(This photo has been circulating on Facebook and I cannot find a reference...however,
it is an amazing picture. Thank you for sharing!)
"He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge..." (Psalm 91:4)
It's been a while since I have posted. A little over three months.
However, this hiatus all began about sixteen months ago. What started out as a severe sore throat and ear pain has progressed to a forty-pound weight loss and chronic fatigue. I have seen five doctors, a chiropractor, a natural healer, and a spiritual healer. I have been prayed on, over, and anointed. And, about six months ago, my weight loss leveled out. Praise the Lord! He covered me with His pinions. With the exception of the severe ear and throat pain, I was able to maintain my daily routine.
It was a lot of work. My wife and I have always tried to eat good, healthy food, but we had taken it to an extreme in the last six months. I ate no sugar, no soy (soy is in everything!), I cut out dairy, wheat, and even meat-based protein. We began to juice. We juiced beets, and celery, and carrots, lemons, and even kale. Our three boys weren't terribly enthusiastic, but they were good sports.
However, I was still waking up two and three times a night because of the pain. And, in April, I began to lose weight again, my voice changed, and I began to have a difficult time swallowing. We knew whatever was wrong was getting worse and we made another appointment with another physician for June 14, 2016.
That is a day my world shrank.
The doctor came highly recommended by our family's doctor. He asked me many questions, then pushed my tongue down and had me say, "Ahh."
"Oh," he said, "You have cancer." (oral-pharangeal)
My wife and I were stunned. We couldn't believe what we were hearing. We had been thinking food allergies. But the biopsy confirmed the diagnosis and on Wednesday, July 6, I go in for my first round of chemotherapy and radiation. It has been devastating to us, but in the middle of it, we have seen God at work. He has given us a peace. We have also had momentary meltdowns. Then, in those low moments, God stuffs the mailbox with cards from friends, family, and church community. We met with a friend who has survived this type of cancer. God has graced our table with dinners provided by parents of students from the boys' school and from the church. My parents made an 1100 mile drive to help us catch up with projects around the house and help with the kiddos while we met with oncologists and gastroenterologists and the specialists at Smoothie King.
It has been an amazing and beautiful thing to see how the church works. It's been incredible, actually.
I find myself in a paradox of fear and peace. I can't see the ground from this high branch. I don't know how I am going to make it to the next one...but, somehow, I feel the prayers, and I know that under his wings, I have found refuge.
However, this hiatus all began about sixteen months ago. What started out as a severe sore throat and ear pain has progressed to a forty-pound weight loss and chronic fatigue. I have seen five doctors, a chiropractor, a natural healer, and a spiritual healer. I have been prayed on, over, and anointed. And, about six months ago, my weight loss leveled out. Praise the Lord! He covered me with His pinions. With the exception of the severe ear and throat pain, I was able to maintain my daily routine.
It was a lot of work. My wife and I have always tried to eat good, healthy food, but we had taken it to an extreme in the last six months. I ate no sugar, no soy (soy is in everything!), I cut out dairy, wheat, and even meat-based protein. We began to juice. We juiced beets, and celery, and carrots, lemons, and even kale. Our three boys weren't terribly enthusiastic, but they were good sports.
However, I was still waking up two and three times a night because of the pain. And, in April, I began to lose weight again, my voice changed, and I began to have a difficult time swallowing. We knew whatever was wrong was getting worse and we made another appointment with another physician for June 14, 2016.
That is a day my world shrank.
The doctor came highly recommended by our family's doctor. He asked me many questions, then pushed my tongue down and had me say, "Ahh."
"Oh," he said, "You have cancer." (oral-pharangeal)
My wife and I were stunned. We couldn't believe what we were hearing. We had been thinking food allergies. But the biopsy confirmed the diagnosis and on Wednesday, July 6, I go in for my first round of chemotherapy and radiation. It has been devastating to us, but in the middle of it, we have seen God at work. He has given us a peace. We have also had momentary meltdowns. Then, in those low moments, God stuffs the mailbox with cards from friends, family, and church community. We met with a friend who has survived this type of cancer. God has graced our table with dinners provided by parents of students from the boys' school and from the church. My parents made an 1100 mile drive to help us catch up with projects around the house and help with the kiddos while we met with oncologists and gastroenterologists and the specialists at Smoothie King.
It has been an amazing and beautiful thing to see how the church works. It's been incredible, actually.
I find myself in a paradox of fear and peace. I can't see the ground from this high branch. I don't know how I am going to make it to the next one...but, somehow, I feel the prayers, and I know that under his wings, I have found refuge.
Church Stopping. Less Doing. More Being.
Geoff,
ReplyDeleteI was stunned when I heard the news. I really have no words of comfort to offer other than I will pray -- hard -- for your quick healing and strength and support for your family. If there is anything else Carri and I can do, please let us know.
Jerry Siebenmark
Thank you, Jerry, for your friendship and prayers. We appreciate it so much! Blessings, Geoff
DeleteThank you, Jerry, for your friendship and prayers. We appreciate it so much! Blessings, Geoff
DeleteOh, dear friends. God is at work and showing His beautiful glory through you. Our hearts and prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your hearts and prayers, Sal! Maybe His glory will shine through me, but His glory is already shining beautifully through His people. Blessings and thank you again!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteHello, Melanie! Thank you for your prayers (Always appreciate the Bible verses!) We are on the mend and so thankful for the blessings of each day! In Christ, Geoff
DeleteDear Geoff, Thank you for sharing this. You, Jennifer, and yours are in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteHello, Andrew! Thank you for your prayers! Blessings to you and your family and your ministry! In Christ, Geoff
ReplyDelete