Friday, December 20, 2013

Amazing God


*DAY +73 POST TRANSPLANT & 80 STRAIGHT DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL*

     The last few days have been nothing short of miraculous and remarkable.  Our little Hazel is finally back! She is talking and signing like her old self and has made such extreme progress in all her therapies. She has even been walking across the room with her walker! God has worked such a miracle and has given us the best Christmas present of all: WE ARE GOING HOME BY NEXT FRIDAY AND POSSIBLY EVEN ON CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!!!!!!!!  We never dared to hope for this after hearing Hazel's initial assessment of needing to stay 4-6 weeks, but God knows the deepest desires of our hearts and gave such strength to our little girl that He is making it happen! We are beyond elated and hope you all will celebrate with us!
     One more thing I would like to share is about many messages I have received over the last eight months. Many people have commented or asked how a loving and good God could have done something like this to our daughter.  This very question is something we have asked ourselves as well. And honestly, I truly dislike that cookie cutter answer of "It's all in the plan". As Christian's, yes, we do believe that God has a bigger plan and that whatever happens in our short lives while on earth, it plays a small role in the bigger picture. But I also believe there is something else at play here. I truly believe that cancer is not something that God inflicts on His people, but it is a product of living in a broken, sinful world where Satan is allowed to do his worst. Our family has been inflicted with this calamity, sure, but so many unexpected things have come out of it. It says in the Bible that God uses our suffering and pulls out the good from it. I have seen God more vividly than I ever dreamed possible, and so have my children. Any doubts that I had in my belief in Him have been dispelled and I would not change that for anything. Also, He has shown me the amazing intricacies and power of the human body which have only led me to believe more and more that He divinely created us. Its doesn't make any sense to me that Hazel's body, fighting the way it has, could be an accident. Also, we have seen THOUSANDS of people affected for good because of our family's journey. We have been given the ability to change the world of childhood cancer at a global scale and we feel so thankful for that as well. We also have all grown so close together as a family in a way that we would never have otherwise. We take NOTHING for granted anymore. We also have seen that without this suffering, our family would not understand compassion the way that we have. Our kids and family are helping & caring for others and we have seen so much compassion for our family as well.  And lastly, I have come to understand God's long suffering in such a tangible way and have been able to learn more from that than any other thing in my life. He suffered in the most horrific way. Not only did Jesus (God incarnate) have to die and suffer in the most horrific way imaginable, but His Father had to watch His son go through it. I feel, in some small way, we have been able to understand that suffering and are able to learn so much from Him in how He handled it. He has given us so much strength, peace, courage and understanding. And I absolutely know that is GRIEVES HIS HEART to watch his children go through this kind of suffering, but ultimately we know that it will only make all of eternity with no suffering that much sweeter!
     I will let you all know what day we get to go home, but I may not post for a little while because I wanted to enjoy EVERY SECOND we get a home! Have a wonderful Christmas!!!


43 comments:

  1. God bless you all! I pray that Hazel will be home by Christmas, glad to hear how well she is doing!
    Lots of love,
    Lauren

    ReplyDelete
  2. Praising God with and for you and your family. I love the truth in your words! May God be glorified, Merry Christmas!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. That is amazing news!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wishing you and your family a very special Merry Christmas and all the blessings for the New Year.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Praise be to GOD!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. God doesn't do this to our children.. Satan the devil did, to our test faith. Cancer and all diseases are work of the devil!! We must stay strong in our faith as did Job..The devil does all he can to turn us from God and Blame him, as long as we stand strong God will bless us with our hearts desire in the end when he returns..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Also Wonderful Wonderful news!!!!! You go little Hazelnut.. Keep the faith.

      Delete
    2. This is an answer to prayers.
      What a wonderful Christmas you will all have this year.
      We continue our prayers for all of you.

      Delete
  7. You and yours are truly an inspiration, and much is and has been learned and taught through you!!!!!! God Bless you all, and Merry Christmas:>

    ReplyDelete
  8. Amazing news! Hazel (and your entire family!) are an inspiration to all! SOOO wonderful to hear this latest news. God Bless you all!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you for this post. You are truly an inspiration to us all. God Bless you and your Family. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Merry Christmas to your entire family and what a wonderful update! God bless you all.

    ReplyDelete
  11. So beautiful & eloquently written. You are 100% correct about our Lord & Savior. Merry Christmas and God bless you all xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  12. It is so good to see that smile again yes it is the best present ever thank u merry Christmas

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am so happy to see that smile again, and not the forced smile she would have during the difficult times, that genuine and gorgeous girls heart melting smile! God I am incredibly pleased to see this go the direction it is. May you and this sweet little Angel have a wonderful Christmas!

    -Redditor

    ReplyDelete
  14. That's awesome! Praying she can go home soon, you are all so strong to handle this and get past it. Have a Merry Christmas with her :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am so happy to hear your wonderful news! I have been praying that you and your darling daughter would be able to celebrate Christmas at home ... what a blessing! Sending continued prayers your way, every day. God bless you all!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Welcome home! Thank you Hazel and family for changing our lives and bringing us all closer to God through your example. Bless you. <3

    ReplyDelete
  17. I have been following your posts and this is such great news! My heart is so happy for you all , but especially your sweet baby Hazel to be able to be in her home with her family again. May God continue to watch over you all and bless you all. Merry Christmas!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. hi, this is mason peters great aunt carol, that is a beautiful picture of hazel. we are all so happy and thankful to see her smile and hear of the miracles that are happening for hazel and her family. we are thankful you have god's strength to comfort and guide you all through this. god is blessing you and may you have a very merry and holy christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Amen!!!!!!! Sending much love to your family for a fantastic Christmas together. Sending prayers for a Christmas Eve homecoming. Praise be to God for the good things ***HE*** has done.....

    ReplyDelete
  20. Yay our prayers are working... -heather

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wonderful news and I'm so happy for Hazel and ur whole family. God is good Amen

    ReplyDelete
  22. We love you and we hope you feel 100% better! Love, Jesse Makapagal

    ReplyDelete
  23. I cannot tell you how happy I am for you Lauren and family. This is THE BEST news I've heard all year. May you enjoy the wonders of Christmas together and welcome new blessings this New Year. Love you. Laura Makapagal

    ReplyDelete
  24. Yay, it is so nice for your blog to bring tears, of joy this time, to us, i cannot tell you how happy i am to hear this wonderful news. You just made my day, week and possibly even year. God bless her and all your family, may you continue to see massive improvements EVERY DAY. Have a Merry, Merry Christmas and here is to wishing you all a wonderful, cancer free, 2014!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Crying tears of joy. Love this picture that is posted as well. So thrilled to hear this wonderful news. Continued prayers and prayer upon prayer that you are all home together for Christmas. God bless and thank you for your message of hope, peace and God's awesome love. Merry Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Our hearts are filled with joy and praise for the Lord for allowing your Christmas miracle to happen. She looks so happy and back to her "normal" self...this made my day! Thank you for your warm and heart rendering testimony that will undoubtedly touch so many hearts throughout the world!

    Merry Christmas and may God continue to astound you with His sovereign power and unsurpassed love.

    Blessings Peace and Love,
    Camille & family~

    ReplyDelete
  27. Your words are powerful, filled with faith, strength and love. Christ's love for us never ceases as proven in Hazel's smile and the sparkle in her eyes. What a gift you have been given to come to an understanding that so many Christian's never get, God's plan for you is not in the suffering, it's not a test of faith, it's in the believing. Our spirit is infinite our bodies are not but when we are connected to God, when we listen to his voice within us and all around us and are able to clear our minds to truly hear his calling then I believe that's when we as true believers are blessed with the ability to be used by God in ways that are miraculous! Love you, Monica Cibelli

    ReplyDelete
  28. I am so very happy for your family! I know how difficult it is when the one thing you want is something you have no control over. I pray for Hazel's continued improvement and for you all to have a beautiful Christmas together! Blessings! Luann W

    ReplyDelete
  29. im so happy Hazel for this improvement, you are so strong, a real fighter!
    I´m praying for you, every day...not I day goes by that I dont think about you little sweet child
    /jasmina from sweden

    ReplyDelete
  30. God Bless you and your family. I am very happy tha Hazel has madu such a miraculous recovery and I hope she will conditnue to do so. Our God works miracles and he certainly has done so for little Hazelnut. Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Seeing Hazelnut in this picture and reading Laurens post is the best Christmas present ever!!! Thank you Lord for answered prayers. Bob&Paula

    ReplyDelete
  32. I am over joyed by this news. I have tears in my eyes, I waited so long to see that happy face.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I just love seeing her smile. I wish you all a beautiful, happy and joyous Christmas and I'm so glad you get Hazel at home. Thank you for sharing your love with all of us. It is truly a blessing!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Praise God... I'm so thrilled to hear this wonderful news. A VERY Merry Christmas to you and your family :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. wonderful news happy for u all

    ReplyDelete
  36. very very very happy for Hazel and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  37. LOVE this picture!!!!!! Praise GOD!!!!! Your strength and testimony amaze me!!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. IMPORTANT FOR HAZEL!

    Hi There! Check out Megan Sherow on the FoodnSport channel on YouTube. Megan completely cured her rare form of terminal brain cancer with a raw vegan diet. She also did not have any medication, surgery, chemotherapy or radiation and cured her cancer naturally with a raw vegan diet and a change in lifestyle. Many other people and animals have cured their cancer and other illnesses the same way Megan did even when they had Stage 4 cancer. Please check out her video for Hazel.

    And also be sure to check out Freelee The Banana Girl's video called 'Youtube celebrity Talia Joy dies at 13, my feelings. Chemo is killing us.' It is also a very important video.

    Fullyrawkristina on YouTube is a very good channel. She has several videos showing what a raw vegan would eat in a day.

    You can contact me on Gmail if you have anymore questions.

    It's not too late to start a raw vegan diet. I promise the research is worth it and could possibly save Hazel's life.God bless Hazel, you and everyone else. You are all in my prayers. God is the best.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Just want to let you know that I'm still praying for little Hazel and all of you.

    ReplyDelete