It's about 11pm. and our family still waits for what God wants to do. Joyce had a good nite last nite - good in that it was uneventful and painfree. Dr. Nick spent the night with us and about 6 in the morning I was awakened by my daughter telling me Joyce was sitting in a chair facing the open door of our patio and eating a plum from our plum tree. Sure enough, Nick had her in her bathrobe sucking on a ripe plum and breathing in the fresh air of a beautiful morning.
That's all she had to eat for the rest of the day. And she had only a couple sips of water all day. So it's been nearly four full days with next to no solid food and probably less than 6 oz. of liquid. Our hospice nurse said things will likely be accelerating in the next couple of days. We had a bunch of folks stop by to see Joyce and I today - and it was a blessing to be loved so much.
Unfortunately Joyce seemed uneasy about so many people coming into her room. She can't talk at this time so we don't know what she was actually feeling - tho I suspect she knew something was wrong - and later this evening, while Noelle, Jordan and I were with her on our bed, she kind of cried, "I don't want to die!" That just ripped us - we were hoping she wouldn't be scared - and she seemed a bit frightened by everything...who wouldn't?
Please continue to pray for God's angels to soothe her still active mind. Pray for the peace that passes all understanding to guard her heart. Pray for me and the kids for patient endurance - we know the end is getting close.
God keep us all in Your strong, loving arm's!
Pat
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Pastor Pat,
ReplyDeletePhilippians 4
4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
We will continue to lift you and your family up in our prayers.
Take care 0:- | God bless
Dear Pat,
ReplyDeleteI have been sitting here, trying to think of what I can or should write, I keep typing then deleting, because I just don’t know what to say. Though thousands of miles separate us, you and Joyce have continually been in our prayers, both of you are and will always be like family to us…both of your lives radiate Christ’s love and you are both an inspiration of the kind of man and woman, husband and wife, that we should be. We pray that Joyce is comfortable, that all fear will be taken away and that she will have His peace and love surrounding her. Please give her my/our love…and our love and prayers to you also, our dear Pastor and friend.
In His love,
Jen, John, Chris and Charlie Cleveland
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1
Continuing to pray....
ReplyDeleteLove you,
Curry's
Dear Pastor Pat, Joyce and family:
ReplyDeleteWe pray daily that God's love and the strengh of those around you will give you the ability to travel this journey. You are in the heart of so many prayers right now.
"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." John 14:18
Gods Love,
Darrell and Nancy McMullen
Dear Kenny's,
ReplyDeleteWe will definitely pray she will not be afraid, that God will grant her peace from above, that she will not feel worry about leaving you or her family, but that she would eventually get to the point of full surrender and joy as she is ushered into heaven to meet our Maker. Constantly on our minds & hearts for all of you in prayer.
Dear Pat and Family and friends...
ReplyDeleteAs I prayed his morning I felt led by the Holy Spirit to pray for a miracle healing for Joyce.I don't want to give anyone false hope, but I do not want you to give up on the possibility.
I am not in denial that she,by all the human mind and intellect can see, is dying. But we are more than flesh and intellect, we are Spiritual beings, and children of God.
I am going to continue to pray this way. My faith is in a Savior who raised the dead and healed. I have been working in the hospital long enough to recognize God does not choose to heal everyone, but that should not stop us from asking for Joyce.I trust His sovereign will and know we can entrust Joyce to Him no matter what.
We all love her very much, so please Lord Jesus, heal Joyce.
My love and prayer, Shirley
Noelle and Jordon,
ReplyDeleteAs you see your mom suffering and in the state she is please try to, instead, always remember what a wonderful, amazing mother, grandma, wife and friend she has been. She has touched so many lives in so many ways. I, many times would have not known what to do without her gracious advice. She has been like the sister I never had and I am proud to call her my best friend. Please Noelle and Jordon don't be afraid cause the Lord is with her and he is comforting her by holding her in his arms. Wow! We love you two and pray for the peace that surpasses all for all times.
We hug you both.
Mike and Mira
We continue to pray for the Kenney family. You have always been and will always be very special to our family. Please hug Joyce for us. Our love and constant prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteThe Jensen Family
We continue to pray for you. May the Lord give you courage, strength, and may you feel His comfort upon you. We too continue to pray for a healing, but most of all for God's love to shine thru, if it's thru God's word, people's kindness or words, that you know God is in the mist of it all. We will not stop praying.
ReplyDeleteSusi was delighted to hear about Joyce eating the plum. Please encourage her to drink more fluids as the water will help the medications (pain killers) to do there job. In continous prayer!
ReplyDeleteDave & Susi
"for the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer...", 1 Peter 3:12
ReplyDeletePat and family....you and Joyce and family are in our prayers daily! We continue about our daily lives but our thoughts and frevent prayers are going out for you. We love you and can see the glory of the Lord working through your lives which have touched us all in your church body!
We're not sure what to do, we're not sure what to say, but one thing's for sure, we promise to pray!
Our Father in heaven, wrap Pat and Joyce and their family in your loving arms and give them your peace which surpasses all understanding. We love them and we lift them up to you for comfort and love. Amen.
We will continue to pray for you..
Bob & Gloria
FATHER GOD PLEASE VISIT JOYCE IN AN AMAZING WAY!! FATHER GIVE HER YOUR PRECIOUS PEACE, AND FATHER TAKE ANY FEARS SHE HAS AWAY... CAST THEM FAR FAR AWAY WE TRUST YOU AND HAVE HOPE IN YOU O LORD! PLEASE HEAR OUR PRAYERS AND SHOW THIS FAMILY YOUR GRACE AND MERCY IN WAYS THEY NEVER DREAMED OF!! BLESSED BE YOU NAME O LORD!!
ReplyDeleteBLESS YOU GUYS!!
Pastor Pat and Joyce: we are praying for the both you and family.
ReplyDeleteGOD BLESSES YOU ALL!
Love you all,
Wade family
Dear Pat,
ReplyDeleteI am amazed at the scripture that says "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Saints. Psalms 116:15 I was thinking as I was writing Joyce a card...the master carpenter has been preparing a place for her...do you think He is excited to show it to Joyce? We can't imagine how glorious and wondrous it will be and to think that all those that she loves will be with her because there is no "Time" as we know it...we are already seated in the heavenly's. Mind boggleing isn't it?
My prayer:
Father, bless this family and all those that love and cherish them. We hurt for those close, as they will miss Joyce everyday of their lives. Especially, Pat, Jordan and Noelle. We can't imagine their grief. But we know that your Holy Spirit is our comfort. May you pour out that Spirit of comfort on them now. Give them hope, bring your word alive to them, to sustain them and strengthen them. Bless Joyce as she is in a state of in-between and guide her to your throne room of grace. May the peace of God be on her countenance to comfort those in her presence. We are sorrowful yet rejoicing, only You can make that possible. In your name, Jesus. Amen
Love,
Norma E
Pat ~ Although she may not be ready now, when it is time, the Lord will prepare her heart and she will be ready. Even though she knows she will spend eternity in glory with Jesus, it is still unknown ground to travel and with our human flesh still hanging on us, we still cannot fully comprehend. But I can tell you with 100% faith that when He is ready to call her home, she will be ready...in His time.
ReplyDeleteStanding with you in prayer and faith for God's mercy.
Love in Jesus ~ The Asman Family (Todd, Rachel, Raylene & Chetty in Heaven)