Cindi~ When I look at this picture, I see a gorgeous mother (Susanne) and daughter (Hannah)…..healthy, happy, beautiful. You would never suspect the trials they have had the past two and a half years. Hannah was only 6 years old when she started having bruising, a rash and extreme fatigue. A parent’s worst nightmare – Hannah was diagnosed with leukemia. In an instant, their whole world changed.
Now 8 years old, Hannah has been given over 20 spinal treatments, 10 different chemotherapies, and multiple blood transfusions. Susanne said Hannah endured all of this with a smile on her face, never complaining – what courage!! It’s amazing now to see how God has restored Hannah – you would never guess what she has been through.
Talking to Susanne was so uplifting and encouraging for me. I asked her about how she has dealt with everything. She said this experience has been life-changing and that in the beginning, they had to completely release Hannah to God. I can’t even fathom the anguish of that type of prayer, knowing that Hannah is a gift from God and that they may not have her much longer.
What a praise that God has been merciful and allowed the leukemia to go into remission. Treatments ended in April, but Hannah will be closely monitored for relapse. As life for their family returns to a semi-normal state, the possibility of the leukemia returning is always in the back of their mind. Please add this precious family to your prayer list! They have carepages to keep you updated, and the link is below. You will see from the journal the tremendous strength, courage and awesome testimony they have displayed throughout this journey. An excerpt is below as well.
Hebrews 6:18-19 "....We who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls."
“ We have learned such valuable, precious insights as a family, that we would not have learned without going through the darkness, all the uncertainty and not-knowing, with Hannah's cancer. The complete dependency on the Lord, when it was out of our hands....realizing all we do, is not for our agenda...but it's God's agenda for our lives.... learning to trust when we didn't understand or see what He was doing......placing our faith in an uncertain place, knowing God is and will always be at work in our lives for our good. And I could list so many other treasures learned in a hard place. But no matter what you're facing now or will face, know that the trial can change your life....allowing you to never be the same.....it's all in the heart response to it that matters!”
Absolutely precious!
ReplyDeleteIt makes our troubles seem small in comparison to sweet Hannah's trial. I must say however, that the courage she has so beautifully displayed is no surprise, knowing her mom as I do. She herself is one of the most amazing young women of God as is her own mother. Hannah comes from a bloodline of powerful women who just so happen to believe in speaking and standing on the Word of God. Hannah is a very blessed young lady!! ~Debi
ReplyDeleteHannah is a blessing! What a beautiful child with the glory of God bursting forth from her little life. It has been a tremendous encouragement to our family to watch the Johnson family stand together firm in Jesus Christ as they battled with Hannah these last few years.
ReplyDeleteThis sweet spunky little girl is going to change lives wherever she goes and with whatever she does. We love you Hannah!
To Darren & Susanne -- thank you for your transparency in the journey and for allowing us to lift you up in prayer. We are thankful to know your precious family.