The Taylors

Our good friend, Brandon, was diagnosed with a brain tumor last week. He underwent surgery yesterday. They are waiting for the pathology report.

Brandon and his wife, Rachel, are very close friends of ours. Since both of us live away from our family, we have helped out each other many times. We have shed tears of happiness and tears of saddness together. We even have had babies four months apart.

Since we go to the same church together, we have also developed a very close spiritual relationship. We have seen each other through hard times and good times. We have uplifted each other with God's Word. Judd and I are so saddened that Rachel and Brandon have to go through this ordeal. We are comforted, however, by knowing that Christ is with us every step of the way...in good times and bad. At church this past Sunday, half of the congregation got out of their seats to surround Rachel and Brandon in prayer. How moving it was! Through this experience, I have truly seen how the body of Christ joins together to comfort and encourage one another, especially in times of tribulation. All of us are here to help Rachel and Brandon step by step. Right now while Brandon is recovering in ICU, that means we are visiting Rachel at the hospital, emailing her, texting her, and supporting her in any way we can. It will be a long road, and we will not leave their side.

Psalm 27 has especially comforted me as I watch Rachel and Brandon battle this stage of their life. Oh, how my heart aches for my dear friends!!!!

Psalm 27
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—

whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident.
4 One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.
7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, "Seek his face!"
Your face, LORD, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
O God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing out violence.
13 I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.