Still Praying for Hope

Today, Hope will return to school after her diagnosis and hospital stays last week. It has been a roller coaster ride of events for everyone in the family, but especially for Hope, Karen, and Steve. People keep asking us about how Hope is doing and we typically feel lucky to be able to say that she is doing well. Most of her shots and finger pricks are going smoothly, but there are still one or two times a day that are a little more difficult than the rest. This is all a HUGE adjustment for everyone and we're hoping that we'll see improvements in her tolerance daily. She is still running, playing, and laughing like her typical self. She still has bruises on her belly that she displays proudly to her friends. She is still smiling and living life to the fullest regularly. We're so blessed that God gave all of us such an amazing little girl almost 7 years ago!
However, with all of the success and gain, there are still struggles for everyone. Hope begs daily to not receive a shot or finger prick. Karen and Steve are still struggling as they try to figure out an appropriate schedule and eating routine for Hope. They are all 3 having to learn how to have faith in "strangers" this week when she returns to school. We are all trying to adjust our diets and put a stop to some of our annoying cravings. As an adult, it is sometimes easier for us to see the positive side of our struggles and to realize that we suffer for a good reason. It is not hard for us to realize that "it could always be worse" or that we're still blessed in the midst of our difficulties. It is because of this reality that our prayer for Hope has changed this week.
Philippians 3:7-11 (and ironically our pastor yesterday) reminds us that our suffering brings us closer to God. It tells us that our hope should not be found in material things of the world but should be found in the power of Christ. We should want to suffer because it is during that time that God helps us grow and allows us to experience the beauty of his blessings in our life. We pray that God will give Hope a tremendous amount of peace over her situation during this week. We pray that she will be able to learn at a young age that through her suffering she is only growing closer to God and that she must rely on Him during all difficult times. We pray that when she returns to school this week that her friends will be amazed at her confidence and that she will be able to boldly tell them of the ways that God has blessed her even during all of this. Our prayer is that this transition will not only be a smooth one for her and her parents, but that it will be one that will allow her to grow even closer to God because not only is that our prayer for ourselves...but more importantly...that will always be our prayer for Hope!

Thanks for all that you've already done or said to our family and thank
you for always praying!