Sunday, March 10, 2013

On Christ the solid rock I stand.

...all other ground is sinking sand.

All other ground is sinking sand.


Hello.  Here we are on Sunday, March 10.  I'm trying to keep the "clack clack" of the keyboard to a minimum as Ryan sleeps beside me.

The last couple of days have been both wonderful and rough.  Some close family members came into town for the weekend which was AMAZING, and we just said goodbye to the last of them.  We are back down to just immediate family plus one Amy. :)  It was wonderful to see people, but Ryan has been increasingly uncomfortable with some nagging GI symptoms.  Please pray for relief to come from those problems.  I think he'd be a thousand times happier if that were the case.

The bleeding has not stopped; if anything, it has increased slightly.  His hemoglobin is hanging in there, though, and we are grateful for that.  Radiation starts TUESDAY, please make sure that you circle and star that date on your calendar! When I know appointment times, I will make sure to tell you all so that you can specifically pray at the time of day that he has radiation.

Not much else to report medically.  Emotionally I think we are all just very drained and tired.  Monday punched us in the gut, then we got hopeful when there seemed to be some treatment options, and now it is very hard on everyone to see Ryan be uncomfortable.  Spiritually, Ryan continues to be our mouthpiece - or rather, God's mouthpiece, reminding everyone that our hope is in Christ, not here on earth.  I continue to remind myself of Romans 8:18: "I consider that our present sufferings do not compare to the glory that will be revealed in us."  Won't it be sweet, someday, for us all to have forgotten about these earthly troubles and to be in glory?  I'm shivering at the thought of that. How sweet that day will be!

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus' Name.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Kendra,

Thank you for the update. Thank you for sharing so we can pray specifically and also giving us a glimpse into the peace that God is giving to you. I am praying for all of you.

Sheryl Gasser

LuminateYourPath said...

Hi Kendra, I admire you and your family's strength and faith in these trying times in your life. Thank you for the inspiration. Praying for you-

Kim Masterton said...

Continuing to pray for Ryan and your family. You have many thoughts and prayers from your Lakeshore family.

Anonymous said...

We have been following your story and not a day passes that you are not included in our prayers. We will mark Tuesday on our calendar and will defintely be praying.

The Redding Family

Michelle Cramblet said...

Michelle Cramblet here from Bridge Bible Church. Prayed for you tonight during Ourspace (youth group). Lots of students and leaders here following the blog and praying without ceasing.

Anonymous said...

Praying with you.

Kandi S. (a student from Ourspace)

Anonymous said...

I am praying....

I have the desire to say, though, that I cannot help being so angry that such difficult circumstances should come to such good people. I know this isn't okay, at least in you or Ryan's views. God will do what He wills, and in the end nothing matters but the eternity we all share. I just find myself questioning what is the point of the suffering of the just if the unjust en masse continue living freely. Everywhere I go I am forced to deal with the educated and "enlightened" atheists who reject God and mock me for my beliefs. To them it is all luck and chance, and there is no meaning in anything. They live happily while so many others suffer.

I don't wish ill on anyone, but I wonder how can God allow it to happen. Am I to believe that He chooses to make examples of those He loves? What is the motivation for us, then? To live righteously, to suffer, and die young and ignored? I don't see how, even if this is similar to Christ's example. Christ has already died for us. Brought to its logical conclusion, the faith would die out early and no one else would be left. Worse still, God has given us the ability to reason. Would He want us to see such an obvious pattern and choose a sinful life just to avoid the possibility of being made such an example? This obviously cannot be.

I am left feeling numb and alone. I cannot accept either conclusion. Perhaps God is so great that there is no reason or rhyme to the ongoings of our lives that all that matters is that we keep our eye on eternity. If that's so, fine. But then what is the meaning of prayer? Of course the Bible tells us not to pray for those things we want but rather to glorify. By asking help for our health we may do injustice to the God who offers us eternity anyway. Life may truly be insignificant. But doesn't it all seem so hopeless?

I continue to pray, as always. I hope we all may find faith in God, and just hope and pray He doesn't choose us as examples as He has your family. It's not that I blame Him. Rather, I accept it is His will, and that is infallible. But do we need the just to suffer to prove a point we already believe in?

I believe. I pray. I'm just so terribly, terribly afraid. So many pitiful thoughts for you and your family.

Anonymous said...

The thing I see here is Gods glory being manifested in the faithfulness of your family and Ryan. Your blog is such a testamony of faith that endures through trials. Gods plan has been place since the beginning of creation and His plan is always perfect. I'm so sorry for this trial your family is in at this time, we will be in prayer for you now and in the morning.

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