God in the Forest

By David Davis

The journey began in August of 2006. Sixteen short months later, our journey was over. Although the time span seems minimal, the events that took place where profound as our family was taken on a tremendous journey. Despair can creep in, and we are left without hope as we struggle against our personal storm under our own power. Only when we ask God to take control of the trial, and allow Him to do so, can we truly find peace in the midst of the crashing waves. Sometimes, we have to look for God and His provision in the unlikeliest of places, people, or circumstances. Then, only by looking backward can we see that He was with us the entire time. In God in the Forest, David shares his deepest challenges and how his faith in God was restored and strengthened. Often, when we are in the fire of our trial, we only feel the intense pain and are unable to perceive the incredible blessings we are receiving. God's amazing provision is all around us.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 19, 2019
• ISBN: 9781645698371

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God in the Forest

David Davis

Copyright © 2019 by David Davis

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

The Lone Tree

The Key Players

The Move

The Camping Trip

The Doctor Visit

Feeling Powerless

The Road to Surgery

The Surgery

Recovery

The Business of Being Sick

Radiation and Chemo

Headed to California

The Second Surgery

Headed Back to Oregon

Continued Treatment

No Rest for the Weary

Finally Healed

After the Battle

Years Pass

The Lone Oak

Foreword

My Friend, David: A True Hero

In February of 1996 I purchased a dental practice from a retiring dentist, with it I also gained the staff. Among them was a gentle and very kind dental assistant named Shana. Shana had asked my wife and I over for dinner and soon, my wife and myself, Shana and her husband David had formed a strong friendship.

Upon meeting David, I knew this man was of unusual character and intellect, his story intrigued me. Over time whatever hesitation both of us had in getting to know each other more had vanished.

I came to learn that David worked at a plant that made parts for the automotive battery industry. Upon my inquiry as to his function there, it was evident he knew the entire operation of the plant right down to the smallest detail. I could tell that David was a much more valuable asset to the company than he was aware of. Many mangers, right up to the highest levels of leadership at the plant surely relied on David and his abilities more than they would likely admit.

Later at my prodding, David told me that he had done very well in high school and that he had even gained acceptance into the Air Force academy, at the urging of one of his more encouraging teachers.

David the eldest of three boys, grew up in a lower middle-class home in a very blue-collar town, with a single mother. His father had not been a part of his upbringing nor was he a participant in the household in anyway. Through a series of events David found himself in the role of a quasi-father for his two younger brothers. David was excited about joining the military as it would provide him with the ability to help his family and build a career. Unfortunately, David found out he had a birth defect that would require kidney surgery during his last year of high school. This surgery would make him ineligible for the military.

Many years went by and our friendship grew. Little did we know that we would not only be friends, but also business partners. Together we grew a small company, I had begun earlier, to include thirteen retail locations, extending from Eugene, Oregon to just north of Seattle, Washington. Since I was better at creating things and leading people than managing them, I reached out to David for assistance. To my huge surprise and benefit he dropped everything, sold his house, quit his job and became my right hand. The experience of running this newly minted company was crazy and one of the best experiences of my life. David and I learned so much about life, business, and each other.

Several years ago, Shana, David’s wife, was diagnosed with a pernicious brain tumor, specifically a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Ninety nine percent of those diagnosed with this brain tumor die within the first two years, but Shana was still young and healthy, so the prognosis was slightly better, though still very grim.

In times when our world gets rocked the hardest, we have the opportunity to rise to the occasion and test out what we truly believe, as it’s no longer theory! If I were to pick one person, from everyone I know, or any person I’ve ever heard of, to be on my team during a challenge of the most epic magnitude, it would be David and I’d never look back!

Anthony Newkirk

Preface

Ihave often heard that every person on this great planet has a story worth telling; however, I think that most people would feel that their story is really quite unremarkable. Often, people do what they need to in order to manage the challenges of everyday life. To them, it is just doing what has to be done; to others, it is often unbelievable. When someone shares their story with me, I am frequently amazed; I am in awe at the storyteller’s ability to overcome tremendous obstacles and continue on, oftentimes, still smiling—even if it takes time for the smile to return. With a great deal of encouragement, I have decided to share this window of time in my life; here are a few pages of my story.

This book is a story that began in August of 2006 and ended in December of 2007. Although the time span seems short, the events that took place during this time where profound as I was challenged with many overwhelming obstacles that I thought I wouldn’t be able to overcome. Honestly, the only way I did overcome these challenges was with God’s grace, mercy, and help against some tremendous storms. God set my feet firmly on solid rock. During this chapter of my life, Psalm 18:1–2 became tremendously important:

I love you, God—you make me strong. God is bedrock under my feet, the castle in which I live, my rescuing knight. My God—the high crag where I run for dear life, hiding behind the boulders, safe in the granite hideout. (MSG)

Our Father in