Heather Bess

This fundraiser is set up for Heather Bess. Below is her story from 2014:

Our day started at 3:45am on February 24th, 2014, although I don't think either of us slept much that night. We'd been told the surgery (which was called MOAS: Mother Of All Surgeries) would be approximately 10 hours, and a difficult recovery but was our best option to rid my beautiful bride's body of mucinous adenocarcinoma.
There was so much preparation to get to this surgery: half a year of chemo, CAT scans, PET scans, 2 surgeries before the MOAS, preparation for who would watch our 5 precious kids while we were in Houston, several worship services to praise God for HIS goodness even amidst this huge storm, and tshirts were sold and worn that said  "Choose Faith Over Worry".

We were so excited for the surgery and the chance to correct things inside Heather months before, but on February 24th, I began wondering if we made the right choice. Was there a better option out there? Could I truly put my trust in what God was going to do through the doctors at MD Anderson? I had always felt that I permitted God to lead and rule our family, however this morning I felt as if I couldn't let Heather go. I had such a tight grip on her it seemed. Could I trust God? Could I put down my fears and choose faith? I stretched my arms as high as I could and opened my hands and said, " I trust you to watch over my girl, she is yours." I'm pretty sure I even reminded HIM that we adopted 3 girls from Ethiopia and I absolutely couldn't take care of their hair!
7 of us wearing our "Choose Faith" shirts piled in the car and headed to the hospital.
The 7 of us prayed, cried, and tried to laugh a bit before the nurse called for my bride.
Before she was taken into surgery Heather posted on FB the song by Chris Tomlin, Whom Shall I Fear.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=R0gu0nOaFsI

I made it back to the waiting room to join Amber, Jason, Doug, Nancy, and Pastor Jim. As we tried to pass the time we began noticing on fb people posting pictures wearing the "Choose Faith" shirts......and the flood gates were opened! Tears of JOY! I was reminded of how the body of Christ is to care and pray for one another.
Heather was being prayed over by so many churches and friends. The orphanage we visit in Kenya was singing and praising God!! Friends in Managua, Nicaragua were praying. What a beautiful picture!! I don't know of anything that will compare to that moment other than the day we get to heaven!!!

Every 2 hours we would get escorted into a private room and be given an update  on how heather was doing. Each update was followed by a call to Valerie Killingsworth so she could send out an updated email on how to specifically pray. I treasure those phone calls because I knew there were people waiting to know how to lift my bride up in prayer. Some of the phone calls were easy and occasionally Valerie or I couldn't speak through the tears and would need to hang up and regroup.
Throughout the surgery and the 2 month recovery I remembered pastor Jim saying, "if you are a Christian THINGS CAN HAPPEN BUT NOTHING CAN GO WRONG."

God is always with us (Deuteronomy 31:6). He is never taken off guard.
He loves us so much He sent his Son to die for our sins (John 3:16).

If you are not a part of a church family I encourage you to find a church you can call home. A place where people can love you for who you, encourage you on your walk with HIM, and pray for you in times of need. You were not meant to walk alone!
I could not imagine going through life without my Lord and Savior, my church family EBC, my brothers with Men's Encounter, and all my brothers and sisters in Christ, who so dearly have cared for us through our journey.

Thanks to all who have walked along side with us. We love and cherish each of you.

This is Rian and Heathers first story and now they are reliving it again. This family has touched so many of our lives and left a long lasting touch on so many. Please, let’s bless them during this time and help make medical bills, travel expense and time being off work be the least of their worries. We truly want Heather to only have to focus on getting well.