Seeing Grapes Not Giants

19 August 2025

Thank you so much for the prayer and encouragement. I wish I could share all the ways I have been blessed by you this week. Instead, I'll leave you with three (and perhaps they may inspire how you encourage others):

1.     Mercy, my stepdaughter, sends me a picture of four-month-old Juniper Violet every day, calling it part of my therapy. It really is the best therapy, as Juni’s smile is so adorable.

2.     My mom’s best friend, Vickie Crabtree (who called my mom daily when she was fighting cancer), sends me a heart emoji each morning when she wakes up. Vickie is currently fighting cancer too.

3.     Due to an eating regimen change to only fish, fruits, and vegetables, two dear friends are helping me obtain quality food. One is sending salmon from Alaska (still in awe), and another takes me to Costco for organic vegetables.

Now for the health update: This morning I met with the surgeon, though no surgery will be scheduled at this time. She informed me that the cancer is either at Stage 1B or Stage 2. To confirm, I will have a PET scan sometime this week or next to verify the cancer has not spread into the lymph nodes. If negative, surgery will be the most likely route. If positive, chemotherapy would be the surgeon’s preference. After I complete the PET scan, I will meet with the surgeon to obtain the results as well as the additional blood test results from this morning. 

How am I doing emotionally? Well, last week, I had the opportunity to visit a few vineyards in California. The grape harvest is just about to begin. So, of course, I had Scripture on my mind. In Numbers 13, it was also the season of the first ripe grapes when Moses sent twelve spies from the wilderness to explore Canaan. Numbers 13:23 explains the story, “When they [the spies] reached the Valley of Eshcol, they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates and figs.” They carried these fruits back to Moses, where Caleb and Joshua gave a positive report to go in and take the land God had given them. The other ten men gave a negative report, as they focused on the giants in the land and were too afraid to proceed. 

I’m a Caleb-and-Joshua type. I would rather focus on the bountiful grapes (God’s provision) than the giants, for those ten men let fear rule over them. So as an exercise, I started this update with a sampling of the encouragement you have sent my way. Your encouragement is part of God’s provision, and it is bountiful. Thank you!

Until I see the surgeon again (most likely in two weeks), I’ll be praying for a reduced tumor, a clear report on the lymph nodes, and continued joy in the waiting. May I encourage you to look at God's provision and take your eyes off what may be fearful. Much Love.

Guess what? I won this on an online auction site this past week and picked it up today after my appointment. Perfect timing. (I am holding a carving that represents Joshua and Caleb carrying a single cluster of grapes on a pole.)

Written by Tammy Lea Fabian

Edited by Mia Atteberry