Prayer Requests

[kara speltz]

Originally Posted by RevVW

Andy, Kara, I noticed you are both online right now. I don't have much time, came home from the hospital to feed the animals, I'm going right back. Wanted to let the group know, my daughter was hospitalized this morning after collapsing at work, they did many tests, the final one being a cat skan, it revealed she has pulmonary embolisms in both lungs. My wife just called from the hospital, appears our daughter has developed an extreme headache, so they are, as I'm writing this doing a brain scan. Please pray, Vern

Dear Vern: Just found this note. Be assured of my prayers. Could you privately email me her first name and I'll add her by name to my prayer circle, until then, I'll simply pray for her as Vern's daughter. I know this is really scary. So be sure to say some prayers for your own tranquility and serenity to trust that God is with you. Kara

[Lydia]

Thanks, everyone

Andrew - as a Preacher's Kid, I know quite a bit about what your family is going through. I'll be praying for y'all. Feel free to PM me if you need a sounding board.

I'm praying for you, Jan. I once dated someone who was Borderline. I'm very proud of you for being strong enough to seek help.

How was your test, Nathan? I prayed for you.

Daniel, I'll pass that suggestion on to my husband. Thanks.

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by RevVW

Andy, Kara, I noticed you are both online right now. I don't have much time, came home from the hospital to feed the animals, I'm going right back. Wanted to let the group know, my daughter was hospitalized this morning after collapsing at work, they did many tests, the final one being a cat skan, it revealed she has pulmonary embolisms in both lungs. My wife just called from the hospital, appears our daughter has developed an extreme headache, so they are, as I'm writing this doing a brain scan. Please pray, Vern

Vern, we are praying.

[Jan]

I wanted to give a postive testimony; Since asking for prayer on this thread I have felt the strength in my daily life. I am passed the mourning of my past relationship with my partner and able to focus on the healing that is ahead of me. Healing that comes from years of childhood trauma (via my therapist).

Guys I don't want to sound like a broken record here. It seems that when I do post it's mostly of self absorbed issues. Please know that I pray for all of you as well!

I think by praying for each other on a daily basis will only add peace and understanding to our lives.

Bless you every one!

Love,
Jan

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by Jan

I wanted to give a postive testimony; Since asking for prayer on this thread I have felt the strength in my daily life. Love,
Jan

ME TOO!!!!!


The past couple/few weeks my energy has soared, and I've been doing so much better on all levels. I was asking myself what's changed the past couple weeks, and this is one of about 2 things I can think of. I think this is a powerfully positive group, generating some really good energy. (Ie, I strongly suspect the group prayers are working.)

[RevVW]

Dear Ones,

Our hearts are a bit raw, but all of yours are working. Our daughter, Nicole, has been diagnosed with a D.V.T., deep vein thrumbosis. No idea how this occured, but they are treating her with a high powered blood thinner they are calling a "clot buster", I believe it is Heprin. The C.T. on her head came back clear. So...it appears at this point, all she is dealing with is this clot in her leg and the thrumbosis in her lungs. The Dr's said part of this clot broke off and exploded into her lungs, we are just so grateful it did not go to her brain or her heart. They are keeping her in ICU until they are sure the clot is being assimilated into her system. Her Dr. told us tonight that we are not out of the woods yet, but that he feels much better about her prognosis.

Words are not sufficient to say thank you, but, thank you.

You all continue to be in our thoughts and prayers,

We are off to bed, exhausted.

Vern

[Zerbie]

Good night Vern,

Glad to hear of the relatively good news. Interesting. A few years ago my roommate had a blood clot come out of nowhere - he was 25 and a runner, in otherwise perfect health. Strange stuff. Yes, that can be quite dangerous. But with the blood thinner, it should get all taken care of.

Thank you for updating us. Rest well. Our prayers remain with your family.

[RevVW]

Thanks Zerbie,

This means a great deal to us. Vern

[andrewlittle]

Praise God for good clinicians who found the cause of a difficult to diagnose problem. They must be very good doctors, so she is in good hands.

You, my friend, must be exhausted. If my feelings about you are right, you have spent a great deal more energy worrying about your daughter and caring for your wife than you have caring for yourself. I pray you rest well.

[ctozrn]

Hi Vern,

I am so glad that your daughter is doing better! I am a nurse so I know how dangerous blood clots can be. It is amazing how sometimes they can just appear out of nowhere! It sounds like the docs are doing all the right things. Heparin will do the job along with the other meds! We use it a lot and it works! It sounds as if the worst part is over. Catching it and treating it quickly is key.

I will continue to pray for her and your family,

Christine

[RevVW]

Dear Ones,

We are off to the hospital. We both indeed had a restful night, and woke with such a beautiful calm. Thank you again for your continued prayers. We truly feel your thoughts, your warmth, kindness, and prayers.

I'll try to post tonight when I get in. Big hug, Vern

[tdogg]

Thanks for the update Vern. Glad to hear things are looking up!

Praise God - prayer is such a wonderful and powerful tool and blessing. This news is great, and just the thing I need to propell me out of my chair at home and back to work!

Please continue to keep us posted and Andy is right, take care of yourself too Vern.

Tdogg

[RevVW]

Late last night, our daughter was moved to a private room. She is still confined to her bed. They will do another C.T. scan Tuesday, at that point they will determine if the blood clots are assimilating into her system as they have been hoping. When we arrived at the hospital this morning (Sat.), she was in a fetal position, not interested in talking...broke our hearts. By this evening, after a bath, given by wonderful care-givers at the hospital, and the arrival of some beautiful flower arrangements, her spirits were up a bit...it was good to see the little gleem in her eye once again.

I've been there so many other times, when it was someone else's daughter, and really thought I knew empathy....honey, ain't no way, 'til you've been there.

Keep praying, our daughter suffers with clinical depression (as do I), and this has been very hard on her, but as I said, this evening she was smiling...in spite of the bed pan!

Tonight, Anne is staying at our daughter and son-in-laws place with the Scottish Deerhounds, so our son-in-law can stay at the hospital with Nicole, so, I'm here with our dogs and 4 parrots. The alone time has given me time to think of the many times I've sat with families really believing I knew what they felt....what an awakening. I've tried to sleep, and I see pictures of my Nicole as a small child, vulnerable, completely dependant on me and her mother, now she is completely dependent on another, our Gracious and Merciful Mother/Father God. We feel completely helpless. I guess that is where our God wants us, completely dependant on God.

Frankly, my dear ones, not a fun lesson to learn.

I've got two services facing me in the morning, and never, never, in almost 30 years of pastoring have I faced a congregation without a thought completely written out in front of me. Tomorrow I will mount those pulpits empty handed, heart in hand.

I'm going to finish a glass of wine, and once again try to go to sleep, trusting in God's mercy.

Thanks again for your prayers, thank you for your support in my living the life my choices have made. Vern

[Lydia]

Typing this with tears in my eyes. And I pray.

[andrewlittle]

Vern, speak from your heart and with room for the Holy Spirit to work through your words. This is the season of dying to the old and resurrecting into the new. I am sure you have amazing thoughts to bring to those concepts.

You are still in my prayers, as is Nicole and Anne, your son-in-law and the deerhounds.

Love, Andy

[kara speltz]

Originally Posted by RevVW

Late last night, our daughter was moved to a private room. She is still confined to her bed. They will do another C.T. scan Tuesday, at that point they will determine if the blood clots are assimilating into her system as they have been hoping. When we arrived at the hospital this morning (Sat.), she was in a fetal position, not interested in talking...broke our hearts. By this evening, after a bath, given by wonderful care-givers at the hospital, and the arrival of some beautiful flower arrangements, her spirits were up a bit...it was good to see the little gleem in her eye once again.

I've been there so many other times, when it was someone else's daughter, and really thought I knew empathy....honey, ain't no way, 'til you've been there.

Keep praying, our daughter suffers with clinical depression (as do I), and this has been very hard on her, but as I said, this evening she was smiling...in spite of the bed pan!

Tonight, Anne is staying at our daughter and son-in-laws place with the Scottish Deerhounds, so our son-in-law can stay at the hospital with Nicole, so, I'm here with our dogs and 4 parrots. The alone time has given me time to think of the many times I've sat with families really believing I knew what they felt....what an awakening. I've tried to sleep, and I see pictures of my Nicole as a small child, vulnerable, completely dependant on me and her mother, now she is completely dependent on another, our Gracious and Merciful Mother/Father God. We feel completely helpless. I guess that is where our God wants us, completely dependant on God.

Frankly, my dear ones, not a fun lesson to learn.

I've got two services facing me in the morning, and never, never, in almost 30 years of pastoring have I faced a congregation without a thought completely written out in front of me. Tomorrow I will mount those pulpits empty handed, heart in hand.

I'm going to finish a glass of wine, and once again try to go to sleep, trusting in God's mercy.

Thanks again for your prayers, thank you for your support in my living the life my choices have made. Vern

Dearest Vern: My heart and prayers go out to you. And I have no doubt that the Spirit will lead you this morning. Your post reminded me of Nouwen's, "The Wounded Healer." If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. Hang in there my friend. Kara

[Zerbie]

Vern.

Was thinking of you and your family strongly last night while praying.

Cannot think of anything else worth typing right now. 'cept one thing:
We love you.

[u-dog]

Hey Vern! I read your post this morning at 4:30 am as I was preparing for MY palm Sunday Sermon. I sent some prayers your way as you slept so if you woke up with a sermon already on your lips? That was me.

So Did the Holy Spirit give you a sermon? Or use your brokeness AS the Sermon? Either way I am sure that your flock was well fed well this morning!

[RevVW]

Dear Ones,

I'm sitting here with tears of complete gratitude running down my face for all of you, it is 11:12 pm.

I can't say it was an easy day, but it was a day filled with grace. All of you were with me, and, u-dog, yes, the Holy Spirit gave me a sermon, out of my brokeness. Both services were meaningful and completely from the heart of God, I had nothing left to give. By the way, u-dog, I didn't know you are minister too (you must e-mail me privately! Are you married too? Sorry if that is asking for too much!

Honestly, I almost didn't go to either service, almost just headed to the hospital knowing that both congregations would understand. Something deep within me said no, so I went. And for the first time ever, I stood in front of my congregations on Palm Sunday, in 501's and a purple shirt and white tennis shoes and shared from the depths of my heart....of brokeness and hope...a hope that is eternal, that outlives all of our pain, all of our sorrows...a hope that is more real, more tangible, than any physical thing we can put our hands on.

Anne and I then went to the hospital to find that Nicole was able to take a shower, was sitting up in bed in the pink PJ's we had bought her, and we saw that same hope in her eyes.

I think I've told all of you that she is going to have another C.T. scan on Tues of this week. Deep in my heart I truly believe all is well.

u-dog, Zerbie, Andy, Kara, Lydia, you will never know the strength your prayers and love have given me (and Anne) through this. You know, the Methodists talk of the "connection" we have as Methodists, they have no idea.

With Love, and complete Gratitude, Vern

[kara speltz]

Originally Posted by RevVW

Dear Ones,

I'm sitting here with tears of complete gratitude running down my face for all of you, it is 11:12 pm.

I can't say it was an easy day, but it was a day filled with grace. All of you were with me, and, u-dog, yes, the Holy Spirit gave me a sermon, out of my brokeness. Both services were meaningful and completely from the heart of God, I had nothing left to give. By the way, u-dog, I didn't know you are minister too (you must e-mail me privately! Are you married too? Sorry if that is asking for too much!

Honestly, I almost didn't go to either service, almost just headed to the hospital knowing that both congregations would understand. Something deep within me said no, so I went. And for the first time ever, I stood in front of my congregations on Palm Sunday, in 501's and a purple shirt and white tennis shoes and shared from the depths of my heart....of brokeness and hope...a hope that is eternal, that outlives all of our pain, all of our sorrows...a hope that is more real, more tangible, than any physical thing we can put our hands on.

Anne and I then went to the hospital to find that Nicole was able to take a shower, was sitting up in bed in the pink PJ's we had bought her, and we saw that same hope in her eyes.

I think I've told all of you that she is going to have another C.T. scan on Tues of this week. Deep in my heart I truly believe all is well.

u-dog, Zerbie, Andy, Kara, Lydia, you will never know the strength your prayers and love have given me (and Anne) through this. You know, the Methodists talk of the "connection" we have as Methodists, they have no idea.

With Love, and complete Gratitude, Vern

Dear Vern: Oh what a wonderful testimony to the power of prayer and the Holy Spirit. Your story is exactly what Nouwen wrote about in "The Wounded Healer." It is in sharing our woundedness that the deepest connections are made and the transformations abound. We are all keeping the three of you in our prayers. And again, thanks for sharing your day with us and giving us all new hope.

kara