Monday, March 9, 2015

Update on my Dad's health situation

Dad's health started declining about a couple of months ago - he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and told to stop drinking, eating salt and smoking cigars! That was a change but he tried his best. When Mike and I were there at Thanksgiving, he was doing OK - slowing down but holding his on...still drinking wine though :-)!

I went back to Orlando in February for his 88th birthday on 2/7 and the week before his birthday, he collapsed in the doctors office when I was with him. He was in ICU for 5 days, had 4 blood transfusions and they were able to stabilize him enough for him to go to an intensive rehab place so he could go home. The doctors stopped his blood thinners as that was magnifying a GI bleed somewhere in his body. They did put him on diuretics for the edema (fluid buildup) but he was still very swollen but in no pain, thank goodness! I extended my original trip by a week and then felt at peace enough to come back to Richland.

Dad came home from the rehab facility last Thursday (2/26) and has gone rapidly downhill since then. My sister is staying out there with him in Daytona Beach and doesn't think he has much longer to live - he's now on oxygen and hospice has been called. I'm flying back to Orlando tomorrow (3/4) as he enters this phase of his time here on earth and God willing, passes peacefully. My step-mother, Mari, is having a hard time coming to terms with the reality of his impending passing.

The interesting thing in all this is that a year ago, God guided Mike and I to volunteer to lead a team from our church, Central United Protestant Church in Richland, Washington, on a short-term mission trip to the Copper Canyon area of the remote Sierra Nevada Mountains in northern Mexico, in support of Tarahumara Ministries. That trip has been planned for March 27-April 5.

Originally we were planning to drive down to El Paso with a truck full of supplies on March 12, arriving there and making a pre-trip in to Guacaivo prior to the team arriving as the ministry with whom we are working does not have extra folks to help us know exactly what we will need to complete the apartments. The trip from El Paso to Guacaivo takes 2 days and is about 15 hours by car one-way.

My plans are obviously open-ended.  We don’t think Dad will survive many more days, but that is in God’s hands and we have to be flexible enough to deal with the reality that I may not be back in time to drive to El Paso with Mike, or in the worst case, may not even be able to participate in the Copper Canyon trip.

Please pray:
  • *that God’s will be done in whatever we accomplish as I know that God is not surprised by any of this!
  • *for Dad to pass peacefully and painlessly and that his wife, Mari, will be comforted and supported during this difficult time
  • *for Mari and my family to know how much Jesus loves them and for me to have an opportunity to share that love with them - as I've experienced it in my life
  • *that I will have safe travel tomorrow (3/4) to Orlando and that all planes depart and arrive on time
  • *that I can meet Mike in El Paso on the 17th (if not sooner in Salt Lake City or Albuquerque), or that I can meet Mike in El Paso/Juarez between March 23 and March 27 when the full team arrives
  • *for journey mercies for the team, not only for Mike as he drives to El Paso, but for the team as they fly to El Paso on the 27 and back to Portland and drive home on Easter Sunday (April 5)
  • *for safety and good health while our team is in Mexico
We are comforted by the knowledge that "the mind of man plans his way but the Lord directs his steps!" Proverbs 16:9


Saturday, December 27, 2008

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!


Here's an Advent Prayer by Henri Nouwen that a friend sent me...I like it:

Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.

We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.

We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.

We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.

We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.

We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!”

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Dear Friends,

I pray that you have a blessed Thanksgiving celebrating with family and friends.

I am also thankful for...

bills to pay because it means I have financial provision

dirty dishes because it means I have food to eat

taxes because it means I am employed

dirty laundry because it means I have clothes to wear

the mess to clean up after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends

the pool pump that needs fixing and the lawn that needs mowing, because it means I have a home

the power bill, because it means I am warm

the space I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I can walk

the person who sings off-key behind me in church, because it means I can hear

our government, because it means we have freedom of speech

the alarm that goes off in the morning because it means I am alive

a loving Savior who forgives my sins and makes me whole!

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thess. 5:16-18 (ESV)

Blessings, Suzanne

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

NO MATTER WHO WINS....

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.

2. Prayer will still work.

3. The Holy Spirit will still move.

4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.

5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.

6. There will still be singing of praises to God.

7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.

8. There will still be room at the Cross.

9. Jesus will still love you.

10. Jesus will still save the lost.

ISN'T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS STILL IN CONTROL.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

It's been awhile

Amazing how I haven't been here since January of this year - how time flies. Wanted to share what my pastor said today in church that really hit me:

Jesus never locked eyes with anyone for whom He would not have been willing to die.

Powerful! God, help me love others as Jesus loved...

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Happy 2008!

Wishing all of you a happy and healthy 2008! May God's love and presence comfort and surround you daily.

Monday, December 24, 2007

A Peaceful Christmas Eve


Amazing how time flies... it's already Christmas Eve 2007. Just got back from the family dinner, celebrating Christmas together tonight. Tomorrow will be a day to chillax, hang out, call friends and family, reflect on the goodness of God, remember how fortunate I am to be loved by so many and that I have so many to love. Praying you have a good day also...