Continuing To Be Inspired. 7/25/2014

"Pray until your situation changes. Miracles happen every day, so never stop believing. God can change things very quickly in your life."

Last night I found myself feeling a bit sorry for myself- feeling sorry for my family, our situation and Dad's diagnosis. So what did I do- I figured I could sit and continue to feel sorry for us, or pray. So I did- I prayed, a lot. I asked God to continue to help me find the good in our situation, to continue to let me believe that this path was so perfectly created for us, and to help me see how powerful prayer really is. And in almost an instant, I stopped feeling sorry for myself- how amazing is it when God puts people and things in your life *exactly* when you need it. 

I follow a lot of different blogs, some about fashion, others about food, and some facing journeys very similar to ours. Last night a mother of a young girl fighting brain cancer posted on her blog, and suddenly my pain, my suffering, my feeling sorry for myself, seemed to quickly disappear. I was once again reminded how blessed we are, and I was once again reminded that there are others fighting even more difficult battles than we could ever imagine, and I was once again reminded how truly inspiring others have become for me during our fight. I read, again with tears down my face, of a mother battling fear, hope, and faith- she writes: "So what does this all mean? It means that the tumor has progressed quicker than anyone anticipated. This lighter chemo dose will be taken daily and we hope that it will slow down the progression of the tumor. It means, if you look at this with a worldview, our life can suddenly feel very hopeless and crushing. But thankfully, that is not how we view this. God is sovereign. God is able. God can heal Amanda. God can do anything he wants that brings glory to His name...Our pain is real. Our God is real. Just as we have walked the last seventeen months glorifying God, we will strive every day that comes to do the same." (http://teamwatson2013.blogspot.com/) 

Wow. I was speechless and in awe of her faith. The moments I felt sorry for myself and my family were quickly overcome by my compassion for this family. If we threw all of our problems onto a pile, I think we would all quickly grab our own problems back. 

Dad wasn't feeling too well this weekend- and since it's post-chemo week, I'm assuming that is what it all was from- but I'm happy to report he is feeling good again and slowly getting his energy back after a difficult few days. I've been out of town for work, and I just hate when I can't be there to help Mom and Dad with things when one of them isn't feeling too well. We continue our fight, we continue to find grace and beauty in each and every day, and we continue to remain blessed to be on this path. Dad has another round of Avastin treatment on Tuesday, and we continue to pray the treatment is helping to prevent any additional tumor growth. 

Cancer sucks. And I know I've said that once, twice, probably 100 times since October 2013. It's amazing how it changes your life, your way of thinking and your ability to truly love someone. Some days I would give anything to take it all away from Dad, take away his stress, worry, pain and fear- but I have to remind myself that my life is truly perfect, that it was so perfectly created for me. 

Continue your prayers and thoughts, as we continue to BTHO Brain Cancer!