I date myself a bit by talking about this memory, but at the roller rink, one of my favorite things was the limbo. That reggae voice was awesome, “Do the limbo now..” I would get into it with my swag. 6’2″ tall and 140 pounds looked pretty good in roller skates. And I could get pretty low, with the one leg cocked out to the right and my tummy scrunched down, sometimes I would be one of the last ones in the game.
We started round 3 today. But my optimism is being tested. If I told you that all went well, I would be lying. Last night Tara was up with significant pain in her abdomen and literally didn’t sleep a wink. To make a long story short, the “round 3” that I am referring to isn’t chemotherapy. We are getting a third not-so-complimentary stay at the Hotel Eisenberg.
The fluid in her abdomen started growing noticeably over the last 48 hours. There are a number of possible reasons, none of them that good. Bowel obstruction? Whoohoo! More fluid from cancer? Booooo! Post-operative drainage? Can we be done with that already? Tomorrow they will draw some fluid out to relieve the pressure and test the fluid to understand what is causing it.
So we are in limbo again. Not the limbo that I like and wish I could do again at the roller rink. But the limbo that means we don’t know a stinking thing and we can’t make any decision until other things are figured out.
We are saying it this time with some sense that our heart will have to follow our words, but we do trust that God will sustain us. We look to him daily and will continue forever.
Perspectives From The Tree Tops 
Praying for you. “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8
It is so wasy to say, now is again the time to WAIT on the Lord. But it is true that Waiting on the Lord brings us to a place of rest and peace. We are all praying for answers and treatment to continue. Give Tara all of our love. Phil and Mary Wood and family.
Tara & Jay, I was just listening to this Kutless song when I got the email as to your new post. I have been praying all day for you both that you could get some answers and Tara could get relief from the pain and be able to get some sleep. I was getting very anxious and worried, but as I prayed God would calm me back down. I know that He has control in this, but we as humans like to think we can control things or want them to move more rapidly or at our pace of recovery. Lord you are my refuge & my hope!
Love you 7Maiers, and you all are in my constant prayers!
Dear Heavenly Father, we put all our trust in you, our Strong Tower! AMEN!
Strong Tower by Kutless
When I wander through the desert / And I’m longing for my home
All my dreams have gone astray
When I’m in the valley / And I’m tired and all alone
It seems like I’ve lost my way
I go running to Your mountain / Where Your mercy sets me free
You are my strong tower / Shelter over me / Beautiful and mighty / Everlasting King
You are my strong tower / Fortress when I’m weak / Your name is true and holy
And Your face is all I seek
In the middle of my darkness / In the midst of all my fear
You’re my refuge and my hope / When the storm of life is raging
And the thunder’s all I hear / You speak softly to my soul
Better is One Day
How lovely is your dwelling place / Oh Lord Almighty
My soul doth long and even faints for You
For here my heart is satisfied / Within Your presence
I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings
Better is one day in Your courts / Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts / Than thousands elsewhere
My heart and flesh cry out / To You the living God
Your spirit’s water to my soul
I’ve tasted and seen / Come once again to me
I will draw near to You
Our love and fervent prayers tonight are for Tara, Jay, and your kids.
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Luke 12:6-7
So sorry that Tara is having so much discomfort. The hardest part is not knowing the cause of the fluid and waiting for results. Thankfully God already knows and we are trusting Him with the outcome. We will continue to pray for you and the kids. Thank you for keeping us updated with Tara’s progress.
I was never good at the Limbo as I was always scared of falling. I can’t imagine how scary this limbo is. I’m praying that the pain subsides and that you are able to rest, Tara. I am praying that answers will be found for the cause of the fluid and that God calms any fears that you may be experiencing.
Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?
Praying, Praying, Praying…The Prayer warriors at ‘Spenser’s Underground’ in Spirit Lake are doing battle. We are humbled by your amazing grace. God is clearly in your mist.
We love you Jay and Tara and are praying for you!
Praying.
Oh-SO praying for encouragement and for it to be the least of the above. JillGill
Holding you up in prayer today and every day. May the God of all comfort sustain you. Patti Blaser
We are praying for Tara and your family. Love your family!
Praying for you right now. Isa. 53:5 “With His stripes we are healed”
May The Lord heal your afflictions Tara. This must be very frustrating. We ask for an answer soon and a way to eliminate the pain and heal this disease. He is making you whole during this experience. Hang in there. Praying.
We’re praying for wisdom for the doctors, for answers, and for comfort during this time.
I was never good at the Limbo. There were many times that I have had to put my hands up and say Abba, Father, I don’t know what is going to happen here. We made it through but not how we had planned.
“God, give the Maier family your rest tonight.”
I am so sorry. So overwhelmed for you. But please know that we are interceding on your behalf. So when you are to tired and discouraged to even pray, that’s OK. There is a multitude of us surrounding you right now in prayer. May you experience the light of His presence, comfort, and assurance during this dark time. Love you!
In the same way, the Holy Spirit helps us when we are weak. We don’t know what we should pray for. But the Spirit himself prays for us. He prays with groans too deep for words. God, who looks into our hearts, knows the mind of the Spirit. And the Spirit prays for God’s people just as God wants him to pray.
Romans 8:26-28
Forsthoffers
Ah Tara and Jay – the roller coaster continues. I am so glad that your trust in God is firm. I am also glad for the good times you have had lately. God is still incontrol, but it’s hard to feel somedays that you take 1 step forward and 3 steps back. Fortunately God is able to carry us when we can no longer take the step forward. I believe good things are in your future. Father God – be with Jay, Tara and the children at this time. Enfold them in your loving arms and keep them safe and well. Encourage them and bring healing to Tara’s weary body. We ask it in Christ’s name, Amen.
Father God, Be with Tara and Jay and their family. Give them peace for their spirits and rest for their bodies. Encourage them and bring healing to Tara. Help them to know that when they can no longer take the next step that you are there to carry them. Hold them in your loving arms. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Praying you get the best news possible
I Samuel 17: 46-47 “…and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s…” His strength is sufficient. Standing with you in prayer.
prayers for comfort for Tara,wisdom for the doctors,comfort and peace for the family
What can we say to encourage you? Sometimes the things we know in our head take awhile to filter down to the heart, but we know you do trust and you do believe and we are with you all the way – praying, trusting, and believing for God’s very, very best. We pray, in Jesus name, heal Tara – totally and completely. Uphold, Tara, Jay, the kids, Nan and Larry, Tim, Jay’s mom and dad and family, too. We are fighting the battle everyday with each of you. In Jesus name we Press On!! Ed and Julie
Prayed for Tara and you as we went back to the Calvary rock and put our hand in the hole where tradition says that the cross was placed. You are constantly on our mind as we cross the places where Christ paid the ultimate price for us.
Still in prayer….always….all the time.
I am praying with all that is within me, Friend. I love you dearly and ache for all that you are going through. I’m trusting and believing in our Almighty God for your care!
Prayers and lots of hugs for all 7 of you.Tara we love and hope all goes well for you. Keep the chin up and GOD knows he has a fighter…Love you Uncle Chuck and Aunt Val
I was thinking about your family during the Tenth Avenue North concert on Friday night – especially during the song “Worn.” I’m sure you are at that point and way beyond. Praying for answers and peace. Marsha Jagusch