Keep On Praying!!!

I feel like it has been a long, long time since I last wrote you all.  It has been over a week, and I feel so estranged already....Writing a "daily blog" takes a lot of discipline...and especially when you've been traveling and staying too busy to take the time to write it all down!  So, here goes:
 

R to L: Mike and Lisa Wedge, Nicole and Matt Steiner



Last night we returned home from a whirlwind trip to Maine to visit our son Matthew and his family...and to celebrate our grandson Noah's 11th birthday.  We also visited our younger son Scott who happens to live in the same area.  So it was a busy, but happy time together with loved ones and even some old friends. 

If you have been following my blog for a while, you know that our son Matt is battling a rare and aggressive cancer: Desmoplastic small round cell tumor...a disease that usually attacks children, but  for some reason it chose Matthew as a target at the age of 37.  Matt has been undergoing chemo for about 6 months now, and is soon coming to the end of this round of treatment.  At that time they will determine whether or not he needs further treatment or just what the next step should be to bring him to the desired goal of healing in his body. 

Of course, this has been a topic of much prayer among our many loved ones, friends, churches, and even total strangers across this land...and around the world.  I love the electronic medium of email and facebook, and even this blog, which has helped to spread the word to people who truly care and who actually take the time to pray for a young man whom many have never even met.  For this, I want to say a hearty "Thank you!" and God bless you all.  Please don't stop praying!  Your prayers are being answered. 

As I spent time with Matthew this past week, I marveled at his apparent strength, health, and overall good attitude in the midst of what could be a time of extreme devastation for some.   Matthew shared a story with me about another man he knew who was diagnosed with cancer about the same time as he was, and who, because of fear of the unknown and perhaps a feeling of desperation, took his own life, saying he did not want to be a burden to his family.  How sad for that family...the very thing this man wanted to avoid became exactly what happened...his unfortunate actions placed an even greater burden on his family who would gladly have tried to help him through that trial had he only given them a chance...and had he had the faith to believe that God would be there to help him.  I can't stand in judgement of that man for I do not know what motivated him from within, but I can only pray for his family, that God will comfort them as they deal with that great loss.

I know that we are not through with this ordeal yet, and we do not know what the future may hold.  But we are assured of one thing, that God is with our family in the good times and the bad...He does not forsake us or leave us comfortless.  He gives us the strength we need to get through difficult obstacles and serious health issues...one day at a time...one obstacle at a time.   That is the faith that sustains us, carries us, and keeps us moving forward.  The hope that only Christ can bring in the time of sorrow, uncertainty and fear is what gives us strength.  I am thankful that our Matthew has this hope and faith.  I'm not saying he has not felt any fear or anxiety over this illness and his situation...he has had plenty.  But I truly believe that it is the prayers of many, including you, who have given him courage and strength and the will to keep fighting.  That is why I say Thank you!  Please don't stop! Your prayers are being answered....don't ever think your prayers don't matter...they matter to ME, to Matthew, and to our whole family.  God bless you all, and thank you.

James 5:16  "....The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."   









Noah and his cousin Jeremy

 Noah and his cousin Jeremy...born one week apart and good buddies.

Our grandson Noah and his Grandpa Steiner...showing off a new t-shirt he was given for his birthday...Nike says, "There is no finish line", and the letters are made up of people running the race...  Actually, we are running a race...I Corinthians 9:24 says, "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?  So run, that ye may obtain....vs. 25 says, "They do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. "

Noah and his Grandpa Steiner





My Friends Nancy, Me, and Sharon

 This picture shows me with two of my long-time friends from New Hampshire. Nancy is my daughter-in-law's Mother, and a good friend. Nancy lost her sweet husband Dennis to a brain tumor a few years ago. He was a precious man, and we all miss him...especially Noah misses his "Pa-Pa".  Sharon is a breast cancer survivor, and she also lost her dear husband Walter a little over a year ago to a brain aneurism, which took him quite suddenly. They were also dear friends of ours. Sharon is the grandmother to Noah's cousin Jeremy, and so is Nancy. So we are all one big family.  We always get together to celebrate Noah's birthday each year when we travel to New England for this annual event!



"Uncle Scott" and Noah

This picture is my grandson Noah with his Uncle Scott, our youngest son.  They have a great time together playing Wii and goofing around, as you can see.