Words of Comfort

Thank you all so much!

Your donations and contributions in 2017 allowed us to continue feeding families at ETCH through their first few days of diagnosis.

We will never forget the shock and confusion as the news was delivered to us 2 years and 8 months ago. The food that was sent by such loving and caring friends sustained us.

We are honored to pay it forward and share that love and support with others on your behalf.

We occasionally get feedback from a family and I can tell you they are always grateful

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

When we started this journey, we never thought a day like today was possible. A day that could only be made possible by God, family and friends. A community of people built out of love. While others forge ahead with treatment, we will continue to support and give encouragement. Love, hope, belief, determination and strength are only a few words but the armor comes from God. Today is a day we now know is possible, the day Hadley will take her last dose of pills, for today is the end. God Bless us all.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

While I struggle sometimes with what to say, I sometimes have clarity. Sometimes it takes time to process and remember that we should not be afraid and that we will be tested, tested we are at times, in many ways. Today I want to tell you about Hadley’s Uncle Joey (my brother). At the age of 52, he is diagnosed with stage 4 Metastatic Prostate Cancer. In the midst of tragedy, great blessings can happen if you look hard enough. Remember this…. You are much more than a statistic….. You are much more than a statistic….. Age has nothing to do with the blessings that can be received.
While we may encounter life’s stormy seas, the storm shall pass and the wind of God’s grace with fill our sails. One thing that I know, so many deal with cancer. We pray for everyone that is touched by cancer. We pray that God shows you the blessings in the midst of tragedy. Please look for the blessings, it is out there, it is so present if you allow it. To all of you dealing with struggles, hold on, the storm shall pass. God will fill your sail.

“90 percent of all success is believing”

If something is wrong, make it right. If it is bad, look for the good. Take each day and make it the best, you may not have tomorrow. While cancer is horrible, it cannot take away love, love is greater than any cancer.

While Good Friday also is Chemo Friday, each day we have hope. While we are only one family of many that deals with the daily struggle of Leukemia, we continue to pray for all those going through the same struggles. We are honored to provide a little comfort to families through Hearts for Hadley. Take the time to remember why Good Friday exists and let’s continue to be thankful for all that God gives us.

Mamaw leaves a voice mail this morning, inspired by scripture. Numbers 11:23

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Is there any limit to my power? Now you will see whether or not my word comes true!”

Is there any limit? I have seen a little girl and the miracles, I have set at the side of a best friend having open heart surgery and the miracle, we have prayed for parents and children and heard of the healing, we have prayed for a friend and his business to be sold in the midst of issues, friends who’s wife dies only to live, we have seen a community with unity and strength, and I have a father that is alive today because of the technology that was not available to his own father.

None of us are perfect and yet he still loves us. In the midst of tragedy great things can happen. You find things that you often overlook, things that you are unaware of. Is there any limit?

Thanks Mamaw….

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

We recently encountered a waitress named Blossom. Blossom greeted us and served with such love. You know, some people just have it flowing out of them. What a difference people like Blossom make. Change can never truly happen without love and we are so blessed to meet people like Blossom.
Sometimes we go through life and are blinded by things. Have you ever experienced someone special in this way? Waiting on people can be a tough job but what respect and admiration we have for people like Blossom. Her mother truly named her appropriately. As Jonah told her “The Lord has a special place in heaven for people like you”.

Go out and show love, be loved and let love blossom. It will make the world a better place.

But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

To us much has been given. Through our community and church we have been blessed. I have asked myself lately, what has Hearts for Hadley been doing? We often give updates on Hadley but we have not in regards to the giving of Hearts for Hadley.

Beki and I recently faced the reality of giving at a recent clinic visit. As Hadley was playing and nurses calling her name, I noticed someone watching and looking in curiosity. The clinic visit went on and we went about our daily grind of treatment, just like all the other families that day. After an already emotional treatment that all families face, a couple approached Beki and I. They said, are you Hearts for Hadley? OH MY…. OH MY GRACIOUS GOD… At that moment we were faced with a reality that we have never faced. Beki and I were faced with a family that Hearts for Hadley had fed. The emotions poured as we shared stories of struggles, faith and caring for each other. Each family may share the struggle of a child facing Leukemia but each family is unique and each story is unique.

Beki goes about her day on autopilot sometimes. Administering treatment to Hadley and responding to the requests from East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. These requests for help are not always Leukemia in nature, they have grown to more. I am so grateful for this family that approached Beki and I. Oh, so grateful… It turns the autopilot off and makes for a much needed reset. A reset that makes you aware of the reality of what has happened and what is happening. Through the help of our community and church Hearts for Hadley has now fed over 40 FAMILIES in the last year. Over 40 families….That is over 3 families per month. Beki and I are so blessed to serve you, families and a loving God.

I challenge us all to not leave the autopilot on too long. God can always give you a reset but you can also. The advantage of autopilot can allow you to function without emotion and sometimes that is much needed. Let us not let it distance us from God or family. Allow yourself to have emotions, real emotions. Allow to love and be loved. Allow to serve and be served. Through a loving God and his people, anything is possible.