Well, after my rant about blogging everyday because it helps me... I went and played cards with my brothers and friends last night instead of blog. But, that was fun and light-hearted, so it helped just the same. Ava hasn't had a great day. She's been tired all day, had a couple major headaches and generally been kinda sore all over. No fun at all. After a normal day yesterday, we were hoping for some more normal.
It's almost surreal to watch this all unfolding. "Cancer", people helping us, Ava feeling sick, the thought of how serious it is all the time, family coming in to town to see her, a phone call from home makes that me nervous every time I see the number...it's so bizarre. It's like I'm living in some other world for a while. Normal isn't normal. Normal is weird.
God is doing something and I don't know what. I do know he is building compassion in me that was not there before. I feel for every person going through trial in a way that I never did. I appreciate every gift in a way that eluded me for one reason or another prior to this. I value each day as if it were special. I see my wife in a light that I've never been able to see her. I live every day with emotion just below the surface. None of that was there before June 26th and none of it will leave until I'm not on this side of heaven.
I know I've told you before, but I can't tell you enough times how wonderful it has been to have all of you connected to us through this time. It's a long road with seemingly no end and it makes it palatable to have friends and family by our side. Please keep praying. We need it.
Pray for this:
1. The cancer to be gone completely.
2. Ava to feel well as her body rids itself of this piece of crap (and use the word crap for me...God can handle it)
3. Lisa's strength and wisdom. (What an unbelievable woman)
4. My focus to do what I have to to provide for and lead our family.
5. For Noah, that he would grow into the man that God wants him to be because of this.
All for today.
Thank you for the update, Josh. We are praying for her and your family everyday.
ReplyDeleteAlways in our hearts,
The Ufland's
Prayers always for all of you, but a little something extra today:
ReplyDelete{{{{Josh, Lisa, Noah and Ava}}}}
Love and blessings,
Cari
Thank you, Josh!
ReplyDeleteYou got it!!! We are praying for all that and more....Have a peaceful and restful night! All my love...
Will do Josh and Lisa. Praying all the time. Praying for God to heal Ava. So thankful you got to hang out with your brothers and friends. That will help renew your strength and spirit. And again, thanks for sharing. I have hope the piece of crap will be gone. Praying for you to sleep well.
ReplyDeleteThinking of Ava often and praying for her health, daily comfort, as well as for you, Lisa and Noah's unwavering commitment as you continue to fight this piece of crap! Yeah.... I said it: CRAP!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the specific prayer requests. I am always praying for you guys but I really appreciate knowing your exact prayer needs.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear that today wasn't the best day for Ava. I hope the yucky feelings have passed and tomorrow is a better day!
You said "God is doing something" - I pray that "something" is the miraculous healing of Ava this side of Heaven. Her testimony will be so powerful when He performs that miracle!
Always praying...always believing!
We are on vacation, but your sweet baby girl was on my heart all day. Still pounding down the gates of heaven for her.
ReplyDeleteJessica Pham
Thanks so much for the update Josh. I am praying that Ava (and the rest of the Hunter family) has a restful night, and that tomorrow is a better day. I wear my Ava bracelet daily as a constant reminder to send up many "whisper and beggy prayers" for her throughout the day and night! I believe that God hears me, hears all of our prayers, and is going to deliver the miracle healing we've all been asking for!
ReplyDeleteGod healed me of cancer and I'm praying that He'll heal Ava also! Jerry
ReplyDeleteStill praying.
ReplyDeleteWe continue to pray for Ava and your entire family- God healed my husband of cancer, HE can do the same for Ava- We've walked that walk and it's not one anyone signs up for-not a club we 'join' on our own. The part where you said 'God is doing something and I don't know what and your compassion-feelings-your daily value of life has changed, is truly what we experienced and the CHANGE will be with you forever! And it's an amazing GOD THING He does!
ReplyDeleteYout honesty is so awesome to read- often when we're going through that horrible 'FIRE' we fear being honest, but your honesty is the same as our honesty was and it's healing. Besides GOD already knows what we're thinking so may as well say it-
We pray daily for all of you-It's the best tool we have to give you -Remember is Isaiah where it is 'you will NOT be consumed by fire' etc...That brought me through 3 heartaches and Gods word will do the same for you-
Our prayers continue- stay strong and just rest in HIM...Betsey and Phil Gould
It is crap! I am not afraid to say it...it is not fair and I am angry for you. I know that God will bring amazing blessings to you and your family through his work. He knew when she was being formed that Ava would be special that she would help him, now I am sure he will help her. You are always is our prayers.
ReplyDeleteI know you have received a ton of good information regarding alternative treatments for cancer. If you haven't already, I would suggest that you look at the book called The Cure. It is amazing and really gives people hope in regards to this horrible disease. However, it's not exactly easy or convenient to follow his words- since most of our days revolve around eating out and get togethers (surrounding unhealthy food) Anyways, just thought I'd tell you about it!
ReplyDeleteJosh-
ReplyDeleteI've prayed as you requested and will continue to. You are an awesome man and have a wonderful family. Stay strong.
Jody
Have you heard of a company named "Tocagen" out in San Diego? They just started the 1st ever human clinical trials for patients who have GBM. You may already investigated this but I wanted to pass along the info (www.tocagen.com).
ReplyDeleteGod bless!
Thank you for so succinctly expressing your feelings and your own personal growth. It really touched my heart and I related to your experience. The last 2 years of my life have changed me and given me compassion in a whole new way. In fact, I don't know if I would have so faithfully been moved to pray for Ava if it weren't for my own experiences and new eyes through which I see your struggle. I will pray for all you mention above and for your family. I am trying to have an unwavering faith that she will be healed and we will all stand witness to God's miracle. Thank you once again for touching so many of our lives with your honesty.
ReplyDelete(And I must say I was starting to stress out when you didn't blog yesterday. No pressure, but your mind goes a million places.)
May God bless you and keep you,
Sue Schutz and fam
Oh how we are lifting you all up daily!! Your blogs are so honest and real, and I am moved with each reading of your heart. God is revealing Himself as you walk this road, and He is ever faithful! I love that you call it "crap"...cuz it is! Many lives are being transformed thru your lives...just as I saw thru Pam and Mandy :-) Pam didn't like hearing that tho...she'd just say, "I'd rather have my Mandy back whole & healed!" But I know when God showed Pam the impact that Mandy's accident and subsequent years had in this universe, that she sees thru His eyes now, and understands how great is His love for all of His children! Everyday I watch my grandson, and I rock him to sleep,we pray for all of you! My mother's/Nana's heart hurts with you, and you are loved very much by the Hilinski family:-) We are here for you always!
ReplyDeleteBe uplifted and invite God into this chaos at every turn and remember there are good days and bad days with this "crap"-just because one day is not "normal" doesn't mean the others will not be. You are being molded, refined, honed and walking thru this desert with Him. When this miracle occurs with little Ava being healed completely from this "crap", I pray you and your marriage are stronger, closer to Him as you see your Daughter maneuvering through this life - Isn't it amazing, the lessons we learn from our children? You and your family are bathed in our prayers and we can not wait to rejoice on her special day of deliverance
ReplyDeleteHi...I found your blog and learned about Ava via Mark Beeson's blog; I read him daily. He ministers to me through his writing, although I'm in VA and he's in the midwest.
ReplyDeleteI prayed for your family and specifically for Ava today. Thank you for sharing your journey via your writing. God is faithful to meet us where we are and provide for our every need. Praying that for you and yours.
Hello Joshua,
ReplyDeleteWe received a call today to pray for Ava. Please know that the intercessors from the Resurrection Life Churches in Grandville MI and Rockford MI will be praying for Ava, as well as your family. Our love to you in Christ!