Hi folks
Well, this post is a difficult one. It’s hard enough for me to write this often where I’m the primary focus, as it makes me feel awfully self-absorbed; I’d much rather come alongside others who are hurting and share their burdens. Or go fishing. But, I guess with this little procedure tomorrow, I’ll burden you all with some prayer requests. We humbly appreciate it. And we promise to pray now and for each of you in the years to come. Many years to come.
Back home, Kim’s parents (Gaga and Gibby) are managing the household. Please pray:
- For the strength of Kim’s parents, Gibby in particular, as he is very ill himself with his own battle with the “little c” (cancer).
- For Joy, Caroline, Samantha, and Owen, that they will have peace, love each other well, and be easy for their grandparents.
For the surgery tomorrow, please pray:
- That the surgical team will have great wisdom and skill to remove all of the cancer yet optimally preserve healthy tissue.
- That if my bladder must be removed, the nerves and vessels in that area are preserved.
- That if intraoperative radiation is necessary, it kills all cancer cells without damaging the surrounding tissue.
- That the newly installed colostomy bag will be temporary.
- For peace and comfort for Kim, my mother (Nancy), my sister (Nan), and my father (Charlie) as they spend the day waiting at MD Anderson.
That should cover us! Thanks for all your love and support.
I’ll finish with this. As I was leaving the medical center Monday afternoon, it occurred to me that I feel like I live by hope much more than I live by faith. I don’t mean this in a necessarily negative way. As my brother/friend/pastor Jared Bryant said this morning, Paul in Corinthians 13:13 tells us that faith, hope, and love abide forever, but he mentioned that many people are geared towards one of these more than others. And for me, I live resolutely in the hope of eternity–that when the lights of this world go out, new ones turn on. I cast my sight on the horizon, which is wonderful when you can see it. But the enormity of difficult circumstances can rock you, your sight become limited, and even the hope of a far-off promised land provides little solace.
I picture the scene in the movie Alive when Nando and Roberto are trying to escape the Andes. After two days they reach the top of a treacherous mountain, believing the coast of Chile lay on the other side, only to see an infinity of mountains. Their hopes crushed, Nando finds some resolve from within, some strength (faith?) to persevere. And they proceed to trek an additional 12 days to rescue. Dramatized or not, the point is that a hope without faith is easily turned to doubt and uncertainty. They could have turned back. I could abandon my hope and despair. But it is only by remembering that Christ is with me always that I carry on with joy and purpose now.
I’m thankful for all my friends who have such strong faith for me to rely on. Perhaps I occasionally remind them of the sweet goal of our perseverance. And together there is the love that binds us as a body. And the “big C” (I hope you know what I mean by this one) that upholds us.
Peace, love, and humble appreciation.
Two Stories 
Thanks for being willing to share details – love you all!
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I love you, brother! We will continue praying earnestly for you and your family. Your faith continues to be a great testimony about our risen Savior. I’m blessed and proud to have you as my friend.
The world understands hope as wishful thinking, as in “I hope something will happen.” As you know, this is not what the Bible means by hope, which is a firm assurance regarding things that are unknown to us, but not to sovereign God. Believers stand solidly on the promises of an omniscient, omnipotent, loving, immutable, & faithful God. Remember that you are in great hands from an earthly perspective (i.e. the best cancer doctors in the world) but more importantly, in the mighty hands of Jehovah Rapha, the Great Physician! I expectantly anticipate good news about your situation and an answer to many prayers, so that our Father in heaven will be glorified His great name magnified! Rest in the peace only He can give.
By the way – – I cannot believe that you have three teenage daughters! I’ll go ahead and set up some therapy appointments for you upon your return. 😜
Take care,
Tom
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Brent, you write beautifully — both with words and with honest beauty that magnifies our Lord. Thank you — we’re praying for you and for all requests!
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Prayers to our powerful and loving God! We love you brother!!
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1Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
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Hugs, love and prayers from the Atwood family. I am thankful that James sent me your blog – we will be thinking of you and lifting you and your family up in prayers.
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The Mitchell Family will be praying!
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Praying for you, your surgical team and as always, your sweet family.
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DBW,
Thank you for sharing & your faith jumps out at me through your words. I’ll place each of your requests w/ our church intercessors. Praying God lifts you up & holds you, Kim, & family close in His peace & strength.
“Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!”
Psalms 103:1-5 NLT
Love you!
Marnie Dwiggie
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Brent and Kim….Love you more than I can say. Praying fervently that you will sleep in peace tonight. Hug each other from me. Ash
Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but Thou art mighty;
Hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven,
Feed me now and evermore;
Bread of heaven,
Feed me now and evermore….
Land me safe on Canaan’s side
Bid my anxious fears, bid my anxious fears
Land me safe on Canaan’s side
Bid my anxious fears, bid my anxious fears, goodbye
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