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Arwen's Journey: Rise and Stand Upright

Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed;
he will answer him from his holy heaven
with the saving might of his right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
They collapse and fall,
But we rise and stand upright.
     -Psalm 20:6-8

     If we had placed our trust in medicine, we would be devastated. The reports from all of Arwen’s recent scans and studies have come back. Interestingly, these scans show some decrease in the amount of cancer in Arwen’s bones for the first time since her initial diagnosis of Neuroblastoma one year ago. No other treatment has proven even remotely as effective. While this seems like good news, there was not enough decrease of disease to consider the treatment successful. The goal was for a majority of cancer to be killed in order that we might progress to the next stage of standard treatment. That is not the case.

     The options we are given at this juncture are for an experimental treatment or for palliative care. Although this is dismaying, it is not entirely unexpected. We have continued to trust God to work in our lives according to His will. We understand that although we desire Arwen’s recovery and restoration, God may choose to bring fame to His holy name in a way that we would not naturally choose. How wonderful would it be to see Arwen’s healing when there was no way to attribute her healing to medicine! We will not cease to pray for a miracle. Yet, how magnificent also is the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives to prove the power of Christ – especially when we are put to trial.

     Even if all medical treatments worked perfectly, those whose hope was solely in man’s inventions would collapse and fall. Those of us who place our trust in God, and in His perfect Prince of Peace, can only rise and stand upright – even in death. We have, as you all are our witnesses, continued to see the hand of God at work in our lives through all of this ordeal. He has provided for our needs, given us grace for each day and each trial, and given us so much opportunity to share Him with others. Bless His holy name! How rich is His mercy toward us and how gracious His tender love in our lives. We can only begin to fathom the significance of being made to rise and to stand upright. May the powers in the heavenly places see what He has done and worship Him. Even as we see His hand in our lives, we eagerly await the day when we might look upon His face, passing away from all these troubles of the world. Nevertheless, we will continue to wait on Him here with what strength He has given us as we seek to be servants who are faithful and full of love, peace, and joy.

     Pray with us for direction, and please continue to seek the Lord for a miracle. May His perfect will be done in the lives of His imperfect servants so that His perfect name would be shown to an imperfect world. Thanks again to all of you who have so lovingly supported us through this and all those who have so faithfully prayed. There is, as always more work to be done, and this fight, like so many others, is not yet over.


13 comments:

  1. Our hearts are bound with yours in hope and enduring trust. We lift you up in fervent prayer and ask for guidance and assurance for every step. May God continue to be magnified and glorified day by day, dear ones.

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  2. This Psalm has been my meditation of late. Praying it over your dear family! We are with you in this trial and trusting our good, good Father. May His perfect Love continue to cast out fear! (My sister goes regularly to work at the Hospital of Hope in Mango.)

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  3. Praying without ceasing, dear Arwen and Malley family. �� To multiplied trials He multiplies peace. ��

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  4. Praying for wisdom, peace, strength, and comfort for all of you. Thank you for your strong witness during this trial. You and Arwen continue to be an encouragement to us and others as you share Him and as we see your faith shine through this trial. You bring glory to Him!

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  5. Agree with you for a miracle healing, direction and peace to you all.

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  6. Thank you so much for sharing and keeping us updated! You all are living testimonies! I am continuing in prayer for I know God is in charge!

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  7. Thank you for the incredible witness you and your family have been to all of us as you share your trials and your faith. Arwen is such an incredibly sweet girl and I hate to see her suffer so but she truly has been heroic and a shining light of God's love and grace. Thank you that even in the midst of your pain you still glorify God and lift Him up, desiring His will over your own. It is an encouragement to all of us to see this kind of real faith, so thank you. I continue to pray for you all and for Arwen's strength and healing. May God give you joy and courage each and every day. With much love, Astrid

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  8. I’ve known your family through our church, and throughout your families journey you’ve invited all of us in to pray for healing all along not giving up hope but praising Him through these storms. Your faith is what so many people hope to have when faced with such trying times. Arwen your journey alone has braught many to their knees; growing closer to the Lord like never before, thank you for your courageous beautiful soul sweet girl. Keep fighting this fight; God’s glorious plans will be well worth this journey of yours. My family and I will keep those prayers coming.

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  9. Our prayer is for daily wisdom from God and that His peace will follow His direction.

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  10. I have been praying for Arwen since the day when I saw the news about her. I will been praying asking for Gods perfect will in her life. God loves her much more than all of us.Someday we will see as in a mirror what God planned for her.I love you, sweet Arwen.

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  11. Obrigada por nos manter informados! Continuo em oração por vocês! Peço a Deus um milagre e que em tudo Seu nome seja glorificado!

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  12. God is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we think or ask.

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