I was diagnosed with cancer on a Friday in 2018.  That week was the darkest of my life so far.  When I say that now, it feels a bit melodramatic!  The worst of the treatments are over, and I am doing so well.  I look forward to a full and healthy life.

But a year ago?  My life had taken a very unexpected turn, and frankly, I did not know what lay around the corner.  I remember the first time we went over to the Phipps’ home, who became mentors on this journey.  I cried so hard that I struggled to talk to Gabe through my tears, “If I knew I would survive this, I really don’t care what I have to walk through.  No matter how bad the treatments are, I’ll do them.  I only want to live!  To raise these precious children and grow old with you.”  Boy, the emotions of those first few weeks.  They were DRAINING.

Exactly a year after I was diagnosed, Gabe and I sat together again with different dear mentors.  Once again, we held hands.  Once again, I was crying.  But instead of blubbering and sobbing and struggling to talk, I sat hushed and full of joy as I witnessed one of God’s sweetest miracles: two people becoming one.

I’m fairly confident Stephen and Lauren had no idea when they chose their wedding day that it was the anniversary of when I was diagnosed.  But God did.  And in His love, He allowed me to be at a wedding celebrating my heart out exactly a year after I experienced my greatest sorrow.

And how sweet it was.  These are no ordinary friends.  These are the kind who are hard to come by!  Brett and Carol (the groom’s parents) have been mentors since I was eighteen years old.  I have known Stephen (the groom), and Josh, Andrew, Kelly, and Mareah since they were children, and watched them develop into adults.

The wedding day was perfect.  A sunny, blue-sky day in Orlando.  The bride was beautiful; the groom captivated.   As they made their vows before God, I squeezed Gabe’s hand.  We’ve grown as we’ve walked out our vows this year.  “In sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance.”

We loved connecting with so many dear friends (the Rays, the Philips, Jen), and celebrating Stephen and Lauren’s big day.  When I woke up that morning, a verse was on my heart.  So much so that I googled it to find out the reference.  Ps. 34:3 “Glorify the Lord with me, let us exalt His name together!”  I needn’t have bothered.  Look at the sign that greeted us when we arrived at First Baptist for the wedding:

 

 

I mentioned that Brett and Carol Ray have been mentors for many years.  One of my favorite parts of their ministry is Brett’s “Tuesday Tiny Tips” – a free email delivered to my inbox each Tuesday.  Each week, he has a short tip on one of four topics: faith, family, marriage, or parenting.

He’s had such great feedback from the Tips, and so many folks wanting to know more, that Brett recently launched 10 minute podcasts that will give more details on the Tips each week.  I’ve had the privilege to review the first few, and have been blown away.  Really relevant, extremely helpful content.  (Its actually been on my to-do list for the past few days to sign up as a subscriber, so we can stream them anytime, share them with our small group, friends, etc).

Feel free to check out the Tips at: www.BrettRay.com.  You’ll love them.