WHAT ARE THE ODDS?
Milton, here for Kristy:
If you use a straight line approach, you would have to pass over more than 300,991,00 Americans before Kristy would get a GBM brain tumor.
Senator Ted Kennedy has the same form of brain tumor as Kristy. One of the bits of info that has come out of the news of Kennedy's brain tumor is that 9,000 American are diagnosed with GBM tumors each year.
Think of it.
The odds are 33,444 to 1 or .0029% chance that Kristy would get a GBM.
33,444 to 1
Put 33,444 quarters in the street in front of your house. Mark one of those quarters, just one, and throw in back in the pile. Then see if you can randomly pick it out of the pile the first time with your eyes closed.
That begs the questions how? Why?
Odds?
Providence?
The Enemy?
Happenstance?
Statistical Averages?
Eternal Purpose?
There are answers but not always clear, but that is where faith and trust come to the front. We serve One who see all and knows all. His purposes are higher... We do know whom we trust.
Three days back I had an overwhelming feeling, an impression, that I had to be more alert, sensitive, perceptive to what is happening with Kristy. It was like a spiritual shaking of my deepest parts not to miss the moment for God was deep, very deeply at work. God wasn't speaking audibly but I felt His voice within my being.
Please pray that God will help me to draw closer to Him and allow Him to connect His higher work and will in me and my family so we will see His glory.
There isn't always an obvious and clear answer to those questions, but there is One who knows all and is in charge of all.
I choose to trust in Him.
***
I was out of the house briefly last evening with Terry, Kristy's brother. We returned and Terry happened to walk in ahead of me. He greeted Kristy and she responded to him.
She said, "Where's my man? I want to hug "my man."
Oh, that made my day!
***
While I was out last evening for a few moments, I got a call that Claudia, our four year old granddaughter, had tried to fly like super man, but crashed and broke her right arm just above the wrist.
All is well, but the "mommy" was shaken.
Claudia cried asking for Nana.
Emotions wash over all of us.
Claudia will have her arm put into a permanent cast today. Pray for her and her mommy, Jennifer.
How is Kristy?
She was subdued on Thursday dealing with confusion but gamely engaging us as much as possible. We brought her into the family room and put on a "Gaither" video. Her little toes began to move with the music and all of us felt His love.
posted by Kristy Dykes @ 8:15 AM
20 comments
20 Comments:
Bro. Dykes, Julie, Jennifer, Rebecca, and Terry,
We are continuing to join you in prayer daily--many, many times a day--all the Dykes family come to our minds and hearts! We have such wonderful memories of our times together, and we remember the many instances when your family blessed us! Your influence and encouragement continue to reach us through this blog. We love each of you and will continue to lift you before the throne of grace!
We're glad, too, for a day Kristy was able to join her family.
Much love to you all,
Mike, Lisa, and MaryLisa
Uncle Milton,
You have been on my heart and mind so much, and I just want to let you know that I love you, and Aunt Kristy very much.
Love,
Caroline
I've been reading Kristy's older posts and boy, what a woman.
What a way with telling stories!
I'm hoping you put some of these blogs into a book, Milton.
Another Milton /Kristy project!
Praying,
Rebecca.
God knew that through the two of you, He would reach so many others. He knew that the two of you would generously and effectively convey your experience and faith. It is one thing for someone to quote verses from the Bible, it is quite another to show faith in practice. It’s easy to praise God when life is good, but to praise Him even in suffering, that speaks volumes. When someone quotes verses, our minds hear the Word, but you and Kristy have done more, you have reached our souls.
I pray that God will hold you and your family close, and that “. . .He will lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace.”
A Friend
I just emailed the link to your blog to Senator Ted Kennedy and asked him to read as much as he could. Please be in prayer that he will see this email, will read your blog and will be blessed (and healed!).
We are continuing to pray for you, Kristy and Milton (and family) and we love you very much.
Love,
Howard, Ann and Adam
Valiant is the word that comes to mind. Milton and Kristy and the entire family . . . against all odds. "Nothing is possible with man, but with God all things are possible." You have demonstrated your faith and hope in the One who holds it all in His hands. Your names are engraved on the palms of His hands. Thank you for your courage and faith. The journey towards heaven is His call, but you are traveling it with valiance and are to be commended for your witness and faith. God bless you in all of this, on this difficult road.
Wow.
Amazing, amazing post........
Bless you.
Amazing that in spite of those odds, Ted Kennedy is the third person I've known of in the past six months to develop the same type of brain cancer: Kristy, my friend Peg Phifer's sister (she posted a comment to this blog a couple weeks ago), and now, Ted Kennedy. I'm so encouraged that someone here said the sent this blog address to Senator Kennedy. God has been doing miraculous things through this blog and there is no telling how it might minister to Sr. Kennedy and his family.
Dear Milton and Kristy,
Thanks for sharing this update. It gives us much to ponder. When you think about those odds, it does make you wonder how it could happen to Kristy. But then the why and how fade as you look into the face of Jesus and consider His love and wisdom. That is enough for us. Faith and trust lived out each day, even when you do not have the answers is a tremendous witness of courage and faithfulness.
I am praying for Kristy today and for all who love her and are so lovingly caring for her.
Blessings,
Carrie
Well, my mom always said life is just a moment, compared to eternity.
And I know, through "this present suffering," you are earning rewards (yes, we know we don't earn salvation) to enjoy through eternity, with the way you all are praising God and encouraging others through all of this. You all may be the only ones in ever so many who would.
Maybe that's why.
Now that everyone has learned of the situation, I still ask that God glorify Himself with a wonderful healing for Kristy, in the mighty name of Jesus.
God will certainly get all the glory.
I pray that for Ted Kennedy, as well.
And for you, beautiful crowns to lay at the feet of Jesus, when we "understand it better bye and bye." And what a day that will be.
Sending love and hugs and blessings to all of you.
Milton and Kristy
What were the odds that Mary would be chosen to be the mother of God's only son, Jesus?
God always knows just the right person/people to choose for His Great Plans. No matter what the plan, the chosen ones will have to suffer some amount of pain/trails. But God Our Father is ALWAYS right there to carry one through. He gives us the strength and tools just when they are needed and not before.
God has chosen you and Kristy for this Great Plan, because He knew you two were the BEST for this Plan. You two are CHOSEN! He has used Milton and Kristy to minister to people all over the world, from right there in Jacksonville, FL.
God, also, knew months ago that Ted Kennedy would have the same kind of cancer. Now that Kristy's blog has been forwarded to him, many more people, in a whole new circle, will begin to read the blog. So many more lives are going to be touched.
God's not finished with you and Kristy. The Plan's not complete. Greater things are in store. Keep trusting in God, as all of us, out here, keep holding you up in prayer.
Thanks to you and Kristy for allowing God's love and light to shine so clearly through you. We can all see JESUS and His LOVE and are being changed.
Love and Prayers,
BJ N FL
Kristy. Senator Ted Kennedy. Peg Phifer's sister, and a courageous Christian named Charlene, whose hospice doctor has told her she is in her last days. All have been this same type brain tumor.
I believe God is callings his faithful to shine as beacons in a world that is growing more cynical every day; a world in which everyone seems to claim a "god," but few claim the name of Jesus. Whatever it takes to reach the lost, God will use.
Although it saddens us all to know the struggle, pain, and raw grief your family is enduring, it is not wasted. Eternity will reveal how precious were your gifts to the world. Thank you for bearing up under incredible pressure, and most of all--thank you for bearing Jesus' name in a way that blesses me to the core. I love you!
Dear Pastor Milton & Kristy,
I have also been following your journey these last few months. I posted a note right after breaking my arm. Please tell your little grandaughter, Claudia that I will be praying for her. I know firsthand how painful it is. I am still dealing with it.
Your whole family are in our thoughs and prayers.
A friend here in Jax.
I've been away this week, teaching at a writers' conference in NC at Ridgecrest. During a time of worship one evening, Eva Marie Everson reminded everyone about Kristy, her writing and her battle. We all prayed for her ... all her writing brothers and sisters.
Still believing for miracles.
Kristy is 1 in 33,444 and that is why God has chosen her! She is a precious and wonderful lady. I feel like I'm checking on a family member every day I read your blog. I truly feel one with all of you and all of the beautiful people that are united in prayer for Kristy and her family. I will never forget any of you.
Sending love and prayers,
Lynne
I, too, am believing for miracles.
As I read about Senator Kennedy (and the others mentioned above), I heard the following words ring in my spirit: "For a time such as this."
Love to you all.
I'm praying for you all, but especially for Jennifer today as she deals with Claudia and all the emotions. I'm Jennifer wants her mom right now.
Daddy God, I lift up Jennifer right now and Claudia. I pray you will be with Jennifer and comfort her as only you can do. I speak complete healing to Claudia's little arm, in Jesus' Name. It's too hot in PR for a little one in a cast. I pray that you will give her relief and joy in the moment. I pray for Kristy and Milton, as they try to comfort Jennifer during this time. I pray for healing for Kristy, in the name of Jesus, the name above all names. I pray peace that passes understanding for the entire family and also a special anointing for Julie and her family. I thank you Lord for all you're doing through and for this family. Please extend Kristy's life - we need her here for a few more years. I thank you Daddy God that you know our every need and that Kristy rests in your peace. Blessed be the Lord. Amen.
praying, with so much love. shana in seattle
Hey Kristy & Milton,
Know that we're still praying. All of you seem to have everything covered but if you need anything don't hesitate to call.
Love in our Lord Jesus who is the Master Physician and whatever He decides in Kristy's case we know that it will be perfect and complete in Him.
Paul & Lynn
I do not know your family, but since finding your blog in April, I have been praying for you. Sincerely, Rachel Going
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