It was four years ago today that I had surgery at Johns Hopkins to remove a intramedullary spinal cord tumor from the middle of my back. It has been quite a journey. God has used it to teach me and refine me. My reliance on him has increased. I was humbled and taught how to receive help from others, something I have never liked to do. I reread the posts from our time at Johns Hopkins that Eric wrote. He said that our desire was that I would be able to do all the things I did before I was incapacitated by the pain and difficulty with my legs. He mentiones me hiking, taking long walks, and rough housing with the kids. Well, this past week we hiked in Robber's Cave with my family, although I'm slower than I used to be, use a cane for balance, and I think Eric still feels like he has to watch out for me, I can do it. I can play rough with the kids, just can't beat them in a race. I can take long walks, I just need to sit a bit longer when I get back. Yes, I've lost things, especially my pride- walking with a limp has a way of humbling you. , but I have gained things too. Where I am weakened physically, I have been strengthened spiritually, mentally and in my relationships. God has been faithful throughout this long process.

One of the ways God has been faithful is through all the people that came along side of me as I dealt with the hardest point of my life. I want to say thank you again to all of the people that prayed for me, watched my kids, gave their time or money to support us, cleaned my house, did my laundry, brought us meals, and encouraged us. You all taught me so much about the character of Jesus, and what it means to love one another.

I want to thank my mother for dropping everything to serve my family for over a month. More than that, I thank you for the example you have set for me. For teaching me about being able to "do all things" and teaching me about strength. I am so thankful I had your example as I walked through this trial.

Most of all, I am thankful for my husband. I don't even know where to start. He was a pillar that I counted on for everything during that time. In the beginning, he was my encouragement to get checked out. He took care of everyone and everything while I slept through the weeks leading up to surgery. He was my partner though rehab. He guarded me fiercely, throughout this whole thing. He shouldered the weight of all we were dealing with, and loved me throughout. He took care of my infected incision, adding Manuka honey and changing the bandages. He emptied my bedside toilet. He helped me dress and go up and down the stairs. He was patient even though our life together had changed so much. He completely rearranged his life to make mine easier. He stood when many men would have ran. He is so strong, sacrificed so much for me and I am so thankful to have him in my life. Thank you, Eric, for all you have given to me and the kids the past four years. I love you so very much.

So, to wrap it up, I'm really glad that part of my life is over. It was harder than anything I could have imagined. I still deal with physical hardship and pain, and take more medications than I would like to, but I have gained a lot too through all this. I feel like I'm in a good place now. My relationship with God has deepened, and I have had a fulfilment of one of my lifelong dreams, in that I have started working with a nonprofit in India that protects children at risk from trafficking and child labor and educates, nourishes, and loves them. Working on this is again teaching me to rely on God and His people! You can see more about what we're doing at CCDC-India.org

Love,

Hannah