From Kelli (Angie’s Sister)

Posted by on Mar 29, 2013 in Updates | 34 Comments

Today brought news we did not want to hear.

This afternoon, Will’s PET scan results were released, and they confirmed the CT scan from last week. The cancer is still in his body, and it is spreading. The scan showed cancer in his lungs, the lymph nodes in his chest, several bones, and sternum. It’s so hard to know why. Why Will? Why now? Why this nastiest of nasty cancers? But the reality is we will likely never know why, so in the midst of questions and heartbreak, we pray. And, we pray some more. Throughout the day, Will’s hospital room is filled with prayers and scripture reading, and we remind each other that literally thousands of you from around the world are joining us in this. We’ve been reading Psalms and of Jesus’ many miracles and healings recorded in the Gospels. We have no doubt our God can bring full healing to Will, so that is what we are praying for; we just don’t know if that’s what he will do. And, so, there are also very practical conversations being had related to pain management, hospice, and when Will and Angie might be able to go home.

Will continues to be an amazing source of strength to all of us. One of his pastors visited this evening. In his prayer, he thanked God for how Will was ministering to us through this. And, he is. In the midst of being in regular pain, having to wear a back brace anytime he’s out of bed, and being beaten down by his weeks of treatments, Will still lights up a room. He prays beautiful prayers, give hugs and holds hands. He continues to make us laugh and smile. He tires easily and is slowing down … but you can still see the fight in him.

I am in awe of Angie. She continues to amaze me with how she cares for and loves Will. She is constantly at his side; she is his rock. Her prayers will bring tears to your eyes, she gets feisty with doctors who come into the room and have given up, and she continues to fight. She monitors exactly what is going into Will’s feeding tube to make sure he is getting the vitamins and nutrients she wants him to have — she could become a pharmacist with all she’s learned about medicine — and she is constantly advocating on Will’s behalf.

To be in their presence and watch them live life is beautiful in the midst of the very ugliest of diseases and circumstances.

We continue to have hope in Jesus, who we know can fully heal Will, but we are also cherishing each moment, each conversation, each laugh we have with one another knowing how truly special they are.

26 Comments

  1. Audrey Ryan
    March 29, 2013

    Dear Will & Angie,

    My heart breaks with this sad news. I’ll never forget how gracious you were hosting me in LA a few years back, dropping everything, cookig me meals, driving me around. All I could think those couple days were what great people you both are, so generous and unassuming. I plan to donate to team gray in homage and to say thank you for showing me the goodness of acquaintances turned friends. You will remain in my thoughts & heart.

    Love,
    Audrey

    Reply
  2. Brad and Susan Bumgardner
    March 29, 2013

    Dear Will and Angie,

    You are in our thoughts and prayers. Your unshakeable faith is truly remarkable. We wanted you to know that we love you and think of you daily.

    Reply
  3. Ashley Maclin
    March 29, 2013

    I went to Union with Will. He is such a strong person that loves The Lord. Our God is still in the business of performing miracles. And I hope and pray that is God’s will but if it’s not, know He will be healed in heaven. I can’t imagine what you all are experiencing right now but I pray for peace and comfort. Just wanted y’all to know I am thinking and praying for Will and everyone else.

    Reply
  4. Beth
    March 29, 2013

    Jeremiah 17:14-18

    14 Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed;
    save me and I will be saved,
    for you are the one I praise.
    15 They keep saying to me,
    “Where is the word of the Lord?
    Let it now be fulfilled!”
    16 I have not run away from being your shepherd;
    you know I have not desired the day of despair.
    What passes my lips is open before you.
    17 Do not be a terror to me;
    you are my refuge in the day of disaster.
    18 Let my persecutors be put to shame,
    but keep me from shame;
    let them be terrified,
    but keep me from terror.

    Praying for healing and that you draw nearer to the love of Christ,
    Friday is here now, but Sunday is coming!

    Reply
  5. Tammy Bullock
    March 29, 2013

    Will and Angie – I started praying for you yesterday after reading Amy Little’s post on Facebook. God provided this scripture for assurance, hope and strength. May His love overwhelm the both of you right now!

    Tammy Bullock – Nashville, TN

    Isaiah 43: 1-3
    “But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you… Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
    When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…”

    Reply
  6. Mary Floyd
    March 29, 2013

    I am praying for a blessing, a healing for you Will and Angie both. Praying for both families in this time, that you all continue to believe and have faith in God. He is an on time God and a God of all power. He knows your struggle and will not leave you. Continue to share your love and life each day with all of us. Again I am in constant prayer for you all and love you very much. Continue your fight.

    Pray without ceasing.

    Reply
  7. Nicole Gladwin
    March 29, 2013

    Will and Angie,
    I have been praying for you both and will continue to pray and to hope!!
    With love,
    Nicole

    Reply
  8. Milla
    March 29, 2013

    Dearest Will and Angie, I don’t know you personally but I’m your “sister” from PCC church family. Me and my community group in Pasadena are praying for you; for God’s miraculous healing for Will, for our Lord to fill you with His supernatural peace and that “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” (Ps 91:4)

    Reply
  9. Bethany
    March 29, 2013

    I am a CMC alum and I heard about Will’s story through Natalie. I just want to say that I am amazed at how God is using you all to show that there is nothing in this world that will ever separate us from His love. You all are holding onto the eternal things; faith, hope, and love… and God is being glorified. In the midst of such sorrow and pain it is such an incredible story of faith that you are all a part of and I am thankful that I can participate in praying fervently with you. Will’s healing will take place whether it is here on earth, and I pray it will be, or in Heaven when his body will be made new. This passage was brought to mind today and I wanted to share it with you,
    “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
    I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings , becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:10.
    I believe that Will is closer to Jesus than ever before as he is sharing in His sufferings. I pray that our great God will bring healing to him and complete restoration in His perfect timing. I pray peace over you all and a continued sense of Hope. I want to thank all of you for sharing this journey and for being such a picture of what true faith in Christ is, for His glory…

    Reply
  10. C. Miller
    March 29, 2013

    I had sent a few emails earlier this week after hearing about your struggles. Found this article to be informing on alternative treatments http://www.faim.org/guestwriters/markrosenberg.html

    Reply
  11. Rebecca Burchett Morgan
    March 29, 2013

    Praying praying praying for healing… God please HEAL him….
    Sending love…

    Reply
  12. Russ and Lesley Robinson
    March 29, 2013

    You have been in our prayers since the beginning of your battle and will continue to be. We rest and hope in our Sovereign God at this very moment for Will’s healing.

    Reply
  13. Alan & Diana Ader
    March 29, 2013

    Dear Angie & Will,

    There is not a day that goes by that you and your families are not in our prayers,
    our hearts and our thoughts. Praying for God’s strength, comfort and love.

    Always with you, Alan, Diana and Family

    Reply
  14. David Malone
    March 29, 2013

    Praying for God’s grace and peace for you following this disappointing diagnosis. I’ll pass along the news to the Union English department. At Union, Will was always brave and honest and large-hearted, and I have no doubt that he is facing this news with faith and wonder. Our prayers, this Good Friday, to our God of the Resurrection, that He will sustain you with hope and strength and love.

    Reply
  15. Cassie Moody Weatherly
    March 29, 2013

    Praying for u Will & Angie!! Will…even though u were a few years older than me, I always looked up to you…I’ll always remember that amazing smile and unforgettable laugh and amazing & inspirational voice you have always had…I raise u up on this Good Friday…God Bless You!!!

    Reply
  16. Kari
    March 29, 2013

    Prayers for you from a fellow Unionite in KY. Thank you for suffering well to the glory of our great God! May He continue to give you strength to fight the good fight of faith.

    Reply
  17. shannon
    March 29, 2013

    Prayers for you and the family. May God give them the peace and comfort. From tn.

    Reply
  18. Kaisha Porter
    March 29, 2013

    PROGRESSIVE BAPTIST CHURCH IS PRAYING FOR YOU!!!! you may be many miles away but we love you!! We are praying for you and we will not stop!!! Hang on and keep fighting God is able and know that you know this! I pray that you are healed!!! Just keep your head up! Again, we love you! God bless you!

    Reply
  19. Travis Stahlhut
    March 29, 2013

    Praying for you all this Good Friday and remembering the Savior’s suffering along with yours. May the Lord who loved you enough to give up his son for you bring healing to you on this day. God Bless you.

    Travis
    CMC Semester 15

    Reply
  20. Jocelyn C. Jones
    March 29, 2013

    William and Angie,
    We are in deep prayer for you at Progressive Baptist Church, Williams home church in Paris, Tn. God is embracing you in the cradle of His arms. It is through God’s saving Grace that you are healed. We love you very much. Blessed be the name of the Lord!

    Reply
  21. Joel Gragg
    March 29, 2013

    Will…. even though my heart breaks for you and your wife Angie right now at why you should have to go through such a tragic illness both Beth and I are praying hard for you daily and know whatever the outcome that Jesus has his loving hands around you both and HE will see you both through. I’ve always had the utmost respect for you as a person and a musician and count myself very blessed to have gotten to know you 11 years ago. While none of us can really understand why this has happened, we will be continually praying for you my friend for Gods transforming power to be manifest in you and through you.

    with love and prayers, Joel

    Reply
  22. Tammy Baluyot
    March 29, 2013

    We are praying for Will and all of your family here in Indiana. I have shared his story with friends, coworkers, and church family. I have known Angie since she was a baby, but only met Will once at Grandma Ross’s 95th birthday party. When she asked him to sing to her, I will never forget the magic of his voice and the look on my children’s faces as he sang to her. So beautiful. So talented. We only met once, but he made a lasting impression on our family. God is always in control, and His will is always perfect. Sending love and prayers to you all.

    Tammy

    Reply
  23. Amanda (Jones) Ellis
    March 29, 2013

    We are praying for you Will and Angie!

    Reply
  24. nicole
    March 29, 2013

    my prayers are with you, angie, will, and family; will is a dear friend and mentor to my brother-in-law, zach vinson. thank you for the updates; your steady faith is such a testament and moved me tremendously. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

    Reply
  25. Ryan West
    March 29, 2013

    I continue to pray for Will and Angie. May the Lord give both of them strength in the midst of such ugly pain and sorrow. Pretty soon,Christ will set all of this right and these tears will be remembered no more.

    Reply

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