Wade Shiley and Joshua
Gabrielle with Amanda Shiley
Our Two Families(5/28/08)
“…and a little child will lead them.”
Isaiah 11:6
NOTE: THIS BLOG POST, WHICH IS VERY SPECIAL TO US AS A FAMILY, WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED IN SEPTEMBER 2008. WE ARE RE-RUNNING THE POST PERIODICALLY IN MAY 2009 AS MAY IS “CYSTIC FIBROSIS AWARENESS MONTH”. For more information on CF or to make a contribution to support research to find a cure for CF, click on the link below. Thank you.
With the blessing and permission of The Shiley Family, we are humbly privileged to publish this special blog post.
Cystic Fibrosis Awareness. As with many chronic diseases, often our awareness of and sensitivity to a particular disease do not penetrate our hearts unless someone we love suffers from the illness.
Four years ago, we met the Shileys through our children being in the same classes together. It was the beginning of sweet and meaningful friendships for the children and the parents.
Wade Sr. and Cheryl are the parents of Wade Jr. and Amanda. Both Wade Jr. and Amanda were born with Cystic Fibrosis. Wade Sr. and Cheryl came to know the Lord through their children’s struggle with this horrible disease. When Cheryl first shared her testimony with me, I shared Isaiah 11:6 with her: “…and a little child shall lead them”. Indeed, the Shiley children are pointing many to Jesus.
While Wade Sr. and Cheryl would do anything to have their children’s disease taken away, they have kept their faces and hearts looking to God and depending on Him. One of Cheryl’s favorite verses is 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you, My power is made perfect in weakness. ”
Wade Sr. and Cheryl are incredibly dedicated parents, who diligently, faithfully and quietly care for their children’s needs, including daily treatment regiments which can take hours. Often, they have endured days and weeks of necessary hospital stays.
Wade Sr. and Cheryl do not define their children by CF. They are doing an amazing job of having Wade, Jr., and Amanda live “normal” lives. Wade Sr. and Cheryl beautifully demonstrate that CF is not the salutation of their children’s lives, rather it is the post script (p.s.). We have such respect, admiration and love for this truly special family.
Both children are gifted athletes (Wade Jr. in basketball and Amanda in gymnastics). Wade Jr. is also an amazing artist and has won several awards. They have a zeal for life and have shown incredible courage and strength.
We invite you to learn more about Cystic Fibrosis by clicking here. We are praying and hoping for a cure to this disease…for Wade Jr. and Amanda and for everyone who is stricken by it. Please join us in prayer and support.
We also invite you to please leave a comment here (below) for the Shiley Family that will encourage and bless them! Thank you!
We close with another favorite verse of the Shiley Family:
“Therefore, we do not lose heart…For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Cheryl and Me