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
Dear Cheryl and Wade,
Our family will be lifting yours up before our Father. We will pray that you continue in His strength, in His grace and trust in His plan for your lives. We will be praying that a cure be found and that your beautiful children will be used to further His Kingdom and draw more to His feet. We praise Him for using your family as a vessel to shine His love so brightly and boldly.
Because of CF I became an organ donor after reading Tricia and Nate’s story last year. I pray that more people will be touched by your families journey with this disease and make that choice as well.
Blessings and love,
Jill
PS Thank you Sharon for the privilege of joining you in prayer for this precious family!
My heart breaks for parents dealing with children with health issues. I blogged about my sister’s son’s health journey today.
Thank you for a great testimony.
I grew up knowing a little girl with CF. My older sister would babysit her and I'm very familiar with the daily care needed.
I've been following a blog for awhile now of a wife and mother with CF who had a lung transplant earlier this year. It's been an incredible journey.
Praying that the Lord will strengthen this precious little family.
Love & prayers,
Joy
Hi Sharon,
They are such dear, dear friends and our prayers stay with them indefinitely. Just love ’em!
Thank you for this special, special post. I am often in awe of your ability to harbor so many treasured friendships and to bless people in such tangible, heartfelt ways – the Lord has blessed you with a tremendous gift – thank you for spreading His love by using all of yourself to His glory.
With gratitude for sharing such a personal journey with wonderful friends,
Heather
Dear cheryl and wade..
This is a rather late comment… but thank you for being there for your children and being godly parents to them despite their sickness.Thank you for sticking with them through thick and thin.I am sending my hug and love all the way from Malaysia just for your family.
May this year be a of joy, abundant joy for you and your family
Sweet blessings
Sheena Jeremiah
Thank you so much for sharing your testimony. I was looking online for verses to encourage my dance teacher who has CF and your blog came up. Reading your story was encouraging in knowing that the light of Christ can and will shine brightly through our lives, no matter what we come up against.
With God all things are possible – nothing is impossible with God.
In addition to lifting your family up in prayer, I wish to encourage you through giving a glimpse at my dance teacher Robyn and her life-long battle with cystic fibrosis. Her life is a walking miracle, where she showed the doctors who told her she couldn't do many things as she grew up that she could, will, and would succeed with flying colors at whatever she put her mind to. She continues to persevere today despite her lungs being damaged from 42 years of coughing.
(If you wish to read more about her story she has a page at http://www.robynslungs.com)