Note from Helen: I think this following testimony from Betty Jo Mings is a great inspiration to us all. I just want to share it with you. Be encouraged. My Dear Ones, I have a friend who is a college professor, and he has written many books. He is writing a new book that will have a chapter called "Rejoicing in Times of Grief" and he asked if we would like to write something about Rowland. Last night I couldn't sleep, so I got up and wrote the message below. Thought you might like to read it. With much love, Betty Jo MY HUSBAND’S FAITH My husband Rowland is very tender hearted. My most vivid realization of this occurred the night we were married. At the end of our ceremony, we knelt as the soloist sang a song titled "Have Thy Way, Lord." It was a prayer song committing us to love and serve the Lord. As we rose from our knees, I saw tears in his beautiful blue eyes. Many times through the years I have seen his tears when he talked about the Lord and His sacrifice for us. Rowland is the most Godly and humble man I know. In fact, he wouldn’t even want me to write this because he doesn’t want any kind of praise. He is always thinking of others, and what he can do to make their lives a little bit easier. Last February he was sick with pneumonia, and when he finally went to the doctor, tests showed he was anemic. Our family doctor sent him to a Hematologist for a bone marrow biopsy. I had heard this test was very painful, and as I waited for him to have it done, I was very concerned for what he was going through. But he didn’t worry for a minute, and just took it in his stride. When we finally received the results of the biopsy, we were told he has Multiple Myeloma. We learned there is no cure for Myeloma, but were told that without any treatment he could expect to live three to six months, but with six to seven rounds of chemotherapy he could hopefully go into remission. His reaction was just to try to find out all he could about the disease. My tears are always very near the surface, but Rowland has never shed a single tear about his cancer, and he has never worried nor complained for even a minute about it. At church a friend asked him about it, and his reply was, "If I lose, I win, for I get to be with my Lord. My only concern is for Betty Jo." The days have been filled with many tests and much blood work. He has never lost his sense of humor. For one of the tests they drew seven vials of blood from his arm. He said to the technician drawing the blood, "You have taken so much of my blood, that I wonder….. will I have to leave here in a wheel chair?" The technician answered, "No, you will need a gurney." Of course they both laughed. Once a month he has a two-hour infusion of Aredia to keep his bones from deteriorating and getting holes in them. I read on the Internet about Aredia and all the side effects, and I was very concerned and afraid for him the first time he had the infusion. I kept asking him how he was feeling, and he was working a crossword puzzle and smiling. He said, "I should have brought my book to read." He wasn’t even worried about it, and came through it just fine. He has only been able to take three rounds of chemotherapy, and the third one was a much reduced dosage. The Hematologist said he is not able to take any more chemotherapy because it pulls his counts down too dangerously low. So they will do another bone marrow biopsy to see where to go from there, and might be able to give him some injections. Rowland is constantly trying to make things easier for me. He has tried to teach me all the things I need to know if I am left alone (even though I don’t even want to think about that.) He has carefully written down certain instructions that will help me. If I break down and cry, he wraps me in his arms and comforts me, but he never sheds tears for himself. One of Rowland’s favorite songs is "How Great Thou Art." We were singing it one Sunday in church, and when we reached the part where we sang "And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; that on the cross, my burdens gladly bearing, He bled and died, to take away my sin….." I looked over and his eyes were filled with tears. His tears were for the awful price our Savior had paid to save us from our sins. Another time he was reading a book about the Lord, and he shared with me a quote by Augustine: "You ascended from before our eyes, and we turned back grieving, only to find You in our hearts." He could hardly tell me the words of the quote because he was so choked up with tears. That is my precious husband. He completely trusts the Lord, and knows He is in control, and our times are in His hands. He looks forward to being with Jesus, but he is concerned about leaving me because he knows I need him. Yet he realizes the Lord will take care of me, should He choose to take Rowland home first. I know Rowland’s faith is a testimony and a blessing to all who know him, and a beautiful example of how a saint of God can end his earthly journey with joy. Betty Jo Mings Website For a further blessing, see Betty’s poem: Thanking God For Trials