July 1, 2015
A special anniversary snuck up on me today. I'm celebrating two years of living cancer-free.
A little over two years ago, The Archers were invited to participate in a national tour and perform at the legendary Ryman Auditorium. Promotional videos were shot, a new Archers website was in development and things were looking up. But the tour didn't happen. There were thousands in personal financial costs, from potential income lost to investments made in the website, photography, and of course the lawyers. The most emotionally-wrenching part of this experience was feeling the disappointment of the fans. We heard from people that had planned to fly to Nashville from all over the U.S. and Canada. Their airfares were non-refundable. Others experienced problems receiving refunds for the tickets that were purchased.
In the flurry of preparation for this tour, I thought it might be wise to get a physical just to make sure I was in good shape to be on the road again. I connected with a wonderful doctor who really took the time to get to know me and give me a good once-over. I'm so glad he did. While examining the inside of my mouth he saw something and said, "Hmmmm. I don't like the look of that." He referred me to an E.N.T. who in turn scheduled me for a biopsy. After the biopsy, I was scheduled for a follow-up appointment to discuss the results.
I arrived for my appointment and received the news that I was not expecting-it was cancer. I came home from that appointment and saw the word "Cancelled" in bold letters across my face on The Ryman website. Yes, I was cancered and cancelled on the very same day.
I will save the awful, utterly ridiculous and occasionally hilarious aspects of oral cancer surgery for another time. Today I just want to celebrate. The thing that was supposed to be the best thing that has happened to me in quite some time (the tour) that turned into the worst, most humbling, embarrassing and financially costly thing (the cancellation) ended up being the thing that literally saved my life from cancer. If not for the tour that never was, my cancer would not have been discovered in time.
So dear friends, I can assure you that at all times God knows exactly what He is doing.
Happy anniversary to me and wonderful blessings to all of you!
Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
A special anniversary snuck up on me today. I'm celebrating two years of living cancer-free.
A little over two years ago, The Archers were invited to participate in a national tour and perform at the legendary Ryman Auditorium. Promotional videos were shot, a new Archers website was in development and things were looking up. But the tour didn't happen. There were thousands in personal financial costs, from potential income lost to investments made in the website, photography, and of course the lawyers. The most emotionally-wrenching part of this experience was feeling the disappointment of the fans. We heard from people that had planned to fly to Nashville from all over the U.S. and Canada. Their airfares were non-refundable. Others experienced problems receiving refunds for the tickets that were purchased.
In the flurry of preparation for this tour, I thought it might be wise to get a physical just to make sure I was in good shape to be on the road again. I connected with a wonderful doctor who really took the time to get to know me and give me a good once-over. I'm so glad he did. While examining the inside of my mouth he saw something and said, "Hmmmm. I don't like the look of that." He referred me to an E.N.T. who in turn scheduled me for a biopsy. After the biopsy, I was scheduled for a follow-up appointment to discuss the results.
I arrived for my appointment and received the news that I was not expecting-it was cancer. I came home from that appointment and saw the word "Cancelled" in bold letters across my face on The Ryman website. Yes, I was cancered and cancelled on the very same day.
I will save the awful, utterly ridiculous and occasionally hilarious aspects of oral cancer surgery for another time. Today I just want to celebrate. The thing that was supposed to be the best thing that has happened to me in quite some time (the tour) that turned into the worst, most humbling, embarrassing and financially costly thing (the cancellation) ended up being the thing that literally saved my life from cancer. If not for the tour that never was, my cancer would not have been discovered in time.
So dear friends, I can assure you that at all times God knows exactly what He is doing.
Happy anniversary to me and wonderful blessings to all of you!
Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.