It was over 5 years ago that we last spent time in a hospital room. There was joy for new life and a renewed sense of purpose. We came home to cards of congratulations, a newly decorated room (blue this time), new clothes, and 4 happy little girls waiting to see their new brother. It was a time we will never forget.
We will soon be coming home again. And again there will be joy for new life and a renewed sense of purpose, cards of encouragement, and 4 happy girls and a boy waiting to see their mother. Daily they ask when we will be home. Deep yearning, just like Tara and I. They all have dibs on the first cuddles with mom and are excited for the next Happy Friday most likely a week from tomorrow.
Today the first round of chemotherapy was done. I watched for several hours as the drugs dripped through the IV and entered Tara’s body. We waited in anticipation as if something were about to happen. Tara said it felt like a normal IV. But to me it felt like lighting a fuse. Things are set in motion and you cannot stop it and you are just waiting for something big to happen. It never did, at least not yet. We talked about life, faith, friends and wigs.
Thank you all for your encouragement and prayers.
“But we will bless The Lord from this time forth forevermore. Praise The Lord.” – Psalm 115:18
Perspectives From The Tree Tops 
Thanks for sharing! We are praying for everyone. Your faith is amazing! Your love for God and each other brings joy to all who know you. The joy of The Lord is your strength! Love Pat and Jean Parsley
Sent from my iPhone
The strength you both have is just amazing and in just reading your day to day notes and passages we can all feel the love you have for one another and the love you have for God. You are an amazing couple! I’m sure the kids are extremely anxious for all to be home and have cuddle time. Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers daily. God Bless you and your family and peace to all. May God continue to give you strength through this time of trial.
Tara, I just want you to know that I’m looking forward to sharing a cup of tea with you. Thank you for these updates – praying for you all!
may the good days outnumber the tough days … may the aching in your arms be fulfilled by loving on your children every chance you get … you are all thought of and held near throughout each day in our hearts & prayers … so hard to let go and let God as you watch life unfold on a path not of your choosing … but God brought you to it AND He will see you through it … amazingly and lovingly. you are all loved dear maier family …
Morgan told me last week that she want to learn how to knit again so that she could make a hat for Tara.
Jay and Tara, I’ve been following your posts regularly since we heard. To say the least, I’m awestruck by your faith and am encouraged daily by you guys. You live the Thessalonians faith as “You became imitators of us (the saints before you) and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers…(those of us who read your posts!). The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia (Rochester :))—your faith in God has become known everywhere (as Believers around the world are praying for you!).” I Thess. 1:6-8. Please know that you and your loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers whenever the Lord brings you to mind. (On another note…Jay, I had no idea you were such a talented writer! You are gifted in putting thoughts to pen – I’m so jealous!)
Still praying for you all. Speaking of wigs — when Tara is up for it, I can give her some tips on how to mess with people’s minds using her wig. I was in middle school when I had chemo, and the wig became the source of many practical jokes as well as a manipulative tool that invoked sympathy in the ice-cream man. Free bomb pops.
I woke up with this urge to get first hand news and went to Methodist Hospital on an impulse. I thought Jay could use a little refreshing and encouragement. Knowing that Tara had had her first round of chemo the day before, I was not sure she would have been feeling comfortable enough for visitors and didn’t expect that I’d necessarily be able to see her. To my delight, Tara was up and well disposed. You wouldn’t have guessed that skilled surgeons performed an extensive and delicate operation on her barely a week ago.
Tara’s spirit is high on what the Lord has been doing in and through this time of trial. His hand of healing and blessing is glaringly obvious. I’ve felt His nudge many times before, but this is a definite push. There is so much about which to be in awe and over which to rejoice. The success of the surgery, the assuring prognosis and today’s return home are but the more tangible and obvious of them.
There are other, more subtle and eternal in nature, “side” benefits at play here as well, not the least of which is the infinite power of God displayed as a direct response to and manifestation of the earnest prayers of His people the world over. The unity of the Body of Christ has also been center stage. Those who know and love Tara (and Jay) have gathered with one purpose, one mind and one heart. They also enlisted the prayer support of a multitude of saints who will most likely never meet either Tara or Jay on this side of Heaven. We have shared their sorrow, uncertainty and pain. Now we share their joy and their hope.
The road ahead is long. There will be stumbling blocks and pitfalls, dry stretches and dull vistas. Then there will be sections that are teeming with life and shaded by trees (!). And every once in a while, we will be overwhelmed with a view of the valley where we were and the mountain to which we are journeying. Here is a Psalm for the journey, then a song of encouragement.
Psalm 30
A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple.[b] Of David.
I will exalt you, Lord,
for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
Lord my God, I called to you for help,
and you healed me.
You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead;
you spared me from going down to the pit.
Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;
praise his holy name.
For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.
When I felt secure, I said,
“I will never be shaken.”
Lord, when you favored me,
you made my royal mountain[c] stand firm;
but when you hid your face,
I was dismayed.
To you, Lord, I called;
to the Lord I cried for mercy:
“What is gained if I am silenced,
if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me;
Lord, be my help.”
You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
Lord my God, I will praise you forever.
“You Never Let Go” – Matt Redman
Even though I walk
Through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught
In the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know you are near
And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?
Oh, no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh, no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh, no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me
And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth
Thanks again for the updates Jay. You have an incredible talent for writing. Once again, I am inspired by your faith, passion, and love for the Lord as well as your family. Tara- even while you are getting chemo, you look amazing! Can’t wait to give you both hugs. We pray for you both and the kids daily. All our love to you all.
Lori Harrison
I so miss seeing you both at church. I can only imagine how the kids feel. When Tara is recovered enough for you to have a date night, I would love to stay with the kids, so you can do so. I look forward to helping with meals, laundry or whatever you need. The battle may be raging, but the war is already won. Keep running the race. I love you.
“It’s in the mail!” Would you please pass that message along to Louis (Lewis?)? I saw his note addressed to Corbin, but it was lacking an address. I wrote the address on the envelope and dropped it in the mail on my way out this morning. I pray that the sweet essence of the Holy Spirit will fill your home; that the work done in your home this morning by hands and hearts full of love will be a pleasant aroma to the Lord and your whole family.
Peace and rest, dear Maiers!
Becca Murray
Hey, Tara, I have a blonde wig from my chemo year…you’re welcome to it if you want to see whether blondes really do have more fun!? Thinking of you and empathizing with the chemotherapy process. Thankful that the Lord Almighty is right there within you, directing the chemicals to do only what they’re supposed to do, and nothing more or less.
TLC catalog has many cute wigs and hats, etc. They are not horribly expensive either. Praying for all treatments to go smoothly. (o: