Sadness and Hope

We have been burdened with sadness and can hardly put into words how we have felt, and are feeling, about the news of Blake's younger brother Brad being diagnosed with cancer. We pray for healing and we cling to the promises of God's holy and perfect Word:

"...according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Phillipians 1:20-21

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:6-7

The night before Brad's surgery to have his spleen removed, Blake went to Brad's house to join him and some other family members in prayer. When Blake came home, one of the first things he told me was that Brad said, "I have never been so close to the pearly gates and I couldn't be more excited!" Brad's salvation is real. We could have no greater joy than knowing that in the midst of this terrible time.

We anticipate being with our family during this season like never before as we savor the blessing of one another, celebrate the birth of the One who died so that we could have life, and love on Brad.