A Time to Pray for the Garth Family

As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a 

buckler to all those that trust in him. ~Psalm 18:30

What did you do with your kids today? While you were doing what you did, were you happy to do it? I know I'm not always thankful for the things I get to do with my kids. I know that at least once this week I complained that my kids were too hyper and I wish they would just sit still for 10 minutes. I know at least once this week I was dreading giving haircuts and baths and I also know that at least once this week I was annoyed that I got woken up in the middle of the night 3 times because three different kids had issues I had to deal with. And I definitely know I was wishing I had a vacation planned in my near future. Well for my friends, John & Laura, their life changed forever after a visit with the doctor for a stomach ache their son was complaining of turned out to be Leukemia. 

Johnny is 2 1/2. Instead of running around and playing with his sister his life now consists of the 4 walls of the 6th floor at Children's Hospital in Boston, chemotherapy treatments and spinal taps. His parents are no longer complaining about giving haircuts because in about 2 weeks his hair is going to start falling out. They no longer complain that they can't keep up with him because he refuses to walk because of the pain in his bones the cancer causes. They wish the reason they were sleep deprived were because of the reasons we complain about. Instead they are taking turns sleeping in Johnny's room while the other tries to get a good nights sleep at the Ronald McDonald house.  And today they aren't praying that he behaves well like most of us would be. Instead they are praying that his reaction to the spinal tap he will receive today goes better than the one he had 3 days ago and that the doctors find no leukemia in the fluid so this can be his last spinal tap. And they don't have the luxury of wishing for a vacation anymore because for the next 2 years their life will consist of weekly visits to Boston for chemotherapy...and thats if his prognosis remains as hopeful as the doctors are predicting right now. 

For some people receiving this kind of news would make them bitter. It would make some curse God. But not this family. I had the opportunity, with another friend, to go visit Laura and Johnny and it was a blessing to see Laura so positive and still thanking God for how he has provided in their lives so far. They will have to remain in Boston till the beginning of May. Until then she and her husband are separated from their 1 year old daughter, Anna, who is with Laura's sister. God has given them that peace that passes all understanding and as much as they miss Anna they are so thankful she is in good hands and being so well cared for. They know that right now all their focus and strength needs to go to Johnny. Please pray for this family. They have a long road ahead of them and they are going to need all the love, prayers and support they can get. If you feel led to write a note of encouragement to this family send it to:

6 North, Children's Hospital Boston (until May 10)

The Garth Family

300 Longwood Ave

Boston, MA 02115

Prayer Requests:

1. Johnny has a spinal tap today. This procedure has been hard on Johnny in the past. Pray the doctors do not find any leukemia in the fluid today.

2. Wisdom for the doctors as they determine Johnny's future with this disease.

3. Strength for John & Laura. Laura is 17 weeks pregnant.

4. Peace in their hearts as they are separated from their daughter.

5. That God would continue to provide for them and meet their needs.