Leukemia Journey Replace – Kristin Sterk

This passage of the Bible has been a problem for me as of late. One would perhaps assume this verse could be simple for me as a result of it’s not laborious to “be nonetheless” once I needed to stop work, give attention to a most cancers prognosis, and principally steer clear of bigger teams, nixing lots of the gatherings I’m used to. However this has been a problem.

A good friend had given me a considerate present card to a Christian clothes firm, and lo and behold, the t-shirt I beloved essentially the most, had this verse on it. I additionally acquired a journal with the saying “Be Nonetheless” on the entrance, unintentionally. And once I look down, it’s the shirt I’m sporting in the present day.

I feel God is making an attempt to inform me one thing.

It’s laborious to go from many actions, to none of them. Having accomplished this earlier than, quite a few instances, you’d assume I’d have it down. However I don’t. God calls us to totally different seasons of life, however the reality stays the identical. Whether or not our calendars are full or empty, the command is identical – be nonetheless and know that I’m God.

This previous week I completed up 3 days of chemo and can end up the chemo tablet this week. It’s a on condition that chemo is poisonous, so it doesn’t at all times make me really feel nice, however I’m grateful for the great hours and sustaining grace God has given me. Some hours through the day I sleep, however others I’m doing tasks round the home. It really is hour by hour. Nighttime is usually once I really feel finest, which has been a present, since that’s after we are collectively as a household. Perhaps it’s as a result of I’m capable of mentally put most cancers apart, however regardless, it’s a present.

This month I’ve a couple of bone marrow transplant appointments, and plenty of lab attracts, as we maintain a detailed eye on my counts after receiving extra chemo. That is all in preparation for my bone marrow transplant in January. My biopsy outcomes are favorable, with NO leukemia exhibiting up underneath the microscope. Some abnormalities confirmed up within the genetic take a look at (mutation of the illness remains to be there), however nothing stunning and that doesn’t change the plan of action. We’re grateful that the chemo is working and are greater than able to get the month of January behind us! It’ll be a protracted haul, however one which many have accomplished and I do know we are able to do it too.

Regardless of all the appointments, low counts, and chemo, the climate so far has been such a present and has allowed me to get exterior to stroll and expertise the fun of the vacations:

A candy good friend of mine took Mazy to the Holland Christmas parade this week! As you may inform, she LOVED it! Mazy and I additionally went to the Zeeland parade the evening earlier than, because of it clearly being exterior!

I shared this on social media this previous week, however I do know many should not on Fb, so I assumed I might share this right here as properly. A narrative of God’s tender love and care within the easiest of varieties:

The opposite evening, Mazy and I took a stroll downtown to see the twinkling lights on a hotter fall night. We observed the carriage rides had been taking place and I wished to go within the worst means. Suppose Hallmark film in actual life. However I knew it’d be too crowded to securely do it. We acquired out of the van in any case to see what the ready checklist seemed like.

The woman talked about there have been 3 carriages and the opposite two had been nearly full, however there was an empty one, however wasn’t positive we’d need to journey alone. It took every thing in me to choke again my tears as I muttered we’ll take it! I discussed that I didn’t assume we may do it as a result of I can’t be round plenty of individuals attributable to most cancers remedies, so this was a God-thing. Certain sufficient, Mazy and I stepped on and we had been the one individuals on that carriage!

As we drove by the check-in station, I used to be wiping tears because the ticket woman and I made eye contact. It was a second that God had arrange only for us and we had the privilege of getting a entrance row seat of a carriage to see it.

Appears so minuscule, however not with the ability to do a lot attributable to low white blood cell counts, something exterior is ideal, so long as I can select my distance. This time, God selected it for us and with tears streaming down my face, we took a tour via the cutest city one may dwell in. A spot we name dwelling. A time and place God had ordained in His good time, only for us. Solely God.

On Friday evening, Dan and Mazy, together with some buddies, attended the Profitable At Residence Father/Daughter Dance. Profitable At House is a Christian counseling middle and is a spot that’s close to and expensive to our hearts. They’ve accomplished a lot for our household as we now have walked the center and most cancers roads. I feel their smiles give a touch as to how a lot enjoyable that they had:

I generally nonetheless can’t consider the present God has given us and the chance we now have to be a steward over her right here on this earth. A real present.

Even when it’s slightly wet, it received’t cease us from taking our Sunday afternoon stroll collectively downtown!

In order I proceed to be taught to be nonetheless and know that God is God, I’m discovering ways in which He’s filling my soul. Via a track I’m listening to. A podcast. The day by day stroll I attempt to take. The drive to do a grocery pickup. My devotional instances. Books I’m studying. The quiet of our dwelling, that permits me to only pray and PRAY. An on-going dialog with God is what it turns into.

I do know many would DREAM of getting weeks on finish at dwelling and I might too – with out most cancers. It’s generally a full-time job to struggle this, and the battle my thoughts has to belief that God is God, isn’t at all times simple. The satan is aware of when and the place to get us, as he prowls round like a lion, in search of somebody to devour. However I refuse to let that dude win. And so we cling to the truths to…

Be nonetheless and know that I’m God – Psalm 46:10a