Brenda

There is nothing like a picture of a child to see a picture of God's love.
Brenda is Terry's little sister. As I look at Brenda's baby picture I can easily see how darling a baby she was. A few years ago Terry's mom gave me a copy of Brenda's baby picture and at the time, though I was happy to have a copy I never dreamt I would have cause to display it in this way.
A few weeks ago, Brenda called Terry's mom to tell her that she once again had received difficult news at the doctors office. Several years ago Brenda successfully battled Hodgkin's Disease which in itself was difficult.
I know that every single person reading this post will relate to the shudder that you feel when you hear of someone close that has been directly affected by the word cancer. Perhaps you have become somewhat desensitized to yet another person receiving this diagnosis, that would be almost understandable, since we hear of it nearly every day.
This post however is directed to those who would be willing to stand by our family as we hold Brenda before the Lord. She will be facing a double mastectomy within the next month. The date that has been set is August 21.
As with most surgeries of this nature, you can imagine that Brenda together with her husband Rik will have difficult days ahead of them.

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is 1 Peter 5:7

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you.

If you would, please join our family in praying that our Heavenly Father will reveal his vast and unfailing love to Rik and Brenda during these troublesome days. The wait seems to go on and on when you are waiting for test results, and surgeries and then of course treatments, if that is what is decided.

It is our hearts cry that the Lord who is our great physician, touch her body and give her complete healing. That is our desire. We trust Him to care for her in ways that we could never imagine. We have an amazing God, and we know that He is able to do more than we could ever imagine.

We are thankful for Rik and his love for his wife. He will continue to stand beside Brenda and love her and support her during this time. If you would, pray also for Rik, that God will give him the courage and strength and the right words to care for Brenda. As you can well imagine, it is hard to watch someone you love walk through this.

We are thankful that this was found early.

We are thankful for the doctors and nurses who will again care for her.

They have agreed to share their story and I thank them both for their willingness to be open in their need of prayer.

Terry and I have found ourselves a few times in the place where we find we must humble ourselves and ask our friends and family to pray for us, and we have always been amazed at how enveloped in love we have felt.

As the Lord brings Brenda to mind, please lift her up before the Lord however you feel led.

Thank you. I'll keep you posted.

Comments

  1. Praying for Brenda and Ric now and also asking the Lord to bring her to mind over the next few months as she undergoes surgery and treatment. May God's peace, and love envelope you all so that you can rest and trust Him.

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  2. I just prayed for your dear SIL and her husband! May God wrap them up in His arms and let them know that He never leaves nor forsakes them.

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  3. What difficult news! Of course, I'll pray for Brenda and Rik during this ordeal.

    My DH is also a Hodgkin's disease survivor of 22 years. Every now and then, those "what if" thoughts creep into my mind, and I begin to fear that it, or another disease, could return. That's when I remember that I need to turn those fears over to God.

    May God hold her close and send his comfort during her surgery, recovery, and healing.

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  4. Scot & I will be praying for Rik and Brenda. We ask God to quiet their fears with His unexplainable comfort. To assure them of His love and care. To give them patience and renewed hope. May God give you all the grace to embrace this difficult time as a family. how wonderful that there is such love and support within your family and that you can stand by each other. Trusting God together with you all. Kathy

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  5. Praying for Brenda and Rik during this very difficult time. Also praying for you the family as you stand by them.
    Keep trusting!

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  6. Dear Lovella,
    I'll be lifting up your SIL, her husband and you folk as well. May the Lord surround with His love and comfort, His healing and strength.

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  7. We will pray for Brenda and her family.

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  8. I will pray...that God's love and peace will fill their hearts and that they will find the silver lining of this dark cloud in their sky!

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  9. Lord, may You be Ric and Brenda's refuge and fortress, their God in Whom they trust. Save them from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. Cover them with your feathers...I pray Your faithfulness will be their shield and rampart...that they will not fear the terror of night ... nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday...Lord,as they call upon You, answer them, be with them, deliver them and honor them. (Psalm 91:2-5,15) Give them a faith that will allow them your peace.

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  10. Lovella, I have been reading for a few weeks now and just can't let this request go by unanswered. I know the power of prayer and the knowledge of others praying is SO encouraging in itself. I am praying for Brenda, Rik and your whole family as this touches everyone. "May the peace that truly surpasses understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus".
    "Even in the quiet, God is working - His silence in the shadows doesn't mean he doesn't care. A part of faith is trusting without reason, believing when he can't be seen or heard, that he's still there."
    "Be strong & courageous. Do not be afraid. . . for the Lord your God goes with you, He will never leave you or forsake you." Deut. 31:6

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  11. of course, we will pray for rik and brenda. psalm 46 GOD IS OUR SHELTER AND STRENGTH, ALWAYS READY TO HELP IN TIMES OF TROUBLE.
    BRENDA, may i suggest that while you wait, read a psalm a day. a friend of mine did that and said that it really helped her as she waited for her situation to be resolved. our prayers are with you.

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  12. I will pray for Brenda and her family. I will pray that they feel peace even with uncertainty.

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  13. Understanding, caring & praying!
    Vange

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  14. Dearest Lovella ~ praying for healing, comfort, peace and strength for Brenda and Rik, praying for Terry's mom as she offers a mother's support, praying for you and Terry.

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  15. I'm praying for your s-i-l and for you all to have the right words or simply the hugs she needs.

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