Follow Up June 19, 2008

Tom Here!

Super Summer was a great week for us.  Some much needed time of rest and reflection.  One of our female students wrote a paper about Amy and I that won us a free weekend to Branson this October.  Awesome!  The paper was “why my youth pastor is the best”.  Well the opening sentence was about me and then the balance of the paper was about Amy and how she has been an inspiration during her treatments.  This student went on to say something that I totally agree with.  “If she hadn’t lost her hair you wouldn’t have known she had cancer”  Amy’s attitude has been great during this entire time, God has really been good to us! Amy and I are a team when it comes to ministry.  She relates well to the girls and our home provides a model of what “family” should be. 

This past Monday Amy had a CT Scan and we met with Dr. Sjak-Shie yesterday to review everything.  All is well and Dr. Sjak-Shie is trilled with the results.  Our next step is a PET Scan next Thursday.  This scan will give a more detailed view of everything and confirm what the CT Scan showed, that the cancer is gone!

Special note to Amy’s high school class! Thanks so much for the program, shirt and gift.  All of you have been a special encouragement to her during this time.  Thanks!

 

 

The Best Step June 6, 2008

Tom here! 

This morning I was sitting on our porch about 6:30am and began to reflect on the past few months.  What a ride!  It has been almost 4 months since we entered into the world of cancer. 4 months doesn’t seem like a long time, but these 4 have been long and draining. 

As I mentioned I began to reflect this morning on the things that God has allowed me to learn these last 4 months.  I thought of Dr. James Casset, Amy’s surgeon.  While Amy was still in the hospital recovering from the surgery that removed the mass, I asked Dr. Casset what was the next step.  He couldn’t tell me because he didn’t know.  The test results were not in, but I wanted answers.  He assured me that the ball would not be dropped!

I was exposed that day to a principle from the Bible–wait on God.    Isaiah 40:31 is a verse of Scripture that helped me to recognize why we should wait or hope in God. 

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:31

For the longest time I looked at this verse and desired to soar on wings like eagles.  I even have a beautiful picture in my office with a eagle and this verse.  But over the past months I have needed my strength renewed time and time again.  Not to soar, but just to walk and not be faint. 

As I look back to that conversation with Dr. Casset, I am so grateful to him for the answer he gave.  He told me the truth, he didn’t know.  That answer was just one of many answers to questions that I posed to Doctors, friends and medical websites, but it was the answer that pushed me to chase after the One who knows the next step.  Dr. Casset, thank you for doing your job–you’re a great surgeon–and thanks for giving me the truth that afternoon.  God, thank you for providing and renewing our strength during this time of our lives.

Next week Amy and I have the opportunity to take 32 students to Super Summer at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO.  We are looking forward to spending time with each other, our students, adult leaders and God, do more reflecting and growing. 

Once again, thank you for all of the support and encouragement.  Amy and I are much stronger people because of this season of life!  Don’t get me wrong, we still have a long way to go, but we’re going!