July 9, 2006
It is Sunday night and we just got home from the Cleveland Clinic, where Jeff is staying. We had been trying to set up a time to celebrate Jeff's son, Nathan's, birthday since the end of June and couldn't seem to get everyone together at once. So tonight, we took decorations: streamers, balloons, pictures of the beach, a birthday cake and presents and had Nathan's party in Jeff's room. It was so good to be together as a family, all 13 of us. even though Jeff's condition is very serious, he is in good spirits. He is not in any pain at all, and is not getting any pain medication, or any medication at all. God is taking great care of him.
This afternoon, we were able to transfer entries that Jeff had written on his computer months ago onto this website. I spent some time reading through them, as I hope you all will eventually get to do. Jeff has had great faith in God through all of this from the beginning. He, too, felt the need to pray for a total healing from God. I have prayed from the start of all of this for a miracle. I wanted God to get the glory, not the doctors or the medicine. I know Jeff has always felt the same way too. Jeff and I both have incredible testimonies of what God has done in our lives, and what prayers he has answered. But I truly believe that if we are to get a miracle, now is the time. Now is the time that it is out of the doctors hands and the medicine's capabilities. Now is the time to step out in faith. It is so easy to have faith when we aren't relying on it go get us through. I read through one of Jeff's entries about when Jesus raised Lazarus back from the dead. Have you ever stopped to really grasp that? We serve that same God today. The Creator of the heavens and the earth cares about what is going on in that hospital room in Cleveland, Ohio.
I don't feel God is telling me to pray for anything but total healing. In fact, I have been encouraged to pray that way. Jeff has not given up. He is relying on God's strength to get him through. I am so thankful for his relationship with Jesus. The faith that he has had going through his experiences made my own battle with cancer that much easier. I believe that God may have let me go through what I did to prepare my heart for this battle we are facing now. Now it is my turn to put on the full armor of God and fight for Jeff.
The news from the doctors can be discouraging, but I am am so thankful I don't serve the doctors. I serve a risen God, and that is where my faith remains.
Your emails have been very encouraging. I print every one off and make sure that Jeff and my parents get to hear them when they are not home.
Psalm 118: 17 "I will not die but live, and I will proclaim what the Lord has done."