When I first wrote the post "Gold medal winner" I wasn't expecting to write a followup or part 2 to the post but after today It is necessary. We had church at the zoo today and then followed up with lunch and admission to the zoo. While at the zoo I received a phone call from Leah's Aunt Pam. She told me she had just run a marathon and during training and the 26 mile run She prayed for me. 26 miles worth of prayer in one day is simply astounding, not to mention greatly appreciated. Our phone call connection wasn't the best so I called her when we got home later. She told me the rest of the story. A friend of her's invited her to participate in the "Fox Valley marathon". She was hesitant to join in and wanted this to be a God thing instead of a self accomplishment. About a week after invitation I posted I had started Chemo treatments. She took this as her sign from God that she needed to participate in the marathon and use this as time to pray for me and my situation. 12 weeks of training and the almost 5 hour marathon worth of prayer for me. I am so blessed to have this kind of support. As you might see in the photo above she has "Kent's cure" written on her arm. Please notice the "t" is a cross. She told me she imagined it was lonely going through chemo treatments. So to feel what that might be like she ran alone and didn't listen to music. Both through the 12 weeks of training and the marathon today. During her time in training as well as today she used her time being alone in a conversation with God. Conversation topic was Kent De Young and curing cancer.
By this point I am simply amazed and extremely blessed but there is more. She endured injuries to ankles and knees during training and nearly was not able to run. I believe it was God healing her to continue their conversation time. Thank you Aunt Pam for your conversations with God. Thank you for your determination to continue. I consider you a real Gold medal winner. There probably aren't many people who run with this much determination with someone like me in mind the whole journey. I am deeply honored.
--Kent
Great story! Reminds me of another marathon that a relative did for us almost exactly a year ago (9/25/2011). Here is the link of our blog post about it.
ReplyDeletehttp://natemarybeth.blogspot.com/2011/10/marathon-day.html
Now I think I know why you have done so well tolerating the chemo, Kent! It is amazing what can be done when we listen to God's call to do something extra-ordinary for someone else. I hope what Pam has done inspires each of us to think about what we can do. Not all of us can run, obviously. But the challenge is to find something that reminds us to pray for someone, mo matter what might be their struggle.
ReplyDeleteI add my hmble, heart-felt thanks to Pam for this sacrificial gift.
In His love, Linda Breen
Wow, I love running stories, and this is one of the coolest. Keep running your race, Kent!
ReplyDeleteJim
WTG Aunt Pam!
ReplyDeleteThank you from all who love and support Kent and his family!