News From a Dear Friend

Today I heard from my dear friend, Sonja.

We met in 2006 when she was looking for a place to live out east. She and her daughter had moved from Colorado to be closer to her fiancee who lived near Philadelphia. She was also a Christian. In fact, she was an answer to a prayer that I didn't even know I prayed. We roomed together for the year before I got married and in fact the four of us (adding my hubby in the mix) lived together for a couple of months after we got married until her wedding. Sonja became like an older sister to me. Us two Colorado girls had grand times out here on the east coast.

However, shortly after she got married, her hubby got transferred to Chicago and we were sad to part ways. A few months later, hubby and I bought the house we're remodeling in a city a few hours drive from Chicago. Well, a few weeks after that, she called to let me know that her hubby now got transferred to the same city where we bought the house! Does God work in awesome ways or what? Once again we would be able to have our "sister" times and raise our children together like we always wanted. We were super excited and anxious for hubby and I to move there full-time.

We took this picture the day before my wedding in October 2007. We were hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park and enjoying a fabulous day back in our home state.

This picture was taking in January 2008 at Sonja's wedding in Costa Rica. Her daughter, Jamie, and I were the bridesmaids. I was so happy to be there to witness Sonja marrying the man she had been waiting for for many years. She had Jamie at 19 from a prior marriage while she was in the Air Force and due to some personal reasons, ended up raising Jamie as a single mom for the next 14 years or so.

This past year Sonja and I lost touch for various reasons and a couple days ago, God laid it on both our hearts to contact the other. She sent me a text message, but I never received it because I don't have text messaging on my phone. I sent her an e-mail a couple days ago and when I didn't get a response, I figured I must have the wrong address.

Well, today as I was heating up my lunch, my cell rang and it was a number I didn't recognize. I answered it anyway (which I normally never do because I'm cheap and don't want to waste minutes!) and I'm sure glad I did because it was Sonja.

We settled things between us and then she broke the news. I thought she was going to say she was pregnant and I was going to be very happy for her but sad at the same time because we wanted to be pregnant together. At this point, I'd gladly take the news that she's pregnant because the news she shared with me is scary.

Sonja has Stage 4 CANCER.

Her chances are 3-5%.

It started in her breasts and metastasized to her lymph nodes and bones.

Barring a miracle from God, Sonja won't be on this earth much longer.

But, SHE BELIEVES IN MIRACLES and so do I.

Her outlook is so positive right now as she is going through radiation and chemo. Next week she is shaving her hair and starting to wear a wig. She is trusting in our Lord to heal her and use her healing as a witness of His strength and power. She'll never be able to carry children again, but she and her hubby were undergoing fertility treatment and they do have one embryo waiting to be carried by a surrogate once Sonja wins this battle.

She has so much to live for and yet at age 35 she's been given a death sentence from cancer. I definitely do not understand the ways of the Lord, but I know his ways are good. I know he can heal. I know he can work miracles. We need a miracle now.

If you feel so inclined, please be praying for Sonja. She's in a lot of pain right now since it's in her bones. Please be praying for her daughter, Jamie. She's a junior in high school. Please be praying for her husband of less than 2 years. Please be praying for her mom, who already lost her other child to cancer at age 19. Most of all, please be praying for a MIRACLE and that more people would come to know Christ as their Savior as a result of Sonja's cancer.

This photo is of Sonja and her husband and daughter. It too was taken in October 2007. We now know that they're pretty sure she had the cancer long before this photo was ever taken.

Oh, and remember, NOTHING is more important than friendship and love. Never go a day, let alone a whole year, without letting those who are important to you know you love them and care for them.