“Your daughter has a brain tumor.”

Words a parent never expects to hear.

But those were the words I heard just a few days ago. Brandy and I have been trying to post as much as we can on online to all our friends and family with updates and the status of our daughter. We call her DOP online because she was adopted from Russia and is our Daughter of Purpose. (If you want to read her story, go here for her full adoption story)

And we believe that she is FULL of Purpose.

Thanks to everyone who has been praying and for all the well wishes, texts, phone calls and instant messages. We’re sorry we cannot respond to everyone, though we truly want to.

I am staying with DOP most of the time because I have a freer schedule than Brandy. Yesterday while driving between the hospital and home, I was thinking about all the comments we’ve received online about people praying. I was overcome with gratitude and even now as I write, I am overwhelmed with the love and support that DOP and our family has received. People are truly praying for her and for us. This is what the body of Christ is supposed to do. Pray for and support each other in times of need.

I cannot begin to count the number of people praying for this surgery. There are hundreds and hundreds. People all over the city. People from several churches we have relationships with.

People on the East Coast. Friends in Germany and Sweden. Relatives of good friends who are in central Africa. People in Russia and Ukraine. Relatives in Arizona and Nebraska. Colorado. People in Florida I’ve never met, but chat with on social media all the time.

And so many others!

This was all a reminder that DOP is well loved. My family is loved. Thank you all so much! We cannot repay you all back, but hope to try in the future.

Your prayers have a purpose….much like our daughter!

Nathan and Brandy and family.