Meet Stephanie

Well, It isn't me...it is another Stephanie (a.k.a. Mama Web). Stephanie and I met through our friend Amy Houdek. Amy would talk of "Mama Web" all the time when I worked with her at Sports Travel. When Jeffrey decided to put money down on new home (while we were dating), Mama Web and her hubby were building a house on the other side of the road. I actually met Mama Web at a shower a few years later for Amy. Mama Web had twins (a boy and a girl) 3 months older than Will. I ran into Mama Web a few more times at the grocery store, soccer fields, etc. and we always exchanged "we should get together" but neither one of us ever did. Two summers ago, Mama Web called me to ask me about our church (Irving Bible Church). We had a wonderful conversation...you know...the kind that you laugh and cry and pray all in the same conversation. We finally got together and our kids had a blast. That summer we started a bible study called "Believing God" by Beth Moore. Little did we know how much we needed that study and what God would do through that time. Our group was so fun. It was husbands and wives studying together. We've been in several small groups since we've been married but none had as quick of a bonding as this group. We just all gelled. That September, I got a call that Mama Web was in the hospital. She had been throwing up and had a major headache so her husband, Dave, took her to the hospital. They did testing and found that she had a tumor in her brain the size of a golf ball. What? Yes, she had a brain tumor. So, I dropped off my kids at a drop off day care place and ran up to the hospital. Jeffrey followed. We all joined hands and prayed for their family as they had many decisions ahead. Mama Web was devastated, right? Absolutely not! Her faith did not waiver and she had a blanket of peace like I had never seen before. The peace that surrounded that situation was unreal! Sure...it wasn't her choice but she was along for the ride...anxious to see what the God had in store for her life. Surgery followed 2 days later and two weeks after that started the treatment. Our family moved to Highland Village but we've remained close friends...but from 25 minutes away. At the end of January, the doctors found another "flare" in her brain. They had her stop her treatments for a while and let her body rest. We have been and are continuing to pray for complete healing. Here is an excerpt from her e-mail from the scan yesterday:

I had anticipated and perhaps jumped the gun on God's timing...I was expectant and hopeful for a clear MRI scan yesterday. As we read the results, we saw a new flare/area that has taken me by surprise. Although and once again, I didn't write this part of my story, I must rest in the Lord's plan for me as He promises to rescue me and protect me. And He is - I am not in pain, I just have some more chemo in my future. I am weak and He will give me strength. I shall live to declare the works of the Lord

No yelling, no screaming, no "why me?".... In the study, "Believing God", we were challenged to pray that God would help our unbelief. Yes, we believe that He is faithful. Yes, we believe that He has what is best for us. Yes, we believe that He will do what He says He will do...but sometimes our head knows it and our hearts arn't there yet. God knows it! That is why I pray..."Lord, Help My Unbelief! Right now I can not see the good in this!" Please pray for my sweet friend...Mama Web.