Day 1

     As you know, Christy Currie is one of the most talented, caring, thoughtful, and wise women of this world.  She fiercely loves her family and embraces those who are in need of love and acceptance.  She is a woman that I look up to and love with all that I have.  She is my sister, and I know that she's someone special to you too.
     This last week, Christy was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer.  It was obviously a huge blow to everyone who knows and loves her, but especially to her husband Jason, and their three incredible children: Isaiah, Summer, and Zane.
     Here is the email that Christy sent to her family after the diagnosis:

I have always loved the ocean. I love the sand, the waves, the blue, the power, and the beauty. The ocean in all of it's grandeur provides life, transportation, adventure, new worlds, and en endless display of the creativity of our Maker. Yet the ocean is not safe. Many lives have been taken from the relentless power and enormity of the waters. Today I find comfort that our Captain, Jesus Christ, not only made the ocean, but controls it's boundaries. Not one drop of water will go further than it is told by it's Creator. 

"When He set for the sea it's boundary

So that the water would not transgress His command" -Proverbs 8:29a

Today I find comfort in the boundaries of the ocean. If the great water is under His command, I know He also sets the boundaries for my cancer. It will not spread one cell further than He allows. Our sorrow, pain, distress, and burden too has it's boundaries. We will not be given beyond what the sufficient grace of Christ promises and covers each day The One who controls the sea, controls my heart, and our future. 

"And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness' Most gladly therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me." -II Cor. 12:9

What is without boundary, however, is His LOVE. 

"so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God." -Eph. 3:17-19

Today I run to the waters, to see my Savior.

It's a sincere honor to "swim in these dark waters" with you all. I will hopefully know more soon about the test results and treatment plan. Within this week I get an MRI to see if the cancer has spread beyond what they suspect (right now they know it's the left breast and one lymph node), I also get genetic testing to see how likely of a candidate I am for the cancer to return or pop up in other ares. This will help determine the surgery. I also meet with a plastic surgeon to know my options for surgery, and finally next Thursday we meet with the oncologist to decide the  surgery/chemo/radiation plan. Thanks for your prayers. Please pray for the kiddos in all of this too. We don't understand God's timing, but decided to get the house packed up this week and next while I still have strength. No idea where we are going to live/move too, but I am sure the Lord will work that out. Our YFC banquet is this coming Sunday - more than ever I feel passionate about the gospel. I told Jason if I lose my hair he has to shave his too....any other takers?? Dad Currie? I knew I married into the right family!

Love you all!!

Christy

This is where you can come to find updates on Christy's battle with this dreaded disease. If you have specific questions, you can email me at kjberkenkemper@liberty.edu.  I will be posting soon about ways that you can help her fight.  As for now, please pray.   Here are some specifics:

*Pray that the disease hasn't spread outside of her one lymph node and breast
*Pray for wisdom for Jason and Christy as they make tough decisions about surgery and treatment

*Pray that doctor's would have incredible insight and wisdom to detect all risks

*Pray for all the Curries as they respond to this news

*Pray that God would give Christy extraordinary strength to battle and fight the disease

*Pray that the Currie's will find a place to live - oh yea, also huge news - they sold their house and must be out by the end of May, but they haven't yet found somewhere to move!

Oh Lord, our Savior, our Comfort, and our Guide - please rain down your comfort upon the Currie family.  Please open doors that they don't even know about.  Please provide for their every need, and Lord, please, protect Christy.  Please heal her body, and let all that they are going through be a testament of your lovingkindness.

Thank you for loving her, and joining her in this chapter of her life!

~Karen Berkenkemper (Christy's sister)