The war for hope

War and hope- those are two words that seem like they should never be in the same sentence. But I feel like this is where I am. I am continually warring for hope. I have been on quite a health journey for the past few years and my sarcoidosis diagnosis in October set me on a new path to seek true healing.

In November, we decided something had to change so we made an appointment with a functional nutritionist. Dr. B started me on several supplements and put me on the elimination and provocation diet. I was fully prepared to have sugar and gluten cut from my diet, but I was not prepared to have my diet so completely overhauled. Beans, dairy, nuts, fruits I ate weekly - all were cut. For a girl who prefers a vegetarian diet, this was a huge blow. But the whole point of the diet was to get my body back in balance and then slowly reintroduce foods, to see what I could tolerate and what was causing issues. Between the many chemo sessions, radiation therapy and numerous surgeries, my body has been through a lot and the process of getting my body back in balance is taking longer than I anticipated.

Then the week before Thanksgiving, I had my annual mammogram and ultrasound and was told they found something, which resulted in the need for another biopsy. Thankfully, the biopsy proved to be benign. But having two cancer scares and biopsies in two months was TOUGH.

The stress and the struggle has been exhausting. But God has been so incredibly faithful to sustain me and give me hope "even when there was no reason for hope" (Romans 4:18.)

And I have seen improvements --

• the pulmonologist was talking about needing steroids but thank God, I have not had to do that! I was prescribed a rescue inhaler that I use as needed but eliminating inflammatory foods from my diet and adding supplements that fight inflammation has been a huge game changer.

• I have been able to start walking again every day

• My nausea has started to become manageable for the first time in years

• I'm having less major episodes of flare ups

These may sound like small things but for me they are HUGE victories and I am incredibly grateful. I'll admit, in the day to day, I can get bogged down with all I am still dealing with but Ricky is always there to remind me of how far I've come and to cheer on my progress. I know I've said it before, but I cannot say enough how thankful I am to God for the blessing of my husband, my best friend, my help mate. I love you, Richard!

In addition to working with a functional nutritionist (Dr. B), I am pressing into a word I received a year ago. I believe God wants to heal me and I am praying and declaring for that every single day. Ricky and I have received confirmation of this word several times and we are believing for big things. We would be so grateful if you felt to come alongside us in praying and believing for this with us.

I know there are so many of us in battles right now and I just want to encourage you not to give up. Keep praying, keep believing. It may look hopeless and the world around you may be saying one thing but God is above it all and He is "able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20). Keep fighting for hope to fill your spirit!

"Yet I am confident I will see the Lord's goodness while I am here in the land of the living." Psalms 27:13

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31

"Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping." Romans 4:18

"When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer." Psalms 94:19

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Ephesians 3:20

"Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him." Psalms 62:5

"But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind." James 1:6

"The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does." Isaiah 8:11

"Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled." Romans 15:4

"Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me." Psalms 23:4

"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

All my love,