Graduations are typically celebrations of successfully completing a course. In my case, graduation means completing a course of 3-month scans and moving to 6-month intervals. I am still on my targeted therapy (Enco Bini) and will continue as long as it keeps the melanoma away. Like I mentioned in my last post a year ago, my case is unusual because traditionally this therapy is a short-term solution since the tricky melanoma cells figure out a way around it. However, it has been 3 years since my surgery and 3 1/2 years since starting the Enco Bini and all my scans continue to be clear, thank God. We have no guarantee that the melanoma will not return, but we are cautiously optimistic that cancer treatment is behind, allowing me to move forward with life plans.

You may have noticed that most of my posts have included a request for you to pray that God would use my journey for good. I am seeing answers to those prayers, so thank you! A few years ago I began an online Masters program at Gateway Seminary. When I first began my studies towards a Master of Educational Leadership degree I wasn’t exactly sure how God intended to use it. Last semester I started exploring the possibility of completing my seminary internship at my church, so I started a year-long commitment in August. My role includes establishing GriefShare support groups. GriefShare is a 13-week program that brings together people who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The meetings include videos and discussion to help participants walk through their grief journey. Some of you are aware that my cancer journey is not the only challenging trial I have experienced. C. R. and I walked through the cancer journey and loss of our daughter 20 years ago. Despite the pain of that loss (and others), along with my own cancer journey, we have always held to the promise in God’s Word that He uses all things for good in our lives. 

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭New American Standard Bible 1995‬‬

GriefShare provides an opportunity for me to walk with others as they work through their painful loss. I have almost concluded a pilot group and will begin a group open to the public in February. I am praying God will use me to help others who experience loss of their loved ones. If you are local and know of someone who would benefit from this opportunity, please share this link with them. There are groups offered across the US, so use the search option on the website if you live outside of Utah.

I am eager to continue to write about cancer-free scans, but even more, I pray my next blog entry will include a report of people finding HOPE in their painful journey. In the meantime, I would be so grateful for you to pray for these requests.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and all the best to each of you in 2026!

Praise God (all Glory to HIM!!) for:

• Continued cancer-free status.
• Less frequent scans.
• His direction to use my challenges for good.

Pray for:

• No side-effects from continuing on the targeted therapy long term.
• If it's God's will, that He would halt any cancer from returning or spreading.
• That our GriefShare support groups will help others walk through their grief in a healthy way.