Since it is almost then end of the first month of the New Year I figured it was high time I wrote an update as to what has been happening in Kevin and my life since July.
As I have blogged before Kevin and I were announced to join the Tempe church staff in May. Since that announcement I have grown spiritually, emotionally, and personally. I can honestly say that 2011 was one of the toughest years of my 24 year existence. This post is going to be personal and emotional, but I feel that it is important to share as it also is an illustration of God's grace and power.
Shortly after we were announced in May my family received the news that one of my closest aunts was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer. They had done surgery and removed as much as they could and started her on chemotherapy treatment. There was high hopes for her recovery. This is a woman that I grew up with almost every summer from 11 years old until 15. With my cousin, her eldest son, being my best friend growing up it was inevitable that I would spend a lot of time at their house and I loved it. Auntie Terri was a tough cookie and expected us to be as well. She was also an amazing musician that loved God. We got to see her in August for a week and reconnect after not seeing each other in a couple years. She looked good, yes weak from the chemo and the typical side effects, but she was also with us at all the family hangouts. Laughing and having a good time. Unfortunately in September she took a turn for the worse and was readmitted into the hospital. The cancer had spread and there were no further treatment options available that had any gauretee. So the decision was made to go home with hospice and enjoy her family. My mom had the opportunity to go to Massachusetts and help care for her, my cousins, and uncle. This was truly a blessing for my mom and my family. At the end of October she passed away. We can say with an assurance that she made Heaven her home as she rededicated her life to Christ around the beginning of her diagnosis. I had the opportunity to fly home to be at the memorial and was blessed that I could be a part of a celebration of a life lived. Yes she was young and yes she left behind a wonderful famiy and that is going to be something that I will struggle with. I will never have this answer this side of Heaven. I can thank God that she is pain free and now probably doing the things she loves. Singing, playing guitar, tennis, and running, all in the presence of our Savior. There will always be questions asking why and pleadings to have her back with us, but I have to trust that God has something in store for us all. I believing God that He will remind me of that on the days that I struggle with His plan and purpose... the whys of life.
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| The Estes Clan August 2011 |
