"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering as though something strange were happening to you....Commit [yourself] to [your] faithful Creator and continue to do good." -1 Peter 4:12,19

He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Here is a beautiful poem
that was sent to me via email
from an Aunt of one of our prayer requests.
My Hero

The story of my hero is a simple one to tell
It's the story of a giant who struggles to stay well.
The giant part may fool you, cause she isn't all that tall.
But she biggest where it matters, with the largest heart of all.

Heroes fight fierce battles, they stand against the tide
They smile and face the enemy and turn their fears aside.
Where some might cry and beg retreat, too anxious to fight on
My hero trudges through the night and stands to face the dawn.

Though painful treatment is the field on which her battles rage,
She only says, "it's not so bad", with wisdom past her age
I'd take her place as would her folks and many more who love her
We'd all be glad to spare this child who's heart is like no other.

I've watched her sit so quietly and teach the little children
With patience that's ingrained in her and far beyond some strong men.
My hero's worked and borne it all with hardly any tear
And now, thank God and medicine, a happy end is near.

I'll sing and shout and turn a flip when all her trials are done
But in my heart, I'll always know the courage of the one
Who soldiered on when times were bad and we were all so fearful
With few complaints, she does her job and she is always cheerful.

So when you hear of heroes remember where to find them
They're living daily struggles that we can lend a hand in.
If you'd like to help a hero who hasn't had the breaks
Stop in and get a blood test, that's really all it takes.

Remember when you take that test, my hero, Sarah
A child of light and happiness, for sure, one in a million
--HER AUNT, J

At times, we need help from others when the unthinkable happens and we lose our child. I pray this page may encourage some parents somehow.

Hi. My name is Jennifer. I just wanted to share with you that I feel like God will get us thru these times. Our son was 4 when he was diagnosed with ALL. That was in Nov of 92 he did 3 years of treatment and Jan of 96 went for a final physical. He was doing great! With monthly blood draws and check ups he seemed to be doing fine. Then just 6 short months later I took him in for his normal blood draw and check up and the doc found a lump in his right testicle. We live in Alaska so we were once again flying to Seattle childrens where a diagnosis of relapse was made. He had relapsed with Leukemic tumors in his testicles and and leukemia in his marrow. A search was started with in the family un fortunately no one matched and so we went world wide and were blessed with 71 matches ^j^ Our son had his un related transplant at the age of 9. In Nov of 96. Today we are dealing with CGVHD. During this time I lost my mom in Sept 96 and my dad May 97 both to lung cancer. They never were able to see that our son made it. Although I know they surely must know..... Life throws curves at us but I think thru the strength of prayer things will work out...

There are so many verses that show us God is with us through everything. If we turn to Him, and not against Him. The questions the kids ask us are hard to deal with, and the pain is very real! But if we trust in God, we will have answers for them. We just need to tell them the truth, and not try to decieve them while thinking we are "sparing" them from the painful truth. I read Job to my son, so he could see a little of how God works in some situations. He learned some patience, and learned that God works everything out to His good plan. Someday this will all be over. Amen. Selah!