The Brooklyn Tabernacle!

Our church is currently re-reading through Jim Cymbala's book Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire.  It is the story of how the Holy Spirit moved mightily through prayer in the congregation of the Brooklyn Tabernacle.  So I thought about how cool it would be to visit! I knew I wouldn't be able to go on a Sunday....but even more special would be to attend their Tuesday prayer meeting!!!!

Well. It didn't quite go as planned....Elijah fell asleep in the stroller on the walk to the subway station.  I had to wake him to put him in the ergo, and then carrier my bag and the stroller down to the platform. Elijah was so mad, he cried the whole way to Brooklyn.  

We made it to the Brooklyn Tabernacle

And discovered that instead of their usual prayer meeting, they were having a play. I was a little bummed, only because Elijah was already so upset, I didn't think I had much chance of him sitting through a play.

The lady at the front was so kind. She started asking questions, and had me fill out a prayer card. She walked Elijah and I (and our prayer card) down to the secret prayer "bed" (I think that is what she called it???  Boy oh boy! Did I walk in on a prayer meeting!!!! The group of men and women surround Elijah and I. They anointed Elijah with oil and went to town praying. I'm pretty sure we got spit on a little bit, but whew! It was amazing!!!!!!  And then they walked us back through the actual sanctuary area and took a picture of us on the stage!

We sat down for a little while, but with an hour and a half before the play even started....I was pretty sure we wouldn't make it.

So, we loaded up and began the trek back. I'm not feeling that great tonight but it sure was an amazing experience and I will go to bed thankful!!!! :-)

Great News!!!!!

Elijah's exam went SO well! NO new tumors, NO regrowth of old tumors, AND his blood work has returned to normal (after the doctor told me he had never seen levels as high as Elijah had.)

We are so thankful! Rejoicing in this news for today!!!!!

Back in 5 or 6 weeks! 

Long day of travel

Yesterday was a long day of travel! We left our house just before 2am, boarded the plane by 4:45am, landed at Newark around 2pm, took the Airtrain and just missed the New Jersey Transit train, so we had to wait almost an hour for the next one. We took the New Jersey transit train to Penn Station in New York, then (I met a lovely couple who helped with the luggage and the stairs and the Subway) took the Subway to the Upper West Side.  Then I got on the cross town bus, which let me out just a few blocks from the RMH.

    Elijah and I were exhausted! We crashed at 8:30pm....and after a pretty decent night's rest, felt much better today!  Thank you to everyone who was praying.  Today, we adventured over to the Children's Musuem of Manhattan, where Elijah had a blast!!

We headed back to our side of town and are planning to keep it simple for the evening since we have to be at the hospital at 6:30am tomorrow.

I'm so thankful for the prayers and for a good night's rest! It sure does make a difference.

Caleb Paul, age 12

Dear Caleb Paul,

     There are so many stories these days of young men who go off on an adventure, and discover that they have amazing giftings or powers inside them.  It is the super heroes who look around them and see that things are not always as they should be....and they rise up to meet the challenge of pushing back the darkness and fighting for the light.

    But in order for a hero to rise up and find the strength to face darkness....he has to somehow be made aware of the darkness.

     This year brought some really difficult moments. Well--you know that because you were the child who had both mom and dad gone on your birthday last year. So many other kids would have allowed bitterness to grow in their hearts.  It has been difficult, having your mom (who formerly never went anywhere!), now flying across the country every 4-6 weeks, gone for a few days.  Some would have allowed this to make them angry because they didn't understand why their baby brother had to get cancer.  And then, there was the dear man in our neighborhood who had a crazy-brilliant mind like yours. You two had lots of fun together, and dad was so surprised by the spot welder you made together (with help from your brother Noah).  So, it could have been so discouraging to have finally found someone who understood you so well.....and then to have him pass from this life into the next one.

     Yes, this year has brought its share of difficulty.  But what has been so amazing for this momma-heart to watch....is that instead of bitterness, anger, and discouragement....you have allowed the grace of God to rise up within you.  This year, more than ever, you have discovered the power within you--the Holy Spirit of God which brings comfort when you're sad, when you're lonely, and when things didn't go how you wanted them to go.  You're finding the grace of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross to be sufficient to cover your mistakes, and the mistakes of others.

     When I asked you what this last year had taught you, you told me that you learned to trust God more.  You said that with everything that happened with Elijah, with his cancer and treatments and going across the country, you learned about how God can bring good out of the most difficult circumstances.  You learned to trust God, even when someone you loved greatly left this life, because the life he gained eternally in the presence of Jesus had become more real to you this year.

      Caleb Paul. I have not met a young man so faithful, disciplined, and diligent as you.  You are amazingly gifted, and if you are not naturally talented at what you put your hands to, you will persevere and endure and practice over and over again until you master it.  I am constantly humbled and amazed by your super hero power.....and I recognize it as the power of God at work in you.  You have a super hero power inside you. It is a gift, given by God for the joy of the world and the building of His Kingdom.

     And while many times, my heart ached over the hardships this last year brought, I am so, so thankful for the Light we have seen more clearly. I am honored to serve a Great King beside you. I love being your mom. May you continue to rise up along with the grace of God, to find strength to meet whatever is ahead for you, and may you never stop learning to trust God more.  No gift I could give you is as great as the one the Father in heaven has given you-the sacrifice of His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit to be your Comforter and Teacher.  May you experience these gifts to greater degrees as you rise up to push back the darkness. May you know the great love the Father has for you.  You are not a warrior who fights only out of duty, but a warrior who is greatly loved and valued.  May you grow deeper in your love for God's Word-may it come alive to you as you read it, and may you be transformed by it as you understand its wisdom and beauty. May you grow in your communication with the Lord, and may you begin to truly see how much of the battle is won by getting on your knees.  And when you rise, and when you fall, may you always, always find the grace of God to meet you in that place, and carry you on to greater things.  

     I cannot fathom the wonderful adventures that await you. I love you.  Happy birthday. I pray that God's blessings would overwhelm you with love and joy today. And I'm so glad Daddy and I get to be with you on your birthday this year. :)

With love,

Mommy