Kick it with Charla

A Letter to Snowmass Chapel: My Diagnosis

Dear Friends,

Three weeks ago, I was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer which has spread to the lymph nodes. Many of you know I’ve been experiencing back pain for a few months and went in for an MRI to help pinpoint the problem. Needless to say, I was not expecting this to be the outcome. It has been shocking news, and my days have been filled with doctor’s visits, scans, biopsies, insurance, and more. My husband, Tim, and I traveled to MD Anderson in Houston last week to get a second opinion and to begin working with a team of specialists there. Starting next week, I will have chemotherapy for the next four months in the very capable hands of the team at Valley View Hospital, with surgery at MD Anderson sometime in June.

With so much coming at us, we feel like we’re drinking water through a fire hose. I will be taking some time off from the Snowmass Chapel while I focus on treatment, but my friends, family, the Chapel staff, and I will provide updates as we have them. 

What I need from you is your fervent prayers for healing and strength for my family and me to endure the months ahead. I love you all so much and am heartbroken not to be among you, but it is essential that I put all I have into beating this. I am so grateful to have you in my life as I journey through this. 

I know that I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me, and I have complete trust in God.

Charla

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One response to “A Letter to Snowmass Chapel: My Diagnosis”

  1. Bonnie Smith Avatar
    Bonnie Smith

    Dearest Charla, Jim and I first came to Snowmass Chapel in Christmas Eve 2016 after my youngest son’s wedding ( in the same place and same date as my husband and my wedding).
    I felt like I was in heaven. Since then we’ve tried to come up summer and winter to attend and I knew the Holy Spirit spoke through both you and Robert!
    The good news is Christ in you, Charka, the hope of glory! Christ is life so death can never overtake him! Christ in you means life eternal resides in you and all “those who receive Him and believe in His name!” John 1:12
    My favorite song is CeCe Winan’s “Believe for It”! It’s kept me walking in faith in desperate times!
    You are safe in the Shepherd’s pasture!
    Bonnie and Jim Smith

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About Charla

In March of 2023 our dear Charla was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer which had spread to the lymph nodes. Charla is a beloved friend and pastor to so many. In an effort to keep all of those who care about her in the loop, and lighten the communication load that would inevitably fall on Charla and her family, we have established this blog. Please post your comments of positivity, prayer, encouragement, and inspiration on this site, or mail encouraging messages via snail mail.

Prior to this diagnosis Charla had tossed around the idea of starting a podcast. With a background in PR and TV, years of expertise teaching and writing on parenting and other topics, a Doctorate in Ministry from Duke University, and 13 years under her belt of co-pastoring and leading a church, Charla has a deep well of wisdom to draw from and “kick around” in conversation in a podcast setting. We can’t wait to “kick it” (slang for “hang out”) with Charla in the years ahead and hear her declare triumph over this diagnosis.

For now, we join Charla in solidarity, with love and constant prayer, as she kicks cancer out of her body.

Kick it with Charla. And lift her up in prayer.