Transformation through God's Word

James says to be joyful through the trials. Sometimes that is easier than others. In January we found out that Stacie (my wife) had a brain tumor. It was so shocking. We were thrust into this group of people I've known whose entire lives change. They spend time at the doctor, they call, or write, or email (and now blog) what is going on with their lives. The doctors were able to successfully remove it all. Our next step is to go back in April to see if there were any fragments they did not see. Now, we're just settling in to all that has changed in our lives and BAM! Now my dad just had a heart attack. He lost 1/3 of the functionality of his heart, is at high risk for another, and the doctor says if he has another his chances of survival are not good.

Wow, be joyful in the trials? How? Well, here's how. Stacie has been more of an encouragement to those who call to encourage her. They have stood in awe of her. Now, actually they are standing in awe of God but some of them don't know God yet, they only know her. She has been an inspiration. To see God use her cancer to bring people in, to draw people into conversation w/God who have not been in a long time, that is awesome. She has been joyful to have been used by God in her trial.