Amos Ross Updates

Hello Friends,

It’s been a while since our last post – and off the top of my head I don’t know if I mean it’s been 5 days or 3 weeks! The blur has definitely set in. Thank you for your patience. We’ve spent the last however many days splitting our time and energies between Duke Hospital in Durham and getting to know Amos’s routine there, with all the end of school activities here for everyone else. I’ll do my best to recap both! But First….

We have a teenager in the House! Happy birthday (on the 6th) to the one who made me a mama. Amos was born during our seminary days (during finals, to be exact!) and he’s kept us on our toes ever since. We celebrated last Saturday (May 3rd) with his friends at one of his favorite places in town — AAA Collectibles — and then I was able to drive up to Durham for the day on Tuesday, his actual birthday, to take him to some appointments and squeeze in some sightseeing alongside a birthday dinner out. Thank you to dear friends here who made it possible for me to get away. What a gift it is to celebrate Amos! He is brave, kind, cheerful, persistent and generally up for anything that involves a good book, baseball, friends, food, or jokes. He rolls along with whatever is needed from him or given to him with the most peaceful, willing, and trusting spirit. We know this is a gift from the Lord to him and we praise God for that.

It’s hard to mark these moments with Amos sometimes. He’s easy to celebrate, of course! But it’s hard to know the significance of getting to celebrate him. We do not take it for granted and we also know and grieve with families who miss this terribly. The Lord has been kind to give Amos 13 years, and we pray for many many more opportunities to celebrate him. We also know that nothing is guaranteed or owed to us, and so we are grateful for this day, this birthday, and this time together.

In other news… things at Duke are going well! Amos and Will have settled into their apartment, enjoying the nightly sunset over the parking deck (which is lovely so long as you look up). Appointments are going well with radiation continuing to be on schedule and easy so far for Amos. He’s feeling well and continues on with school work, physical therapy, and acupuncture. He also has various other appointments that pop up throughout the week so all in all, it’s a comfortable schedule that hasn’t left them too bored just yet. Durham Bulls games and some light exploration of the area helps fill the rest of their time so far! Also, as we finish up school things here, we’ll be able to join them for some fun outings and visiting with friends.

Things at home have been just like any of your May schedules, I would guess. ALL the end of school things, baseball, choir performances, birthday parties, etc. and just keeping things running. Luke, Sam, and Phoebe are all doing well. They had a wonderful school year at home and with Greyfriars Classical Tutorials. I am immensely grateful for the gift of homeschooling this spring especially. The flexibility it allows has been a godsend and the opportunity to slow down where needed, knowing that we can pick back up as needed (I’m looking at you, July and August!) is such a relief. We have a wonderful homeschool community that has joined us in prayer for Amos and shown us so much love as the other three finish their year under these unusual circumstances for our family. What a gift! Thank you.

I am very grateful for the ways our kids have seen the body of Christ surround our family in this season. I think they take it for granted/think it’s normal and I pray they are always part of a church/school community that not only speaks about caring for others, but really does so in real time. We know that’s not a given and we are so grateful for all the prayers, meals, checking in on us, dropping by for a visit, invites to Sunday lunch, thoughtful gifts, gifts of time, and so much more. It’s a powerful testimony to the reality that in Christ, whether in grief or in joy, we are never alone. Our burdens are never too big to bear together. And our bond in Christ holds fast even though we may not know one another well, or at all. Praise God for the gift of belonging. If you don’t have a local church like this, please prayerfully consider trying to find one.

That is to say, all things considered, we are doing well. It’s hard to be apart during this time, but also a gift and a blessing that the other kids have had the continuing stability of life here. I find it deeply distracting to have Will and Amos gone in the sense that I’d like to be in two places at once. Having been a cancer mom for 10 years now, I don’t dislike the medical appointments and hospital scene (that alone seems like a miracle!). In fact, in many ways, I enjoy it. It makes me feel connected and empowered in my role as Amos’s primary “case manager” and advocate. I think it’s more of a way to feel like I’m helping in a world where I can do so very little to actually help. Of course Amos is in the best of hands with Will and the gifts of technology do wonders to keep us connected.

Some prayer requests for the next week:

• for Amos to continue to experience no side effects from radiation.
• for safety in travels
• for Amos’s swallow — due to the location of his tumor both times, swallowing has always been slower and more work for Amos. We’ve noticed a decrease in his swallow strength over the past year. Please pray for improvement and no further loss.
• for those of us at home, to be patient and kind to one another.
• for Luke’s musical performance this weekend! See link here if you’re local and can attend!
• for a sweet reunion with our dog Gus this coming weekend! We are all very excited.
• for the kids to remember to shut the van door now that evening thundershowers are upon us. Seriously tho….
• for us to keep our eyes fixed on the Lord when we are tempted to be overwhelmed.

“But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God”. My times are in your hand;” Psalm 31:14-15a