has for us as his children?
Yesterday, Chris had his first check (CAT scan) since his last clean PET scan in mid October. We moved up this scan so we could do it while we are still in the US.
In amazement we got the results already.
All clear! We thank God for this continued gift of good health for Chris.
As many of you already know, we will celebrate Christmas a little early in Grand Rapids, and drive to Chicago on the 25th. We depart for Thailand the morning of December 29th, and arrive very late at night in Thailand on the 30th.
We ask for continued prayers for the kids as they have many goodbyes ahead, some easy, and some very hard. When they were little the transitions were challenging and now that they are bigger the transitions are still difficult, though in different ways.
In the joys and even more so the challenges let us rejoice, a Savior has been born, to us, He is Christ the Lord!
Merry Christmas!
We rejoice with you! Thanks again for sharing! May you enjoy a Blessed Christmas! And safe travels!
Thankful that we have had your family here!
Praise the Lord for another clear scan!!!!!!!
Looking forward to us all being together on the 24th.
Love you so much,,
Dawn & Doug
Micah 5:4
And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD,
in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth.
And he shall be their peace.
And He shall be your peace.
Gods continued Blessings and Graces
On your life journey. Keeping you in my prayers
praise God!
Praise the Lord. Our prayers & love go with you as you head back to the work our Heavenly Father has for you.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas & a HEALTHY, Happy year ahead.
Treasure (WSBC)
Such good news on Chris’ latest scan. God is our conductor and has conducted you as you walked through this challenging cancer journey.
May God bless you and continue to lead you in your ministry. To God be all the glory!
Safe travels!
Ginny Geldof
May our great Conductor guide and direct each of you in these brief remaining days of this sojourn, and may your return to Thailand be uneventful. Thank you for inviting each of us to follow the adventure of these last few months, and for writing so beautifully and honestly about the ups and downs you’ve experienced. More importantly, about the faithfulness and wonder of God’s ways as we prayed together with you along the unknown path.
Wow! You’ll be here soon and so much will happen between now and when I see you…. Praying you’ll experience the loving and attentive presence of your Conductor through all the movements . Love you
So thankful for your continued clean health report! We’re looking forward to joining you and Chang by again!
Chiang Mai
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own.” Philippians 3:12
We are His own. We strive every day to become worthy. As you strive to prepare for your next journey and chapter, I pray for your transition goes smoothly and all will be safe.
God bless your family and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Gloria
Thank you, Lord, for the all-clear results! I’ve been praying, thankful to hear the good news. You each, Chris, Becca, Luis, Lucas and Emalene, remain in my prayers as you celebrate Christmas with loved ones here, say your good-byes, then take that long plane ride back to Chaing Mai.
Woohoooo!!! So excited that you get to return to Thailand. You arrive on the 30th and we arrive on the 3rd (another semester of teaching at Payap for Doug). Thanks for faithfully sharing ALL that God IS, HAS DONE, and continues TO DO!
Have a hope-filled Christmas.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder to watch and listen for our Conductor this season (and always). Thank you too for taking time in the midst of all that is going on to write. I rejoice with you in the healing and continued good health of for Chris. I will pray for your family in the transitions your family is experiencing once again. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Wonderful news about the clear scan! Rejoicing with you all! And praying for you now as you transition back here.
GREAT news! What seemed like ‘an eternity,’ is now quickly ending and your departure is barely a week away! Praying for you down this ‘home stretch!’ SO GLAD that God has answered prayers for Chris’ health and for the kids’ adjustments–these months stateside certainly serving them well for the future!
May God bless all of you with a beautiful Christmas, good health, travel mercies and the ability to continue your ministry in Thailand. Please give my love to Robin.
So glad to hear the good news and see a bit of the kids special opportunities. Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Love the analogy between the band conductor and The Conductor of Life and Eternity.
May all go well in preparing for departure and The Lord bless you all with special goodbyes.
See you soon, Lord willing.
We’ve enjoyed being a small part of your “healing sabbatical. ” Kids’ concerts are always fun!! Follow the Great Conductor as He leads you back to work and school in Thailand. Thanks Lord for Chris’ difficult journey and healing! Merry Christmas Hirt’s, and Blessings for safe travel and 2024 ahead!
So thankful to hear the good news! Will continue to pray for good health for Chris and the entire family. Have safe travels and a very Blessed Christmas! Blessings to each of you!
I’m just catching up on my emails and I was thrilled to see that Chris has received another report showing he has no cancer. The Lord is good! Praise the Lord!! Having been involved with music all my life as an instrumentalist, singer, and conductor, I know exactly what you are talking about regarding the concerts. The failure of musicians to watch their conductor and follow his/her lead precisely will be disastrous. As you have pointed out, we must also follow the lead of the Lord as carefully as possible, whether the melody is joyful, reverent, or even somber. Following Him will bring peace and harmony into our lives, as well as displaying the beauty of Jesus’ love to others. Kepp pressing on. The music is not over.
Your post reminded me of the verse in Hebrews 12 that urges us to “run the race marked out for us” and “to fix our eyes on Jesus”. You guys have certainly done that and your faith has certainly encouraged me and many others. I pray that your many transitions this week will go well. Enjoy time with your family in Chicago, safe travels to Thailand, and happy New Year as you begin your ministry again in that part of the world. Blessings on you and the kids! Merry Christmas!!
Praising God and praying for you all 💕