12/21/2011

Completing Yet Another Year in Him

As we close 2011 and look forward to what God has in store for all of us in 2012, we should all consider the concept of "SUSTAINABILITY." For many of us this is a strange word that doesn't normally come up at the dinner table or around the water cooler in work, but it is still a word, and one that we need to consider as we walk along life's path. 

As a definition: SUSTAINABILITY is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of stewardship of all life's resources.

In John 12:4-11 Scripture speaks about SUSTAINABILITY; but by reading through these verses quickly you may not understand fully what Christ is saying.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bear much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

When we "abide in Christ," our very life bears witness to the fact that God's Spirit of Holiness lives in us.  God desires us to be with Him for ALL ENTERNITY, and our life in Christ (now) is the greatest testimony to His love as it shines through our actions.  

To live a life of faith in Christ (abidding in Christ), means that every aspect of our life is evidence that we believe and that we cannot help by live a life of loving obedience to God because of who He is and what He has sacrificed to prove His love to us.  A love that never disappionts, never falters, or never ends. 

To look back over 2011 all of us need to do an analysis of our SUSTAINABILITY; whether is times of stress or non-stress -- for it is during those times our actions speak louder then words. 

Remember - Nothing and no one on earth can truly satisfy our needs; not the government, our families, or our friends.  Only one can sustain, but we need to abide. SUSTAINABILITY  such a strange word, but if we look at it through His eyes, maybe it will become a house-hold-word in 2012 and we will learn how to "abide."

May God richly bless each and everyone of you as you walk down life's path in 2012.

John and Ruth  

7-14-2011

Caroline (Johnson) Hensman

May 15, 1920 - July 14,2011   

It is with a sadden heart that we announce the passing of our Mother -- Caroline (Johnson) Hensman on Thursday, July 14, 2011 at Abington Memorial Hospital Warminster Campus, PA.  She was 91 years old. Mom was born May 15, 1920 in Wildwood, New Jersey; the daughter of the late William Leon Johnson and the late Margaret Eleanor Johnson (Woodward).

She was the beloved wife of the late John William Hensman Sr. Mother to: John William Hensman Jr, Joanne Carol Hensman, James Walter Hensman, and Anne Lee Knapik. Grandmother to: Christina Lyn Dickey, Kelly Anne Hernandez, John William Hensman III, and Joshua David Hensman.  She also was blessed with 10 great-grand-children.

We will all miss her deeply.  Please continue to pray for the family for their lost.

7-18-2011 

Progress with healing: Cast was removed and healing has been great...thank you Jesus.  Although not in a shoe currently, doctor has left it up to me as to when.  Please continue to pray the process continues and overall size of my foot reduces so as to get it into a shoe.

7-10-2011
Progress with healing: 18-July represents 14-weeks since my surgery on 22-April.  I have been walking around (serving within my new job at Lerch Bates) using a walking- cast.  Lord willing, on 18-July the "cast comes off."  Everything seems to be healing, but only the X-Rays will tell the rest-of-the-story.  I may need to wear a boot for added protection for several more weeks...will know more on the 18th.

On a secondary note: my Mother is in the hospital and not expected to live.  Her health as failed to be point many things are closing down.  Please pray for the family, both in PA and other states as we face a possible "home-going."  The doctors have stated it could be at any time.  She is 91-years old.  I am will be flying to PA for the service and offering some closing words at her funeral, when the Lord decides to take her home.  It may happen this week, so pray that I can get free from some very demanding job responsibilities for a three day period.

5-26-2011

Everything is proceeding on schedule and I will receive my second cast on 3-June.  Unlike the previous, this will be a "walking-cast", allowing me to get moving without the use of equipment.  Please continue to pray my healing and to the time went I can walk again with two shoes.

5-3-2011 

Just a quick update...my surgery went well.  It only took 3-1/2 hours to complete. verses almost 5 hours on my right.  The bones in my left foot were not damaged to the extend experienced on the right; therefore, healing should be faster.  Pictures below (if you are really interested), reflect final configuration of new hardware!  I will be receiving my first of two casts this coming Friday 5-6-2011.   

The screws, apparently hold my lower foot section to the underside of my ankle, thus offering a stable platform to walk.  The larger screw of three moved my heal under my ankle, which had shifted outward, thus forcing me to walk on the inside of my foot verses outside.

Prayer Request:  Even though you are due a very lengthy Newsletter, instead I  just want to ask for some prayer.  On Friday 22-April I am being admitted into Texas Spine & Joint Hospital (Tyler, Texas) for some surgery.  November 2008 I had an operation on my right foot – Triple Arthrodesis.  It is now time to do the same on the left. 

For those who have no idea what I am talking about (don’t feel bad…I didn’t know what the doctor was talking about the first time), it consists of the surgical fusion of the talacalcanela, talonavicula, and calcaneocuboid joints in the foot (basically fixing of a flat-foot condition and keeping the ankle from rolling inward due to having no arch). The primary goals of a triple arthrodesis are to relieve pain from arthritic, deformed, or unstable joints.  By correcting this deformity it creates a stable and balanced foot platform, thus keeping other areas in the body aligned (i.e. my back).

Down time (only two weeks from work - the rest is just trying to get around)

Now you may ask "why" - the answer is simply my left ankle has begun to roll inward.  I don't want to damage it; by letting it go too long, like I did the right one. You may also ask about the pain level - not much, because for the first 36 hours I am so high on drugs, I really feel nothing, that is why the 2 weeks on my back.  As for insurance, most of the cost will be covered by United Health Care, we just have the normal out-of-pocket expenses. 

I tell you all this to keep you informed.  Yes, work at Mercy Ships will go on and I will be connected by phone to keep everything going in the right direction.  The date was picked specifically because it is between containers (which leave the first week in every month).  Hopefully, I will be in Cast #1 before the container in May is due out.  So, just remember me and especially Ruth, who will be meeting my needs to get around (to the bathroom, etc.) for the first 2 weeks.

We believe that God is in control of this surgery and the hands that perform it, but it doesn't hurt to ask for prayer from those we love.