-The Invisible Realities-

Nome is gray today.
The gray seeps through your skin to your very core. On days like this, there is no clear delineation between the sea and the sky; one gray melds into the other and you can't tell where the change from water to air occurs. The gray in Nome is a bright gray that almost makes you want to squint. It's more oppressive that the dark days we have in Ohio and you find yourself wishing it would just STORM already and quit brooding! But Nome hasn't seen a thunderstorm in at least a generation. (Something about the atmospheric conditions in this part of the world...?)

Thanks to those of you who are praying for my dear Carlee. I thought I'd write a little about what's going on for anyone who hasn't heard from other sources. What a blessing to know that there are people from all over the world bringing her before the throne; THANK YOU! Today we hope to hear from the doctors about the specific type of caner she has, and whether or not there is cancer in her other breast. As it is, we are definitely looking at a mastectomy, and we may be looking at a double mastectomy. They did some tests on the baby, and decided to give him two weeks more to grow inside of Carlee. They'll induce her in Anchorage then, and most likely begin aggressively treating her cancer the same day. It breaks Carlee's heart that she won't be able to bond and hold and nurse this little one like she has the others. I think that may be one of the hardest parts for her so far.
We're praying that God would also give wisdom, because Nome does not have the ability to deal with radiation/chemo patients so either Carlee will have to fly out to Anchorage for each treatment, or the entire family may need to relocate for a season. So many questions... so many unknowns!
Yesterday the church body here had an amazing prayer service. Not just for Carlee; for the many needs in the church. It was amazing, and so blessed to lift our hearts to God's throne in one accord. There is great comfort in being with a group of brothers and sisters who are crying out to God fervently, with power. God was in our midst and I think the entire church left feeling encouraged, filled with faith, and with a renewed desire for God to be glorified in and through each situation. I believe God is going to be AMAZINGLY glorified through Carlee's cancer! The believers in Nome have been praying for this city for so long, and since so many people in this city know and love Carlee and Nate, it seems like her cancer has sent a shock wave right down Front Street. The world will sit up and take notice, and they will see that this is our God: one who acts for those who wait on Him!!!

"Since ancient times no one has heard,
no ear has perceived,
no eye has seen any God besides you,
who acts on behalf of those
who wait for him."
Isaiah 64:4