Joel's Journey: a goodbye....

Friday, May 10, 2013

a goodbye....

It's just plain hard to see them go!! But it has to take place! Children grow up into adults! Fact!! I'm especially moved with gratefulness to The Lord because for a time, a season, things were very tough in Daniels life. I didn't know what future he might have or if he would have one in this world. God has been so faithful to see Daniel through his depression and dark time that he walked through. For me, the mom, I was comparing that season that Daniel went through with Joel and his death and I have to say I felt more heartache with Daniel because I literally didn't know what to do except pray. With Joel it was over and I didn't necessarily have to "do" or "fix" something. It was done. So as we have come to the other side, we are very very grateful to The Lord and are super excited for so so many plans/opportunities that God is giving Daniel! Now, he lives passionately with lots of crazy ideas that he wants to do for The Lord! Some people are a bit skeptical! But hey, each one has a passion and his is music for Jesus!! I'm thrilled for him, his dreams his visions! So today, he is flying the skies back to Maryland to take on the world for Jesus!!

2 comments:

Unknown said...: I can so relate to this post. As painful as it was/is to say goodbye to my sweet little girl, I never had to wonder how to help her. I have always had the sweet assurance that she is safe and happy in Jesus arms. But to watch our children suffer and struggle emotionally or spiritually leave us feeling helpless and inadequate. Praying God's Blessing upon Daniel as he moves on in life. I have no doubt that the Lord has used this painful experience to strengthen him.; May 10, 2013 at 2:56 PM
Teena said...: God is faithful. Thank you for sharing. It is so hard at times with our older children. This week we leave for the beach. We will all be there (not sure if dh will be) except Mandi. Sometimes we are not all together till Christmas! Whew....

Praying for Daniel as he goes to Maryland. Praying for you too.

Love love love the pics.

Hugs,
Teena; May 11, 2013 at 2:36 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.