It Begins (and it is good)

Chemo has officially started. Lewis and I have accompanied Tara and are doing our best to distract and encourage her. She is a champ. Look at that smile. She is a content woman.

Ever wonder what hope actually looks like? Hope is visible when in the middle of chemo you are studying a book on how to be a godly and faithful parent.

We have joy in our suffering, because we know that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope – Romans 5:3-4.

Tara all hooked up – and smiling

Tara and Lewis in Gonda lobby

29 thoughts on “It Begins (and it is good)”

Praying the chemo is easier on your body this time, Tara. Love you!

Praying for you Tara and for your family

Tara, you are such an amazing and strong person! God bless you and your family every day through this journey. I love your smile and the love that shines around you.

We are praying. Thank you for your example of how to live in the midst of all you’re going through.

Praying, praying, praying………for so many specific physical, mental and spiritual parts of your journey….but the nurse in me prayed especially for a smooth IV start this morning.

Lifting Tara and the rest of your family up in prayer as you walk through this together!

All our love and prayers from THE CALLANAN CREW🙏🏻.

Praying for you this morning. You wrote of suffering well, beautiful and so tough. Thank you for loving well, you both do so effortlessly, through your thoughts, your photos and your presence. Who knew your mission field would be your home. You touch countless lives by how you choose to walk this path. You will never know how many people you are affecting. Thank you for your unselfishness as you share and allow God to use you. Lifting you up in prayer!!

Friends praying in South Dakota today

You are beautiful, Tara!! It’s evident that God reigns IN and OVER you! Praying fervently for you, Jay and your precious family in these days and months to come!

Cheri Powell
Rogers, AR

Jay thanks for the update. Blessed to see Tara’s smile. We are continuing to pray for all of you as well as Nancy & Larry. Blessings.

We love you and are praying for all of you! Big hugs being sent! Contentment is a beautiful space!

Praying you do well with chemo. Love you.

We are praying for healing beyond what we can imagine! God bless the Maier family as they go through another phase of their journey!

Wrapping you and the family in prayer. Maxine, Gus’s Nana.

Praying for you. I don’t have many pleasant memories during or after
My Chemo except listening to praise music during it. Kevin

You & your family are in our thoughts and prayers! May the strength & love & blessings carry you all through this difficult time! Hugs!

Thank you Tara for wearing your armor! You are the strongest fighter and lift up so many people and carry them on your shoulders. Thank you for sharing your fight and that beautiful verse. Praying for you and your beautiful family. ~The Winkels

Dear Tiger Lilly, Keep looking up and forward. As difficult as your next few months will be for you and all of your family, keep TRUSTING the journey. I pray for you each day that your faith will give you the strength that is needed to be a mom, wife and cancer patient. It is a tall order to fill. Blessings will follow. Sending a bouquet of hugs and love!! J

You are beautiful, Tara! We are sorry you have to go through this again, and are praying for you daily. Once again you are ministering to so many people as you go through the trials God has given you. You, Jay and your family are absolutely inspiring! Love and hugs! Pat and Jean

We love you and are sending our love, hugs and prayers!1 You and your family are such an inspiration to us.

We are praying for you and your family!

Praying for the continued peace that passes all understanding for all of you.

Oh Tara, stay strong…you are a fighter and I know you will win this battle. Sending you all my love and tons of hugs. You are always in my prayers and please let me know if there is anything I can do for you and the family. Mary (Treague) Nelson

Tara wishing you well. My spirit is with you during this time. You are in God’s care. Sending you joy.❤️

You don’t know me personally but I am a believer that attends Dean and Jen’s church at kahoka. I am continually praying for each of you daily as you go through this difficult time. My quiet time today was on waiting. I thought this quote by spurgeon was relevant, “the waiting itself is beneficial to us: it tries faith, exercises patience, trains submission, and endears the blessing when it comes.” I am confident that your trusting the Lord in the waiting will demonstrate a faith to others and blessings for you.