As I contemplate LENT...

Phos Hilaron

(Song of Light)

Hail Gladdening Light

Of His pure glory poured

Who is the Immortal Father, Heavenly blest

Holiest of Holies, Jesus Christ our Lord

Now we are come to the sun's hour of rest

The lights of evening round us shine

We hymn the Father,

Son and Holy Spirit divine

Worthiest art thou, at all times to be sung

With undefiled tongue

Son of our God, Giver of life alone

Therefore in all the world

Thy glories Lord

Thine own

verse: an ancient Greek canticle

photos by Don Brenneman and Joy Brenneman

Today...

Today Saku is grateful her parents are safe.

She Tweeted her friends letting them know our church and friends were praying for Japan and the Japanese people. They are very thankful.

She made a point of thanking our pastor before church began.

Her friends tell her no one in Japan is sleeping well as the aftershocks continue shaking the land every 2 hours.

And her government's earthquake scientists are warning there may be another "big" earthquake within the next 3 days. She is hoping that like our weathermen, her government's scientists are wrong. The fear is strong.

This sweet, gentle, gracious girl has opened our hearts to her people.

We pray and we hope...

And today, as I reflect on Gage and Danny and Lesly's lives, I smile.

I smile as I realize the gifts they each have given me.

I smile as I know they are no longer paralyzed or in pain or afraid.

I smile because I KNOW they have passed through the tunnel of death into eternal life.

And I pray for their parents and siblings who are left with a hole in their hearts.

" Each time we grieve we learn sorrow and joy walk hand in hand. Heartache and happiness dance side by side."

April Brenneman

Gage's Angel Warrior

March 11, 2011...

Yesterday was a very difficult day...

I awoke to the news of an 8.9 earthquake in Japan. Later that night I hugged our Japanese exchange student as she cried in my arms. She hasn't been able to reach her parents.

I whispered prayers of hope into her ear...

I said good-bye to Gage Alexander Dole. An incredible 9 year old boy who battled cancer for 6 years and was a friend to my son. We celebrated his life by dancing to his song.

And on my way home, I read that Danny Keagbine took his last breath with family and friends surrounding him. Danny was an inspiration to me as he endure much pain, but always smiled and never complained.

Danny's words to me..."Happy late birthday April. Hope ur day was awesome. Birthdays are a great thing! Celebrating one more year of the awesome gift of life."

Good-bye Danny.

And today is the one year anniversary of Lesly Magli Foster's journey into heaven.

"When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun? And what is it to cease breathing but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered? Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing. And when you have reached the mountain top, then shall you begin to climb. And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance."

Kahlil Gibran

The Shadow Survivors...

are the siblings of a childhood cancer survivor.

Their hearts are forever altered.

Warriors for life.

They are SURVIVORS too!

"There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than 10,000 tongues. They are messangers of overwhelming grief...and unspeakable love." Washington Irving

Do NOT forget the Shadow Survivors...

They are STRONG.

They have survived childhood cancer too!

How did we get here?

How did we lose our dear friend, Gage Dole?

Our Angel Worrior died on Valentine's Day after battling for 6 years.

Friday we will attend his memorial.

What will we decide on growth hormone therapy?

Growth hormone deficiency can be treated, but at what risks?

God will lead us.

How did he earn his yellow belt in TaeKwonDo in only 6 classes?

What will he do next?

5 years post cancer treatment and he's cancer FREE!

Josh: "Am I in remission now?"

Dr. Norwood: " Well, Josh, in my book you are cured!"



How did we get here?

But by the grace of God...