So God We Trust In You

This is a letter that was sent out to our friends and family concerning my brother Russ.

I wanted to give you all an update on Russ. Some of you may not be aware, but he had surgery on his thyroid yesterday (Monday). He had a biopsy done on his thyroid and a nodule on his thyroid a couple of weeks ago and the doctor said there were suspicious cells and that at least half of his thyroid would have to be removed. The doctor also said that while he was under he would do a better biopsy to find out more information. Well - yesterday the biopsy showed that he had malignant cancer and he'd have to remove the entire thyroid. At this point, it appears as though he was able to remove the cancerous part but Russ will have to go through radiation therapy in 4-6 weeks (which falls right about during Mini Session/Session 1). From now on, he will have to always take thyroid "replacement" medication.

I am so astounded by the goodness of the Lord. A few weeks ago, before we were aware he had this problem, Russ was rushed to the hospital with what was believed to be meningitis. As it turns out, he did not have meningitis, but as a result of all the tests he went through at that time, the doctors found the nodule on his thyroid. Had he not gone into the hospital thinking he had meningitis, the doctor let us know yesterday that by the time Russ had symptoms of this cancer, it would have spread and would not be as easy to remove.

He's not exactly out of the woods yet. Because it was malignant, there's always gonna be a chance it could reappear somewhere in his body - therefore, he'll have to get regular bloodwork/tests done to see if there's any evidence of cancer. This morning tests show that his calcium levels are pretty low and they are working on regulating that.
Please keep Russ in your prayers. More important than anything is that God is exalted and honored and this is Russ's prayer. Notes/emails of encouragement to him and my parents would be cool.

This was written by my sister, but is what our whole family is feeling right now. Over the last 6 months, we have had several people who have been close to our family pass away or have been diagnosed with cancer. We don't understand the ways of our God, but we do know that "He who promised is FAITHFUL."

In times like these, all we can do is get on our knees and praise the Lord for His goodness.

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform:
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill,
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour:
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own Interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

So God, we trust in You!
O God we trust in You.
When tears are great
and comforts few
we hope in mercies ever new
we trust in you!

From Worship God Live
Words by William Cowper
Additional words and music by Bob Kauflin