January 2015, sitting here in our garden, is a testimony of God's grace and faithfulness, four years since the diagnosis of a brain tumour. We continually praise God for all He has done in each of our lives.
O Lord God of hosts, who is a mighty one like unto You, O Lord? And Your faithfulness is round about You [as essential part of You at all times]. Psalm 89:7 AMP
Thank you to everyone who has in the past four years helped our family, either through prayer, practical or emotional support. The love and encouragement we have received has greatly helped us to continue each day, reminding us that we are not alone.
Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. 1 Corinthians 13:7 AMP
Victoria has started the year filled with joy, so looking forward to school and other various activities. It has been great to have the scan frequency changed to four months. This change has enabled Victoria to start school without the distraction of 'pre-scan anxiety' and various follow-up appointments. Her next scan is booked for March 9th, and we will get the results of March 10th. We continue to pray for another "Treatment free" year for Victoria, and indeed our whole family.
In the past I have started to experience anxiety regarding the scan about three or two weeks prior to the MRI day. So I was quite taken aback last week (five weeks out), when I felt a wave of fear overcome me. It was triggered by two things. Firstly, seeing our children so amazingly happy and content with their lives as they returned to school. The fear that this contentment could change should Victoria have to undergo treatment again. Secondly, by a comment from one of our children, 'Mum, When I was in Year #, you didn't really care about me'. What do you say? Year # was 2012 Victoria was in the middle of treatment. Our family was in survival mode. I responded to our child, with 'Yes, I did care about you, but I didn't have the capacity to give you what you needed'. I don't want to return to that place.
So once again I am gearing up for battle in my mind, to overcome the fear, in Jesus Name. This scripture is one I am definitely meditating on most days.
Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times, for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset - rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world. 1 Peter 5:7-9 AMP
For the readers of this blog who I see regularly, over these next five weeks, when you see me, please don't ask me how I am. Rather, please pray for me and our family. Thank you.
To help my mind focus elsewhere, I have set myself the physical goal of riding the 50 km section of the Loop the Lake fundraising event for The John Hunter Children's Hospital. This is the hospital that we have gotten to know and love over the past four years. Even if it takes me all day to ride the 50km, I am determined to complete the ride. The ride takes place on Sunday 8th March, the day before Victoria's scan, perfect timing! I will be so exhausted on Monday, hopefully I won't even have the energy to be anxious! I will have my faithful family support team in food and drinks van travelling with me.
If you live nearby and want to join in, please let me know. There is the 85km route around the whole lake, the 50km part route, and the 16km 'easy route', or you can start wherever you want to. Ken and our children will be getting on their bikes at Warners Bay and and we will ride the last couple of kms together to the finish line at Speers Point Park.
Regarding the Christmas Campaign PR Victoria did for the Starlight Children's Foundation, whilst we do not have an overall total, we do know that the Trade Secret shops alone raised over $95,000 for the Starlight Children's Foundation, with their Christmas, Round Up Your Sale. This enables 14 seriously ill children to be granted their wishes. Thank you to everyone who donated to this campaign, you have helped to make a tangible difference in these children's lives.
If you are eligible, please remember to Give Blood, and join The Conquerors group. Our group has now made enough donations to have potentially saved 81 lives! This is another way you can help make a tangible difference in the lives of many people, including many children in the oncology wards around Australia.
Thank you again for your continued prayers and support for Victoria and our family.
