Friday, January 11, 2008

Live Strong



So, we got the news this week that my brother Matt has cancer. He's the last person you'd think of that would have it. He won first place in the state wrestling competition at 189 pounds his senior year of high school. He went to a big 10 school, wrestled there and did well academically. He's an investment banker, a skiier, has about 2% body fat, and eats well. The past few months he lost his appetite, had excessive itching, and "knew" something was wrong. They finally figured it out when they saw his chest x-ray... It's probably lymphoma, but we won't know until his biopsy next Monday.

So, "why?" is the question that comes to mind. Really, no one knows. Life isn't promised to be easy or without struggle, we are just promised to have the grace and strength to deal whatever happens through dependence on the Lord. My prayer for Matt is of course, full recovery ...and additionally, that he has a new and clear perspective about life that guides him with clarity that none of us who don't go through what he does will have. Join us in prayer for Matt. Josh and I sent the above picture to him last night with our "Live Strong" bracelets that we bought to wear in honor of him. Why are we smiling? Because If anyone can fight this, it's Matt, and we'll be behind him 100%.

I don't know if blogs are supposed to be this "heavy," but really, life isn't always perfect. This is what is important in our lives right now, so please keep him in your prayers. I will be joining my family in Denver next weekend to show support and see what's going on from a medical perspective. We'll keep you updated.

Heidi

Wednesday, January 2, 2008





We spent the five days around Christmas with our family in Michigan-- We had a great time together. Lots of games, extended family moments, walks, and snow. Then the family came to Chicago for a couple of days the weekend after Christmas-- We went to the Museum of Science and Industry, which was fun and crowded. Our favorite parts of the musueum were the giant model train display... and I liked the baby chick hatchery! The down side of the weekend was when the City of Chicago towed Joe and Beth's car due to a sign they didn't see and in the process damaged the car. Moral of the story: don't park your car overnight in Chicago. Happy New Year everybody!