Weary

Hello Friends!

Our family is weary.  We've been fighting for Luke for nearly a year, and the journey has taken a toll.  The cancer is stubborn.  The treatments keep coming, the road map keeps changing, the "end" is nowhere in sight.  Nerves are frayed, tears are flowing freely, discouragement creeps in.  It's easy to lose heart.  We are very, very weary.

Hebrews 12:3 says, "Consider Him who has endured such trials by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart."  In the midst of our exhaustion, we have been consistently reminded that Jesus is the One who sustains.  Your prayers, your generosity, and your encouragement have been tangible reminders that we are not alone in our weariness.  Thank you for helping remind us to consider Jesus.  Because Jesus is our hope, because He overcame death, we must not lose heart.

Here are some specific ways to pray:
1) One of the reasons Luke is weary is because he is receiving new chemo drugs to address the tumor on his sacrum.  His body is not used to these medicines, and his Docs haven't yet figured out how best to help him navigate the side effects.  Pray for a quick adjustment, and for Luke's body and his blood counts to stay strong so he can receive treatment he needs in a timely manner.
2) We are thankful that Luke's new regimen involves very few blood draws from his arms (he hates those!) and very infrequent overnight stays at DeVos (he hates those too!).  He goes to clinic every Thursday, they evaluate his blood via his port, and then after fluids and chemo he is able to come home.  This rhythm is much more palatable for Luke and easier on our family.
3) Luke's Docs want to do radiation on the one concerning area on his sacrum, some time in the late summer.  Pray for wisdom on the timing, and that it completely destroys any trace of cancer!
4) Pray for the cancer to continue to dissipate and disappear from Luke's chest, liver, and butt muscle.  The trajectory in all those area has been a huge answer to prayer.
5) Pray for rest and peace for Luke, Laura, and me.  We need God's supernatural comfort and grace to make it through this season.

Our needs remain the same.  Visit with Luke.  Send gift cards.  Come take a walk with Laura.  The meals are a huge blessing.  And, of course, please keep praying.  Luke needs the healing hand of God to scrub the cancer from his body.  Your prayers mean so much.

Our prayer remains the same: God heal our boy.  We can't stop, WON'T stop praying for God to heal our boy. (James 5:14-16)

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