Ventures of Faith🏩

"Moreover, brethren, I declare to you ❤️the gospel❤️which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures," I Corinthians 15:1-4

Disappointments, delays and added duties marked the start of 2020 for me. Only four days into the new year, I received the disappointing news that tumors were noticeable on my CT scan. After several weeks of delays, my body finally accepted a new chemo drug. With this new treatment, we now travel to Rochester every other week instead of every three weeks. Even though we have the added duty of driving south more frequently, change is never for nothing and this new schedule has granted us more opportunities to share the love of Jesus with those in the cancer department.
At my last chemo session, I shared with you how God intervened on my behalf and allowed my body to accept the new drug. But that wasn't the only miracle going on that day. Pumped with large doses of Benadryl prior to receiving chemo, my N.P. Megan called the chemo dept and asked the nurse if I was sleeping yet. The nurse responded, "No, she's more chatty than ever."
Because I had previous reactions to the chemo, the nurses were required to pre-medicate me and remain in my room for the entire hour and a half of treatment to make sure I had no further complications. Engaging conversations about life and death matters sparked an interest in the two nurses who waited in my room. One nurse stood behind the curtain door listening to our talk and after the other two nurses left, came in and said, "I have goosebumps. I heard the entire conversation and believe everything you said." After conversing with him about salvation, I handed him a packet filled with spiritual material. Immediately, he opened the gift bag and looked at each item. The poem, "What Cancer Cannot Do" caught his attention right away. He announced, "We have never seen this poem before. I am going to put it up on the bulletin board so every cancer patient can read it."
A little while later while I was waiting to be discharged, a cow-bell sounded and cheers erupted from a room down the hall. Moments later I saw a gal run past my room to use the bathroom. When she came out, I shouted, "Congratulations." She proudly pointed to her t-shirt which read, "My last day of chemo." "What's your name?" I asked. "Amber," she exclaimed. "Hi! I'm Cindy. Would you like a few pamphlets on cancer and eternal life?" "Sure" she replied cheerfully, and grabbed the gift bag then continued skipping down the hall until she was no longer in view. I knew I would probably never see her again but I whispered a prayer asking God to save her soul.

It's moments like these that remind me why I am at the Mayo Clinic. Every trip has been a venture of faith. God arranges everything. His master plan is behind it all and He gives me the words to speak.

Please say a prayer for:
💎 Jane-chemo nurse
💎 Megann- chemo nurse
💎 Jared- chemo nurse
💎 Sarah- chemo nurse
💎 Amber- cancer patient

Words of Hope

When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out and the tide of love rushes in. -Kristen Armstrong

🎶🎶🎶🎶
His word shall not fail you, He promised
Believe Him and all will be well
Then go to a world that is dying
His perfect salvation to tell
(Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus by Helen H. Lemmel)

Do you know the One who died?
The One with pierced hands and side
Do you know the One who bore
The whole world's sins whilst He wore

Upon His brow a thorny crown
As crimson love and tears flowed down?
Do you know the One who cried
"It is finished" as He died

To set the captive sinner free
And give us life abundantly?
Do you know Him? This Holy One
Jesus Christ, God's precious Son

-Janet Martin