March Update

Hi family and friends,

Well, we have good news and not so good news. The good news is that Jermale got the job at Lamar University! Not only is this good because he enjoys working with college students and it will help get him connected to the local college culture, but it is also some extra cash flow that will help as we prepare for the baby and because Anissa’s job (which was our primary source of income since the church is part time) does not offer paid maternity leave. So this is a huge blessing! It is an answer to prayer and t really gives us a feeling of security as we count down the baby’s birth.

The not so good news is that Felicia’s (Jermale’s mother) health has taken a turn for the worst. As most of you know, she was diagnosed with (a progressive) stomach cancer in the summer of 2007. At that time she was given less than 6 months to live. But, with a lot of faith and prayer combined with her will to fight the cancer-it has now been almost two years and she is still here. The cancer went into full remission on two different occasions, but came back both times within a matter of months. This last time has been the worst and at this point the doctors have done all they can do. She was told to gather her family together and make plans. Jermale and I got a call from his sister on Saturday saying we needed to come home, so we left Texas at 3:30am the next morning and drove to Michigan. We plan to stay here for the week. Thankfully my job and Jermale’s job have been very supportive and understanding (Jermale had only been at Lamar one week, but his supervisor told him not to worry about anything and take as much time as he needed).

Although Felicia has lost a great deal of weight and is in constant pain, she is doing amazingly well mentally, emotionally and spiritually. This is such a blessing! She still talks about how much she feels God has blessed her and how thankful she is for the opportunities He has given her to bless and minister to others throughout this illness. She does not doubt that God can still manifest her healing in this life and that she could fully recover, but she also acknowledges that He may choose to take her home. She has peace and joy about either option and told us last night “either way I win”. To see this positive attitude and great faith is such an awesome example and helps us all have peace.

Jermale is helping to get paperwork together and prepare for final arrangements and we are both doing what we can to help around the house and just spending time with her. Our prayer request is that she might have relief from her pain and continue to experience complete peace. We want God’s mercy and timing for whatever will happen. We also are asking for prayers for the family most especially Jermale’s father. He is having a difficult time, but does not talk about it and it is hard to know how best to be there for him. It is really good that we are here, but we know we can’t stay long. It is very hard for Jermale to now live so far away and try to still support his family as much as possible. I also pray that I will be able to support Jermale through this time as he has a lot going on with the church, just started a new job and will soon be having a new baby. We know God does not put more on us than we can bear and we are trusting that He will bring us through. I am still feeling good with the pregnancy (6 months along) and I’m so glad to not be experiencing any complications. It is strange to prepare for a new life and a possible death at the same time, but God’s miraculous power can be seen in both events and we know He is in control.

Thanks in advance for the prayers!

Love,
The Eddies