Revelation 7:9-12 “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”
On this eight month marker since Wayne’s death, life has taken so many different twists and turns. My job has been going well, just so much to learn and adjust to. The younger kids started school a couple weeks ago and are in full swing. Sophia has a full time job right now during her gap year. In the spring, she is planning an internship.
Shan started classes yesterday at UK. His leg has made getting around more difficult, but he’s such a determined and driven young man. He enjoyed the professors he met so far and the as already cranking out homework last night.
The biggest change in our life is that Naomi moved to Chicago to attend Moody Bible Institute. Although we miss her, I know she’s exactly where God wants her to be. She is thriving at school and meeting a lot of amazing people. I have a trip planned to visit her Labor Day weekend.
We are moving along with the design of my book. I am excited to see how God continues to use our story. Please pray for me as I’m working on part 2 of our story in a second book.
Although there have been so many changes, we continue to look for ways to stay positive and find gifts each day. One gift I enjoy each day is watching the sun rise as I drive to work.
Below are some pictures to keep everyone updated.
Gorgeous sun rise on my way to work.
Slowly getting into a rhythm at work. The cancer building is going to be beautiful that we are building. What a blessing to families who will be dealt a bad hand.
Beautiful sky on my early morning walk.
Slowly knocking out the miles toward my 5,200 mile goal (www.rideforWayne.com). I have officially ridden over 600 miles so far. Thankful for friends who give of their Saturday morning to hit the trail with me.
New role: driving instructor. I really miss Wayne doing this job. Thankfully, only one more child to go after this one! She is doing a great job, but some of these narrow KY roads give this mom anxiety.
We enjoyed a movie night as a family (thank you T-Mobile for a discount) to see the new Spiderman movie.
Enjoyed a night out with friends to hear comedian Jeff Allen. It was a great evening and laughter truly is good medicine.
Shan has been fighting an infection in his leg for over a month. We are praying this new medicine clears it up so he doesn’t have to have surgery.
Joella is playing volleyball this year for school. It’s been a great outlet for her. It’s fun watching the games I can make.
The Legacy Trail in Lexington is a pretty bike ride. We found a way to make it about a 32 mile ride. In the next month or so, we may venture to Indiana to hit a couple other longer trails.
We all met up and went out for one last loco ice before Naomi left for Chicago.
I know Wayne is up in heaven experiencing the most amazing things, but I do find it interesting that many times when God is showing me things or reminding me of something, I see these beautiful rays breaking through the clouds. It makes me feel closer to Wayne. Each Saturday on my bike ride, I have seen these clouds. It is like Wayne is cheering me on from heaven.
I miss being home and having time to do all the homemaking things. I still try to squeeze a few things in on the weekend. Sourdough, blackberry jelly, kombucha, and elderberry syrup are on my must list.
Naomi moved in to her dorm at Moody. I’m so thankful for the Tiemens who moved her in since I couldn’t be there.
Naomi called me after her first day of classes and she was excited. This is exactly what she needed and God has provided for her in so many ways. She was able to get a job at Moody. 100 applicants for 10 jobs and she got it! God is good!!
We had church Sunday night. We were studying the book of Revelation. I came out to this beautiful sunset. What a reminder of how amazing God is!! It hurts that Wayne is gone, but I cannot even imagine how amazing it is for him in heaven.
Psalm 16:11 "You will make known to me the way of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever."
Today would have been Wayne's 50th birthday. We had talked about what we were going to do to celebrate if he made it to this day. What a life he lived. He lived each day to the fullest. He is greatly missed, but I know he is experiencing the most amazing scene-the throne room of heaven. We sang this at church yesterday morning. Every time I read scripture about heaven or sing songs like this, I can see Wayne up there worshiping Jesus, and it brings tears to my eyes. Not because I am sad, but because I know his faith has become sight!
Unfortunately, God had different plans. The kids and I visited his gravesite yesterday and brought some of his favorite flowers, zinnias.
I brought 50 glazed donuts from Franks to work today in honor of Wayne’s birthday.
Abigail suggested a few weeks ago that we should all go to a Dogers game in honor of his birthday. So in September, we will all go to a Cincinnati Reds vs. Dodgers game.
I have so many mixed emotions today. But one thing continues to be our focus, we want to keep Wayne's testimony alive. He loved Jesus so much and remained focus until the end to bring God glory.
** Here are two things that I have been working on to keep Wayne's memory alive:
1) I am in the final stages of publishing Part 1 of our story, Anchor in the Storm. It's more than a memoir of our journey through brain cancer, this book reveals how God was our unshakable anchor through every storm we faced.
I am also about two-third of the way through writing Part 2, Joy in the Storm. This book tells the story of Wayne's cancer recurrence and explores how, even in some of life's darkest moments, God enabled us to experience a deep and lasting joy that was greater than our circumstances.
Wayne had a powerful testimony and we want to keep that testimony alive.
2) Many of you have followed our family's journey over the past eleven years. Today, I want to share something that has been on my heart for a long time.
I have decided to finish one of Wayne's dreams.
Years ago, we bought bicycles with the hope of riding them from the Pacific Coast to the Atlantic Cost to raise awareness and funds for brain cancer. Covid and the ages of our children caused us to postpone the trip. Then we decided we would make the ride in 2025 to celebrate Wayne's incredible milestone of ten years of surviving glioblastoma.
But, if you have been following our story, you know that Wayne's cancer returned in 2023. The dream ride never happened.
So now, I am going to finish the ride for him.
I'm launching a campaign called Ride for Wayne: 5,200 Miles, 52 Weeks of Hope.
Over the next 52 weeks, my goal is to ride 5,200 miles - the equivalent of cycling across America. While I would have loved to complete the actual coast-to-coast journey as Wayne envisioned, this season of life looks different now. Between a new full-times job and raising our children, a cross-country ride isn't possible. Instead, I'll complete the journey virtually - logging miles throughout the year with weekend long rides and several century rides.
This ride is more than miles, it is about finishing the dream Wayne was never able to complete while bringing hope to families who are walking a road much like ours.
Throughout the year, we will be raising money for two incredible organizations:
Inheritance of Hope - Providing hope-filled retreats and ongoing support for families with a parent facing a terminal illness.
National Brain Tumor Society - Funding brain tumor research, raising awareness, and advocating for patients and families through initiatives such as Head to the Hill.
You will be able to follow along our journey on an our campaign website: www.rideforWayne.com Note: it should be up and running the next couple days.
How You Can Help:
🚴 Ride with me
Whether you ride all 5,200 miles or join me for a single afternoon ride, I'd love to have you along for the journey. Together, we can finish this dream one mile at a time.
❤️ Encourage Me
This challenge will stretch me physically, mentally, and emotionally. Your prayers, message, and encouragement will mean more than you know.
🎗️ Give
You can support the campaign in several ways:
Make a per-mile pledge (for example: $0.01 per mile = $52, $0.10 per mile = $520).
Make a one-time gift.
Sponsor a milestone along the route (for example, "When you reach St. Louis, I'll donate!"
Every mile will honor Wayne.
Every dollar will bring hope.
Every prayer will remind us that none us rides alone.
Thank you for helping us carry Wayne's dream across the finish line! I cannot wait to see where this journey takes us and how God uses it to encourage and bless others along the way.
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