When I was a little boy, inevitably there would be mornings when I did not want to get out of bed.
Often it had less to do with sleepiness or fatigue and more to do with what the day held. A test at school. A hard swim practice. An after-school project I was dreading.
Those mornings, when my Mom found me buried under the covers, clinging to the sheets as if they were some sort of shield against the evil day, she would sing me a song that had always had a way of reorienting my heart:
“This is the day, this is the day, that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made.
I will rejoice, I will rejoice, and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that the Lord has made! I will rejoice and be glad in it!
This is the day, this is the day, that the Lord has made.”
When I woke up this morning and saw Anne curled in a fetal position (today she has her staging MRI to see if/where the cancer has spread), Mom’s wake-up song came back to me, and in my crackly morning voice, I softly sang it to her.
Today isn’t an easy day. We’re hoping and praying the cancer hasn’t spread beyond the lymph nodes. But no matter what, this is the day that the Lord has made.
And we can rejoice and be glad in it because our Heavenly Father loves Anne Fletcher.
facing the thief 
Van and Anne, We have joined the army of saints in prayer in your behalf. Mark, the kids, and I are praying specifically for you as you have asked at every opportunity. Please continue to share your specific needs for prayer as we want to be diligent in this, knowing that our great God in Heaven is sovereign over all things, even this. We love you. Christin for the Kirbys
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Van & Anne, we have been praying since we heard the news, and will be praying all morning for you and your family. Our hearts are aching with yours beloved, even as we rejoice to see the Holy Spirit at work so clearly. Along those lines, I cannot help but praise God this morning that these are the words that the Lord has put on our hearts to pray for you…
“The LORD your God is in your midst,
a Mighty One who WILL save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness;
He will quiet you by His love;
He will exult over you with loud singing.” -Zephaniah 3:17
On this impossibly difficult day, you do not sing along friends! Your Maker is with you, and His is the love that sings a better and louder melody than any thief can muster. Trust His heart and His ability today, and may He give you the strength to keep choosing to rejoice…for the Spirit is found in that choice. God have mercy!
with love & hope,
Will & Christin
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The Whitaker family is praying as hard as we can for good news. -JMW
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Van and Anne,
Henry and I heard the news last night and have been praying for you. Knowing Jesus makes a difference every day, but in times like these, when the things we hold most dear are in danger, that difference becomes so much more evident. It is amazing, that because you know the Lord, you can choose to rejoice, even in these circumstances, and find hope and rest because you are in His hands. We love you.
Henry and Nancy
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Van and Anne, I love you! May comfort explode for you today.
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The Wood Family is praying in Blacksburg! We are praying specifically for a scan that shows cancer has not spread beyond lymph nodes. And for your sweet kiddos, that they would see glimpses of the Lord’s mercy in the midst of hard stuff. We are thankful that you have such a strong support system in Raleigh and an army of prayer warriors around the world!
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Praying for you all, especially today. Praying for a miracle, peace and serenity.
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I, too, am praying for good news for the Fletcher 5 and celebrating today that The Father indeed loves Anne. And Van. And all the Little Fletchers. Praying for an army of good cells to fight hard against those invading, unswerving trust, for blessing in business, for lots of hands to extend help, and for peace–unexplainable peace.
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Anne and Van, we have been praying often today for joy and an undeniable peace in the face of these circumstances. Specifically, that no cancer would be found anywhere else in Anne’s sweet body. You are often on our hearts.
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Van and Anne…I had no idea. Just read all of your blog posts and my eyes are full of tears but my heart is full of Hope! In studying the life of Moses this year, I have been continually reminded that our God is full of mercy and power and grace. Nothing. Nothing! is impossible with Him.
The Faucette’s will be praying for you daily and we are trusting that the Lord has mighty plans in store for your family as He sees you through this trial. All of our love to you!
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Sweet Van, As I read your posts, I think how blessed Anne is to have a husband like you. One who looks to the Father and says “This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it”. God will go before you. He is a defender, comforter, healer, and He will be your strength and your song through this process. I pray for HIS peace and HIS strength through every step for you, Anne, your children and your families. Praying for a good report today and declaring that no weapon forged against you shall prosper! He will command His angels concerning all of all of you! All my love to you and your family!
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