Joel's Journey: its beginning to look alot like Spring aroung here!!!

Monday, March 5, 2012

its beginning to look alot like Spring aroung here!!!

I am glad of the coming of Stehanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on o your part they have supplied. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such. I Cor 16:17-18

Just like we are seeing Spring bursting forth, it refreshes us, gives us hope, makes us have a "spring" in our step, people can have the same effect on us as well. It says in this verse these 3 people supplied what was lacking in some folks. I have much lacking in me!! But it also says to acknowledge them, tell others of these people that have "refreshed" you!! Maybe so others can skip over to them and also be refreshed by them too! Kristen's mom, Sue has refreshed my heart! When I talk to her or text her, I always sense such a peace in her spirit that it encourages me. I know she would say, its the Lord and it is, but it flows out and that encourages others to be benefited that even in difficult times, God is Faithful! Another "refresher" person is my friend Natalie! I just love her to pieces! She is always so bright and cheery! I am thankful for her and her family!!! Who do you know that "refreshes" you? It says to acknowledge them.....do that in some way this week!!

Hope you off to a great week!! The weather is so pretty today!!!!

Cindy

5 comments:

Liv said...: Gorgeous photos!; March 5, 2012 at 6:45 PM
Rachel said...: I love the last photo..what tree is that? beautiful! and yay! spring is finally here! :D; March 5, 2012 at 7:11 PM
The Morris Family said...: It is a flowering Bradford pear! they do not produce fruit just pretty blond and then green leaves!!; March 5, 2012 at 7:54 PM
Teena said...: Beautiful. This is my favorite time of year too! I love SPRING. I love it because of all the life ... blooming and our Lord and Savior.. and His grace for us. I just love Easter.

YOU refresh me. I am still reeling... from Caleb proposal! OH MY!

Love you.
Teena; March 5, 2012 at 8:51 PM
Teena said...: Beautiful. This is my favorite time of year too! I love SPRING. I love it because of all the life ... blooming and our Lord and Savior.. and His grace for us. I just love Easter.

YOU refresh me. I am still reeling... from Caleb proposal! OH MY!

Love you.
Teena; March 5, 2012 at 8:51 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.