Well, considering our last post was quite a while ago I have some catching up to do. To get right to it, we found out that my thyroid cancer has returned. We realized this through a regular check up with my thyroid doctor (endocrinologist) in November. This news was difficult, mostly because it was not in "our" plans. Our plans included starting a family, becoming debt free and more. While we were busy planning we forgot that our plans may not be the same plans God has for us. The first week was tough, but through prayer by us and many others we have found peace and comfort in knowing God is sovereign. A friend shared with me a story of a pastor and his journey through a brain tumor. The pastor was interviewed and asked, knowing what you know now, what would you have told yourself before all of this happened. The pastor said he would have told himself, "He has prepared you." This is exactly how I feel. Looking back over the past year to see how God has orchestrated life, from my job at the church, to our desire for scripture and mentors to the people put in our lives. We are so grateful. A few weeks before I was diagnosed, God put a verse on my heart, that I would read, memorize and pray many times throughout the day. "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 I know God used this verse to prepare me, to comfort me. God is so good and has already been so glorified through our situation. Our friends and family have come together to pray for us, encourage and provide for us. We are beyond grateful. There are no words to express how love and blessed we feel.
Today, we flew to MD Anderson in Houston for treatment...a blessing orchestrated by God through friends in Sunday School class. Tomorrow morning I will begin to go through a series of tests: blood work, cat scans of my chest and neck and a chest x-ray. After the tests we hope to have a plan for treatment. We are excited and ready!
We can't thank you all enough or think of enough that we can do to repay all of you that have loved, encouraged, provided and prayed for us. We will be praying for all of you.
For now we pray:
Heavenly Father, we praise your name and thank you for the opportunity to go to MD Anderson. We thank you for our church, its leaders, our small group, sunday school class, family and friends. We pray that you will use us through this journey and continue to bless us with peace and comfort knowing you are in control. We pray blessings over our friends and family. In your name we pray, Amen.
