Trey Tuesday - July 31, 2012

Young Warrior!

It's Trey's turn!  :) 

Let's take a peek at the t-shirt Jay and Rachel designed for Trey: our Young Warrior!

To define a warrior is to speak of one who is courageous, fearless, confident, strong, a fighter, a soldier...aka TREY!  :)

 

The scripture Jay and Rachel chose for Trey's shirt is from John 16:33:

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

I was blessed to spend part of this weekend with long lost extended "family." Oh, how this verse rings ever true!

Broken hearts, burdens, illnesses, accidents, and tragedies bind us together amidst hugs and tears and prayers.

And this scripture gently, although straightforwardly, reminds us, "In this world you will have trouble."

Even though we know it with our heads, it still hurts our hearts terribly.

 

But wait!
Read the rest of the verse:  "But take heart! I have overcome the world."

(King James version says, "But be of good cheer!")

 

Watching our extended "family" watch Trey was such a gift!

You see, these long lost friends are part of Team Mitlo One, praying, supporting, encouraging, cheering the Mitlos on, although never having met Trey!

As they watched Trey run and talk and play and slide and eat snow cones and play Fruit Ninja(!), he gave them a bit of good cheer!

Trey, our Young Warrior, was living the gospel loud and clear that Jesus HAS overcome the world!  Thank God Almighty! :)

 

And now we know yet again, with Trey's CT Scan next week...trouble could be looming.  "But be of good cheer!  Jesus has overcome!"

Yes, let's rest there! 

Rachel writes:

Please be praying for sweet, baby Trey, the scan next week and for us as we pray for wisdom. We know that whatever happens, God is in control. Do you believe that, too? It's true!

 

"In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

Romans 8:37

Trey Tuesday - July 24, 2012

Sassy Princess

 

Yes, that could only mean that it is Bella's turn this week!  :)

Bella, the big sister of Trey - the little sister of Joe - that's right - the middle child!  :)

AND Jay and Rachel's daughter!  :)

Need I say more to describe this vivacious, witty, wonderful, wise Mitlo woman!?!?!?!  :)

Let's take a peek at the scripture Bella's parents chose for her t-shirt:  Proverbs 31:25:

NIV says:  "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come."

They are some pretty powerful words in light of having a brother like Trey!

Laugh at the days to come - really?  yep!
Let's look at some other translations:

New Living Translation says:  "She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future."

That is an even bigger task:  to laugh without FEAR of the future!

NASB:  "Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future."

When was the last time you were faced with a trial/struggle/difficulty/impossibilty and your SMILED at your future!?!?

As we gather on this Trey Tuesday, let's capture these words for Trey, for ourselves as well as for this wonderful Sassy Princess we love:  Bella!

As you dress each morning (and for you moms of young children - for each time you dress each child!) think a little deeper than if your top and bottom match.

(Or in the case of Bella - do your sparkles match your boa!?)  :)

Are you dressed with the strength and dignity time in the Word, in prayer, in worship alone can give?

Can you laugh at the days/weeks/months/years to come?  every moment in eternity?

Please pray for big sister, Bella, especially in light of Trey's cancer -

for her to seek and know and follow the strong and mighty Light of Christ all the days of her life, laughing, trusting, fearlessly!

Oh, to have her confidence!  :)

And for her to verbalize when she doesn't have the strength...

Please continue to praise God for this absolutely wonderful, healthy Summer of Trey - much laughing, smiling, joy!  :)

Please also continue to pray for Trey's treatments to be effective and completely healing!  :)

And praise the Lord:  Happy Anniversary Jay and Rachel!  :)

In the the strength of the Lord I'll end with the Message version:

"and she always faces tomorrow with a smile."
Proverbs 31:25

Trey Tuesday - July 17, 2012

Ferocious Joe

Trey's parents have created a series of t-shirts for Trey and Joe and Bella for us all to wear in order to encourage Joe and Bella

as they walk this walk with Trey, as they run this race and as they march as devoted soldiers in the Lord's Army!  :)

I thought it would be fun to take a look at the verses Jay and Rachel chose for their children's logos as a special angle for

Pray for Trey Tuesday.

For this week we will focus on big brother, Joe.

Ferocious Joe:

"Of David. Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle."

Psalm 144:1

What a great verse!  (The Bible is just FULL of them, I know!)  :)

But in light of Joe, it is especially awesome!  :)

Think about the psalmist who penned this...David....the shepherd boy...the slayer of the giant...the harpist...

Our Joe is a gentle and wise young man at his ripe age of 9.

Yet his loyalty is fierce.  His obedience is black and white - no gray areas allowed anywhere ever.

He is not just a strong boy (as evident in his jiu jitsu moves!), but Joe is a boy of God's Strength!

He leans heavily on his earthly father and knows they all lean on their Heavenly Father!

And David became King of Israel - chosen above rank and order in his family.

Joe deals with a lot of competition for his parents' attention with Trey's cancer - certainly not befitting a "first born."

As this verse reminds us though, they are in a battle.

Some days a battle called sibling rivalry.

Some days a battle called typical kids whining and complaining.

But always a physical battle against Trey's cancer.

And always, Ferocious Joe knows Who wins the spiritual battles!

God has prepared Joe's hands, fingers and his knees for prayer!

So, thank you for rallying around Trey AND Joe this Trey Tuesday!

Let's praise God for our Trainer, our Rock in battle!

Please pray for physical healing for Trey's battle against cancer!

Please pray for spiritual and emotional strength for Joe!

Ad please pray for a safe and healthy and fun-filled vacation for the family this week!

"Of David. Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle."

Psalm 144:1

Trey Tuesday - July 10, 2012

God the Artist!
Trey the Masterpiece!

As we witness the daily miracles God displays through Trey, I can't help but think of this verse from Scripture:

"For we are God's workmanship (masterpiece), created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Ephesians 2:10

Oh, how God has fearfully and wonderfully created Trey!
And every new story about Trey causes a change in the heart/life of the reader!
THAT is good work!  :)

Now here is the hard part:
"which God prepared in advance...."

gulp.

God is so very trustworthy!
The same wonderful, warm and fuzzy God who provides us with images of silly Trey gulping pool water (!)
is the same All-Knowing Creator God who has His Hand on Trey's cancer!

This Trey Tuesday, please be sure that God has done a good work - in you! 
Seek the joy and innocence of God which Trey displays!
Let's have a Summer of YOU!  :)

And as always, please pray for Trey!
For continued miracles!
For many more silly, fun, sweet times!
For his treatments to be effective!
For great health and strength for Trey!
For peace and comfort for Bella with painful swimmer's ears!
For confidence and comfort for Big Brother Joe leading his siblings!
And for wisdom and strength for Jay and Rachel!

"Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of his pasture."
Psalm 100:3

Trey Tuesday - July 3, 2012

What does "Summer" mean to you?

Is it a vacation to the beach?
Is it a jar of sun tea brewing on the deck while you cook on the grill?
Is it inviting friends to sit by the pool?
Is it sleeping late and NOT listening for the school bus?
Is it watermelon and corn on the cob?

Whatever your images of summer are, try to find refreshment this summer.
Take Trey as an example!
The Summer of Trey it is, and what a summer it has been already!!!  :)
Thank you all, for your prayers!  Trey and Joe and Bella and Jay and Rachel have been
having so much fun with family and friends this summer!
GREAT memories!

We pray our Young Warrior/our Eagle has shown us all how to renew our youth, find refreshment and joy....even in 1/3 of a bucket of water!  :)

Please pray for Trey this week, for continued AMAZING health and strength and zeal and stamina and sheer JOY!  :)
Please also pray for continued renewal for the Mitlos as God fills their summer with many, many good things!  :)

And speaking of youth:  Happy Birthday Rachel!  :)

"The Lord satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."
Psalm 103:5