News, Updates & Prayer

Well, the in laws are gone and I have a few days of quiet before my family and I leave on our camping/hiking/farming/wedding trip. I had a couple of weeks that were full of work and fun times with my husbands parents and siblings and their children. My house was full!! The one thing I really missed was my alone time God. I was missing Daddy so much that as I was washing the heap of dishes I had tears streaming down my face as I thought about my quiet, very early morning time with Father. You see my father in law is an early riser just like me and no matter how early I got up he was already up and at it. :) So since I didn't have the time to spend alone with God, I looked for God qualities in my father in law. I found: security, wisdom, knowledge, love and joy. These are things that I never saw before as my father in law is not a Christian but as I looked at him in the view of my heavenly Father I was able to see things in him that mimicked my Daddy. Really, God is so good all of the time!

NEWS:
Do any of you remember Lon from Humble Path? Well, just a few days ago I received an email from him and he told me he has chosen to follow Jesus again. He has closed down his blogs as he feels embarrassed from flipping back and forth from Buddhism to Christianity, but he wanted to let me know his decision and he gave me permission to tell all of you. Here is the email he sent me...



Thanks again, my Sister in Christ!!!
I know where my wife is going to go seeing she has given her life over to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ which is going to be in heaven to spend Eternal Life with Him, and today, I just couldn't stand the thought of not spending my life with her in this marvelous place called heaven.  Plus I'd love seeing you and my other Sisters and Brothers in Christ when I get there.  But here's the catch, for me, I don't want to be left behind, and I don't want to have Jesus Christ say that He doesn't know me when He returns.  This is why I had to return my life over to my only Lord and Savior which is Jesus Christ otherwise my conscious will become burned to the point that it will be too late for me.  I in no way wish to be reincarnated for say until I get it right, because I'll never get it completely right.  Therefore I must choose, and that choice for me, had to be the gift that's free, which is Eternal Life through the Blood of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
If you'd like to share this along with what I've shared with you prior to this on one of your posts, you're more than welcome to my Sister in Christ. 

Please join your heart with mine and lift this brother of ours up to our God. Please pray he will stay dedicated to Jesus and resit the temptation to flip back. Thanks!!

NEW:

Brian Todd at Brian Todd's Blog has requested prayer for his mother in law. Below is taken directly from his blog:

Monday, July 30, 2012, my wife’s mother Shirley (83 years young) had a major back surgery procedure performed due to an advanced Scoliosis condition that, not only was tremendously painful daily, but if not corrected would become life-threatening. The curvature of her spine was so severe that her organs were being pushed to one side and the doctors estimated an eleven hour surgery would be required, with 16 pints of blood used. The surgery ended when they ran dangerously short of reserve blood, so the corrective procedure was not completed. She is currently in the Intensive Care Unit recovering from the operation and associated complication, and is rescheduled to undergo the remainder of the corrective surgery in six weeks, when she has gains strength and well enough to handle the second procedure. The main portion of the Scoliosis has been straightened, and the remaining work shall be much quicker and less life threatening. Her daughter has set up a Journal page for Shirley @ http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/shirleylowe that you can check her condition. The main thing is that she needs your intercession prayer. Your prayers are a blessing and much appreciated. Praise the Lord for such a loving godly woman.

UPDATES:
Lucy:
Lucy's scans were great. Her spine looked clear and her brain looked even better than it did a few weeks ago. It's the best birthday present I could have hoped for. Thanks for you continued prayers!







PRAYER:
Wayne:

Wayne had six weeks off from chemo to let his body rest and they were able to get away for a family vacation last week. They had a good time and were able to get some much needed time away for rest and fun.  They got back and immediately he had to have his next infusion...Monday July 31. So, this week has been rough on him. He is feeling discouraged because he just doesn't feel good. Wayne even said,  "this just isn't living". He's tired...achey...and generally just doesn't feel well. I don't know all the symptoms but I do know they aren't good. He really just needs a miracle. I know...and you know...that God is more than able. HE doesn't like for any of HIS children to be sick or suffer in any way. When you think about Wayne if you could please just say a prayer for him and Marge. They are two of the most wonderful people you could ever know and most of all...they both love the LORD with all their hearts. They have told me many times how much they appreciate all the prayers from all of you.

Chelle:
Please remember to pray for Chelle as she has a doctors appointment with the cardiologist August 10th. Pray for a complete healing and no fear! Thanks!!

Emily:

Dr Gowda emailed tonight and said the d dimer was negative and that the Mibg had been scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday! No affirmative time until we hear from radiology! He did email Dr Sholler this morning to advise her of what has transpired at this point and that he had requested for a Mibg here in va unless she wants us to come there! We have not heard a response back from her yet!
So our biggest concern is that these spots are NB! We have taken Emily back off the nifurtimox for now because if she is progressing they will pull her from the trial anyway! We are stopping everything else until we know what is going on! 
If there are any NB moms, dads or grandparents that have had any experience with this, please let us know! We are beyond scared and worried and the anxiety is taking the best of us!
This brings our talks of where she would go for treatment if this is our worst nightmare for the 3rd time! Our hope is that these spots go away as her counts go up! Today WBC was only 500 and her ANC is only 200 so we were told Emily is still neutrapenic so to still watch for fevers and because platelets were 20 to watch for any bleeding or bruising!
Please send your love and thoughts that this is just an infection! Remember to hug and kiss your kids every night and tell them how much you love them because you never know when things can change!

Summer:
Please pray for Summer as her liver counts are off the charts and they need to come down or else she will have to have a liver transplant. Please lift our dear sister up to our God. Thanks!

Monday my Rhematologist in the area called with not great news.  My liver enzymes were off the charts.  One should be under 50 and it was 190 the other I don't even want to mention.  The culprit is the chemotherapy pills Methatrexate that I take once a week, that keeps DM down a bit.  Without it I flare so badly they can't get it under control.  I think y'all probably remember the Christmas before last, when they had to stop it for three weeks and I flared for a year, causing DM to blaze and I ended up having to do the Chemotherapy Infusions and now the IVIG/Plasma Infusion/Transfusions.

Joanna:


Dear Friends and Family,
Yesterday marked four months since the beginning of Joanna’s medical situation on April 1st. Most of the last month Joanna has spent seeing various doctors – Gastroenterologist, Acupuncturist, Chiropractor, Dermatologist (annual check), Orthopedist (hip pain), Physical Therapist. When possible and when she had the energy she would get together with various friends.
It feels like this has been a transition month for us: from full speed doctors and other events to learning how to pace ourselves. It has taken over three weeks to arrange the next tests. On Wednesday, August 8, Joanna is scheduled for an Endoscopic Ultrasound. And on Monday, August 13, she is scheduled for an Esophageal Manometry with Impedance. The follow-up appointment with her GI doctor to find out the results of these tests will be Wednesday, August 15.
This was Joanna’s Face book post yesterday:
“Today marks 4 months since this illness has taken over…yet God has been good and gracious through it all. I’m so thankful for all of your prayers, support, and comfort. Thank you!! “
Don and I thank you for your prayers as well. Please continue to pray for Divine healing, medical direction, and Joanna’s strength as the school year is rapidly approaching. Also, please pray for Don and me that would we be patient and yet wise advocates for Joanna as we work with the medical profession.

Jordan:

I don't have any recent news on Jordan as I am waiting for an update on his blog, but he has made a trip to Bethel Church in Redding California to seek prayer for healing. The last update I heard was there was as follows:
Alright … we measured tonight as we did last night and instead of growing, Jordan’s leg has shrunk by .7cm….we chose to freak out….get excited and praise God!  Feel free to do a little dance now with us.  Will write more about the weekend later… we’re tired and heading to bed.

Please praise God for this shrinkage and continue to press in for a miracle. Thanks!!

Thank you to all of you for being so faithful in standing beside these dear people who are in need of your prayers. My heart is overwhelmed with the dedication you all have. Our God is mighty and there is none like Him.

Job 26:5-14 NIV

“The dead are in deep anguish, 

    those beneath the waters and all that live in them.

Death is naked before God;

    Destruction lies uncovered. 

He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;

    he suspends the earth over nothing. 

He wraps up the waters in his clouds, 

    yet the clouds do not burst under their weight.

He covers the face of the full moon,

    spreading his clouds over it.

He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters 

    for a boundary between light and darkness. 

The pillars of the heavens quake, 

    aghast at his rebuke.

By his power he churned up the sea; 

    by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces.

By his breath the skies became fair;

    his hand pierced the gliding serpent. 

And these are but the outer fringe of his works;

    how faint the whisper we hear of him! 

    Who then can understand the thunder of his power?”

God Bless,
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A New Boy & Updates

Meet Gunner!! Isn't he sweet? Gunner has EB, the same disease Tripp had. Please pray for his family as they endure caring for him and pray Gunner that the doctors will know how to best care for this almost 5mth old baby. 

Emily had good results for her scans. Please press in with me for NED!! 

Results: Scans have appreciably decreased in uptake! The report indicates all of the areas demonstrate decreased uptake as compared to previous examination with no new areas of abnormal MIBG uptake! 

Gary has been having a rough go with flares. He is having steroid pulses and infusions yet still showing signs of disease. Please press in for remission. 

Katie had 3 month scans and they came back clear!!! NED!! Praise God!! Thank you Barbie for updating us. :)

Phoebe had scans and the results are clear!!! NED!! This is so wonderful news. Praise You God!! Please continue to press in with prayer as they are still waiting for the fluid results and as the treatments for this very rare cancer continue. 

Joanna is home! Please pray she can hold down food and the doctors will find out what is causing this vomiting problem. 

Psalm 42:7-8 NIV

Deep calls to deep 

    in the roar of your waterfalls;

all your waves and breakers

    have swept over me.

By day the Lord directs his love, 

    at night his song is with me—

    a prayer to the God of my life.

Thank you to each and everyone of you for joining your heart with mine in praying for these dear people. Just a notice that I will not have access to the internet on a regular basis for the next couple of weeks. Please know I am praying and praying and will visit blogs as time allows. Thank you and God bless!! 

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Joanna

Jeremiah 17:14 NIV

Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; 

    save me and I will be saved,

    for you are the one I praise. 

My dear blogging friend Barbie, My Freshly Brewed Life, sent me an email with a request to pray for Joanna. You can read her full story here. Joanna is in the hospital after a bout of fever-less vomiting that wouldn't stop. She has been in since April 1 2012 and the doctors have no clue as to why she cannot hold food down. She has a feeding tube in and has lost over 20 lbs.

Please pray for this beautiful young child of God and if you are willing share this request with all the praying people you know.

John 15:7 NIV
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

James 5:14-16 IV
Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Lord, my God You are magnificent and Holy. You are worthy of praise and the highest honour. Thank You that Your eyes roam everywhere and You know all things. You know Joanna!! She is Your child, a daughter of the High King! Lord, I know You love her and are with her right now, increase her faith. Lord, I know You alone are Healer, touch and heal her. My Daddy, Joanna is Your baby and You cuddle and rock her, love on her. Thank You Father that she knows You. Please, my King, touch Joanna's body right now and heal her. Guide the doctor's to know how to treat her. Show them what is causing this sickness, reveal it to them Lord. And also, please send in a Christian doctor, someone who loves You and will pray over her and will pray and ask for guidance in treating her.

Thank You Lord for what You will do. Take this heart of mine, that is strung out for You and line it up with Your heart. Take this prayer and set it according to Your prayer. In the name of Jesus Christ I ask and pray amen.

Please continue to pray with me, thanks!!
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