Chris took this picture not too long after our arrival to Michigan.
The beauty of the storm in the midst of the beauty of the sun. Both real, present, and beautiful in their own ways.
This real picture reminds me of real life, our life.
It also reminds me of several Bible passages.
In Matthew 7, during the Sermon on the Mount, Christ teaches about Two Foundations. This time around what really stuck out to me is that the storms, flood, and wind fell upon both houses. Neither house got to choose when the storm came, how high the flood rose, or the force of the wind. They both had to endure the fury. I needed to be reminded we are all enduring various turmoils, it is not only our family. I am so thankful for the Rock who is higher than I, the Rock I can depend upon (Psalm 62:1).
Contrasted to the storm, our Father is creator over all that shines in the heavens. Even in the shadows he shines, so much so that Numbers 6:22-27 reminds us that His face is so brilliant it shines upon us, reminding us of his grace towards us in the blessing given to Moses.
Right now, our storm seems unrelenting most days…but his light is so bright in the midst of these storms we cannot deny his lovingkindness towards us.
That friend who took Chris to chemo, His light in our lives.
That meal, His lovingkindness.
The gift that Chris could be outpatient this week!
Thank you Lord for your light in the midst of our storm.
This week is a modified week of TEDDI-R chemo for Chris. 4 days instead of 5. At some point in this process there is a balance between treatment and toxicity overload. Therefore, he has just a bit less chemo and only one intrathecal chemo/lumbar puncture on Friday instead of two. With just a few changes this allows Chris to have the chemo outpatient, which is a welcome reprieve to the last 6 rounds he has endured.
We are thankful that Chris is feeling better and mostly recovered from his respiratory illness from the past month.
Prayer points:
Nearly everyday there are questions or changes about medication or treatment. Lord, help us when we are tired.
We are moving towards purchasing a home here in Grand Rapids, though we long to return to Thailand. We ask for prayers and provision in this part of our journey.
Continued prayers for our kids for friends and their well-being. They are not familiar with so many things going on right now. They have never been in the US at this time of the year! 3 snow days and 0 degree temperatures are a bit crazy for us!
We still do not have a firm plan when CAR-T/Chris moving to Chicago will be…patience is part of the process.
There is so much that we don’t know. In little ways, and in big ways, and in all the places in between. The older we get the more we realize we don’t know very much. We do know what truth is because we have the words of God.
Psalm 33:16-18
The king is not saved by his great army;
a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
The war horse is a false hope for salvation,
and by its great might it cannot rescue.
Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,
We know these words are true, and we trust God for the healing that each of you need knowing that he will bring it to each of you just as you need it.
Grace, your encouragement to the Hirts is a blessing to me also! We co time to pray for full healing, patience, and rest.
Thank you for the pictures. The mountains are so beautiful but the storm reminds me of God’s Power and how His light comes crashing through the storm and nothing can stop it. What a great picture and reminder of who is truly in charge of All Things in Heaven and on Earth. Thank you also for the inspiring message that went so well with the picture and the versus.
I am continuing to pray for all concerns especially Chris’s treatment and strength to handle it and for the family .
Holding you on our prayers amid the storms that you experience in your lives! Praying for peace as you rest upon the firm foundation!
Great observations and application of the storms and foundations. Thanks for letting God speak to you and sharing that with others.
Praying for your whole family on this long difficult journey.
Thinking of and praying for you! Big hug!
Fear not, I am with you. Oh, be not dismayed,
For I am your God and will still give you aid;
I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand
Reading your post I was reminded of these words from How Firm A Foundation. Thanking God that when the storm is all around us, our foundation remains firm. We continue to pray.
Praying for you all!
That picture Chris took – so beautiful and such a great reminder of God with us in both the storm and sun. I continue to pray for your family as you experience this relentless storm and yet see the Son shine through.
Amen to everything Kimberly expressed so well!
Jesus with courage and perseverance, You carried the cross through the streets of Jerusalem, give the entire Hirt family the grace to carry the crosses that come to them with this same courage and perseverance, knowing You are there helping carry this cross with them. May they continue to meet many who accompany them, Pray for them, and help them on their journey just as you had Simon of Cyrene
Thankful for good medical care that continues, despite being so tiring for all of you. Glad that the kiddos really got some snow and cold … a treat for them, a bit of a nuissance for adults! Oh that I could hold your arms up, like Aaron (?) did for Moses in that one battle, such that you would see God fighting for you.
With prayers,
judy
Chris and Becca: So many unknowns and last-minute changes! Fear and anxiety are real. The song that came to mind just now is “Eagle’s Wings.” You know it, I’m sure. I love the last phrase: “and hold you in the palm of his hand.” That’s where you are, and me, too. Thank you for sharing the photo of the brilliant light breaking through the darkness. There’s beauty and power in the darkness, too. “He rides upon the storm!” You have known his grace and love in the darkness, and your faith, Chris and Becca, is such an encouragement to mine. Sending my love and prayers.
I love reading all the comments!! What a group of awesome prayer warriors and encouraging words!
Your family shows us how you trust and know the goodness, greatness and love of our God.
Continued prayers for you all
With much love,
Dawn & Doug
We continue to pray and trust in God for healing. Praying for provision – house and finances
Hi Chris and Rebecca! I prayed through all of your prayer points! May God give you grace and endurance to manage all that you are going through! May God use this suffering to make you all more like Christ! Blessings, Ken
We are thinking of you and praying for grace and peace as you go through these challenging days. Thank you for the photo and insights.
Hi Chris and Rebecca and family. I love the photo you took of the storm. Very beautiful. I love the way it shows the bright light below and behind the storm. And I’m guessing it was also above the storm as well. A great metaphor for the realities of life. I pray you strength, patience and the miracle of healing.
I have a little idea of what you are going through having been in and out of the hospital three times since a quadruple bypass. Erica and I are praying for you all. The laborers are few and we pray that you can return to Thailand.
Becca, do you subscribe to the daily Joni and Friends devotions? My daughter and I listened to Elizabeth Elliot years ago on the radio and read her books. Now, Erica, my daughter and I read Joni’s daily devotional email. Your writing makes me think that you may do the same in the years to come. God bless!
Always in my thoughts and prayers. Your journey continues……. ❤️🙏🏻
Thank you for your faithful. Updates. This is so helpful as we pray for specific requests as well as rejoicing in answered prayer.
We will continue in prayer for all of your family as well as the medical personnel God has provided for Chris’s treatment .
Love and blessings.
Judie Rudolph
So thankful for these signs of light in the storm. Thank you for this update. God’s peace be with each of you everyday.
We’re praying for you. God is with you in the storm!
I remember days after our daughter Heather passed away, that all I could do was in the morning look out the bay window to the east and thank God I made it through the night. Then in the evening look out the bay window to the west and thank God I made it through the day. May God give you what you need each minute, each hour, each day. Holding you in our prayers…knowing God holds you tenderly and firmly in His hands.
We are so grateful for your updates and we’re continuing to pray with and for you, trusting from Isaiah 42:16 (ESV): “And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.”
I know you are so weary, dear ones. We love you and keep on praying!
As others said they were reminded of a song or a Scripture by your post, so I was reminded of a line from Andrew Peterson’s “Is He Worthy” –
“But do you know that all the dark won’t stop the light from getting through?”
(Here’s a link in case you don’t know of this song.)
https://youtu.be/DMWrAqMWhWs?si=zWcP7uDOHz8Ev0eU
Love and blessings,
Aunt Shelley
Thank you for encouraging and reminding us about God’s goodness and His presence in the midst of storms. May God continue to give you all grace, sustaining you through each new day.