With Feet...

I have told you before about my precious mother-in-law, Maria. She is fighting a RELENTLESS battle with ovarian cancer. My friend Flo, who lost her mother to cancer, says that cancer is an UGLY word.

I agree.

However, I have never seen anyone deal with something so ugly in such a BEAUTIFUL way. John and Maria have given "feet" to so many scriptures through this long and difficult journey.

James 1:2-4 says..."Consider it pure JOY, my brothers when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops PERSEVERANCE...

I have watching Maria find JOY in knowing her savior more through this journey, I have seen her and John cry tears of JOY as they have talked about the ways they have been able to minister to others who are struggling through this battle. And never in my life have seen more PERSEVERANCE. Ovarian Cancer is brutal...it will go into remission but then it returns with a vengeance. With much grace and beauty John and Maria have persevered through treatment after treatment and hospital stay after hospital stay. Even at some of her worst and weakest moments I have seen them smile and give praise to their savior Jesus.

Can't you just see how much he loves her!

1 Corinthians 13:5 says...Love is not self-seeking...

In spite of this battle that is raging around them John and Maria decided to put others first this holiday season. By others I mean their 11, yes I said 11, grandchildren! On Friday after Thanksgiving they had the oldest 8 grand kids over for a camp out. (And let me just stop here and tell you that even though they were the oldest of the 11 they were from ages 2-7...and 7 of them were boys!) They enjoyed hayrides, and roasting Marshmallows, scary stories around the campfire, hot dogs, and 6 of them even slept in the tents! I have never seen kids have more fun. What I am not sure John and Maria realized is that they were living out Scripture for their grand kids. Maria spent three days in the hospital prior to the camp out getting fluids so that she would be ready to go. In the face or pain and weariness they chose to think of others happiness when it would have been easier to just buy the kids a gift or send them a card...they were showing our kiddos what is means to put others first, to live a life that is not self-seeking. For that I am truly grateful.

The next day was filled so many wonderful moments my DVR wouldn't be able to hold them all!

Thank you for such a wonderful weekend Papa and Grammie!

*photos courtesy of Britney Lorick