A year ago

A year ago March 1, 2008, Sam and I were sailing off on our long awaited Caribbean Cruise... not a care in the world. Little did we know what was ahead in the coming few months.

march 1, 2008 - Radiance of the Seas

Some people think they'd like to be able to know the future -- you know, the ones who go to a fortune teller and/or have their palm read... trust me, it's better to not know. I don't think we would have been able to enjoy our trip quite as much if we knew what was ahead. I'm just sayin'.


March 1, 2009 - Phipps Conservatory

I think Sam looks great. Anyone passing by would never know by looking at him the valley he has walked through the last six months while being treated for Squamous Cell Carcinoma - Base of Tongue Cancer.

I imagine that most people following this blog might think that the toughest part of cancer is what happens physically because of the obvious physical changes you've seen, but the mental/emotional aspects are just as challenging; not only for the person with cancer, but the people closest to them. This experience challenges you and brings out the worst and best. It forces you to face lots of things about life and death - what you expect; how you think life should be and what to do when it doesn't go your way.

With what we've been through, it is hard for us to imagine how anyone could cope without a personal relationship with God.

A few nights ago, we were both lamenting how tired we were of all of this - especially the thought that this disease will be a part of our lives for a long time to come. As we talked for a while we tried to get things back into focus... you know, focusing on how far Sam has come and realizing that its unrealistic to expect him to be better faster than things are going and that there are others who have been and are going through worse things than we are going through. We were starting to come to terms with the reality of our situation and then we read something written in 1925 by L.B. Cowman that inspired us and not only helped us put things in perspective but brought back our joy.

2 Corinthians 12:9 - My grace is sufficient for you.
[Quote- L.B. Cowman]
"I pictured a thirsty little fish who was concerned about drinking the river dry with Father River saying, "Drink away, little fish; my stream is sufficient for you." I also envisioned a mouse afraid of starving after seven years of plenty, when Joseph says to him "Cheer up little mouse; my granaries are sufficient for you." Again, I imagined a man high on a mountain peak, saying to himself, "I breathe so many cubic feet of air every year, I am afraid I will deplete all the oxygen in the atmosphere." But the earth says to him, "Breathe away, filling your lungs forever; my atmosphere is sufficient for you."

O people of God, be great believers! Little faith will bring your souls to heaven, but great faith will bring heaven to your souls. (Charles Spurgeon)
[End Quote]

This is the GRACE in which Sam and I stand and it is more than sufficient for all our problems, needs and concerns. All we must do is draw from the all sufficient fountain.

If you are struggling, we encourage you to ask God to give you the grace and faith you need and he will give it to you in full measure - pressed down, shaken together.