A Day We Won’t Soon Forget

Words cannot express our gratitude for Shields of Hope West Michigan and the love and support they showed our family yesterday. I sure had a hard time keeping it together as the tears just flowed! Our family has been beyond blessed by the Zeeland community and those who chose to take time out of their day, give of their resources, and show their love in this way. I wished I could’ve given everyone a hug! I pray that in some way, God would encourage their hearts as they have encouraged ours.

It has been a hard journey, one that we never saw coming. We thought heart failure was enough. But God had a different idea and knew that for our good, leukemia was something that He would work mightily through as well. And if anything, He has shown us the power of community and how even in this broken world, with difficult circumstances, we NEVER walk alone. I just pray that in some way, God will use what he’s doing in our lives, to encourage someone in their own journey.

Shields of Hope West Michigan is an incredible organization and one I am so thankful we were introduced to. If you haven’t heard of them, please check them out! We hope that one day we can give back through them as well. Thank you SOH and our community for loving our family through the thick and thin.

Here’s a few pictures from the experience:

There were so many loving people from the community who came to support our little family! A group of people I will always remember.

A sweet woman was able to take a few pictures as they were on our way to our house:

Our street was lined with emergency vehicles…I just cried as I saw them all line up.

Trying to hold it together…I didn’t have a dry eye for very long the entire time they were there.

I was able to share just a bit of my story and I just pray that each person there, will see that God has them here for a reason and that they too, are on a journey, even though it may look different, but it’s for a purpose.

Gathering around in prayer.

So thankful for each and every one of these people:

Mazy was able to check out the inside of the fire trucks!

Santa even came for a visit!

I learned that one of the traditions is to sign the Shields of Hope car.

What a humbling experience, knowing my name is amongst many others who have also fought the same fight.

Thanks again to Shields of Hope for beyond blessing us this past Saturday. Like I said, words will never be able to express our gratitude!