Dear Prayer Warriors, Aug 11, 2011
This afternoon, we are flying from Dallas to San Francisco. We are praying for valuable, rich, and meaningful times with family in Dallas and the Bay Area before surgery on Tuesday, Aug 16th. We will also have a relatively full day next Monday filled with a preoperative visit, blood work, and MRI.
There aren’t many developments on the medical side of things since our last update. Colby still feels very well without any symptoms from the tumor. Praise the Lord! He has stopped taking all anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen, naproxen, etc) to allow his platelets to return to normal clotting function before surgery. Normally he only takes one per day, which has in the past significantly minimized flare-ups from a chronic inflammatory condition in his spine. Since stopping these medicines, he has struggled with some stiffness and pain in his neck and back. However, even the worst of pains resolved after only a few days. We have been focusing more recently on getting regular cardiovascular exercise in preparation for the physiologic stress of surgery. The Lord has truly been merciful.
In the last few weeks, we have enjoyed sweet times with friends, both new and old. Many have prayed for us, offered words of encouragement, and reminded us of the truths by which we are to stand. Our church small group has committed to shouldering whatever burdens they can help carry. Colby has also had several opportunities to share his story and the hope that he has in Christ in several church and secular settings. We are so thankful for those opportunities, as they were just what we were praying for. We continue to pray that Colby’s story will overflow with praise in the hearts of God’s people.
This week, we have enjoyed time together as a family and also had some family photos taken by a dear friend who lovingly donated her time and expertise. Jireh is still too young to understand what is going on, but we pray for her every day to grow up trusting the Lord, who will be her unshakeable foundation and comfort forever. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (James 1:14)
This verse also speaks to our prayer for all of you and for all who may hear our story. It is our chief desire that God receive the praise He deserves no matter what the outcome of Colby’s surgery or his disease. We know that God doesn’t always show us his ways, and they can be difficult for us to understand if our lives don’t go the way we think they should. Isaiah 55:9 says, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” But we can know that Jesus doesn’t change, and his love for us doesn’t change. It was the same before Colby was born, before he had cancer, and will still be the same when Jireh is someday telling her own children or grandchildren her daddy’s story. His purposes toward his children are always good. In addition to praying for us, please spend a few moments praying for yourself this week, that you would be prepared to praise God no matter what the outcome will be. We want you to know and believe with your whole heart that his purposes for us, and for you, are good.
Prayer Requests:
1. Insurance dealings – We believe the majority of it is behind us. However, there are still a number of expensive preoperative tests that will likely be needed once we arrive in San Francisco, in addition to the potential for rehabilitation services needed postoperatively. All of these will need to go through the same difficult preauthorization process.
2. Healing – We continue to believe God can heal Colby, whether through physicians or in His own ways. We ask you to pray for that as well. However, we are trusting the Lord’s perfect will and asking him first to bring himself the most glory through this trial.
3. Wisdom with home repairs – Some small projects are underway and will continue while we are away. These will make life a little easier for Emily and Colby when they get back, in case Colby isn’t able to do projects himself. Unfortunately it will take some coordination while we are traveling. Please pray that this process would be uncomplicated.
4. Fruitful time to read, study scripture, and write for both Emily and Colby. The lessons we are learning in these days are priceless. We want to meditate on them and record them so we may look back on them someday and give God the praise He deserves.
5. Praise the Lord for several wonderful opportunities Colby has had to share his testimony! Please continue to pray that our words would glorify God and continue to bear fruit.
All glory to Christ,
Colby, Emily, and Jireh
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