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.[...]

Dad continues to be weak in body spending much of his day resting.  He still has no major pain which we are all grateful for.  Today he enjoyed visits from family and friends including three of his great grandchildren (and their parents of course).  When we left tonight, we put on a CD of some swedish hymns and put his headphones on.  It was sweet to see his toe tapping under the sheets and to hear the occasional burst of a swedish phrase...sung too loud and out of tune due to the headphones as you might expect, but heartfelt nonetheless.  Sleep well Dad.[...]

Albert is still in Surrey Memorial Hospital in the Palliative Care ward.  Still no word on when he might move to hospice but the truth is he is very comfortable where he is and we have been so pleased with the care he is getting from the staff there.  And he is caring for them too - on Sunday night, he prayed with one of the nurses about an issue she had shared with him.  Being a pastor was never a job for Albert -  it is who he is![...]

We (Sharol and Neil) had a great visit with Albert tonight.  We got singing some of his favorite hymns.  Top of the list for him tonight was "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I've committed unto him against that day."  And the chorus he said he would like to begin and end his funeral with pretty much captures his life and ministry:[...]

It's a bit discouraging for Albert to be in palliative care.  He knows it means his time on this earth is short.  As he frequently says, "I'm ready to go, but I'm not ready to leave."  He still has many things he had hoped to do, places to go, people to meet, family to enjoy....possibly even sermons to preach.   At the same time, he is at peace knowing his life and his days are in God's hands. [...]

Albert was transferred today to the palliative care unit at Surrey Memorial Hospital...same floor (5th) but in room 22 bed B.  It is a bit more spacious and quieter than his last room.  He was in pretty good form tonight - so good that he asked for bacon and eggs for dinner which we picked up at a local restaurant and brought to him.  We read a few more posts to him and some cards.  He is so encouraged and strengthened by your notes and messages.  Thanks.  We were commenting on how grateful we were for his (so far) almost complete lack of pain.  Albert's response was "The pain is being swallowed up by all the prayer."  Thanks for your prayers.  Please don't stop.[...]

Albert is a little stronger today.  He had a great - though tiring - weekend visiting with 4 grandchildren and spouses, 5 great grandchildren, a niece and several friends from out of town.  He also had some phone visits with grandchildren in Georgia.  Precious time with loved ones.  Joan (Albert and Anna's daughter) is going home to Calgary today.  She has been with Albert daily for almost a month and has helped settle Anna into her new home at Elim (a Christian care home in Surrey, about 10 minutes away from the hospital).  She's shuttled back and forth between the two places every day.  She's amazing...and such a blessing to Albert and to Anna in these days. [...]

The radiation treatments are complete!  Albert is glad to have them over and quite wearied by the whole process.  Thank you for your prayers and all your kind, encouraging words and happy memories posted here.   It's the greatest gift you can give to Albert right now.  Thank you so very much. [...]

Here's the latest update...

Albert has had the first treatment of radiation therapy for the tumours on his brain.  He will have 4 more treatments next week.  As well, the surgeon has given him a date of March 28th for colon surgery.  They will remove the tumour in his colon. Albert is excited about getting on with treatment and pleased to have a date for the surgery.  [...]

Cards or letters can be mailed to:

Albert Josephson[...]