Although we won’t celebrate with all of you until the party on the 26th, we started the party at home on Friday night (the 17th) when Gage took his last dose of chemo. And, his doctor allowed us to take his port out a bit early, so it’s been gone a couple weeks. Thanks to all who called, emailed, texted, sent cookies & balloons and put fun signs in our yard…we loved it all!
Another big part of the celebration was Rebecca racing with 33 friends in the Nation’s Triathlon in Washington DC on Sept. 12th. Our “Racing for Gage” team raised $175,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society…and it was an amazing experience.
And, a post-race pic…
I’m sure I’ll share more later about this part of the journey, but for now, I’m too worn out from our weekend!
Thanks so much for continuing to check in and for walking this road with us.
RH
Rebecca,
What a joy to see your kiddos celebrating Gage’s last day of chemo! We can’t wait to celebrate with you in person next Sunday night.
Congratulations on the completeing the Nations Tri and for raising so much money for the LLS!!! You all have been so persevering throughout the past three years and have touched so many lives. Thank you for your ministry and witness to the rest of us in the toughest of times.
I read this quote a few minutes ago and thought it so appropriate in terms of what you all have experienced and shared with all of us as we’ve looked on…
“In terms of what brings me joy, I used to think that joy and sorrow were mutually exclusive. But now I know that a person can experience deep sorrow and yet have profound joy in the midst of it. In fact, I think experiencing significant sorrow actually increases our capacity for joy. When we’re told in the New Testament to rejoice when we have trials, we think to ourselves that this must be some sort of super-spiritual brand of Christianity that is unrealistic for us. But I’ve come to think that the real source of joy in the midst of struggle is discovering that the faith we’ve given lip-service to our whole lives is the real deal. Faith shifts from being an intellectual exercise to a personal adventure. There is joy in sensing that God is at work in us and through us in the midst of the most difficult of circumstances.”
Love you all,
Lisa
Yaaaaaaay!
Congratulations to you all!
So excited you all are done with Chemo. Praying for your family daily as you experience your new normal without chemo. Yeah!!!
Rejoicing with you this week. My heart is smiling for you all in this victory. AMEN!
Oh wow. That is so beautiful. What a race, huh? Tired? I remember that our church had VBS just around the time of Gage’s diagnosis and the memory passage for the week was Hebrews 12:1-2
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ”
I decided to commit to praying for you for a full 3 years. I prayed that verse specifically when I didn’t know how to pray. It has seemed more than appropriate so many times. I’ve been blessed to see God work through you. I know so many others have been as well. My boys have both prayed for Gage…and have been blessed by knowing that God has carried him through. We have met people that know you, we have seen lives touched by you. We have seen God glorified through you. Praise Him.
Lots of hugs to you.
Gage…way to kick cancer right in the hiney. You are a true soldier!
YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE…so very very happppppppppppppppppppppy for you all…and congrats to Gage and all the Holme’s for a race well done/run! xoxo from all the Bolin’s in Houston!
Praising God for healing Gage and carrying your whole family through this journey. He is so good!
Where do I begin Holmes Family…well I’ll just start by saying “God’s Grace is Sufficient” and “He Will Never Leave or Forsake Us”! I remember so well the day we met Gage and Blake at Children’s. If I remember correctly Gage had been in the hospital for approx. three weeks at the time we met. Gage and Blake were playing with a big ole black spider and Gage was trying to scare everybody…worked pretty good too!! I am so thankful we all met that day. Wow our families have been through alot but we’ve accomplished and found the treasures amidst the storm through our respective journey. The Holmes Family is a Treasure to all the Smith Family Indeed!
On the Road to A Cure took on lots of twists, turns, curves and challeneges but Gage and the Family made it to the Finish Line one day at a time!!! Praising God for His Healing and Cure. Praising God for “No Quit”. Praising God for Gage and Team Holmes for Keep on Keeping ON and the Inspiration you ALL gave us as we visited Gage’s Site. The pics are wonderful, I always enjoy the kiddos and the family pics…they always brought JoY and Smiles! Thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of the journey and sharing little Gage with us. It’s amazing to witness what God has done and is doing through Gage’s Journey and with Team Holmes.
Of course I have to mention the “Prize Closet” in Laurren’s Honor. Not long ago we received an email from a mother who’s son is in treatment at Children’s and how he loves the Prize Closet and selecting his gift. Their son recently had a Birthday Celebration and asked others to bring gifts for the Prize Closet. What a privilege it’s been to be part of such and amazing gift that will be forever cherished. We never know how our lives might affect one another. It just Blesses our Heart to hear these stories!
I thought Gage’s Celebration was on the 25th the same day as Christmas in the Park. Well I guess that’s what I get by not visiting Gage’s Site more often. We won’t physically be at the Celebration tonight but definetly our Heart and Spirits will be with you all of you in Prayer Songs and Melodies as you Celebration this Wonderful Occasion! Congratulations Gage, You Fought the Good Fight and WON! We are so proud of you and for you as well as for the Holmes Family!
Love to all of You,
Rhonda (Aunt of Laurren Brooke Smith)
Hello,
I have a question about your blog. Please email me!
Thanks,
David