The Rogers' Family Neighborhood

“For I am the Lord your God who takes you by the right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear, for I will help you.’” — Isaiah 41:13

Over the last several years, the Lord has been cultivating a deeper trust in me—a trust that is learning to accept His invitation to live in the present moment with Him.

That invitation has become especially powerful over these last few weeks as I have stepped back into an active cancer battle.

I have been tempted to look back over the past months and ask, What went wrong? What did I miss? And then, almost immediately, my mind races ahead into the future—wondering what is coming and what lies ahead.

But I have heard the gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit:

“Amy, I want you to stay in the present moment with Me. I have gifts I want to give you every day—and the greatest gift is My presence.”

So, that is where I am learning to live.

In early August, I began experiencing an unfamiliar fatigue and weakness. This led to a full PET scan at the end of August, which revealed that the metastatic breast cancer I was diagnosed with in early 2024 has now spread to my spine, liver, and some lymph nodes.

This past week, I had a liver biopsy that confirmed that it is the same cancer. My oncologist has sent the biopsy for additional testing, which will help determine the next line of treatment. I also had a brain MRI last week, which thankfully showed no evidence of cancer in my brain. We are deeply grateful for that.

There have been many unknowns, but I’ve also felt God’s presence deeply. Monday morning, in my Bible reading, the Lord highlighted Deuteronomy 31:8:

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Before we left for the hospital, Don shared that he had received two different emails that morning, both containing that very same Scripture.

We knew our Good Shepherd was giving us His presence and promise for the day.

 I went to the hospital that morning, and I want you to know how powerfully the prayers of friends like you carried me.

God blessed me with a beautiful, kind nurse who reflected Jesus’ love and joy in a profound way. She and the doctor carefully explained what to expect, as I would be awake during the procedure. I am always amazed by the deep peace God can bring in the middle of discomfort and the unknown.

The doctor asked me to raise my right hand above my head and to keep it there. My heart and mind went to a quiet place, and my thoughts became focused on singing the words of the song Goodness of God:

“I love You, Lord. Oh, Your mercy never fails me.
All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands…”

And just as the doctor began, I felt a comforting hand take mine and hold it.

No words can describe the comfort and peace that washed over me in that moment.

God’s presence was so real.

After the procedure, I looked at my nurse and thanked her for holding my hand. She looked at me and said,

“I am a part of these procedures many times a day, and I have never done that before. But I felt compelled to hold your hand.”

I smiled, because I knew that hand was more than just a nurse’s hand.

My Father was reminding me: “I am here. I am holding you. You do not have to be afraid.”

I don’t know what the days ahead will hold. Many questions, more testing, and treatment decisions still lie ahead. But I know who holds my hand.

And for today, that is enough.

I am learning again that faith isn’t always about knowing what is coming next. Sometimes it is simply saying yes to Jesus in this moment, receiving the gift of His presence, and trusting Him with the moment after that.

Thank you for walking this journey with us—for every prayer, text, call, word of encouragement, and act of love. We feel so deeply held by the community God has surrounded us with.

He is still our Good Shepherd.

He is still faithful.

And He is still holding our hand.

“Do not fear, for I will help you.” — Isaiah 41:13

++++ Prayers:

The next line of treatments begins 9/29. Pray that my body responds well.

Pray for divine wisdom and guidance as we seek God’s leading and guidance for the path forward.

For the presence and power of our Good Shepherd to heal, guide, and sustain us.

As I (Amy) reflect on January 1st, 2024, the Lord gave me the word “Courage” for the new year.  I felt a sense of adventure and an invitation to step into 2024, knowing that there were things that the Lord was asking of me that would take a new sense of courage. I embraced the verse Joshua 1:9 and wrote it down in my journal. Separately, the Lord had prompted Don that the word “Strengthen” would be key for his year. We were both surprised to find that in the Message translation of Joshua 1:9, both words are mentioned with great emphasis and promise: “Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.”

I am in awe of the strength, courage, and presence we have found available to us, especially through this past year. Truly breathtaking awe! As last year came to a close and we welcomed 2025, I found it hard to journal all that was in my heart as the tears came every time I reflected on the miraculous power of God that I have experienced on this sacred path with Jesus.

AND… in two days (Wednesday 1/8), I will reach an important milestone of completing the last of twenty-five radiation treatments, and I am filled with CONFIDENT HOPE. Those are the words I am embracing for 2025. “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NLT)

I have revisited many of my reflections from this past year, and what I wrote last April resonates profoundly in my heart today:  “This is a season where I am again experiencing the power and presence of God on an unknown path that I could never have imagined I would be on. My walk this evening on a nearby trail reminds me so much about the beautiful views unique to my current life path that could not be seen anywhere else. I am grateful for the deep trust cultivated over the years in our faithful God, which continues to grow even more now. I hear my Savior’s invitation to live each day WITH Him in the present moment. I’m not thinking so much about tomorrow or yesterday or months from now, but just today. And I am discovering a deep sense of joy, peace, and hope that is powerful evidence that He is near.” 

And then I reflected on this quote from Brennan Manning:

“…The music of what is happening can be heard only in the present moment, right now, right here. Now/here spells nowhere. To be fully present to whoever or whatever is immediately before us is to pitch a tent in the wilderness of Nowhere. It is an act of radical trust – trust that God can be encountered at no other time and in no other place than the present moment.” Ruthless Trust – Chapter: The Geography of Nowhere

As I begin 2025 I find that the toughest climbs—the rockiest paths— do lead us to the most beautiful viewpoints. In so many places in my journal this last year, I found myself writing, “I can see now…” Yes, I see the Kingdom of God with new eyes, and I’m experiencing joy and peace because of a new level of trust in my triune God, who is with me and leading me daily. 

The finish line of radiation treatment will be crossed this week and though I feel the physical toll on my body, I know that it is in my weakness that HE is strong.  Through His word and reading today, I am reminded that there is an invitation from my faithful God, who loves me more than I could ever imagine, to join HIM on this adventure of faith.  

As I look to the New Year ahead of me, I accept God’s invitation to adventure WITH HIM with confident HOPE. I will take the next steps one at a time – leaving the roadmaps and the outcomes up to HIM, trusting my Good Shepherd with each day – one moment at a time!

We are so grateful for your faithful prayers and encouragement!