Miracle Monday: Miracles Happen

Miracles really do happen. Prayers really are answered. I am so happy to be able to share this miracle with you.

You may remember this post requesting prayers for my uncle. That was the first I'd posted of it on my blog, but we've been praying for him for several years. I would like to extend my deepest, heartfelt thanks for all of your prayers, because I know that they have been answered and they mean the world to me and my family, especially my uncle. My uncle has a very deep relationship with God and he has spoken many times of feeling the power of prayer. Prayer is what has carried him through these trying times.

Several months ago my uncle started a new medicine. Last week we learned that it is working. They measured three of the largest cancerous tumors in his lungs, and they have decreased in size by 30%. The doctor said this was the most significant response to this medicine that they have seen. I don't know all of the details, but basically the medicine goes in and eats the cells around the cancer, depriving it of its food source, thus starving the cancer cells into shrinking. I cannot tell you how elated I was when my mom told me about this last weekend when the bf and I got to my parents' house. So many people have been praying for my uncle and for a miracle like this. I know that all of the prayers are what brought us this beautiful miracle. I ask you to join me in praying that the medicine continues to work its magic, that in another few months we'll see an even greater decrease of these cancer cells. I will also be praying that this medicine will help others like my uncle who are suffering from cancer. I am praying that this is the breakthrough we have all been waiting for. I am heartened that my uncle's body is responding to this medicine in such a drastic manner. I pray for it to continue healing him.

Thank you so much for all of your support and prayers. All of your positive comments mean more to me than you will ever know. Please let me know if there is anything specific that I can pray for you. I believe now, more than ever, in the beauty and power of prayer.

**So I accidentally hit publish instead of scheduling it, so this is up a little early. But sharing miracles is never too early. :)

Miracle Monday: Subtle Ways

I had a theology professor once in college who said something that has stuck with me and played a role in my life. I forget the exact context of the conversation, the topic of the class that day. The class itself was Christian Ethics...quite an interesting class, very thought provoking. But what he said was powerful. He said that when we pray for someone, God does not just reach into their lives and do a complete 180. He works more subtly. He may cause them to hear something or see something, or have a friend talk to them or even ask a simple questions that gets them thinking. It's these little subtleties that can become life changing.
I've always liked that idea, it goes along with God reaching out through the people around you. Why am I going on about this? Simple. I'm pretty sure I had one of those moments last Sunday. My good friend B texted, a very simple "mass tonight?". I hadn't been in about two weeks. I also didn't have any reason not to go. So I agreed, and I went. And it was wonderful. We had a great community when we were in college, but we really are separate from that community now. We're no longer students, so we're welcome, but not really involved. The church we went to was wonderful, and they have a great young adult community. I was excited, really excited to be back at mass, and it instantly felt right, it felt like home. And I've missed that. I've been a bit absent on the faith side of things recently. (note: after the bf and I dwindled on going to mass...we started having problems..not immediately, but soon after. Coincidence? I think not)
B and I went to the young adult dinner social after mass last weekend, and had a great time. We started with this new young adult women's book club last Monday. I'm so incredibly excited. And it's a GREAT book. I love this wonderful group of women already, and I can't wait for tonight's meeting.
It's a little, subtle miracle, but for me it's life changing. I'm feeling more alive than I have in a while. I think I've found what I've been looking for. And all it took was a simple text from a good friend asking "mass tonight?"

Inspired by Miracle Monday hosted by Beth over at A Mom's Life. (I'm excited to have something to participate with this week. I love reading her Miracle Mondays.)