“Come, and let us return to the Lord;
For He has torn, but He will heal us;
He has stricken, but He will bind us up.
After two days He will revive us;
on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His sight.
Let us know,
Let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord.
His going forth is established as the morning
He will come to us like the rain,
Like the latter and former rain to the earth.”
Hosea 6:1-3
I had a very different post written up last night. It was about how weary I am of sickness and death. And to an extent, that is still true. But, God’s mercy is new this morning and “is from everlasting to everlasting” (Ps. 103:17). These verses in Hosea have been precious to me. God KNOWS my hurts and what’s more is that He promises to heal them (Ps. 147:3-5). He knows how my heart hurts as my husband is slowly….slowly…fading away from me. He knows my hurts as I struggle to calm my husbands night terrors brought on by medication. He knows how my heart hurts when all I want to do is pour out my heart to my husband like I always do, but knowing that I can’t because he can’t handle it…and I know that because he broken-heartedly admitted it to me. He knows how my heart hurts when I’m lonely for fellowship with my True Love…but he’s so pumped full of pain meds that he can’t put two words together. He knows my hurting Mommy heart. He knows my hurts for others…and He knows their hurts too.
I can’t say it any better than this:
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Isaiah 53:3-4 “He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief….Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows…
Thank you for your diligent prayer for us. The medication that Josiah has going through his port seems to be working…but we are still trying to find the right dose. He has been struggling with nausea the last couple days. Vomiting is very hard on him. Please cover his body in prayer. The medication causes him to have times of fear and he has many hallucinations. Please cover his mind in prayer. He is never more clear thinking than when we are praying together. We have had such precious times in prayer together. In his lucid moments he still so desperately wants to take care of me and I can’t even explain how moving that is to me. He is constantly thanking me and telling me that he loves me. I am so incredibly blessed.
Please also be in prayer for baby Sam and his family. Also, for the Ulrich family (family friend), as Julie (mom of three young children) passed away yesterday from cancer. May the God of all comfort surround them today.
Beautiful Things 
Jessica and Josiah,
We continue to lift you up to our Heavenly Father every day – asking for mercy for you both as you endure this very long and exhausting time in your lives. We will continue to pray for your requests especially for you and Josiah’s times to share together. How incredibly hard for you both – the God of all comfort and peace surrounds you every moment. We also grieve for the Luke and the children, but actually greatly rejoice simply KNOWING Julie is at our Savior’s side in paradise – no more pain, no more torment of the unknown “when” is it going to happen …. you still walk this path and it sounds like you feel very alone BUT there is a cloud of witnesses before the throne to encourage you during every moment. God bless you mightily as you walk obedient to His call on your life! MaryK
Continuing to keep your entire family in prayer. Jess – may God provide you with the comfort & strength as you take care of Josiah. I know that you will continue to share with Josiah – even when he isn’t able to express back (because of the pain meds). PRAYING~
Please know…I continue to lift you up in prayer…when I have woken in the nights, I have sent prayers up…bless you…my heart aches for all of you.
Donna Hardin
Jess & Josiah,
What an incredable journey you are sharing with us! We see Christ through your example. You are truly allowing His Words to dwell in you richly and gaining wisdom-Col 3:16. We pray for His continuing grace & mercy in your lives. May God give you all comfort & strength and “songs in the night”. Love in Christ, Carol
Jess,
We are constantly praying for you, Josiah, Ava, Loncoln and your family. You are heavy on our hearts, and have been from the time Ava was born. Thank you for praying for our sweet Sam and for us. We are on our knees for you-literally-many times throughout every day. We will not tire of praying.
When I read Josiah’s entry tonight I wept. Not cried. Wept.
Josiah,
Please kiss our sweet baby for us when you meet him.
We love you.
I’m praying and will keep praying. Love you both.
I don’t know you or your family, but know of you through a friend. I pray daily for you and your family. Your trust in God is amazing and your story encourages me in my faith. You are so special to be thinking so much of others during this time. I was with you, praying for baby Sam. I just want to say thank you and God Bless.
Jessica, Josiah and family. Will surely continue to pray for each one of You, and it is a privilege to do so. Am always strengthened and feel the LORDS presence when I read youre blogs and pray for You all. Don N.
It is hard to write anything after reading that except that we ARE praying. We will cover Josiah as you have requested. Please know…we are continuing to pray….AND we love you all very much.