Hello Friends.

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for Luke.  He had a minor "clean up" surgery yesterday afternoon, and it ended up being the "best" case scenario given the signs of potential infection that existed in his leg.  A couple of his stitches had caused a mild irritation that was simple to clean out and then they re-stitched his wound.  Not fun, but we were very relieved that it wasn't a deep infection.  They're running tests to see if there is any kind of infection, and if so he'll be on antibiotics.  Chemotherapy will begin when wound is adequately healed, maybe as early as next week.  Luke will be home later today or tomorrow at the latest.

Luke said, "we should mark this day in history, as it is LITERALLY the first time we didn't receive the WORST news we possibly could have from the Doctor."  Bless God for his mercies.

Please keep praying, for God to heal our boy.  (James 5:14-16)

God bless,
James & Lu
(for Sam, Jay & Luke)

Hello Friends.

More delays and uncertainty.  The surgeon looked at Luke's leg again yesterday and was not ready to give the go ahead for Luke to begin chemo.  Instead, he has scheduled a 2nd "surgery" for today (Tuesday) at 1:00 to clean out any potential infection.  He also wants to culture Luke's leg in order to pinpoint the correct antibiotic needed.  Very hard for us to hear, but Luke really needs to be healthy before beginning his treatments.  This is a minor procedure and we are expecting to be back home late Wednesday or Thursday at the latest.  Chemotherapy will begin when Luke's wound has sufficiently healed. 

Thankfully, by God's grace, Laura felt much better yesterday and was able to be with Luke all day.  Thank you for praying for her! 

Please keep praying.  We need patience and faith.  We need God's mercy.  We need God to heal our boy.  (James 5:14-16)

God bless,
James & Lu
(for Sam, Jay & Luke)

Hello Friends,

Tomorrow is Monday, September 28th, and will likely mark the 1st of many days where Luke receives chemotherapy treatments.  Luke has multiple appointments and tests scheduled for the morning, and then based on those results he will begin chemo in the afternoon.  He is then scheduled for treatments once each day for the remainder of the week, so we anticipate being at DeVos until Friday.  We have three specific prayer requests:

1) Laura has been sick all week, but she has felt better today.  We're praying for her to be back to 100% tomorrow so she can be with Luke in the infusion center for the rest of the week.
2) For Sam and Jay, as they navigate busy schedules while Laura and I shuttle to and from Grand Rapids all week.
3) Lastly, of course, please pray that God would heal our boy.  (James 5:14-16)

Beyond this week, it looks as though Luke will have about one month of "outpatient" treatment, where he will be in Grand Rapids one day each week for bloodwork and chemo but not staying overnight.

We cannot thank you enough for your prayers, encouragement, and help during this most challenging season.

God bless!
James & Lu
(for Sam, Jay & Luke)

Sadness is a doorway to deeper faith.  So is fear.  Doubt too.  These emotions can be painful and very powerful, powerful enough to awaken us to the reality that we are not in control.  Pastor Craig Barnes has this to say about the sovereignty of God:

“God is often silent when we prefer that he speak and he interrupts us when we prefer that he stay silent. His ways are not our ways. To live with the sacred God of creation means that we conduct our lives with a God who does not explain himself to us. It means that we worship a God who is often mysterious - too mysterious to fit our formulas for better living. It means that God is not our best friend our secret lover or our good-luck charm. He is God."

It is through circumstances we don't prefer that my family is keenly aware of God's powerful presence.  At times we see glimpses of God's unfolding plan, but overall we lack understanding.  Still we achingly walk the path God has for us, for indeed He is God.
 
And we continue to pray, God heal our boy.  (James 5:14-16)

God bless,
James & Lu
(for Sam, Jay & Luke)

Luke visited with his surgeon in Grand Rapids yesterday, and had his stitches removed.  His leg is healing nicely, but his doctors determined it would be best to give him a bit more time to heal before he begins chemotherapy.  It looks like those treatments will begin on Monday next week, rather than tomorrow.  Luke is glad for the delay, but at the same time we know the chemo is inevitable and necessary to address his cancer.  Please continue to pray with us, for God to heal our boy. (James 5:14-16)

God bless,
James & Lu
(for Sam, Jay & Luke)

(Note: this post is Laura's journal entry from her devotional this morning...going forward this blog will include more entries from her and from Luke as well)

A bomb went off in my home last month.  I call it the "C-bomb."  It took Luke’s right leg.  There is shrapnel in several parts of his body as well.  We’re all reeling from the explosion.  We are begging God to please remove the cancer from Luke’s body and to heal our boy. (James 5:14-16)

The past couple of days I have been asking God where is He in all this chaos and pain.  Today He spoke to me through Psalm 18. 

“I love you, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
     my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:1-2)

I feel like “the cords of the grave are coiled around Luke,” and “the snares of death are confronting him.” (Psalm 18:5)  That is how it feels to face the cancer that has hold of Luke.

Does God hear me from his temple? (Psalm 18:6)  Does the Lord rise up with smoke coming from his nostrils, as consuming fire, on clouds, in darkness, with rain, hail and bolts of lightening, to come fight for Luke’s life? (Psalm 18:7-12)

I pray that the Lord will shoot his arrows and scatter the tumors!  I plead with God that he will send great bolts of lightening to rout the cancer in Luke’s body! (Psalm 18:14).  I hope that He will bring Luke “out into a spacious place and rescue him!” (Psalm 18:19) I beg the Lord to please “keep my lamp burning; to turn my darkness into light” as I battle the despair in my heart! (Psalm 18:28)  And then God reminds me:

“As for God, his way is perfect;
     the word of the Lord is flawless.
He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
For who is God besides the Lord?
     And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with stength
     and makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
     he enables me to stand on the heights." (Psalm 18:30-33)

The Lord lives!  Praise be to my Rock!
     Exalted is God, my Savior!  (Psalm 18:46)

Amen.

Hello Friends.

Many of you have asked about other practical ways you can help out.  Luke will be in Grand Rapids from Wednesday to Sunday (Sept 23-27) next week, to begin his chemotherapy.  First and foremost, please pray for the treatment to completely eradicate the cancer in Luke's body.

Please contact us if you'd like to visit while we're at the hospital in Grand Rapids.  Also, if you'd like to provide gift cards for meals at the hospital, there are several very nice cafes in the complex.  You can contact Jeff Denhof (616.391.2549) and he'll take care of you.  There are also three restaurants on site in the hospital complex that we've enjoyed:

Smashburger: http://smashburger.securetree.com/Products/New-Gift-Cards/
Qdoba: http://www.qdoba.com/gift-card
Zoup: http://www.zoup.com/gift-cards.html

Luke had his first full day as a Freshman at Mason High School today.  He loved it.  Thank you for your continued prayers, encouragement, and practical support.  Our prayer remains simple: God  heal our boy. (James 5:14-16)

God bless,
James & Lu
(for Sam, Jay & Luke)

One month ago today we received the phone call informing us that Luke had a sizable tumor in his lower right leg.  One week later we found out it was cancerous.  One week later we found out the cancer had spread beyond Luke's leg.  One week later Luke's lower right leg was removed.  It's been the hardest and worst month of our lives, hands down.

And yet, Luke is doing well.  Amazingly well.  Today, he went back to school for the first time, and it was so cool to watch him interact with his friends.  Luke will take three classes this Fall, while also undergoing chemotherapy treatments and being fitted for a prosthetic leg.  We are so proud of him.  There are literally thousands of people praying for Luke.  We are so grateful.  We do not understand our circumstances, but we get glimpses each day of God working through them.  We know that God is good.  We know that God loves Luke.  We are praying boldly for God to heal our boy.  (James 5:14-16)

Please continue to pray, encourage, and visit.  We cannot thank you enough.

God bless,
James & Lu
(for Sam, Jay & Luke)

Hello Friends.

Luke is feeling loved.  Our entire family is grateful.  The first picture is of a recent Riverview Staff meeting.  Lots of yellow in support of Luke.  The second picture was sent by a woman whose Life Group has individual members praying for Luke 24 hours every day.  She had the 11:00 slot.  The video is of the entire Mason High School band sending Luke their love.  Last night would have been Luke's first time marching in the band, and he was feeling pretty defeated.  Seeing all of his friends in the band was a huge encouragement.

Thank you for praying, visiting, and showing your support for Luke.  It means everything.

God bless!
James & Lu
(for Sam, Jay & Luke)

God heal our boy: James 5:14-16

Hello Friends.

Today Luke was able to complete all of his physical therapy goals, and he is slowly adjusting to the disturbing sensations that are now part of his life.  Some of the exercises are excruciating for Luke.  We continue to be impressed with his courage and patience.

The highlight of the day, and really every day, is watching Luke interact with the many people who stop by to spend time in our home.  Luke truly has a gift.  He connects with people.  He speaks truth.  He is often surrounded by laughter.  A simple game of Bop It with Emily and Kelsey turns our living room into joy.  Today was a rich day. 

Thank you so much for praying for Luke!

God bless,
James & Lu
(for Sam, Jay & Luke)