When last I blogged about my sister Mary and her pancreatic cancer (Mary: Good News, Bad News), the medical word was that the tumor in her liver had grown some, though the cancer in two other places had not. It was a good news/bad news report, but as always, Mary chose to dwell on the good and leave the bad up to God and his plans for her.
That last scan took place nearly six months ago, and since then not much has changed — good news indeed! This statement actually borders on the miraculous, since pancreatic cancer is usually rabid and fast-growing. But our Lord winks at the word “usually” and often steps around it to do something different. After all, he defied gravity by walking on water, dominated nature by piling a river into heaps, and foiled death by coming back to life. Things that are impossible for us are downright easy for Him. We aren’t sure what he’s doing within Mary, but we’re sure delighted she’s still with us!
Mary has decided not to undergo further scans until there’s reason to do so. Blood test numbers are moving slightly but not enough to be worrisome. And so she continues to live each day as the Lord sets them in front of her, one at a time, remaining active and feeling no pain. Right now she’s making plans to feed 45 guests on Christmas Eve.
Mary wants to pass along her thanks to any of you who still mention her in your prayers and is praying God’s blessing back on you. This blog will continue to keep you posted as the weeks and months unfold, and in the mean time, the statement we made last spring still holds: no news is good news!
The Lord said…” My power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Christmas is the perfect time for miracles and I praise God for this miracle! Thank you for this great news and I will keep praying! Love to all of your marvelous families! ❤️
Thanks so much for the update on Mary. I am excited to hear she is still pain-free and living each day to the fullest. I am so often reminded to live each day fully because of Mary’s example. “We felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God.” (2 Cor. 1:9a) Like Mary, I am learning to rely on God and not myself.
When Mary’s picture popped up on my screen, my one-year old smiled really big and lunged forward with her lips pouffed out like she was going to plant a big kiss on Mary’s face. I didn’t let her do that, but she HAD to touch Mary’s face, which I did let her do. 🙂
Praying for you, Mary, and your families. Please thank Mary for her prayers for us.
Thank you for the update, and the good news! I have been wondering how Mary is doing. Praise God from whom all blessings flow . . . Merry Christmas to you and all of your wonderful families!!
That is realy good news! ❤️😊❤️
The song “Mary,Did You Know?” keeps coming to mind this time of year. Trusting God is easy when you know how it all works out! But Mary didnt know so we can guess it was hard and painful. So thanks for the update that your Mary is choosing to live life and trust God to sort out all the hard questions. Praying for her is a privilege.
How lovely to hear from you. I do miss your regular blogs. But what super news. What a lovely Christmas present for your family.
Thank you so much for the update. God is sure kind to give Mary and her family these days. Every one is precious. We should all view life that way as we do not know when or how we will be called Home.
May you Margaret and your dear family have a blessed Christmas and Berv and Mary as well.
Love
Bruce and Beth
What awesome news at this awesome time! Thank you so much for the update we continue to pray. B and G
Thank you for the update. You are an awesome family and I thank the Lord for what He’s doing in your family and the witness you share.
NICE HEARING FROM YOU MARGARET, AND FOR THE PRETTY GOOD NEWS ON MARY. 45 FOR CHRISTMAS????
HAS SHE SEEN A PSYCHIATRIST??? TELL HER I SAID TO CALL THE CATERER. LOVE, JOHN
WHAT IS ALL THE NEWS YOU GET FROM JULIE???
BIG NEWS IS JEFF’S OLDEST SON IS ENGAGED. WHOOPIE
So glad to hear the AWESOME news! I have been wondering about her. Have a wonderful Christmas!
(Lois)
Thanks for the update. Christmas blessings to you all this holiday season. God is good.
The good news about Mary gives me all the more reason to praise God at this wonderful season. And how her faith blesses me and the many others that know about her. I too, have learned to take one day at a time, God does provide as each new day arrives. It is indeed a priviledge to pray for Mary.
God’s blessings on you, Margaret, and all your precious families in te new year and thanks for the update on Mary. Still miss your great blogs!
Patricia Dorroh
Thank you! Blessed Be The Name of The Lord! How is the book of you and Mary growing up coming along? The Glausers; Jim/Pearl.