Faith, Hope and Love Prayer Walk 2015

A man reaps what he sows....so let us not grow weary of doing good, for at the right time, we will reap a harvest! (Galatians 6:8-9)

Yesterday, 6 friends and I went on a walk.  We prayed, talked and shared as we walked.  There were no earthquakes.  There were no visible signs what we were doing was anything more than an ordinary walk.

But since this physical world is only part of the story - I trust what we did, by encircling the main campus of MD Anderson and Texas Children's (and by extension St. Luke's) - sent shockwaves into the spiritual world.  Results aren't my business - they are for God to handle.  Our part was to take steps in faith, in trust - that with every step, we tilled up the ground around these two major cancer treatment centers and planted seeds of healing, peace, comfort, goodness, love, joy and salvation. 

There were no anointing oils.

There was no massive shouts of praise or trumpets blown.

We only went up and back once.

But that was all it took.  We walked from the front door of the main MDA building, down Bates Street to Fannin and came back.  I don't know that it was actually a mile in total.

Yet, we stood against the gates of hell, against the spirits of sickness, infirmity, depression, side effects and death.  We walked to bring in the light - to add to where it is already shining.  We called to people to look at the gorgeous day from their windows, to see the sun shining, the clarity of the sky.  To know there is more to life, that there can be, even when you feel like a caged animal, trapped by your room, your IV pole, your very circumstances.

I know that feeling.  Sophia and I know it all too well.  But there is hope.  We still have our faith because we were surrounded....no, carried...by the love of God, mostly through the love and care of others.

Our theme verse was one I took from my Sophia's own fight with cancer - it was on the back of her Team Sophia shirt.  At the time, I liked it, as it felt right to think we were waiting to see her harvest of healing, but know I know, God (as always) had a much greater purpose in mind...for a harvest of healing....for MDA and TCH to become places of His healing, rather than just treatment!

This was just the first year and I'd like to do it again (always) around Valentine's Day.  As we drove away, I looked at the other parts of the MDA complex and thought...."I'm coming back for you."  Yes, this was our meager beginning and that's ok.  We had a list of people we called out by name, but they were surrogates for all those battling this disease.  We prayed for a cure and we prayed for comfort.  Both are in short supply but we trust cancer will not have the final say on this world.

We were thankful for all who have given to the cause because healing wouldn't be possible without the patrons to add their literal earthly wealth to it.  We are grateful for all those who have gone on to fight the battle in Heaven, having finished their earthly races.  They join the cloud of witnesses surrounding the throne of God - Our God - El Roi - Who sees all.  Nothing, not even a sparrow falling to the ground, is lost to His sight.

That gives me immense relief, knowing that our small band of prayer warriors were seen, heard and honored because we came in the name of Christ.  I do hope you will join us next year.  We will have awesome t-shirts, I already have the designed (see the pictures above).

Thank you to those who joined us praying at home (or wherever). Social media is a wonderful medium for prayer because to be connected, we just have to agree that what we want is what God wants. And He wants healing.

Here was the list of our "surrogates," who stood in for all those affected by cancer, everywhere.  Feel free to add a name in the comments and we will lift them up as they journey with the Lord.  He is never closer than when your heart and body are broken and He will lift your head to see His glory!

Mary Smith
William Lewis
Sophia Vogel (healed)
Brian Locher 
Bennett Nester
Audrey Fontanot (healed)
Bill Hoffman
Amy Teague
Anna Grace Dennis (healed)
Kieran Ellis
Melissa Ferrand (healed)
Shannon Perry's Mom
Brandy Nichols
Gunner Patterson (healed)
Rylee Beard (healed)
Matthew Lucas (healed)
Ali Smallwood (healed)
Devin Duncan (healed)
Diana Brown (healed)
Holden Underwood (healed)
Natalie Fraker (healed)
Izzy Slot (healed)
Linda Lummus (healed)
Zoe (healed)
Mike Dunlap (healed)
Kristian Barrett (healed)
Brennan Scurlock (healed)
Miles Rosser (healed)
Lucy Weber (healed)
Courtney Pette (healed)
Jimmy Coe
Hunter Calvey
Prissy Mikulanka
Steve Seeling
Tiger Coffman
Lynn Ashdown
Marion Jaynes
Jerry Smith
Thomas Laskowski
Kayla DeRoche
Maggie Cook
Ava Roten
Sherrie Higgins

More than a Case Number

I read a post by a friend of mine today.  We are not "best" friends, but her circumstances have drawn me to her.  I pray daily, sometimes hourly, for her and often text her to see how things are going.  I know she has lots of people praying and interceding, but the Lord has given me this assignment, to pray for her life.

I'm not just talking about healing, but full restoration; of her mind, body, soul and spirit.  There are so many indignities to the process of fighting cancer, so many ways you can be broken and it is easier to just give up and become the statistic everyone says you are.

For awhile now, I've been praying for a way to ease the burden of a cancer patient's journey.  I try to speak life and bring comfort, as well as support organizations that do that on a much larger scale.

But lately, my prayers have changed.  I want to be in the fight.  I want to DO something more.  I am healthy and I have knowledge and I've been asking the Lord to use that for His kingdom.

Maybe this is a first step.  I've written and posted an open letter to the oncology community.  The link to it (as a Google doc) is at the end of the post. 

Why the medical community?  Because beyond a patient's family and friends, the people they interact with where they are being treated are just about everyone they see.  Those interactions are CRITICAL to a person's health, just as a blood transfusion is when platelets are low.

Human life can be devalued when you constantly see it in a state of suffering.  It's desensitizing.  It is easy to turn emotions off and just stop caring.  For some, I understand, it is a coping mechanism.  But for the patient, this is their life.  Or it is the life of someone they love.

When that is treated insensitively, whether on purpose or accident, it's emotionally debilitating.

And y'all, if you know me, you know that I can not stand for that.

It takes awhile to wake up and realize it is happening.  It took me 4 months.  We were sincerely blessed with our oncologist.  She is GIFTED and WONDERFUL - the perfect combination.  Many of the physicians on her level are just like her.  I believe she has a vested interest in seeing Sophia grow up and she has always been extremely careful to choose her words and to help us understand.
Sophia was never a case number to her. 

But the sad fact is, Sophia was a case number to others.

So, I gotta say something.  I felt this way back then, in treatment, and I feel it just as strongly now. 

Use your position of influence wisely.  Choose your words carefully.  Think of the repercussions of your words and actions BEFORE you say them.  It doesn't matter if you are at Texas Children's, MD Anderson, St. Jude's or any other.  Help your team to remember you are treating the person, not the cancer.

And people, suffering people, should always be handled with care.

We have a Good and Merciful Judge who seeks to find the best solution - the life-giving solution - for every one.  I know He has a few more resources at His beck and call then we mere mortals do, (and we should access His power any time we need it!)  But we can at least try to remember these are people, not just numbers.

Not everyone is made up of steel and leather.  Some of us are soft and squishy on the inside and when things are said to us that may be routine to you, remember they are not to us.  And when you leave, we will cry our eyes out.
Then we will get mad.

Then, when it is all over, we will post things like this on our blogs: a call for change in the way cancer treatment is handled.  We want to find light where it is dark and we want you, medical community, help us be that light. 

An Open Letter to the Oncology Medical Community: A Call To Mercy 

Sophia's Story Continues - God is Good All the Time

He is faithful to do what He promises.

It's been a whirlwind morning.  Many of you have seen my updates on Facebook and know the incredible news:  Sophia's "spot" (or scar from where the tumor was) is getting smaller.

And she only has a 2-3 more MRIs to go before she is done with that too!

We have 15 months left before the part of her protocol which is basically just watching her grow.  She'll need blood drawn occasionally, just to track her development (from the inside).  But other than that, this really will be behind her (us).  Our faith in her total healing will be made real.

As I sat here and ate my lunch, I wavered about doing a post.  I scrolled through Facebook to see what is going on in other people's lives.  But I just keep coming back to this....this wonderful news.  I expected it. I wanted it. I prayed for it. I believed God is Someone who does what He promises.

And He did.

Nothing is more important than this.  Nothing is more meaningful than this: God is good ALL THE TIME.

I know there other things happening in the world.  I know there maybe things that are just as major happening to you right now.  You have needs that must be met.  You have struggles and trials and frustrations that need a place to go.  And my heart just keeps screaming out, "He is that place!  Christ is that place!"

Oh, friends.  Would you stop for a moment to just sit in stillness with this one thought in your uplifted, open hands: If you can make a miracle out of Sophia, Lord, you can also make a miracle out of me.

I don't know what will happen when you do that.  As often as I've tried to be, I'm not God, so I can't let you in on how, what or when He does what He does. But I can tell you: if you've been running; or doubting; or wounded; or angry; or desperate; or depressed; or even none of these things at all...God has what you need.

The Lord, Adonai, in the Person of Jesus Christ, IS what you need.

I understand Jesus is the hardest one to get.  

But being in a relationship with Him is what helps this life make sense.  And at the very least, He helps you make sense out of yourself.  He helps you endure your circumstances.  He helps heal you and put you back together because really, we are all some version of Humpty Dumpty.

I'm more than grateful to say Sophia is healthy and whole.  Words cannot express my gratitude.  In fact, I've often wondered what kind of offering I could make to God that would even remotely show my appreciation for His kindness (which is undeserved in so many ways.)

I guess this post is part of that offering.

The last few days, and especially today, have been a test of the freedom given to me Friday when I was released from caregiver back into mother (read about that here.)  It's what I needed and it is what she needed to get farther and farther away from what happened to her in the past; so she can get closer and closer to the beautiful future God is working out.

We still need prayer.  Her left eyebrow and eyelashes need to be fuller.  Any effect of the radiation or chemotherapy on the bone around her left eye, frontal lobe and endocrine system needs to be wiped away along with the little scar that keeps getting smaller.  Every side or long-term effect needs to go away.

But all in all, I know we've passed through the fire.  We've crossed the Jordan and will continue to take the Promised Land one battle a day; depending on our Gracious Warrior-Lord fighting for us.

I'll say it one last time (today).  Whatever your need, no matter how big or small, God is able.  He is creative.  He provides.  Trust in Him to deliver on His terms and in His own time.  Just look at Sophia's face (taken at a birthday party on this past Saturday).  Understand if He has done it for us, He will do it for you.

I don't know when.  Or How.  But He will do it.

Sophia's Story (Continued) - Into the Donut Hole

Sophia had her scans this morning.  We went in early and unlike the last time, we were prepared to do them without sedation.  Last time, she did it without being sedated, but it was an off-the-cuff decision.  It went fine, but we were ready, Freddy, this time.

Oh, boy were we ready.

I didn't write about the last time in detail, but the MRI machines at Texas Children's are called "donuts" because that's exactly what they look like.  It's a children's hospital so they are all decorated up with various characters.  You can even watch a movie, if you aren't getting a scan of your eye orbits, but Sophia's eyes need looking after so she just lays there, trying to be as still as humanly possible.

I think I did report, on her Facebook page, that the noises are very loud and a little scary.  I wasn't really aware of how loud until they gave me earplugs and a noise-canceling headset.  They did even more for Sophia since she would be in the middle of it all.

In the last round, I had the sensation I was on holy ground.  If I hadn't been hanging onto Sophia for dear life, I would have taken my shoes off.  We still struggled though, because we just didn't know what to expect of the whole process.  It all turned out well and they got the images they needed. This time, we went in with a plan.

We knew what needed to get done spiritually and in the natural and made adjustments for all.  There was a whole lot of binding and loosing that went on this week, in prayer, and as a result, neither of us were at all worried.  On Tuesday, we got a "chill pill" from our natural allergist, a little vial that when held in your right hand, helps you to relax.  Sophia got to stay up late last night, to ensure she would be tired this morning (she was!)  She also got breakfast beforehand, which is a nice break from the sedation practices.  Last time she was starving, but this time, her tummy was nice and full of McDonald's hotcakes.


I spoke with 2 dear friends on our way to the hospital (one in person, one via voicemail) and was really quite confident it would all go well. I had no reason to doubt how we were handling everything.   (When it comes to post-treatment scans, peace and confidence are quite rare.  I can take zero credit for my peace.  It all surpasses my understanding.  It was all from the Lord.)

The only snafu of the process was I forgot they had to put an I.V. for the contrast medicine.  I seem to forget that every time and promised Sophia no pokes.  But even with the unexpected, I think it finally sunk in that she is big and strong enough to handle pokes.  I think she finally understands it is much worse if she freaks out.

We went into the room, got her all bundled into the machine, and the scan began.  MRI scans last anywhere from 30-60 minutes, so it is a tall order for anyone to remain still the whole time, much less a 7 year old.  I did take my shoes off this time. I could feel the Lord was getting down to business, as we'd asked.

The second she got into the donut hole, she fell asleep!

She was out like a light - like she'd been sedated.  Reminded me of the "deep sleep" the Lord used on Adam and Abraham.  I was watching and praying and she never moved a muscle, just her chest as she inhaled and exhaled.  TOTAL MIRACLE!

As I was praying, I felt the overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit.  He impressed upon me how much He loved Sophia.  He told me I didn't have to pray anymore, in the Spirit or otherwise because the machine would do the praying for me.

The machines and all their various vibrations would say my prayers for me.  Kind of a techno-version of Romans 8:26, And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.

So, I stopped praying and just rested.  I sat with my forehead on the table, keeping an eye on Sophia - still just breathing.  Another verse came to me, from Psalm 130:6,

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.

That's when I got the other impression.  I'd kept my hand on her leg, to reassure her (and me) but it wasn't needed anymore.  I had to break the connection because my job, as her caregiver, is complete.  My job of carrying her is through; this is no longer 'OUR' journey.  This is a fork in the road.  This is now Sophia's journey.

I can go back to just being her Mommy.

It was a final surrender.  I am now only a watchman, waiting for the morning.  It's time for me to leave the stage and take my place in the audience.  My part in this drama of her cancer story is finished.

There will come a day, sooner than I think, when she will take up her true identity in Christ.  I won't have to carry it for her, she will know who she is.  No more doubt, no more uncertainity.  She will know in the core of her being that nothing, absolutely nothing will stand in the way of God's love for her and His plans for her life.

I still have a role to play in her life, sure.  It's just my role has changed.  Or maybe it's going back to to what it always should have been.  She doesn't need a caregiver because she is no longer a patient.  The prisoner to cancer doesn't need a warden to make sure all the details happen on the exact schedule. It's all done.

I don't know how that will play out in the natural.  I don't know what she is going to be when she grows up.  I don't know much, truly.  Nor do I have any more faith or strength or hope then anyone else.  I don't walk in any extra power or anointing.  I just walk with Christ.

The significance of all of this experience isn't me.  It isn't about my faith or what I can do (have done, will do.)

The significance is that Jesus is faithful.

He accomplishes the things He promises.  He promises to heal, redeem and make whole.  He is doing that and I'm just going to keep trusting Him to do what He's said He will.  That's all you have to do too.  It's just like I wrote yesterday:

What won't the God, who sent His Only Son, do for us?

After all of this, I dozed off for a bit.  There we were: both asleep with the machinery banging around us.  Incredible.  Knowing, not understanding, but knowing.  That is what faith is, friends.

Results of the scans on Tuesday.
 

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted and unfading, kept in heaven for you.  You are being protected by God's power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.  You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials so that the genuineness of your faith - more valuable than gold, which perishes through refined by fire - may result in praise, glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  You love Him, though you have not seen Him.  And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:3-9)

Comfort Kit (a.k.a. Chemo Kit) - 3 year Reboot

You ever have one of those idea that you think is a good one, but you don't exactly know how or where it is going to go?  Nearly three years ago - thanks to my dear friend and (fast) running partner, Christa Pryor, I had one.  I was complaining, as I often did/do to her, that there was just not enough material support for newly diagnosed patients at TCH.  I felt like I should have been given a list of easily attainable items that upon meeting with our oncologist, she would have handed me.  Then I wouldn't have felt so lost, out of control.

I know now I would have felt lost and out of control no matter what she'd told me.  But in my rant, I told her there were some essentials that really would have helped us  (ok, me) as we prepared for the long haul of treatment.  Even then, a trip to the Target would have soothed my soul in a season of constant chaos.

I can't believe just two months after Sophia was diagnosed, I published this post about "Chemo Kits."  I can tell by reading it I was desperate to contribute something.  Anything. Since then, I've consulted with groups wanting to put these kits - now called Comfort Kits - together.  I've put more than 15 together myself.  So, the list can be tweaked from the original. 

It's been a real blessing to pay forward the love we received during Sophia's treatment and incredible to see how different people will use this small idea to bless others.  The items in the kits seem so simple and you can generally get most of them at the Dollar Store (including the basket). When someone comes up along side to gift you with useful tools for your journey, it can make all the difference in the world.  I know that as the truth!

If I can help you in any way - putting one together for a loved one, or assist a group you are involved with in getting these ready for donation - please email me at amysvogel@hotmail.com.  I love to be involved as well as pray for people fighting cancer!

Basic Ingredients:
Medium size basket
Travel size Purell
Travel size Kleenex
Travel size hand wipes or baby wipes
Travel size brush
Travel size toothbrush & toothpaste
Moisturizer & Chapstick - hospitals are dry and some chemos can dry out your skin and lips.
Notebook & Folder - for writing down what doctors & nurses say, appointments, etc. and tracking all the paperwork you get
Box of Pens - cause you never have one when you need one
Activity books - such as crossword puzzles, Sudko, Word Finds, etc.  (I vary this based on age, for younger kids, I often include small stuffed animals and toys.)
Copy of Rober J. Morgan's The Red Sea Rules - a book I read while Sophia was in treatment.  It really speaks to the heart of someone in a crisis.
Pocket Size New Testament
Reusable Water Bottle
Pack of Gum, Mints, Lifesavers or Hard Candies - Your breath can turn sour from some chemos plus it helps stimulate salivation, thereby appetite.  Most cancer patients have weight loss issues so this can help "trick" the body into thinking about eating anyways. 
"Great Expectations" Note - A letter of encouragement and advice on the process (can be from me or you)

Other items to consider:
Ingredients for "Magic Mouthwash": (Best kept secret in oncology.)  Children's Liquid Allergy Medicine (has to be liquid) + Maalox.  Mix 2.5 ml or so of each together and swish in your mouth, as well as gargle if you can.  Do that several times a day.  It numbs mouth ulcers and helps heal them very quickly.  Much better than the saltwater oncology mouthwash they give you at first.  (Got this recipe the hard way: Thanksgiving Day 2010 Sophia couldn't eat/swallow because the ulcers were so bad.  This cocktail is what the on-call oncologist at TCH suggested.)
Straws and "Ensure" like drinks: Cancer patients can have a hard time swallowing, so if they can sip on something that will give them some calories but won't overload their system, so much the better.  And sometimes water gets old.
Granola/Protein Bars: Caregivers forget to take care of themselves, so having a stash of these will help both them and the patient in case food isn't readily available.
Parking Chips - Helps with one of the out-of-pocket expenses of patients and caregivers
Gift Cards - Target, Walmart, Pizza Hut, iTunes, Starbucks, McDonald's, etc.
Aquafor - Best for a patient getting radiation.  Helps coat and protect the skin from the burns.

Healing is Here

Then your light will burst forth like the morning, your new skin will quickly grow over your wound; your righteousness will precede you, and ADONAI's glory will follow you. - Isaiah 58:8, CJB

I was up wrestling last night.  Or rather, early this morning.  I was praying for a friend and then started thinking about this morning.  Sophia has her next round of scans today and then we meet with her oncologist tomorrow for the results.  I have not batted an eyelash for months when I consider the ramifications of these scans.  The Lord blessed me with an ease of spirit, mind and conscience about it all.  Probably because He knew I was too overwhelmed with a new baby to really give it much thought.

And I have continued to stand firm in my belief that she is healed.  But an old "friend" - fear of relapse - visited me in the wee hours.  It reminded me all of this new "normal" could be fleeting.  It could change in a heartbeat if that little spot that has been dead for so long somehow came alive again.  We could be right back to where we were nearly 3 years ago when she was first diagnosed. 

That fear lays open all of those emotional wounds I have.  It threatens to rip me to shreds if I think of her having to go through treatment again.  The thought of relapse makes me want to throw up, punch my hand through the wall and run screaming down the street, maybe in that order.  I praised the Lord that Ella Grace would never know her big sister as anything other than a cancer survivor, but this fear tries to tell me otherwise.

As I sat down to read Jesus Calling this morning, I confessed this fear and sinful disbelief.  After all we've been through - how can I now doubt?  Of course, God orchestrated the days of my devotional to remind me what was important - Him.  I find it truly poetic that this entry is for tomorrow - the day we get her results.  (Ok, I cheated and read ahead.)  The part when she quotes 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 hit me like a hammer.  The Lord's power is made perfect in Sophia's weakness.  It is that very spot that the spirit of fear used to stir up my unbelief which proves His power.  That little remnant of whatever, that scar we are going to take pictures of today is the continued evidence of His healing.

I'm not scared anymore.  I love and serve a God so much bigger than any circumstance.  He is so much bigger than cancer, so much bigger than my fear.  So, I don't have to fear today or tomorrow (or any day.)  My confidence is restored because I know He loves me and my daughter.  He told me so this morning, yet again.

Somebody out there needs to know that God still works this mightily in humanity.  Somebody needs some proof.  Sophia is that proof.  God's Word to me this morning is that proof.  He is real, He loves you and HE HEALS.  You want to know what it takes to get it?
  
The simple answer is to embrace Jesus, every day and you will find your healing.

Here is Sarah Young beautiful, divine words, written from God's point of view.  Your healing is in God's hands, just ask for it.

I AM A GOD WHO HEALS.  I heal broken bodies, broken minds, broken hearts, broken lives, and broken relationships.  My very Presence had immense healing powers.  You cannot live close to Me without experience some degree of healing.  However, it is also true that you have not because you ask not.  You receive the healing that flows naturally from My Presence, whether you seek it or not.  But there is more - much more - available to those who ask.

The first step in receiving healing is to live ever so close to Me.  The benefits of this practice are too numerous to list.  As you grow more and more intimate with Me, I reveal My will to you more directly.  When the time is right, I prompt you to ask for healing of some brokenness in you or in another person.  The healing may be instantaneous, or it may be a process.  That is up to Me.  Your part is to trust Me fully and to thank Me for the restoration that has begun. 

I rarely heal all the brokenness in a person's life.  Even My servant Paul was told, "My grace is sufficient for you," when he sought healing for the thorn in his flesh.  Nonetheless, much healing is available to those whose lives are intimately interwoven with Mine.  Ask, and you will receive.

 Further reading: James, 4:2, 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, Matthew 7:7

TPT4KC This Week

So, I went to a writer's conference this weekend.  I met with 3 publishers and the last one suggested turning these intro posts into a devotional for people with cancer and their families.  That is not a new idea, I think about how I can minister to people who read this every time I write one of these posts (which, I pray, will not be as infrequent as they have been this summer).  However, the idea of going back through and evaluating what I have written and trying to "tweak it" for professional review is more than a little daunting.  I don't go back and read my own posts - I don't want to be embarrassed by what I wrote, or I just plain don't want to relive my feelings.

However - it was clear from the conference that the Lord DOES want me to continue this ministry of prayer and encouragement.  Sophia went through cancer and came out the other side.  The God of all comfort comforted us, so it is our job to comfort others.  I know what it is like, sometimes it is even a more emotionally painful process to watch a loved one suffer.  But there is good in it.  If anything, there is the chance to experience the God of the Universe in a real, tangible way.  It is the greatest blessing to know that the Lord cares for His Children and in the midst of dark, dangerous times, He is so close.  Our promise is not that we won't have trouble, but that we will and that we will not be alone in it. 

C.S. Lewis wrote:

We're not doubting that God will do the best for us, we're wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.

"Jack", as his family called him, had experience with this suffering and pain.  His wife died of cancer.  He knows the pain that comes from being the victim of this messed up world.  And I don't think he doubted God was in the middle of it.  But what he says here echos what I feel every time I do these updates.  How painful will the good the Lord wants to bring about in our lives be?  How much more can my heart break when I hear of a child (or adult) fighting for their lives?  How much more complicated can treatment get when they not only have to deal with the effects of chemo, but what can happen when it destroys our immunity?  How much pain can one person endure?

Only the Lord knows the answers to these questions.  And only He has the power to reveal them to us, if He so chooses.  But again, He promises not only to be with us, but to bring us peace and joy in the midst of awful, terrible things.  We might not always feel those feelings, we might always fear for the life of the one we love.  We might get angry at God for allowing cancer to come into our lives.

He is the only God who can take it.  He is the only God who can save.  He is the only God who can heal.  He is the only God who cries with us.  He is the only God who brings promise out of hopeless situations. 

It is His job to handle the results, our job is to trust Him with it.  Our job is to hold onto any and all shreds of belief, whatever is happening around us.  Sometimes, that is the most difficult thing to do, when you want to give up, when you don't want to do this anymore, when you think you will break if you have to endure just one more minute of this.

Emotions may rule for a moment, but God rules for eternity.  When the wave of despair threatens to topple on us, we must reach for our lifeboats of faith.  We must trust in the Lord, and the tempest will pass.  The hurt will lessen and the suffering is just for a moment (in the span of eternity.)

So, people, families and prayer warriors - be encouraged.  You can hope when there is no hope because the Lord is hope.  We have Him, or rather He has us.  We can always come to know more about Him, if we just reach out a finger, He will take our whole hand.  Believe it, even when you don't feel like it.  Or as we used to say in my sales job, 

Fake it till you make it.

Some days it is the best you can do.  But eventually, you won't be faking it any longer.  You will see the good in the pain and the promise of light in the darkness.  Keep believing and keep praying friends because PRAYER WORKS!
 

Completed Treatment - Pray for them to stay cancer and illness free!
Sophia Vogel (5, soft tissue sarcoma behind left eye) – Doing great!  <"Team Sophia" on FB>

Anna Grace Dennis (7, ependymoma) – Next scans on Friday!  Pray for great results, no issues and no fear! <"Team Anna Grace" on FB>

Rylee Beard (5, Will's tumors in bladder/abdomen) – Doing great!

Matthew Lucas (5, Rhabdomyosarcoma) – Last scans were all stable! <"Team Matthew" on FB>

Gunnar Peterson (5, Wilm’s Tumor) Going great! <”Gunnar’s Team on FB”> 

Thomas Valerio (11, rhabdomyosarcoma) Wrapped up end of treatment scans and still all clear!  Pray the Lord will heal all his anxiety and emotions and his family has a great summer!

Izzy Slot (3, angiosarcoma) Doing well, pray for complete healing! <”izzyslot” on carepages.com and “Princess Izzy’s Court” on FB> 

Aiden Rideout (4, Non-hodgkins lymphoma) On his Make a Wish trip!  Pray for a safe and great time!  <”Prayers for Aiden” on FB>

Riley Speed (7, Ewing’s Sarcoma) – Pray for her PT to go well and she recovers completely! <”Riley’s Road to Recovery” on FB>

Gabbie Howe (12, ependymoma)  

Grant McTaggart (5, P+ ALL) On his Make a Wish trip!  Pray for a safe and great time! <http://www.prayforgrant.com/> 

Callie Cheer (3, AML) – Doing great!  <”Cure for Callie” on FB> 

Addison Marshall (18, ALL) Doing well, pray he has a great summer and senior year! <addiecake on Twitter> 

Paige Poe (16, Lymphoma) – Completed treatment and is cancer free!  Pray for her full recovery!  <http://www.carepages.com/carepages/paigepoe>

Zoe Austin (7, Brain Tumor) – In Remission, but struggling with effects from radiation – pray for complete healing of all parts of her brain!

Logan Sinclair (5, Anaplastic Medulloblastoma) – Praise The Lord, he walked on his own today!  Pray The Lord continues to bless his recovery! <”Pray for Logan Sinclair” on FB> 

Hunter (2, Ewing Sarcoma) – He is recovering and his next round of scans are in 2 weeks – pray for great results! <”Cure Baby Hunter” on FB> 

Nicky George (2, Ependymoma) – NED!  Praise The Lord for great scans!  www.nickybear.com

Courtney Pette (17, lymphoma) – Doing great!  <"Team Courtney" on FB>
Maddie Briscoe (8, neuroblastoma) – Doing great! <”Prayers for Maddie Briscoe” on FB> 

Patton Jones (4, Burkitt's Lymphoma) – http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/pattonjones

Natalie Fraker (5, astrocytoma) – Doing great! <” PRAYERSFORNKF” on carepages.com> 

Tristan Smit (3, ependymoma) – Doing great!

Mark Ochoa (2, Wilm's Tumor)

With The Lord (Please pray for their families)

Kory Krowell – Went to be with Jesus on November 18^th, 2011.

Ruel Bobet – Completely healed on Saturday, February 25^th, 2012.  Continue to pray for his family, they need strength only The Lord can provide! <”Sandy Bobet” (his Mom) on FB>

Wesley (1 month old, Rhabdomyoma) – Earned his angel wings Monday, March 26^th, 2012.  <”The Battle for Baby Wes” on FB>

Daniela Owens (9, Ewing Sarcoma) – Jesus called her home on Friday, March 23^rd, 2012.  <”Prayer for Daniela” of FB>

Brennan Scurlock (1, neuroblastoma) – Jesus brought him into His loving arms Wednesday, April 25, 2012.  <"Brennan Scurlock" on FB> 

Aiden McSpadden (3, AML) – Jesus brought him out of his pain and suffering on Friday, May 4^th, 2012. 

Preston Winslow (4, AML) Preston completed his fight on May 19, 2012.  He is helping Jesus do lots of fun things now!  Pray for his parents and sisters in their grief. www.prestonsleague.com

Ava Caggino (4, ATRT Brain Tumor) Flew home to Heaven after a long struggle with an infection on July 2, 2012.  Pray for her family to heal and feel the Lord’s presence all around them.  <"The Ava Caggino Fight Aganist Cancer Page" on FB> 

Fighting Illness and/or Inpatient 

Tynan Chapa (5, ALL) Fighting for his life!  Pray the Lord will step in and heal Him and at the very least, bring relief from his pain.  Pray for a miracle and for his strength to continue! <”Tynan’s Crusade” on FB>

Katie Wagner (15, Rhabdomyosarcoma) Inpatient as of today with a high fever.  Pray for the medical staff to quickly identify the right meds to use and for her to recover quickly! <”Wagner Family support” on FB>

In Treatment

Lucy Krull (6, Medulloblastoma) Praise God – she is home!  Her surgery went well and she is recovering.  Pray for her therapy to continue and praise God she is cancer free!  Her next set of scans is August 2^nd – pray for incredible results!  http://erikandkatekrull.blogspot.com/

Braden Murry (9, ALL) Home from surgery and doing well!  Pray for quick recovery and for him to complete his treatment with NO MORE ISSUES! http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bradenmurray/journal

Nate Dinoffira (2, Neuroblastoma) After a scary few weeks after a reaction and in ICU, he is home and fully recovering!  Praise the Lordyou’re your healing and please continue to strengthen this little boy!  <http://supernatedinoffria.blogspot.com/>

Kaylee Atkins (6, ALL) – She is not feeling great, but no chemo this week!  Pray for her body to recover in this down week and praise the Lord for all the support the family has received after deciding to shave her head this weekend!  She looks so beautiful!  <”Praying for Kaylee” on FB>

Wes Pak (5, Neuroblastoma) – Is at home and doing well – even swallowing 2 very large pills!  Pray the school board will be inspired to help him with his schooling and not write him off because he has cancer! <”Wes’ Fight against Neuroblastoma” on FB>

Lexie Synder (5, ALL) Running a fever – pray they can treat it at home or let the Lord lead them to healing inpatient! <”Lexie vs. Leukemia” on FB>

Wyatt Foster (4, ALL) Pray for his recovery from his steroid pulse last week! <”Wyatt’s Prayer Warriors” on FB>

Makayla (4, DIPG) – Her last MRI showed her tumor to be getting smaller!  Praise the Lord!  <”Makayla’s Miracle Makers” on FB>

Hunter Dickens (Teenager, Burkitt’s Lymphoma) Finished his last chemo Friday and is home!  Praise the Lord and pray he stays cancer free!  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/hunterdickens

Layton (3, ALL) If she makes counts on July 31^st, she will enter her maintenance phase and only need treatment at home, then going to hospital once a month.  Pray for this result!  <”Prayers for Layton” on FB>

Raelynn (5, ALL) Pray she is recovered from chemo and at home, no illness! <”Prayers for our Sweet Baby Rae” on FB>

Victoria Feldman (6, Medulloblastoma) Doing well, starts back up on chemo next Monday – pray for her reaction to be minimal, if at all!  <”Victory4Victoria” on FB>

Cameron Lindsay (20, Rhabdomyosarcoma) – Pray he does well in his treatment! www.caringbridge.org/visit/cameronlindsay

Lincoln Daniel Jones (3, ALL) – Home after being in the hospital for 2 ½ weeks!  Pray he full recovers!  <"Pray for Lincoln Daniel Jones" and "Red Carpet Kids for a Cure" on FB> 

Lucy Weber (3, ALL) – Doing well, but losing her hair.  Pray her counts come up and her clinic visit goes well this week! <"Team Lucy" on FB> 

Liam Wilson (1, neuroblastoma) At home!  Pray for best medical decisions and protocol from this point forward <”Prayers for Liam Wilson” on FB>

Holden Underwood (2, ALL/MLL) – Doing great and all clear!!! <”Holden’s Hope” on FB>

Lance McClain (ALL) – Getting chemo today, pray for no issues!<”TeamLance McClain” on FB> 

Sander Linnet (5, Neuroblastoma relapse) – Pray the Lord will continue to be with him and his family will feel His loving arms carrying them through.

Devin Duncan (18, Leukemia) – Doing great and got into UT! < Www.devinduncan112.blogspot.com>

Charlie Harris Beard (2, Leukemia) 9 months post stem cell transplant and doing great! <”Help save Baby Charlie Harries Beard” on FB> 

Kristina Barrett (9, sarcoma in lungs and arm) – Doing great! <"Praying for Kristina" on FB> 

Shelby Adams (Langenhans Cell Histiocytosis) – Doing great!  Last chemo if everything continues to go well, is November 5^th, 2012!  Praise God! <”Prayers for Shelby Adams” on FB>

Barrett Blake (5, Rhabdomyosarcoma) http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/barrettblake

Zayley Oliver – <”Prayers for Zayley Jade Oliver” on FB> 

Taylor Porter (15, AML) <”Team Taylor – Taylor Porter” on FB> 

Kaylea Stewart (ALL, 6) –<"Kure for Kaylea" on FB> 

Hudson Kadlecek (4, lymphoma) - <"Hope for Hudson" on FB> 

Logan Brant - Please pray for wisdom and healing!  <“Team Logan” on FB>

Kylie Overton (2, Brain Tumor) – <”Prayers for Baby Kylie Overton” on FB>

Carli Simmons (2, Brain Tumor)

Max Low (12, Leukemia) <”Mighty Max Low” on FB>