Music in my head today, “And I hear the voice of many angels sing, ‘Worthy is the Lamb’, I hear the cry of every longing heart, “Worthy is the Lamb’”
I join them in singing…
I’ve met a lot of cancer survivors over the past two days – I am counting myself among them!!!
It has been sweet to experience the Body of Christ in action, living as God intended, loving as God commanded:
Thursday a very dear friend called out of the blue. She had no idea what was going on in my life. She was calling to tell me that her breast cancer was back…we talked, cried, and laughed together. She has been down this road before. It was so good to hear from someone who understands what I am feeling and experiencing…
Later our good friend, Derek came to the house and hung out for a while – Derek is the kind of guy you can make cancer jokes with and he doesn’t freak out. Thank you, Derek, for letting me laugh with you. I needed to laugh.
Then my sweet friend Donald came by the house to finalize plans for the weekend services. What an incredible gift to have someone on my side who has walked this path before, who understands how Mark is feeling, and who is fiercely protective of us.
“He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.” 2 Corinthians 1:4
I love all three of you. I feel like I am in a safe place. I know you have our backs. Thank you for living your faith for the world to see.
Shout out to Sydney, Chandler, and Bryce!!! Thanks for being there with me this weekend! I love you!
Hey Sweet Laura,
ReplyDeleteI saw the link Teri posted on FB for your blog. I had NO IDEA you, or your family, were walking this road! I am so sorry. I cannot even begin to imagine how you all must be feeling. But one thing is sure: I already see the glory of God shining through.
Please know I WILL be praying for you and your family.
Utmost Affection,
Tammie Head
P.S. I've thought about the word you shared that night so many times. It really was a word in due season for me.
Dear Laura and Mark...I have not been able to get you off my mind all day today. I feel sad, scare and amazed at you beautiful faith in God. I am so blessed to be a part of your extended family at COF. Please know that I feel such love, respect and admiration for you. I will be praying for wonderful news for you this week. May God bless you and keep you.
ReplyDeleteVickie Dismuke
Laura,
ReplyDeleteI really admire the faith that you have. Your story has served as a reminder of what I'm supposed to live like.
Thanks,
Anthony Johnson
Hi Laura I'm Jana Rivera yestarday (may 31st) has been our third time visiting COF and we heard about what God has been doing with your life in the last few days...count on ours prayers for your health. We'll be there for you in prayers :)
ReplyDelete"FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD RANGE THROUGHOUT THE EARTH TO STRENGTHEN THOSE WHOSE HEARTS ARE FULLY COMMITED TO HIM" 2chronicles 16:9
LAURA GOD IS FOR YOU, IN YOU, WITH YOU!!!!
Be blessed,
Gabriel & Jana Rivera
Laura,
ReplyDeleteI know nothing anyone can say......anyway, I did want to say what an amazing blog. What amazing strength and faith! What grace & poise! But then, that is how you are. You certainly have many people walking this path with you. Please know we are all praying!
Debora Taylor
Laura,
ReplyDeleteWe have only met once when our daughter Heather Kargel introduced us after a Saturday service. To help jog your memory we have mutuals friends in Lynn and Sandra Sasser.
Anyhow Heather called yesterday with you news. I am so sorry to hear this. As we prayed for you this morning my wife reminded me that it was good to pray that our Lord hold you tight BUT I should also ask for you to be healed. So we pray that for your life complete healing in Jesus name.
We will also share with our church and Bible Study class and pray there also.
In Christ
Derald and Alicia Douglas
Laura, I have received so many e-mails from you throughout the months saying that you prayed for me or my family that day! I love those e-mails and they always came when I needed to know or feel a prayer. You and Mark are mighty warriors in God's army, and you bless us all. I have set my cell phone to beep and I will be praying for you every hour on the hour, it's a mighty yet small thing that I can do...just wanted you to know you are immersed, bathed, literally being drowned in prayer RIGHT NOW!! xoxo
ReplyDeleteNona Kelly
Laura,
ReplyDeleteYou've been such an inspiration to me for years now and when I heard the news over the weekend, my first thought is, she WILL beat this. God is with her. Cancer has no chance.
So, I'm praying in earnest and with conviction for healing, for wisdom for the doctors, for strength for you and Mark and your family, for complete belief in God's constant protection. I pray that this will be but a blip on the radar of your life and that your experience will profoundly help others get through similar times. Scripture tells us God is with us always. Believe and know that you will be healed in the power of Jesus.
Like you, I wake up every day with a praise song in my heart. Today was "Love is here" by Tenth Avenue North.
Love is here, love is now,
Love is pouring from his hands, from his brows.
Love is here, it satisfies,
Streams of mercy flowing from his side,
'Cause love is here.
Love you, Laura. You will be in constant prayers.
Charlotte Stilwell
Mark & Laura,
ReplyDeleteI went to church yesterday, totally exhausted and worn out, expecting to re-vitalized as I am each and every Sunday. I heard the news and I was shocked and suddenly my problems seemed so small. I am constantly praying and both of you and all of your family. The courage it took for both of you to share this with us is amazing. All day, I was sad but I also knew that God is holding you and His hand and He has a plan for you, and He also has a plan for all of us.
Thank you for sharing!! You will stay in my prayers until we get the news that you are cured!!
God Bless
Cindy Baughman
Laura,
ReplyDeleteYou don't know me, but I'm an administrative assistant at a "church up the road". I teared up when I read your blog, following a prayer request I rec'd from a friend of mine. I all-too-well know what it's like to have cancer invade one's life. It's never convenient and this is something that's "supposed" to happen to someone else. The mountain is steep to climb, and often seems unending, but the view from the other side is breathtaking when you see His hand at work like no other hand. Don't ever forget He got here way before you did, and as foreign as everything may seem, He's still in control of all that right now is so out-of-control. So, girl put your highest high heels on that you've got, and dig in as far as you can! He will work as only He can do, and each stop on this unplanned journey will be with purpose and with opportunity. As Christians, that's in our blood, pardon the pun! Why I'm writing, I, too had my life interrupted when at 40, on the top of our mountain, new job, new city, new house, and a miracle baby on the way, when cancer chose to invade our lives & suddenly and without warning my husband was diagnosed with leukemia. It rocked our world. But God still commandeered the ship. Unfortunately, it doesn't minimize the emotions, the madness, the uncertainty, the total upside-down-ness of our lives, schedules, our whole world, but it does give meaning to why and who we trust & believe in.
Soo-o-o- many angels were sent our way, and the rock He set for me to stand on was unfathomable. Yours will be too. If I can help in any way, pray with you, encourage you, encourage Mark-being the spouse of the patient, it's a totally different role that we've never studied, researched or planned for, we are simply not prepared. My heart goes out to you both having been onthe same cancer journey, and thus, my reason for writing, even as a stranger. I'll be following your blog and I'll be praying, along with so many others. I'm so sorry to hear of your news, but excitedly looking forward to seeing how God will bring something good out of something so bad. He always does.
In His love and Amazing Grace, Barb Hooton. barb.hooton@fairfieldbaptist.com
Laura,
ReplyDeleteYesterday was a sad day. But it was also a good day. You shared with us all the news that has changed your life, and I am so glad that you did. But your story also reminded me of a very difficult time in my life. I have been through cancer. My mom had Non Hodgkins Lymphoma in 1998.I was with her everyday, taking care of her and struggling with her. Even though she did not survive, she left a legacy with me. She showed me her strength, her faith, her love, and her humor through it all. What wonderful memories I have of those times, and because it was what God had intended, I wouldn't trade those days. You are a strong woman and it is your strength and your faith in God that will carry Mark and your children through this. Thank you for sharing with us and for asking us all for prayers. In this you are bringing us all closer to God. I will be praying for you. With Love, Kim Raney
Laura,
ReplyDeleteI'm Donald's younger sister, Bethany. Gretchen emailed me the link to your blog. You have been so much on my mind and in my prayers these last two days. Your writings remind me so much of my mom's heart during her own journey. Continue to make jokes about cancer. In the face of laughter, fear loses its power. I wish I could express how much our family learned on our journey. I hate this disease, and still I know God used and continues to use the experience to teach me about Himself. Continuing to pray for you and your family. Bethany Roberts
Dear Laura and Mark,
ReplyDeleteI will be praying for you as you go through this journey and walk with God. I cannot say that I know exactly what Laura is experiencing but I have a pretty good idea how Mark is feeling. I went through this journey on with my best friend in the world for two years each and every day. Colleen had a very strong faith just like you Laura and I so admire it. God's grace will guide you on your journey. You and Mark were both so strong on Saturday night but all I could do was weep for you and want to take away all of the pain you must be feeing. I won't be the one to be with you each day but you will definitely have my heart and prayers each day. God's blessings to you and your family; and good luck at your doctor appointments today.
Marilyn Smith
Laura and Mark. I just keep saying over and over again to anyone that will listen that God keeps His promises 100% of the time. He is faithful even when we are not. And He will not fail you when you need Him. Ok, maybe I'm telling myself that more than you! I don't know. Just know that you've got a whole extended family out there that loves you and is praying for you all of the time. And then think about the gift that you've given all of us by allowing us to be a part of your miracle - and I have NO DOUBT that there WILL be a miracle. TJ and I love you guys so much and we are lifting your whole family up tonight and every day until we (and I mean ALL of us) beat this thing together - with God in control!
ReplyDeleteHE TRULY IS ON HIS THRONE!! (Love that from your FB Laura).
Love you much!
TJ & Kristy Deslatte
Hey Laura and Mark, just a note to say you are in my thoughts and prayers and I love you! Praying for great news for you today.
ReplyDeleteVickie Dismuke