The Joy of the Lord is my Strength

Hello sweet friends and family,

Marianne and Louie got a call from the doctor yesterday with an update and they wanted me to share with you all. Louie does have a recurrence of the cancer in his neck, an area under the collar bone, and a small area on his chest. As of right now they are waiting to hear about next steps and treatment options. Their team of doctors from Santa Clara and Fresno will be working together to determine the best course of action, so let's cover them in prayer, asking God to give them wisdom and clear direction. I think we can all agree that this is NOT the news that we wanted to hear, but I hope and pray that we can all keep our eyes on God and pray that He would continue to be glorified in and through Louie and Marianne. 

As you can imagine, they were sad upon receiving the news and are still dealing with all of the emotions that come along with it. As Louie and Marianne were talking about the emotions they were walking through, they were reminded that our emotions are a gift from God, created by God. As humans, we can so quickly allow our emotions to overwhelm us, overshadow our faith, and dictate the way we choose to live in the midst of challenges. We have to be sure that we don't allow our emotions to interfere with our relationship and trust in the Lord or with those around us. Often times it is easier to sit in our sadness, bitterness, anger, fear, etc. than it is to release our worries, our pride, and our control. If only we could truly understand that God loves and cares for us so much more than we could ever comprehend! Knowing how deeply He cares for us changes our perspective and allows us to truly find joy EVEN in the midst of difficult times. Louie shared with Marianne that he is confident that God isn't done with him yet. He is choosing to stand on the truth that the joy of the Lord is their strength! 

As I talked with Marianne today one thing was incredibly clear to me; regardless of what they are faced with, Louie and Marianne have their eyes set on Jesus and the gift it is to be loved so dearly by Him. Their deepest desire as they walk through this trial (again) is that those around them would be drawn closer to their creator. 

That those with hard hearts would allow God to soften their hearts and bring healing and transformation. 

That those carrying burdens and hurt would allow Jesus to carry the load as they trust in Him. 

That those who are lukewarm in their relationship to Christ would have a fire ignited in their spirit and a renewed love and passion for God and sharing His love with others. 

That those who have walked away from the family of God would find a church home where they find Godly friendships and a place to share their gifts. 

That those who haven't cracked open their Bibles in some time would be reminded of the power of the Word of God and hide it in their hearts. 

That those who may be angry with God would open that door again, allowing Jesus to wrap them up in His kindness and goodness and watch Him pour out His love on them.

That those who don't know Jesus would come to know Him and the sacrifice He made for them!

The list goes on and on!

Louie has said that he would walk through this battle again and again if it meant one person would come to know Christ or have their faith deepened! I pray that this is a reminder to keep our focus off of ourselves and on to what truly matters; loving God, living a life that points others to Jesus, and serving others in everything we do.

Please keep praying big prayers for Louie and Marianne and give thanks to God for how incredible Louie feels. He has no pain, is working full time, and is feeling strong and healthy! We are praying that the perfect treatment option will be presented and that God would heal Louie's body completely! We are praying for each person that reads this post, that God would meet you right where you are and meet your every need. Thank you for being such an incredible support and for your love, encouragement, and prayers. 

-Sara

God is in Control

Hi everyone,

I wanted to hop on here and share an update and ask for your continued prayers.

This coming Tuesday, Louie will be undergoing an ultrasound guided biopsy. There are a couple of areas the doctors are concerned about, and they are currently waiting to hear back from the pulmonologist to schedule a second biopsy. It’s a bit of an emotional whirlwind, as you can imagine, but Marianne and Louie are standing firm in faith.

Despite the unknown while waiting for more answers, God is so clearly moving. Marianne and Louie have decided to remain at home rather than return to Santa Clara for treatment, if needed. Although someone incredibly generous offered to cover the expenses for them to go back, they are choosing to stay rooted at home, surrounded by their loving community of family and friends. Santa Clara was a lonely place at times and they agree that home just feels right!

Here’s something amazing to share: the local doctor, without having to be asked, plans to consult directly with all three tumor board doctors in Santa Clara. This was such a confirmation that staying home and believing that God will work out the details was the right decision. God continues to orchestrate every step!

We’re boldly praying for NED, No Evidence of Disease, and we would love for you to join us in that prayer. But even if that’s not what the tests show, Marianne and Louie are trusting that the same God who brought them this far is not about to let them go now.

Emotionally, it has been a battle and both Marianne and Louie are carrying a lot. Please cover them in prayer. Pray that they would not grow weary during this time! That He would hold them up with His mighty right hand and show them glimpses of His goodness as they continue to walk this out.  

Louie and Marianne have been keeping busy with their sweet rescue puppies (they are absolute sweethearts and bring lots of smiles with their puppy antics!) They have also been working on lots of ranch projects; especially exciting is the progress Louie has made on his home gym! He is almost finished and this will be a great place for him to continue building strength. 

A big thank you from Louie and Marianne for all the love, prayers, and support you’ve shown. It means more than words can express. Continue to join us in prayer, believing that God is in control and that we would all keep our eyes on Him, living each day for His glory! Pray for wisdom for the doctors, for peace in Marianne and Louie's hearts, for healing in Louie’s body, and for strength to face what comes next with courage and grace.

Thank you for being Marianne and Louie's village and prayer warriors!

Unshakeable Faith!

Hey everyone,

We wanted to share an update Louie and Marianne received today after Louie’s recent PET scan and ask for their loved ones to keep the prayers coming! As the doctor reviewed the scan, he saw some things that raised concern. He believes there might be a recurrence of cancer in the lymph nodes on the right side, and he also noticed a few small spots in Louie’s chest and under his collarbone on the same side.

The only way to know for sure is to do a biopsy — so that's the next step. The doctor told them that in cases like this, 9 out of 10 times it does turn out to be cancer… but there's still a chance it could be a false positive. We’re holding on to hope as we wait for confirmation, because we know God can work in all things. He has already shown up and blown us away with His goodness time and time again, we know He loves us more than we can comprehend!

If it is cancer, there are treatment options including infusions or immunotherapy, so we are thankful there is a next step already available. We know that God will walk hand in hand with Louie and Marianne and pray that He would encourage them and allow them to not be anxious, but to feel His perfect peace.

We’re continuing to pray with hearts full of faith and hope and we want you to join us. God hears us and prayer changes things! Jesus has been so near through every part of this journey. We’ve seen His hand in the smallest details, and we’re leaning on His promises every step of the way. We don’t have to be afraid — He’s never left us and He’s not going to start now.

More than anything, we’re praying that through all of this, no matter the outcome, God would be glorified. That Louie and Marianne’s story — and their steady, unshakable faith — would soften hearts and point people to Jesus. They care so deeply for their family and friends and want to see every person come to know the love and acceptance Jesus offers. I love their hearts and always feel encouraged and challenged to keep my focus on what matters most!

Thank you for praying with us, it means so much!

With love,

Sara

PS. Enjoy these super cute photos of our recent trip to visit Papa and Grammie (Louie and Marianne)

Standing in Faith

 

Standing in Faith

In times of challenge and uncertainty, our faith in Christ is the cornerstone that sustains us. Louie and Marianne are continuing to walk through a season that calls for our prayers, support, and encouragement. Let's stand in faith together, believing that God is still in control and knowing that He cares deeply for Marianne and Louie and this battle they are facing. 

Update

Hi everyone! I know it has been awhile since we have had an official blog update! A lot has happened in the last two weeks and Marianne has been doing a great job of posting updates on her Facebook page to keep us all up to date. I wanted to share an update that Marianne shared with me today so that we can join them in prayer and support them as they continue walking this out.

Yesterday was a mixed bag for Louie and Marianne. They celebrated a victory, the removal of the wound vacuum and Louie being able to take small sips of water, by taking a drive to the store together and rejoicing over Louie’s progress. Later in the day they received some heavy news and struggled to process all of it. 

During a consultation with Dr. L, they learned that Louie has extra nodule extension on the left side of his neck and salivary gland. This means the cancer has spread to the surrounding tissue. As Dr. L explained the process and potential side effects of further treatment—including radiation, chemotherapy, and the recommendation for a port to be installed—Louie became overwhelmed. The potential side effects such as kidney problems, ringing in the ears, and hearing loss left him feeling disheartened. He retreated to one of the guest rooms to process everything, staying there for hours. It seems to be a constant "one step forward, three steps back," and this has to be so hard to take in day after day. Pray that Louie and Marianne would have perseverance and remain focused on God and His goodness and grace, regardless of what each day brings.

In Marianne’s feelings of helplessness, she sought support from her sister in love, Jerry the cat, and myself. Together, they cried, prayed, and fervently lifted Louie up in prayer. Marianne’s faith reminds her that God will turn their situation, sorrows, and fears into joy and their greatest testimony. She believes that God has set them apart to declare His wonderful deeds and His miraculous love for all of us. We are standing in agreement!

This morning, Louie was still discouraged, but Marianne read a devotional to him and shared her heart. Louie expressed some of his concerns, and today he plans to pray and seek God’s wisdom on how to move forward. Marianne is asking for continued prayers for Louie as he processes and seeks clarity from God.

Louie and Marianne’s steadfast faith in Jesus has been their strength. They’ve faced hurdles that would shake anyone, yet they’ve chosen to lean into His promises, trusting in His provision and peace. Their journey is a testimony of perseverance and the hope we find in Christ.

How You Can Help

1. Pray Without Ceasing Prayer is powerful, and it is the most impactful way we can support Louie and Marianne right now. Pray for strength, wisdom, and provision as they navigate this season. Pray for peace in their hearts and clarity in their decisions. And most importantly, pray for God’s will to be done and His name to be glorified through it all.

2. Share Their Story Sharing Louie and Marianne’s journey with others extends the circle of prayer and support. By sharing with your friends, family, and church members, you can invite others to stand in the gap for them and pray big prayers!

3. Financial Support Beyond prayer, Louie and Marianne are in need of continued financial support. If God places it on your heart, consider giving to help meet their needs. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference and is a tangible way to show your love and care. Donations can be a lifeline, enabling them to focus on what truly matters without the burden of financial stress. Thank you for all of those who have already donated, it has been a huge blessing and will allow Marianne and Louie to continue to travel back and forth for treatments and for Louie to take all of the time necessary off of work!

Standing Together

The beauty of the body of Christ is that we are stronger together. Louie and Marianne’s faith journey is a reminder of the importance of community, love, and unwavering trust in Jesus. Let’s come together to be the hands and feet of Christ, supporting them in every way we can.

If you feel led to donate or want to know how you else you can help, please reach out. Your generosity and prayers are a blessing that will not only uplift Louie and Marianne but also glorify God through your faithful stewardship and compassion.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/louies-fight-united-in-faith

Sara

Happy Anniversary & Update

Happy Monday,

Today is Marianne and Louie's anniversary, so please join us in wishing them a very happy anniversary! They are so grateful for each other, and their love continues to be a strong source of comfort and strength through all of this. Despite the struggles, they remain hopeful and grounded in their faith. Today, they celebrate each other and the perseverance they share.

                                                                    Then... 

                                                                    and Now! 

We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by those you love, giving God the glory for your many blessing! Marianne and Louie are really looking forward to being able to share a meal with family and friends as soon as they can. They ended up spending their Thanksgiving in the hospital, but had a beautiful surprise. Mom (Nita) came up for a surprise visit after she "got lost on the way to the grocery store!" It was so wonderful for Marianne and Louie to see her and get a warm mom hug!

They had hoped to be home by now, but unfortunately, that hasn’t happened yet, and it’s been a tough few days. Louie’s been going through a lot—getting antibiotics, dressing changes, and dealing with some IV difficulties. Last night was especially challenging, and after almost two hours and four different nurses, they finally got the IV in. It was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, but Marianne and Louie found comfort in praying, playing worship music, and leaning on each other.

The emotional toll has been heavy for both of them. They’re naturally positive people, so it’s hard for them to process all of these hard and negative emotions. They’ve realized that sometimes the waves of emotions can be overwhelming. But they’ve also found that pouring their hearts out to God really helps them stay grounded. Marianne has been diving into the book of Psalms and drawing strength from David’s honesty about his own highs and lows. It’s been a great reminder that they’re not alone in this.

Psalm 62:8 has been a source of comfort for them: “Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” They’ve found that taking their emotions to God, no matter how messy or overwhelming, is the best way to process them. There’s nothing too big or too small for Him to handle.

Throughout this journey so far there have been so many victories, miracles, and encouraging progress. There have also been setbacks, tears, and silent moments, but they are pushing through. Marianne has shared how helpless she feels sometimes, as there’s not much she can do to ease Louie’s pain. But even in these difficult times, their faith remains strong. They’re leaning on each other and trusting in God.

Dr. H told them at the beginning that this would be a hard journey, and that has absolutely turned out to be true. This situation is a lot more complex than it was eleven years ago when Louie first fought cancer, and it’s been pretty draining.

Louie has lost some weight despite getting 4-5 gravity feedings a day, and he’s a bit dehydrated. They’re adding some extra water to his feedings to help with that. He still can’t have anything by mouth until his neck heals, which has been hard since he was able to swallow small amounts of clear liquids before. On a positive note, he’s now able to fully close his mouth, and the swelling in his tongue and the flap is slowly improving! Let's remember to praise God for every small victory and continue to ask Him for every need, great and small on Louie and Marianne's behalf. 

On another bright note, yesterday was a nice break— they watched church online, caught part of the 49ers game, and took a walk around the floor. They even asked for permission to go outside, so they’re waiting to hear back from Dr. H on that. He stopped by this morning for a quick check-in and said that Louie’s neck is looking good. They’re moving forward with the wound vac to help Louie's leak heal. The vac was supposed to arrive today, but unfortunately it didn’t. It looks like they will be staying at least a few more days as they get this worked out, please pray for patience as this hospital stay has turned out to be much longer than anticipated.

While Marianne and Louie are so grateful for the progress that has been made, they’re still trying to get more information from Dr. H. They have a list of questions they plan to go over with him. Pray for lots of answers and for wisdom for Louie's medical team.

Marianne and Louie are so thankful for everyone’s continued prayers, love, and support. Please keep lifting them up as they move forward in this journey!

Much love,

Sara 

Heading Home!

Happy Monday!

Once again, thank you for your continued prayers, the last couple of days have been a bit of a rollercoaster for Louie and Marianne—filled with highs and lows—but through it all, they know that God has been right there with them.

Louie and Marianne were thrilled when Louie’s tubes and trach came out! It was such a milestone. During the day, he’s been doing really well, but the nights have been a bit harder, especially Friday and Saturday. Louie faced some spiritual and emotional battles, feeling attacked by anxiety and fear. Louie shared that he kept praying and speaking the name of Jesus! There TRULY is power in the name of Jesus!

Marianne also had moments of doubt, feeling overwhelmed and unsure if she could meet Louie's needs. Marianne and Louie prayed together, rejected the lies of the enemy, and stood firm in their faith. The enemy was trying to attack them, but God is so much bigger! Marianne and Louie's testimony will be one of God's faithfulness, and the devil doesn’t want that to be known. Because of Jesus and His love and sacrifice, we can all have a victory testimony no matter what we are facing! 

When you are struggling with anxiety, fear, or anything else remember that this doesn't reflect spiritual failure or a lack of faith! This is a time to seek out community and ask for prayer and support. There are so many people standing ready to help you, support you, sit quietly with you, cheer you on, etc. Don't limit what God can do by trying to do life alone. He made us to be a part of His family! Let's stand in the gap for those who are struggling or feeling down and burdened!  

Louie is up, moving, and walking frequently, which is incredible. The Speech Language Pathologist has been working with Louie, he is working hard on swallowing fluids. His new tongue is still adjusting, trying to work in unison with what is remaining of his native tongue. Please pray for the swelling to go down and for his body to continue to adjust. It's slow, but steady. This will require a lot of patience, but they are encouraged by his progress. 

For now, Louie will continue using the feeding tube, let's pray that this won't be the case for too long so that Louie can enjoy some of his favorite foods soon! The team is setting up home care visits, and soon they will begin intensive speech and swallowing therapy, along with lymphatic massage and physical therapy to continue his recovery. No wound care is needed because the transplant site looks so good!

Louie and Marianne are still waiting on the pathology reports and the next steps, but they are so grateful that the doctors have us focused on one thing at a time. The Radiologists are going over all of Louie's old radiation records and Louie and Marianne will be following up about pathology and radiation locally in Fresno. 

The doctor came by this evening and let them know that they will be going home tomorrow! He also shared that Louie's speech is incredibly clear and that he is an over-achiever!

Thank you all for your continued prayers, support, and for walking this journey with Marianne and Louie. They can’t wait to get home and start on the next chapter in Louie’s recovery. Keep praying for complete healing and peace as they move forward.

Hope you all enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones!

Sara

A Quick Update

 Good evening!

We wanted to share a quick update on how Louie is doing! His follow up procedure to fix a leak last night was successful and they also switched out his trach for a smaller one. Louie continues to blow the team away with how quickly he is progressing, his positive attitude, and his determination. That doesn't mean that it has been easy, it has been incredibly difficult with lots of hard moments. There has been impatience, sadness, frustration, and many moments filled with discouragement. The last few days have seen a lot of real and raw emotion and struggles. It can be easy to let our minds get clouded by our feelings in the midst of hard times and struggle to see God, Who is ever present in our times of need. Your prayers, calls, texts, and encouragement have been key to reminding Louie and Marianne that God is in control and to take it one day at a time. Keep them coming! 

Louie has begun speaking using the speaking valve on the trach! He is also coughing on his own instead of using suctioning as often and performing lots of deep breathing exercises. Today they added tongue movement exercises and Louie was able to move his tongue from side to side! He will be swishing mouthwash as a new exercise today. Depending on how he continues to progress, they are hopeful to have the trachea removed tomorrow and get Marianne and Louie home sometime between Saturday and Monday! Please pray for continued strength and energy to push forward for Louie and Marianne, they are tired, but determined! Please also pray for safe travels for Nita tomorrow as she heads home and a multitude of blessings to be poured out on her! Thank you!