Mikayla

I was blessed with an incredible youth group experience throughout my high school years. We had a tight knit group, never lacked for good clean fun, and had a group of youth leaders that proved to be the most ideal role models any of us could ask for. Many of us remain close friends still today... many of you read this blog... and I think I can pretty much guarantee that all of us attribute the awesomeness of those years, #1 to our Heavenly Father Who was blessing us, but then to the Rietgrafs who He provided as Youth Pastor, and Wife. Marty and Deanna made us all feel loved, and we loved them. A couple years after I graduated, Marty accepted a Senior Pastor position at a church in Iowa. We all were so sad to see him go... yet so proud to know that he was following God's leading for the next steps in his and the family's life.

Marty and Deanna have four amazing kids. During the years that they led our youth group, I babysat often and am proud to remind their oldest 3 boys that I changed their diapers and wiped many boogers from their noses - often! After their move to Iowa, we were all crazy excited to hear of the birth of their 4th child... a baby girl... Mikayla.

Over the years and despite the distance, I have maintained my relationship with the entire family. A few visits, pre-marital counseling, and Marty even agreed to marry Eric and I despite the fact that I hardly knew the guy!! And Deanna was my most favorite baby shower gift as she showed up quite unexpectadly at one of my showers last March. This past August... we were so thankful to have the opportunity to introduce the whole family to Ella, when they passed through the Chicago area. Mikayla especially was excited to hold her, and although Ella was quickly moving into the "squirmy" phase of life... We did manage to grab a photo op of the two of them when she passed out. (see above)

The beautiful girl you see in the photo above, is the source of my "unspoken" that you read below. A month or two ago, Mikayla began experiencing some pain in her leg and hip... it was the beginning of a nightmare for a family that I absolutely adore. Just last week, Mikayla was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma. They found a large tumor on her pelvis... and it is cancer. It is inoperable... and some has spread to her lungs.

Chemo is the only treatment at this point... it will probably begin tomorrow. I know for myself, the questions come fast and furious as I ask the Lord why on earth a family who has done nothing but serve and share Him with all those around them, must go through such a horrifying experience. Why this little girl... why - any little girl. Why such terrible illnessess... to such precious children. And then I remember a little boy - who spent his entire 13 months fighting illness after illness... and for what? "I don't make this stuff happen", God reminds me... "and while I do allow it... I am closer than you can even begin to imagine - and nothing at all... is out of my control".

I want more than anything to be able to do something for them right now... but the reality is, only God has any control at all over this situation. All I can do, is pray... beg... plead with God to comfort them all in this situation... and to perform the miracle that we know He is fully capable of. It seems like such a little thing - but I was reminded at the Women's Retreat this past weekend, that prayer is nothing to take lightly. It's real... and it's powerful. And that's why I'm asking you all to join me. Their church is thankfully taking good care of many needs that they have right now... but you can never have too many prayers. If you know them, would like to send a card or something, but maybe have misplaced their address, email me and I will give it to you.

Your faithful prayers for Marty, Deanna, Andrew, Peter, Joshua & Mikayla - will be so greatly appreciated. We know that as big as this is... our God is far bigger.