Inspire, Fall 2005

Dear alumni family, Here’s an update on what’s been going on with our family, since we haven’t talked with you in awhile. In June of 2004, we were happy to find out that God was giving us a new little blessing, due to arrive February 2005. Todd ’92 and I were very thankful to have the opportunity to have another child since the doctor had taken me off the treatment for cancer and my health was fine. Hanna (7) and Nathan (5) were so excited to hear about a baby coming, and they began daily praying for the safety and growth of the little one. We couldn’t guess how important those prayers would be! By November, my back hurt so much (but a lot of women have backaches with pregnancies), and we finally discovered that it was very serious. My breast cancer had returned, spreading into my lungs and spine. The doctor told us that it is not curable. It’s very strange to know that my life here will probably be short, but it is so good to know that my God never makes mistakes and His plans are always right. Humanly thinking, it doesn’t make sense that a young wife/mom should be terminally ill, so I have had to trust God’s Word that says, “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,’ saith the LORD” (Isaiah 55:8) and “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). What a comfort God’s Word and His Holy Spirit are! The Scripture that became special to me at this time is Psalm 104:33-34, “I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of Him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.” I am thankful that God had convicted me of my sin when I was a teenager so that I came to know the Lord Jesus as my personal Savior back then and that He has been changing me ever since. From the Bible, I know that when my life on earth is over, I will have the blessing of entering Heaven to be with my Savior forever. Therefore, I am not worried about myself dying, but I do have the desire to live here with my sweet family for as long as I can. God has shown us His faithfulness and goodness in the past, so Todd and I knew we could trust Him with this serious health situation also. Many people began praying for us and helping us with various needs, and we are so grateful for their kindness. The next test showed that the cancer in my spine had fractured one of my vertebrae, which was causing the pain. A wheelchair was necessary to move around. I was flat on my back for several days until a doctor did a procedure called vertibroplasty to inject cement into the backbone at the fractured area. By the next day I was able to sit up and stand again! Praise God! I could not walk very well, but it was such a relief to sit and stand again that it took me a while to notice that my leg wouldn’t cooperate. More tests revealed cancer was destroying my left hip, and on December 6, I entered the hospital because of the intense pain. On December 13, our baby was born by Caesarean delivery, eight weeks early so I could begin treatments. We named our 3 lb. 15 oz., dark-haired son “Luke Daniel,” and we praise God for his safe arrival and great health. The next day I began radiation treatments for my hip and went home December 23. It was good to be home again, and our daily activity was going up to the hospital to visit Baby Luke. He was in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for three weeks, and we were thrilled to bring him home on January 4. He is healthy and growing well and is a joy to us all! The pain in my hip was lessening, and it was such a relief to not have to take pain medicine. More tests could be done after the baby was born, and they showed the cancer growing aggressively and spreading in many places. In February, I began taking chemotherapy pills and hormone pills at home, as well as a bone-strengthening drug by IV at the doctor’s office. The doctor’s hope was for the pills to slow down the cancer’s growth and keep the pain minimal. Two months later, in April, tests showed that the cancer was actually decreasing somewhat (instead of growing worse). We are encouraged that tests this month again show the cancer to be decreasing, and we praise God! The doctor is pleased with how things look, and he is having me stop the chemo pills for now and remain on the other treatments. He plans to do frequent tests to keep an eye on the cancer and may put me back on the chemo if needed. [As of November 2005, Julie had to go back on chemo because the cancer is spreading.] I have been feeling really well, and I’m able to do some things each day. My main activities are feeding Luke his bottles and homeschooling Hannah and Nathan, and Todd helps out with both of those things whenever I’m not quite up to it. It’s hard sometimes to admit that I need help, but it is a good lesson in humility. I am also trying some cooking again, and we enjoy a weekly meal from friends at church. It’s incredible to be active and helping with things around the house again after not being able to be of assistance for awhile! But that was also a lesson to learn: people are still valuable even when they are not able to physically do any helpful things. My dear husband has been a tremendous blessing in his serving me and our family without complaining, and I am so thankful God has put us together. In the last couple of months God has allowed me to be able to walk, and now I use a walker or cane for safety whenever I am not in our house or the wheelchair if a lot of walking would be required. We don’t go very many places, mostly doctor appointments and church. We’ve had a couple family outings that seem like a real treat since I didn’t think I would be able to do those things anymore. A major factor during all of this experience is that Todd’s job had just ended in October right before I was diagnosed. We soon became so thankful that he could be home full- time to take care of me and the children! God knew ahead of time exactly what we needed. God showed us His provision through sacrificial giving of many people, and that has been an amazing lesson to us. God has provided for all of our needs and like Jesus says in Luke 12:22-34, we are not to worry about food or clothes, but rather seek the Kingdom of God and trust Him to provide. Another neat aspect of the last seven months has been some opportunities to talk to people about the Lord. He allowed me to witness to some family members who came to visit and to some people at the hospital. There’s also the regular opportunity to speak with our children about everything and point them to the Lord. We have been amazed and humbled by the number of people who pray for us. God has richly blessed us in many ways, and we know that He has answered many prayers. If you are also led to pray, here are some prayer requests for us: • boldness to speak of the Lord to everyone and give Him the glory He deserves (see Ps. 115:1) • that our children’s hearts would surrender to the Lord and follow Him and not grow bitter • wisdom for decisions, which include future employment for Todd • that we would trust God fully and not be afraid • encouragement and physical strength • that we would use our time well and live each day for Him, knowing Heaven awaits at the right time Thank you! Let us know how you are doing when you can. With love, Julie Halsey An Inspiring Update from Julie Mummey Halsey ’93 Left to right: Hannah, Todd ’92, Luke, Julie (Mummey) ’93, and Nathan Halsey