Joel's Journey: July 4th

Sunday, July 4, 2010

July 4th

July 5, 2006

Happy Independence Day!!! Hope your families have a great day with friends and family!!

I read this verse many months ago and I was encouraged because I felt like it pertained to Joel and Josiah. I was blessed to think its something I can pray now for Joel even though he is not physically here with us. I think its wonderful that the Lord takes each of our situations and allows scriptures to speak to it, giving comfort to the hurts, hope to the longings and encouragement to hold fast until I can see Joel again! With the Lord's help I seek to pray this scripture daily; And the house of Jacob shall be a fire and the house of Joseph a flame.... Obadiah 18 . I pray that Josiah would be a "fire" for the Lord, standing for truth all his days and that Joel's life and his story would be an undying "flame" for His kingdom as well!

3 comments:

jill said...: Hi! I've been a reader for a while, but I'm finally posting a comment. :) Thanks for sharing your family's life...it has been an encouragement to know there are other godly, homeschool families that are living for the Lord. I am a homeschool graduate and so grateful for it. God has opened the door for me to now serve Him through pediatric nursing. Joel's story is a testimony of the Great GOD we serve. God bless your family!!!
Jill in TX; July 4, 2010 at 2:33 PM
Teena said...: Cindy, Joel's Journey.. his life continues to touch mine deep. I often share about him... about his little life, your testimony and Terry's faith... you all are an encouragement to me in so many ways.

Very tough lately... very. I thank you for being so steadfast.

much love,
Teena; July 4, 2010 at 4:22 PM
MarshaMarshaMarsha said...: Fire and flame. Love that. God's Word is always relevant and always timely!; July 4, 2010 at 6:49 PM

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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.