God Answers Prayer's

Today I have reflected a lot on the prayers that have been lifted up on behalf of my family. And I know from past experience God does answer prayers. But I needed to be reminded of how continually gracious He is. Not just in the big, scary things but in the everyday occurrences of life. From our daily meals to his sovereign protection. Do we not tend to focus on today's sufferings, forgetting how faithful the Lord has been to us in the past? I know I do.

Steve's transplant was 67 days ago. Sixty-seven days ago I watched the nurses give back to my husband the life giving stem cells that the Lord provided. I was scared. I wondered would they graft, would they duplicate quickly, would he survive. Each day after I anxiously awaited the lab results that would tell of his progress. I feared he would get an infection, the greatest risk to his recovery. All the while praying in unity with many others.

Today Steve talks of the future with hopeful expectation. His strength increases weekly, his appetite is good and he strongly desires to get back to the business of serving the Lord. God answers prayers. I know if it wasn't for our faith we would have crumbled at the weight of what we faced, what we continue to go through. We don't know if the cancer is gone. We do know the cancer indicator (m-spike) has been going down, praise God. And by faith we will continue to move forward.

It has been a joy to once again join in fellowship at church with our friends. Many of you have seen us attending lately. The love and encouragement we have received and felt by all of you has blessed our lives tremendously. Just last night a faithful brother told us how much he loves us. And the look in his eyes was one of genuine, brotherly love. Completely real and God given.

To those who have been following our story, specifically those who have not experienced God's love and provision. Who are alone in their sufferings. Its never to late to call on the Lord and believe in his name, Jesus Christ. He is the one and only mediator between God and man. Without faith in him, you have no assurance that God hears your prayers or that your sins are forgiven. I encourage you to seek Him, to talk to someone who can help you to know Him. Pray with them about your life, your pain, your doubts and fears. Confess your sins and read the bible, get to know Him.
John 3:16

Love, Deanna

Introducing.......

Our very first grandchild....Gabriel Thomas Hutzler! He was born on January 7th and weighed in at 7lbs 2oz. He belongs to my firstborn Daniel. What a great way to start a new year! A new baby and we are on the post-transplant side of Steve's remarkable stem cell transplant, day +48.

Steve had another check up today. Doctor says he is doing good. He gained 1 pound (which is better then losing one 1) his eating has improved, he has driven a handful of times and the best news is the m-spike is trending down, 1.1 is the latest number! We even made it to service this past weekend after a very long absence from church. He still has a ways to go. Is energy is very low and he gets fatigued very easily. The late afternoons/evenings are the worst time for him.
But all in all we have so much to be grateful for!
God is good!