No test results yet. Many of us have been praying the simple and profound prayer for Joshua, "5%, Jesus, 5%." We'll have to pray it for a while longer. The doctors told us that the results would be here today; they will not be ready until Monday morning. So we wait. Joshua came through his anesthesia well, though, and woke up hungry. You can see his progression from taco, to cookie, and ultimately, ice cream.
There are so many passages from God's word that come to mind right now as we consider the 5%. Will it be more? Will it be less? Do I really believe it will happen? Do I not? What place does trusting in God's will have in all this? Some of those are questions that are not meant to be understood, just meant to be asked. One passage that is of particular concern to us in the midst of those questions is from Mark 9. It's a story of a father with a sick little boy who wants to believe so badly, but is honest with Jesus about his inability to do so. He ultimately says, "I believe... Help my unbelief." And that seems to be what Jesus was looking for - someone who trusted Jesus enough to tell him that he did not trust him fully.
So as we look forward to 5%, we are trusting in the Lord, and trusting Him to make up in us the parts that don't fully trust yet. We'll let you know.
22 comments:
Oh how you are teaching me through your words my need to trust in the Father more. We are praying for you through your weekend wait-
Beth Caskey
TFBC Taylors , SC
praying with you guys ... love the taco!
Hey friend,
SL Publishing had a big prayer time for your family today. Your family is loved by a lot of people.
Praying for a healing . . . But 5% will do!
MMMM, Taco! Yo Quiero 5%.
Jana, Michael and Joshua,
I was anxious for the results today! I've never been so thankful for the Internet until now, so I can share in Joshua's Journey. It has been an honor and privilege to go before the Father and pray for all of you.
Oh how I know the times of unbelief but I also know that the Lord is always with you. I learned through our own battles with our children that the Lord honors our faith in His word. I learned over the years to stand firm in the Word, knowing that what the Lord says He will do., He will do it.
Alot of times it is hard to understand His timeline. Just stand firm, don't be moved by what you hear or see, be moved only by the Word and the promises He gives us.
I just share this only because I've been there, done that (if you will). I will be continuing to pray with you and stand with you in faith.
I must say that your strength in this is beyond admirable. You all are awesome and your love oh so shines.
Love you all, Cindy
we are waiting with you!!!
Hello!
My name is Lindsay Barnes and I posted a couple of days ago but I posted in the wrong entry, I think, so I am not sure you received it. I'm not a blogger yet.:) Anyway, my husband Wes and I are friends of Will and Ali Heath and I just wanted to tell you again we are praying for you daily. We will check in again Monday as we are anticipating the test results. Psalm 71:20-21
Sincerely,
The Barnes Family in Sachse, Texas
5%...5%...it's gonna happen. love you guys. praying for you.
love erin & ben
Your in our thoughts and prayers and those of our church family as well, Burnt Hickory Baptist Church, Powder Springs, Georgia.
Jana,
We just wanted to drop you a note to say that we are praying for all of you. Our very hearts are with you. Our family is praying together very day. May the peace of God be with you this weekend.
Love,
Darrell, Tammy, Bethany and Jace Brown
i learned through cancer two important things that it seems you are learning as well, my friends:
1 - God can handle my doubts. Seriously. He will not freak out.
2 - God is much more interested in my trusting him with my WHY questions rather than figuring out the answers to them. His character is much more powerful than my understanding. So the unknown continues to loom and somehow we continue to trust.
All that to say, i've learned that trust in God during hard times is choosing not to say "I'm hurting, but I trust God". It's saying instead "I'm hurting, AND I trust God". I love what the Spirit is articulating through your family right now - that life can seriously hurt. And somehow grace holds that hurt and God's character is perfect tension.
Wow. We sure do love you guys. Sterling celebrated his 2nd birthday today and we thought of Joshua much. Wish we could visit and share some of our new toys. I think Joshua and Sterling could go to down on our new bubble lawn mower.
5%. Let's ask boldly and see what He does. Either way, He'll be there on the other side to comfort, heal, guide. 5%. Today we'll continue to ask for 5%.
i just think it's really neat that joshua is the one that is sick, but he's also the one bringing you smiles and so much joy in the middle of all of it. you can laugh at him eating tacos and ice cream and all that...it's just cool, you know. nothing profound, just an observation. i'm praying for all of you.
Josie said: As I share this journey with you, I am so profoundly reminded of the beauty of the leaf tht just blew by my window, of the laughter we have shared, of the incredible love of Jesus, and for the power of our prayers. I love you, josie
Wow! we needed those words as we wait with our own cancer journey.
Isn't it incredibly strengthening that God is working as we wait. He doesn't sleep on the job. He promises that as we wait on Him he renews our strength.
We are praying for the 5% and for strength for you...physical, emotional, and spiritual.
And only a Texan would mix Tacos with his ice cream! mmmm...wonder who taught him that? Joshua has a way of making people smile.
Thank you for sharing your heart with us and allowing us to walk with you. God is using your journey.
Give Joshua a hug for me and tell him it's from Emily's mom :-)
If you need anything, I am here for you.
Ellen Dunn
dear Kelley family, I've been praying for you daily and passing on the need for prayer to other friends and family members. thanks so much for being such great hosts this summer during the c.s. lewis group. you all are fantastic. my big sister had leukemia when we were growing up, so my heart is with you.
much love,
sarah dockrey
Corky and I are praying for your family. The only thing I can share with you is that when God takes us through a valley, He is preparing us for a new ministry. You will now have a ministry of helping parents as their children go through difficult times.
We pray God's blessing on the "good news" you will receive Monday.
Corky and Lou Dawson
Granbury, Texas
Michael, Jana, and Joshua
I am praying that Joshua will develop fully and harmoniously: physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. Like Jesus he will grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men (Luke 2:52). And that Joshua's light shall break forth like the morning and his healing, (restoration and power of new life) shall spring forth speedily, Isaiah 58:8.
For Michael and Jana, (Ephesians 3:16) that out of his glorious riches he may stregthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.
Jana, your mom is a very special friend of mine. We are together in a Tuesday night bible study.
God's grace is sufficient
All of you will remain in my prayers
God Bless You
Marilyn Lancaster in Clovis, NM
Jana,
you and your boys are constantly on my mind. i will continue to pray for you and want you to know who much i am learning from you and your family. joshua is one lucky kid to have such incredible parents. Tiffany
Kedra and I are praying for Joshua... 5%. In fact, I'm sitting in Systematic Theology right now and Dr. Moore is about to pray for you as well.
Tory, Kedra and Abigail
We love you and are praying for you.
-Dan Maher
Michael, Jana & Joshua,
You don't know me, but I have some common friends with Joshua's grandmother, Judy, and an aunt. Let me start by sharing that I've been where you are, and where you are going...my granddaughter, Rylee,now 23 months, was diagnosed with ALL at her nine month well check-up in September 2005. I was with my daughter, a single mom and college student, when Rylee was diagnosed. I kept thinking this was a horrible nightmare and I was going to awaken at any moment. Reality sets in quickly, within hours, Rylee was in Pedi-ICU receiving multiple blood transfusions...chemo follows quickly. It was approximately three months before she was able to go home. Her first visit home was short, just enough time for a two-hour nap...she awoke with a fever and was right back at the hospital. As I sit and read about little Joshua, it brings back so many memories...some bad, but so many are good. God opened my eyes to things I had been blind to before. He had his hand in everything! It is not for us understand why, but to know He is there with us to help us through.
When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. Isaiah 43:2a
Rylee's prognosis was 60-65% chance of not relapsing...she had some genetic factors coupled with her age that complicated her chances for full recovery. Since she was under one year of age, Rylee underwent a very aggressive protocol lasting a year. We were told that 20% of children in this age bracket don't even survive the treatment.
Now... let me share the joyous news...Oct. 10, a month ago, was her last day of protocol. She had her final bone marrow and spinal tap...the results were all that we could hope for. Through the healing power of the Holy Spirit, our little Rylee is in remission...the genetics that were complicating her disease were no longer present. I recall a morning in the first few days of Rylee's diagnosis when I was reading my bible...three different times I was lead to James 5:14-15. I shared this verse with some of my closest friends and claimed that one day Rylee would be healed in a way that it could only be seen as a miracle from God, and He would be glorified through her healing. I never knew the power this verse would have in my life and the testimony I would have to share. Please know that God is there for you and His presence is all around.
If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Ecclesiastes 4:10
I'm available if you ever have any questions or just need to talk. Please have hope...I will continue to pray for you and little Joshua.
In His love,
Brenda
Amarillo, TX
Your family is continually on my heart and in my prayers. Each morning as I sign on to my computer at work, I am blessed to receive the the KLOVE's Encouraging Word for the day...as I read the the verses from yesterday and this morning, I thought of little Joshua and his dear family...
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you,all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Isaiah 26:3 NLT
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." John 16:33 NLT
...He is the Almighty Healer and will bring comfort and strength to you at this difficult time.
So many people are praying for little Joshua...I know God is smiling as He sees His children come together and shower your family with the power of prayer!
Hang in there! God loves you!!
Brenda
Amarillo
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