I know I might have a few new readers linking from his article featured in various news outlets. Please know that you are welcome here. As you can imagine, our lives didn't just start three months ago. Feel free to browse our blog...to flesh out the picture drawn by Eric's words.
Thank you for stopping by.
~Lauren
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57 comments:
Hey Friend. Have not stopped praying for you guys! Your strength and your faith in this journey is inspiring.
Praying for you and your family. Strength, grace, healing and endurance. Your family is beautiful, and our God is good.
I heard of Matt Chandler from Angie Spence...she goes to your church and my husband is best friends with her brother...
I've been listening to your husband since his return from surgery. I never thought I would look forward to Mondays until I found Matt's sermons on-line...now, I go to bed Sunday night excited to hear him the next day. I've sent the link to his sermons out to all of my friends...especially my skeptical friends :)
He speaks truth so powerfully, so intelligently and articulately, he's funny and relatable...I learn so much from him and loved last week, or the week before, how he explained salvation...especially our roles as parents...how we can kindle the fire, put brush, dry leaves, things that will burn easily, but that only God can ignite the flame...love that...used that to explain to a friend that only God saves...going, Lord willing, to the Southern Baptist Convention this summer so I can hear him live :)
I'm excited to see what God is doing and pray with my little ones for God to heal Matt Chandler...always remembering and comforted that God is sovereign and He not only loves Matt Chandler but He cares for Him too...
love, sarah watson
Hi Lauren. Yes, I came to your blog from the article....and I am so glad I did. I saw Matt preach at Sevier Heights in Knoxville last year. Our worship pastor provided the link to the article that brought me here. I will be praying.
I have had the great blessing of listening to your husband's podcasts for about a year and a half and being at Advance09 in Charlotte NC at which he was a speaker. I can't even begin to imagine how this trial has impacted The Village let alone your sweet family. I appreciated Gorski's article because it filled in a lot of gaps for me (not all; as my wife keeps asking: didn't Matt have headaches or something before the seizure?). It's just amazing how advances in technology have permitted us to learn from Matt and now share in his trial and McRae's too. All of this, of course, is God's doing. Rest assured, although we will never meet, our family prays joyfully and consistently for yours.
Hey Lauren - I wanted you to know that you guys are still in our constant prayers. What a great article. May His renown be known through your testimony. We love you! -Jeannette
Lauren, you don't know me, but my husb & I have been listening to your husb.s sermons online, from Austin for several months now & since Dec.'s news of the tumor(we heard about through our local pastor) I've been praying. I have had a strong burden esp. this week for your family. I so wanted to drive to the Village Flower Mound today-from Austin, just to be there live.
I just read this article - it it was so well written. I am very grateful that y'all have decided to fight this battle publicly. It will result in many many changed lives for the glory of Jesus. I know that it already has.
I am committing to praying for you and Matt and will share on my blog (chelan.me), FB and other ways, how far-reaching God's grace is, in relation to your family in this season...and petitioning more prayer - for healing 1st, for very limited side effects from treatment 2nd, for strength and ability to continue to deliver the Word as Matt has been so clearly called to do, and lastly, that this will bring your nuclear family & church family closer than they've ever been to ea. other & to the Lord. . . which will I KNOW, lead to impact all over the nation as an example of how Christ would respond...with humility & grace, acceptance & strength. It makes me yearn to seek HIM more & to respond this way to every challenge along my life's path.
Thank you. You are beautiful - as a woman, and a wife and mom. NEVER stop trusting in the Lord's faithfulness.
I too have continuously been praying for your entire family. It is amazing how this has gotten more exposure for both Jesus and his loving grace! Be encouraged that good things are happening and your support group is large!
I love you all, even without ever having met one of you. Keep the faith!
I have been to the Village Church a few times, and also live in the Village. My Mom was dx'd with cancer last Spring, and it's been quite a journey. Please know that I am praying for you and your family.
Hi, i have never met you or Matt, but a friend showed me your blog. I am suffering from an illness no doctor can quite understand. But i wanted to let you know that this blog has given me hope. You have encouraged my soul. Thank you. Know that you are being used in might ways by our God. He is faithful, i have just been reminded of that by your words. May God shower blessings on you and your family. My prayers and thanks are with you.
Sending prayers from Manila, Philippines.
Lauren,
Just read your story posted on Deanna Henderson's facebook. Seven years ago when my healthy, never smoking husband was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer we founded a support group f.a.i.t.H.--facing an illness through HIM. www.faithsupportgroup.com You might visit to learn more about it and join our prayer group. Also see www.caregivercancerjourney.com In Him, Cynthia Siegfried
We are praying, amazing article! To God be the glory!
Praying for complete healing for Matt. Praying for strength for your whole family. Praying that you would continue to depend on our savior during this time.
Matt, you have touched my life more than you know and I will continue to pray for you until you are healed.
Amit
I read the article by Eric through tears of joy, pain and understanding. Then I came to your blog and have been reading every post (I had to laugh a bit when I saw you had recently posted the same Spurgeon article I posted today). I've listened to Matt's sermons for a few months, and have been praying for your family ever since I read of Matt's diagnosis.
I know you have hundreds of people praying for you, but I also know that when you're walking through winters of the soul, it's always encouraging to hear of another's prayers.
I am lifting your whole family up to the One Who knows everything you need and loves you infinitely more.
Came across this blog after the reading the Wash Post story. Am not a Christian nor will I ever be one. But reading about your husband and watching his youtube videos have had me in awe of his faith in his lord. I pray for his continued strength at this difficult time and his calm perseverance. God's blessings on you all.
Read Eric Gorski's article about your family - wanted to stop by your blog and let you know yet another fellow pastor's wife in Texas will be in prayer for your family.
Hi. I'm another one you do not know. I heard about your family's struggles through Eric Gorski's article. I'm a caregiver for a dear little lady suffering from alzheimer's. Tonight has been an especially bad night for us, and I came to my computer between trials to find some encouragement. I should have turned to my Bible, but God is faithful, and He pointed me to you. Thank you for your shining testimony. I am humbled and encouraged. I can get through this night because of Christ and His work amongst His people. Thank you for your part in that work. You are living out His "poiema" prepared before hand for you. Don't quit now. I won't either. We'll meet in Heaven someday and I will introduce you to my sweet Oma.
I've posted a link on FB to the article about your husband. He is preaching his best sermon ever, how to suffer to the glory of God, and God is giving Matt a platform beyond his imagination. We are praying often for all of you. I am an "older" Christian, and watching and listening to Matt has so greatly encouraged me about his generation. God is raising up faithful preachers...and sufferers. May his tribe increase.
i, too, came to your blog from the article (the link was posted on a friend's facebook). what uplifting words - your story has, no doubt, touched the hearts of many.
praying for you and your family - don't ever give up the fight.
{for everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven}
Lauren, I don't know you guys, but I'm a sister in Christ here in Southaven, MS. Praying for your strength and joy. Heard a great quote to pass your way...
"Joy is peace dancing; peace is joy resting."
You have embodied these beautiful words. May you find great rest in God this morning, knowing that a girl in Mississippi is begging Him for His greatest glory and your good this very day. He has already used you tremendously, as my husband and I have sat and watched Matt's vlogs and read your posts. Thank you for your faith.
Warmly,
Hillary Hale
hphale@gmail.com
I stumbled across your blog awhile back from Amanda Jones site and about fell out of my chair yesterday when flipping through the newspaper and seeing a story on you guys! I live in Springfield, MO! Awesome testimony and we will continue praying for you and your family.
WOW....what a beautiful family. A friend sent the article posted on Yahoo to me. Just wanted to let you know that I was diagnosed with a stage 4 GBM and was given a year to live....even with brain surgery at UCSF, 6 1/2 weeks of radiation, and a year of chemo.....that was nearly SIX years ago. God is so good and HE has a different plan. I am fortunate to share the message of HOPE to many and I am praying for your continued health and that wonderful peace that truly does surpass all understanding. GODSPEED.
Kate Burke
(www.caringbridge.org/ca/kate)
Hi Sweet Friend,
We are praying continually for you guys in this season!
BonkLand
I'm praying for you. I'm silenced by the article and by your courage. My kids and I are praying for you and your kids today.
It was a beautiful article. May God continue to draw near to your family as you draw near to Him during this time.
Hi Lauren
My husband and I just read the article on MSNBC.com with tears in our eyes and great hope in our hearts. God is really using your family to inspire His people. My heart just aches for y'all, but at the same time it soars knowing what an impact this trial is having on hurting people everywhere. You continue to have my prayers!!
~Kate
Your story has touched me more than you could know! I will be 1 more person praying for Matt and your entire family! Our family also has been going through a very rough start to 2010 and my strength in Him has increased by bounds, knowing that He is holding us in His hands! He will give us the strength and peace we need and has a plan for us! But, your family's story has given me further faith and I just wanted to say thank you for sharing! It has encouraged me so much!
Hi Lauren, I was once a member of the Village Church when I lived in Dallas and have been keeping up with your blog and your family since I heard the news of Matt's tumor. I cannot say in words how inspiring all of you are in dealing with this news and in spreading God's word. I will continue to pray for you all during this season. Much love.
Greetings to you Chandlers. I am so grateful that the man of your family is recovering, I never met Matt but I began following him right before Thanksgiving because he was one of the first people I have seen on Twitter actually talk about something, that something being God, and Trip Lee had shouted him out so I instantly checked out Matt's Twitter. I have been following him from my journey which a few weeks ago lead me out to Dallas from California, only to be guided back to California by God. If I would have known Matt was from Dallas I would have reached out in any way possible when I was there. I'm grateful that he is recovering. Thank you Jesus! God's Favor upon you Chandlers
Your Brother in Christ,
HYP3
Lauren,
What a beautiful article. I continue to pray for Matt, you, and your sweet children. What a gift you are to Matt..a perfect helper for him.
Grace to you,
Helen
matt and lauren.
i just read your article. thank you for sharing your story! my dad is a pastor in arlington. he found out he had a brain tumor the day before thanksgiving and had it removed dec 14th. he has been diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma and is currently undergoing radiation and chemo. your story has been an encouragement to me in this time of uncertainty for my family. praying for you and your family during your journey.
I listen to Village Church sermons online. Wonderful AP article. Your family is in my prayers!
I just found your blog through Eric's article and I am SO encouraged by you and your family. I'm going to keep up with your blog now so I can be praying for you guys. I am blown away by how you (and Matt) are handling this suffering. I have been struggling the past two weeks specifically with God and his sovereignty and our pains and tragedies. I have wondered how I would handle a tragedy like the one you are dealing with. I have been fearful of the what ifs: what if I lose my husband? what if when I have kids one of them dies? what if I get breast cancer? what if I get raped? etc. Reading about you and your family, your approaches to continue praying even though you don't fully understand man's role vs. God's role, it is just INCREDIBLE.
I hope that whatever troubles God brings my way, that I could respond in a similar manner. I trust that God is giving you all the strength you need to continue trusting him in this time, and I am hopeful that he will do the same for myself and all our brothers and sisters when tribulations hit. I'm thankful God has chosen you all for this purpose because you are showing the world his love more than you realize!
Thank you for your honesty with your struggles - its wonderful to see your humanness, and God's strength in all of this.
To the Chandlers: My name is Gary Sapp and I am a minister with Mission of Mercy. My web site is www.garysappministries.com My wife Dee was give 4 months to live with 3rd stage colon cancer and that was 14 years ago. They removed over half of her colon and God put the half back in her body one year later. A truly creative miracle of God. She took 53 treatments of Chemo in one year and everything they told her about being sick and etc did not happen.
My reasoning for telling you this is to let you know we are praying for Matt and know that God will do the same for him. You will come out of this victorious and the best is yet to come. Do not know you personally but know that as we travel each weekend and speak in churches across America your name will be lifted up by those churches and God is up to something good in your life. We will continue our prayers for Matt.
Check my web site for more on Dee's healing and we just want to encourage you if God did it for her He will do it for Matt. Blessings Gary and Dee Sapp
Mission of Mercy
Hi Lauren, I'm a part of The Village Northway. My husband and I have been praying for your family and for Matt's healing. I had an aggressive cancer @ 22 y.o. and am now 20 months out from surgery. Looking back, it was the worst and best time of my life. God took me to the dessert and I came out declaring Him as husband and not master! I'm praying that He is showing you both beautiful things in this storm. He is so so near to the broken hearted. You guys bless our souls, thank you!
Lauren:
I found your blog from the Eric Gorski article. Thanks for sharing your lives and the journey you are taking. I am the wife of a man with a malignant brain tumor, GBM grade 4, left frontal lobe. We were told in May 2004 that he would live one year, possibly 2. Well, that has not been the way it played out at all. God has been so faithful to me during this time. We are still living life together, with God's grace, and few deficits. Presently not on any treatments.
God bless you and your family,
Laurie
I love your husband!!! And I am praying for you, him and the kids.
RAP
Another sister in Christ here who is praying for you and Matt, your sweet family, and The Village. Although we have never met, I heard Matt speak at my college (Baylor University) four years ago when I was a freshman and I have been listening to his podcast ever since. I have also made several trips to The Village over the years. I, too, have been humbled, challenged, and deeply encouraged by this trial you all are facing. Be comforted in the STRONG and FAR-REACHING love of our God who never leaves, forsakes, nor gives us more than we are able to handle. He is good. Praying for healing, strength, peace and overflowing JOY for you guys!
"The LORD has done GREAT things for us and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3
Lauren
Waco, TX - Calvary Baptist Church
Praying every day for you all and the Mcraes. Thaks for sharing your journey and faith.
Reading your story on USA today article was like reading the twin version of my life right now. Frighteningly simular. My husband was diagnosed with a grade 3 astrocytoma at 37 in his left frontal lobe. He's around 6' 3 with a runners phsyic, picture of health and healthy living, and woke up me up around 5:00 am one morning having a grand mal seizure. He underwent an 8 hour crainiotomy this past August at MD Anderson, completed his 6 weeks of radiation and chemo in late November at UAB, and is now on his one year cycle of chemo. Doing amazingly well!! We have a 4 year old dauger and 2 year old son. We are memember of Church of the Highlands and LOVE the support our small groups and pastors have shown us. I will pray for your children, you, and your husbands recovery. All we want is more time to watch our children grow up.
A friend passed the article to me concerning Matt's cancer and treatment. I was so saddened to read of these trials, but so refreshed to see how the author accurately relayed Matt's character, personality and perseverance during these times.
My husband and I attended Metro Bible study years ago while we were dating. And we were so Blessed to catch him once while he preached at FBC Woodway. There were lessons that Matt preached on some nine (?) years ago that we still talk about on occasion. Matt truly made an impact in our lives and I know the lives of so many others.
Our God is a Sovereign & Mighty God who Blessed the world with Matt Chandler. The effects of his preaching will be felt for generations. Our prayers and thoughts are with the Chandler family during these times...
Thank you for teaching us how to suffer well. You and Matt are amazing and the wisdom God has given you moving and lifechanging for all that read of your journey.
THANK YOU!
Don't know you at all, but compelled to pray. My dad is a pastor so, for some reason, I always feel connected to other pastor's families. Praying for you and your family. Thank you for being willing to let God use you in this way. Thank you for showing the world that although bad things happen to good people, we have a great God who is totally in control. Love and peace to you!!
Though we've never met, you're in my thoughts and prayers so much. I'm in OKC, OK - a pastor's wife, with three little ones. Your husband's messages have been a blessing to my husband and I - may our great God continue to sustain and carry you during this time.
Liz Stetler
Greetings Matt and Lauren,
Our local (Missouri) newspaper picked up this story in the religion section. From the story I went to both blogspots. God Bless you and your family. Thank you for being so open and vulnerable. "(We) are always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured." Col 4:12
Such an amazing article - our family is praying for you and praising our Heavenly Father for his grace and sovereignity that is giving you strength. MUCH love from Lubbock!
Lauren,
I started listening to podcasts 3 years ago while living in China (a Village church member was serving with the team I was with) and still weekly listen. I'm in my senior year of college and God has used Matt's teachings greatly in my life. I'm incredibly thankful for your family's ministry! I'm praying for Matt's complete healing and strength for your family during this time. Much love- Emily
hey lauren!
i have just now read the article! praising GOD for just how beautifully y'all are handling this. wishing i would have a chance run in with you and be able to hug your neck. lily just asked about "big audrey" the other day. how she loves her!!!
anyway, y'all are continually in our thoughts and prayers.
kerry
You guys are SO inspiring to me. Thank you for sharing the gospel even in these difficult times.
Praise HIS name!
My husband (Matt) and I have been covenant members of the Village for over 3 years now. Our hearts hurt when we heard about over Thanksgiving and we've been compelled to pray. I found your blog quite some time ago through Natalie Patterson's (I grew up in youth group w/ Josh and Natalie) and have been following for awhile, but I just wanted to let you and Matt know the encouragement you are to a "new" (5 years) married couple, the way Matt challenges us in our walk together and individually and the burden we both have on our hearts to pray for him daily on his behalf asking the Father to do something amazing. Be strong, you guys are SUCH an encouragement. Praying for you, Matt and your sweet family.
lauren,
I have been keeping up with you on twitter and your blog. I am so touched by your story. I would like to send you my book "Cancer Journey: A Caregiver's View from the Passenger Seat" Can I send it to the church? Cynthia Siegfried
cynthia@caregivercancerjourney.com
we attend the village weekly and couldnt be more happier with our church home! we love you guys and are praying for you daily! thank you for teaching...now showing... us all how to "suffer well."
Praying for you, Matt, and your children. The article was an incredible testimony to your faith in this difficult time...as is your blog, in general.
Lauren,
i just saw that Matt, health permitting, will be at T4G this year. I'm so glad. My husband will be there as well (health permitting) and I know it will bless him immensely to hear your husband. We continue to pray for you often. I figure Matt is getting the majority of prayers so I tend to pray for you! ;) May grace and peace be yours in abundance today. helen lowe
Hello beautiful Chandler family! My name is Hillary Forrester Mottern. I live in Tulsa, OK and have a mother who is going through brain cancer as well. This has been so hard on my family. She has Stage 4 glioblastoma brain cancer and was diagnosed Jan. 09. It has been a little over a year and she has gone through surgery, radiation and is still on chemotherapy. She has been having frequent seizures lately and Lauren I understand what you went through seeing Matt go through a seizure. My 4 year old niece saw it as well and has struggled with her MiMi being sick. I wanted to write you and let you know that my family is supporting you 200%! We will continue to pray for you every single day and night! Please continue to pray for us as well! Her tumor was removed at MD Anderson last year and a smaller one has now taken its place. God is the ultimate HEALER and will continue blessing each of our families! PLease feel free to take a look at mom's blog we started - www.prayersfordoreen.blogspot.com. I've enjoyed looking at yours! Thanks for the inspiration! God Bless~hillary
Hey Lauren,
I was just listening to a sermon online and the Lord put it on my heart to share it with you...it's Tim Keller's exposition on 1Peter 1:3-9 and speaks of living in joy and sorrow simultaneously.
http://sermons2.redeemer.com/sermons/born-hope
(I've never met you all but have been keeping up with/praying for y'all here in Memphis.)
-Elizabeth
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