I had the gift of a few moments in a friend’s garden today. I love gardens. I spent a few moments admiring the lush lettuce and the many blossoms of future produce. I spent a few moments weeding…just because I like it. Maybe someday I will have a garden, but for now I am raising children and I know myself well enough that I cannot raise a garden and raise children.
Today the guest pastor at church spoke about weeds…
And the many thoughts of weeds today reminded me of what oncologist, Dr. Mark Campbell said in his phone consultation with us. You see, we had just found out Chris had cancer, lymphoma, and we were delighted that he would consult with us to help us as we made the hard decision to return to the US for treatment. Mark said, “We need to find the right weed killer for the weeds.”
“Weed killer?” I pondered. I thought we were talking about cancer…Oh right, we are! It’s a metaphor and I like metaphors but I was stressed out, sleep deprived, and oh so emotional.
Chris had a great week last week, biking with me, my dad, friends, and our boys. He lived it up knowing Monday is around the corner. Chris has also regained some good muscle tone. He had lost 20 lbs between his normal weight and Chemo Day 1, and he has gained that all and some more back! He has been healthy with minimal symptoms the past 10 days. Tomorrow, Monday, we head in for some more “weed killer” (chemotherapy). Chemo treatment #3 of the anticipated 6 total.
Lord, please continue to use the chemo and prayers and the faith and trust in you of many to continue to heal Chris, fully. Thank you for providing times of wellness in the midst of this cancer journey.
The kids returned home from camp, with songs and mostly laughter. One kiddo had a more challenging experience when their fellow campers didn’t believe them that they have lived in Thailand for numerous years…the life of a child growing up overseas is not always easy.
While the kids were at camp the Lord brought clarity regarding which school the kids will attend. We are thankful the waiting is over on this puzzle piece and the Lord answered our prayers. The school provided a generous scholarship and we will go for a school visit on Tuesday with the kids to see it for the first time and meet the principals. So far, the kids seem to be somewhere between excited and neutral.
Thank you Lord for schools! Thank you Lord for numerous schools that would have been good options. Thank you for providing your clear direction and the gift of a scholarship. Please Lord, provide the teachers you want for each child, and provide meaningful, safe, fun friendships for each of our children.
Lord, please help us weed out the things in our life that steal true joy.
Lord, help us use the tools, the “weed killers”, you provide to tend our gardens, our bodies, our souls.
Jeremiah 33:6-9
Is it a weed or is it a plant? This berry was a new discover for me this week.
Your posts are always from your heart!
Thank you for sharing more of this joyrney.
Prayers for an easy day tomorrow for Chris and you.
We love you both very much
Dawn & Doug
Praise the Lord for the school. Thank you for your healing as Chris goes into his third round of treatment.
Glad Chris is doing better and things are going well.
Praying for you this day as Chris goes in for Chemo treatment #3. Lord, May it eliminate every weed in the garden of his body!
Isn’t it interesting that you were in the garden and weeding a little and you Sunday sermon was on weeds. Just goes to show you that our Lord works with us in so many different ways. Love you guys, so tickled the kids will meet their new school principals and see their new school.
Continued prayers for God’s love, provision and protection for you and your children. He always has the best in mind for those who love Him.
I’m living the updates and living what God is doing! Hugs! And continued trusting prayers. Lunda
Those typos!! Loving, loving.
I was just in the yard pulling up that nasty weed with the LONG taproot. The ground is saturated from soaking rain and the weed, tap root and all, came up easily!!!
Loved the metaphor! Best of luck today with chemo number three. Get the weeds!
❤🙏
Thank you for your faith-filled updates! It has been nice getting to know you better through your posts. Continued prayers for Chris and your whole family…
Thank you for the uplifting posts that you give us on your family. You all are in our prayers daily. Gods strength be with you all as you “pull those weeds” and see for Gods blessings too!
So glad to hear that the “puzzle pieces” for the kids’ schooling seem to be coming together. I’m sure that is a huge relief. I will be praying for this next round of chemo for Chris. It’s encouraging to hear of his progress and regained strength after the first two rounds. May God continue to comfort and guide you both as you walk this journey! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Praying for you today, on day 1 of round 3. And daily.
What a beautiful meditation. So grateful to hear about schools scholarships. Excited and neutral as much better than fearful and resistant. Praying for Chris’s chemo treatment today and the recovery afterwards.
Great news about schools. Where will the kids be going?
Now just hopeful for housing. Wish I was there and we could all bunk in at my former house on Observatory!
Love to you all.
Becca ~ Your writing is so beautiful, so thoughtful and full of meaning. Thank you for taking the time to post updates. Also, it was nice to get to say hello to your family, albeit briefly, yesterday. I am thankful with you for the healing God is doing in Chris’ body, for your walk in the garden, for time at camp for your children, for doctors like Dr. Campbell and for an answer regarding where your children will attend school come Fall. God sees. God hears. God answers. I continue to pray.
We continue our prayers for all of you, your updates are so helpful! Blessings and love.
Dear Becca and Chris,
So relieved to hear the great progress Chris is making, and the whole family staying strong while the Lord is holding you in his arm. So happy to hear you are getting settled, finding the schools for your children and scholarships. Thank you for sharing your journey and the lessons you are learning. Now I need to ask the Lord, what are the weeds in my life! Good word! Thank you!
Praying for you all!
Estrelia and Terry Gibbs
Such great news!
One day at time He is leading you. So thankful for his loving presence guiding you.
Love you,
Wendy
James 1:17-18
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
We are praying that his treatment contains some gift of joy, even in the midst of the true hard trial.
Praise God for the provision of schooling for your children, and for both of you! That is a massive blessing to you and to us. Wherever each of you are, and whatever each of you are doing, we know God is right there. And has always known that he would be there with you. And with each of us.
Be sure of his love and ours.
Love you guys, I keep praying and thanks for keeping us posted! As we say in French, “du courage”! (not too hard to figure out, means “have courage!”
Love reading your updates and praying for you— while on the journey God surely has prepared you for and has not left you alone! God is providing through the rain, through the weeds, through the harvest…and loving you each step of the way.
It is obvious He is your rock and salvation…
And as you wait on Him,
He is giving you strength & is your refuge.
Again, thank you for sharing, and know you are in our thoughts and prayers as we lift you up for His grace and mercy and watch care in each step of your journey. For you are never alone.