Sunday, December 23, 2012

a letter from Montie

This Christmas, 2012, I reflect back upon the year, a year that has been marked with suffering.
Not that there has not been good times, I am a very blessed man.
I have six great kids and they bring great joy in my life.
I know they have kept me going, at times when I thought I could do no more.
But most of all, I have the greatest wife in the world. She is my best friend and knows me only second to my God.
At times I search for good out of all that we have been through.
First I see that it has brought us closer as a family. We have been forced to pull together and hold one another up. Though we all deal with Sallee's sickness differently, it all comes down to a single thing. You are forced to ask the question; why. Why did this happy? Why did God allow this?
I know God loves me and my family.
And its okay to ask God why.
I believe suffering is a mystery, at least to me, not to God. He has allowed it and He has a purpose. There will be answers one day, I am sure of that.
But for now we trust.
One great blessing that has come from all of this, is the opportunity to love my wife in a way that not many have the chance to.
Through caring and comforting her as we walk through this together.
If marriage is a picture God has given us of Christ, and His relationship with His people, then I can see a glimpse into the answer.
We as His people, are suffering through the plague of sin. Christ, through His great love for us, came this Christmas day, to one day heal us completely from this dreaded disease.
Though we suffer now, He is there to comfort us. Not always with answers, but the very giving of Himself.
All of Himself.
Nothing held back.
I want to thank all of you for your continued prayers and support. We are blessed to have all of you as part of our family.
Sallee continues chemo. Next treatment, next part of January.
Merry Christmas,
Montie

22 comments:

  1. I am so sorry, and will be praying for your family.

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  2. God bless you. What a wonderful example you are, thank you and hang in there.

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  3. Montie and Sallee, I want you to know that I have never met you but ever since Sallee was first diagnosed the Lord continues to bring you to mind for prayer...the kind of prayer that contends for someone as if they were my own flesh and blood, the kind that wakes you up in the middle of the night and asks God for a true blue miracle, the kind that beseeches God to turn things around and show Himself mighty on your behalf. I know He loves you because He puts you on our hearts, but I pray that you truly feel His love right now and that the body of Christ digs deep and loves you big. If I could walk into your home right now and hug your family I would, but since I can't I hope these words feel like one. Around the globe the people of God are lifting you up.

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  4. Merry Christmas to Sallee and your family. What a beautiful letter Montie.

    Blessings and hugs to your family this Christmas season. Continuining to lift up your beautiful wife and family.

    Suzanne

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  5. We love you guys and our prayers continue daily.

    I know God is using your family, this suffering, in ways you do not yet know. You are an example to many of how to continually push through the toughest of times. Your strength has to be from the Lord, it is not something man can do on his own.

    Praying blessings, peace, comfort and joy for you 8 this Christmas.

    Thankful that we serve a God who does not leave us or forsake us, even though it may seem we are alone at times, HE is there ready to pick us up.

    Thank you for sharing this letter. Hugs to you all.

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  6. Montie, we don't know your family. I just happened to stumble upon Sallee's blog. That said, our family prays faithfully for yours. I watched my Mom suffer through cancer treatments, and it was beyond difficult. I pray that when it feels that way to you and the children, you will recall that there are many of us lifting our gaze toward heaven, pleading with God on your behalf...for strength, endurance, comfort, rest, peaceful minds, and some joy in your days. We always remember Sallee, whom I suspect is a gentle but fierce warrior in this battle against cancer. From our perspective, she appears a heroine. May God continue to sustain her and lift her up in ways that are so perfect and divine, we can't help but see Him in them. Praying, praying, praying for all eight of you. Sandy

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  7. Praying, praying, praying for your blessed family. Praying for peace.... And time.... And, above all, healing for Sallee... Earthly healing. I know.. I am selfish. I want her well here. I want the two of you to "grow old" together.

    Holding you up before The Throne....

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  8. Many blessings on you and your family as you continue on the journey God has laid out for you. Thank you for taking the time to update all of us who check in here. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  9. Montie and Sallee - I continue to pray for you and your family. God does love you and you are right we can ask God WHY? WHY? He did promise NEVER to leave us . . . so I am praying that in your home you feel his mighty presence and love. Prayers and hugs . . . Debi and Katrina

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  10. Montie, thank you so very much for sharing your heart and your family with so many of us in the adoption world and beyond. I personally thank God for Sallee, she encouraged me so very much along our adoption journey and our daughter continues to wear her miracle creations. I share your story for prayer through each wearing and it is a reminder, daily, to continue and not give up. You are so very right, God LOVES you all so much more than we can imagine! And God will NEVER leave you, any of you! He KNOWS we need to ask why, whether we get the answer here on earth or not. You are all so precious to Him and to so many that you will never see face to face. I thank our God that HE is face to face with you, Sallee and each of your children each and every day and night. We pray for God's abundant grace to fall on you all like a gentle rain, never ending. Love, Hugs and Prayers!! The Boyd Family

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  11. I'm always checking into your website and have kept your family in my thoughts. Have you watched the movie "Forks over Knives" yet? It's on Netlix and Hulu and everywhere else it seems. I know that I am just a random person here but they have proven the ability to turn on and off the cancer with dietary change. What can it hurt? Please watch. I don't mean to be a busy body and stick my two cents in but...I keep getting led back to your site over and over maybe it is to give you this information.

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  12. RIP Sallee. I will always remember the beautiful poppy-dip dresses you made that my daughter adored. I know you are dancing with Jesus now. Much love and peace to your whole family.

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  13. I am so sorry to hear of Sallee's passing. I will always treasure the poppy dip dress that she made for my daughter. You and your family are in my prayers!

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  14. Much love and prayers to your family. Sallee was such an inspiration to me through our adoption journeys. She always emailed me back when I checked in on her. I know heaven has gained an amazing angel.

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  15. So sorry to see here that Sallee has passed; I too enjoyed your story and my girls loved their dresses. I hope you find strength in your faith and know that Sallee is in a better place and healed, watching her beautiful family. Peace to you.

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  16. I was just checking to see how you all are doing and am sorry to see that Sallee has left this earth. I am happy that she is fully healed and living with her heavenly Father.

    Prayers for you and all the children as you move forward without her, your beloved wife and mother.

    Will continue to pray for you.

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  17. What is the latest, sweet Poppy Dip Family??? Hoping for some good news and just happened to think of your blog the other day so I thought I would come by. Hope Sallee is doing better.

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