JULY UPDATE God IS Able!!!!
Dear friends,
I have put off writing this update, as it is not an easy one for me to write. Sam’s latest scan results have shown significant growth and spreading of his cancer. The cancer has metastases to the brain, liver, both hips, right shoulder, and spine.
Because of the location of the four brain tumors, he is currently undergoing 14 treatments of whole-brain radiation, which will continue for the next two weeks. Sam also has a metastasis tumor in the upper-spinal area which is pressing on a nerve and has caused his left eye to shut completely.
As we walk through these next two weeks of radiation treatment, we covet your prayers, as we are asking God for His Grace & that any side effects would be eliminated.
Once again, Sam has astounded all the doctors involved. His physical just two weeks ago had the Oncologist shaking his head as he proclaimed Sam to be in ‘excellent health’, (with the exception of the cancer!). Although he has to walk with a cane and has lost a considerable amount of weight, his energy level is good and he is not having any serious pain.
Sam has been able to attend all of Kevin’s races. The last race was in New Hampshire. Sam left on that Saturday morning at 3 AM and flew on the Gibb’s Racing corporate plane with the crew. He was there for Kevin’s practice, qualifying and the entire race and flew back home, arriving around midnight. The next morning, he was up and ready to leave for church at the crack of dawn!! He still amazes me and those around him.
Sam has had a couple of opportunities to speak and share what God has been teaching him through this journey, and has been a tremendous blessing to all. He wanted me to share a portion of scripture with you that he feels God has given him for this time. It is taken from Philippians 3:10 from the Amplified Bible:
“ For my determined purpose is that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power out flowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, in hope . .”
Thank you for continuing to stand with us during this time. We do not understand what all God is doing with us right now, but we want to be faithful to all that He has called us and entrusted to us!!!
We continue to walk in faith . . . believing . . . . as we KNOW that HE IS ABLE!!!
In HIS love & care,
Sam & Ann
Praying for you guys!!!!! Thank you so much for the picture of faith (”the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen”) that you both reflect through Christ!! Your joy in the pleasures and pains of this process has, is and will still continue to impact my life in ways that you’ll never know!!!!!
We will be praying for you! The age old question comes to mind ” Why does God let His people suffer”. But then again I know that God teaches us, and shows, things we never would have leaned had we not gone through it. I praise the Lord for your faithfulness to Him, and we will be behind you in our prayers!
Psalms 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
Just wanted to thank you again for your time and insight while sharing with our men’s group this month. We all have you and your family held up in Christ and know that He is able!
My heart hurts to hear about this. I just want it all to be great and alright and we all live happily ever after. I know clearly life isn’t like that and it cut me to read the verse in Philippians, where I needed to be cut. Out side of the hope of eternity there is no hope. One minute it is Lord come quickly and another, Lord why?
We love you and hope and pray for healing, no side effects, etc. Yes, our God is able! Thank you for your testimony of faith and your endurance.
Dear Sam & Ann,
We’ve never personally met, but we were so touched by your “cracker crumbs” testimony @ the ATI seminar, I bought it to bring home for my daughters to watch. It teaches ME each time I watch it. Then came the one about Sam’s cancer. We’re so sorry to hear of the continued progress of the cancer. We will continue to uphold you in prayer, for we too believe, HE IS ABLE!! We wonder why, but we never wonder WHO!
God bless you in your journey…
In His Grip
Denise Easthon
Dearest Sam and Ann,
I just pray God will give you the strengh you need during this journey. You can not imagine how blessed I am everytime I come here to know how Sam is doing, and I always find out myself so blessed by your strength, your faith, and your love for God. I don´t know what God has for me or my family in the future, but you are the second family I am close to who are dealing with a Cancer, and everytime I can see nothing is bigger than our God. So, when I see my little one hurt (Katia) I know nothing is bigger than our God, and I know that as He is taking care of Sam and you (Ann), He will take care of Katia always, no matter what tests can say. You know I love you both, and I remember you always.
Take care,
Sam and Ann,
Our family continues to pray for you, that you will know the tender mercies of our awesome God. Thank you for your encouraging words to us who read your blog ~ the news sounds bad, but your spirit is strong and examples to us to persevere.
love and prayers, Helen Martin and family
Sam and Ann;
We thank you for being so transparent and willing to share how God is working in your lives. I don’t know how God continues to provide you courage and strengthen during your hours of need. Know that our prayers in Albuquerque are joined with thousands of others that have been touched by your lives. May He bless and keep you.
Love,
Mark, Carol and Family
Hi.
Ken Frenke just told me about Sam.
I don’t know what to say.
You’ll all be in my prayers.
I look forward to going back and reading previous posts in the days and weeks ahead.
Thank you for sharing your lives with us, not just now, but in previous years.
You are loved and appreciated.
Robert Sutherland
Just wanted you to know that you are both in my thoughts and prayers. You guys are the embodiment of faith in action. In that alone you have touched so many lives and offered others such strength and comfort! I know that God’s will is loving - even if it is difficult to understand at times. Please update soon and let us know how Sam is doing with his treatment.
Love to you both,
Jordan
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Conway:
I just want to send you this short message, and let you know I love you and I am keeping Mr. Conway and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for you are willing share your journey to many Chinese people in HC and let them saw how great to following our FATHER, even some time are so hard and difficult. We just pray that God will shower HIS LOVE AND STRENGTH, and protect your family. I am so thankful for your love to our FATHER. and being such a great testmony to many people.
I love you and miss you so much! even we are thousand mile apart, but my heart and my prayer will be with you!
Love and hug to you both,
Rain
Dear Ann,
As in the past, Chardell and I remain steadfastly and prayerfully alongside you in the days ahead. We are so very grateful for the wonderful and fond memories of Sam and for Sam’s profound impact. He remains a friend indeed. Even now, he makes me smile and wonder at the journey of faith that he has walked. What an amazing example!
Dear Ann and Kevin,
Joe and I just wanted to express our sympathy for the loss of Sam. We know he is in heaven rejoicing, but we also know the reality of missing someone your love. You will be in our prayes, Love & Prayers, Ava and Joe