Trey Tuesday - March 26, 2013

Puppies!

What is cuter than a brand new puppy dog?
Trey!  :)
Even though that frolicking little pup steals your heart, you must keep the adult version in your mind...puppies DO grow up!  :)

As I think about Trey and pray for him and giggle at Trey's silly photos and antics I can't help but to pause a minute to think of so many others
who are battling cancer....perhaps those who are not quite as cute as Trey...perhaps those who do not tolerate their treatments wearing a Pinocchio nose!
....perhaps those who do not look forward to their days at the hospital....perhaps those who are absolutely miserable in their fight.
How do we handle those people in our lives?

It's a big week in the church calendar...the road to Calvary, the cross and Resurrection Sunday!  :)
Jesus' earthly life began when He was born....a precious, adorable baby!  Who couldn't love Him?
But then He grew.  He calmed waves.  And He made waves.
He made people well.  And He let them die.
He made friends.  And He made enemies.
Hmmm....not quite the precious, adorable adult!?!

As we rejoice in Trey's good news this week, please also take some time before the Lord to ask for God's perspective on all His children.
Who can you enjoy like you enjoy Trey?
Who can you hug real tight like you hold a puppy?
Who can you love like God loves you?

"This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him."
I John 4:9

From Jay and Rachel yesterday:

Monday afternoon update!!! Trey's treatment went really well this morning, both in getting there and administering of meds!

You guys!!! Here's some GREAT news!!! The study that Trey is currently in, is changing to become open ended!!! Meaning: Trey can stay on this course of treatment for as long as he can! Can I get an 'Amen!!"?? He still has 2 more treatments in this cycle, then a CT scan. If his scan is stable, then he should be able to continue with his treatment without interruption.

"Praise the Lord."
Psalm 150

Trey Tuesday - March 19, 2013

There is a Friend...

"There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
Proverbs 18:24
Brothers.  Sisters.  Friends.  Does it get any better than those bonds?
Especially in Christ:  Brothers and Sisters bound together by the blood of Jesus and the love of God!  :)
It takes a mature Christian to arrive at that point, right?
Guess again.
Look at this  photo!  Do you think any of those boys are thinking:  Oh, poor Trey.  I feel so sad for him and his cancer.
I don't even know how to talk to him or reach out to him.  What words do I say?  How can I "ahem" minister to him?

Look closely at these Costain and Mitlo "brothers"...arms entwined, eyes engaged, smiles erupting...all working toward the same goal at Joe's Bowling Birthday Party = F-U-N!  :)
(aka consuming massive quantities of fruit punch, sliding on slippery bowling lanes and trying to weasel quarters from the adults for the little vending machine!)
Regardless of the goal, they are united.

How is that working for you?  Do you have a band of "brothers" in your journey with Christ?  Someone(s) to support you, encourage you, correct you and love you?
Maybe it's time for YOU to find a "bowling" buddy!  :)  Or a "'prayer" buddy!  Or a jogging buddy!  Or a lunch buddy!
Someone to drape your arms around and love through the ugly, blotchy face days...or fruit punch mustache days!  :)
We praise God for the HUGE brotherhood of pray-ers and cheerleaders in Team Mitlo One!  Keep up the awesome job!
Please continue to thank God for each and every joy filled face and precious moment with Trey!
Please ask for many, many more!
Please also give thanks that Trey was able to continue with his treatment this week - even after a busy, exhausting weekend!  <3
And please pray for God's wisdom and strength and hope and joy (and miracle cure!) to be ever present in Trey's life and in his family's life!  :)

"Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude."
I Peter 3:8

Trey Tuesday - March 12, 2013

Take "this" personally...

God has a message for you found in His Word and in your life. 

Trey and the Mitlos have heard His message loud and clear!  They have taken great wisdom in heeding the message!
An entire fleet of Team Mitlo One prayers have also heeded the message and have committed to disciplines of prayer and service!
And praising God for it is our prayer this Trey Tuesday!  :)
Many have also heard the message and have made positive changes in their lives and in their churches!
Websites and blogs and t-shirts and wristbands and fundraisers have enabled the Penn Hills community to link with others around the world!  :)
Doctors and nurses have been bombarded by the effects of hundreds of people praying for them as they treat Trey!  :)
And Trey has experienced great health and strength and joy and LIFE!  :)
All because of "this."

I'd like you to take "this" personally.
What is "this?"

I had the blessing of seeing Joni Eareckson Tada (of Joni and Friends ministry) in person at our church this Sunday.
Joni, after 45 years in a wheel chair due to a diving accident, peacefully shared the scripture:
"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps."
I Peter 2:21

Easter is a time to remember Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross.
He did "this" for you.

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

Trey Tuesday - March 5, 2013

A Journey

Journey...a word that conjures up romantic images of travel to distant places...or explorations into unknown territory...or revisiting a a warm memory...or even a treacherous trek through impossible terrain and situations:
Moses and Aaron:  "Then they said, "The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Now let us take a three-day journey into the desert to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God"  Exodus 5:3
Jacob:  "Then Jacob continued on his journey and came to the land of the eastern peoples."  Genesis 29:1
Naomi, Orpah and Ruth:  "With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah." Ruth 1:7
Elijah:  "...while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert."  I Kings 19:4
The Disciples:  “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic."  Luke 9:3
Paul:  "Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness." 2 Corinthians 11:25-30Even Jesus:  "When the days grew closer for Jesus to be taken up to heaven, he was determined to continue his journey to Jerusalem."  Luke 9:51

Each day, each one of us is on a journey!
How would your story sound?
Give it a try!
Let's start with Trey:  Our Young Warrior faces his journey with a Popsicle in hand, Team Mitlo One by his side, and dancing the butter dance!  :)

As we focus on Jesus and His journey during this Lenten season, please continue to pray for Trey and his journey:
For continued strength and health!
For complete healing!
For peace and patience at home!
For wisdom and discernment for Jay and Rachel!
Thank you for your faithful, faith-filled prayers!  :)

Check out more great stories of successful journeys in Hebrews chapter 11!  :)

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart"
Hebrews 12:1-3

Trey Tuesday - February 26, 2013

Whose Lion is it Anyway?

When I say the word, Lion, what image comes to mind?
Probably something between Lion King, National Geographic and Webkinz.
Or perhaps Daniel in the Lions' Den (Daniel 6), Samson tearing the lion to pieces (Judges 14) or Jesus, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David! (Revelation 5)
Or maybe Jay and Rachel think of Trey and Bella and Joe - like any good parent would!  :)

But would you ever consider a lion a blessing?!?!
Think of all the opportunities that came about after the encounters with lions!
Think of all the good that has come from the treacherous encounters in your life!
Think of all that God has done through Trey's journey with cancer!
Team Mitlo One and the journey of faith and hope and trust and love abound because of Trey!  :)

Thank you for your faithful prayers!  They are working!  :)
Please continue to pray for strength and health and peace for Trey!
Please pray that Trey's current leg pain is not tumor growing, but growing pains from a healthy, vibrant boy!  :)
Please also pray for Joe and Bella and all that they do and do not express in their lives.
And as always, pray for Trey's complete healing!
May God be praised!

What's Your Lion?
Whose Lion is it Anyway?
.....check out jaymitlo.com for more great perspective....
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done"
Genesis 50:20

Trey Tuesday - February 19, 2013

Snapshot

Snapfish
Shutterfly
Snapchat
Instagram
Whatever happened to good old fashioned Kodak?!?!  :)
Oh, there are so many ways to take a snapshot to capture the moment these days...

And Trey knows all too well that there are many ways to take a snapshot to capture a moment internally, too.
We praise God for each and every great report that Trey has received!
And we pray for many, many more great reports!  :)
We also ask for prayer for continued great health for Trey!
And of course, for a miracle healing!  :)
And for Jay and Rachel we pray for continued wisdom and guidance in every decision they make.
And for Joe and Bella we pray for peace and grace and them knowing without a doubt the unconditional love and
provision of their earthly parents and Heavenly Father!

What about you and me?
Daily we should be taking an internal, deeeeep internal, spiritual snapshot of our "condition."
And then what?  What if we are suffering from a terminal condition? (pssst....we are!)
Let's check in with the Authority:  God's Word:
"Finally, I confessed all my sins to You and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD."
And You forgave me! All my guilt is gone."
Psalm 32:5
Thank God, our Almighty Savior and Healer!  :)

Trey Tuesday - February 12, 2013

This is....it!

What comes to mind when you read that?
The finding of a long lost puzzle piece?
The rage of an exhausted parent of young children?!?
The rage of an exhausted parent of teens?!?!?
The relief of a successful tax accountant?
The Word of God?

"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalm 118:24

Jay and Rachel face new transitions as Trey's key doctor has changed.
Also, Trey's treatment plan will be undergoing review.
His eligibility for the study may be over soon or it may be extended.
How does Trey handle it all?
Singing, dancing, eating, drinking, playing, being a kid...LIVING!  :)
Please continue to pray for continued happy, healthy days for Trey!
For good answers!
For great test results!
For peace and protection for their family!

Once again following in Trey's footsteps, won't you consider living life through his eyes?
Singing, dancing, eating, drinking, playing, being a kid = LIVING!  :)

Instead of dwelling on today's trials and struggles or tomorrow's plans and worries and fears and doubts:

REJOICE!
BE GLAD!
LIVE!
DON'T WAIT!
NOW!
TODAY!
THIS IS...IT!  :)

"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalm 118:24