Yesterday was a good day for Albert.  He met his most recent great-grandson, Zeke (photos in the Albert's Family Album), and spent most of the day with Allan and Jeri.  He was in good spirits for most of the day.  When Neil and I saw him in the evening, he was tuckered out.  We read some messages (he particularly loved the one from granddaughter Kristi and "like a son" Glenn Ellingson) and sang some of his favourite old hymns.  We all teared up on "I Come to the Garden Alone".  These will be sweet memories.[...]

Son Allan and daughter-in-law Jeri arrived from Kentucky yesterday.  Albert was delighted to see them and it has really lifted his spirits to have them here.  They will be here through the weekend.  Joan - who is fighting her own cancer battle - returns home to Calgary today to try to recoup some strength.  She has been so, so faithful - at Albert's side daily, visiting Anna, taking the lead on medical conversations with doctors and hospice nurses...now it's time for her to rest.[...]

Neil and I had to be in Edmonton for the weekend and found on our return this morning that Albert had failed considerably while we were away.  Joan was with him all weekend - as were Kara and Sheri and their families - and they report that it was a difficult few days for them to see him fading before their eyes.  He eats little, sleeps a great deal and doesn't really converse. He still tracks conversation around him - especially when Neil read to him from Philippians today - but only offers a few whispered words now and again.  Joan and the girls read the messages from this site to him throughout the weekend and Neil and I read some more to him today and he nods when he hears your names and brightens as we read the posts.  Thank you again for being so kind and generous with your encouragement and sharing your memories.   Allan and his wife, Jeri, arrive tomorrow and Albert is so looking forward to that.  Thanks again for your prayers.[...]

Big day again for Albert.  A full slate of visitors including some old friends from the early days of Green Timbers Covenant Church.  Joan was there, once again, most of the day.  Sharol and I didn't get by until later in the day and we read Dad the most recent posts.  They always encourage him and humble him as he hears your loving words.  We prayed together as we were headed to Edmonton to teach a marriage conference and preach (3 times) and Dad's admonition was to "tell them the story of salvation...tell them again and again until no one can say they haven't been told."  A great way to honor Albert - for all of us to tell the story of Jesus as he so loved to do.[...]

Today was highlighted by a high tea at Laurel Place, hosted by the great volunteers.  It so happened that Dad had about 9 visitors over the course of tea time so it turned into quite an event!  Dad was up in a wheel chair so he was able to sit with the group and even enjoy a short tour in the gardens afterwards.  As you might guess, Dad was pretty tired tonight...but it was a good day.[...]

A good day for Dad at Laurel Place.  I brought him some salty bacon this morning and he was enjoying crunching on it when I got the call to go to the Langley hospital where Albert and Anna's seventh great grandchild was being born.  At 1:15 pm Zeke Josephson came into the world (second son of Ben and Jen Josephson).  When I told Albert he smiled and said "hallelujah time".  Dad is still weak, often drifting off in the middle of a comment or when I am reading posts to him...but he always wants me to finish.  Thanks for your prayers and support.[...]

Dad got transferred to Laurel Place Hospice yesterday and it went very well....not as taxing as we feared it would be.  He has a nice private room and a much better TV...so we watched some curling last night.  A 7-2 victory for Canada made it even better.  If you want to visit Albert when there is no receptionist you will need some codes for the various doors and gates.  The code for the main door is 2365.  Once in the main lobby, you need to take the elevator to the second floor.  If the gate to access the elevator is locked, that code is 75.  Once on the second floor, you will need one more code to enter the hospice unit.  That code is 111.  Thanks again for all your prayers and support.[...]

Albert is being moved to Hospice care today.  His new home is Laurel Place and the address is: 137A Street and 96 Ave.  It's just across the street from Surrey Memorial Hospital.  We'd like to give him a day to get settled, but he'd love to see visitors starting tomorrow.[...]

Early Easter Sunday Neil and some dear friends - Ed and Mavis Hillman - read Albert the Easter story and sang some hymns.  The rest of the day saw more grandchildren and great grandchildren in Albert's little hospital room.  We also brought Anna to the hospital after church to be with him.  They can't converse, but Albert holds her hand and is content to have her nearby.  Albert is very weak now and a little disoriented.  His doctors have begun giving him small doses of pain alleviating drugs so we aren't sure if the lethargy is a result of that or simply the progression of the disease.  When he's awake, his spirits are good, he enjoys his guests and hearing the messages you've left for him but he's clear:  he's ready to go Home.   Thank you for your prayers.[...]

Albert marked this holy day in his room at Surrey Memorial.  We read the Good Friday account from Luke 22 and when we were finished he said "What a great story...and its all true!".  I know he would have loved to have preached another Good Friday sermon.[...]