The debut of the Magnet Cove High School Choir's performance of Alice in Wonderland was scheduled for this evening ten years ago.  Hannah had missed a lot of the practices due to our numerous trips to Little Rock for radiation treatments and doctor's appointments, but had a small role as a flower.  She had always enjoyed theater and drama, performing in several plays when she was younger, and she had been looking forward to this performance. But shortly after her last visit to the Hem/Onc clinic, when everything was looking so bright and sunny, she inexplicably began to struggle wit ..read more

Susan Morrison is my guest again today in the second half of this two-part episode.  She shares about the loss of her only sibling, her sister Stacy, when she was a teenager, and the impact that has had in her life.  We also discuss the “before” and “after” of child loss and hear some of Susan’s favorite scriptures.  Finally, she shares about the Hope Dawning ministry she founded for bereaved moms and her desire to inspire other bereaved parents to find ways they can serve those who are grieving in their own communities.  Once again, I believe you’ll be blessed by listening ..read more

At this point in Hannah's treatment, we were really enjoying living a "normal" life.  We were nearing the end of the school year, and were fully involved in all the busy-ness that brings.  Between the two girls there were field trips, track meets, academic banquets, and cheerleading tryout meetings.  Hannah was in the high school choir, and they were preparing for a performance of Alice in Wonderland.  She didn't have a big role because she had missed so many practices ... but she was determined to be the best flower she could be!  Most of all, she and Bethany were exc ..read more

Susan Morrison's daughter Miranda was a young wife and mother when she began experiencing some puzzling health issues and was ultimately diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer.  In the first half of this two-part episode, Susan talks about walking that difficult journey with her daughter, the crisis of faith she endured knowing that she would inevitably lose Miranda, and the experience of grandparenting a young child who has lost his mother.  She has a lot of wisdom to share, and I believe you’ll be blessed by listening in.  Susan is the founder of a ministry called Hope Dawn ..read more

At this point in Hannah’s cancer journey, we entered an idyllic period.  She had completed all her radiation treatments and had taken 33 out of 42 scheduled doses of the chemo drug Temodar, before her platelet levels dropped dangerously low and her oncologist said she had had enough.  We knew that there were more treatments to come, but for now, we were able to focus on fully living life.   During that period, I sent very few email updates to those who were following Hannah’s journey … In fact, the next one was not until May 6th … so that will be our next bonus episode of this p ..read more

After two months of balancing the twin burdens of daily chemotherapy and radiation treatments, the news that they had come to an end sooner than expected (even if only temporarily) was reason to rejoice!  It was such a relief to think of getting back to some sense of normalcy in our family.  Even sixteen years later, I clearly remember the relief we felt, knowing that our load had been lightened.   Thank you for joining me for another bonus episode of the While We're Waiting podcast in this year-long series in which I share our family’s experiences as our teenage daughter Hanna ..read more

If you’re a regular listener to the podcast, you are probably aware that my husband Brad had a near-fatal incident with an ATV a few months ago right before Christmas.  To mark this special 200th episode of the While We’re Waiting podcast, he joins me to discuss what happened that day, share a little bit about his recovery process, and talk about how God has used it to sharpen his purpose going forward.  I’m pleased to share our conversation with you today …  All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statemen ..read more

If you’re a regular listener to the podcast, you are probably aware that my husband Brad had a near-fatal incident with an ATV a few months ago right before Christmas.  To mark this special 200th episode of the While We’re Waiting podcast, he joins me to discuss what happened that day, share a little bit about his recovery process, and talk about how God has used it to sharpen his purpose going forward.  I’m pleased to share our conversation with you today …  All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statemen ..read more

At this point in treatment, we could not have foresesen how much of a battle Hannah would have maintaining her platelet levels.  Low platelets caused ongoing issues for her the entire year she was sick.  But at this time, we had no reason to believe this was anything other than a little speed bump that would quickly be resolved.   Thank you for joining me for another bonus episode of the While We're Waiting podcast in this year-long series in which I share our family’s experiences as our teenage daughter Hannah battled glioblastoma brain cancer from February 2008 through Februa ..read more

Verses about joy abound in the Bible, and I'd like to share ten or my favorites with you in today's bonus episode.  As you listen, I want to draw your attention to how many of these verses have the word "joy" juxtaposed with grief, tears, trials, and affliction.  Maybe I've drawn to verses like these because of my own experience, and that's why these are my favorites. Or maybe it's because that's how God so often seems to work ... allowing us to experience heartbreaking sorrow, but always following it up with a restoration of joy.   Thank you for joining me for another bonus ep ..read more