It's Missy and this is a little long for me, but I hope you are encouraged by it. As I think about all of the things I want to say, all I can really say, is, "Don't worry, God is in control." I think that God continues to teach me each and every day just how much He truly loves us. Every day I wake up and am in awe about just how blessed I am to have my family all around. We even have our precious Max, who is very much a part of our family.
We have been given a book by some friends, (The Tummons family) entitled the Red Sea Rules. We are learning a lot from it. One thing it brought back to my memory was a lesson I learned a few years ago while teaching Annie about the Israelites. We had just learned that they had been set free by the Egyptians and were no longer slaves. They were facing the Red Sea and were doubting the decisions of Moses, then God parted the Red Sea and brought them to safety. Then they were in the desert and began to complain about not having enough food and even said they were better off when they were slaves. The point is that they forgot all of the ways in which God had provided for them in just a short while. When Annie and I studied this, I told her it is just like humans to forget all the ways God has taken care of us and begin to complain when we have to suffer for the least little bit. So we started to go over all of the ways He has lead us across our "Red Sea."
In 2005 He called us to a mission field and took care of every little detail needed in order for us to make that a seamless transition.
In 2008 Annie was badly burnt and He got us to the U.S. in less that 24 hours for treatment. He provided us a car, a house, clothes, food, friends to support us, you name it, He provided it. Then He healed her and used it all for HIS glory.
In 2015 we were in the U.S. on stateside and connected with amazing friends, and churches. What we didn't know at the time was that those friendships would prove to be extremely important to us as we walk this journey.
He allowed Greg to finish his seminary degree before this happened.
He allowed us to go back to Mexico and see our people and start a few works and be blessed by them.
He allowed us to find this tumor at just the right time, and get back to the U.S. for surgery before it caused any problems.
He allowed the surgery to go so perfectly that our Dr. removed as much of the tumor as possible without causing Greg any damage to his motor skills.
He allowed our van not to be sold so that as soon as we returned, we were able to drive it immediately.
He kept my parent's home from selling so that we would have a home to stay in while Greg is receiving treatment.
He allowed a missionary couple to reserve a missionary house in the Charlotte area, only to tell the church at the last moment they wouldn't need it b/c they took the voluntary retirement package our company offered them. That meant that a home was now available for us to stay in once Greg's radiation treatment is complete. This means my parent's can sell their home once we leave. I can't wait to see how quickly it sells. Please pray for that!
So, as you can see, He has helped us cross the "Red Sea" and taken care of our every need and far be it for us to complain while we wait and see just what He is going to do with and through our family. I think of the poor missionary who just lost her husband in the shooting in Burkina Faso. He was just having coffee and in an instant her husband was gone. I am thankful I have today. We get to fight for life. We get to enjoy each blessing and trial that the Lord brings our way. We are so very hopeful that God is choosing to use the chemo and radiation to destroy his cancer. We don't know and we won't know for 4 more weeks. But, I won't worry about that outcome, I will enjoy my every day with my husband and children and be thankful for the life that the Lord has given us. We are truly blessed, cancer and all.
One of the things Greg has said he has learned from this book is, when we are in a difficult situation one thing we usually ask is, "How can I get out of this mess?" However, what we should be asking is, "How can we glorify Christ in this situation?" We are going to do whatever we can to glorify Christ every day. Please continue to pray we can do this well. We love you all!
Our kids enjoying shakes at Steak ~n~ Shake.
Jerod and Alex have enjoyed being together over the past month. They even make going to Wal-Mart an adventure!
Our friend Doug brought us our dog and that has been a huge blessing to our family. We met him at Chick-fil-A for a quick meal before he heads back to Mexico.
Max has loved having Jerod home as much as we have!
This is our AMAZING oncologist! Dr. Sumrall is a wonderful christian doctor who is helping us in every way. We are blessed that God chose her to be our doctor.
We are also extremely blessed by our International medical consultant. Dr. Pate has helped us in ways that no one will ever truly understand. We are blessed by this woman!
We had to visit High Point recently, and that is where Greg and I met. It was 24 years ago that we met in this very spot. I am looking forward to spending the next 24 with him as well! He is my everything!
Jerod was blessed with a new, used car after his was totaled the day after Greg's surgery. God blessed us once again that he wasn't hurt and it wasn't his fault!
Jerod had to say good-bye today as he went back to LU. Please pray he has a great semester!
The last breakfast before going back to college.
Love them 2 pieces!
Hugging, bro style.
I hate good-byes! It sure has gotten quiet today! ;o(
Thanks for praying for us as we continue on God's journey! Missy and family
