Miracles

Let's talk miracles for a minute since I've seen so many already. As many of you know, our family returned from a two week family vacation three days before finding out cancer had returned. The trip had particularly been Ashtyn's dream for the past six years. She loves Disney and she loves cruises so Disney Cruises are her fav. She also loves family and wanted nothing more than to have her mom and her dad, though divorced, to take her and her siblings and be together as a family. The vacation was previously booked in 2013 but Ashtyn was diagnosed with cancer two months before we were to leave. We tried to go in 2016 but cancer returned again three months before we were suppose to go. Our third attempt was to go end of January 2018, the earliest possible date after recovering from a Bone Marrow Transplant not even a year prior. Miracle #1: What a miracle it was to be able to go on the trip in the first place. Ashtyn could have easily relapsed months before January. Miracle #2: We now know she had cancer while on our vacation, but at that time we had no clue and enjoyed our trip without a worry in the world. Miracle #3: During our 14 day vacation, Ashtyn had more health and energy than I've seen in years. She walked Disney World without a problem and never felt a moment of sickness while cruising the Caribbean. We are grateful for those miracles of safety and health.

Today we continue to see God's kindness and expect to continue seeing miracle after miracle. Ashtyn has not had a bloody nose while in Las Vegas which would indicate a need for us to go to the hospital for a platelet transfusion. Instead, she continues to feel physically well. Though scared and bummed, she is enjoying her time with family and friends as much as she can. Last night Ashtyn went on a date with Ben Shumway who lives in Vegas. They went to Fremont Street, saw a laser show at the Dome, had dinner, and finished the night going on the NY NY rollercoaster. She had a blast. We have known Ben since Ashtyn was four years old and have loved his family ever since. We have learned through the years that there is definitely opposition in all things. When tough times come, tender mercies come as well. When things seem impossible, miracles happen and all things become possible.