I am the middlest child. I am 10. And I have another perspective. You know that over the last few months my mom has been struggling with stage 4 ovarian cancer. It was strange because I would have never thought anyone in my family could have cancer.
I remember the day when my dad told us. It was the worst day of my life. I thought he was kidding. When he told us he was serious, then I thought she was going to die and I was scared. I am still worried, but I know that God has a plan for her and for me.
Everyone has been helping us so much and we are thankful. My friends write nice notes that encourage me. My teachers at school tell me they are praying for me. My brother and sisters are getting closer because we are all helping mom and dad together. It is also helping us to not fight (at least not as much). My faith has grown in this. I believe God will protect our family. I take church more seriously now. I always listened to the sermons, but now I understand them more.
I wish my mom could come out and jump on the trampoline with us. But dad says she has her own ups and downs even without the trampoline.
Perspectives From The Tree Tops 
Sweet Girl, I love your genuine words. Your heart for Jesus is revealed and your heart for your family too. Loving on your family is so easy as you have always been a family who deeply cares for and serves others. We are praying fervently for your mom, your dad and you amazing children! Love you all!
My first thought was that no child should have to experience the fear and the hurt that cancer brings. Then I was reminded of how BIG God is! He’ll use all that hurt and mix it with that big, wonderful faith that you have and make something really BIG! Something big and wonderful and beautiful that will glorify Him! You are absolutely right in stating that He has a plan for both you and your mom and even during the hard days may that truth bring you peace.
“For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord!
Andrean – I am smiling… and thinking. Even though you are only 10, you have helped me to think and reflect on what is most important in life. It’s funny how I can get so busy with all the crazy stuff of life and so worried about the little things… and that a few wise words of my sweet 10 year old niece can humble me and draw me closer to Jesus! You have reminded me that God has a plan for me and for my family. You have also encouraged me to jump on the trampoline with your cousins more!! 🙂 I know your mom wishes she could get out there and jump with you. She will soon – and I can’t wait to hear about that day! I am SO encouraged to hear that your faith is growing stronger. It reminds me of 1 Peter 1:6-7 (I’m sure you guys have read this a lot lately!) “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith – more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire – may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” That whole chapter is so wonderful… I would encourage you to read it when you have some time alone. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing. You have encouraged me… and I’m just one person. Think of all the people God is going to encourage because of your willingness to share. Wow!!! Give your mom a big hug from me! I love you!!!
Thanks for sharing your heart with us. It is encouraging to hear how God is using this difficult trial in your life and in the life of your family. It is good to hear how friends and family have been encouraging all of you in so many ways with kind words and prayer. It was also good to hear that your dad still has a sense of humor with his comment, that your mom has her own ups and downs, even without the trampoline! This blog is encouraging all of us to pray more specifically and fervently. The testimony of our faith as Christians is sharing about the goodness, faithfulness and power of God in our lives. Your family is doing a great job of this! Thanks again!
Sandy, in Williams Bay, WI
How precious you are. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and perspective with all of “us”. It is our privilege to remember you all in prayer! We feel like we know all of you kids because of all the wonderful things your grandma and grandpa Woods share about you! Love to all of you.
Dear Andrean, another amazing perspective. Thank you for sharing. How wonderful you have your faith, strong parents and siblings to share this. God bless. Love you. Peg
Andrean, I am so proud of you! Your smile brightens our hallways. Keep your prayers strong, your helpful hands, and your family close.
My dear Andrean, thank you for your perspective. I am late in replying to all your posts, today as I am writing this is your mother’s Birthday, I was your age when she was born. All you kids are so special to me, there are things for each of you that makes a special thought in my mind. Yours, is that you are a beautiful reminder to me of your mother as a baby and young girl, you look so much like her as you grow up. You also have the same beautiful smile she has.
I know that all this is not easy, but God is there always and his work is being done. He has already done some by what you said in your post about getting closer with your brother & sister’s, and not fighting as much. But do not get discouraged with one another, God tells us “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and slander be put away from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave us.” Ephesians 4:31-32
You know that your Mom also wishes she could be out on the trampoline. I can bet she still loves to see you kids out there playing on it even if she can’t be there right now. You all are her inspiration to keep fighting. So keep being the great young lady that you have become, keep reading God’s word, it is truly the fruit you need to grow and live the life that Jesus has taught us live. So miss my big hugs you give me, hope to see you soon. I love you Andy!