In my mind I saw the hand of God holding stars. The hand opened and the stars filled the sky. Then I heard a question. Which is easier, to place the stars in the sky or to heal Sarah? I said, “But what are you going to do?” He said, “I am going to heal her.”
The next night as I was walking in the halls, I heard “How Great Though Art” playing over the speaker. From then on out, it became my theme.
Sarah’s treatment spanned over 18 months. Her schedule was grueling. She had 54 weeks of chemo and six weeks of radiation. Most of her chemo was inpatient, so we were in the hospital 14 days of each month. At times I felt like Abraham who had been promised the stars, but did not always see them shinning.
However, he Lord is faithful, and He carried me through so many days with that promise of healing and many other means of grace.
One of the major lessons that I learned through this trial is that the Lord is my keeper. I memorized Psalm 121 and said it often. “I lift my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
I could tell so many stories of how God kept us, but today I would like to take the opportunity to tell you how he used the church to keep us.
Instead of listing out the hundreds of people who served us, I would instead like to ask all who served by praying, feeding, cleaning. Laundering, calling, organizing, mowing, giving words of encouragement or any other service that I have now forgotten, to stand.
To paraphrase Elyse Fitzpatrick, “God uses means. You have been the means.” Thank you.
We were brought hundreds of meals. Our laundry was done for months while we were in the hospital. Our yard was mowed for weeks. Our house was cleaned every week for almost a year. When I say cleaned, I mean top to bottom, no stone left unturned, clean. When we were home, Sarah was normally nuetropenic, meaning she had no white blood cells to fight infection. Cleanliness was very important and I could have never kept it up without help.
Although I cannot list everyone who helped, I would like to thank a few people. First, Rebekah Phillips has organized every ounce of help that we have received. She would get a call unexpectedly and was always eager to drop everything and help. She made me feel as if she had nothing else in the world to do but serve our family.
Betty Vallery cleaned our house for a few months, every other week. For those that know Betty, she has a full time job, so she would come after work and stay at our house well after dark.
Denise Vogel cleaned our house, every other week for ten months. Not only did she faithfully clean for us, she also encouraged me along the way. In those moments when I was home as they arrived, she said so many things that lifted my gaze toward God. When I felt like I was drowning in duty, she pointed out evidences of grace that I had not seen. She let me know that God was still working on me and creating good out of a really hard situation.
Mary, Denise’s daughter, came with Denise most weeks to help clean. She folded laundry, cleaned glass, and cleaned the kids’ rooms. She also played with Sarah, made her cards, and brought her presents. Sarah loved to come home after Mary had cleaned her room because Mary posed her dolls and set up areas for Sarah to play.
Elyse Rawlson probably has no idea how much she served me personally. Practically, she has helped me find curriculum and offered advice on home schooling when I was strapped for time and had no idea what I was doing. Spiritually, she has given many words of encouragement to me that have literally picked me up and made my legs move again.
Janelle Phillips was going through nursing school at the time and was a huge means of grace to me. One day I had taken Sarah to the doctor and then for an X-Ray. We went to the cafeteria to get lunch afterwards and ran into Janelle. She asked me how I was doing, and I promptly started to cry. She gave me a hug and bought me lunch.
In addition to the physical help, we received monetary help along the way. As you can imagine, the medical bills added up fast. We have what you would call “major medical” insurance with a relatively high out of pocket expense each year. I am amazed to say that we have not paid a single penny for Sarah’s major medical expenses for two years now. I would say that we have received over 12,000 dollars in donations from you and others.
Time does not allow me to tell you of all the people or moments of service, but understand that this does not begin to convey all the help we received.
We serve a great God, and you all have been a wonderful picture of God’s love to our family.
I am equally amazed to say that Sarah is in remission. Nothing is impossible with God and I am grateful that He chose this route for Sarah and am grateful that He placed us in this church. Thank you Lord, and thank you church.
