McLaurin update #13: you will find rest for your souls

Dear Friends and Family,                                                                                                  October 16, 2011

            We hope that this letter finds you all doing well and enjoying the autumn weather wherever you may be.  We are delighted to share that Colby is almost halfway through with his combined radiation and chemotherapy treatments.  He has only just today noticed some hair falling out, but he isn't too concerned.  He continues to do so well, and we know that this is purely by God’s kind mercy working through your prayer.  Colby is able to eat, rest, exercise, and work. Most importantly, his mind is still sharp and allows him to meditate on and enjoy Scripture daily.  

            After visiting the “Passages” exhibit at the Oklahoma Museum of Art, which displays the story of how the Bible was written, compiled, preserved, translated, and protected through all of time, we have an even deeper appreciation for the Bible.  God’s Word is a remarkable gift.  Its truths have sustained men and pointed them to God for centuries, and we are thankful that God has not allowed His Word to be lost over time.  That we have the freedom to read our Bibles daily, to know God intimately, and to be confident in Him regardless of our circumstances is a tremendous blessing.  He has opened the eyes of our hearts, “that [we] may know what is the hope to which he has called [us], what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places… (Ephesians 1:18-20).”  Wow! 

            Emily has experienced a new freedom this week, which has also been a gift from the Lord.  Prior to this week, the burden of care for our family has felt overwhelmingly heavy despite the facts that God has answered prayers, that Colby has been doing well, and that all of our needs have been met.  Plenty of bitterness was creeping into her heart. Then she was reminded by scripture one morning as if the passage said, “Emily, Emily, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.  Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her (Luke 10:41-42).” That “good portion” is Jesus himself.  Later while praying for a patient, Scripture again came to her mind: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).”  The work to be done day-to-day has not changed and in many ways has increased, but the load no longer feels unbearable.  Once again, Emily hopes that she will be able to laugh at the days to come (Proverbs 31:25). 

            Thank you for walking this journey alongside us and for bringing our prayer requests before the Lord.  We pray that you will also be blessed as you bless us.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1. Pray for endurance and effective treatments.  Colby has 4 weeks of combined radiation and chemotherapy remaining, followed by several months of continuing chemotherapy to endure.  We are praying for healing, and trusting in the Lord.  More importantly, we are praying that God be glorified regardless of the outcome.

 2.    “We’ve a story to tell to the nations.”  Continue to pray that we would have opportunities to be faithful witnesses to the grace of God in our lives.  Colby is still looking for opportunities to share his testimony in any format, event, or country.  We know that God has great plans for us in this world, and we are excited to see how He will use us!   

 3. Pray for Jireh and for our role as her parents.  For a two year old whose routine was heavily disrupted in June, she has done wonderfully.  However, we have been unsuccessful in returning consistently back to her routines, which can be quite stressful.

This email list is intended to include people who have directly or indirectly asked to be on it because they would like to pray for us.  As always, if you are receiving this email but not interested in praying, or would rather not be on this list for any reason, please let us know.  We will not be offended at all and agree that it would be appropriate to remove your email address from it.  Also, if there is anyone who you think would like to pray for us who may not be receiving these updates, please send us an email address and we will gladly add more prayer warriors.

Resting in Christ,

Emily, Colby, and Jireh

McLaurin Update # 12: Drawing near to the throne of grace

Dear Family and Friends,                                                                   October 3, 2011

            We are delighted to share with you that Colby’s first week of chemotherapy and radiation went well!  Thank you so much for your prayers and continued encouragement.  Daily, the Lord is teaching us how to rely more on Him alone rather than in our own strengths, gifts, and plans. 

            Colby’s first day of treatment last Monday seemed to start off without any problems.  Lying on the radiation table was easy, pain free, and quick.  His Temodar (chemotherapy) stayed down without any problems.  When he got home he thought, “This is a piece of cake!  I’m young and healthy and this is going to be easy.”  But 3-4 hours after treatment, waves of vomiting started, each without much warning.  With some extra doses of medicine for nausea and time resting on the couch, Colby realized that he had been relying on his youth and health to get him through the next several weeks instead of relying on Christ.  Whether you call it physical rebuke, or loving discipline, Colby certainly learned and grew because of it!  With both an adjustment in attitude and in medication, we are pleased to report that the rest of Colby’s first treatment week was great and nausea free—all by God’s grace working through your prayer. This story is only one of many this week that has drawn us humbly to our knees before our God. 

            God has carried us this far, so why would He ask us to walk through this phase of treatment on our own?  Do we not believe God when He says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)?”  And why would we even try to lean on our meager strength when we can lean on our eternally faithful and all-powerful God who can move mountains?  He has already moved the biggest mountain—our sin (which seems to be all the more apparent in our daily lives these days) that separated us from knowing and enjoying God—by sending Jesus to die in our place.  And by no merit of our own, because of Christ’s death and resurrection for those who trust in Him, we have the privilege of knowing and enjoying God forever.  Wow!  So our hearts have been humbled this week and our prayer is this: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).”

Prayer Requests:

1.     1. Praise God for a great first week of treatment and for invaluable lessons learned from Scripture this week.

2.     2. Praise God for our church family, who continues to speak truth into our lives when we are at our weakest.

3.     3. Praise God for our neighbors, bosses, and co-workers.  Their acts of kindness have opened up time for us to enjoy time together as a family despite the busyness of our work and home routines.

4.     4. Pray for endurance and effective treatments.  Colby has 5 1/2 more weeks of combined radiation and chemotherapy, followed by several months of continuing chemotherapy to endure.  We are praying for healing, and trusting in the Lord.  More importantly, we are praying that God be glorified regardless of the outcome.

5.     5. “We’ve a story to tell to the nations.”  Continue to pray that we would have opportunities to be faithful witnesses to the grace of God in our lives.  Colby is still looking for opportunities to share his testimony in any format, event, or country.  We know that God has great plans for us in this world, and we are excited to see how He will use us! 

Thankful for your faithful prayers,

Emily, Colby, and Jireh