Rest and Repeat

We didn’t intend to take a nearly three-week hiatus from an update, but with all the end-of-the-school-year activities and the calendar implosion that is the month of May, it definitely took a back burner. But rest assured—no news has been good news. :)

“My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

Rest has been the unspoken theme over here. Well, maybe not for the bustling house of boys or the calendar events that won't quit, but we have all been making space for Michael to be able to have the peace and quiet he needs right now. After he was home for a few days, he became very sick, watched his hair fall out, and had a fairly difficult couple of weeks. But he is now starting to regain his strength and is improving day by day. (I want to pause and share how incredibly moving it was that a couple of his good friends shaved their heads in solidarity with Michael. I love our tribe. 💜)

Recent updates have been encouraging, with tumor markers declining. While this is a hopeful sign, the priority right now is giving his body the time it needs to recover and stabilize after a challenging period.

Due to both positive results and being unable to travel, Michael decided to cancel his trip to Mexico. He shared that although he is very thankful for the care, support, and expertise he received there, he has no plans to return to Mexico for further treatment. Thankfully, the broad spectrum of therapies helped slow the progression of the cancer enough to allow him to pause, rest, and rebuild strength for now.

In the meantime, God keeps speaking, keeps moving, keeps encouraging, keeps showing up time and again. He's in every detail.

It's the Little Things

God loves to give good gifts to His children, does He not? Michael had shared with me a few times how much he wished he could just talk to someone who had a case like his (or worse) and had been cancer-free for a long time - no recurrence, no secondary cancers - truly healed. I don't believe it was an accident that I came across Rick Hill's incredible story. He was diagnosed with metastatic stage 3 testicular cancer at the Mayo Clinic and was given a few weeks to live. He is now celebrating nearly 51 years cancer-free! Even more encouraging, he called and spoke with Michael directly, offering to be a support whenever he needs it.

The Lord always knows the secret places of our hearts - every doubt, every fear, every heartache - and He knows what we need. And for Michael, that was an encouraging word from someone who has walked through hard things, seen the Lord work in mysterious ways, and who has lived a truly abundant life of healing as a result.

Thank you all for your continued prayers. True healing takes time, and we know there is still a long road ahead, but we are resting in His presence in the in-between. Prayer requests for this season:

• Michael's mental, emotional, and physical health

• Our kids and their hearts - it's been understandably hard on them

• Joy and gratitude in all things

Father in Heaven, how beautiful it is to know that we can come to You for rest - You are gentle and lowly of heart and take our burdens joyfully. We can sit beside still waters and be restored simply by being in Your presence and connected to You, the vine. Thank you that "in your presence is fullness of joy" and we can rejoice in all things.