From Durenda's daughter, Jenna:

On Monday, November 25th, I got the call.

I knew she hadn’t been feeling well, but this was the last thing I anticipated.

She said, “I have some good news and some bad news…”

She didn’t say “I have cancer, and it’s bad.” She didn’t dwell on the unfairness of the hand she was dealt. She has met the challenge with strength and dignity at every step, leaning on Jesus.

From the first moment of diagnosis, while we all were reeling, my mom has stayed rooted in her faith and her savior. 

And that’s the Durenda we all know and love. 

The pillar of her home, the hands that weaved the culture of our family, day by day, month by month, year by year. She’s the voice that’s soothed and comforted us, the arms that have rocked eight children and 12 grandchildren, and the first person my kids want to call when they have news. 

With Christ at the center of everything she does, for the past 10 years, she’s been called to reach and encourage other moms in their motherhood and homeschooling journeys and has done so beautifully. It’s a blessing to us as her children to see her motherhood extended in a way and shared with so many wonderful families. 

It’s been a trying and confusing time for our own family; her diagnosis is severe — cancer starting in the colon, and metastasizing to the liver. There have been surgeries and procedures that have been unexpected, invasive, expensive, and extremely painful.

Within the span of a few days, she has endured multiple scans, a litany of bloodwork, a colonoscopy (the prep for which was extremely difficult as the tumor is almost completely blocking her digestive tract) an endoscopy, a major exploratory surgery, and ultimately, her intestines had to be rerouted for her to be able to eat. Recovery has been rough and we don’t know exactly what the future holds, but we trust in a big God who is orchestrating each step and is Mom's Great Physician. 

We are also aware that this process will involve medical costs that her insurance doesn’t cover. 

This was an extremely unanticipated situation, and while we are pulling together as a family as much as possible, these expenses exceed our means. 

Any contributions — financially, or in prayer —would be extremely appreciated.