Wishing my hand wrote to you as often as my heart

​While in treatment, Marie, a woman sitting beside me, asked if I would write a letter as she dictated. She wanted to send a letter to a friend who had been encouraging her during her cancer battle, but because of the grueling nature of our illness she had failed to respond to her kind friend.  Thinking of all of you, I cried as she spoke. I could relate so deeply as she recounted how the weeks are filled with treatments and painful side effects, staying on top of all the supplements, researching the latest treatment options; all while attempting to balance healing sleep with work, family and friends.

As I wrote the words she spoke, I was overwhelmed with sadness that two months have flown by without sending you a letter. Tom & I made a commitment to keep you updated with all God is shaking up in your ministry.

Regardless of how fighting with my illness has engulfed our lives, we sincerely ask your forgiveness for our silence these last months. Innovative Truth is God, you, us, our family and friends. God continues to use Innovative Truth for His mission, and He calls us all to serve. Thank you for your commitment to saying YES to God’s call. As we served these months, our communications with you were sacrificed due to our imbalance during this challenging time. Please accept our heartfelt apology, and our commitment to asking God to help us.

After much prayer, I ceased traditional treatments last November upon receiving a terminal prognosis. Tom and I sought counsel and researched more alternative treatments than imaginable. In the spring of 2019, I began a 4 day/week course of treatment we prayerfully felt led to try. It is painful, debilitating, and considered a “last chance” option.  The side effects are severe and highly concerning with their own consequences. Chemo and radiation were far easier to endure. Our life has changed drastically, and I am sure Tom never thought he would be assisting me to walk, and all the other nurse duties he does. Just about the time last month I thought I couldn’t take anymore, the doctors saw evidence of some small success, as there had not been any new growth. As you all flooded Heaven with prayers, I rested in God’s arms and trusted that if it was His will, He would carry me through.

YOUR PRAYERS HAVE BEEN HEARD AGAIN! TODAY, RECEIVING THE LATEST SCAN RESULTS, WE LEARNED ONE OF THE TUMORS HAS SHRUNK!

This is not a “cured” announcement by any stretch; but is incredibly exciting and hopeful progress. I will continue this difficult course until God reveals His will for me is elsewhere.

Meanwhile back at the ranch…
It has been indescribable how God uses our circumstances to reach people in your ministry! This journey is affecting EVERYTHING! As you may remember, Innovative Truth was called to a new ministry path three years ago. It all began with two women requesting help. Our small group quickly grew to 22 women meeting weekly to study God’s word. That initial Innovative Truth women’s group expanded to 12 weekly groups; including men’s groups, a married group, college students, a millennial group, and a singles group; from all walks of life, and spiritual (or lack of spiritual) backgrounds. More than 100 participants!

As healthy discipleship should, we focused all of last year and 2019 on raising up new leaders in every group. Yes, it was becoming increasingly difficult for Tom and I alone to weekly work with over 100 people, AND we never wanted any group to become T’nT (Tom & Tonya) followers. We never wanted to fall into the mistake some ministries make where the members are overly dependent on a particular leader or pastor.

In 1 Corinthians Paul says it best in his letter to the people of Corinth, “…you say, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos”… is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?…”

In chapter 2 Paul continues, “…I was with you in weakness and in much fear and trembling… that your faith may not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God….What then is Apollos? What is Paul? We are servants through whom you learned as the Lord assigned. I, Paul, planted, and Apollos watered, but it is God who gave you the growth… we are God’s fellow workers, you are God’s field.”

The power of God continues to be evidenced in YOUR MINISTRY and in YOUR CONTINUED “YES” TO GOD! These past three years YOU supported, encouraged and prayed as we planted and watered those initial 22 women. As of three weeks ago ALL TWENTY-TWO WOMEN HAVE SUBMITTED THEIR LIVES TO JESUS AND HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED IN HIS NAME!!!!!

In June, we had another exciting baptism. Our sweet Julia called Tom on Father’s Day and told him she wanted to give her life to God. She proceeded to ask her earthly father to baptize her in the name of her heavenly father on Father’s Day. After Tom stopped crying, we shared a Father’s Day beyond any we could have ever imagined!!

We sincerely thank you for your continued prayers, support and encouragement. Your messages, texts, and sweet notes have meant the world to us! God isn’t done with us!

We close this letter in the same words Marie asked me to write to her friend that day in treatment…

​Wishing my hand wrote to you as often as my heart,

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