A thank you to those who have served us!
Posted by Kim Adamson on February 07, 2012 at 03:40 PM
Our story is a story of divine healing. It's healing by the hand delivered to us through the many ministries offered to us by SouthBrook. Although overwhelmed with Zach's journey into the unknown, Trish and myself found such comfort and solace while receiving the much needed hope, support, prayers and friendship these ministries have introduced into our busy life including Cancer Hope, Prayer Pager, MOMs, and Finger Prints of Grace.
The Cancer Hope Ministry provided resources of encouragement to Zachary as well as Trish and myself who in the midst of this battle with cancer felt desperate for hope—the hope that Zach will be cured and survive his cancer journey. Although the Cancer Hope Ministry can't bring us physical healing, they brought us comfort, peace and love to make the journey easier to bear. Bill Fredericy and Roz Mitakides are a big reason why our journey has been one we wouldn't change for anything. Don't get us wrong, we would love nothing more than Zach never to have been diagnosed with cancer. But, we remember in Jeremiah 29 verse 11, that the Lord has plans for Zach, plans not to harm him and plans to give him hope and a future.
Roz, thank you for helping us better understand the power of the Holy Spirit and the impact one can have with a healing touch. You are an amazing leader full of compassion and grace. We will forever be grateful to you and everyone whose hands were layed upon our son and offered him God's healing touch. Bill Fredericy and his wife Sandy must have been sent to us from above as they are officially part of the Meredith family. Bill was Zachary's prayer partner and just one of the most caring and compassionate people you could ever meet. His many home visits, phone calls, holiday meals..and, boy is he an exceptional cook...or him just offering a hug to our kids made us all feel like they are always sending God's love our way. Bill has a special gift of making Zach feel that he is going to be okay and that God will never forsake him. Thank you both for coming into our lives when we needed you most.
Cancer Hope has also blessed us with home cooked meals from some of the best cooks at SouthBrook. We both really appreciate always knowing that even after the long days at the hospital we could count on Julie Linkman to deliver meals to our doorstep. Julie, thank you for taking time out of your busy day to make ours a little bit easier. You are truly a special person and have a special place in our hearts.
Also from the Cancer Hope Ministry, we want to thank Debbie Farquhar, Kathy Fay and Michele Lehman for sending cards with words of encouragement and prayers several times a month. We felt God's love through your acts of kindness not to mention, Zach would always look forward to the mail truck coming. It's during this journey of ups and downs when we learned to appreciate the little things that would create such a big smile.
Thank you to the Prayer Pager team who gave us the pager that reminded us numerous times during the day that Zach was being prayed for. We loved knowing that Zach had an army around him rallying for him to beat this disease. We are happy to say that he is winning the war.
We would like to thank Carrie Furry for her ministry, Finger Prints of Grace. Carrie’s ministry provided us over 100 photos of Zach and our family during this difficult time. Carrie’s ministry was created to offer a personal and sensitive photo session for families experiencing a significant trial, whether it be early infant loss or a parent or child facing a life threatening condition. Carrie’s pictures helped capture great family times and wonderful smiles during these difficult times.
The MOMs Ministry is made up of some of the most supportive women Trish has had the pleasure of knowing. Although God brought us to SouthBrook to continue to develop a relationship with him, along the way he introduced Tricia to some of the most caring and compassionate group of ladies—Jen Finch, Melissa Bowling, Michelle Yost and Julie Linkman. Thank you all for the delicious meals, the heart felt prayers, the unconditional support and last but certainly not least, encouraging Tricia to attend her first Women of Faith convention last April. We feel that God was preparing Trish for what was yet to come, as you see, Zach was diagnosed about a month and a half later.
A special thank you to Jenny Finch for inviting our family to attend SouthBrook several years ago and for her compassion, leadership and friendship that we both have come to know and love. It is Jenny’s leadership quality that helped put these ministries into motion after Trish called to inform her of Zach’s diagnoses. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Thanks again to all the ministries and everyone here at SouthBrook. We are blessed to be part of this family. — Bill and Tricia Meredith
