In Christ Alone our Hope is Found

I have been thinking about the purpose of trials. God uses our trials to mold us, to change us, to teach us, to make us more dependent on Him and to draw us near to Him. Our family has been through many trials in the last few years and there is no doubt that God has taught us so much. We are very different in so many ways. We are in the process of being refined. It is a painful process, yet it is a blessing. We have had some beautiful times sitting at His feet. Really its indescribable. There are times when we have physically felt Him near. We hold those times dear and they will never be forgotten. I have a sure knowledge that the path God has set out for us, whether its hard or easy, is best for us. But what I find a struggle is that we often have to lose something in the process. I think it would be easier to walk into the storm if we knew we would be in one piece when we walk out the other side. I want to emerge from this storm with our family fully intact. I want to grow and experi...

This summer, Ken and the kids went fishing many times ! This is the first year that all of the kids really enjoyed it. I think the main reason is that Ken found some great spots where they were almost always guarenteed at least a few fish each. On the last trip of the year, they asked if I would come with Grace. They wanted to show me how they catch their fish! They didn't catch any fish this time, but they sure looked cute trying! Natalie Micah Joshua This place was in Komoka. It was so beautiful. But we had to walk a long way, of course with no stroller! There were people hiking and they stared at us like we were crazy! 5kids, 4 carrying (dragging)pails, rods, worms, sweat...

There is a little girl named Kate. She has had a brain tumor. She had a clean scan this past summer. A few weeks ago they found a spot on her brain. They are not sure if it's scar tissue or new growth. They were told they had to wait for some weeks for a scan to see really what it is. How difficult it is to wait. Last night, those who follow her CaringBridge site read that she has started vomiting. For a regular person, we think stomach flu. For a brain cancer kid, we think tumor, especially right now because they know she has an unknown spot on her brain. When you start to connect the dots, the picture is scary. When kids relapse, whether its for the first or second time it is bleak. First you know the road that your little child and family is going to have to walk. Secondly, the options for treatment are usually very limited after the first time. Everything is so unknown. The what-ifs are so scary. The thoughts at times are paralyzing. But it could be that Kate has a stomach ...