Welcome to my first contribution to the monthly devotional.  Some of you may be thinking, "it's about time" he pull his weight.  For the rest of you who look forward to Kristen's wisdom, don't worry, she'll be back next month.

Deric

After months of planning, Kristen and I were excited to experience Inheritance of Hope's first family retreat last weekend.  I went into the event looking forward to giving a gift of service to others.  As I look back, I feel instead like I was on the receiving end.  I was blessed by the expertise and generosity of our volunteer staff.  Five high school students raised money to pay their own way to serve seven families for four days.  Here's a partial list of their accomplishments:  they handled luggage, helped parents with young children, played with older children so parents could rest (and have a date night!), they took pictures, made photo albums, and prepared and delivered breakfast in bed.  In short, they were incredible!  Thanks Amanda, Jared, Jeremy, Mark, and Megan.

Dan Moen, student ministries pastor at Fishkill Baptist Church, and his wife Sasha, did an outstanding job preparing and overseeing the crew.  Dan also led the closing service and Sasha was an ever-smiling presence.  Linda Stoll, of Creekside Ministries, expertly facilitated discussion among adults.  Her husband Tim also proved to be an invaluable asset.  Meg Hill, Kristen's college roommate, came from North Carolina to work with the children.  She was terrific at managing the large group.

I was also blessed by the incredible gift of communion with each of the families in attendance.  While I expected there to be a special bond among families sharing similar challenges, I was blown away by the depth and speed with which that bond developed.  Kristen and I feel a tremendous sense of loss after just one day without seeing our new friends.  Fortunately, we have plans to maintain our connection both in person and through Inheritance of Hope's website.  Thanks to all who made this event a success, those who were there physically and those who were there in spirit.

God has brought many people into the lives and hearts of my family … some for a reason, some for a season, and some for a lifetime.  We have developed a few special friendships that have been all three.  One dear family we met just this past year through our youngest daughter.  She made friends with a little boy whose family has since blessed us many times over through their encouragement, support, and faithful walk with the Lord.  My dear friend Christiane, a gifted journalist and a devoted wife and mother, has graciously agreed to share with you a different perspective than I have been able to offer.  She lives with terminal illness, but the illness is not hers.  In fact, I believe her fight is more difficult, her fears more vast.  I pray her words bless you as they have so often blessed me.

Sincerely, Kristen Milligan

To live with my husband means to live with Damocles’ proverbial sword hanging over our heads. Although Wayne just completed a PET scan and was told that his cancer has not raised its ugly head, we cannot say he has been healed. As a matter of fact, as long as he takes his daily dose of chemo, a designer drug called Gleevec, we will never know if God graciously decided to perform a miracle in his life or if the meds are just keeping a lid on a pot of boiling water. If the latter is the case, it’s only a question when Wayne’s GIST (gastro intestinal stromal tumor) comes back where it was last seen.  Add a comment

Jeremiah 29:11

For the past 9 years, Deric and I have enjoyed raising our family surrounded by the beauty of the Hudson Valley.  We have been blessed by the mountains, where we have enjoyed occasional hikes.  We have been blessed by the Hudson River, where we have enjoyed fishing and boating.  We have been blessed by each spring season, welcomed with unabashed joy after the long New York winters.  Most of all, we have been blessed by the people we have met here.  We have met friends we will cherish for a lifetime, and we have been encouraged and supported by two beautiful church families.  There is no doubt that God brought us here to help us grow among these special people.

As I write this devotional, I have just returned from a ceremony with the United States Military Academy Band honoring Deric on his last day of service.