By Brandi Hafler
My friend Laura was diagnosed with incurable ovarian cancer in December of 2019 and was given up to a year to live.
I met her in August of 2021, eight months past her doctor-given “expiration date.” She knew that each day was a miracle and she wanted to use any time that she had left encouraging others.
Before her diagnosis, she had served in the church by delivering meals to those who had surgery or an injury, and by sending cards to people who needed encouragement or had lost a loved one. After we met, she began a Bible study for women with cancer. She also became a care partner for other women with cancer, meaning that she would check in, build a relationship with, listen to, and pray with them.
Laura gradually lost strength and had to step away from the various ministries that allowed her to share her faith and love, and in September of 2025, she entered into her eternity with her Savior, Jesus Christ.
She lived more than 5 1/2 years with terminal cancer, and she took every opportunity that she was given in those 5 1/2 years to tell people that God loved them, that He was for them, that they weren’t alone, and that death in this life is not the end.
Now, almost a year after she left this world, the Bible study group that Laura started continues to meet, and they invite other women join them in a space where they can share their pain, fears, and faith with those who understand.
The current leader of the study continues to reach out to a woman that Laura had cared for. That woman, who has been unable to attend the Bible study or church in person because of her cancer diagnosis, recently decided to become a member of the church that has helped her feel like she belonged in spite of her limitations. She will also soon leave this world, but is grateful for the love that her church family has shown her during her long, painful battle with cancer. Laura was essential in helping her feel that love.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
This passage defines Laura. When the doctors, and logic, and her body told her to slow down, she picked up her pace. She began loving people bolder, harder, and deeper.
When it was tempting to focus on all that she would lose, Laura focused on all that still needed to be done, and everyone who still needed to know that there was hope. She took every opportunity to store up treasures in Heaven. Because even though she was still trapped in her failing earthly body, her heart was already there.
Watching Laura die, I learned how I want to live. Her bold tenacity gives me the courage speak openly about the hope and new life that Jesus offers. I want to follow her example of storing up treasures in Heaven.
Because if my treasures are there, my heart will be there, and if my heart is there, what can mortal man do to me? (Psalm 56:11)
I will leave you with words from Laura that reveal what it looks like to live life on earth while storing treasures in Heaven.
“I realize that God was there every step of the way. Jesus was with me. So I haven’t focused on cancer. I focused on God. If it wasn’t for the cancer, I would not know God and I would not be as close as I am with Him … And the fact that He has given me miracles all along the way… Doctors always say, ‘How are you not in pain?’ I say, ‘By the grace of God, I am not in pain.’”
“I feel Jesus literally next to me in the middle of the night. How can I not be grateful for that?”
“We are not promised tomorrow. We are not promised a life without suffering. But when we do suffer, we have to find the joy and the peace, because God has it there for us. God has that peace. You just have to hold onto it, and don’t let it go.”
“As long as I have breath, I have hope.”
—————
Brandi Hafler is the Connections Pastor at All Shores Wesleyan Church in Spring Lake. She loves spending time with her family, telling stories, and wearing silly socks. You can read more of her writing online at FoundUponTheWaves.com.
My friend Laura was diagnosed with incurable ovarian cancer in December of 2019 and was given up to a year to live.
I met her in August of 2021, eight months past her doctor-given “expiration date.” She knew that each day was a miracle and she wanted to use any time that she had left encouraging others.
Before her diagnosis, she had served in the church by delivering meals to those who had surgery or an injury, and by sending cards to people who needed encouragement or had lost a loved one. After we met, she began a Bible study for women with cancer. She also became a care partner for other women with cancer, meaning that she would check in, build a relationship with, listen to, and pray with them.
Laura gradually lost strength and had to step away from the various ministries that allowed her to share her faith and love, and in September of 2025, she entered into her eternity with her Savior, Jesus Christ.
She lived more than 5 1/2 years with terminal cancer, and she took every opportunity that she was given in those 5 1/2 years to tell people that God loved them, that He was for them, that they weren’t alone, and that death in this life is not the end.
Now, almost a year after she left this world, the Bible study group that Laura started continues to meet, and they invite other women join them in a space where they can share their pain, fears, and faith with those who understand.
The current leader of the study continues to reach out to a woman that Laura had cared for. That woman, who has been unable to attend the Bible study or church in person because of her cancer diagnosis, recently decided to become a member of the church that has helped her feel like she belonged in spite of her limitations. She will also soon leave this world, but is grateful for the love that her church family has shown her during her long, painful battle with cancer. Laura was essential in helping her feel that love.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
This passage defines Laura. When the doctors, and logic, and her body told her to slow down, she picked up her pace. She began loving people bolder, harder, and deeper.
When it was tempting to focus on all that she would lose, Laura focused on all that still needed to be done, and everyone who still needed to know that there was hope. She took every opportunity to store up treasures in Heaven. Because even though she was still trapped in her failing earthly body, her heart was already there.
Watching Laura die, I learned how I want to live. Her bold tenacity gives me the courage speak openly about the hope and new life that Jesus offers. I want to follow her example of storing up treasures in Heaven.
Because if my treasures are there, my heart will be there, and if my heart is there, what can mortal man do to me? (Psalm 56:11)
I will leave you with words from Laura that reveal what it looks like to live life on earth while storing treasures in Heaven.
“I realize that God was there every step of the way. Jesus was with me. So I haven’t focused on cancer. I focused on God. If it wasn’t for the cancer, I would not know God and I would not be as close as I am with Him … And the fact that He has given me miracles all along the way… Doctors always say, ‘How are you not in pain?’ I say, ‘By the grace of God, I am not in pain.’”
“I feel Jesus literally next to me in the middle of the night. How can I not be grateful for that?”
“We are not promised tomorrow. We are not promised a life without suffering. But when we do suffer, we have to find the joy and the peace, because God has it there for us. God has that peace. You just have to hold onto it, and don’t let it go.”
“As long as I have breath, I have hope.”
—————
Brandi Hafler is the Connections Pastor at All Shores Wesleyan Church in Spring Lake. She loves spending time with her family, telling stories, and wearing silly socks. You can read more of her writing online at FoundUponTheWaves.com.
