This is positively a significant event that took a lot of wind out of my sails for most of 2024!! Last January at a routine dermatologist appointment they found a lump (the size of a marble) under my skin over my left chest area, took a biopsy, and 4 days later I received a phone call, hearing those dreaded words: “It’s Malignant” (Cancer!!!) I felt the blood rush from my face and my legs got weak (I wish I could say I was FaithFilled, but fear set in with that initial shocking news). Fast forward 9 months later (today) and a handful of operations and procedures, and LOT’S AND LOT’S OF PRAYER ~ ALL Cancer (similar lumps) have been totally removed from my body. I AM CANCER FREE!!! I had chosen to keep this information private (until now) with just my wife and I and a couple of prayer partners, so as not to add any excessive worry for children that I teach (a lot of whom are very young) and also to be able to devote 100% of my time, energy and Prayers toward healing… BY JESUS’ STRIPES I AM HEALED! Coach Rick Andreassen, Founder and President, SAINTS Homeschool P.E. and SAINTS International Sports Ministry My biggest disappointment in life has been that I didn’t explore the joys of reading for pleasure earlier. Reading was always considered work for me in my school age years and then as a lawyer, I had to read every day at the office. So, my “outside the office” reading was relegated to news, sports, the Bible or Christian literature. The joy of reading for pleasure came later in life than it probably should, so now I am making up for lost time and making sure I read something for pleasure every day! Of course, falling asleep with a book in hand occurs occasionally too! Romney Rogers, Managing Partner, Rogers, Morris & Ziegler, LLP Disappointment is tough to dwell on when God has been so good to me. But if I had to point out something, I'd say that I've had a few very close relationships in my life that have fallen apart. In response, I've had to honestly assess and own where I've been wrong and (even more importantly) find peace in the Lord's goodness, mercy and sovereignty. Dr. Scott Manor, President, Professor of Historical Theology, Knox Theological Seminary The greatest disappointment that I have dealt with was very recently when we had to say goodbye to our dog of 12 years, Cooper. I have experienced quite a bit of death over the last year and experiencing this with our dog who is with us every single day through the good and the bad, was sad and disappointing. All of us will encounter death at some point in our lives and the pain that comes with it. Even Jesus wept when he saw the pain that death caused before He raised Lazarus back to life. The fact that we have to say goodbye to loved ones, especially dogs that have such a short life in the scheme of things, is disappointing, but the best way to deal with this is to take the time to mourn and continue to hold onto the hope that comes from Jesus. Jesus came to defeat death and provide a home for those who believe in Him in Heaven. As hard as things may seem on earth, one day we will not have to experience this again and this hope can carry us through any disappointment. Steve Daigle, Campus Pastor, Calvary Chapel Parkland My greatest disappointment was March 1993…my dad died suddenly after “routine” heart surgery was completed and he was in recovery. We were all in shock. He was only 73 years old. One of the biggest helps was that he was saved four days before the surgery. Knowing where he is really helped then and now each time I look back to that situation or remember small things about him. I know where he is!!! Steve Solomon, Area Director, CBMC South Florida I found a beautiful cabin in Hendersonville, N.C., where we had planned to visit on October 23rd. We were going to visit Asheville and drive the Blue Ridge Parkway. I had planned the trip for two months and was counting down the days. When Hurricane Helene came through, I was devastated to see that Hendersonville, and so many other beautiful, historic towns had been devastated. I was so disappointed and heartbroken by what had happened to Western NC. I started sharing FB pages of towns in Western NC and was praying with and for those who were crying for help. I wanted to raise awareness to the tragedy and trauma people were going through. We continue to pray for Western NC. Tewannah Aman, Executive Director, Broward Right to Life Disappointment may not be the best word. However, I would say the Vision that we at 4KIDS have not yet reached - A Home For Every Child, is what I pray that I get to see happen before the Lord takes me home. The key word there is, yet! Although 4KIDS has impacted over 80,000 children and families since the ministry started in 1997, we still have more work to do. I am thankful of what Paul reminds us in Philippians: “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:1214). So, I press on! Until Every Child Has A Home. Tom Lukasik, Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer, 4KIDS My greatest disappointment has been not being able to help every single person that has come knocking at the door at the Caring Place. I have dealt with it by asking God in prayer to help our teams and myself to do better in every aspect of our ministry to Love more, give more and to try to find a way to make sure we impact lives and live up to our vison of No One is Homeless. Antonio “Tony” Villasuso, President, The Caring Place Wants to Know… Oksana Horton O’Neal Dozier Patricia Colangelo Coach Rick Andreassen Romney C. Rogers Scott Manor Steve Daigle Steve Solomon Tewannah Aman Tom Lukasik Antonio “Tony” Villasuso
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjE2MjU=