Episode 35 - A Conversation With Devon and Paul Hewlett, Cancer Survivor and Care Provider

Imagine going through a difficult cancer only to have it resurface again.  Just when you began to think you've defeated this evil disease, it comes back with a vengence, perhaps worse than before.

Such is the challenge to hope that my guest, Todd Tipton is facing.  But unlike some, rather than give in to the life threatening situation, Todd lives up to his faith and knowledge that he is not alone.  He has a wonderful support system with family and his church, but more importantly, he knows that through his relationship with our Lord Jesus, he has an eternal hope that cannot fade (1 Peter 1:3-5).  He knows that no matter what happens in this life, he has life eternal.

Please listen to Todd's faith and committment as he shares with us his second journey to hope as he battles metastatic colon cancer.  But also share with others who are facing a challenge to their hope.

When we hear that hospice has been called in to assist someone, we often think the person is at the end of their life, that there remains no more hope for living.  This is not always true.  Hospice does so much more for a person and his or her family.
 
 In this episode I speak with Chasity Abram, a hospice nurse with Ivy Creek Hospice Care.  This wonderful care provider explains to us what hospice does to help patients and their family discover, sustain, and regain hope.  Please note the passion for care as she speaks with us.
 
 If you are wondering how hospice can help, no matter where you are, you can contact Ivy Creek Hospice Care.  If they cannot help you directly, they will refer you to someone who can.  Their information is:
 
 Ivy Creek Hospice Care
 500 Hospital Dr.
 Wetumpka, AL 36092
 (334) 514-0682

Many times when we ask a child what they want to be when they grow up we hear heroic professions like firefighter, police officer, doctor, or nurse.  Well, in this conversation we talk with a former firefighter, Ted Huges.  Ted stated in his characteristically humble way that he doesn't consider himself a hero, but he is one for many, including the two young ladies he and his wife Janet adopted years ago.  Ted and Janet brought hope to their lives.  

Ted and I discuss what true courage is and how it takes courage to bring hope to others.  We also discuss an interesting insight into the event in scripture where Peter had the courage to get out of the boat and come to our Lord and an often overlooked but critical part of that event.

In this episode I will discuss a bit about finding hope through reflection.  I will discuss what reflection is and how it relates to hope.  I'll give some practical things we can do to grow in hope.

I apply the meaning of reflection as looking back or looking at a situation in my life and think about what it meant or how it impacted my life.  This action helps us to be aware of ourselves and how events, relationships, or the lack of relationship impact us in our physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual self.  

 That sounds like a mouthful, but it comes down to the sum of all the life events that have happened to us in the past, including our decisions in those moments and how they impacted us.  So, by reflecting on these, we try to learn to make better, healthier decisions.

In this episode, I have a conversation with Donna McChord of Women of Hope.  This organization helps bring hope to those who have survived breast cancer or are currently fighting the fight.  Donna is the President of Women of Hope, Montgomery, Alabama.  

Donna shares her own battle with breast cancer and how she now is able to pay it back and pay it forward by providing support and encouragement.  She also discusses how we can help these folks facing their challenge.

The web page for this organization is: http://www.thewomenofhope.org/ 
They are located by phone at:  (334) 220- 4599 
Their Facebook page is:  https://www.facebook.com/WomenofHopeMontgomery

Yet again, if we simply look around we can find ways to use our gifts as a way to bring hope to others.  You might think that simply smiling and offering friendship doesn't seem like much, but it is truly a great way to share hope. 

In this episode, I have a conversation with Lisa Missildine as we explore how we offer hope to others when we express hospitality.  Lisa is a wonderful example of how to use the gift of hospitality to bring true and lasting hope.

I'm reminded of an interesting passage of scripture found in Hebrews  13:12,   "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

Each of us can offer hospitality to others even if all we can offer is a warm and sincere smile.

Sometimes we think that we have to do great and glorious things to make a difference in someone's life.  That is a bit of a misunderstanding.  Sometimes just being there as a friend is wonderful beyond our imagination.

Such is the case in the life of Devon and Paul Hewlett.  This wonderful couple are friends of my daughter, and now our friends.  They proved that friendship as my daughter was going through lymphoma several years ago.  But the amazing thing is, Devon was fighting breast cancer at the same time.  Through their shared challenge to hope, they helped bring hope to each other.  

This episode is their story told from Devon as the patient and Paul as the caregiver.

I'm reminded of Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother (sister- my edit) is born for adversity."  (English Standard Version)

Thank you Devon and Paul for being there for my daughter when we couldn't.

Every now and then we come across someone in our life that leaves us breathless.  Such was my reaction from my recent aquaintance with Michaela (Chaeli) Mycroft of Cape Town South Africa.  This remarkable woman has won international recognition from such agencies as the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates as an advocate for the disabled.  She has literally climbed mountains and run marathons to bring attention to the disabled.  And she's done all that while being disabled herself with cerebral palsy.  Do not use the word cannot with Chaeli!

As you listen to this episode you too will be amazed at her indomitabe spirit.  I mean it, I was left breathless.  

You might consider purchasing her book, “Unapologetically Able”.  It is available on Amazon.

You can find out about Chaeli and her efforts by going to her web site:
https://chaelicampaign.org/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michaela_Mycroft

There are many ways in which we can help bring hope to others.  In this episode, I have a conversation With William (Dub) Hill of the Russian Social Assistance Homes in Syktyvkar, Russia.  Among other services, this ministry brings hope to the hopeless and most vulnerable by providing housing for elderly widows and homeless women and children.  We look at this as an example of using what you can do to bring Hope to others.

Through this ministry, Dub and his wife Shirly are examples of what James, the brother of Jesus states in James 1:27,

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." (English Standard Version)

You can be a part of this good work by contacting Dub through the:

West Main Church of Christ
2460 West Main St,
Tupelo, MS 38001

A very effective way to develop true and lasting hope is to delve into God's word.  Sometimes we might feel intimidated because we don't know where or how to begin.  Or, we may feel that the Bible is too complex to understand.  
 
 In this episode, I have a conversation with Julia Cienfuegos, Platform Manager for Bibletalk.TV.  Julia explains how Bibletalk.TV helps us develop that hope we all need through the materials available at no cost through this ministry.  The materials are available to view, download, and use in personal Bible study, small groups or small congregations,  and preacher and teacher resources.  And, these excellent resources are at no cost because of the generous contributions of people, congregations, and organizations.
 
 To learn more about this incredible resource, please visit:  https://bibletalk.tv/