Hi Belle's Brigade,

Today marks the 14th first day of chemo, as well as the second to last round for Belle! This past round was her best round yet in terms of overall side effects and reactions. So PLEASE KEEP THOSE PRAYERS COMING because they are working!

After the final round of chemo next month, hopefully in June, Belle and family will head to Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City where Belle has been approved for their Neuroblastoma Cancer Vaccine. This immunotherapy vaccine is one more step into securing deep remission. They will need to stay in NYC for 4 weeks, but they still don't have exact dates. They are also still looking for options for places to stay while they are there. We'll provide more updates as we get closer to June.

As Belle entered the hospital today, she was all filled up from a record amount of activities of both celebrations and remembrances over the past month. 

Last week, Belle was invited to speak at Mission Viejo High School where one of her fellow cancer survivors and NEGU Jr. ambassador has started a NEGU club. So many of the kids who attended that day also attended Elementary school with Belle so it was extra sweet to have them there to encourage her. The kids had so many great questions and gave her so much encouragement! This last week the Wuich family also had the opportunity to stuff Joy Jars at the Jessie Rees Foundation Joy Factory to honor what would have been Jessie's 25th birthday. These jars bring so much joy and hope to kids in the hospital!

This past weekend, the family attended the Gold Rush Foundation Gala where Belle was one of the featured heroes. She was asked to speak about her "pot of gold" and create a video showing what Goldrush is all about- providing joy for these warriors and their siblings. Belle’s oncologist Dr. Rubin even showed up to support Belle and was her biggest fan filming Belle while she spoke. Belle and her family felt so much love and hope celebrating with other hero families.

Belle was also asked to be a special guest on Saturday morning for the Bradley Rofer Honor Walk at RSM Lake. She was presented their first annual Award of Courage for her inspiration to others fighting alongside her.  Her positivity, joy and encouragement to the cancer community even in the middle of her own struggles was recognized.

Then on Sunday afternoon, Belle and Trish were part of an incredibly moving ceremony as they boarded a boat and headed out to the ocean where Belle’s friend Sophia was honored by her family and friends and her ashes were sent out to sea. As they watched a wreath of flowers float away on the gentle waves, it was the most beautiful imagery reminding them that God had created Sophia to be here on earth as the most precious gift, to be loved by her family and friends, and now her parents were giving her back to God and sending her out into His creation.

Belle's heart was especially tender as she mourned the loss of Sophia, but also another sweet new friend just a couple weeks ago who had also battled cancer. Please continue to pray for these families. Please also pray that God will help Belle keep a tight hold to hope and remain encouraged as she continues to fight her own battle while facing such difficult losses.

But the most important day occurred this past week and it was a momentous one for Belle and family.. and all of us, really. April 18th marked one year since Belle was rushed into emergency surgery at CHOC and received her cancer diagnosis. While we obviously don't want to celebrate the cancer, there is so much to be grateful for as we reflect on how much the entire Wuich family has changed and how God has created so much beauty out of the ashes. It made me think of this amazing illustration a friend shared at a retreat this past weekend.

This friend talked about a mature Sycamore tree being delivered to her family several years ago, to add to their front yard landscaping. It arrived in a large wooden pot that several workers had to cut away from the base of the tree. Then they lifted the heavy tree in the air and shook the roots. They pulled them apart and loosened the soil, and then shook it again. Then they placed the tree in a very deep hole so that the roots could find a new place to grow. Years later, that tree has continued to bloom into something beautiful where her kids can play and enjoy its shade.

This past year, Belle, Hudson, Trish and Briklyn have all had their pots broken apart and their world was shaken. But their family and friends, and even strangers- all a huge new brigade- rallied around  them to create new soil and a deep hole where they could be planted and could continue to grow. They are so grateful to each and every one of you for being that soil, for giving them a place where they can be supported as they fight for new life! It would have been impossible without the watering of your prayers, your financial gifts, and your love. There has been a lot of painful pruning in the process of growing this tree, but now, at the one year mark, there are signs of new growth, of beautiful spring flowers blooming all over this family tree. Their tree now even provides shade for other children and families whose pots are being broken open for the first time.

God never wastes a hurt; he never leaves us alone in our trials. In fact, he sent his son to proclaim that God wants to comfort us in times of pain and he promises to create beautiful new growth out of these times of despair.

Isaiah 61:1-3
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.

Thank you for believing with us and for making this planting and new growth possible. We'll continue to pray together and to bring hope to the Wuich family as we point out the splendor of the Lord who loves Belle more than any of us ever could!

With a Hallelujah,

Shawn