Sabbatical

Sarah’s Health Update

Many of you have been asking how things are going with Sarah and have continued your prayers and support for us throughout this long journey of hope and healing.  Things have been amazing!  God is so good.  Late in the summer we completed a second round of immunotherapy in Arizona and Mexico.  The treatment went very well and we returned home just in time for school.  Sarah continues to receive ongoing immune support at a nearby clinic a few times every week, and has been enjoying a healthy lifestyle and tons of energy.

The clinic in Arizona informed us that allowing Sarah to undergo any type of radioactive scan during the first three months following the treatment in Mexico would be counterproductive.  Therefore, we have a window of time outside the hospital process, which honestly is just awesome.  The scanning process at the hospitals was very intrusive and draining, mostly because the hospitals do not know how to recognize the activity of the healthy “NK” cells that Sarah received through the immunotherapy.  This has resulted in a couple “false-positive” scan results in the past, as the experts at the hospital try to read activity that they have no grid for.  We will rescan in the New Year.  We are believing God for a confirmation of complete healing when Sarah is scanned in January.

We are living in a miracle right now.  We are declaring healing over Sarah daily and we are witnessing her ongoing healthy growth every day.  We continue to feel the support of your prayers and encouragement and the financial assistance that has enabled us to pursue the path of healing the Lord has opened before us.  We are extremely thankful.  Thank you.

Family Update

Joey and Abby are both doing very well navigating this season of life.  They are true champions of the faith as they have been exposed to many of life’s deepest questions earlier than most.  Joey is flourishing in his aptitude for all things literary and technical (unique mix!).  He is expressing his talents for creativity in writing and inventing.  Abby is becoming a beautiful young lady, and has a great passion for the church and for people who need Jesus.  She loves singing and reading and is a gifted leader.  She went to the High School last week to pick out her courses for next year. (!!!)

This Fall was especially busy, as we had many exciting developments at Lakemount and we were diligently working to get lots of work done in preparing for the expansion of the church facility.  As things were coming together with the building, we were reminded of the principle of Sabbath found in Scripture.  The Sabbath is when God rested on the seventh day as part of the cycle of creativity.  The practice of Lakemount is to offer a Sabbatical to our leaders in their seventh year of ministry.  The heart behind it is to encourage longevity and clarity in the ministry team.  We have actually been at Lakemount for 9 years, and we would have received a Sabbatical a couple years ago but that was when we were just beginning this healing journey with Sarah.

When we realized that the beginning stages of construction were in place; Fall ministry and programs were in full swing; and Sarah was not going to be scanned for a few months – we saw a window of opportunity – a Sabbatical was possible for our family.  So, we are about 1-month into a 3-month break from the regular duties and routines of ministry life, both locally and beyond.  It is a complete change of pace, and has been a challenge to pause when there is so much passion for what we are called to.  However, it is a refreshing time for the family and I and we are grateful for the wisdom of extended rest.  We can feel our passion and vision getting stronger and stronger.  This is an incredible gift.

Final Greetings

We love and miss everyone at home.  We think of you all often and we are praying for you all.  We’re encouraged by all the good reports of what is happening at home.  God’s Kingdom is unshakeable.  It’s wonderful to be a part of it.

We’re enjoying the warmth of the sun down in Florida for the next few weeks.  It’s hard to take, especially when we think of how cold and snowy it will soon be at home.  It’s supposed to get up to 79 degrees here today – brutal…  Anyways, we’ll be home in time for Christmas and we’ll be gearing up for an amazing year in 2012.

We love you all!

 

Matt & Lisa

Back Home Again

Sarah had her final treatment on Sunday afternoon.  It was at 2Billion cell infusion, so it was very strong.  She had her typical reactions to it, but she did great.  We just relaxed for the rest of the day, and packed up so that we were ready to drive back to Phoenix Monday morning.

We have really grown to love and appreciate our doctor in Mexico.  His name is Jesus (pronounced “hay-zoose”), and he is kind and compassionate and very close to the Kingdom.  This past weekend he had his family visiting him from all over the US, but still made time to run out to an ice-cream parlour and bring our family some treats on Sunday evening.  It was really nice of him, and we all enjoyed the treats.

Monday, we drove back to Phoenix and had a great time with the driver, who ended up telling us her life story.  She is a strong lady who has encountered a lot of grief and trials, but she found her strength in God through it all.  It was great to hear more about her life, and how Jesus redeems the dark places.

Now, we’re back home safe and sound after a full day of travel yesterday.  Everything went smoothly and we’re glad to be back.  We were all happy to see “the Beans” (our dog – Tucker) and sleep in our own beds last night.  Today, the family will try to get used to the time change back home (3 hours difference) and Lisa and Sarah have already gone to the clinic in St. Catharine’s for follow-up treatment there.

I’m heading into Toronto today to be with my sister and her son, Jett.  He had laparoscopic heart surgery early this morning, and will be in recovery all day.  Jett was born with a hole in his heart, and this minimally invasive heart surgery (amazing, or what!?) repairs the hole.  We’re believing for great success, no complications and quick recovery for him.  Thanks for your prayers for Jett too .

Later tonight, I’m going to try to tackle emails and then I’ll be back into the office tomorrow. “Holy Spirit Weekend” begins at Braeside camp on Friday.  I’m looking forward to preaching there along with my dad for the weekend.  It’s going to be a sweet time in God’s Presence.  So good.

Sunday morning it will be great to be with the family at Lakemount.  Can’t wait to see everyone again!

Then Monday will be Ribfest.

Amen.

Love to all!

 

Matt

Days of Healing 2

I trust everyone is doing great.  We’re doing well and are continuing to enjoy lots of rest and relaxation.  It’s been very good.  Today (Saturday), we had a day off from infusion so we spent the day playing and reading and resting.  Joey and I tried swimming in the waves but the tide was pretty strong, so we decided to head back to the pool.  The water in the pool was hot enough to boil noodles; so we had elevator races instead.  I think Joey won, but we called it a tie to spare my ego.  At least I can hold on to my Clue title…

A friend of ours arrived here from Ontario.  Lisa and Sarah have spent a lot of time with her at the clinic in St. Catharine’s this past year, and told her about this treatment.  She’s come here in need of Jesus and healing.  We’re praying for her to receive both.  Lisa spent the afternoon with her to help her get oriented down here and also to be with her during her bone marrow extraction.  (You gotta love Lisa – loving and pastoring people, even when in the midst of caring for her own family).

As far as treatment goes, Sarah had a double dose yesterday and will again tomorrow.  She is doing really well, and the nausea didn’t last as long yesterday.  When we were in clinic yesterday, the Doctor gave us Sarah’s percentage (in terms of cell strength).  Again – she has set a new record!  The highest they have ever seen.  They used to measure the cell strength between 1 and 10%.  Last year, her cells were 17%.  This year – 28.1%!  Wow!  They are amazed, and so are we!  How great is our God.

Tomorrow, Sarah will receive her final infusion, and then she’ll rest for the remainder of the day.  We will spend some time together in the Word and worshipping as a family.  We will be missing our Lakemount family, and thinking and praying for the gatherings tomorrow.  We understand that there will be a fundraiser for Sarah’s treatment tomorrow there.  What an awesome family.  We love you all so much and we’re so blessed by your partnership in this journey.  You will reap what you have sown!

One final thought for the day: Every relationship requires hard work and effort in order to really grow and increase in health.  So it is with our relationship with Jesus.  An untended garden becomes a wild field through neglect.  Consistency of effort produces greater fruitfulness in any season because of diligence.

With this in mind, I’m going to pursue Jesus with reckless abandon.  I’m recommitting to my determined goal of greater friendship with God.  Moses was God’s friend, and he refused to move with out the Manifest Presence of God.  I’m going to do the same.  Join me?

Be blessed!

 

Matt & Lisa and Abby, Joey and Sarah

 

Days of Healing 1

Greetings from Mexico!

We arrived here on Saturday night and have spent a few days relaxing as we waited for Sarah’s cells to finish developing.  We’ve enjoyed some downtime and lots of family bonding over games of Skip-Bo and Clue – which I found out I’m pretty good at.  (I don’t mean to brag, but I pretty much solved the crime in one guess a couple days ago.  I sometimes amaze myself… haha).  We missed our Lakemount family on Sunday, but were able to listen to the message from Peggy Kennedy online, later Sunday afternoon.  What a great word – what a great church!  We are so blessed!

Anyways, Sarah’s cells arrived from the University yesterday, and so around 6 pm we went to the clinic to meet with the doctors.  They informed us that Sarah’s cells were amazingly strong.  (When she had this treatment last year, they told us that hers were the strongest they had ever seen).  This year, they are even stronger than last year – which is very, very good news.

As a reminder, these cells are called “natural killer” cells, and they are a part of her immune system.  By multiplying them, this therapy sends an extremely high number of NK cells throughout the body to find and destroy anything rogue or diseased.  Sarah had her first infusion last night.  Due to the strength of these NK’s and their assignment, Sarah was nauseous, fevered, shivering off-and-on last night, and has been nauseous today.  Ironically, these are good signs.  It means her body is fighting and eliminating any trace elements of disease.

We are heading back to the clinic in a couple of hours for her second round.  We are prophesying life and health and the miraculous power of Jesus into Sarah’s body.  We’re believing for complete healing in Jesus’ Name.  We’re declaring that anything in Sarah’s body that isn’t supposed to be there will be totally evicted, never to return.

We’re so thankful for the opportunity to be here and to be receiving this treatment.  It is amazing how God leads and guides.  We’re also praying for Sarah to have a strong appetite and thirst while she processes some of these side effects.

I’ll send more updates soon.

Thanks for your prayers everyone!  We love you.

 

Matt Tapley

Reigning Tapley Family Clue Champion 2011

Hey Y’all!

So you can probably tell by the picture, we’ve been in America too long!  Haha…

Today we’re going to remedy that, and head on our way down to Mexico to get situated in our accommodations for the next week and a half.  We’ve had a relaxing three days in Scottsdale as a family, and have really enjoyed ourselves.  But we’re hoping to get Sarah’s treatment started sooner rather than later.

Right now, they are talking about the possibility of the treatment taking longer than was first thought.  We are asking God to move things along in His perfect timing.  At this point, they are projecting getting started with Sarah’s treatment on Wednesday.  (We had originally thought we’d have already started this past Wednesday).  They hope to be able to do the treatment in 5 days, which would be great.  If we could start earlier, that would be great too.

We obviously want to be sure that the cells are in optimum condition and that we don’t rush anything.  We also want to be able to travel all together and be on the original timeline without having to change flights etc.  At any rate, we’re not worried.  God has everything under His control.  Please pray with us about that.

Want to hear something good?  So, the other day I was talking with Rebekah from the Scottsdale clinic and she informed me that there is a foundation that is partnered with their clinic.  The foundation exists to assist people going through their treatments.  She said that even though their funds are low, they wanted to help us out and they are putting $5000 towards Sarah’s treatment!

Hello!  Is that awesome or what?!  God is so good.

We want to thank everyone for your tireless support, your prayers and everything you have done to stand with us during this time in our lives.  You are so amazing!  Thanks for being such great friends.

I’ll update you again when we get settled in May-hee-ko (Mexico).

Have an amazing day!

Matt

Round 2

Today is August 13.  You already know that, but it’s also the anniversary of our wedding.  17 years ago today, I married my best friend.  Lisa is an amazing woman of God, and I am so blessed to share my life with her.  She’s an amazing wife and mother, and this whole journey is better because of her.  (Just thought you should know…)

In other news, we’ve heard from the clinic in Arizona and they are telling us that Sarah’s cells are developing “wonderfully.”  Sarah’s treatment is now set to begin this coming Wednesday, August 18.  So, we are heading down to Mexico as a family so that we all can be together for the immunotherapy, which will take about 2 weeks.  The cost of the treatment includes accommodations, so we don’t incur a lot of extra cost.  (Plus – we found an amazing deal on flights, and had favor with an agent, which resulted in cutting the price of flights in half – thank-You Jesus).

This time around, the treatment is expected to be even more potent and intense, as the cells are very strong.  That’s a good thing, as we are expecting great things from God in this path He has shown to us.  We are asking God for His protection as we travel and for His healing to be made manifest and complete in Sarah’s body.  Please agree with us for no complications and a restful time together as a family.

Thank you to each of you for your prayers and support.  Many of you have been asking how you can help financially.  We want to thank you for your friendship and kindness to us in this way.  All the information on how to give is on www.sarahtapley.ca.  The Ben Sawatzky Fund is still handling all donations that require a charitable receipt.  Online giving options are available as well.  Thanks again for your help in this.  We truly could not do it without you!

We were encouraged this week to see a report on a Canadian National newscast (CTV) detailing a similar immunotherapy that is just beginning to be explored within the Canadian medical system.  While they are just beginning to see the efficacy of this treatment, we are so blessed to be on this road already, and have seen great results.  God is so faithful to lead us along His path of healing, and we are so thankful for His wisdom and direction.

Please pray for:

• Protection in travel
• Effective treatment without complication
• Financial provision

Praise God for:

• This pathway of healing that He has revealed to us
• His perfect timing and grace
• Healing and miracles

Finally, let me encourage you with this; the book of Jude concludes with this exhortation: vs. 24“To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.”

Jesus is the One who can keep us from falling and present us to the Father without blame.  Trust Him for all that you need.  He never fails!

 

Be blessed,

 

Matt

 

 

Weekend Plans

As I said in my last blog, we are in the middle of a miracle.  We are so thankful for the Hand of the Lord on Sarah’s life.  We believe that God has shown us the next step for us, as we fight and pursue complete victory in Sarah’s health.  Lisa will be taking Sarah to the clinic down South tomorrow and will return late Sunday night/early Monday morning.  Once at the clinic, Sarah will be sedated and will have a draw taken from her blood.  That’s the extent of this weekends’ trip.  The clinic will then process and develop her own immune fighter cells, and then these cells will be reintroduced to Sarah’s body in approximately four weeks.  God is good!

Praise God for:

• The good things He is doing in Sarah.
• The wisdom and favour He is giving us in ordering our steps.
• The quickness of timing that has opened up for us.
• Grace

Please pray for:

• Healing and Miracles, signs and wonders.
• Safety and unhindered travel.
• Supernatural peace and provision.
• These cells to be the best fighter cells that they have ever seen.

Thanks for your prayers everybody.  More updates to come!

 

Be blessed,

Matt & Lisa

In the Middle of a Miracle

Hey Everyone!

It has been a long time since my last blog.  One of the reasons I have held back on blogging is to allow for life to be as normal as possible in light of the many adjustments our family has had to make.  Life has been relatively ordinary for much of this past year, and for that we are so grateful.  Many of you have maintained your prayers and interest in our situation, and we continue to feel your love and support, and especially your prayer to God on our behalf.  We are continually thankful for our family and friends.

Throughout this year we have continued to boost Sarah’s immunity at a local clinic three times per week, and have continued to support her with supplements and diet.  We have also maintained relationship with McMaster hospital, where Sarah has received scans in order to keep an eye on where things are at inside her body.  Despite these things, Sarah has been able to go to school everyday and has participated in regular life.

When Sarah had her most recent scans at McMaster, the doctors returned with another grim report.  They told us that they were 100% sure they could observe the development of another tumor.  They wanted to follow-up with more scans in order to take a closer look.  We made the appointments for the follow-up scans and Lisa and I set to praying and asking God what He would have us do, regardless of what the report from these scans may be.  We believe that God has shown us what we need to do at this stage in Sarah’s journey, (but I’ll get to that later).

Two weeks after the follow-up scans we had an appointment with the doctors to get their report on their findings.  The doctors were baffled and could not explain it.  The tumor they were 100% sure of just two weeks before was no longer there!  There is no new tumor!  Thank-You Jesus!

The Bible says in Daniel 2:47 that God is a “revealer of mysteries.”  That means He uses mystery to accomplish His purposes.  Sometimes, God allows for confusion and for the experts to “scratch their heads” as He shows His power in our lives in mysterious ways.  I guess that’s why we pray for signs and wonders – so that we can wonder at His amazing goodness.

Although there is no tumor in her body, as of the time of that last report, the doctors told us that they could still see some disease activity in Sarah’s body.  Obviously, we are believing for this disease to be totally eradicated.  We’re thankful for what God is doing, and for the strategy that He is revealing to us for what to do next.

So, what to do…

You’ll remember that I said that when the doctors gave us their negative report a few weeks ago, we prayed and asked the Lord what He wanted us to do regardless of their findings.  We believe that the Lord has made clear to us what we are to do.  We are taking Sarah back to the clinic in Arizona and Mexico for another round of immunotherapy.  This treatment has had a profound result in her body, and we believe it is a tool that God has identified for us to use.  This immunotherapy works with her body’s own natural “fighter” cells and boosts the healing process God has designed for our bodies to promote health and vitality.

We have some funds that remain available in the Ben Sawatzky account from last years’ fundraiser, but not quite enough to pay for another immunotherapy treatment.  We will update you soon as to what our next steps are, what the timing is, and how you can participate if you feel led to do so.

Almost there…

In the book of Exodus the Bible tells the story of how He delivered His people from bondage in Egypt.  God delivered them from the tyranny of their Egyptian overlords and then they left that land and began to head to their promised land.  Then the Egyptians became angry and began to chase the Israelites in order to slaughter them.  God miraculously held back the Egyptians and then He parted the Red Sea in front of the Israelites.  They walked through the sea on dry land.  However, the story doesn’t end there.

In Exodus 14, the Bible says that the Egyptians chased the Israelites into the middle of their miracle – the parted waters of the Red Sea.  It was in that place of provision that He defeated the enemy, because once all the soldiers and their chariots and horses were in the sea, God stopped holding the water back.  The enemy was swallowed up in the wake of the blessing He had bestowed on His people.  The people sang a song of triumph and victory, secure on the other side, knowing that their enemy was completely defeated.

We believe we are in the middle of a miracle.  We believe that the enemy is already defeated.  We believe that God is showing us how to see that victory fully applied and released!  May Jesus get all the Glory.

Thanks so much to all of you for your continued love and support and kindness to us.  We are in the middle of a miracle.  May Jesus get all the Glory.

With our love,

Matt and Lisa

Good Thursday Update

Today we got word of the results of Sarah’s most recent scan. The Doctor said: “I have good news for you: Sarah’s scan looks great. It is normal.”
Woohoo!
We are looking to discover where we are at in terms of the overall picture. We have yet to hear the doctors say words like “remission” – but we are full of faith! God is the one who declares things what they are before they exist. He is the one who said 2000 years ago (almost to the day): “It is finished!” We are looking for the fulfillment of those words in Sarah’s body.
Declare wholeness over Sarah with us today! We are standing on God’s promises and our hearts are filled with joy and laughter. God is soooooooo good!
“Let YOUR Kingdom come, and let Your will be done, Father.”
Things are continuing to accelerate in the right direction!
Thanks for standing with us everyone! We love you!

Matt & Lisa

March Break

God continues to amaze! Scan reports are telling a better story. The Lord is gracious and compassionate, and He is answering our prayers.

A couple weeks ago we had a meeting regarding a scan result, which was not the greatest report.  The doctors were concerned that they might be seeing some unwanted activity and they wanted to get some more scans to take a closer look.  We (along with many, many others) began to pray and seek God for mercy and compassion.  Sarah had a couple more scans done, each of them came back showing no new activity  - including her urine counts – which came back “good and normal.”

All we can say is “Thank-You Jesus!”  God answers prayer and we are so thankful for all of you who have continued to stand with us throughout this trial.  We will be getting another scan in a couple weeks, and we will be discussing continued follow-up with the doctors in Arizona.  We are believing God for total healing and miracles.  We know we are living in a miracle right now, and we are trusting in Him who “began a good work in Sarah, and will be faithful to complete it.”

We live by faith, not by what we can see.

Now we look forward to getting away and enjoying some fun and relaxation for March Break.

Woohoo!  Sounds really good.

Thanks for praying and standing with us.  God is amazing!