Hello Friends. It is a blessing to be home. Luke has enjoyed the company of several visitors, and has continued the process of learning how to live without his leg. Today he had his first home physical therapy, drove his wheelchair around the block, and walked on crutches to use the bathroom. Laura and I are impressed with his progress and proud of his attitude. Because Luke's favorite color is yellow, several of us have taken to wearing yellow clothing as a reminder to pray for Luke throughout the day. Last week, before Luke had surgery, we went shopping online and Luke ordered several items for me since (shockingly) I didn't previously own anything yellow. Today I wore some pants he chose for me. I looked amazing. So many people have reached out to us, we are so humbled. Our dear friends, of course, have been incredible, but we have also been blessed to interact with many different people for the very first time. Our circumstances are so heartbreaking, yet it is through those very circumstances that God is bringing His people into our lives to pray, provide and listen. Please keep praying, for healing in Luke's leg and for comfort in our hearts. Our simple prayer continues to be the same: God heal our boy. (James 5:14-16) God bless! James & Lu (for Sam, Jay & Luke)
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Hello Friends. In the past day Luke has been presented with unimaginable physical tests, and we could not be more humbled by the courage he has displayed. He is learning an entirely new way to move and live, and that also comes with spiritual and emotional challenges that are honestly overwhelming. We are taking it one step at a time, and each hour that passes represents another hurdle Luke has overcome. We are so proud of him. It looks like we'll be back home on Tuesday, five days after his major surgery, and Luke is readying himself. Steps that once were easy and mundane will be unfamiliar and taxing. Please pray for Luke. He needs strength, patience and courage. Our family continues to be immensely blessed by dear friends who are visiting, praying and listening. Thank you. We will be home in Mason for two weeks before Luke heads back to DeVos to begin chemotherapy. We will keep you up to date on prayer, progress and needs. Our prayer remains simple: God heal our boy. (James 5:14-16) God bless, James & Lu (for Sam, Jay & Luke)
Hello Friends. We made it through the first day. We are thankful for God's mercies. Luke is exhausted as he recovers from a major surgery and entertains a steady parade of visitors. The outpouring of prayer, encouragements and gifts has honestly been incredible. Thank you. Each night as we watch Luke sleep and reflect on the day, we are amazed at the circumstances of our lives. We are at the end of our understanding, and at the end of our capacity, and we need God's grace to move forward. Your prayers mean so much to us, and we are filled with thankfulness that God has given us enough to make it through this day. Our prayer is simple: God heal our boy. (James 5:14-16) Yesterday, Luke asked Spencer, his Child Life Specialist to write a verse on his left (good) leg before the surgery. Spencer was glad to do it, and Luke asked for Romans 8:18, a verse his WYLdLife leader Kelsey recently sent to him. It says, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18 has brought us tremendous comfort. We hope it does the same for you. God bless! James & Lu (for Sam, Jay & Luke) p.s. It's OK to cry when you see the verse on Luke's leg...literally every single one of Luke's nurses already has :) Hello Friends.
Luke was in surgery for 3 hours this morning, and we are now in recovery with him. He is tired and a bit scared, so please continue to hold him in your prayers. The amputation went smoothly, and they also inserted a port into his chest to allow for his chemo treatments to begin in a couple of weeks. There is such a long road in front of us, but right now we are grateful for God's grace today and focused on getting through the weekend. So many of you have reached out, and so many people are praying for Luke, words cannot express how much it means to us. Thank you. Our prayer is simple: God heal our boy. (James 5:14-16) God bless! James & Lu (for Sam, Jay & Luke)
Laura, Luke and I arrived in Grand Rapids this evening. Tomorrow (Thursday) at 9:00 a.m. Luke will have "above the knee" surgery to remove the lower part of his right leg. The tumor in Luke's leg is so pervasive that this surgery is the wisest option to give Luke the very best chance of beating the cancer. Once Luke has adequately healed from the surgery, he will begin 45-50 weeks chemotherapy ASAP (target start date is Sept 17) to address the remaining presence of cancer in his body. We are praying for Luke to be cancer free by this time next year, if not sooner. Luke will also begin OT, PT, etc. right away and be fitted with a prosthetic leg so he can begin to learn to walk and live well going forward. The goal is for Luke to be on the Mason Tennis team and marching in the Mason band in the Fall of 2016. We have seen God everywhere through this process, and yet it is still so, SO hard. I am proud of Luke, thankful for my amazing wife, and grateful to follow a trustworthy Savior. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement and support. We have truly experienced God's love and grace through all you these past few weeks. Our prayer is simple: God heal our boy (James 5:14-16) God bless, James (for Laura, Sam, Jay & Luke) p.s. wear something yellow tomorrow to remind you to pray for Luke |
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