Monday, November 28, 2011

The Calm Before the Storm

"When all of a sudden I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by Glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are and how great Your affections are for me..."

From the song "How He Loves Us"

Sweet Friends,

Tonight at Young Life we sang one of my favorite songs: "How He Loves us." Though, as I listened to the voices of our beloved young life kids, the part of the song written above touched my heart in a new way. How beautiful that our afflictions- this cancer, the surgery tomorrow- are nothing compared to our Lord's glory and the marvelous plans He has for all of this. I needed to hear how much my God loves me. Sunday, at church, it was though the message was written just for me. God knew the exact words I needed to hear to comfort and encourage my anxious heart. "Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in ALL circumstances..." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Oh, how hard it can be to be truly thankful in all circumstances. But what a sweet reminder I was given: that sometimes the things we don't have in this life are God's greatest mercies on us. Because the very things that cause us the most pain, also cause us to rely on our Lord in a whole new way. Trials lead us into the arms of our heavenly Dad. I have prayed so much for the Lord to take this cancer away, to heal me, to let us have another baby and all the while God has been saying "pray for more of me. Randi, I love you. All you need is me. I'm enough." Tonight, I am certain that God is enough. He is more than enough. I love how desperately I need Him. I love that He is in control, so that I don't have to be. I love that Jesus changed my life. I love that he continues to change me every day. I love that he considered me worthy to carry this cross. Oh, I love Him. So, when I think of all He's done for me and how He loves me, I can't do anything but Thank Him. I am thankful in this cancer, because it has driven me into the arms of my Savior. I am so thankful that these momentary afflictions are eclipsed by His Glory. Oh, How He Loves Us! I pray that you would know how much our sweet Lord loves you and that no matter what trials you are facing, that in them you would turn to the Savior instead of turning away from Him.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) at 11:30, I have to check into Baylor and the surgery is scheduled to start at 1pm. It will last about 5 hours. Dr. Grant will go in first and do the bilateral mastectomy and remove as much breast tissue as possible and hopefully all the cancer. Dr. Carpenter will follow and do the beginning stages of the implants. Please pray that they will have the skill and insight to remove all the cancer and then build me some new, beautiful breasts:) Pray that the hands of God will guide and direct them. I am so thankful to have them as doctors. I feel very confident in their ability.

For me [and Matt:)], please pray Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and his peace, which transcends all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus." I feel so peaceful tonight. I am not scared or anxious. I am in the grip of grace:) Please pray that this beautiful peace that transcends all understanding will continue to guard my heart and mind as we approach this surgery. I pray that in my weakness, God's strength will overwhelm me and that I will Thank Him for who He is even when pain and afflictions encompass me.

Thank you Friends for taking this journey with us. Thank you for all your sweet words of encouragement and for all your prayers. We are so humbled by it all. We love you so very much.

Joyfully in HIM~

Rands

6 comments:

  1. Sending our love and prayers to you, Matt, McKinley, and the rest of your family today.

    I thought of you on Sunday during these readings:
    Psalms 25: 1-3 - To you, I lift up my soul, O my God. In you, I have trusted; let me not be put to shame. Nor let my enemies exult over me; and let none who hope in you be put to shame.

    I know that you have placed your total trust in God, your heavenly Father and I know He will not let you down.

    Isaiah 64:8 - Yet, O Lord, you are our father; we are the clay and you the potter; we are all the work of your hands.

    May the Lord guide the hands and thoughts of those who will be caring for you.

    Love you so much!!!
    Aunt Becky (and of course, Heather, De, Jackson, Ali, and Uncle Dave)

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  2. Your depth of understanding of our loving Father and His love for us and your complete trust in Him in this unbelievably difficult situation have been an inspiration and source of joy for me as I have read your posts. I am lifting you up in prayer and have full confidence that God will meet your every need!

    "He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord." Psalm 40:3

    "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

    "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine , according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory... Ephesians 3:20

    You and your family are in my heart and prayers.
    Love,
    Sallie's mom

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  3. Prayers lifted in your name and for Matt as he waits right now.

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  4. Randi, I have been following your journey through your blog. You are a true inspiration to me and you should know that your trials have not only helped you draw nearer to God but me too. Thank you for that! Praying for you, your family, and your doctors, nurses,etc.
    Love, Katie Powell

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  5. Randi and Matt, our prayers are with you and I thank you for sharing this part of your life with the world. We met you guys through Jessica and James and are so encouraged by your courage and strength. Praying for you today and the days following.

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  6. We are still praying continually for you- all of you!

    How ironic that I was doing our women's bible study today and one of the verses to read was the same one on your blog header (Matt 6:20). I instantly thought of you, prayed for you and just wanted you to know what an impact your story is already having on so many lives.

    Thanks again for sharing your heart.

    P.S. As a fellow mom, my heart hurts for you to not be able to care for McKinley the way you are used to during recovery...I would feel that way, too. Our Savior is faithful, though, and I know he is going to carry you through this time!

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