He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful. Psalm 111:4

October 8...2 years since Haley's bone marrow transplant in her battle against an aggressive AML leukemia. 

October 10...7 years since Haley Grace gave her heart to Jesus in faith. 

These significant dates have prompted deep reflection and gratitude for the marks of God's faithfulness, in so many ways. It is important to remember the prayers He has answered for Haley Grace and how He continues to hold her in His grip. 

Two years ago, she lay in a Riley Children's Hospital bed after enduring 4 rounds of grueling chemo before receiving the bone marrow transplant. On that day, October 8, 2020, dear Dr. Jodi Skiles and I laid hands on the bag of cells and Haley's body and pleaded with the Lord do to a miracle work of healing in her fragile body. It was our only hope for her to continue living on this earth with us. I remember every detail of that day...the hospital room we had called home for months; Haley's depleted and wounded body; the bag of life- giving cells that a complete stranger had donated; the central line that had been placed next to Haley’s heart to receive her chemo treatment, blood and platelet transfusions and now the bone marrow transplant; the sweet & compassionate nurses who stayed by her bedside all day while the cells were infused; the family and friends who came to the garage parking lot to to see us through the window & celebrate Haley's Cell Day and 2nd Birthday; the quiet moments of lament and prayer and pleading with Lord; the co-existence of fear and peace, joy and sorrow, despair and hope. The sanctity and gift of life was never before so palpable.

So, just wanted to update you on Haley and ask for your continued prayers.
The two year mark finds her doing well with regard to blood counts and no signs of leukemia in her body. Praise God!! She is still taking a targeted chemotherapy drug (because of her high risk leukemia) and a host of other medications, but is living a pretty normal life...attending The Masters Study two days a week and homeschooling the other three, riding & showing her horse, participating in and working at her favorite theatre, contributing to the family Sixpence business, and spending time with family and friends. In July, we celebrated her 15th birthday 🎉. 

Haley continues to battle a chronic host versus graft disease, as a result of the transplant. Showing itself in the soft tissue, the HVGD affects Haley's skin & outer muscular system. She has a constant rash and skin discoloration extending from her neck to her toes & fingers that includes a thickening of the skin, itching and burning sensations, ulcerations and sores, reduced mobility and flexibility, etc. It has existed since leaving the hospital, and the medical team has sought to manage it through various means. We have tried targeted meds specific to this condition, but have not yet found a viable remedy. Next week, Haley will begin an additional treatment of steroid therapy on top of the medications she currently takes in an attempt to tap the HVGD down. Please pray with us for that to be effective. 
Because of the HVGD, Haley's immunizations have been on hold so she remains at risk in those areas as well (after a bone marrow transplant, a patient must begin the immunization protocol like a newborn).
They test the health of her organs often (EKG, EEG, echocardiogram, PTF, etc.) because HVGD can affect the soft tissue organs (heart, lungs, eyes, liver, etc). So, a watchful monitoring of those organs is imperative. 

If you spent a day with Haley, you wouldn't know what this sweet girl has endured, or what she continues to battle. I marvel at the Lord's design of Haley, and how He created her with the temperament and strength to carry such a heavy burden. She is wise beyond her years and has a deep well of compassion for others who are hurting. What a testimony the Lord is writing in her life. She absolutely knows He has rescued her...and as we reflect on Haley's spiritual birthday of giving her heart to Jesus and her 2nd birthday of receiving the stem cell transplant, the meaning of that rescue is deep and wide. 

I can't close this update without highlighting a few family milestones :) 
Since my last entry on CB, our two older daughters have entered the covenant of marriage:  
December 18, 2021 — Riley Elizabeth to Jake Okines
April 9, 2022 — Shelby Jayne to Seth Dempsey 
We praise God for these "sons" and marvel at His timing of bringing them into the family fold.  Continued marks of God's grace, mercy and faithfulness. Additionally, Riley graduated nursing school in May. 

 I am attaching a few pictures as they speak a thousand words of the joy and gratitude in our hearts. 

 Thank you for being on this journey with us...in so many meaningful ways. We love you all ❤️