Matthew’s Messages - matthew.tonyc.com

Since the Butterfields are living in a new world up in Boston, we thought it might be exciting for YOU to have a new place to go to follow Matthew on his journey!

The new site will make things easier for Gina to post updates and PHOTOS while they are staying so far from home. In addition, if you sign up on the CarePages site - which is free - you will receive an email notifying you everytime there is an update to the blog. So, you don’t have to check the blog everyday - several times a day - like so many of us do to see if there’s anything new. It’s a really helpful feature. I think you’ll also really benefit from being able to SEE Matthew - after all, a picture’s worth a thousand words!

To visit the new CarePages site, click on this link:
http://www.carepages.com/ServeCarePage?cpn=MatthewReid&extrefid=tlcinvite

Or

1. Go to www.carepages.com
2. Click “Visit a Care Page”
3. Register (first-time users only)
4. After you’ve registered, enter the exact CarePage Name: MatthewReid

Gina has posted some photos from their outings yesterday and will be posting regular updates throughout the week. The site also has a place for you to leave encouraging notes and scripture which are so, so appreciated by the Butterfields.

Please continue to pray & fast as Matthew’s radiation treatments are scheduled to begin next week.

Job 19:25

I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.

Mr. Golden Sun is shining down on Boston today. Matthew woke up this morning announcing, “I am hungry.” So far his hunger has been satisfied with apple juice, which is all he can have until after his CT today. He woke up talking this morning and talked for a solid hour. He has discovered that he can wink with either eye now. He brought his brown puppy to Boston and yesterday he got a tiny brown puppy from a treat box after his shot. He is quite attached to his two puppies now. Hoping we don’t lose either of them.
We were able to worship with the Brookline congregation yesterday. We appreciated their kindness. They have already been a great support to us. So comforting to be with brothers and sisters in the Lord while we are far from home. We look forward to getting to know all of them better through the coming weeks.
We are thankful to see the sun after four days of rain.
Keep praying!

Keith and Matthew are in the playroom at the hospital. I have come back to the hotel to nap and shower. Matthew loves the playroom here. We are sharing a room which is a new experience for us. His chemo ran from 12-1 this morning so he will be inpatient for 18 hours hydration post chemo. The nurse said 7 tonight should be our discharge time. Matthew was already asleep when Nurse Stacy came in with the drugs. We have learned about a new anti nausea drug that also stimulates appetite. Matthew ate a pancake for breakfast this morning which has never happened after chemo. Another new discovery has been a drug that we inject ONCE 24-48 hours after chemo to replace the 10-12 injections we have been giving Matthew following overnight chemo. We will all be thrilled not to have to give so many shots!!!!! Vincristine was not given this time to allow his body a longer break from that one. He has had 2 weeks off already but his eyes and feet need a longer break. It is doing a number on those nerves.
Thanks for your prayers for baby Valerie. What a fast answer we were given! We look forward to meeting her in July. We rejoice with you, Brian, Kay and Joey!!!!
We are also celebrating David’s homerun and catching of a line drive in last night’s ballgame. It is hard missing those firsts while we are away from our boys. I have a feeling there will more baseball in our future.
Keep praying!!

Brian and Kay Butterfield (Keith’s brother and sister-in-law) are in the process of trying to adopt baby Valerie from Guatamala. They have asked that we please pray that they get an appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Guatamala by May 30th. The 30th is the date when many of the papers for the adoption expire. Renewing them could take several months. Valerie’s coming home with Brian and Kay depends on this appointment.
Brian’s and Kay’s son, Joey, is excitedly awaiting the arrival of his baby sister. Let’s pray that his waiting will be over soon.

Wow, what a ride!! We will have to share the story with you sometime of how God led us here. We have arrived safely in Boston, MA. God has been the great provider every step of the way. Thanks to all those God used to provide for our air travel and our lodging this week. What a blessing to have those big issues taken care of for us.

We have met with the radiation oncologist and several others today. We expect excellent care here. We have incredible peace about being here. We miss everyone, especially three very special guys! Boys, what a field trip you are going to have when you come to visit. We hope to visit more than the hospital and proton therapy center while we are here. We love you, David, Stephen and Jonathan!!!! Matthew misses his big brothers!

Matthew is doing well. He did not have any “ouchies” today. Mostly we chatted with folks. He responded well to all of them. The first doctor we met this morning could talk Star Wars with him so that was a hit. His Boston menu has been BK hamburgers and Smarties. Prayers for appetite can continue. Tomorrow (Friday) he will meet his pediatric oncologist and have an MRI at 2:00. He won’t be able to eat tomorrow before the MRI.

We are checking our emails so feel free to contact us. Thanks again for loving us through this in word and deed!

Surely, he has done great things.
Be not afraid, O land;
be glad and rejoice.
Surely the Lord has done great things.
Joel 2:21

It has been quite a week for the Butterfields with God leading them down a bit of a different path than they thought they would be taking - sending them to Boston instead of St. Jude. They are going out on faith and know that He will provide.

This past Sunday, we were talking with Keith & Gina when Eric asked, “What can we laypeople do for you guys?” After struggling a bit to find the words, Keith said they really need people who will commit to praying, fasting and reading scripture out loud.

There is a lot of uncertainty awaiting them in Boston. While Matthew is receiving radiation treatments, he will be in a new place, away from home, out of step with his norm - which can be quite unsettling for a 2-year-old. Instead of only going to the hospital weekly, he’ll be required to go 5 days a week. He’ll also be sedated prior to receiving each treatment. Although it will probably seem unbearable at times, the Butterfields know who is in control! That is why they are asking you to stand with them to provide the blanket of spiritual support they are going to need over the month or so.

So, at Keith’s request, there’ll be no sign-up sheets for prayers. However, if you feel God is putting it on your heart, please take a day to pray and fast on Matthew’s behalf. Read scripture aloud (there is power in the Word!) and claim healing on behalf of precious Matthew!

-Pray that God will be known by his names through this battle to which Matthew has been called.
-Pray that the radiation will destroy ONLY the cancer cells and God will provide protection over everything else.
-Pray that the chemotherapy will destroy ONLY the cancer cells and God will provide protection over everything else.
-Pray that the nerves and muscles around Matthew’s eyes will be restored.
-Pray for Matthew’s appetite and weight gain.
-Pray for extraordinary strength, wisdom, peace and increased faith for Keith & Gina.
-Pray for patience, understanding, safety and peace for David, Stephen & Jonathan.

And, as always, thank you for your love, encouragement and support. Keep the prayers, fasting and scripture reading coming!

Isaiah 33:2
O LORD, be gracious to us;
we long for you.
Be our strength every morning,
our salvation in time of distress.

If you have missed checking the blog lately, please scroll down and read some of the entries that the Butterfields have made earlier this week.

33″But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness,
and all these things will be added to you.

34″So do not worry about tomorrow;
for tomorrow will care for itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.

As I put David and Stephen to bed tonight David was working on his memory verse for Wed. night. It was a great opportunity to talk with them about the LIVING word of GOD. Our family is a little stressed about being separated for a while but we have been reminded over and over again to seek Him first and He will take care of today. Oh, wow, did He ever take care of today! Matthew had his eyes checked by a specialist this morning. The doctor checked him and then dialated his pupils to look behind his eyes. He was looking for disease but he found NONE! He told me that he had good news for me. Usually, when he looks behind the crossed eyes of a child with cancer there is more evidence of disease behind those eyes. PRAISE GOD! that was not the case today!
We have asked Laura to share some specific prayer requests with you today as we take a big step in this road to healing.
So check back later.
Thank you for your prayers.

Praise God for a clear answer to the question about Matthew’s radiation therapy. Thank you so much for your prayers. Many of you know our struggle with this decision. God has made the choice clear. Matthew will receive Proton Therapy at Mass General in Boston. We’re still a little bit stunned.

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

William Cowper

One of Matthew’s favorite songs lately has been “I belong to Jesus.” Wish you could hear him sing it. What a reminder to me on Mother’s Day and everyday that he is not mine. It is so hard to keep that eternal perspective through the day to day trials. It was a blessing to have him come in this morning and wish me a Happy Mother’s Day. He came a moment later to wish me a Happy Easter. He doesn’t even realize the lessons he is preaching with just those two greetings and his song.

I Belong to Jesus

I belong to Jesus
I belong to Him
I belong to Jesus
Free from sin
I belong to Jesus
I belong to Him
I belong to Jesus
Free from sin

He was lifted up
He paid a costly price
Bought me with the blood
Of His own life
Christ the King now reigning
Wears the victor’s crown
Satan was defeated
When the blood flowed down