And Joy Comes in the Morning
Thank you all for your sweet responses to the last post...I know it was heavy. I am happy to report that we have come through several days of sadness and confusion into a place of peace and rest. We have been in touch with the father of another girl with Neuroblastoma, and his words of encouragement are still ringing in our ears. His advice was the same as what God Himself has impressed upon our hearts many other times, and that is to take each day as it comes, pray, and wait for the leading of the Lord in that moment. This father's exact words were that it is a "gradual unfolding of His will..." and this struck such a cord with us because that is already how God has been working. We don't need to know the answers ahead of time...just stay close to the side of God and wait for His unfolding. This morning we awoke without the elephant sitting on our chests...and today there was joy! We are so thankful for the words of this kind stranger who was somehow not a stranger at all...he has been there, and is still there in the trenches along with us. Thank you all for your concern and for going down the valleys with us...and up the mountains.
posted @ 3:58 PM
15 Comments:
I stumbled upon your blog through a post on flickr about your beautiful daughter and lovely family. I just sat here and read the entire thing and plan to continue reading and will begin praying for Ellie and your family this very night. A friend of mine from high school had leukemia, she passed away in November and her mom is still posting and working on building a foundation to raise awareness of childhood cancers. I'm praying for a cure and praying for blessings on your family. Peace be with you.
Thanks breeziegirl! Your prayers are much appreciated. And I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend...I pray that God will comfort you, and her family.
Dear Sarah, This is Beth, Cameron's mom from dance. I have been reading your blog every morning since you started it. I think about and pray for you everyday. I have wanted to write something but it's so hard to find the right words to say. I just wanted you to know that my family are all praying for you. Cameron asked to please say hello to Ellie and that she misses her in class. Love, Beth, Drew, Jacob, Cameron & Ethan
I'm am praising God tonight for showing up for you and strategically bringing this person into your life who can understand you and John! I was actually praying this afternoon that you would not help but be able to see God show up for you in specific ways. This is a comfort and blessing to my faith as I walk day by day in my struggles. God is enough for us each day and knows exactly what we need, hugh? His care for us each as individuals and love for us amazes me! Sleep well. -Kristina
Hello Sarah,
Our family learned about Ellie through Dave and Kristia Abbott's NTM website. We pray for your family daily. The Lord led us here just after we learned that our close friend's son was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma in mid-December. Reading your latest entry inspired me to contact you to offer them as another committed Christian family to walk beside in this shared journey. A chronicle of their story is found at www.thesumralls.org , and they would welcome your correspondence.
Praying, growing, rejoicing and crying with you, Janet DeCoste
Thanks Beth! Please tell Cameron that Ellie misses being there...she has watched the dance video from last season several times recently. And I miss visiting with you during practice too! Thanks so much for reading and praying.
Thanks so much Kristina for your encouragement...as always I appreciate your comments and prayers!
Thanks Janet for commenting. We will definitely check out your friends' website. We wish all the best for their son...this is such a harsh path to embark on, but I know God's grace will be the same for them as it has been for us.
Our hearts ached for you as we read of you special time with Ellie and your son as they asked about death and Heaven. We have been praying continually for you. What a sweet little girl! She is blessed with wonderful parents as well. We often think of you Sarah and our time with you in Panama.
Our love and prayers,
Dear Sarah,
My daughter, Nicole Wills, was invited to her friend, Branson Mann's, birthday party. Branson and his family have compassionately and generously requested that his friends donate to the Ellie Skees fund in lieu of birthday presents. The party invitation directed me to your blog. It was heartbreaking to read about what you and your little girl are going through. Please know that you, Ellie, and your entire family will be in our prayers. We wish you the best as you embark on your journey toward recovery. Keep the faith. Miracles do happen.
Lisa and Nicole Wills
Dear Sarah & John,
It has been a little while since I caught up on your lives. Wow. What a precious, precious time you had with Ellie the other night. As for everyone else who keeps up with the 'nail' God is allowing you to share in, the tears flow easily down our faces. What tough, hard, times of reality, yet the good feeling of being honest and open about life. We often like to brush our feelings aside, being tough, moving on, but God's design is that we face and share our burdens with those who care about us and will be loving us through them. Oh that as each of us, as we come to the end of our own time on earth, can embrace the reality of our lives passing from this one, on to the next, meeting our loved ones who are enjoying the presence of Jesus. My heart aches for you and the process your family is going through, however, I am oh so encouraged at the strength God is giving you to face each new thing, taking one day at a time.
With love and a contant tear streaked face,
Karen
Hey to you all, We are the Moss Family and are now in Bolivia. We lived above Summit office and would often wave at Johnny as he mowed. Gracie, our youngest daughter met Ellie for a short time while we were on furlough and they were class mates at Lake Monroe for the short time before Ellie got sick. We have been praying daily for you all and will continue to do so. We pray that God encourage you today as ONLY He can. We read daily and see how she is doing. Gracie prays nightly for her. Love to all, Karla Moss
Sara and John, this is Clint from a long time ago. I just got Ellie's prayer card and my eyes filled up with tears. I just wanted you both to know that we will be praying for Ellie and you both. John miss ya man and pray you are doing well...we are ready to have our third child in about 5 weeks...it's a girl. I just want you both to know that I wish I could be down there for you...miss you guys and tell ellie that she is as beautiful now as she was when I saw her as a baby...God bless!!
I read this Blog on a daily basis...the way you write and the faith that you share through this blog is an awesome testiment to what faith can do when we have struggles and battles in our lives. It is like reading a devotion to read what you write. I feel it is an honor to be able to read this and wittness God working in your lives both through the mountains and the valleys. I can't read this and not feel the power of God working!
God has strengthened my faith by sharing in your journey! Thank you so much for opening your heart and letting us in!
God is so awesome!
Love and constant prayers!
Jill Heins
Thank you all! I was away from the computer for a few days...so I'm just now reading all if the comments. Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement. We love you all.
Ellie, you look beautiful, you are such a pretty little girl.
Love, Ruth Kime.
before i suffer to much pain that causes me to draw far from God. i even blame Him of what happens to me. but God's love is so amazing. after those moments of tears and pain the assurance that He will ease the pain really prevails.When i look up to God there He let me see whats the purpose of that pains and transformed it into a great blessings in my life. He is always in TIMING. Morning by Morning new mercies i see.
Post a Comment
<< Home