MORE THAN A CANCER SURVIVOR, HOLLY IS A CHILD OF GOD
“God, don’t let this happen!” The wind instantly changed direction, beating a raging wildfire away from their house, towards a stack of bales after swallowing up a quarter section of land on the other side of their fence line. The fire department showed up to extinguish the inferno just before it consumed all the hay.
Besides this blaze that nearly wiped out their farm, cancer flared up seven times in six years throughout her body, forcing Holly Albersworth to undergo a bilateral mastectomy and the amputation of her left arm.
“To begin with, I did six months of aggressive chemo, twenty-five rounds of radiation, and by the end, there were chunks of skin falling off me. I remember my youngest son watching a Netflix documentary on Hiroshima, and he asked, ‘Is that what your radiation burns look like, Mom?’ And I answered, ‘That’s exactly what my radiation burns look like.’ But they kept coming back, telling me: ‘You’re in trouble! You have cancer again, and I’m really sorry because you have only six months to live… You are going to have a very painful, imminent death.’”
Ladies at her church (Airdrie Seventh-day Adventist Church) raised funds, and her parents paid the major portion of the bill, to send her to the Sanoviv Cancer Treatment Centre in Rosarita, Mexico after her fourth cancer diagnosis. There, Holly learned about green juicing, growing sprouts, and relaxation techniques. She received vitamin C IV’s and other natural remedies. Her Mexican oncologist spoke calm but assertive words: “You have to stop running from the monster and focus on what you can do, Holly. Use your energy on being well rather than on being afraid.”
Another oncologist asked, “How long do you want to live?”
“Eighty-eight sounds like a good age.”
“Good. Make that your goal.”
”That was a turning point in my head. You know what? I don’t have to believe what these doctors are telling me.”
After her sixth diagnosis, she had a dream where an angel told her: “You’ll have cancer one more time, and then you’ll be okay.”
Holly sat up in bed with tears streaming down her cheeks, ordering the angel: “Get back here! I don’t want to have one more time!”
Holly grabbed onto God, and like Jacob wrestling with the angel, she refused to let go. “I wanted to see my boys grow up!”
Just like the angel said, cancer struck Holly one more time, and that was it. She’s been cancer-free since 2017.
“One young oncologist recently reviewed my case, his eyes widened, and he blurted out: ‘You shouldn’t be alive!’ I told Him God makes those decisions. ‘No! You shouldn’t be alive!’ he insisted. I chuckled because I know God has a plan for my life, but this isn’t about me. This is about God and how much He loves us. That’s why I’m here today, so I can tell people how much God loves us and how He takes care of us: how real He is and how active He is, how He’s here with us—when we need Him and when we think we don’t need Him—He’s here! And when we ask, He can change the wind. I’ve seen Him do it.”
If you wish to see Holly Albersworth telling her remarkable story, please, watch It Is Written Canada this month on CTV, 3ABN, Hope Channel, Miracle Channel, Yes-TV, or any of the dozens of stations our programs are featured. Afterwards, go to itiswrittencanada.ca or It Is Written Canada’s YouTube videos and click on the program entitled: “More Than a Cancer Survivor, Holly is a Child of God!”
Every day at It Is Written Canada we reach into the homes of Canadians, and people throughout the world, through internet and television transmissions with the life-giving messages from God’s Holy Word. We are so grateful, and we thank you for your ongoing encouragement, prayers, and financial support of this life-changing ministry. Through keeping It Is Written Canada on the air, countless Canadians have the opportunity of experiencing the abundant life that is found in Jesus Christ.
Especially at this time when people are so anxious, afraid, and uncertain about the future, they need hope to know that Jesus came to save the lost and the lonely who are locked behind closed doors—dark doors of discouragement. Thank you for partnering with us in spreading the wonderful and encouraging words of life.
So, we wish to encourage you with these final words: “When you open your eyes in the morning, thank God that He has kept you through the night. Thank Him for His peace in your heart. Morning, noon and night let gratitude as a sweet perfume ascend to heaven…The angels of God, thousands upon thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand, are commissioned to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation. They guard us against evil and press back the powers of darkness that are seeking our destruction. Have we not reason to be thankful every moment, thankful even when there are apparent difficulties in our pathway?” (The Ministry of Healing, pg. 254).
~ Mike Lemon
Upcoming Episodes
October 2 & 9: Faith of Our Fathers – Parts 1 & 2
Murray and Elaine Sankey’s story compels one to pause and ask the question: When did my story begin? How did I get to where I am? And what are the influences that led me to where I am and who I am today?
October 16: More Than a Cancer Survivor, Holly is a Child of God!
At the end of March 2011, Holly Albersworth was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer. She thought she had beat it, but a second diagnosis came in 2013. From 2014 to February 2017 Holly was diagnosed with cancer five more times. For her seventh, and final diagnosis, she had her left arm amputated. At this stage no one would fault you for asking, “How in the world is she still standing?” But, today Holly is much more than a cancer survivor. She is a child of God, a loving wife, an adored mother of two sons, a diligent student who is completing her Master’s Degree in Educational Research, and is living an active lifestyle as an amputee.
October 23 & 30: From Disconnected to Vitally Connected – Parts 1 & 2
Amber’s life was a mess. She came from a broken home, suffered sexual and physical abuse, became an opioid and meth addict, tried committing suicide four times, and ended up living on the streets. And yet, through it all, Amber somehow knew that God was taking care of her.
A life transformed: from living on the streets under a tree to renting a beautiful home. From “dumpster diving” and hunger pains to grocery shopping and preparing meals. From homeless shelters to mission stations. From waiting to get to wanting to give. This is the transformation that Amber experienced with God’s love, grace and mercy.
Ministry in Action
We want to invite you to join Mike and René every Friday evening at 7:30 P.M. Eastern Time on Facebook Live and YouTube Live to connect and welcome in the Sabbath together.
Also, if you haven’t had a chance, please check out our other programs on: our webpage, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and our new podcasts.
From our Viewers
“It Is Written Canada has always been good, but now it has become a must see. Thanks for your hard work. I especially love it when you incorporate the Fountainview singers into your program. They are so special.” – Lona
“Keep preaching the word. Blessings and success in all your endeavors to glorify God’s name.” – John
Prayer in Action
We are so excited to launch into our third season with It Is Written Canada. Please, pray that many lives will be touched as we share stories of hope, healing, overcoming addictions, and forgiveness.
We would also like to pray for you, so please send us your personal prayer requests, and we will add you to our prayer list here at It Is Written Canada.
THIS MONTH’S FREE OFFER – No Fear of Failure, by John C. Brunt
Can we ever free ourselves from guilt and failure and our alienation from God and others? The Bible teaches that we can. It declares that God has taken the initiative to reach out to accept us and rescue us through His grace. But often this grace is misunderstood because it sounds too simple to be true. The Bible also talks a lot about the law, and it’s not always easy to put the two together. Do they oppose each other, or do they play on the same team? This booklet will help you to find the answers.
Health Nugget
Staying active starts at home. A study of more than 6,000 people who had been successful at keeping their weight off revealed that the most definite and sustainable changes start in the home. This study revealed that 78 percent of the participants ate breakfast every day, and two-thirds of people in this study watched less than 10 hours of television per week (Eat, Move, Sleep pg. 96). Habits revolve around what goes on at home; if you want to establish a new routine that benefits your health, start with what goes on where you live. The following activities can help you to add activity around your home or neighbourhood: walking, running, biking, or workout videos. In and around your home is the best place to build a solid foundation for an active, healthy lifestyle.
PANCAKES
Ingredients:
● 1 cup oats (rolled)
● 1 cup plant-based milk
● 1 banana (med-large)
● 1/2 tsp baking powder
● 1 Tbsp ground flax/ground chia seed
Instructions:
● Place all ingredients in a blender.
● Blend till smooth.
● Preheat non-stick pan on medium heat.
● Spread a little oil on pan.
● Spoon out batter onto pan and cook on one side till it has a bunch of bubbles and dries out. Flip over and brown.
● Serve with toppings of choice.