On the Journey With
Suzanna Hake...
I met Suzanna at the Hope4Cancer clinic and she along with several others, who were there at the same time, have stayed friends and have regularly encouraged each other along the way in our journey against this horrible disease. You will also recognize her name as one of the weekly contributors to this newsletter. She regularly provides her perspective on healthy habits with both diet and exercise in our nutritional nuggets section. She has graciously agreed to give us some insight into her own personal journey in this week’s feature story.
Cancer…
If you’ve ever heard that word in reference to yourself, you know the feelings: fear, frustration, anxiety, uncertainty, alongside a multitude of questions. In June 2022, I heard those words for myself. A skin biopsy on my face was confirmed as Basal Cell Carcinoma. I had a previous experience in 2019, but this new location was alarming. It was right next to my eye. A Mohs procedure was recommended, with an ocular surgeon doing the close. I’m not an overly vain person BUT the thought of someone slicing open my face was terrifying. So, I set up an appt to meet with the surgeon to get my questions answered.
After a very disappointing visit with my doc, God stepped in.
We were already moving toward more holistic approaches in many areas of our lives. And my uneasiness with the surgeon and the surgical option led me to explore alternatives. I went to school on cancer. What is the root cause? Why is my body reacting this way? I reached out to everyone I knew that might be more informed on the subject. I’m not going to lie; it was a roller coaster of emotions. I read, researched, interviewed practitioners, joined tons of FB groups, and even tried some different treatments on my own. Even though the ‘at home’ treatments were inconclusive, I grew in my conviction that surgery was not the answer. It was just a band aid, and it only added to the uncertainty of my future. This is when I was referred to the clinic Hope4Cancer.
After the initial phone call with their staff, I was blown away by their philosophy and level of care. I then read Dr. Jimenez’s book Hope for Cancer. It literally changed my life, and it’s a must-read for anyone dealing with cancer. After much prayer I made the decision. I headed to Mexico.
I am beyond grateful that my husband was so supportive, not just because of the financial investment, but because he would be on his own for 3 weeks. Besides the treatment, I was genuinely grateful for what I learned. I told someone recently that if this spot had been anywhere else on my body, I would’ve had the surgery and been done with it. But I believe God has a bigger plan for me. Facing this challenge with faith and a teachable spirit, I will be able to help others even as I embrace my own healing.
These words out of Psalm 145, have been such an encouragement to me. They are my hope! “The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
Soul Care with
Pastor Jenn
To Pastor (verb): to shepherd, advise, and guide into a place of deeper spiritual understanding
Patience is a virtue…or so they say. I, for one, have a lot of patience in some areas and not so much in others. One place where I seem to lack patience is with my own spiritual growth. I find myself in Paul’s place wondering when I will finally get it right.
He said in Romans 7:19, “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.”
It gives me some comfort knowing that even Paul got frustrated with his own spiritual maturity. But more than that, it brings me comfort to know that I am not alone in my efforts. I’m not the only one working on me. And thank goodness for that or change might never come!
Philippians 1:6 says “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
It is God who started the good work and it is God who will complete it. He’s not quitting. I’m not on track to being His first failure. God is faithful. Period. Full stop. He will complete the work. Take some time this week and let that sink in. He will finish what He started in me AND in you.
Caregivers Corner with
Lori Smith
To Support (noun): to provide assistance that enables one to function or act.
We often talk about change as a good thing. We want to see change for the better in our world. We want our kids to do better than we did, so they can change their generation for Jesus. And change feels really good when we choose it.
But, what about when we don’t?
What happens when the change is forced on us because our person is unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer, and now absolutely everything we know about our life is changed, virtually overnight Humans are known for being adaptive, but give me a break, are we really as adaptive as we want to believe? We like our lives to be predictable, comfortable, fun, easy – we like to choose what happens to us.
God takes the time in His Word to remind us that He does not change because He knows something that we all too often forget. Life happens, and things change without our consent.
For I am the Lord, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob. Malachi 3:6 (NKJV)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV)
God knows that when our circumstances change unexpectedly, we tend to lose all our footing and feel like we are faltering and the world is caving in – I certainly did. I felt like the rug was completely pulled out from under me more than once on our cancer journey. It’s such a kindness that the Lord promises us through His Word that though our lives change in ways we did not ask for or want, He can be trusted to never change. And here’s the great thing about that fact. It allows us the time we need to adjust to the changes we didn’t want. It’s like God is saying, “Take all the time you need. I’ll be right here waiting for you.”
Worship Moment with
Joel Salabarria
To Inspire (verb): to fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
Song: So Will I (100 Billion X) (Spotify, YouTube and Apple Music)
Band: Cross Worship, Osby Berry
From: Pages of Life * 1998
This song came back to me and hit me hard! I have been reflecting on how all the things created in this world are designed to point to the beauty and wonders of God. However, we HUMANS must CHOOSE to do so with our lives. Because we can be selfish by nature, it becomes a real moment of volitional sacrifice where we lock in and fall in place, bringing honor and glory to our Lord and our King! So WILL I!!
God of creation
There at the start
Before the beginning of time
With no point of reference
You spoke to the dark
And fleshed out the wonder of light
And as You speak
A hundred billion galaxies are born
In the vapor of Your breath the planets form
If the stars were made to worship so will I
I can see Your heart in everything You’ve made
Every burning star
A signal fire of grace
If creation sings Your praises so will I
God of Your promise
You don’t speak in vain
No syllable empty or void
For once You have spoken
All nature and science
Follow the sound of Your voice
And as You speak
A hundred billion creatures catch Your breath
Evolving in pursuit of what You said
If it all reveals Your nature so will I
I can see Your heart in everything You say
Every painted sky
A canvas of Your grace
If creation still obeys You so will I
So will I
So will I
Poetic Encouragement with
Julie Clarke
To Encourage (noun): to give support and hope to someone so that they will do or continue to do something.
Capturing Kenya
On a wet and rutted, muddy road
Bumping along as you travel home
You’re surrendered to the rolling paces
Still hiding the tired on your faces
But with excitement you arrive
To this new place where hope’s alive
Built by grace and peace
A place where hearts can find release
Hidden among your neighbors and friends
You find a land where love defends
All of the parched dry places
With lines of life in barren spaces
Hidden among acacia trees
You find beautiful barbs of legacy
built here, without knowing
Which time revealed, and God is showing
Here what does your love look like?
Help me see you on this hike
What do I hear when you call?
Your prayers are like music sung for all
Such beautiful details danced to life
Colors of courage, hunger and strife
You let us see your tears
You revealed your deepest fears
And you experienced bravery
With strong and courageous expectancy
And received a new perspective of the pain
And learned how to appreciate the rain
So let’s make new tracks on this dirt road
When water runs the ruts and flows
Into the hard dry ground
Because here is where your precious life is found.
Nutrition Nuggets with
Suzanna Hake
To Nourish (verb): the act or process of being nourished.
Diet and exercise walk together. And the good news is that you don’t have to become a gym-rat in order to nail down the exercise bit. Sometimes it is about the simplest things – like stretching! Stretching keeps the muscles flexible, strong, & healthy, and we need that flexibility to maintain a range of motion in the joints. Without it, the muscles shorten and become tight. Then, when you call on the muscles for activity, they are weak and unable to extend all the way. Stretching offers numerous health & fitness benefits:
- Relaxation. It’s an excellent way to cool down & relax after an invigorating workout. Research has shown it can lower blood pressure & improve artery function. Natural stress relief.
- Increase flexibility. Regular stretching will help keep you flexible & more likely to be injury-free.
- Improve circulation. Stretching increases the blood flow to the muscles, which not only helps to nourish the muscles, but also helps to eliminate waste byproducts from muscle tissue.
- Eliminate pain. Many of us experience muscle tightness in our quadriceps, hamstrings, and hip flexors. This often results in lower back pain. https://youtu.be/_G2-QKpuvOw
Piet's Ponderings
To Ponder (verb): to think about something carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion.
Monday through Friday I send out a text message (pocket prayer) to a group of friends, I hope they are an encouragement – but first they are for my own processing before the Lord. As I was prepping for my last series of tests at Mayo, this is what came to me.
“We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4)
It strikes me a bit odd that hope is what we find at the end of our suffering. I would expect the word ‘strength’, because when we endure suffering, we find strength. But hope? Sometimes it feels as if hope is what is most at risk in the midst of suffering. But perhaps the hope comes from having made it through – even if it’s not in the way we expected. Through the hardship we experience glimpses of his love and care, and we are reminded that we are never really alone… and never will be!
Pocket Prayer: “In the midst of the struggle may I see enough of your provision so that I don’t lose hope!”
Prayer of the Week
Christianity.com
To Pray (verb): Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer ad petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God )Philippians 4:6)
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Prince of Peace. I lift up my friends and care givers to you, asking for your peace to fill their heart and mind. Ease their pain and grant them tranquility in the midst of illness. Let your love surround them and bring a sense of calm. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.
Interested in supporting this new initative?
The Van Waarde Foundation underwrites and supports a variety of projects and team members committed to supporting, educating, and encouraging fellow cancer warriors and their families. As we look to the future, we are excited about creating a variety of new resources that will provide pastoral support to those battling cancer. This initiative will include this newsletter AND a host of other resources including a new podcast providing helpful information on health and fitness, fresh pocket prayers delivered daily to fellow cancer warriors, a new page on the website “heal” Heal – Piet Van Waarde with weekly reflections on navigating the “dailyness” of the journey, plus a soon-coming book Keep on Healing that will address the top 50 questions people face when confronted by a cancer diagnosis. We want to make these resources available at little/no cost to those who need them, and your support through the Foundation (https://www.patreon.com/pietvanwaarde) makes that possible.
Thank you in advance for your prayerful consideration.
