Housekeeping items: Many are new to reading blogs and so I wanted to share with you some tips. This blog is just a website that I created several years ago as I began to write about God’s story that He has weaved into my life. In the last 4 months, I have used this space more as a means to share with friends and family about our journey through cancer with my husband. You are more than welcome to sign up to receive updates to your email as I post each time. Also, please feel free to leave comments to encourage Kevin and I as we share this journey with you. We will be notified through email whenever you comment. It is a huge blessing! Please feel free to share this site with others because we want God’s story shared with others as well. Thanks!
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If you have ever had eye problems then you will suddenly begin to have sympathy with me through my story today.
I have had trouble with my contacts ever since we began this journey of traveling back and forth to Houston, Texas for cancer treatments. We have changed the prescription for my contacts and my glasses more times than should be allowed.
I just want to see.
It is frustrating when you can’t clearly focus on things around you in your immediate world.
Many times God doesn’t want us as believers to focus on those things right in front of our eyes, but instead on a spiritual side that has a more lasting and eternal value.
Let me explain with a story.
Last week, Kevin was feeling much better and was willing to run some errands for me. We had just cleaned out the girls closets and I needed to take several bags to the Repeat Boutique which is a charity that we donate to through our local Pregnancy Support Center. We loaded up everything and off he went.
When he arrived he was greeted by a precious volunteer that unloaded his car and then asked him to come inside, she said needed to talk with him. {Now remember, Kevin had never met this woman before.}
When they got inside, she told him that God wanted her to share something with him.
She said, “You know whatever illness you are going through that God has already healed you.”
Kevin was taken aback by her boldness but replied, “Yes, I have heard that and I believe that.”
“You have to finish walking this out because this journey isn’t necessarily for you but for someone else. They need to see your faith”, she replied.
Kevin smiled because he knew this was from the Lord because it confirmed what God had been also telling us.
“Yes, we have been told that as well,” Kevin replied.
She then prayed with him.
Seeing God in the midst of trials can be a bit blurry some days. You just want clarity to know the bigger picture that God is trying to teach you.
We forget that others are being impacted by how we react to the adversity in our lives.
God is willing to reveal Himself in the midst of our trials, but it doesn’t make it any easier to go through it…just more bearable.
For about 4-5 days, I have heard the same scripture over and over through devotionals, podcasts, and even our pastor on Sunday.
This would indicate to me that God is serious about it.
- Philippians 2:13-14 MSG
- “Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I’ll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You’ll be living proof that I didn’t go to all this work for nothing.”
Doing everything readily and cheerfully without bickering and even second-guessing is rather hard. {In other words, no grumbling or complaining!}
Jesus gently shared His heart with me through my devotional by Sarah Young.
“You have been on a long, uphill journey, and your energy is almost spent. Though you have faltered at times, you have not let go of My hand. I am pleased with your desire to stay close to Me. There is one thing, however, that displeases Me: your tendency to complain. You may talk to Me as much as you like about the difficulty of the path we are following. I understand better than anyone else the stresses and the strains that have afflicted you. You can ventilate safely to Me, because talking with Me tempers your thoughts and helps you see thing from My perspective. Complaining to others is another matter altogether. It opens the door to deadly sins such as self-pity and rage. Whenever you are tempted to grumble, come to Me and talk it out. As you open up to Me, I will put My thoughts in your mind and My song in your heart.”
God has been showing me that it is ok for me to come to him with my complaining. Going elsewhere is not apart of His desire.
“When you criticize or complain, you are acting as if you think you could run the world better than I do. From your limited human perspective, it may look as if I’m mismanaging things. But you don’t know what I know or see what I see. If I pulled back the curtain to allow you to view heavenly realms, you would understand much more. However, I have designed you to live by faith, not by sight. Acknowledge My sovereignty by giving thanks in all circumstances.”
Whew! Learning to come to Jesus with our complaints instead of others is a powerful lesson to learn. I don’t think that means to put a smile on your face and pretend that all is peachy-keen and cinderella-ish.
In humility, let others see who you are holding on to when the wind blows harder in your life. Give praise and thanksgiving through it all is a way in which God will supernaturally fill your cup to keep going and possibly even help you see clearer the entire picture of His plan.
You never know who is going to impact you or who you are impacting.
I’m seeing clearer today now that I am seeing things from His Perspective.
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Prayer Requests:
LAST HURDLE COMING UP! Headed back to Texas this Sunday, October 14th. Kevin will have surgery to remove all remaining dead lymph nodes and tissue around the abdomen area on the 17th. He will be in the hospital for at least 7 days and have some days to recover before returning back to Georgia.
The idea of being cut down your abdomen is not the most comforting one, and the thought can make Kevin and I anxious. Please pray for perfect peace from our Father to know that all is in His hands. Total healing to be received through this last part of the process.
* Pray for the physicians, nurses and their medical wisdom. Pray that God will be in every step of the pre-op day as well as the day of surgery.
* Pray for minimal to no pain.
* Pray for the hospital floor that we are to be on while recovering those 7 days. Pray that God’s heavenly angels will surround us.
* Pray for Kevin’s family as they travel to be with us in Texas. Ask God to give us patience and hope as we minister to Kevin’s needs.
* Pray for the faith of our girls.
* Pray for traveling mercies.
* Pray all goes well with the apartment we are staying in FOR FREE! {more on this God story later…}
Thank you Body of Christ for all that you are doing to lift us up to the Lord. Each of your prayers are heard and they are lifting us in more ways than you will ever realize this side of heaven!
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We heard this song this week while doing school and the girls thought it was awesome! The words spoke volumes to us as we face this last hurdle!
Even when it feels like The Light is Fading,
And I’ve Lost my Way,
Still I’m Holding on to the One who’s Making,
All Things Possible.
Even when it feels like my Heart is Breaking,
Hold on, there is Strength!
Knowing I Belong to the One who’s Making,
All Things Possible.
I know Mountains can Move,
I’ve seen what You can Do,
In my Weakness.
So my Heart will Believe,
If I Wait I will See,
My God doing,
What only He can Do, Yeah!
We thought we’d share!
Blessings!
Strong Tower 
Larry and I continue to lift you all up several times a day in our prayers and meditation. We feel God will continue to work in your lives as he will heal Kevin’s body. Amy, your blogs have been an inspiration to me these last few months. May God be with you both and the rest of the family in the days ahead.
Amy, what a beautiful devotional. Your faith is impacting many, including myself. I will certainly continue to pray for Kevin and you. God’ s peace to you both as you tackle this last hurdle.
Amy and Kevin, again thanks for sharing this journey with others. This has been of such good help to me as I travel medical paths which are so frustrating. Today is especially uplifting and I just praise God for sending His message through you guys. I will be lifting you guys up throughout the days next week, knowing that All things work together for the good of them that love the LORD and are called according to His purpose. Praise God
Awesome message and a great reminder. Thank you!!! I used the Scripture on my facebook page today. God is leading you, directing, and guiding you. He’s holding your entire family in the palm of His hands. Thank you, for inspiring many as you journey through this difficult time. Your continue to be in my prayers. Blessings and JOY as you follow Him in all things. You’ve taught me soooooo much.
Love this story and love that you two continue to be such a blessing to so many!
Blessings on you through this next chapter! We love you!
Amy, there is not enough words to tell you how much your stories has blessed me in so many ways. My prayers and thoughts have and will continue to be we you each day. God is so Good.
Thank you for your words today, God was speaking to me also as I had the same devotion. Please know you, Kevin and your family are being prayed for here at Euclid Avenue Baptist in Bristol. We will be having a prayer vigil going on before, during, and after the surgery. We will be claiming healing, asking for strength and peace as you face the hours ahead, wisdom and guidance for the doctors and nurses and comfort and assurance for you and the family that Kevin is in the palm of God’s hand and as much as you love Kevin, God loves him so much more! God will provide what you need! Love in Christ !
I have a confession. I heard about Kevin’s diagnosis from one of the ladies who was in the bible study you were originally planning to co-lead over the summer. I asked her who was leading the study, and she explained that it was supposed to be two Amy’s, but that one wouldn’t be because her husband was diagnosed with cancer, She went into a bit of detail about the nature of the growth and my heart plummetted. She didn’t have to say your last name (which she didn’t actually know at the time), but I knew immediately it was you guys. I remembered that Sunday morning telling you that I believed God had an answer coming to your prayer at that time, but I didn’t think it would look anything like what you or I could imagine. I never would have imagined this. Let me tell you though, when that friend told me and I figured out it was you,(confession part) I told her that of the many couples I know that I knew (no uncertainty!) you guys would handle this situation in such a way that God would be glorified, that I trusted immediately that God was going to use you guys in a mighty way through this, that God had chosen precious warriors when He chose you to do His work here. I have watched that through your actions, through the out-pouring, through your realness/transparency. My friend, I wouldn’t wish your journey on anyone, not a soul. Bill and I pray healing and blessings on your family, daily. Hear me though, you have walked through this with a godly amount of grace and faith. Your story has reached countless people, and your journey touches countless lives. You are growing the Kingdom, my friends, You are living out the gospel walk the way, I believe, God intends. I pray for your strength to be exponentially compounded by His so that you will continue to walk it out as children of our King! I love you, friend! Keep on shining, sister!
Praying for the poof, still!
Amy I will be praying for you – we may not want to walk the road ahead of us but as Bruce says, our children and grandchildren can see the trust we have in the God who has healed him. They will look back when they encounter difficulty and remember that God brought their Dad and Grandpa through the trial of cancer so He can and will bring them through their trial too. He will give you perfect peace, Amy – He is your anchor, He is your HOPE and His promises to you are yes & amen. This is our legacy of faith and for our children and grandchildren to stand strong too, is worth it all. When you feel you cannot see, then trust your ears will hear beyond the silence to that Voice of reassuring truth and love. The Great I AM is overshadowing you. I love you and thank God for you.
You are a treasure in this journey! Your encouragement lifts Kevin and I to the Throne of a mighty God!
Hello Kings! I love you and will be praying for you continuously! Thank you for allowing God to use you to teach us all!
wow… He’s been teaching me the same lesson… in a different way! i love reading your blogs, praying for you all this next week!!!
Thank you so much! I just want God to get the glory!
What a blessing your blog has been to our family.Your walk is bringing glory to our Lord. It has been our joy and privilege to pray for you and your family and we will continue to do so. Barbara Drinkard from Birmingham is having surgery in Houston on the 18th. She asked me to send her love to you and Kevin.May God be with you and bring you peace.
We were so thrilled to meet Ms. Drinkard while doing our CAT scans. This was an answer to our prayers because Kevin was so nervous about this procedure. God showed up in that waiting room! We will be praying Thursday for her!
I will be praying for your family! Praying that God’s angels go before you to prepare every setting for your arrival! Praying for perfect peace and protection, wisdom and discernment for all! Healing in the name of Jesus! Shalom!
We have already seen the angels! Amazing! Thank you for your specific prayers!
God placed me next to Kevin today on the flight from Valdosta to Houston..I was a stranger but yet a kindred Christian spirit and a cancer survivor myself. The Houston Medical Center has long been an international haven for healing. If you need anything, please let me know. My daughter Anna and her husband, Mark Alexander are 10 minutes from downtown. Please e-mail if you need anything. I hope that my son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Amy Neal, will meet you when you recover and return to Valdosta! Prayers are coming your way everyday… many times a day. Thanks for sharing your blog. Janet Colbert….the lady from Louisiana AKA GranJan
It was so nice to meet you Sunday! God has a specific plan even in your seat partners on the airplane! We look forward to meeting your family in Valdosta as well as in Houston! God is so good to provide people to support us during this journey!
Dear Kevin and Family,
Kevin it has been a long time since I have seen or spoke with you. I hear you are having surgery. I will be praying for you and your family. Your weakness will be God’s strength. If it would be okay with you I would like to start a prayer chain on FB for you and your family. (mutual friends) if not I understand. Please let me know.
Take care,
Dion
Good morning Kings,
I certainly needed your words today. I guess I never thought about actually complaining to God. But I love the outcome of His thoughts and song entering my mind!…and I’m sure a tremendous peace would also accompany. Please relay to Kevin that yesterday’s service at Euclid held him and all family close to heart. It was a great service with Baptism, The Lord’s Supper and a prayer for healing with church family gathered around his mom and dad with hand’s reached out to them. They were the closest thing we had to Kevin. As a part of the prayer vigil that Susan Thompson mentioned above, I will be praying between 10:00 and 11:00pm tomorrow night (Oct 16th). I still believe in miracles, and I know that my God is capable in every way of doing just that. There will be prayers coming from London also. My brother and sister left yesterday and I mentioned to Sharon that she and Johnny be praying while there.
Thank you so much! We are humbled and honored that Euclid is setting aside these specific around the clock prayer vigils for us! What an incredible ministry of the Body of Christ. We feel the prayers carrying us through each moment!
Kevin, I am so thankful Dion tracked you down! I am sure it is not a coincidence that a bunch of us heard about your surgery today on Facebook. We are praying for the surgery to go well. You have a beautiful family! Hang in there! Love from Donna (Holbrook) and Rob Bruton
Thinking of y’all. Your strength is so strong and y’all are such a witness to everyone!! Leslie strickland
Kevin and Amy, I haven’t reached the latest update yet as im just catching up but I just want to say thank you for sharing your journey. As so many have already said…you truly don’t realize the souls you are reaching, even saving by your testimony. Thank you for sharing Gods love. I feel like I’m getting a sermon with each entry I read… Visual aids, worship music, testimony, and scripture…what a great encouragement! I can’t wait to share your blog with my friend in Florida. She is a breast cancer survivor and loves the lord as well. I know she will be lifted up as much as I have been from your entries. I truly hope you guys and the girls are doing well and recovery is pain free.
My struggles don’t compare to what all you guys have endured dealing with cancer. I’ve (being bruetely honest) become angry and bitter dealing with the side effects of my illness for so long- though I continue to get better. You guys have handled this all so well though. Knowing it can be done/ handled in a positive way EVERY DAY is reminder to me that I wasn’t always angry and can get back to that peaceful place if I work at it and keep God my focus.
You guys have also opened my eyes. Ive stopped dealing with my ilnesses in the way thats pleasing to God. You are an example of how i should be reacting. I will be praying for you all continually. Though it may sound selfish, could you please pray for us also. I too believe in the power of prayer and having people so focused on doing God’s Will would be a comfort. As the Bible says, the effective fervrant prayer of the righteous man availath much.
We love you guys and wish you all the best.
Nicole and Cliff Lee