One year ago today...

I am so very thankful to God today. It was a year ago to the day that we found out my father in law had bone cancer. That afternoon I got a strange text from my mother in law during school and I called her on my drive home (big mistake). I called her and from the tone she answered in I knew something was terribly wrong. She told me what we thought was just bursitis (severe pain in the hip) turned out to be cancer. I was completely in shock. I don't remember driving home that day.  She went on to tell me that she couldn't get a hold of Drew. He didn't know yet. My heart felt like it had been ripped apart. I had plans to go to a concert (to support cancer of all things) that night which I obviously did not end up going to so I went home to sit and wait for my sweet husband to come home to share this devestating news. Our world was about to be changed forever.

Drew came home and we both were in shock. We cried, we questioned, we prayed and then we needed to go see Drew's dad. The moment we walked in the door Drew and his parents embraced in a tearful embrace that I will never forget witnessing. It makes me tear up just thinking about it. The cancer journey is not an easy one and the outcome is not always what you think it should be, but throughout the whole ordeal I knew God had Terry in his hands. I felt so helpless, but I knew my prayers and encouragement could go a long way so I prayed and prayed and claimed that he was going to be completely healed and as of right now, he is.

Terry is a light in our family. He welcomed me in to his family the day I met him and I know he considers me a daughter and not just an "in-law." He fixes our cars when they break down, he takes care of his family, he makes us laugh and he is the friendliest man I have ever met. He does not know a stranger. I am so thankful to have him in our lives for however long that may be. All of our days are numbered so this is just your friendly reminder to live life to the fullest and to always choose joy...even if the healing doesn't come.

"Sometimes all we have to hold on to
Is what we know is true of who You are
So when the heartache hits like a hurricane
That could never change who You are
And we trust in who You are

Even if the healing doesn't come
And life falls apart
And dreams are still undone
You are God You are good
Forever faithful One
Even if the healing
Even if the healing doesn't come"