Promises. I have been
given promises, hope, and truth. They
are not as I expected or desired. Indeed
it is hard to fathom my diagnosis: glioblastoma. Nasty, aggressive brain cancer. In the deep sorrow of grieving the future I
had envisioned for my family, I remain steadfast.
I am promised in Joshua 1:9 that I needn’t be afraid or
discouraged because my Lord and God will be with me wherever I go. In Psalm 118:24 I am reminded to Rejoice in
this day that my Lord has given me. I am
brought to a place where I rest in how much I have been GIVEN. I am in a place where I am ready to fight!
With prayer and with determination! I
feel so very good right now and I am ready to LIVE. I have always lived my life with no regrets,
full-out, now is no exception.
My dear friend shared these words with me about cancer: Cancer is so limited. Remember this. It cannot steal joy or love or
family. It cannot take your faith. It cannot destroy peace or kill
friendship. It cannot shatter hope or
steal eternal life.
I have a powerful, mighty God. I invite you to join me in praying to
Him. Join me in asking for a miracle to
destroy all these rogue cancer cells in my body. Join me in asking for years ahead to spend
with my cherished husband, children and friends. Join me in praise to the Giver of life who
has given me 35 blessed, blessed years.
Join me in the sorrow, but ultimately in the hope. In this bad news is the good news; the news
of a Savior who gives life in its fullness.
I trust that in days ahead I will “experience the love of Christ…and be
filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians
3:19)
In these days I have been greeted with beautiful
humanity. I have a core of precious,
precious friends who surround me. These
friends are in addition to the strong support of both mine and Ryan’s family.
And beyond these relationships people are reaching out: coworkers,
acquaintances, strangers. It is a
beautiful display of love; it is Christ’s love reaching out through meals, childcare
and petitioning unrelenting prayer and intercession on my behalf. Oh how beautiful it is!
Truly I have tried to put words to a situation that has no
words good enough to describe. Thank you
for journeying with me. You are invited
to journey with me here as I update you on my medical situation. If you would like to automatically be emailed
my posts please send me your email address through comment or to
cheryl.rostek@gmail.com
Oh my dear cousin. You and your family are in my prayers and my mom and dad's. To see your unshakable faith during this trial is such a testament to your character. I love you dear Cheryl and we will be praying for you and Ryan and the kids. Much love Lonette.
ReplyDeleteI don't know you personally, just recognize you from church. You are a wonderful writer. You are in my prayers and I would like to be kept updated. sonjadyck@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteDear Cheryl and Ryan
ReplyDeleteKnow you are being showered in prayer. The song from Natalie Grant, In Christ Alone rings so true in times like this.
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
Our Love, The Hampsons
I am encouraged by your strength and love how the Father is carrying you. You have many across the sea lifting you up, and they have never even met you. That's tythe beauty of the family of Christ. Please add me to your email updates. Thanks friend. Love you, Rebs
ReplyDeleteDear Cheryl (and Ryan)
ReplyDeleteHi cousin! thank you for sharing your very personal journey with us all. We are honored to be able to join with you in prayer, and will indeed accept your invitation and challenge to do so! It's been years since we have seen you last, but we will keep you close - our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! God bless and keep you all!
Curtis and Lisa, Jacob and Isaiah
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DeleteHi Cheryl and Ryan.
ReplyDeleteI don't know you personally but I am a friend of a friend of yours. I have been praying for you and your family over these last few weeks and I will continue to pray over the next weeks, months and years.
I would love to be updated with your blog to know how best to be praying for you
With love, hope and faith
Stephanie Dykstra
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DeletePraying for you and your family
ReplyDelete