The Murph Challenge Day 19: Laurie Youmans.
Day 19 of 31 is dedicated to a woman who doesn’t want the spotlight on her. Anytime it is, she turns that light right back onto God. Laurie Youmans is as faithful and incredible of a person you will ever meet. I’ve had the pleasure of working with her husband, Pastor Greg, in a group he leads called Freedom. My wife and I look at Greg and Laurie with inspiration of what a fun, loving, God centered relationship is.
Laurie’s story is one that with give you a glimpse of what’s possible when you never stop trusting in God’s promises for your life. Back when they lived in Iowa 16 years ago, Laurie was diagnosed with breast cancer. After a year of intense chemo, lots of pain and struggle, she was cleared of that cancer. Only to find out the cancer had metastasized in her bone. 1 spot quickly turned into 7, which is something the oncologist said would take her life in the next 2-3 years. Remember, this was 16 years ago.
Over years of seeing his wife in pain, Greg felt struggle for her too. Like only God can do, He placed this statement on Greg’s heart, “I’m faithful all the time.” Shortly after that Heart shift, the path became clear and 8 years ago the Youmans’s moved to Minnesota where Laurie continues treatments to this day.
Before I get to this next part I want you to remember these three words from Laurie’s story: Trust, Belief, and Faithfulness.
Those 7 spots never changed after surpassing the doctors 2-3 year life expectancy. They didn’t change 8 years ago when they moved to MN or after regular treatments and more medication switches than she can count. They also didn’t prevent Laurie for serving on 4 mission trips.
Fast forward to September 2020. After those 7 spots that hadn’t changed for 15+ years, they doubled and became 14. That news of 14 sounds scary, but this is a woman of strong faith and she knew that fear was a liar. Her message to herself, “Nothing is going to stop me. Cancer was not going to define who I am.”
You still remember those three words, right? Truth, Belief, and Faithfulness. In a PET scan in March of this year, just 6 months after those 7 spots doubled to 14, ALL, yes, every single one of those spots are gone. Not one oncologist has ever seen what has happened to Laurie before.
“God doesn’t owe us anything, but He shows up every day.” Laurie always knew He would show up for her on His timing and she would be healed.
When I asked Laurie what gives her strength on the hard days, she said, “I look at how far I’ve come. God has been faithful every step of the way and I don’t want to waste days.”
That statement and her story moved me. I hope and it does for you too.
Every Day We Fight is blessed to dedicate today’s Murph Challenge to Laurie Youmans. A fighter, an inspiration, and example of how to live with Trust, Belief, and Faithfulness. Thank you Laurie.
Day 19 Murph Time: 28:56
When I did the Murph Challenge for the first time I became hooked. Not because it was fun but because it was painful, challenging, and meaningful.
These 31 challenges are a dedication to a fighter, a warrior, a person battling that’s an everyday hero.
– Tate Wheeler
“The Murph Challenge is more than just a workout. It is a tradition that helps push us, humble us, and allows us the opportunity to dedicate a bit of pain and sweat to honor, LT. Michael P. Murphy, a man who sacrificed everything he had for our freedom.”
-Murph Website