Well…I don’t have much of anything new to report. We are still just plugging along. Josiah is still getting fluids and antibiotics. He was supposed to get platelets (and probably still will), but his fever came back in the last couple hours…bummer. But we have been on a walk today and got some fresh air and we have been cuddling too 🙂 Josiah is thinking clearly, just tired and in pain a lot of the time. They are still working on getting the right medications to help with his pain. We both have times when we get down, but our Heavenly Father gently lifts us back up again. I am feeling very torn between being with my husband and being with my kids, but I am trusting that God will continue to show me where I need to be. We are all in good hands. Thank you for your words of encouragement, they help so much.
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Beautiful Things 
Hi, words cannot say how sorry I am that you are sick. You and your family have been through so much. It reminds me of Job who lost absolutely everything he had, kids and all. His wife told him to curse God and die! I know your wife did not tell you that, but the point is Job did not do it he continued to honor God and he was restored many times over. God may or may not restore in this case, but I know one thing that our Sovereign God has a plan and this is part of it, so just keep clinging to Him and whatever happens He is your Rock and Shelter!
Praying for you always
Matt Dudley
Continuing to pray for you.
Hi Jess and Josiah,
I am praying for you daily. A song by one of our favorite Christian children’s artists down here in Australia goes through my head every time I check into your blog. The artist’s name is Colin Buchanan. We used some of his music when we were on prefield and did VBS’s at Saylorville. On a funny note, I always sing it to our little Caroline when I am combing or brushing her long blond hair. It helps her not to cry when I get to the tangles. It is a beautiful song and I wish you could hear it performed. But here are the lyrics…remember, Be strong and courageous! Blessings, Cathy
Be strong and courageous
Lord of the Ages
Holds all His little ones,
Safe by His side
Be strong and courageous
Lord of the Ages
Holds all His little ones safe
Do not fear the fire,
Do not fear the water,
Do not fear the thunder,
Jesus has conquered them all.
Do not fear the darkness
Do not fear the sadness
Do not fear the sickness
Jesus has conquered them all
Do not fear the enemy
Do not fear the poverty
Do not fear eternity
Jesus has conquered them all
Jesus has conquered them all
Hi Josiah and family, I knew you when you were just a baby back in the CCF days. My daughter Amber is your age, I believe. Mona told us about the trials you are facing and I have definitely added you to my prayer list. I am sorry that you are facing such a tough situation. I pray that God will be your Strength and Hope each and every day. Love and prayers from Marie and Dale Howard in Rock Island
Dear Jessie and Josiah
Jessie thank you so much for taking the time to keep us posted. We love you four and we know that our Heavenly Father loves you more than we can imagine.
Romans 11:33-36 has always helped me focus on what is true. We will continue to pray for Josiah’s healing and the Lord to be glorified.
Don and Mary
Jessica and Josiah,
We are praying for you daily. Our hearts are heavy to ponder all you are enduring, but we greatly rejoice in how you continue to always honor God in your deepest heart’s response to these deep valleys.
“Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.”
The Kambergers
I am so sorry that you are back in the hospital. I continue to pray for your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual strength. Jessica-I know you are torn, but the Lord will show you what you need to do when you need to do it. You are so fortunate to have family sooo close to help you all through this. You are on our hearts and minds and in our prayers.
Keep holding strong Josiah. As a fellow cancer patient I can assure you that this is a marathon and not a sprint. There will be many times that satan will come to tempt you and pull your focus off the prize of being well but even greater the prize of the testimony of His sovereign will in our lives. Keep pressing forward, not ever treatment goes the same. About the time I figure out how I’ll feel each time my body changes and I do better than I thought. (My cancer is metastatic and I have been on chemo after half of the last 3.5 years) And if they say transfusion, don’t let those words scare you. They are very charged words but they come with a bang and that’s after the transfusion. You will feel a surge of energy like you have never experienced. I have gone from completely collapsed on the bed to headed out of the hospital next day just by a transfusion. So don’t be scared away by the scary stuff. Pray God’s protection during the time they are choosing your bags and then it is all in God’s control. Although we have never met my heart stretches out to you with a deep well of prayers from a cancer stricken body over your cancer journey. God is good all the time and in time we will see that God is good all the time. In Christ’s Love – Julie
Jessica, You need to take care of you too. You are no good to anyone if you don’t rest regularly. I see it in my husbands eyes as he worries about me and it is worst when he doesn’t rest. So REST. Kids are resilient and with Grandma’s and Grandpa’s and friends and strangers all praying and wanting to help, just reach out and ask for help or if someone asks you can plant a vegetable garden that I will maintain for you, wow that may not have been the type of help you were looking for but perhaps it’s the help the Lord has laid on their heart. I saw these silly words of action as a testimony in our cancer journey. After I was diagnosed with metastatic cancer I went through a period of about 6 or 7 months where I did very little for anyone else as I could just barely shower and dress and eat and excercise and then go back to bed. But an acquaintance felt burdened to paint a room in my house. We had wanted to paint the master bedroom Luke and I as a couple but that was not going to happen. So we accepted this strange gift and have been so blessed by it. Before the paint job the room was the room that Mom had been sick (very, very, very sick) now this is Mom and Dad’s sanctuary and the memory of how sick I was in that room is diminished greatly. I’m not saying go out and paint your rooms but to be aware of strange things someone may want to provide for you and humble yourself and receive it but it is all in the Lord’s direction and you will be so blessed for receiving it. I am praying for you and Josiah incessantly while I’m at chemo and physical therapy and acupuncture and picking up my kids. You also get tacked onto prayers for myself and other cancer patients I have met. I am doing my best to keep you at the forefront of my mind in order to lift up you name regularly to the throne room of God. – In Christ’s Love – Julie
Howdy Josiah & Jess. sorry to have heard that you went back into the hospital, but that is where you can get the most help and get what your body is in need of.You are always on our mind and prayers and ask the Lord to strengthen your body and calm your minds. It is not always easy to turn the mind off but thank God you always know you can turn your mind towards the things of God and his word.Let his word give you rest. Love you guys Uncle Dave & Aunt Debi
The LORD’S loving kindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is His faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
Love you guys! Want to share a verse that has blesesed me many times – slightly paraphrazed from my version.
The Eternal God is your refuge – and His Everlasting Arms are underneath you. (Deut. 33:27a) May He hold you close to His heart. Tabitha
So happy that you’re able to spend this time cuddling! 🙂 We’re continuously praying for you both! Especially at this time that you will be delivered from the pain. Jude wants to tell you that he picked some pretty flowers (dandelions) 🙂 for you to help you feel better! We love you all!!! You are constantly in our thoughts! Hugs! Sarah, Nate, Jude & Celia
I hope that you are feeling better Josiah! We prayed for you tonight in church and I know that MANY are praying for you individually as well. I am praying that your pain is minimal and that these chemo treatments do their job without too many side effects. Jessica, I am praying for you and the kids as well. Know that the Mauseth family loves you and is praying!!!!!
1 Pet 1:1-9 We love you!!! Sarah & Nate
When reading this scripture I thought of you all.
THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU;
THE LORD MAKE HIS FACE SHINE UPON YOU,
AND BE GRACIOUS TO YOU
AND LIFT UP HIS COUNTENANCE UPON YOU,
AND GIVE YOU PEACE.”
you faith and strengh help us to have more. it was good to see you yesterday. may the lord bless you richly this day. We love you lots,and are praying to our great God who is able to do all things.
Grandma and Grandpa Stephenson