Opportunity to listen to Greg share his story

Hey everyone!

This weekend, Greg had the opportunity to share his medical story and
how it has affected his faith in God at our church during the Saturday
night and Sunday morning services. Despite being really sick with a
cold (this is his first time getting a "regular" sickness since his
transplant and it's strange to see how much worse something like a
cold is to someone on immunosuppressants), he was able to go ahead
with his messages. We are thankful for everyone who prayed for him to
have a strong voice and to be able to get through both services
without any coughing fits up front!

To be honest, I was dreading him speaking a bit. Not because I didn't
want him to, but because it is always scary to be vulnerable and to be
known. It feels safer sometimes to be anonymous - I like going places
where people don't know my struggles with depression and anxiety, and
don't wonder how I'm working through my doubts and fears. And the
idea of our story being out in the open to even more people scared me.

But, I know that God gave us this story for a purpose and that it
would be selfish to hide behind anonymity when He might be able to use
something from our story for His glory. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians
12:8-10, "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is
made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly
about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is
why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in
hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then
I am strong". I can only guess what Paul was asking God to take away
from him, but I've certainly pleaded for Him to take all of this away
from us many times - and He keeps pointing me back to these verses and
reminding me to bring my weaknesses out into the open so that others
can see His strength.

All that being said, here is the link for Greg's message. It has some
descriptions of medical procedures that might be too graphic for
little ears, so please use discretion. I hope that you see God
shining through our weaknesses and our story.

http://www.barcroft.org/sermon-podcast (message title Adventures and
Wanderings)

Love,
Elise

Another Good Biopsy!

Hi everyone!

I haven't posted lately because Greg has been doing very well since the rejection scare around Christmas!  He had another biopsy last week to check for rejection and it came back as a 1.  This is great news because his immune system hasn't been completely wiped out, and it's not attacking his heart - so there is a good balance.  The doctors have increased some of his medications however, to increase the protection that he does have (if it was a 0 they wouldn't have increased anything). 

He also found out that he does not need to wear the mask as often anymore.  He still needs to in certain especially dangerous situations but he's very thankful to have it off in the student union when talking to students! 

Thank you for praying that his heart would continue to be protected from rejection.  We are very grateful to have a team of people who are committed to praying for us!

Love,
Elise