My dad was diagnosed with very rare stage 4 lymphoma in his eyes when I was 15. It was a pretty tough time for my family.  Doctors didn’t think he was going to make it, but thank God he did.

My family had gone through a lot of tough things in the past, but I always knew everything would be okay. But this… This was the first time in my life where I just didn’t know.

I look back at that time now and think about all we went through; fear, tons of sleepless nights, a lot of prayers and a lot of tears. I remember nights of crying myself to sleep, praying for a miracle, not really sure of anything. But I trusted God. It was a time full of uncertainty for my family, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Sounds weird, right?

My dad’s cancer taught me so much–thankfulness, hope, and faith (to name a few). Don’t get me wrong, I always had those things and believed in God, but this was different. A new level of sorts. It made me realize just how powerful God is and how much I truly needed Him.

At the time, when things looked hopeless, God was working on my heart, shaping me into the person I am today. I look at my life now, 18 and about to graduate high school, passionate about serving God and others. Ready to spread hope. Although I never want to walk through something like that again, I’m thankful for it. Thankful for the chance to grow and learn and trust.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.”

– James 1:2

Blog Post written by Anna Conti, child of a 2011 Legacy Retreat family.  Anna now volunteers at Legacy Retreats.