This Little Light

​Well, we are back in the thick of it. 

It’s round two of the bone marrow transplant, and our princess warrior is walking a very familiar path. Almost step for step, it looks just like last time. She’s no longer eating, and the sores in her mouth and throughout her GI tract are back, bringing with them intense, relentless pain. It’s so hard to watch.

There’s really no way to soften that part. No medicine, no relief. Sitting beside your child while they hurt like this… it does something to you. There are moments where all you can do is stay close, cuddle her little body, and whisper comfort while wishing with everything in you that you could just take it away.

And as much it is feels and looks like last BMT, there is something different this time.

We’ve been here before. We know this deep valley.

And even more than that, we know what’s on the other side of it all. We’ve watched her come back to herself, her smile returning, her laughter filling the room, her playful spirit shining through again.

And even now, in the middle of the hardest days, the light is still there. 

The light of Christ in her.
The light of hope, a hope that does not disappoint.
It flickers at times, but it has not gone out.

Her bravery, her quiet strength in the midst of so much suffering… it is deeply inspiring to both me and Ennie. She is showing us what it looks like to continue carrying light into the dark places.

These days still feel very long. The suffering is not small. But there is a quiet endurance running underneath it all, a steady reminder that this is not the end of her story. We are going to make it. 

God is truly here.
He has carried us through a lot.
And He is with us now.
But… it’s still very hard.

We need your prayers friends. We need your support. And we are so deeply grateful for the many ways you continue to show us that you are with us.

If you’re wondering how to pray for her today, please pray for:

Relief from pain, especially from the mucositis in her mouth and GI tract.
Strength and endurance for her little body. 
Peace, deep, steady peace for EvanMarie and for all of us.

The other day, I came across a video of EvanMarie taken just two days before her diagnosis. At the time, we knew she wasn’t feeling well, but we had no idea what was ahead for us. And there she was, sweet and steady, singing:

“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine…” 

Yes, baby girl. You are letting it shine. Even here, you are shining for all to see. We are so proud to be your parents. 

Thank you dear friends for holding us in prayer. We cherish you. 

Glory to God in all things!

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