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Blog Life My Story Update

Almost One Year Later

Posted on July 23, 2016

I can remember a time when I didn’t think this day was possible. Tomorrow marks one year since our lives were radically altered. That day is still so vivid in my memory banks! I find it somewhat difficult to articulate the range of emotions and feelings I experienced that day! If there was just one – I would say anger!

My anger was directed at myself and God! How could He allow something like this to happen? Doesn’t He know who I am? After some time, the anger I felt was now directed at myself. How could I allow this to happen? Why didn’t I act sooner? Why did I eat so horribly? On and on it goes.

If I was honest – I would say that the anger is still there – but not to the degree that it once was. Nobody wants to live with cancer. It is such an unwanted houseguest. It barged into our lives without any announcement and it moved right in. Everyday since the diagnosis I have been doing what I can to evict this horrible disease!

Throughout this year I (and my family) have experienced many highs and lows. We have felt the incredible love and support from so many! Our family and close friends have been amazing! Even complete strangers have embraced us! It has truly been a difficult, yet life changing experience!

There are not enough words to describe the support we have been shown. It has been overwhelming at times, but it is just what we have needed. We have also experienced heart ache through this experience. We have suffered loss, but sometimes in life ‘things’ need to die in order to usher in new life. We have learnt so much through this process which we hope to share with anyone who wants to listen.

This journey is far from over, and I am ok with that. Obviously I have my days and I wish things were different, but I know there is a bigger picture to view. We take each day that we have and try to make the most of it! No matter what – our hope lies in Him!



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I Lost My Wedding Ring In The Garbage Dump

Posted on July 22, 2016

Yup, you read the title correctly. I lost my wedding ring at the Point Roberts garbage dump yesterday! Obviously, not one of my best moments in life – but hey, we all have our moments from time to time.

After loading up the Flex yesterday with a bunch of stuff from the cabin, I headed out to the local dump to dispose of everything. It wasn’t a busy day at the dump. Usually, the line up to get into the dump is enormous! I received my instructions from the guy who was working the scales and headed to the bins where I was to dispose of all our garbage.

I backed up the Flex and started to unload. Now, before I continue any further, you need to know that because of my recent health issues, I have lost some weight – even in my fingers. I have know for some time that my wedding ring doesn’t fit the best, but hey, it’s my wedding ring, and I wear it faithfully! It is a daily reminder of the vows I made to my wife over 11 years ago. My ring is important to me!

Back to the story…

As I was unloading all the garbage from the Flex, I needed to throw it all in a large bin below me. Everything was going according to plan, when all of a sudden I threw two bags at the same time into the bin, and my ring cam flying off into the bin! Crap! Where did it go? Now you need to understand that the bin was pretty much completely filled to the brim with small, disgusting garbage. What was I going to do?

I approached the guy who was working near the bins and told him about my dilemma. It wasn’t to keen on allowing me to enter the bins to search for my ring. He cited safety reasons. I told him it was my wedding ring and I really wanted a chance to look for it. He was reluctant at first to allow me to get into the bin, but after some convincing he let dumpster dive! This was nothing new to me. Not that I am proud of it, but I have entered many garbage bins in my time.

I jumped right into the bin without any hesitation. I was a man on a mission! After about 10 minutes of searching the area where I thought it was – there was a small part of me that wanted to quit. How was I going to find a needle in a haystack? I can’t quit! This is my wedding ring. I said a quick prayer in my head and continued to search. At that time, a couple of guys showed up and started throwing things out in the same bin I was crawling around in. They looked at me and stated the obvious – did you lose something? I said, “yes, my wedding ring.” The one guy looked at me said, “I hope you find it.” My response was “so do I.”

Not two minutes later I looked down at my feet and staring right at me as it clung to a black garbage bag was my wedding ring! Can you believe it! It was a miracle! I was in shock! Honestly, how do you find a wedding ring in the midst of all the garbage that filled that bin. ONLY GOD!

I climbed out of the bin and headed back to the top of the hill where the Flex was and the three guys who were there also. The one guy responded when I yelled out – “I found it” by saying praise the Lord. I looked at him and said – “you’re right, Praise the Lord.” I continued to tell him I was a Pastor and that I had just prayed a quick prayer in my head. He responded by saying – “hey, I am a Christian too.” The two other guys who were there then responded by informing us that they too were Pastors from East Vancouver. What a crazy experience! We all just stood there and marvelled at what just had transpired.

This was another reminder to me about how much God really cares about His kids! He really does. He cares about every detail of our lives – whether you believe that or not.

I said my goodbyes and hoped back into the Flex and headed back to the cabin. The entire ride home I kept looking at my ring! Even as I write this post, I am in awe of what transpired at the dump in Point Roberts.

Anyways, thanks for reading this! I hope you have a great day! Remember, God cares about you!

Sean




Blog Life My Story

My Adoption Struggles

Posted on May 9, 2016

I remember the very day my parents told me I was adopted. It is a day I will never forget. At the time, I was approximately 5 years old and when they had sat me down on that green, flower patterned couch in the living room. I remember it was bright in the room and was somewhat bothered by the fact I had to set down my GI Joe and listen to something mom and dad wanted to talk about.

The first few words from my father’s mouth I remember especially – “Sean, do you know what it means to be adopted?” Of course at the age of 5 I did not have a clue what they were talking about. All I knew was that GI Joe was waiting for me in my room. Couldn’t this wait? I continued to sit there and listen to my parents tell me how I was their God-chosen son and they loved me a great deal. Did I believe them? I think so. I wanted to. But could I?

You see, although I believe my parents loved me like their very own. They showed my love not just through words, but actions as well. The problem wasn’t them. It was me. As I look back on my life, I know I hadn’t fully given them my heart. A son gives his heart. I hadn’t because I didn’t know how to. I am so thankful for the incredible grace God has shown to me throughout my life, and the incredible family He has place me in. Scripture tells us, God places the lonely in families (Psalm 68:6).

I commend anyone who has it in their hearts to adopt. I think it is such an incredible act of love! For years I struggled with the reality of being adopted. I struggled with my feelings towards my biological mother, rejection, a lack of identity. Then one day, God revealed to me that I was loved! I had read John 3:16 thousands of times, but it came alive to me one day and I have never been the same since. God showed me that my biological mother loved me deeply, that she knew she couldn’t give me the life she wanted for me so she gave! WOW! It took me many years to come to that revelation, but I am glad I did.

For those who may come across this post, I hope that my story can be a help to you and to your journey whether you are the parent who has adopted or the one who has been adopted. To the parents – thank you for the gift you give. To those who have been adopted – you are loved! I would love to hear from you.




Blog Family Life My Story Update

Thank You

Posted on April 30, 2016

Sometimes these two words just don’t seem to be enough when trying to convey your heart on a specific matter.

Often, our words are inadequate to describe how we feel about a particular person or thing.

Over the past 9 months, our family has been loved, supported, and cared for by so many people. Our families, friends, acquaintances, our kid’s school, church family, and even complete strangers have gone out of there way to help us during this time. It has been overwhelming and quite humbling to experience such generosity!

From the new back to school clothes in September, to the numerous gift cards we have received – they are all greatly appreciated! All the cards, phone calls, and text messages we have received have helped profoundly with remaining positive during this time.

You just never know when your words may bring healing into someone’s life.

It is stressful enough having to deal with cancer, let alone everything else that happens on a daily basis. Paying bills, finances, working, getting the kids to and from school, appointments, enemas, treatments, watching our kids, and everything else that happens can be somewhat taxing. It is obvious to me that wouldn’t be able to do what we are doing even if we didn’t have the support from so many people!

So, THANK YOU!

Love,

the Sabourin’s




Blog Journey Life Update

9 Months

Posted on April 24, 2016

It seems like we have been doing a lot of celebrating around the Sabourin household as of late.

My birthday in January.

Nola’s birthday in February.

Memphis’s birthday in March.

Our Anniversary just yesterday.

And now…

Well, today it has been 9 months since the diagnosis.

That’s a big deal to our little family!

We are so thankful for everyday. We are grateful for all the love, and support we have been shown since day 1 – it has been overwhelming at times. We honestly believe God is answering your prayers, and ours. Stop please keep praying!

The Bible tells us to: “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)

I love that!

We need to make each day count!

Live life to the fullest – whatever that looks like for you.

I have been learning about how to make each day count through this journey. To be honest, I never really paid attention before.

So…

I have been alive 14,655 days today – how old are you? Let’s start making each day count!