This last week tested our resolve. I pray this week is better. Some improvement on Tara’s condition would be great. But if not that, at least some encouragement; a word from God that it will be okay; that at some point soon Tara will have the strength to enjoy life again. From others who have been through chemo, I hear it will get better. It just seems for now that it will never end.
Tara has apologized a few times lately saying, “I am sorry I have been angry and mean.” Well first of all she hasn’t been that bad; think about it. Tara, mean? Second of all it would be understandable if she was angry and mean. She describes to me the frustration of extreme, ravenous hunger coupled with nausea. And weakness that won’t allow her to go down our stairs to the car. I have to carry her when we go somewhere.
So pray for healing, encouragement, strength, endurance. Pray for peace and rest. Pray that the doctors will get to the bottom of the specific problems going on right now.
Perspectives From The Tree Tops 
WE ARE PRAYING FOR ALL OF YOU AND YOU ARE FOREMOST IN OUR MINDS EVERYDAY LOVE US B’S
Medicine has come SO far, Jay….and you know what, I felt exactly the same in 1980! Medicine had come so far in that time too. I used to say that if I would choose cancer (stupid statement) I’d choose to have it now…..well, you guys are in the same spot….over 30 years later…..and the fact that that girl of yours has “good blood counts” in spite of what she’s walked through already is nothing short of miraculous. i know that I’ve said it before, but the number of times I had to remind myself that it was the “cure that was killing me” ….. well, I lost count…..but, my mind would play games on me and I would have to develop little reminders (like this one) to keep me going in the darkest times.
Praying for your trip……believe me, there is nothing like “getting away” to feel like you actually are “normal”……you can pretend, if only momentarily that, even when you are feeling dreadful, that….well…..everyone gets “sick”……
Consider it done! One day under your belt and hopefully will be on the upswing soon! Thankfully our God is one of immeasurable grace and mercy!
Our thoughts and prayers continue for you daily. I pray, Tara that you will be well enough to take the trip you all have planned.
Dearest Maier Family-
We missed your company tonight. We would’ve laughed that much more had you all been there. -Tara- kick this fever! and we look forward to hearing about your big trip when you get back!
Love to you all,
Matt & Alicia
Praying …
John 4:13-14 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
Praying for the specific requests you have and for Jesus to reveal his peace and patience to you and your family!
we pray for you daily! God strengthen you all.k and c
Love you guys!
I am praying for you Tara. My heart aches for you dear friend. Again, you are called, you are chosen. I join you in boldly proclaiming to the Lord that I know He is with you each and every moment of your days. I wear my Team Tara shirt to the girls’ track meets with such pride! Wish we could see your girls compete in track- strong and determined like their mother. Our family sends hugs to each of you. I love you – Navina
I am certainly praying for all of you. Lord, touch Tara today and begin to rebuild her strength. She needs your hand of healing and arm of encouragement today. Bless her and all of her family. Give the doctors wisdom as to what is going on. Please take the nausea away and give her the ability to eat without discomfort. Lord, you know how much this family needs this trip coming up. Please enable them to go and have a wonderful time together as a family. They need refreshing. Provide a way of escape from the trials of the cancer, if only for a short time, so they can regroup and be refreshed. We love them Lord and want your best for them. Be their rod and their staff of comfort. Pour the oil of plenty over their heads and allow them to dwell with you, even here on earth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Praying for healing! We love you and want to support you. I would love to come spend the afternoon with the kids soon . I will text you to see what works best.
Isaiah 40:30-31
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
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.
Praying.
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. Psalms 18:32
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though it’s waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with it’s tumult.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God will help her right early. The nations rage, the kingdom totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Psalms 46:1-7
Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on it’s own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints.
Other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life
When I was suffering from anguish, sorrow, or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord, “You promised me, Lord,
That if I followed you, you would walk with me always.
But I noticed that during the most trying periods of my life
There have only been one set of prints in the sand.
Why, When I have needed you most, you have not been there for me?”
The Lord replied,
“The times when you have seen only one set of footprints
Is when I carried you.”
Dear Heavenly Father,
We ask that you continue to wrap your arms around Tara, giving her your strength, being her refuge and encouragement, let your amazing Love consume her, protect her, and heal her. Giving her back that lost strength & the ability to have that beautiful smile on her face, especially when she is being your great servant; worshiping & praising you. Thank you Lord for carrying us when we cannot carry ourselves. In Jesus name we pray, Amen!
Praying and praying more. Tara, all of this sounds so familiar to those of us who’ve been through chemo and radiation. It’s a savage, outrageous thing. Someday people will look back on the things we’ve been through in cancer “treatment” and say, “No! That couldn’t have happened! How could people go through such torture?!” Yes, it will get better, but until then, it’s misery. Yes, you feel like giving up, but you won’t. You are so loved and so needed that giving up isn’t an option. Let Jay and your relatives and dear friends “carry” you. It will be a gift to them in the long run. You are brave and full of God’s Spirit. Hang in there….
I ran into you two in the elevator today! It was a surprise and a joy to see a couple whom I greatly admire and pray for often, but really don’t know except through many mutual friends and this blog. May God send his comfort and strength to you both today.
Marny Carlson