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Be Strong and Courageous

Greetings Dear Friend:

It has been over four months since the diagnosis of Justin's brain tumor, three months since his craniotomy.  It has proven to be a really tough season.  We had hoped that the flood of 2017 would be our hardest season, but this current one is definitely taking the cake.  No matter how much faith we have, being human is still our reality.  We had plans, short-term and long-term...none of which involved a brain tumor and living with the possibility of regrowth indefinitely.  However, God created us to thrive despite impossible circumstances.  Nothing is impossible for God.  His plans are always better than ours, even when we can't see it.

We have used the last couple of months to deal, rest, heal, and move forward.  The kids have carried on as if life isn't that much different, and that was our prayer.  We are aware that their little eyes are watching us, and that includes how we face difficult trials. We don't want them to think life is easy, but we also never want their childhood riddled with a sense of hopelessness.  We have continued homeschooling through these months, mastering skip counting in 2nd grade and learning to read in kindergarten.  We have also studied Martin Luther's contributions to the church, refreshed ourselves on the history of Thanksgiving, and added a deep dive into the book of John.  We even enjoyed a boat tour of the Houston Ship Channel.  There is always joy to be had and business to tend to in the middle of the fog.  With Jesus, there is always hope.



About one month post-op, Justin began driving again, which allowed him to get back to collecting FB Marketplace finds for our house.  We are hoping construction on the shop and shell of our house in Santa Fe will begin in late January.  As with most construction these days, we have seen delay after delay.  We'll share more about the house and those plans later.  We celebrated Barrett's 8th birthday at the end of October with a trip to Fort Worth to visit family and Legoland.  It was just the perfect low-key getaway.  We spent Thanksgiving with family in East Texas, enjoying delicious food, good company, and the piney woods.  Justin has also begun rebuilding his old boat trailer, which will hopefully lead to more fun family memories on the water.  


Justin's only setback related to the surgery has been some loss of cognitive function.  It is something we expect to return completely, but it will take a little more time and practice to get to 100%.  After struggling to answer basic questions right after surgery to having very normal conversations today is so incredible.  It is amazing to see firsthand how God created the body to heal itself, watching the outward evidence of internal healing.  Justin finds himself mentally drained and overstimulated at times, so he has learned to embrace a bit of the introverted lifestyle in the meantime.  Justin was referred to speech therapy to help the cognitive juices flow more quickly, but they never contacted us even after we reached out.  The only answers we were given is that they are "slow", and their department must contact us for scheduling.  However, we have watched the Great Physician continue to mend this problem regardless, and we are grateful.

We're happy to report that by the grace of God Justin was able to return to work after Thanksgiving.  The seizure medication along with the tumor resection have kept him from having any further seizures.  He will have another MRI and follow-up with the neurosurgeon the last week of December.  At that point, we will have more information about our next steps in warding off this grade 2 Astrocytoma long-term.  The unknowns feel a bit daunting, but we will trust in Him who goes before us.    

Back when Moses was finally getting ready to deliver the Israelites to the promised land after leading them in the wilderness for 40 years, he learned that he would not be the one to lead them any longer.  While he was tired and likely disappointed, he still took time to encourage his people by reminding them to be strong and courageous for God was with them.  He then promptly shared the same message with his successor Joshua.  Anytime something is repeated in the Bible, our ears should perk up. Forty years is a long time to wait and keep the faith.  Moses showed tremendous perseverance, even with his shortcomings, to continue to trust in the Lord after so much time had passed.  It's so easy to lose heart when we have such a long road in front of us, but God has been delivering believers time and time again throughout all of history.  Life can be excruciatingly painful at times, but God does not forsake us.  He faithfully remains beside us in the wilderness and beyond.  If we feel alone or separated from God...it is we who have lost sight.

Please remember us in your prayers. 

LOVE, THE DUFFEYS


Be strong and courageous.  Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you.  He will not leave you or forsake you.  Deuteronomy 31: 6


Comments

  1. AnonymousDecember 14, 2023 at 9:15 AM

    Justin - So good to see you Wednesday, even though it was through the Walgreen’s pick-up window. You & your sweet family are in my prayers.❤️

    ReplyDelete

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