Charlotte's Journey

 I’ve struggled posting this update: For those who have been praying for Elijah, he passed away early Christmas Eve morning, after fighting the bravest fight for 5 years. His cancer progressed with vengeance. He was taken off the trial and brought home, where he could be at peace surrounded by all his siblings and his parents until God called him home. His mother Samantha’s faith has inspired me over the years. To do what was asked of this family is unthinkable and yet she still has the most gracious faith. I will forever be changed by witnessing Elijah’s journey through his mother’s narrative. I know Elijah got to be with Jesus for Christmas and I pray that God helps guide us in our mission to help families just like Elijah’s in whatever way we are able. Thank you for lifting this family in prayer

 Charlotte’s scans are CLEAR, marking the farthest out from therapy she has been without reoccurrence. I didn’t want to put this out into the universe in words, but her scans today were at the identical interval that we found out she had suffered a relapse. Not today cancer. Not today. And not our baby girl❤️🌈Thanks for your loving prayers everyone—we felt every single one. Thank you GOD for this day and now we can focus on the JOY of Christmastime. #charlottestrong

I hesitated picking up the phone this morning, but something told me to. Although Charlotte’s been having scans during every December for the past 5 years, this December interval remains the hardest one for us. Partly because we are trying to remain in the Christmas spirit while also balancing an enormous amount of anxiety. Those 2 are like oil to water. How can one exist inside the other? So we try to do some of the things we do best—we keep SUPER busy, we pray, we put our brave and calm faces on for our children, and we let God in. So I listened and I picked up the phone. It was our pastor calling to pray for Charlotte’s scans this week and for our family. I want to run and hide sometimes, but then how can I let God work in my life and help us fight for Charlotte by doing that? And so the birth of something very special that Brian and I have had on our hearts for a very long time has happened. We have started a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Be The Rainbow Foundation, to help support other fam