Reminded of the healing - Acts 3!

John with his healed dog, and just when he started to show signs of his cancer growing back after I noticed large lapses in memory.  We went back to Mayo to hear that the cancer had roared back through the chemo and he would have to face whole brain radiation!  Something we said we would not do, due to the possibility of dementia setting in at an early age.  Why am I going here after 4 1/2 years later?  Due to the first reading from Acts today as well as going with John shortly as he gives a talk North of the Cities in Lindstrom, MN!

My parents came rushing to Marshall with a relic of Venerable Solanus Casey - hoping and praying for a miraculous healing so that we would not have to go to the point of whole brain radiation.  My mother made the comment that he would have to be totally healed and running up and down the aisles "walking and jumping and praising God" - "healed from his ataxia and all signs of his brain cancer for this to be recognized as a true miracle."  So when I read the first reading with Pat and John this morning - it was that exact reading with the cripple lying at the Beautiful gate and St Peter and John unable to give him money said - "I have neither gold or silver, but what I have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk."  Acts 3:1-10

I found this version of the song I learned to sing in Charasmatic prayer groups with my parents!  I sang it to John this morning and he had never heard it?!?
One thing I would like to share about the prayer over John at the 8a mass in November 2009 with the relic of Venerable Solanus Casey, which my parents rushed to us as well as anointing.  No, John wasn't miraculously healed and that next week he did start his 6 weeks of whole brain radiation surrounded by a week of prayer starting on Dec 1st... yet, we consider the entirety of the Saints and Sacraments, and PRAYER, and family and the rosary, and daily morning and evening prayer, and the relics of soon to be St John Paul II as well as the relic of Venerable Solanus Casey... All of this allowed us to find peace and to Trust in Jesus in the midst of this horrific storm - brain cancer in our 20 year old son, John!  One powerful experience that happened on this Sunday morning at a mass filling the Church in Marshall at the 8a mass...  A lady shared with me a few years later that she had been suffering for a few months with a stomach ailment, and she prayed for herself that morning and was healed! 

John with his grandparents that morning...  A huge part of our journey to where John finds himself today.  Today he is struggling to find where the Lord wants him, and only knows that he burns to share his story with all those he comes in contact with - much like the disciples after their encounter with Christ!  His heartfelt prayer before each time he speaks is that others may find their answer to Faith in what he shares with them.  "May Jesus use me to help others find The Truth."

Knowing that we are in the hands of Jesus, and trusting in HIM!  So we continue on to this very day, and we are filled with great excitement as we are going to once again proclaim how John prayed for Faith and God allowed brain cancer to enter him and gave him the reason to turn to Jesus and His Bride, The Church, to find healing! http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/johns-cancer-stories.html

All but Hallel gathered around John in Rochester.
The Gospel today is marvelous also - the road to Emmaus from St Luke!  Such a powerful and beautiful story of coming to "burning hearts" as we recognize Christ in his Word, but truly receiving Him and being fed by Him in The breaking of the Bread/The Eucharist!
Lord, how we need to be reminded over and over that You are in control and that You used all to heal John and answer his half-hearted prayer for Faith!  Go with us today as we share with family and new friends and those that are just there out of obligation... the Truth that can set them free to find true JOY and LOVE in their lives - You, O Lord, with your Bride, The Church, at your side!  There is so much there to allow us to enter Easter LIGHT/LOVE/LIFE and carry it forth into our lives.  Use us, and may we not count the cost.  Jesus, we trust in YOU.  Amen and Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!!! 

The Cross called cancer/healing/now where do you want me Lord?
Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
Please join me in continuing to pray for the protection of John's brain... this last time at Mayo there was no sign of cancer, but there were changes they were starting to see.  They admitted that they are starting to recognize some changes because people are surviving.  So we are called to prayer to keep John's brain healthy and sharp.  Jesus, we ask this in your name - "In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, be healed and strong, rise and walk into the LIFE Jesus has laid out before you, John!"  Amen and Hallelujah!

The miracles of Patrick and John taught many the power of PRAYER!  Jesus, you are in control in the midst of the storm.  Jesus, we trust in YOU. 

Casting Crowns - Praise You in the Storm

Coming home from the ER on Father's Day 2009 with the horrifying news that John had something in the center of his brain.  We called to tell Susan/Hallel in France - "Mom, do you remember the Gospel for today?"  "Yes, it was Jesus calming the storm."  "Well, this is the storm and Jesus is in control."  "Praise HIM - Jesus, I trust in YOU."