Summer

What a busy Spring this has been! School and children’s activities kept our calendars full and our house without much progress after our move. But we did it all as a family and we enjoyed every game, meet, tournament, and function…

At the beginning of April, Jonathan had an MRI that showed stable images, no more tumor growths, and even some shrinkage in the original site. The plan was to continue one of the chemo medications every other week until the new scan on June 5th. We rejoiced greatly in this news and focused our attention on stimulating and strengthening Jonathan’s arm and leg through physical and occupational therapy. The chemo treatments have gone very well with little side effects. By Easter, Jonathan had regained a significant amount of strength and control. He was able to lift up his arm above his head, walk with more stability, and even carry a light load in his hand.

God has been very gracious. We are extremely grateful for every small improvement, and the health care that we have access to.

But, this week has been a rough. Over the past week, we began noticing some regression on Jonathan’s mobility. Today, his arm and leg felt very weak, so we decided to contact his doctor. The response came back fast. They put him back on steroids and they have bumped his June 5th MRI to May 31st. We are very thankful that we have this kind of care. We see this as God’s good provision. But it is hard not to be anxious about what could be causing this set back.  Please pray for us as we wait for the MRI on Wednesday. Pray that Jonathan’s mobility will improve and that we will be able to continue working on his therapies.

For who is God, but the Lord?
    And who is a rock, except our God?
the God who equipped me with strength
    and made my way blameless.

This week has not only be rough for us. These days have been especially difficult for one of our closest friends, Becca Davis and her family. The Davis family, the Souders family and ourselves, have been in a small group since 2009.  Together we have walked through the difficult journey of the Davises’ son’s brain tumor,  Jonathan’s brain tumor, and now the recent diagnosis of Becca breast cancer. Please, help us pray for our friends. Pray that Becca’s treatment will be very effective in eradicating completely this cancer. Pray for her family as they walk with her during this season, and pray for us as we seek to serve our friends with the same love they have served us.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.