This entry will be long and full of emotions. Not all of my entries will be like this, but I have been wanting to write this for awhile...
August 2010
April 28, 2012
Joel was the pastor at Orange Valley Church. OVC was the first church that I belonged to, it was where I grew magnificently in my faith, it was where I learned a lot about myself, and where David and I grew closer together in our relationship. All of this wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for Joel (and God).
On December 30th, 2013 there were three tumors discovered on Joel's brain. He had brain surgery on January 6th, 2014 to remove the largest of the tumors. The diagnosis was stage 4 Glioblastoma cancer. Since day one, Isaiah 40:5 is the verse that Joel refers to. "Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The Lord has spoken!"
It has been amazing seeing what God has done during this. A fund account was set up, and within the first 48 hours they met their first goal. Joel, his wife, and their two boys moved back to Visalia the end of January. When they moved to Hawaii last year, they sold everything they had. So coming back home, meant coming home to an empty house. Joel once told us to be the church. So, that's what a lot of us in the community did. We furnished, and set up their house for them. Everything came together! It was so awesome to see everyone come together, and show love to the Hedlunds.
Since then, he had two more brain surgery's last month and has gone through chemo and radiation.
Last month, there was a 5k FUNd run. My sister-in-law/BFF and I participated. It was our first 5k, we walked/jogged it in 47:11. Many volunteered, participated and donated.
Through everything, even on the hardest days, Joel and his wife Codie have decided to choose joy. It is amazing to see God's glory shine through all of this. Often I fell sad and heartbroken to see Joel facing this, but I have to remind myself that our God is bigger than any struggles we go through. And we need to choose joy and be thankful for all of the good and the bad. Everyday is a blessing!
If you would like to follow Joel's story, please visit Teamhedlund.org
Last month, there was a 5k FUNd run. My sister-in-law/BFF and I participated. It was our first 5k, we walked/jogged it in 47:11. Many volunteered, participated and donated.
Through everything, even on the hardest days, Joel and his wife Codie have decided to choose joy. It is amazing to see God's glory shine through all of this. Often I fell sad and heartbroken to see Joel facing this, but I have to remind myself that our God is bigger than any struggles we go through. And we need to choose joy and be thankful for all of the good and the bad. Everyday is a blessing!
If you would like to follow Joel's story, please visit Teamhedlund.org
