On Christmas this past year, Tara exhibited flu-like symptoms for a few days. We thought she may have picked something up in Haiti the month before and her body was dealing with it. Over the past couple of weeks the discomfort climaxed in abdominal swelling that reminded her of pregnancy, as if 5 were not enough. On Wednesday we learned the swelling was due to cancer and today we learned the extent of it. She has an ovarian-like cancer in stage 4 that was found to have multiple tumors throughout her abdomen and one near her lung. We had hoped for an easier road but trust God in the path he has set before us.
We need your prayers and your help as we face imminent surgeries and chemotherapy. On Monday the thinktank will convene to plot the course of treatment. Here is what we praise God for so far.
1. What Tara thought she was training for in running, proved to be God’s way of preparing her for battle with cancer.
2. We have a great family who love God and will support us. This includes a group of friends that we call our church.
3. We have hope in a God who consistently defies the physical laws of this universe and can heal Tara. He placed us in Rochester, the premier cancer treatment place in the world. We have confidence that He can heal Tara.
4. We just had the 2 best days of our life. At the dinner table watching our children; listening to their conversation; looking into each others eyes; holding each others hands; hugging; kissing; crying and laughing. We had missed out on that depth of living for over 19 years of marriage.
We’ll keep you posted here.
Perspectives From The Tree Tops 
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?…No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8: 35; 37)
You are in our thoughts and prayers. With love, Gretchen and John Steer
We will be praying for Tara and your family.
We love you guys, and are here for you in whatever way we can help.
We’re praying for you and your family. Love you all! – Cory and Liesel Stanley
We are lifting you in prayer claiming Ephesians 3:20
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Sending our love,
Tom & Renee
Praying fervently! We love you all so very much!
Much love and prayers from the Thompsons. Tara, we have spoken about the profound intimacy experienced by kristen and your sweet college friend during their cancer battles. My heart aches for you. Yet, I know you will feel that overwhelming presence of God that will further sweeten your faith. When the time is right we will speak about it again…praying for you and your crew constantly!
You all are so dear and clearly you have the strength of trees planted near the Living Water. Count on our fervent prayers!
Great is our Lord and mighty in power. Ps. 147:5
angie for the crew
We are, and will be, praying for Tara and your whole family. That you will be filled with the hope and strength of our God, who is both good and able.
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Lifting you up,
Angela and Todd Johnson
Hebrews 12:1-3 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
If this were a 5K, you could run it pretty easily on your own. We would, of course, all be pleased when you finished well, and would give the perfunctory nod to the wonderful care received at the Mayo Clinic, but God wants more. He wants to receive all the glory for this race, so He is calling you to an ultramarathon. It is beyond what you are able to do, and beyond what the doctors at Mayo can do for you. You have been in training for a long time … physically, but also spiritually. That training will serve you well. You have great coaches in the doctors at Mayo. Jay will be with you all along the course cheering you on and encouraging you. But it will be God who is running the race with you. There will be times when He is just running along side, times when His arm will be around you supporting you, and times when He will be carrying you. But when you run across that finish line in victory, it will be clear to all that it was because of Him.
Tara, just as you were so faithful to attend all the cross country meets cheering Micalyn (and Miguel) on through the tough times, the da Silvas will be there for you running along the course yelling, “Go, Tara! You’re gonna make it! You’re halfway there! Two more miles! The finish line is in sight!” I can’t wait to celebrate with you at the finish line!
Our thougths and prayers are with you all daily. We love you.
We are praying for you and your family. Please don’t hesitate to ask if we can help in any way!
Dear Tara, Jay and family, Our hearts ache and break for you and we are crying with you. You have been strong for so many and now we will be there for you. You have many, many friends and family who will help you, cry with you, pray with you and pray for you. We will help you anyway we can. We don’t understand God’s ways sometimes but we do know He loves us – He loves you and that we can trust and believe in that. We love you all and are thinking about you and praying for you so very often.
Love, Claire, Dan & Will
I want to help your family, Please call me 507-319-3830, with any help you may need. Our Thoughts and Prayers go before you!
Stacie, Jason and Harmon Zylstra
Psalm 25:1 – “Oh Lord, I give my life to you. I trust in YOU, my God!” With heavy but hopeful hearts, we are praying with and for you all along your journey. May God give grace and peace during your most difficult moments. With love from Mark and Brenda in Blaine
We are friends with your parents, go to church with them & sing in choir with them. Just know we are praying for Tara, and all your family on this journey. God is our Jehovah Rapha – The Lord our healer! We will follow your website for updates and know that you have a a great numer of prayer warriors in the KC area. Agape, John & Judy Anderson
We were singing the song “One Thing Remains” this morning as we prayed for you. “Your love never fails, it never gives us, it never runs out on me!” Our God has a very deep love for you and your family.
We love you and we cling to His promises right now alongside your family. Your finger prints are all around for me to see. Today Grace is wearing a shirt from Jenna and the marigolds you planted are blooming! I love the way God is giving me these visual reminders to pray for you.
Tara, Jay and Family, Our prayers and love to you all from everyone here in Massachusetts. God’s blessing and strength to you all!
Praying for you all, and will continue to do so.
—————————-
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. John 10:27-29
Lord Jesus,
We turn to you in all we do. Wrap Tara, Jay and their children in your perfect love. God we pray you restore Tara’s health, deliver her from every pain and sickness. I pray through the Holy Spirit your perfect will be done. Above all, grant us the grace to acknowledge your will and know that whatever you do, you do for the love of us. Amen.
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Tara, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers all the from Kenya, Uganda and USA. We never may know the Lords plans for us but we continue to trust Him, lift His name on high and have faith that He wants the best for us. We lift you up and place this burden at the foot of the cross and onto His shoulders that He may carry it for you. God bless.
Dear Jay and Tara. We will stand with you. God is good and God is faithful, even in the dark days of our lives. We are praying for you now. We will continue to regularly pray for you, your children and your health care providers.
Tara from the first day we met in the halls of Bodien at Bethel I was inspired by your incredible strength, positive spirit and amazing faith. I know that you are a fighter and please know that you have an army of family and friends here to support you. You and your family are in my prayers.
Tara
Just heard. I am praying for you and Jay and your family. May you find strength, love and peace during this time.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you
I will help you
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand
Isaiah 41:10
Steve and I are praying fervently for all of you. We have both walked a similar road and can say with confidence that God is good and God is faithful!
With love, tears, and hope,
Svea for the Merry family
Amen to all the encouraging words found here. You all are so often in our prayers and will continue to be there… ” Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance” 2Thessalonians 3:16
Jay and Tara, we are praying fervently for you. We are also praying for your children and extended family members. We are praying for the medical team who will be caring for Tara. God bless you and your family.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.- Joshua 1:9
You can be sure we will be praying for you. Love your whole family. Gramma Bergan
Tara our prayers are for you and your precious family as you fight this battle. Deuteronomy 33:27 “The eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Those strong arms provide the strength, courage and peace to carry you through. We love you!!
The Shanafelts are praying for you often! God will be with you every step of the way! Hugs!
We are so sorry you are going through this. We are holding you and your family close in our thoughts and prayers Tara! We all love you and are praying that God will get you through this, keep thinking positive and fighting this, they say that can do wonders! Love you all!!
Love, Angie & Roman Bloemke and family
Just saw the link to your page online. I’ll definitely keep you and your family in my prayers and pray for the best possible outcome: cancer free!
We are friends of Mark and Mary Claire and are praying for healing and protection from our great God.
Praying for you all
Tara saw the post on facebook by Tim.. I am praying for you.. God has you in his arms.. I am so thinking of you.. God Bless!!!
What a testimony and strength you have from the Lord! I have been praying every day for you and your family. Pat Doss (Choir member – FBC Rogers)