Dearest Friends and Family,

          Once again, we have been blessed by a clear MRI !  You know this is a big deal when everyone seeing you is in a hugging, celebratory mood!  Dr. Puduvalli said we are now “outside the books” and we are thanking our mighty God for this privilege.  (Not to leave out the amazing medical care we have received at MDA).  Miracle or medicine it is all orchestrated by Him.  We are humbled by this wonderful news and recommit ourselves to use this cancer for good.  Greg will remain on chemo every other week, and we’ll return for another MRI in November!

          As I sat in the MRI room last night with my open Bible, I wondered where to turn. I found myself in the concordance (!), looking up the word ‘trust’.  There are well over a hundred scriptures referenced there and I began reading each one.  As the minutes (and noise) wore on, I realized, once again, what an amazing transformation had taken place in our lives.  Early on, after the diagnosis, surgery, etc., I began writing Bible verses to cling to and taping them to our bathroom mirror. (They are still there!) Reading over them throughout the days always brought me back to God, back to the peace I knew He desired for us. Last night, when we got home from the MRI and were getting ready for bed, one verse, dated 3 weeks after Greg’s surgery, spoke loudly to me:

          “The Lord will do great things for me, and I will be filled with joy.  I will sow in tears, then I will reap with songs of joy.  If I go out, Lord, carrying seeds to sow, I will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with me.” (Psalm 126: 3, 5-6)

          As Greg and I prayed last night, we acknowledged the miracle that we are no longer fearful.  Those initial days of tears, uncertainty, sadness….they’ve been replaced with trust.  We knew back 19 months ago that we had to act in faith, but we began with shaky legs and simply a strong desire to allow God to use this cancer for His glory.  Many days it was only by sheer determination that we stayed on this mission.  Today, by God’s grace, we both agree that this is God’s yet unfolded story and we submit the future to Him.  Wherever He takes this, we accept His will for our lives, knowing without a doubt that we serve a God with a plan and a purpose.  We honor Him and praise His Precious Name.

          It goes without saying that we are grateful that He has chosen to bless our family with extended time for now.  With thankful hearts to Him and to you, our prayer warriors, we stand ready to serve in whatever way He makes known.  We have met so many precious people on this journey who face their own battle. Know that we pray for each one of you every day.  I pray for God’s peace and His undeniable presence in each of your lives.  May you be richly blessed.

                   Love to each of you, xo Laura