This place so far from home, the one we live in close to the hospital some may call isolation but we call it holy ground.
It’s a new normal. A place stripped of most of our possessions but here in the quiet we have found God to be more than enough.
His presence is often experienced the most in our deep nights of the soul.
We are experiencing Him in new and profound ways.
That’s a gift.
Cancer. My husband’s cancer has caused us to go deeper with God, to experience His peace that passes all understanding more frequently. Especially in times of fear when we feel lost and alone and cry out to Him. It may not happen immediately but He always lets us know that He hasn’t abandoned us.
We will never be the same. You can’t go through something like this and ever come out on the other side of it the same as you entered into it.
Often God’s mercies are wrapped in unexpected ways.
Look at Jesus. Away in a manger no crib for a bed…
Who would have thought God would wrap His most precious gift of love, grace and mercy in swaddling cloths?
Who would have thought God Himself would come to earth in such a lowly, humble way?
Truth is His most precious gifts often come wrapped that way. In ways that we would never expect. His gifts are perfect and right on time.
We prayed for 4 months that a bone marrow donor would be found for my husband.
Many have prayed. Perhaps you prayed too.
The news came that a donor could not be found through the registry.
More chemo. More waiting. More praying. More hoping.
Then the miracle came.
Our oldest son, Scott, tested as over half a match.
Not perfect but good enough.
It’s good enough for a haploidentical bone marrow transplant.
These types of transplants have been done successfully at the University Research Hospital where the transplant will be done. All transplants come with benefits and risks. It’s not easy by any means but we trust God with the outcome.
On January 6 my husband will enter the hospital. His immune system will be suppressed through more chemotherapy and radiation.
On Januray 13, Scott’s bone marrow will be harvested and given to Bob through an IV.
My husband, Bob, will receive the gift of life through the son that he gave life to. The son we gave birth to is giving his father a second chance at life.
Who would have thought that the answer; the gift would come through our son?
We celebrate the most precious gift ever given in Jesus this month, the one who has given us life eternal.
And we receive with grateful hearts His precious gift of mercy wrapped in the most unexpected way through our son, Scott and we thank our son for his most special offering. Certainly it’s the best gift that he’s ever given his dad for Christmas.
We are going to have a Merry Christmas knowing that our God knows what He is doing and although a perfect donor match could not be found He is going to give Bob a perfect transplant.
Merry Christmas!
Nancy ❤
( The photo was taken of an angel adorning our beautiful European Cyprus Tree. Both the tree and ornaments were sent to us by some dear friends)
Pens and Journals 