“The Lord is my strength and my (impenetrable) shield; my heart trusts (with unwavering confidence) in Him, and I am helped; therefore, my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song, I shall thank Him and praise Him.” Psalm 28:7
I began my chemo treatment the week of Easter 2024, and now radiation treatments have started as we begin this season of Advent. On my evening walk yesterday, I lifted my eyes and had to pause to take in the brilliant colors of the sky as the sun set. It took my breath away and put a song of praise in my heart.
This past Tuesday, I began 25 days (5 days/week for 5 weeks) of radiation treatments, which end on January 8th. I am so grateful for your continued prayers for me. The fatigue has hit me this week as my body is fully aware of the battle it is in and fighting. I am grateful this Advent season for the HOPE and PEACE I have in Jesus.
Psalm 28:7 remains a declaration of my heart as I walk through each day. “Lord, you are my strength and shield; my heart TRUSTS with unwavering confidence in YOU, and I am helped; therefore, my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song, I will THANK YOU and PRAISE YOU!”
This special Advent season, my heart is overwhelmed by the gift of Jesus and the HOPE and PEACE available to all of us because of our Savior who came to give us life in Him.
The Doxology – a well-known hymn written by Thomas Ken – is a beautiful hymn of praise that holds a meaningful place in my heart. I grew to love and anticipate a special tradition in the Rogers family. Whenever we gathered for a meal, we joined hands and sang the Doxology. Several months ago, as I came to the end of my chemo treatments and was looking ahead to surgery, I marked my calendar for November 1st as a recovery goal to begin to re-engage with ministry and community. Don & I had the joy of attending a conference the weekend of November 1st. During the opening meeting, as we worshipped, my heart was overwhelmed with how far God has brought us over these months, being in person – worshipping with strength and my hands raised. The first song that the worship team led was the Doxology! During these powerful moments in the presence of our Triune God, I was once again reminded how deeply known, seen, and loved I am.
Thank you for your continued support in praying for wisdom and God’s leading as we walk this sacred path with Jesus. At the very beginning, we often wondered if we should be getting a second opinion. We were able to have a lengthy appointment with a radiation oncologist from Kaiser and simultaneously get a referral to the City of Hope in Temecula. We are grateful for the open door and God’s leading. We were able to meet with the radiation oncologist at City of Hope last week, who spent time reviewing all of my scans and appointments and the current treatment plan. He fully agreed with the treatment path I am on. I will have my CT mapping on 11/18 and begin 5 weeks of radiation (5x per week) beginning the first week of December. My neck, left chest area, and left underarm will be the areas of focus for these radiation treatments.
As I look ahead and face the unknown again, I cannot find the words today to adequately express my gratitude, unwavering trust, and confidence in God, His good plans, and His faithfulness. My life is in His hands, and I celebrate how far He has brought me as we journey together—one day at a time!
“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” (Zeph 3:17)
“Hold everything in your hands lightly; otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open.” Corrie Ten Boom
“. . . So I’m thankful for the scars, ‘Cause without them I wouldn’t know Your heart. And I know they’ll always tell of who You are. So forever I am thankful for the scars . . . I’m thankful for Your scars, Cause without them I wouldn’t know Your heart. And with my life I’ll tell of who You are. So forever I am thankful”
As I walked this morning, I noticed from almost every angle that I could see the cross up on a hill in our city. As I worshipped and walked, the lyrics of the song “Scars” became my anthem for today. I am so thankful for your faithful prayers for me and our family. God’s presence has brought peace as my healing continues after my surgery, and I am grateful for how far God has brought me on this journey. Today, I celebrate that I can now move and raise my arms and hands above my head!
As Don & I look to next week, my heart remains open as we seek God’s wisdom and guidance for the next steps in treatment. There is a new surrender as I look to the recommended radiation ahead. As with my surgery, we sought the Lord’s leading, wisdom, and guidance and saw HIS faithfulness in every step. We have an appointment to see a radiation oncologist on Tuesday next week (10/29). The nearest location within our insurance is about an hour and fifteen minutes without traffic one way. As I have been praying with open hands regarding the next steps on this journey, I am ready to step into HIS plans. Open hands for me this week has meant once again surrendering my desire to see, know and even have a bit of control over what’s next for treatment and all the fear that can come in like a wave in the midst of the wrestle. I am seeing another invitation from my Abba to TRUST Him!
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ” Galatians 2:20
It has taken me a bit to sit and type out an update to share . . .I have pages in my journal that I have been writing and processing with Jesus. The Lord brought to my memory this morning that one year ago today, Don and I were in a sea of celebration, dancing, and rejoicing on a field in Kenya with over two thousand transformed lives of women & men who have experienced freedom from a lifetime of brewing alcohol and living in bondage to the vicious cycle of addiction. The joy, the music, the stories of transformation, all of it was a testament to the power of faith and healing. As I remember that special event today, I still remember the overwhelming awe at the miracle of transformation I witnessed before my eyes.
Today, on October 10th, 2024, even as I type this update, tears well up in my eyes as I know deep in my heart I am also experiencing firsthand the powerful transformative work of the Creator of the Universe in my life. I have been referring to this season as my “cocoon of transformation” – inside and out – much like a butterfly I am now in a chrysalis. I know my God, who specializes in metamorphosis, and there is a growing anticipation in my heart that is filled with HOPE and excitement for what is to come. I know a new butterfly will be released after moving through this season of healing.
I am 15 days post-op today. I had an excellent follow-up appointment with the surgeon on Monday. I am healing well and am experiencing the miracle of recovery, and I am grateful that there has been little pain. On Monday, I was permitted to slowly begin my outside walks again, which have become a gift and an important, even beautiful part of this healing journey.
Prayerfully discerning the next steps – The pathology report from surgery identified a 1.2 cm tumor from the left breast tissue. This solved the mystery that none of the scans over the past months could see. The mastectomy surgery removed the tissue and four lymph nodes under my left arm.
The surgeon called last night with an update after the tumor board met yesterday to review my case. After consulting together as a team, they recommended radiation of my neck area, lymph under my left arm, and left chest area. I have an appointment with my oncologist on October 17th and have also been referred to a Radiation Oncologist.
After talking with the surgeon last night, Don and I have both felt that we are at a place on this journey where we can take a brief pause to allow my body to heal a bit more as we seek the Lord for more of His direction and guidance on this healing path. He has so faithfully and miraculously brought us this far!
So, as I write today, my heart is filled with hope, peace, and an overwhelming confidence in the Lord and His good plans for my life. I choose to walk daily in HIS strength and power. I celebrate the miraculous care of God, who has brought me through months of chemo, given HIS protection and covering during recovery from chemo and the prep for surgery, led us through a successful surgery, and now a recovery from surgery that is mostly pain-free. I am deeply grateful for your faithful prayers and encouragement which is a constant source of strength. To God be the glory for the great things HE has done and continues to do.
I sat on the bank by the Kipkaren River with over a hundred friends from the community who had gathered to celebrate graduates from the ELI Kipkaren Training Center. At this particular moment, all of our eyes were on Don. When Don began his message, he had a basin of water on a small table next to him, and without any warning, he plunged his head into the water so it was completely submerged. I’m unsure how much time passed, but it seemed like forever. The crowd was silent except for a few whispers of concern. Then the whispers got louder until, with a splash, Don raised his head from the basin of water and took a big gasp of air! He was physically illustrating that we should hunger for God like we hunger for oxygen.
As I walked this morning, the Lord brought that memory to my mind. Over these last several months, my heart has awakened to my desperation for more of God. Over the past four weeks, I have experienced more physical challenges and pain on this health journey than I have had up to this point. I crossed the finish line with my chemotherapy treatments and pretty quickly became aware of what my oncology team had been referring to as the “cumulative effect” of chemo. I began to engage in more physical exercise after chemo and I have been surprised at how weak my body has become in doing everyday activities. I’ve had a few extra bumps and bruises here and there. I have had to change my pace once again and listen to my body’s needs as it heals. Jesus gave me a healing discipline when we started on this journey that I follow daily: WALK, WORSHIP, WAIT.
An unwavering confidence is growing in my heart in my Good Shepherd and the GOOD plans He has ahead as I continue to walk with Him. I hear His whisper, Continue to trust in Me. Don’t lean on your understanding, but in everything you do and say, acknowledge Me, glorify Me, and I will continue to guide and orchestrate your every step for My glory.
Surgery is Wednesday, September 25th. I know this will be another unique day on the timeline of my life when I and others will experience the miraculous power and presence of our Triune God. I am so grateful for each of you and your faithful prayers for me and our family. Thank you for covering us in prayer, especially on Wednesday. Don will post an update on Wednesday evening.
Please pray for our youngest, Nathaniel, who lives with us, as he has been sick this past week. Pray for his healing and that Don & I will remain protected from any illness that could hinder the healing and recovery time ahead.
If you have a few extra minutes – here is a worship song that I have been listening to throughout the week. THIS SONG might be just what you need today.
With our eyes fixed on Jesus – the best is yet to come!
“God loves us, and we have the opportunity to love others as He loves us, not in the big things but in the small things with great love.” Mother Teresa
Every Sunday morning for the last six months, I have walked a path around the medical facility before I get my lab work done and where I have infusions on Tuesdays. As I began my walk this morning, I noticed that my eyes started to well up with tears, and I did not hold them back; I let them fall. I am grateful for a faithful God who meets me right where I am. Today, after a sleepless night, which seems to be more of a struggle lately, I began giving thanks . . .
Abba, I thank you . . .
* that in my weakness, You are strong.
* for unspeakable joy regardless of my circumstances.
* for giving me eyes to see beyond what is, and the faith to hope for what is to come.
* for deep peace that reassures my heart, transcends my understanding, and guards my heart and mind in Jesus.
* for timely encouragement, prayers, and visits from friends and family near and far.
* for your daily provision.
* for healing that you have done and continue to do in my body as every cancer cell is eliminated.
* in advance by faith for a clear pathology report from surgery and recovery with no complications.
* for your promise that you will never leave or forsake me and that your presence will be WITH me every moment of every day as we walk this path together . . .
Praise will continue to be on my lips as I celebrate God’s goodness and faithfulness in my life as I prepare to cross the finish line of this leg of the treatment journey on Tuesday (Aug. 27) and then prepare for the surgery that is ahead.
I received this song this week in a message—it arrived at just the right time to give me the encouragement my heart needed. We look to a new week with our eyes fixed on Jesus claiming HIS victory over every area of our lives!
“Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee . . .who passing through the valley of weeping, make it a place of flowing springs.” (Psalm 84:5,6)
Our hearts are still rejoicing and celebrating the clear PET scan results that came back and the evidence that the cancer has responded to the chemotherapy treatments. This past week, I was not able to receive the scheduled weekly treatment because my Bilirubin count was off and the oncologist wanted to give my body an extra week to recover. We are praying that my labs this weekend will be okay and that I will be able to resume treatment on Tuesday. There are just three weeks of treatment left! I had an appointment with my surgeon last week, and she reviewed the PET scans and showed us the comparisons between the one taken in March & the one just taken in late July. It truly is incredible to see! We had time at this appointment to get a clear picture of the next steps, which are becoming more of a reality. I will be scheduled for surgery which will most likely be mid to late September. Thank you for your faithful prayers and standing with us through this journey. To God be the glory, great things He has done AND is doing!
Prayer Requests
Please pray for no more delays in treatment – strength, and health to complete the final three weeks of treatment. (8/13, 8/20, 8/27)
Pray for God’s timing and the orchestrating of all the details around the surgery date.
Join us in praying for continued strength and recovery from chemo and protection from any additional sickness as I prepare for the surgery ahead.
Since January, I have been reading through an original copy of Streams in the Desert daily as part of my early morning rhythm with Jesus. Deep work is happening in my heart as I walk this unknown path with Jesus. Today’s reading (Aug. 9) resonated deeply with my heart, and I want to share it with you.
“Comfort does not come to the light-hearted and merry. We must go down into the “depths” if we would experience this most precious of God’s gifts – comfort, and thus be prepared to be co-workers together with Him.
When night – needful night – gathers over the garden of our souls, when the leaves close up, and the flowers no longer hold any sunlight within their folded petals, there shall never be wanting, even in the thickest darkness, drops of heavenly dew – dew which falls only when the sun has gone.
“I have been through the valley of weeping,
The valley of sorrow and pain;
But the “God of all comfort was with me,
At hand to uphold and sustain.
As the earth needs the clouds and sunshine,
Our souls need both sorrow and joy;
So He places us oft in the furnace,
The dross from the gold to destroy.
When he leads through some valley of trouble,
His omnipotent hand we trace;
For the trials and sorrows He sends us,
Are part of His lessons in grace.
Oft we run from the purging and pruning,
Forgetting the Gardner knows
That the deeper the cutting and trimming,
The richer the cluster that grows.
Well He knows that affliction is needed;
He has a wise purpose in view,
And in the dark valley, He whispers,
“Soon, You’ll understand what I do.”
As we travel through life’s shadowed valley
Fresh springs of His love ever rise;
And we learn that our sorrows and losses,
Are blessings just sent in disguise.
So we’ll follow wherever He leads us,
Let the path be dreary or bright;
For we’ve proved that our God can give comfort;
Our God can give songs in the night.”
Author unknown
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“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” – C.S. Lewis
Some of Kenya’s most bumpy and windy roads have taken us to the most breathtaking views of the valley. These are best seen from a “Turnout” or “Viewpoint” where you park temporarily, stretch your legs, and take in the scenery. Life has moments like that. We experienced an important “Viewpoint” on this uphill health journey this week. I had a chance to stop and look back at where I came from and then take a longer look at the beautiful view. This came because of a phone call I received from my surgeon with some good news that we have been praying for!
She received my PET scan results and told me that as she looked over the scan, she could not help but smile and had to call. My scan is clear, and the cancer that was present back in March has “resolved” and responded to the chemotherapy treatments! Our hearts are celebrating this great news, and we are taking time at this “turnout” to take in the view of answered prayer and God’s healing work in my body. The journey continues tomorrow with the 9th of 12 weekly infusions and a likely surgery in September, but the news we received this week gives me even more resolve to continue to walk with my Good Shepherd toward the beauty of all He may have in store.
Words cannot express how grateful we are for your faithful prayers, encouragement, and love for us as we walk this unknown path with Jesus.
Thank you!
“All my life You have been faithful And all my life You have been so, so good With every breath that I am able Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God!”
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way.” Psalm 46:1,2
Sunday mornings have become a favorite time of the week for me. I look forward to an early morning walk before visiting the hospital lab for weekly blood work. I stopped several times this morning to take in the breathtaking beauty of the rising sun. I could not help but smile as I received the gift of a painted sky, knowing how well my loving Creator knows me!
The words from the beautiful hymn, In The Garden seem to describe my walk this morning; “He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own – and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.” The greatest gift today is the gift of HIS presence with me and the peace that fills my heart as I put my hope in Him.
We are so grateful for your prayers and concern. Prayer is powerful, and we see God’s miracles daily. I had a PET scan last Friday and should hear the results by August 1st. We will then know more about how the cancer has responded to the treatments. I am grateful for the peace I have in the waiting. There are days that I have moments of feeling the weight of the unknown, but when those clouds come, I look for His fingerprints and am reminded how God is at work. I continue to trust Him with each day . . . one day at a time.
Prayer Requests:
Pray for wisdom and clarity for the medical team as they look at the PET scan results and recommend the next steps for treatment. Surgery is a likely possibility.
Pray for discernment and wisdom to know if and when a second opinion is needed.
Pray for renewed strength and energy as I navigate fatigue each day.
” When we walk faithfully before God, we walk secure in the knowledge that He is with us. We know that the reality of His presence doesn’t depend on place or time or how we are feeling; no matter what, He is here. It’s when we refuse to believe this that our problems begin; we stop walking and go rushing about, trying to find him. Once we are founded on the reality of His presence, we will know the experience the Psalmist describes: “Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way” (Psalm 46:2).
Oswald Chambers – My Utmost for His Highest
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