Mark 11:23 reads, “Whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.”
Jon and Brit Schoff came face to face with their mountain in September 2023 as they sat across from a doctor who told them Jon had stage 4 mantle cell lymphoma, an aggressive type of blood cancer. With this alarming news, “our world came to a screeching halt,” says Brit, as she, Jon, and their daughters Ava and Adley began a 12-month journey that would prove the power of community, family, nutrition, and—above all else—faith.
From day one, the Schoffs’ family, friends, and neighbors rallied behind them. “I didn’t really know what we needed, but our community did.” Brit says. Immediately, people began flowing in to their home to pray and lay hands on Jon. “They just showed up,” she says. “That was essentially what kept us breathing.”
“People helped us in ways that I never even realized I needed,” Brit reiterates, noting that on the very night of the diagnosis, her best friend decorated the front porch and prayed over the Schoffs’ home, then jumped in to set up meal trains, care for their children, and organize other helpers. Moms from the elementary school packed and delivered lunches to Ava and Adley every day, and neighbors assembled bunk beds so the girls could sleep in the same room. Brit’s sisters were available at all hours of the night for support, and her parents moved to Dripping Springs from out of state. When Jon was discharged from a long, arduous hospital stay in Houston, his best friend flew in to drive the exhausted couple back home.
Jon points to the support of his community at Life Family Church. “Having people around you to lift you up is crucial,” he shares. “We would not have been able to get through all our hurdles if it was not for our church family. Most people have leaves and branches for friends and family, so when things get hard, they fall away or break from the pressure. Life Family is the roots that support our family and well-being.”
In addition to visitors from their thoughtful community, one unexpected knock on the door came from Hope4Cancer, a holistic cancer treatment program that focuses on the mental and spiritual component of healing as well as comprehensive, advanced therapies. Through Hope4Cancer, Jon learned about the impact of nutrition and became committed to clean eating. Additionally, prior to starting chemotherapy, he spent two weeks in Mexico at a Hope4Cancer center receiving treatments, such as daily IVs and saunas, designed to prepare and strengthen his body.
Coupled with the cutting-edge treatment Jon received at MD Anderson and Baylor Scott & White—which included targeted chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and several cycles of high-powered, 24/7 “chemo blasts”—Jon credits Hope4Cancer along with his faith and church community for helping him meet his recovery milestones. “All three of those are providing overall wellness to make me the best possible version of myself to tackle these things,” he says. His fortitude is impressive: Even through his difficult chemo treatments, Jon has continued to work, travel, and even play golf.
Incredibly, after three months of receiving intense chemotherapy, Jon is now in remission. His treatment will continue for the next few years to ensure the cancer does not return, but Jon has complete confidence in his recovery: “We have seen so many miracles happen in the last 12 months by just truly believing, without having a doubt, that it’s possible,” he says. “And that’s why, from a faith perspective, I believe I’m already healed.”
One does not confront—much less conquer—a mountain like cancer and remain unchanged. As Christians, the Schoffs ask what they should learn from their trials. Jon calls these lessons “the blessings of having cancer.”
“I call it the gift of crisis,” Brit offers. “It’s truly a gift that we will never take a day for granted.”
Through their difficult days, the Schoffs found themselves looking to God to help them put one foot in front of the other, trusting Him to provide. “To be in that mindset of a daily dependence is the only way to get through life,” Jon says. “I’d never depended on Him like that, so the gift of that alone is something that I wouldn’t want to have missed.”
In addition, Jon and Brit now appreciate the significance of being truly engaged in each moment, prioritizing what is meaningful and maximizing time with their children. “Our greatest gift that we have is time,” Brit shares. “Time is that one thing that you’re not promised, that you can’t buy, but you have full choice over how you spend it.”
Finally, their experience has affirmed the value of a supportive, loving marriage. “Be patient with your husband, give him grace, and love on him,” Brit shares. “My greatest accomplishment in life is this man.”
Jon adds, “That kind of mindset and love for each other is how we’ve been able to get through this the way we have.”
While the mountain may loom large, “leaning into your faith, your community, and your church, and taking care of yourself, being proactive against this world, has allowed us to move forward in this journey, and in life, with positivity and joy,” Jon says. “Our eyes and hearts have been opened up.”
With this, clearly the mountain is moved.
Life.Family.com | Hope4Cancer.com
Having people around you to lift you up is crucial.
Our greatest gift that we have is time.