Joel's Journey: The Ocean Today

Friday, November 28, 2008

The Ocean Today

We went to Galveston today to the ocean.....to look out across and as far as the eye can see, the vastness, the Creation that He spoke into exsistence.......and to think that He has Joel with him is amazing! It just speaks to my heart, what a infinite, holy, all knowing God we have!

Talk to you all soon......

Cindy

3 comments:

Anonymous said...: We're praying for you all on your trip!
The beach looks so nice and inviting!!! We miss you all and are praying you get home safely and with a healthy car ride!!! : ); November 29, 2008 at 10:40 AM
LJR said...: What a beautiful picture, I love it! Galveston is such a pretty place, I am so glad you were able to get there and witness the beauty God created. Have a safe trip home.; November 29, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Mountain Mama said...: Love that sweet Joel! And love that awesome God!!

Hope you are enjoying your time together at the beach. Ride a wave for me :>) (brrr); November 29, 2008 at 10:46 PM

Joel's Story

Joel, our 11th of 13 and a twin of Josiah, at age 3 was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer, on December 6th, 2006. Joel had three perfect years of health and he and Josiah celebrated their 3rd birthday Sept. 13th, 2006. The first of Oct. Joel started having unexplained fevers for a few days and would return to active play. After the fourth round of fevers we took him to our family Dr. which they said his iron was low, so we treated that for a few weeks and took him back only to have his hemo. showing lower than before. We were referred to a hematologists and saw him a few weeks with blood checks twice a week. At a visit on Dec. 4th we showed the Dr. the bumps, (which were tumors but we did not know at the time) on Joel's head and he was very concerned and we were told we needed to admit him immediately and start extensive tests the following day. Joel went through rigorous testing and then the dreaded results were given. Joel was at a stage IV the most extensive stage, but we were hopeful that the Lord would use the means of Chemotherapy treatments to restore Joel's body. Joel endured 8 1/2 days in the hospital, came home for Christmas, and returned for his second round of chemo Jan. 3, 2007. Joel had a seizure that night after midnight and went into a coma due to a tumor bleeding in his head area and causing his brain to swell. After tests the following days, the Dr. declared Joel "brain dead" and took us to court to force us to take Joel off life support, as we did not agree with the medical field's definition of death. Our family sought to stand with the scripture, "life is in the blood,"and until Joel's heart quit beating naturally, he was living. We were making arrangements to bring him home and on January 23, 2007 his little heart stopped beating and he went to be with the Lord Jesus in heaven. Our lives are changed forever. God is faithful in the midst of this trial and we look with great hope to be with him someday.