The Houk Family
Our Story
On November 13, 2022, Joel found myself waking up in an ICU after suffering a seizure. With further testing it was determined that I had a brain tumor. The tumor was operated on to remove as much as possible and sent to pathology to determine what type of tumor. It tested to be consistent with a stage 4 glioblastoma. It is an aggressive terminal brain cancer. He is starting radiation and chemotherapy the protocol that the oncologists have set up to keep his cancer at bay. We are told it will continue to grow. He is the sole provider for our family of 5 kids. Four of them at home still, the youngest being 4. About 3 years ago, he made a change in his career to be at home with his family more and tend to their needs. Our youngest 2 children were adopted and at stages in their lives needing time from Dad. We made a family decision to start a home business as a handyman. It hasn't been easy but rewarding to have time as a family working together. We have homeschooled the kids, which has kept Melissa at home and busy with that.
My family discovered this campaign through a family in our homeschool community, that lost their child 10 years ago. Upon hearing Joel's diagnosis, this is a way that they suggested as a help to care for my family. My family and I have put our trust in the Lord and believe that God will help us in our financial provisions. Thank you for considering to allow my family to be together and care for my needs, doctor appointments with my diagnosis.
Family Updates
It has been a year…..
When people say time flies….. I’m pretty sure that is truth. We are standing at a year from when Joel was first diagnosed with glioblastoma. Life has changed at our home. Days are tricky. Conversations are challenging. Parenting is gritty. Although not all days have been easy, We celebrate each day that we have had. Every one of them has been a gift. We are not promised tomorrow. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:34 NIV
I can certainly say those words but living them out literally is a battle all in itself.
This past year we have chosen to live life and live it to the full. Of course Within the restrictions and the numerous doctor visits, weekly lab work, radiation, chemo, pharmacy pick ups, and much needed naps.
Many of you have helped in carrying our load of this grave diagnosis. We are thankful for everyone that has reached out. The acts of kindness, prayers, and encouraging words have meant more than anyone can possibly imagine.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for the continued prayers and support.
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Luke 11:9-10 NIV
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Without those prayers, encouragement and having faith in our savior we would not have been able to put one step in front of another. There is an old song that comes to mind filled with bits of God’s word. Somedays we don’t know how to face tomorrow.
“And because He lives
I can face tomorrow
Because He lives
All fear is gone
Because I know
He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives
God sent His son
They called Him Jesus
He came to love
Heal and forgive
He bled and died
To buy my pardon
An empty grave
Is there to prove
My savior lives”
We plead beg and cry out just as the persistent widow.
“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’ ””
Luke 18:1-5 NIV
We continue to believe for Joel’s complete healing despite what we know about this stupid cancer. We know that God has a plan and He will be faithful to complete it.
Joel and I have had a weekend to remember..... As most of you know, we have spent our lives pouring into our kids. A privilege we have been so completely honored to do. We have homeschooled, which has ended up to be a long fulfilling journey, twenty one years and counting. Jakey is already going to be a big kindergartener in the fall. This weekend was different since all of our kids were occupied. All the olders had the opportunity to have a sibling weekend with each other enjoying the mountains and other adventures that keep you on your knees praying as parents - stories yet to come from the kids. Joel's sister Jill, and our niece Ashley, took Jakey for the weekend. He was so blessed,he wanted to stay forever. Jake also got to spend some time with Adaira. He did all things Jake.... Swimming, flying airplanes, walking, splashing in puddles, making a snowman, going to the zoo, and sleeping like a tornado. Joel and I spent some long-needed time together alone and with some friends. We thoroughly enjoyed our time having some adult, non interrupted, conversation. Unfortunately, while we were out on a walk, Joel experienced another seizure. This meant a ride in the ambulance and his driving privileges were snatched away in seconds. The doctors are keeping a close eye on him and switching around his meds and we will revisit later this month with another MRI.
We continue to battle all the challenges that have been thrown at us and we continue to Trust the Lord. The absolute best part of our weekend was the privilege to spend time prostrate in the presence of the Lord at the altar. We know most of our lives, especially large decisions, have been confirmed by spending time in His presence.
This week our church is starting a corporate study on the Holy Spirit. You can't underestimate the help that the gift of the Holy Spirit can have on your life. Anna shared this song with me since it touched her so much. It is such a powerful prayer!!
"Fall Like Rain"
Passion 2023
God, I live to worship You
All my life I offer You
Simple melodies of sacrifice
Open hands and open heart
You're the only one I want
Your presence is my treasure, my delight
Fall like rain
Holy Spirit
Fall like rain
Holy Spirit
Have Your way
Let Your Glory fall down
Let Your Glory fall down
One thing I ask, one thing I seek
So much more than anything
To dwell within Your house for all my days
Knowing You is everything
So I let go of lesser things
You alone are worthy of my praise
So stir in me a passion for Your Name, Jesus
And fall like rain
Holy Spirit
Fall like rain
Holy Spirit
Have Your way
Let Your Glory fall down
Let Your Glory fall down
Another look
We went to visit with the doctor this week. They examined his brain with an MRI. Joel gave more of his blood to test for how his body is reacting to the chemotherapy. It appears the blinders have not been taken off yet. We still really don’t know anything. We don’t know what we don’t know. The results are inconclusive and they say that still has do to with the radiation zone. We have been informed this can continue to change for up to six months but most of the cloudiness or unknown happens in the three months after treatment. What we do see…..We see significantly more swelling. Joel is experiencing biting his cheek while he is eating since his face is drooping on one side. He is experiencing more difficulty with clear speech. He is, however, understanding what is being communicated so we are so thankful for that. He wants to participate in all that he can. He works hard to rest so that he can serve and be present.
In Romans Paul writes, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Romans 12:12-13 NIV
It seems as though this message was important and needed to be heard since it was repeated to the church in Thessaloniki.
“Rejoice always, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16, 18 NIV
God’s inspired word will go out. It is still relevant to us today. His words were and will always be our guide.
I have been challenged to be Joyful always, keep praying and believing despite the changes in our lives.
I’m not going to lie, life has been scary and the unknowns are strangling at times. There are moments when I feel I can’t get out of the pain.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1:2-4 NIV
I’m not sure how much I consider it “pure joy” - it hurts. but I know who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
I do “put my faith in Jesus the anchor to my soul … I put my faith in Jesus
My anchor to the ground
My hope and firm foundation
He'll never let me down. “
Promises. Maverick City Music
We are still praying and believing for a complete and total miracle. We are seeing miracles along the way. We thank God in the good and we thank God in the bad. He is Faithful!!!