Victory

Surely or only goodness, mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place. Psalm 23:6 AMP

"Stable" is the word we heard from both the Neurosurgeon and Oncologist this week. Praise God. We can do 'stable'. Thank you for standing with us in prayer, believing for God's absolute best for this little girl, Victoria Grace.

It is hard to believe that is has been five years since Victoria was diagnosed and even more difficult to comprehend all that has happened in that time. Many things have changed, but some have remained the same. Victoria's beautiful smile and zest for life is one thing that has not changed. And neither has our faithful God. He has been there in every bit of this huge, long, often exhausting roller coaster ride. Every low, every twist and turn and every high, He has been there.

Yesterday we had a wonderful celebration of God's goodness over the past five years. Thank you so much to family and friends who were able to join us. There were many stand out moments to me, but one that sticks in my mind is seeing Victoria laughing and playing with her friends. 

This journey is very different for her now. Victoria is no longer a three year old, completely reliant on Mum and Dad. She is an eight year old, with her own friends, her own likes and dislikes and her own understanding of this journey. She is the one who sits in the chair closest to the oncologist and views the scans with him, asking the questions, 'Has there been a change?' 'When will the next scan be?'

Ken and I were so proud of her last night when she stood and clearly told everyone the results of this week's scan, including a little explanation of what 'stable' means, followed by something like, 'have fun everyone' and then ran off with a giggle. She is living out her 'name sake' - victor, conqueror, favour, blessing.

We decided to have a visual reminder at the celebration of the victories we have experienced over the past five years - cupcakes.

In fact, 84 cupcakes, spelling out the word 'Victory'. As you can see the girls had great fun making all the cupcakes.

And decorating them (and have you noticed how camera shy they are - not!)

They were then carefully displayed in the park, under Charlotte's direction.

Victory! 

Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him who loved us.

Romans 8:37 AMP

Thank you again for your prayers and support and for celebrating with us, wherever you are. Victoria's next scan is on 18th May (pushed out to 4 months - yay), and we are expectant of continuing victories in her life.

Together

For wherever two or three are gathered 

(drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, 

there I AM in the midst of them. 

Matthew 18:20 AMP

This photo is so much more than a picture of two little girls standing at the edge of the lake. From their gesture we can see a story of the love between them.  From the magnificent sky and it's reflection we can see the majesty of God's creation. 

And then we consider the 'back story'. Who are those little girls? Two sisters who  know that life isn't all 'roses', and have built a strong bond out of those circumstances. Two sisters who know they are children of God and that He is in their midst. Two sisters, who because of God's love for them, can laugh together.

Two sisters who know and have seen God's grace in their lives. Two sisters who have some understanding of the truth of this scripture.

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labour] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:28 AMP

Why are those little girls out so late? The next day one of them is going for a brain scan (her 20th one). She knows what is going on. There is fear. She is human. But there is also joy. Joy, when her focus is elsewhere, on life.

What a lesson for us all. 

Question for today, where is your focus? Is it on your circumstances or is it on the giver of life?

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed - that exhilarating finish in and with God - he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. Hebrews 12:2 The Message

Christ is our example of how to do this life, together with God, and together with people. He is worthy of our praise.

Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may [unanimously] with united hearts and one voice, praise and glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah). Romans 15:5-6 AMP

Five Years On - let's celebrate

Five years on from when Victoria was diagnosed and we have so much to be grateful for. Number one is that Victoria is still here with us, full of life and love.

We have always said to Victoria that we will have a big party to celebrate when the tumour is gone, and prior to each scan she talks about the party and who we will invite. However, we have yet to receive that news. In faith, we believe that day will come.

Victoria has a scan next week on 19th January (the actual day, 5 years ago that we got the new about the tumour). We will get the results on 20th, and we have decided that we going to celebrate regardless of the result. We are going to celebrate our God's goodness and faithfulness in the life of our daughter, and our family.

Bless our God, O peoples, give Him grateful thanks and make the voice of His praise be heard, who put and kept us among the living, and has not allowed our feet to slip. Psalm 66:8-9 AMP

We would love for you all to join us to celebrate, however we realise that is not possible for some due to distance. But for those who are local and would like to come and celebrate, we will be having a picnic in a local park, on Thursday 21st January at 6pm. It will be a BYO everything. For more details, please email, text or facebook me.

If you are unable to come for whatever reason, we would ask that you please take a few moments on Thursday to give thanks to God for all He has done in Victoria's life over the past five years.

Thank you for continuing to stand with us believing for God's best for Victoria. We look forward to celebrating with you.