"Trey Tuesday" - December 30, 2014

Happy? New? Year?

Well, the pressure is on! Tomorrow night is New Years's Eve and everyone is finalizing their plans.  How will they usher out the old year? How will they ring in the New Year?  What resolutions will they rely on to transform everything they don't like about their lives?

Well, good news - the pressure is off! :)

God gives us new chances every second of very minute of every day!

We don't have to wait until December 31 each year to begin again.

Every day is precious.

Each moment is a new opportunity to forgive, love, encourage, support, laugh, work, play and so very, very much more!

Trey's journey has to taught us how very fragile life is.

So what are you going to resolve to change beginning...right now?

And January 1?

And January 2?

And every new moment of every new day?

Happy New NOW! :)

"And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5 

"Trey Tuesday" - December 23, 2014

The Giver AND the Gift

Last week Rachel posted that she got to spend a few minutes with Trey's Kindergarten class.  "So many hugs," she wrote.  My heart sank when I read those words, just imagining a line up of Kindergartners offering their sympathies to Rachel.

But wait!  Shake that image!  The reality is that the kids were in line to RECEIVE a hug FROM Rachel!  The children love Rachel's hugs!  And they love Rachel!

Rachel is the Giver AND the Gift!  :)

So wherever you are in your shopping, wrapping, cooking, cleaning, delivering, visiting, etc. add a touch of TLC as you go.

Be the Giver AND the Gift!  :)  Just like Jesus:

 "Thanks be to God for His Indescribable Gift!"  2 Corinthians 9:15

"Trey Tuesday" - December 16, 2014

Norman, Martha and Joyce

Who invited them this Christmas anyway?

I think the first 2 names may ring a bell with you:

Norman as in Rockwell - the beloved artist who captured ideal American experiences

Martha as in Stewart - the queen of entertaining, cooking and homemaking with style

But there is also Joyce C. Hall - who left his "mark" on his cards, and Hall-mark movies

Wow, what pressure this trio represents in our Christmas efforts!  Peek inside most of our windows and you will not see paintings, crafts or movies similar to the works of these people!  In fact, for some/most, it is quite the contrary.

Norman, Martha and Joyce weren't on the scene at the news of the very first Christmas either:

"Mary was greatly troubled at the angel's words"  Luke 1:29
"Joseph had in mind to divorce her quietly."  Matthew 1:19

Wow!  No mistletoe and holly going on there!  Yet we all know how this story unfolds...

Faithful, faith-filled people trusting God with the first step...then the next step...and the next...and the next. Not knowing the whole journey, just the next step.

Just as God calls us today.  To be faithful today.  Where/when/how God has us...right now.

The Mitlos are taking the next steps.  One part of one day at a time. 

Won't you join them?

"I am the Lord's servant.  May your word to me be fulfilled." Luke 1:38

"Trey Tuesday" - December 9, 2014

Crybaby

I've been spending some time reading a book in the Bible called Lamentations.  Lamentations means expressions of sorrow.  In the Bible, the people are lamenting following the destruction of Jerusalem. One Bible study tool explains that the people are expressing an "overwhelming sense of loss."

I can relate.  I am no stranger to tears expressing our overwhelming loss of Trey.

Cooking dinner the other night, however, I was shocked at a scientific discovery!  I was chopping onions and WOW! the onion tears started!  and continued!  and BURNED!  Onion tears pouring out unwarranted, burned my eyes before, during and after the chopping!  As I was pacing around the house, getting away from the cutting board fumes, I realized a phenomena!  Onion tears hurt very, very bad, but my tears of lamentation don't!  My tears for Trey actually feel good!  :)

There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love. - Washington Irving

"Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord."  Lamentations 2:19

"Trey Tuesday" - December 2, 2014

Giving Tuesday

Rachel's beautiful Thanksgiving chalkboard art holds a powerful message:
Let our lives be full of Thanks and Giving.

Yes, we need both. We need to say, "Thank you." and we need to give.
We neeeeeeeed to give.

Give what, you ask?
Give gifts? Absolutely!
Give money? Sure!
Give time? Energy? Attention? Yes! Yes! Yes! :)

What will you give to your loved ones this Christmas season?
Trey gave us love. Trey gave us laughter. Trey gave us an example of fearless trust.

"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."  2 Corinthians 9:7

"Trey Tuesday" - November 25, 2014

Teamwork

Your Thanksgiving dinner will most likely incorporate a team of family and friends pulling together to create a scrumptious and beautiful meal!  :)  This journey called life is much the same.

Team Mitlo One has been an awesome community of love and support and prayer revolving around our Super Hero/Young Warrior....and Trey's legacy lives on in so many ways!  One way we would like to continue to support Trey's siblings is through 2 new teams:  Team Bella and Team Joe.  We plan on creating new private Facebook groups for those who are interested in supporting Joe and Bella in extra special ways - cards, visits, prayers, gifts, notes, ice cream, etc.  Please prayerfully consider joining a team if you would like to minister to the kids in this way.  No pressure and no guilt!  :)  The Pray and More for Trey page will continue to include updates and prayer requests about the kids.

If you are interested in joining Team Bella or Team Joe, please private message me and let me know which Team.  Thank you!  :)

A reflection from Trey's Aunt Marcie:

There is a community of believers that have been unified through Trey. Something special happens when "we are one" as Jesus prayed for us in John 17:21. The irony is, we need to remain "one" just as much now, if not more, than when we were praying for his healing. The harvest is ripe. 

Why did Jesus pray that for us? 

"that they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me." 

(... So that we would be in Jesus and God, so that the world may believe.)

May we continue to be "one", so THEY WOULD BELIEVE. ❤️

"Trey Tuesday" - November 18, 2014

Q-Tips, Chapstick, Kleenex and BandAids

When was the last time your child asked you for an "adhesive bandage"?
Or a "facial tissue, cotton swab or lip balm"?
Chances are your family uses the trademarked names in place of the common generic terms for many every day items in your lives. 

"Trey Tuesday"

It's not a trademarked name, but it certainly holds a lot of meaning for literally hundreds of people around the world.  "Trey Tuesday" symbolizes an internet community of people which gathered each week to love, support and pray for our Young Warrior and his family. 

You are a dynamic team of faithful prayer warriors!  Read back over some Trey Tuesdays over the years to witness first hand God's amazing answers to prayer!

In October 2011 we prayed:
So as we pray for Trey this week, yes, we pray for God to completely heal Trey from cancer! = done!  :)
And for successful chemo cocktails! = done!  :)
And for a clearing up of his cold! = done!  :)
And for God's peace that passes understanding for Joe and Bella and Jay and Rachel - and Trey, too! = Amen!  Amen!  Amen!  Amen! = done!  :)

From March 2012:
This week Trey and Jay and Rachel are facing a new chapter in Trey's treatment plan. Please pray that Dr. Shaw is preparing an excellent plan for Trey!  = done!  :) Please pray that Jay and Rachel are able to discern their choices with Godly wisdom! = done!  :) Please pray that Trey continues to dance, to sing, to play, to eat, to sleep, to laugh, and to love giving testimony to God's power! = done!  :) And please pray that our Young Warrior and his journey bring many to faith in Christ! = done!  And yet still praying for more!  :) 

Your prayers have had a powerful effect on Trey's life, the life of his parents and siblings and on the entire Team Mitlo One community, encouraging one another in the name of Christ...
THANK YOU! 

Please join us as we continue the tradition and gather for weekly prayer, suitably named,
"Trey Tuesday."

"From Christ the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."  Ephesians 4:16

Trey Tuesday

Update from Jay and Rachel on Wednesday, November 5, 2014:

Suddenly and in his sleep, our Young Warrior completed his battle with cancer last night.  With his mommy on the floor sleeping by his side he went peacefully, his and her last words to each other being,  “I love you.”

Our hearts are broken, but sweet baby Trey is free.  We can feel your love and prayers even if we can't respond.  Our focus right now is getting Joe (age 11) and Bella (age 9) through this.  Thanks, friends.

Trey Tuesday for November 11, 2014:

God's Faithfulness....

We must remember.
We must remember.
We must remember.

God has shown His faithfulness over and over and over again throughout Trey's life.
And God has shown His faithfulness over and over and over again throughout Trey's death.
And now each one of us must trust God's faithfulness as we reenter into the everyday...

We MUST remember God's faithfulness!

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful."
Hebrews 10:23

I had the most blessed opportunity to spend the past week with Joe and Bella (and Jay and Rachel and many, many other Mitlos!)  :)  It was Bella who began our week long journal which is entitled:  MIRACLES ABOUND!  It started when Bella spotted a rainbow in the sky on Thursday afternoon.  Just one day after losing her brother, this precious princess gasps and shrieks, "A rainbow!" with the most innocent joy!  J-O-Y!?!?  Yes, joy!  :)

Joe's first miracle came in the shape of boy's size 14 slim pants that fit perfectly, found within 2 minutes of shopping!  M-I-R-A-C-L-E!  (Joe said his clip on tie was the perfect size, too!)  :)  Joe and I spent a few minutes in the arcade at the mall.  Can you believe that a teenager approached Joe as Joe was counting the tickets he had earned, handed Joe a huge stack of tickets and said, "Here, you can have these."  Joe looked at me as if he had just hit the lottery, "Miracles Abound, Aunt Cathy!"  :)

Countless, literally countless other miracles abound, but I must at least mention a few miracles of love like the lines of Team Mitlo One friends waiting to pay their respects, the endless trail of tears, the desperate embraces, the powerful leadership and preaching of Jay, the ever so beautiful and strong Rachel, Joe and Bella's friends supporting and distracting them, the humble and thoughtful accommodations of Hebron Church, the intimately embracing Faith Community Church, and even 60 degree sunny skies as we journeyed to the cemetery and then later for my trip (with a full tank of gas!) to return home.

I am building my Ebenezer.  The photos and stories of this past week will forever be a testimony of God's faithfulness, a lasting gift from our Young Warrior....."Thus far the LORD has helped us."

"Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the LORD has helped us."  I Samuel 7:12


Please keep reading jaymitlo.com for more....

Trey Tuesday - October 28, 2014

It's the Pumpkin's Turn!

A few weeks ago we focused on the apple:  We are the apple of God's eye.

Today we join the rest of the world and focus on:  The Great Pumpkin!
Yes, Charlie Brown's Great Pumpkin, pumpkin lattes, jack o'lanterns, pumpkin patches and every other imaginable way to market the pumpkin!  :)

As you carve your pumpkins this week, doing the dance with the matches getting the candle lit without burning your fingers, think of Trey.  Cancer is a dark, ugly disease, but God's goodness shines brighter!  

"For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ."  2 Corinthians 4:6

And please keep praying for Trey in his battle!

For better blood counts - for his platelets to exponentially multiply!

For the best treatment possible for Trey to become available!
For Joe and Bella and Jay and Rachel as they wait!

For health and strength for Trey!

For Trey to be healed!

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."  Ephesians 3:20-21

Trey Tuesday - October 21, 2014

"I know!  I know!"

Can you feel the sass?  Can you hear it in the tone of your closest man, woman, child, teen, coworker, sibling, parent, boss or restaurant server?  The sound of, "I know!" spoken at the wrong time, in the wrong tone of voice, regarding the wrong topic trumps the fingernails on the chalkboard in my book!

But really, what do any of us know for sure?  Since that fateful day of December 24, 2010, we have known nothing about the next step in Trey's life.  Praise God Trey has defied every statistic known to the medical community!  Yet we still don't know what Trey's next treatment or option will be.

We do, however, know where to find answers:

"And if we know that God hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of Him."  I John 5:15

So let's put our hope and faith in the Author of all knowledge and wisdom!

Let's ask Him for complete healing for Trey!

And for continued improvement in Trey's blood work!

And for Trey to be keep making it to school as much as his schedule permits!

And thanks be to God for Trey's excitement to go to school!

And what a blessing to know that Team Mitlo One is always ready, willing and able to love, pray and support Trey and his family!

"Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord."  2 Peter 1:2

Trey Tuesday - October 14, 2014

Apples over Pumpkins

Yes, yes, they're everywhere....pumpkin lattes, pumpkin cheesecake and even pumpkin Oreos!

However, I prefer to focus on the apple during September and early October....pumpkins can wait for jack o' lanterns and Thanksgiving.  Plus, apples work better for this Trey Tuesday!  :) 

Psalm 17:8 paints a beautiful picture of us entrusting Trey and his health to our Almighty Creator/Provider/Protector.  "Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings" 

And so we pray:

Father, keep Trey...we know You already have him, You created him, You know all about him!

As the apple of Your eye...just like we protect the very vulnerable and critical center of our eyes, protect our tender and fragile Trey as he awaits a new treatment plan

Hide him...please God, don't allow the enemies of fear and doubt and guilt to invade Trey's family.

In the shadow of Your wings...we know Your "wings" are over Trey and his family.  Bless them with feeling and knowing they are safe in the shadow of Your wings...

"He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."   Psalm 91:4

Trey Tuesday - October 7, 2014

How will Trey be healed?

Jay and Rachel so humbly and simply request prayer for a treatment to become available for Trey. They don't whine and beg and scream, but they wholeheartedly know that taking their request before the Lord will bring the results God wants.

Their peaceful confidence causes me to think about the words 'treatment' and 'healing' in the Bible.  No, there were no chemo or radiation treatments in Bible times, but there were plenty of other methods of healing!  Let's take a peek:

Matthew 8:15
"Jesus touched her"

Let's pray for Jesus to continue to touch Trey in huge ways of healing!

Mark 5:34
"Jesus said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you."

Let's pray for all of Team Mitlo One to have great faith in Jesus and His healing power! 

Matthew 9:25
"Jesus went in and took the sleeping girl by the hand, and the girl arose."

Let's wait upon the Lord's healing touch with great expectation!  Will it come via a doctor or a nurse?  A clinical trial or an old fashioned remedy?  A cutting edge prescription or a new hospital with a new technique?  How will God perform His miracle?

Matthew 9:29, 20
"Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” And their eyes were opened."Let's pray that blindness caused by hopelessness will not be in the Mitlos' vocabulary.
 
Mark 9:27
"But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up."

Let's pray for the strength of Jesus to help Trey stand up strong in his health!

Thank you for standing strong in prayer as the very best form of treatment for Trey!  :)

 Matthew 9:35,36
"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them"

Trey Tuesday - September 30, 2014

Update from Jay and Rachel today:

I wanted to fill you all in on what's going on. I talked with Trey's doctor yesterday afternoon and he had spoken with the doctor in Philly. They do NOT want to do a third round of the radiation therapy on Trey. Even though some of his scans had positive results, the MIBG scan being slightly worse, means that the radiation therapy is done working for Trey. On one hand, we didn't love putting Trey through that ordeal in the first place. However, on the other hand, now we're back to square one. There is no available treatment right now for Trey...again!! This is a scary place to be.

As Jay and I were talking about it last night, we DO have faith that if God is going to heal Trey on this earth, there doesn't have to be a certain medicine lined up right now. We are walking by faith, certainly not by sight...no matter what may happen.

So, let's not lose our focus, but continue to pray!
"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge." ~Psalm 62:5-8

From Cathy:
Please hold this precious family close in your prayers!  I am amazed at the resiliency of Jay and Rachel (and Trey!) time and time and time again and again and again!

I had the blessing of playing about 30+ rounds of Hot Potato with Trey this weekend at our family reunion!  Each time around, Trey waited and hoped and watched and hoped for his chance to catch the ball! :)  May we all possess this hope, this spirit of sheer, pure, positive expectation as we pray for Trey to be healed!
"You will be secure, because there is hope"  Job 11:18

​

Trey Tuesday - September 23, 2014

But I just want to know the answer!

Many (MANY!) years ago, I would commit the foolish act of asking my dad for help with my math homework.  Think early elementary, pre-common core basic subtraction.  My dad, an engineer, would take the opportunity to TRY to enlighten me with everything there is to know about math.  "You see," he would say, "what actually is a number?"  My head would fall to the table, tears would flow and I would whine, "But I just want to know the answer!!!!!"  I wasn't interested in the process or the lesson, I wanted the answer, the product.

Have I grown and matured over the years?  Hmmmm....let's take a peek at my prayer life. 

"God, please give me this or that or don't give me that or this."

God takes a deep breath and loves me as He refines me through the process of shaping my spirit and my will, instead of giving me what I want upfront.

God's way IS the right way!  :)

At least I am in good company.  We all have lessons to learn:
God is asking Moses to step up in leadership.  Moses is not really sure how all the details are going to work out...How will he lead?  How will he know what to do?  Where is he leading?  And who is going with him?  How will he know he has done what God has asked him to do? 

"Moses said to the Lord, 'If You are pleased with me, teach me Your ways so I may know You and continue to find favor with You.”

The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”  Exodus 33:13,14 

Not exactly the "answer" Moses was looking for, but yet an iron clad promise that God's Presence would go with Him.

And so, this Trey Tuesday, we face the same situation:  Yes God, please heal Trey.  That's the answer we want!  :)  And in the meantime while we wait, we will lean on Your promise:  "My Presence will go with Trey, and I will give him rest."  As Trey has follow up testing this week from his treatment, please pray for Trey and Jay and Rachel to know and sense God's presence and His rest as they undergo days of testing and waiting.  And please pray for God's power to reveal excellent test results!   

"The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you"  Deuteronomy 31:8

Trey Tuesday - September 16, 2014

Don't Go Fly a Kite!

Standing at the shore line of a lake or pond or ocean, it is great fun to skip stones across the top of the water.....find just the stone, angle it just right and let it go...across the water (hopefully) and into the deep....out of your hands.

It is also fun to run along the beach, holding on to a kite string as it dances and twists and turns...never letting go....keeping a watchful eye on the kite....ready to reel it back in if things get out of hand...or if a big gust comes...or if the line gets tangled.

Just like prayer.

We can talk with God while holding on to our need, clinging to the tether, sending it up, yet holding on to it for dear life...just like a kite.

Or, like skipping stones, we can send our prayers and our needs right out of our hands and into the vast depth of God's resources, abilities and provisions.  True, if we let it go we can't hold on to it anymore.  But God needs us to let go so He can pick it up!

As I pray for Trey, I'd like to have the image of a beautiful kite soaring across the bright blue sky, over a gorgeous body of water on a warm summer day, yet I'd much rather release my concerns and requests like a stone skipping across the lake....right where they belong...deep into God's strength and power and wisdom and might!

"Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you"  Psalm 55:22

Trey's tests...
Trey's doctors and nurses and teachers...
Trey's platelets...

Trey's parents...
Trey's siblings...

Trey's healing...

Trey!  :)

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."  I Peter 5:7

Trey Tuesday - September 9, 2014

Out of Control!

Have you ever laughed until you cried and couldn't stop?

Or have you felt the exhilaration of a roller coaster ride, leaving your stomach, head and heart on a unimaginable plane? 

Or how about that deliciously deep sleep, when you can't even feel your body in bed?

Or floating away listening to or playing music, lost in the moment?

Out. Of. Control!

Let's pray like that for Trey today!

His platelets seeeeeeeeeemed to have responded to the special concoction from Chicago and for that we are so very, very grateful!

Please pray for his little body to begin to make its own platelets, for good health and strength all over so his body can continue to recover from his treatment.

Please also pray for Trey at school: his teacher and classmates - blessed to have this Young Warrior in their midst this year!  And for safety for Trey!
And for all the Mitlos as they continue to live out loud for Jesus in a watching world!

Take some time now to pray...pray deep....pray out of control!

"In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words."  Romans 8:26

Trey Tuesday - September 2, 2014

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Trey and his family LIVE Childhood Cancer Awareness!

Team Mitlo One keeps the world aware of Trey, our Young Warrior!  And Team Mitlo One shares the awareness that God, Our Mighty Warrior, is well aware of all that Trey is going through in his fight against cancer!  (God is WELL aware of all that you are fighting against, too!)  :)

In fact, Jesus was very aware everywhere He went!
Matthew 12:15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A ...

Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. ... Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. ... //biblehub.com/matthew/12-15.htm - 17k

Matthew 26:10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you ...

Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? ... But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? ... //biblehub.com/matthew/26-10.htm - 17k

Mark 8:17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: "Why are ...

Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: "Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? ... //biblehub.com/mark/8-17.htm - 18k

John 6:61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this ...

Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you? ... Jesus was aware that his disciples were criticizing his message. ... //biblehub.com/john/6-61.htm - 17k

This Trey Tuesday, let's also raise the awareness of the power of prayer!
Please pray for God to jump start Trey's platelet count!

And for Trey to be physically protected while his body is compromised!
And for Penn Hills School District, its teachers, staff and families as the Mitlo kids are entrusted there each day!

And for Jay and Rachel and Joe and Bella and Trey to experience rest...through sweet sleep and peace in the Lord.

And as always, for Trey to be completely healed!  :)

Matthew 16:8 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, "You of ...

Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, "You of little faith, why are
you talking among yourselves about having no bread? ...

Trey Tuesday - August 26, 2014

Be The Giver

No, not the Lois Lowry/Hollywood "The Giver."

And none of us can compare to the Ultimate Giver Jesus Christ!  :)
But God (and society interestingly enough) calls us to give what we can, when we can.

Trey has stumped the doctors yet again.  Jay and Rachel's update today:

Trey is not making his own platelets and still rejecting (so far, 8!) bags of donated platelets!! He's bruising easily...but hasn't slowed down a bit, which makes me nervous!!!  Please think about contacting the Central Blood Bank (or your local blood bank) to make a general donation. 8 bags of platelets means that 25-30 people's donations will have been used!!

Those of you who are able, giving blood is a great way to help Trey!  (It's very cumbersome to donate directly to Trey, so Jay and Rachel just ask for you to donate generally to your local blood bank.)  While you are there, speak of our Young Warrior and our Mighty God Who has sustained Trey and his family!  :)

Or take this opportunity to be a different kind of Giver - time, talents, treasures, attention, prayer, meals, yard work, shopping, babysitting, transportation.  Team Mitlo One reaches around the world.  There is someone, somewhere in your circle who needs a blessing!  Share Trey's journey with your recipient as you give!  :)

And speaking of prayer - please pray for a miracle bag of platelets to be at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh UPMC that Trey's body will accept and spur him on to make his own platelets!

Please also pray for Trey's parents as they patiently tread through this new chapter!

Many praises as Trey did get to go to his first day of Kindergarten yesterday!  And Joe and Bella jumped right back into their school routine!  :)

And as always, please pray for Trey's complete healing!

"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."  2 Corinthians 9:7

Trey Tuesday - August 19, 2014

Not If or When but As...

Where do you live?

On the "If" side of life?  The "When" side of life?  Or the "As" side of life?

"If I get that new job...."
"When I lose that last 10 pounds...."

"As things are today...."

We don't need to ask Trey which way he lives.  He's a VERY "As" kind of boy!
As he walks he talks and laughs and plays and loves and tries to outwit his parents!  :)

Trey doesn't sit around pondering, "If my nurse next week doesn't like me...." or "When Kindergarten picture day comes, I hope I know how to position my head just right for the camera..."

Why waste time on the "ifs" and "whens?"

All God gives us is "As."

Please pray for Trey AS he continues to regain "health" and strength from his treatment.

And for Rachel AS she prepares the kids for the return to school.

For Jay AS he juggles fatherhood, pastorhood and coachhood.

For Joe and Bella AS they finish off summer enjoying sunshine and cousins and pool time!  :)

And as always, AS his treatment is destroying cancer cells, for Trey to be completely healed from cancer.

"Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near."

Isaiah 55:6

Trey Tuesday - August 12, 2014

Ready...Set....

Camp Cathy 2014 has already come and gone!  Our family certainly enjoyed our "Throwback Week!"  Having Joe and Bella with us while Trey was receiving his treatment was a throwback into the days of Polly Pocket, Disney channel, fruit snacks and living life through the eyes of children!  :)  This glorious time began when we met Rachel and Trey at a hotel near Philadelphia after their turnpike trip across the state.  An evening of hotel elevator antics, restaurant dinner, hotel pool (complete with a rousing game of Fish, Fish, Shark - think Duck, Duck, Goose) and bedtime story telling left this aunt feeling blessed beyond belief!

As I settled into bed that night, I thought about my Bible app verse of the day:

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."  Colossians 3:2

Wait, what?  Don't set my mind on these earthly things like sweet and treasured memories with my niece and nephews (and A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. sister-in-law!)?!?!?  I took my concern to the Lord and He met me there.  Yes, cherish these times, but also yes indeed, "Set my mind on Things above."  Set my mind on Him who gave me these treasures!  Set my mind on the Joy God alone can promise!  Set my mind on His everlasting, absolute Truths!

Camp Cathy wasn't 100% perfect, and for the missing 0.00009999%, God was still good, faithful, loving and trustworthy!  (And probably teaching me more than in the good times!)  Even Trey, equipped with a catheter, infused with a high dose of radiation, confined to a bed for 5 days, unable to snuggle with his mommy, found joy above his circumstances and shared that joy with all his "girlfriend" nurses!  :)

This Trey Tuesday, let's lift our Young Warrior high as we entrust Him to God's plan again and again!  Please pray for him this week as he recovers from his radiation treatment - for a return to his robust eating, regained strength and health.  Please also pray for a return to "normal" at the Mitlo house, and rest and recovery for all of them!

Ready...Set...Go!
"Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires."  Romans 8:5

Trey Tuesday - August 5, 2014

Road Trip!!

The Mitlos are packing the van again, heading east for Trey to receive another round of intense radiation therapy this week in Philadelphia.  (Major praises here as the last round changed Trey from being a weak, sickly, quiet, thin boy back to being a vibrant, "healthy", silly, loud, charmer!  And ALWAYS our Young Warrior!)  :)

Your family vacation lists are probably very similar as the Mitlo Family Road Trip:

clothes, toys, screens, snacks, drinks, GPS, etc.

Everything all lined up for your destination....that is when God allows us to know the destination.

As we walk this daily walk of faith, God doesn't tell us the way, or give us the way...

Jesus answered, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me."  John 14:6 
This is a great lesson that Trey's journey has taught us.  Yes, we need to live today and plan for tomorrow, but Jesus, the Way, will lead us triumphantly....like our Young Warrior!  :)

Please be praying this week for:

Rachel as she maneuvers the driving to Philadelphia and endures another 5 days in the radiation room with Trey under major restrictions.

Trey as he receives this radiation - for it to continue to annihilate the cancer!

Jay as he stays at home and works.

Joe and Bella as they get to join the road trip this time to come and stay and play with Aunt Cathy and Uncle Steve and Joe and Natalie!  :)  (Hurray for us!)  :)

CHOP staff and facilities (especially Trey's best aide, Lora!) - for the love of God to wash over them as Trey and Rachel spend time there. 
And as always, for Trey to be healed! :)

"The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him"

Psalm 37:23

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Anticipation!!!

Pre-wedding jitters!
Back to school merchandise in July!
The tippy top of the roller coaster, suspended in time, looking dowwwwwwwwwwwn the next slope!

We were on a whale watching trip last week and it was amazing to observe my ship mates as we watched and waited for a whale sighting.  From the youngest on board to the oldest, everyone sat on pins and needles searching the ocean for evidence of the magnificent creature!  We watched and waited with great expectation and anticipation!  Gasps, shrieks and frantic activity erupted as whales were spotted!  Our hopes were realized!  Breathtaking beauty and majesty!  Mission accomplished!

Let's pray that same way for Trey as he awaits his next radiation treatment:
With hope for a cure!
With anticipation of God continuing to do amazing things in Trey's life!
With the expectation of a rich life for Trey!
With peace and trust for Jay and Rachel!
With God's powerful blessings over Joe and Bella!
With honor and glory to God!

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe."  Ephesians 1:18, 19

Trey Tuesday - July 22, 2014

Hi. My name is Mia and I am Trey's 11 year old cousin. I have written a prayer for Trey Tuesday because Aunt Cathy is on vacation.

Jesus please help Trey and his diseases to go away and that you would help Trey's family to have faith and wisdom in what You want to do. Lord you know what you want to do with Trey's life and you know what's best in everything that we do. So please help us to have faith in You to help with Trey and his illnesses. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Trey Tuesday - July 15, 2014

​A Shopper's Delight!  :)

I had the HUGE privilege and blessing of spending time with Joe, Bella and Trey last week!  An aunt's dream come true!  :)  Part of our time together was spent at Five Below.  Trey could not have been happier!  He had an agenda, a list, a mission - he wanted a "few" toys.

"How many is a few, Trey?" I asked.

Trey replies, "Twenty is a few, but 12 is fine."

Oh, to have such simple, yet lofty, yet certain goals!  :)  And being Trey's aunt, how could I refuse!?  :)

Let's take our Trey Tuesday prayer requests as confidently before God:

For safety in travel as Trey and Rachel drive to Philadelphia on Wednesday!

For another HUGELY successful radiation therapy for Trey!

For strength and safety and sanity and speed as Rachel sits with Trey and waits for his numbers to settle safely (probably 4 days.)

For peace and fun and patience for Jay and Joe and Bella doing the juggle at home!

And for God to miraculously remove all the cancer from Trey's little body!

"Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart."  Psalm 37:4

Trey Tuesday - July 8, 2014

Seek the Truth

Trey is having a series of scans this week to take a good look inside him to see what the cancer/radiation is/isn't doing.  The technology and machines have amazing capabilities!  From his outward appearance it seems that Trey is doing soooooo much better, but the scans will produce reports filled with valuable information about the truth.

Isn't that just like God?  "The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."  I Samuel 16:7

God won't be surprised at the results of Trey's scans.  And He is never surprised at what you have going on deep inside you!  Don't be intimidated by how things seem, seek God's Truth and rest in Him!  "The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him."  2 Chronicles 16:9

Please surround Trey and his family with the Lord's love and strength and protection this week as they await results.  Please also take time to thank God for the many wonderful summer adventures the family has enjoyed!  :)  And that Trey has gained weight!  :)  And as always, please pray for Trey's complete healing from cancer.

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us."  I John 4:16

Trey Tuesday - July 1, 2014

Name That Tune

"Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy."  Psalm 33:3

God gives us 3 instructions here:

1.  "Sing to Him a new song" = Go ahead!  Sing to God!  Sing a NEW song!  Praise the Lord, Trey has so many, many verses to the song of his life!  Each new day, Trey sings the praises of God by the way he lives and plays and dresses and dances and sings!  :)  How many verses do you have in your life!?!  Write a new one today!

2.  "Play skillfully" = OK, so you aren't the best singer.  "Sing" a different way to God!  Dance, play an instrument, journal the miracles God has worked in your life, count your blessings, etc.  Do it well!  :)

3.  "Shout for joy" = Once again, Trey does this one very well!  He lives out loud!  Very out loud!  And most of the time, Trey has shouts of love and joy!  :)  What when was the last time you praised God out loud?  Out loud with shouts of joy!?  (If your pastor or family get concerned about you, simply refer them to Psalm 33:3!)  :)

So this Trey Tuesday, let's join together and shout for joy about all the wonderful things God has done in and around Trey's life!  Let's sing to Him a new song, asking for many, many more verses in Trey's life as he continues to enjoy eating and gaining strength!  :)  Please pray that the doctors and nurses and clinicians and technicians do their jobs skillfully as Trey has upcoming scans.  And as always, please keep praying for Trey to be healed from cancer. 

Trey Tuesday - June 24, 2014

'Tis the Season

Vacation Bible School season is upon us!  And with it comes the kaleidoscope of emotions and antics!  Morning VBS breeds bleary eyed, cranky children each morning, reluctant to crawl out of bed and get out the door after days of endless fun in the sun!  Evening VBS brings with it insanely late bedtimes trying to settle down from all the fun and excitement!  All in all, everyone is sad to see the week end after being equipped with fun and friends and catchy little tunes to hide God's Word in hearts and lives! :)  Trey even cries when he realizes that VBS is over, and he asks for it the.rest.of.the.year! :)

Have you loved anything that much lately?  You know, despite all that Trey goes through, he loves large, sings loud and dances strong! :)

Please keep praying for improved health (white blood cell count to increase) and strength and weight gain for Trey!

And for the miraculous curing of his cancer!

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desire of your heart."  Psalm 37:4

God is waiting to bless you when you seek Him and delight in Him!

Find a neighborhood VBS this summer and volunteer!  Or take a neighbor or a niece or a nephew!  Sing a catchy tune!  Dance a joyful dance!  "Delight yourself in the Lord!"

Trey Tuesday - June 17, 2014

Super Trey!

Once again, Super Trey/Young Warrior has beat the odds!  Instead of his blood levels dropping after radiation (as they should), Trey's blood levels are on the rise!  And he has gained more weight!

Trey's life really reminds us to expect the unexpected - in a good way!  :)

And so it is with today's scripture.  As Paul writes his letter to the Ephesian church, he mixes up the expectations of the people.  Imagine the religious leaders (like Trey's doctors) reading from a list of facts and statistics (like Trey's doctors), describing exactly how things are going to unfold.  And then Paul (inspired by the Holy Spirit) comes along and preaches and teaches the exact opposite - which just so happens to be Truth!  He uses phrases like:
"power, together with all the Lord’s holy people" - no Lone Ranger Christians!  :)
"how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ" - immeasurable!  :)
"love that surpasses knowledge" - yes, all you graduates - LOVE surpasses knowledge!  :)
"immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" - more than all we ask or imagine!?!?  Yes!  Keep asking and imagining!  :)

Please keep praying for our Super Trey to beat every odd:

- cancer to disappear!

- health to abound!

- strength and peace and joy to multiply!

Immeasurably!  :)

More!  :)

"I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."  Ephesians 3:16-21

Trey Tuesday - June 10, 2014

Because I said so!

How many times have you said that in life? 

Whether you were explaining to your toddler (for the 1,000th time) why not to scrub the toilet with your toothbrush, or reminding your teen (again!) to put the phone away during family dinner, or even getting the dog to stay off the furniture, (good luck trying that with the cat!), "Because I said so" comes in handy sometimes. 

Psalm 107:2 gives us the authority and command to "say so!"

"Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—"  NIV
"Let the redeemed of the LORD say so" KJB

What does God want us to say?  Let's look at the whole verse:
"Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy"  Psalm 107:2

God has redeemed you!  From what?  From who?  When?  Where?

Tell your story!  Share God's Good News in your life - go ahead and "say so!"
Just like Trey and Team Mitlo One!  :)

Radiation did not beat Trey down - it gave him new strength!

The enemy named poor appetite isn't winning - Trey is gaining weight!

Worry and fear are swallowed up in Trey's great numbers from his blood work!

Trey's cancer has brought many to prayer and salvation and community!
That's Trey's "say so" - What's your "say so?"

"Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy"  Psalm 107:2

Trey Tuesday - June 3, 2014

Good Old Ebenezer

Trey's journey is an amazing reminder of the faithfulness of God and the help and the hope that is found in Christ!  Trey's last day of preschool picture on Friday warmed my heart (aka made me cry/gasp/smile!)  :)  All that this Young Warrior has been through, and there he is moving through this rite of passage just like any other typical child!  Trey's Facebook friend, Kim Dawson, hit the nail on the head:  Another milestone for our warrior Trey!  :)

God calls us to remember our milestones in life because they remind us of God's never ending presence and love: "Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer (stone of help), saying, "Thus far the LORD has helped us."
I Samuel 7:12 

Team Mitlo One is a powerful testimony/Ebenezer/stone of help for Trey and Jay and Rachel and Bella and Joe!  :)  Thank you!!!

Please keep up the great prayers!

- for Trey to gain weight!

- for continued "normalcy!"

- for more celebrations and milestones!

- for Joe and Bella as their school year winds down, too!

- for Jay and Rachel learning and discerning every day!

- for Trey to be healed!

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help"  Psalm 46:1

Trey Tuesday - May 27, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving!  :)

Let's begin this Trey Tuesday in THANKS AND PRAISE to God for His goodness being showered over Trey and his family during Trey's treatment in Philadelphia!

And yet more PRAISE as Trey is feeling good since the radiation!  He slept through the night last night without pain medication!  :)  And he is eating again!  :)

And THANKS to God for Rachel's safety driving back and forth across the state!  And THANKS for her sanity while cooped up and on call literally 24 hours every day!

And then for the warriors at home!  :)  Many THANKS to God for Joe handling the separation from Rachel without throwing up!  This may be the first time Joe didn't get the stomach bug while Rachel was at the hospital with Trey!  :)

And many THANKS and much PRAISE for our sensitive Bella managing herself through the many loving (and exhausting) activities provided to keep her busy this long weekend!  :)

And for the leader of the pack - All GLORY and PRAISE to God for His provision of wisdom and strength for Jay to hold down the home front, both physically and emotionally, support Rachel from 300 miles away, juggle the kids' schedules and prepare for preaching a sermon on Sunday!

And once again, Team Mitlo One, your thoughts and prayers and words and gifts and and deeds are so powerful and appreciated - we THANK God for each one of you!  :)

"I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High."  Psalm 7:17

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name"  Psalm 100:4

"Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever."  Psalm 106:1

Pray for Trey Tuesday - May 20, 2014

Mighty Words for our Mighty Warrior!  :)

Jay and Rachel are pressing on, making plans to get Trey to Philadelphia tomorrow for Trey to be admitted to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) on Thursday for his intense radiation therapy.  They could be discharged on Sunday or Monday, or as soon as Trey's numbers are clear for release.

We have numerous prayer requests for the Mitlos.  Many cannot be expressed in human words...So we turn to God and His Holy Spirit, the Great Interpreter of our hearts! :)

Listed below are different translations of the same verse, Psalm 17:7, yet all the same message for Trey.  It is amazing that God could speak His powerful Truth into our hearts and lives to fill our every need in such specific ways!  :)

For wisdom for Jay and Rachel as they make decisions:
"Show me the wonders of Your great love"

For travel mercies for Rachel and Trey, and stay-at-home mercies for Jay and Joe and Bella:
"Reveal Your miraculous deeds of mercy"

For the staff and facility and treatment at CHOP to be successful at shrinking Trey's tumors:
"Wondrously show Your steadfast love"

All over Trey and his health:
"Show Thy marvelous lovingkindness"

For Trey's journey, lived out in Team Mitlo One in a million different ways everyday:
"Accomplish awesome, faithful deeds"

And for God's perfect plan to be lived out in Trey:
"Show me Your unfailing love in wonderful ways"

Trey Tuesday - May 13, 2014

How old are you?

Wait!  Don't answer that!  It doesn't matter anyway...

Our Young/Mighty Warrior celebrated his 6th birthday yesterday - true Warrior style!

Oh, how we praise God for each precious moment we have with Trey!  :)

The life, of each person, of any age (or level of cuteness!) is precious!

And God has a plan for each and every second/minute/day/year/life of each one of us!

God's plan for Trey for today is a CT scan to see what is going on inside him....

Couple this with blood work and an MIBG scan tomorrow....

Top all that off with sleepless nights for the past 2 weeks due to Trey's whining/discomfort/fear/cold:not cold bed.

Yes!  Trey and his family NEED your prayers!

Please be praying for the very peace and comfort and strength from God!

And of course, for a miraculous report of no new growth for Trey!
And for answers and help for his poor body!

THANK YOU, Team Mitlo One, for loving Trey and his family so much!

When God planned this Team, He knew BIG blessings would flow!  THANK YOU! 

"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you,

before you were born I set you apart"

Jeremiah 1:5

"Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in Your Book before one of them came to be."  Psalm 139:16

"To God be the glory and the power for ever and ever! Amen."  Revelation 1:6

Trey Tuesday - May 6, 2014

Good night, PLEASE!?!?

Jay and Rachel ask for special prayers as Trey has not been sleeping well (*or much!) for the past week or so.  Trey wakes up many, many times a night whiny and fussy, yet nothing is seemingly wrong.  Please hold Trey and his sleeping and his health and strength close in prayer.  Please also pray for Jay and Rachel and the doctors to figure out the answers as to why this happening. THANK YOU!

Dear Trey,
Your Team Mitlo one is surrounding you with God's Holy Word tonight.  God's Word is powerful!  His Word is Truth!  His Word is alive and acting for you right now!
So sleep well, our Young Warrior!  God's mighty arm will surround you and help you rest.
God's protection will help you and your dad and mom to not be afraid.

Your bed and sheets and blankets will hold you tight and keep you warm like the many hugs we send to you!

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

“All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.
Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all.
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you,
Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid"  Isaiah 41:10-14

Trey Tuesday - April 29, 2014

Trouble down the road...

I live out in the country where we don't have local police.  The state police are our source of law enforcement.  Imagine the drama last week when not 1, but 2 police cars, with lights and sirens blaring, go flying past me at an intersection close to home!  Yes, they were flying in the direction of my home, right past the local schools!  When my traffic light turned green I proceeded behind the state police a mile or two, peering up and down each cross street and intersection looking for...you guessed it...TROUBLE!  When I couldn't find trouble down the first few streets, I waited to peek into the pizza place parking lot....no trouble there.  Where could the trouble be?  I know!  I will look for trouble at the high school!  Nope.  The middle school?  Administration building?  Nothing.  Now it is time to turn down my road toward home....each driveway I approach I prepare myself to suspiciously accuse a neighbor of causing trouble near my home...what did I find?  Peace and quiet.  All the way home to my front door...no trouble!  :)  

Looking back I then realized my journey home that day was just like life.  We spend our days/weeks/years looking and waiting and even expecting trouble.  We pass by the here and now straining to find the trouble that is not even meant for us!  Jay and Rachel fight this temptation every day in Trey's battle with cancer.

Trey has had a few scary pains lately.  Very scary for Jay and Rachel as they watch and wonder and wait.  But, true to Trey's style...he doesn't look for trouble!  :) Childhood viruses can wreak havoc on Trey's family and friends and he waltzes right through them laughing and playing and eating and dancing a few hours later!  :)  

Please pray for Trey to continue to be "healthy" and strong!  :)

And for continued great scans for Trey!  :)

Please also pray for Team Mitlo One to experience God's joy and peace in living t-o-d-a-y!  :)

"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever."  Psalm 106:1
"This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it."  Psalm 118:24

Trey Tuesday - April 22, 2014

Labels

We all have them...

Tall, short, heavy, thin...
American, African, Asian...

Divorce, depression, poor, anorexic...

Diabetes, autism, heart disease, cancer...

Can you identify with any of these labels?
God allows them all, yet when He looks at us, He won't see those labels!  :)
Just like Jay and Rachel (and most of the world!) look at Trey and most of all see the extreme love they have for him, God looks at each one of us with an even greater, stronger, unconditional love!  Love truly is blind!  :)

The miracle of Easter Sunday is a miracle of love which covers everything!  No labels!  :)

"God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  Romans 5:8

Loved by God - that's a label we can all proudly and confidently wear!  :)

This Trey Tuesday we praise the Lord for Trey's PERFECT blood work today!  :)

And we ask for prayer surrounding scans which will begin in May.
And as always, for the miracle of Trey being healed!  :)

Hmmm...healed...now THAT is the Ultimate Label!  :)

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."I John 4:10

Trey Tuesday - April 15, 2014

Merry CHRISTmas!?

We have to celebrate Christmas if we are going to properly celebrate Easter - and vice versa! :)

Sounds confusing, yet God has it all under control!  :)

Imagine the Good Friday shouts of, "Crucify Him!" (John 19:6) being yelled at baby Jesus' birth....

Imagine the nail pierced hands healing the blind, raising the dead to life and changing the water into wine....

And imagine Jesus' voice that calmed the storms and the seas then crying out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"  (Mark 15:34)
Sounds confusing to us, yet God has it all under control!  :)

Our hearts and minds jump to Trey and his family...living and loving their little baby boy, not knowing that one day he would have a dreadful diagnosis.

Sounds confusing to us, yet God has it all under control!  :)

At the Last Supper, Jesus shared with His disciples (and with us!) powerful words which bring us much comfort when we are trying to make sense of what is going on in our world.  "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”  John 13:7  What a great Easter reminder!  :)

Trey has some bloodwork and scans coming up.  Please pray for everything to go smoothly and cleanly!
Please also pray for peace and clear direction for Jay and Rachel as they continue to make decisions for Trey's treatment plan.

"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a Baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,  and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.”  Luke 2:10-14

Trey Tuesday - April 8, 2014

Do you hear what I hear?

While we are enjoying the chirps and tweets of springtime all around us, imagine the sounds that Trey and Bella and Joe are experiencing!  Imagine the sounds they are making!!!!  :)

"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord."  Psalm 150:6

This very special week at Disney World is a breathtaking example of this verse.  The kids may not realize the many hands and hearts that went into making this trip possible, but their shrieks and giggles and pleads for "more" are simply their ways of saying, "Thank you" to Team Mitlo One and "Praise the Lord" to our loving, caring Heavenly Father who makes this whole trip possible!

Please join us in prayer and praise this Trey Tuesday wherever you are (literally, emotionally, physically, etc.)  :)

"Praise the Lord.
Praise God in His sanctuary;
praise Him in His mighty heavens.

Praise Him for His acts of power;
praise Him for His surpassing greatness.
Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise Him with the harp and lyre,
praise Him with timbrel and dancing,
praise Him with the strings and pipe,
praise Him with the clash of cymbals,
praise Him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord."

Psalm 150

Trey Tuesday - April 1, 2014

Earnest

When was the last time you used that word?!?  Yet it is a common word and concept throughout the Bible!  Most commonly we read about earnestly seeking God:
"He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."  Hebrews 11:6
"You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek You" Psalm 63:1

What does earnest even mean!?!...intense conviction; seriously important!
Wow! Makes me wonder what I am earnest about....
Ask a teenager or a parent of young children...sleep is probably at the top of their "earnest" list!  Some adults may earnestly seek "more" - more time, more money, more room....
And others earnestly seek "less" - less debt, less weight, less stress...
What a fickle bunch we are! :/

Imagine a life of earnestly seeking to destroy cancer - without even knowing it!  That is the beautiful life of Trey!  Trey's doctors and nurses and parents and Team Mitlo One are on their knees and rolling up their sleeves to fight this fight for Trey while he lives a life of any typical 5-year-old: earnestly seeking to bother his siblings, watch his favorite shows, play his favorite games and dream about one day going to Disney World again!

Will you please earnestly pray for Trey?  With intense conviction and serious importance?

For Trey to beat this cancer!

For Trey to continue to be "healthy!"

For joy and happiness and great peace to surround his family!
And for dreams and gifts like Disney to earnestly bless the Mitlos!

"And being in anguish, Jesus prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground."  Luke 22:44

Trey Tuesday - March 25, 2014

Trey is soooo....

Oh my!  Yes!  Trey is sooo....everything!  :)

When Trey is happy, he is sooo happy!  There is nothing like the smile on his face!  :)

When Trey is unhappy, he is sooo unhappy!  Forget Mama...If Trey ain't happy, ain't no one happy!

When Trey is in love with a new girlfriend who may have been visiting for the weekend, he is sooooooo in love!  :)

And when Trey fights hard, he fights sooooo very hard (whether he is fighting his parents or cancer!)  :)

And that is just how God would have it!  God's power and strength and might know no end, and Trey and his family and Team Mitlo One have that same spirit!

Let's continue this One Faith, One Family, One Fight for Trey!  :)

Our prayer this Trey Tuesday for Trey and Jay and Rachel as decisions are being made:
"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience" Colossians 1:9-11

Trey Tuesday - March 18, 2014

It's Everywhere!

International unrest, financial ruin, abuse, neglect, poverty, severed relationships, and oh yeah...cancer!  The brokenness is absolutely everywhere these days!

I heard an amazing sermon this past Sunday, and one sentence struck me hard:

~ Even among Jesus, brokenness abounds.

Think about it - As Jesus walked this earth He spent time among the broken:

The blind - Mark 8:22

The lame - Matthew 15:30

The sick - Matthew 14:14

The sad - John 14:1

The dead - John 11:35

And even the demon possessed! - Matthew 4:24

Yet God was faithful and fulfilled His purposes, even among the broken!

And He is doing the same in and through Trey! :)

Please continue praying for Trey to be healed from cancer!

Please also pray for Jay and Rachel to take their brokenness to God, to remember His faithfulness!

And for Joe and Bella to know that God is always up to something good! :)

And as Easter draws nearer, think on this theme of brokenness....God sent Jesus, wholly holy and perfect, to be broken, sacrificed, killed....so you could be made eternally whole!

"This is my body given for you" Luke 22:19

"God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."  2 Corinthians 5:21

Trey Tuesday - March 11, 2014

Shhhh....It's a secret!  :)

Jay and Rachel are planning a trip to Disney World for Trey and Bella and Joe!  :)
But don't tell the kids - it's a surprise!  :)

And just as kids would be kids, the Mitlo kids are going about their daily routines, clueless of the bigger picture - they are bickering with each other, complaining about homework and whining at bedtime, ...naive to the wonderful plan being thoughtfully prepared by their devoted parents AND FRIENDS!  (Thank you to all of you who are making this trip possible!)  :)

Isn't that just like each one of us?

God is always busy preparing a beautiful life for us, carefully weaving the events and people in our paths, building a future filled with life and love and hope and happiness!
And what are we doing in the meantime, while we wait for this unseen future?
We're probably bickering and complaining and whining!

The present circumstances didn't look too good for Jesus:
"This man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross."  Acts 2:23, but yet we know the next chapter of His story!  "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here."  Mark 16:6

As we pray for Trey this week, please know that God has a Disney World type plan for Trey and his health and his everything!  Beginning with Trey's PERFECT blood work results today!  :)  Thank you, God!  :)  Please pray for the Mitlos to be at peace each step of the way.  Please pray for unity and clarity and much wisdom as Jay and Rachel make decisions for the available treatment option.  And as always, please pray for continued health and strength and joy for Trey!  (And for Joe and Bella, too!)  :)

And speaking of Trey...how does all this planning fit in to his sweet little life?
How does it fit in to each one of our lives?
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."  Romans 8:28

Trey Tuesday - March 4, 2014

Extremes!

Major Winter Storm forecast followed by a slight dusting of snow!

Black Friday shopping followed by January credit card bills!

Endless days of sedentary huddling near the heater followed by sweltering days scrambling across the blacktop in melting flip flops!  *I hope!  I hope!  :)

Fat Tuesday followed by Sacrificial Ash Wednesday and Lent!

This Trey Tuesday is devoted to praise!  Praising God that Trey has been enjoying NO extremes!  :)

Same old, same old winter humdrums of cabin fever and rivalry!  :)
Stable bloodwork and scans indicating GREAT "health!"  :)

Normal, every day childhood antics and Trey-isms!  :)

And speaking of extremes....Trey's current treatment option is an extreme one (as is every one!)
Please keep praying for Jay and Rachel as they have decisions to make.

Please pray for clarity and unity.

Psalm 66 for Trey!  :)
Shout for joy to God, all of Team Mitlo One and beyond!
Sing the glory of God's name;  make His praise glorious.
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds for Trey!
So great is Your power that Your enemies cringe before You.
All the earth bows down to You; they sing praise to You, they sing the praises of Your name.
Come and see what God has done, His awesome deeds for Trey!"

Trey Tuesday - February 25, 2014

Do I look drunk?

If you could have seen me last week after spending 20 non-stop glorious hours with Trey, you may have thought I looked drunk!  Late night underwater! swimming, early morning at McDonald's, endless hours playing on the floor! at the hospital, topped off by Trey "sharing" my salad (eaten with his fingers!)  Yes, I looked drunk!  But that's not what I am referring to here....

In I Samuel 1 Hannah is praying so hard, pouring out her heart to God, the priest thought she looked drunk!  Hannah wasn't just going through the motions, Hannah was p-r-a-y-i-n-g!!!
"In her deep anguish"
"weeping bitterly."
"she made a vow"
"Hannah was praying in her heart"
“I am a woman who is deeply troubled."
"I was pouring out my soul to the Lord."
"I have been praying here out of my great anguish"

Let's pray for Trey like that this week!  :)
For Trey's continued AMAZING health!

For Trey to be healed from cancer!
For Jay and Rachel to receive wisdom and discernment concerning the latest treatment option for Trey!
For Joe and Bella to know God's peace!

“Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of Him.”  I Samuel 1:17

Trey Tuesday - February 18, 2014

Does this count?

Whether we are talking about calories or dollars or minutes, we always seem to be counting something...and wondering if what we counted has worth.

When you measure food on a diet, is a cup of popcorn the amount that you can cram into the measuring cup, balancing the overflow as long as it doesn't fall out?  Or does it have to fit beneath the cup line!?!

In this day and age of credit cards and debit cards and PayPal and online banking, who balances a checkbook anymore?!?

And who doesn't live by the "ish" factor?!?  I'll be there at 10ish...

Ah, boundaries and limits and margins.  Not the American way anymore.  Yet it is!

Calories do count.

Money does matters.

And time flies - whether you are having fun or not!  :)

Once again, (and of course, it IS Trey Tuesday!), we turn to Trey and God's Word!  :)

Yes, Trey maximizes his life!  :)  Living outloud and clear!  :)

And yes, God wants us to live this life on purpose, not just getting by.  "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."  John 10:10

I am honored and blessed to get to see Trey tomorrow as he travels to my area to be seen at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia!  :)  I plan on making every moment "count!"  Yes, there may be traffic and weather (!) and schedules and money and people that may try to interfere with my time with Trey, but Jesus has given us this time, this life - and we plan on having it to the full!  :)

Will you please pray for our time together?  For their travel here.  For Trey in the car.  And in the rest stop.  And in the hotel.  And in the hospital  And in the car again!  :)

And of course for his time with the doctor - that the past, the present and the future will be made very clear by God so Jay and Rachel can make decisions about clinical trials.

"I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me"  Philippians 3:12

Trey Tuesday - February 11, 2014

What's Your Story?

I read this saying by Priscilla Shirer this week and it knocked me off my feet:
When God speaks, when He intervenes, when He permits a circumstance to rise up around you, it is your opportunity to write a story that people may still be talking about many years from now. Your life is God's story being told and His character being displayed.

Think about the familiar Bible stories from Sunday School:
Do you think Noah was planning on having movies made about him while he tended to the huge task of building an ark?
What about David out in the fields with the sheep? Wondering if there would be a Veggie Tales about him?
What about Mary on her donkey? What was her focus? Two thousand years from then, toddler girls in blue gowns at Nativity scenes, ceramic and wooden images of her adorning everyone's homes at Christmas time? I think not. "She pondered these things in her heart." Luke 2:19

What about you? What kind of life are you living today? What is your focus? What is your story?
Trey certainly has the focus for today thing down pat! He's not worried about tomorrow or next week or treatments or clinical trials or even what anybody thinks about him! He focuses on his parents and his family, blueberries, broccoli and a few TV shows! That's it! Yet God CERTAINLY is using Trey's opportunity for hundreds/thousands of people to read God's story in living color!

Jay writes this week's prayer request: Trey's oncologist said that there may be a trial treatment available for Trey here in Pittsburgh that could be available as early as this week. I do know this. Your prayers have been as important to Trey’s condition, if not more so, than any medicine or treatment he has received. Thank you so much.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways
and My thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is My word that goes out from My mouth:
It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:9-11

Trey Tuesday - February 4, 2014

What Do You Remember?

Well, Super Bowl commercials have come and gone for another year.
Not counting the movie trailers and TV spots, there were over 50 commercials which aired!
Remember them all? Remember who the advertisers were or do you just remember the images?

God commands His people to remember:
"Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them." Deuteronomy 4:9

The Olympics start this week! I am sure these athletes will remember the lifetime of instruction and advice they have been received! They will remember the gold medal winners who have gone before them! They will remember their coaches' promises of rewards for dedication and devotion.

Trey is our Super Bowl/Olympian! Yes, like the Super Bowl ads, he is sweet and funny and clever and worth a lot of money! And yes, like the Olympians, he is a fighter, a competitor, our Gold Medal winner!

This Trey Tuesday, let's carry a torch of thanks and praise, acknowledging the miraculous victories Trey has won! Let's honor God for all that He has done in Trey's life! And yes! Please keep praying for MORE great health and life and faith and fun and peace and joy for the Mitlos!

To God be the glory, great things HE has done!
"I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all Your works and meditate on all Your mighty deeds." Psalm 77:11,12

Trey Tuesday - January 28, 2014

Undignified!

In 2 Samuel 6 King David was worshiping the Lord as he celebrated a return to fellowship with God.
David couldn't contain himself!  He did nothing wrong in how he worshiped, it just didn't appear as others expected!

Ever have that in your life?  Your actions or words being misinterpreted?
We are so very, very blessed to have spent last weekend with Trey and the extended Mitlo family at a military event in Washington D.C!  Festivities included attending a Promotion to Colonel ceremony of Trey's Uncle Bob!  :)  With Generals in our midst, protocol was of utmost importance.  Especially while the General was speaking!

Well....enter our very own Young Warrior.  He was simply growing weary of sitting still for such a long time, holding it together amidst cousins and grandparents and aunts and uncles and wide open spaces to stretch those energetic legs!  Like David, Trey couldn't contain himself!  He did nothing wrong in how he breathed, it just didn't appear as others expected!  Perhaps his impatient exhale was a littttttttttle loud and long and MAY have sounded like a yawn during the General's speech.....but Trey meant no disrespect!  :)  (Although, the audience certainly appreciated Trey's good timing!)  :)

Trey spent the rest of the evening laughing, playing, eating, playing, eating, dancing, eating, etc!  PRAISE GOD for this "sick" child living an undignified, unashamed, uninhibited life!  :)

As we pray for Trey and his continued good health this week, please also take a look at your life and the health of your relationship with the Colonel/General/Chief/Lord of Lords/King of Every Army!  Do you live an undignified life for Him?  Unable to be still and quiet because you just have to speak God's Name and share His Word and long to serve His people?

Thank you for joining us on Trey's journey!  Please be praying for peace and wisdom as Jay and Rachel prayerfully prepare for a clinical trial meeting at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia next week.

"David said to Michal, “I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this"  2 Samuel 6:22