Sorry I Missed Yesterday

The title is in reference to a couple of people who mentioned that I went a whole day with out giving them an update on Josh. 


When I was growing up, we lived in the Philippines. There were times when we didn't have running water or electricity let a lone a phone. There were times when dad was out in the barrio (that is really what we called it) and we didn't have a way to get in touch with him. If he was late, we had no way of knowing what went wrong. But mom always said "No news is good news, BAD news travel quickly". 

We always found that to be true. Even from 10,000 miles away, when grandma had a heart attack back in the US, we heard about it within hours.

All that to say, yesterday was a good day. Josh kept us busy sitting up all day and asking for things. He had some visitors, which we will try to get some pictures of, and he set up his Facebook page (Josh's Facebook link) and put pictures of some of the hats he has.

He lost one of his "Megatron IV poles", so he has much more space in his room. 

He is also very happy to be off of oxygen today. They are weening him off of his IV heart meds and putting him on oral medication.

He also has an appetite again (even if his time clock is off a little), he had fajitas from On the Boarder last night, and wanted more around midnight.

Some friends brought by a card for him today, that we wanted to share. Laughter is still one of the best medicines.

Of course the cow on the front reminded us of days past when we would go help our friends on their dairy. 

Last night we had a visitor from Dalhart. Trevor had Leukemia (ALL) when he was 17 years old. It was encouraging to hear his story and how similar it was to what Josh has been through. He kept saying how he looked at life differently now, and how thankful he was for what God has done in his life. He went as far as to say that if he had the choice to do it differently, he wouldn't change a thing. Although cancer was the hardest thing he ever faced, it changed his world view and his faith in God.

It was encouraging to Ilene and I to hear a 25 year old say that, and Josh seemed to gain a new perspective.

We have talked about God and His faithfulness, and even that He has a purpose and a plan, even when we don't understand it. This journey has taught us a lot about God's faithfulness, and how His children care for each other. It has given us the opportunity to let other people watch as God cares for us in a difficult situation.

Today when I opened the email devotions that I get every day, I was struck by the verse it was looking at.

Jeremiah 31:3

 “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.

      With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.

We have experienced God's love in ways that we never expected. We have watched as strangers have committed random acts of kindness to our son and our family, and although some of them didn't realize it, they were acting on God's behalf. We have seen and felt God draw us in to His arms, we have felt the peace of God's love, even in the shadows of death.

Ephesians 1:4-5 says:

⁴ Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. ⁵ God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 

Some of you walking this journey with us have seen God's love and faithfulness in our lives. You have wondered how a 17 year old can exemplify peace and patience in the face of such a life changing situation. You may have marveled at how parents could watch their son face death, and the indignities that come with the battle against cancer.

I don't have an answer for the how, in that it is not something we drummed up. all I know is that often times, before the day is done, I don't know how I will make it to (or through) tomorrow. but I do know that each day, God surprises us with a blessing or a word of encouragement. He brings friends and strangers when we need it most.

Through this process we have developed a burden for those of you walking with us. As we have gotten to know some of you, (Josh's nurses, doctors, respiratory therapists ... etc.) we long to see you experience the peace in your lives that we have experienced. We long to see you become a part of God's family, adopted into His household, because we know that He chose you, before you were even born, and He wants to bless you, like you have seen Him bless us.

God is doing a work through Josh in drawing people to Him. He is showing His faithfulness, grace, mercy and love through Josh, even in one of the worst situations we could imagine. Know that we are praying for you as you walk this journey with us.