prayers for Emily

If you know my family, you know that my parents have three girls......and one more. Years ago, my mom heard through our church of a teenage girl who had been diagnosed with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Mom got in contact with her, and soon she was calling my parents "mom and dad." [I think she's better about getting them presents than I am...oops.]

When Emily was diagnosed in 2007, the doctors told her that she was terminal. But Emily (and her wonderful family) have never accepted that diagnosis, and for the past 6 years have fought as hard as they can while maintaining joyful, faithful attitudes. It's impossible for me to grasp that this girl - who is so full of life and constantly doing amazing things - was told by the top doctors in the country that they couldn't do anything for her and that she wouldn't make it to Christmas.....four Christmases ago.

Then again, it shouldn't be impossible for me to wrap my head around it. When doctors and specialists say they can't fix something, it puts you pretty quickly in the realm of miracles. Emily has many stories about how the Lord has carried her over the years, and her faith and experiences have strengthened the faith of those around her. At a time when we want to be a blessing to her, she is blessing us.

I don't really have any reason to share this now, except that Emily is having a particularly hard time. She's been in hospitals (in Michigan and at Mayo) for two weeks, and is a great deal of pain. Part of me wants to focus on some material way to help because prayer doesn't seem to be enough, but Emily and her family have shown me how backwards that is. All they ask for is prayer. Prayers for healing, prayers for strength, for patience, for understanding, for a miracle, for trust...prayers that His will be done.

Almost all of the girls in my extended family have a "faith, hope, love" ring...and of course, Emily has one too. Mine is banged up from constant wear, but looking at it serves as reminder of Emily, and everyone who is praying for her. There's no more subtle way to say this (I just sat here trying to think of one), so please, just pray for Emily.