I don't have anything new to share as far as an update today...I just want to share some things that have been on my heart lately.
Every day, we hear from at least one person (usually several people) about how much Hannah's story has touched, or even changed, their life. It is such an incredible blessing to us to hear that, and I want to take a minute to explain why. The night before Hannah's brain surgery last February, she shared a story with us that she had never told us before. Many of you have heard this story; most of you probably have not, so with her permission I want to share it with you now. A little less than a year before Hannah got sick, she participated in a special youth retreat event with our church called Disciple Now. (Mike Beck, you were her youth leader at the time.) A special speaker was brought in for the weekend, and one evening he talked to the kids about how God sometimes uses storms in our lives to mature us, and to give us an opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ to those around us. As he talked, she began to realize that she had never experienced a real storm in her life, and when she prayed that night, she asked God to send her a storm, so that through it, she could glorify God and bring others to Him. She is in the middle of that storm right now, and you have been a part of it by reading these emails and following her story...so if you find that your life has changed, or that you are walking closer with the Lord as a result of what is happening in her life...you are an answer to her prayer. If you are not a Christian, but if Hannah's story has caused you to consider the claims of Christ, maybe for the first time, you are an answer to her prayer. I don't think I can say it any more simply than that. Knowing that Hannah prayed this prayer has been an enormous comfort to us, and it's been amazing to see the many ways that God has answered it.
I close by sharing with you the lyrics of a song by Casting Crowns off of their Lifesong album...a song that has had special meaning to us over this past year during Hannah's battle with brain cancer:
I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen" and it's still raining.
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hand and praise the God who gives
And takes away.
I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm.
I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find you?
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
I will praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm.
God is good all the time. ~Jill
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