“Is cancer common?”
As we were in the car driving somewhere (we spend a lot of time in the car!), Murphy asked this question. Nat took a moment to consider how to answer and eventually replied with a simple, “No, your specific cancer isn’t very common.”
Murphy looked out the window, thought for a moment, and then followed with, “What if I get married one day? Will she want to be my wife even though I have an uncommon cancer?”
What a deep reflection—a thought that is scary to consider—and I have no idea where this line of thinking even stems from. Banana bread in September (read the last blog for context)… now thinking through the longevity of marriage?! I think we have a deep thinker on our hands. Maybe a cancer journey, regardless of age, matures you in a supernatural way. Or… I’m simply overthinking it?!
Our family has been thriving of late—busy with fall sports, calendar commitments, pumpkin spice lattes and life. I have been commuting to Atlanta for 2-3 days per week, which has created a new family rhythm. It’s been a couple of months since I last posted. I’ve had many moments where I wanted to sit and write, but as each day ends, I find myself pushing it to the next day. I have lots to update you on—from the kids, life events, and upcoming prayer needs!
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been prompted to give thanks to the hundreds of you who have supported our family. In pursuit of giving thanks, I logged onto our GoFundMe (which has been closed for over 18 months now) to read through some of your names, and I am still in shock that nearly 700 different donations were made in February of last year. Each donation representing an act of generosity. As we settled in Charlotte, set up a home and established a new routine and way of doing life, we could not have done it without you.
I have a postcard for you, but there’s no way of finding out everyone’s address. If you would like one, please email me your name address at danieljamesnowak89@gmail.com and I would love to send you one!
It’s also timely to share a work update. Many of you don’t know how we were first able to secure a visa to move to Charlotte early last year. Having known no one in the ‘Queens City’—except a lovely friend of a friend—I sent off a number of job applications. Weeks passed and I received no response from any of them. It was at that point that an answer to prayer took place: the church in Atlanta, where we served in 2020 and 2021, had a need and offered me a role. This opportunity opened the way for our whole family to migrate, rather than Murphy and Nat making many trips back and forth between Adelaide and Charlotte.
The work project has now concluded, and remote work with them is no longer an option. Therefore, I’ve been applying for a new job locally in Charlotte. It hasn’t been easy over the past few months—especially when I bring up the sponsorship component of the conversation. After many closed doors, Nat’s employer said yes to sponsoring her for a new visa. Praise God!
This means that Nat and I will need to return to Australia to interview at the U.S. Consulate. Can you please pray that the visa interview in Sydney on the 25th of November goes smoothly? If successful, this will allow us to stay for another two years.
“Isn’t the trial only for two years? Why would you want to stay in the land of hot dog-eating contests and no fairy bread?!” Good question.
Although we still keep our Australianisms—witches hats instead of traffic cones, footpath instead of sidewalk, espresso machines instead of Keurig cups—Nat and I spent a lot of time praying about our family’s next step. It became evident that our family needed time to grow roots after four significant moves in four years. Adelaide to Atlanta, then to Gympie, Queensland, back to Adelaide and now in Charlotte. Furthermore, and more importantly, Murphy’s treatment does finish at the two-year mark (early March 2026), but there will be follow-up tests and scans which could take several months to complete. Therefore, we feel peace about staying here and settling a little longer. What we have learnt through a cancer journey is that we’ve learnt to hold life pretty loosely.
It hasn’t been an easy decision. Employment and provision feel uncertain, and the distance from deep long-term relationships with family and friends takes a toll. I think that’s why I’ve procrastinated writing this blog for so long—it’s been heavy carrying the weight of job applications and navigating next steps for our family. Nat has been so gracious, resilient, and strong as she takes charge with securing the family visa. A mighty woman—which will be no surprise to you, I’m sure.
The kids are none the wiser, enjoying fall sports, school, and fun. Murphy’s baseball season didn’t end with a victory, but he grew so much as a player of a new sport. Each game he set new goals for himself—for example, getting to first base, then in the next game, second base. Over the season he even made it to home base a couple of times, punching his fist into the air with excitement! He also looks darn cute in that baseball outfit!
Winter
Coming into winter, all the boys have decided to play basketball again! Saturdays will soon become a busy logistical puzzle that Nat will absolutely crush. Also, Calista has been cast in the Charlotte Ballet Nutcracker again, as well as a key role in her high school musical early in 2026! What joy it is to see your children find a sport or activity they thrive in. (I wonder if that’s what God feels when we walk in the calling He has for us?!)
Hearing
Murphy has had several appointments recently for his hearing aids because he’s growing and needs new inserts. A necessary change, but it hasn’t been without challenges. After the fitting, testing, and creation of the new molds, he reluctantly put them on last week. The inserts help tailor the right sounds he needs to hear, but they required an adjustment. When he put the new ones in, he looked at Nat and said he wanted his old ones back. Another new thing for Murphy to adjust to. We know these will help him immensely in the classroom—a place he LOVES. We are so blessed to have a boy who loves learning.
Season Changes
With Halloween over, Thanksgiving around the corner, and Christmas in sight, we decided to make the early call to put up decorations and lights. When Murphy asked what “traditions” our family has, Christmas is definitely one where we share many! It was a lot of fun getting hot chocolates from Starbucks and choosing new ornaments for our tree.
I know this is a longer update because it’s been a couple of months, but I want to end with a thought I had yesterday. As I was running the Charlotte Marathon with a couple of friends, I was challenged by the sign in the picture below. This sign was posted on the course at the halfway mark—a point where half-marathon runners took the left path (ending their race), while full-marathon runners had to take the right path and keep running for another 13 miles / 21 km.
The second half of the marathon killed me. After the enjoyment of the first half faded, I was left tired, sore, and with muscled cramping as I limped through the remainder of the run. How often does this happen in life? The initial joy of faith in Jesus is soon met with pain as trials and troubles come.
That’s why I love the idea of endurance sports—they align so well with what we read in Hebrews:
Hebrews 12:1–2 (NIV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Thank you again for your support near and far!
Daniel