Two weeks ago today was Joyce's last "normal" day before her sharp decline began. It seems like 2 months. Tears flowed some today as I was folding a basket of cloths - some of which were Joyce's. Each article of hers I folded and put away just ached my heart. I went out to the kitchen and cried with my daughter for a minute and then I was OK.
Day 13 began rough with continued restlessness. All nite last nite she was awake and trying to get up. She has no strength in her legs so she had to be constantly held and moved back on the bed. By 8:00 we finally decided it was time to move Joyce to the hospital bed we had set up in the guest bedroom. For her saftey and the health and strength of those caring for her we had to make the move. Her restless continued unabated thruout the day til around 5pm. The doc had called and suggested mixing a couple benadryl's with her regular meds and lo and behold, in 20 minutes she was asleep. She was stirring again around 8pm and at 9 we gave her her next dose of meds including the benadryl and as I'm writing (about 10pm) she's sleeping again. Toni H. is our nite watch angel this evening. If you read this tonite, please pray for her as well.
For a few moments this evening we thought she was about to go but it's still not the Lord's time.
I have a greater peace this evening then I did yesterday. So many encouraging comments have been written - they've become like medicine for my soul. Thank you all for taking the time to pray and comment as the Lord leads you.
His mercies are new every morning and His compassions they fail not!
In His Arm's Still,
Pat and Joyce
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Dear Pat and Joyce,
ReplyDeleteContinuing to love and pray for you both. You are daily in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
John, Jen, Chris and Charlie Cleveland
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures;He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen
Patrick,
ReplyDeleteWe share in your sorrow daily and we are constantly thinking of you two. Our sweet Joyce - just knowing how hard things are for her breaks our hearts and there's nothing we can do but just ask for the Lord's grace and mercy. Tonight we shared some of the beautiful, fun memories we have shared with you two and again the tears flowed. Please know we love you two so much and that you guys are so held in our hearts. Again please give Joyce our love and a great big hug. Let Noelle know how much she is loved too and how proud we are of how she is taking care of her mom. The Lord's strength is sustaining her as well as you Pat. Hold on to that. Give our love to Jordon, Kaylee, Joyce's parents and Nancy.
Yes - In His Arms
Mike and Mira
Dear Pat and Joyce,
ReplyDeleteYou are constantly in our thoughts and prayers throughout each day. We ache for all you are going thru and weep with you. Thank you for sharing all you are going thru. We love you guys so much. Praying for the Lord to continue to pour His peace upon you and strengthen you all.
Love,
The Jensen family
Pat and Joyce,
ReplyDeleteWe love you. As I was going about my morning getting ready for church on the other side of the pond many memories of the two of you flooded through my mind. Good times of laughter and prayer, of watching and listening to you both and gleaning some of the wisdom that you could pour out to us. In the past weeks/months the Lord has really been ministering to our hearts about good leadership and how that works out in the real world. You have both been such an example to me. I remember when you and Joyce came for a visit and some of the words of wisdom Joyce shared with me in how to do that practically speaking. Such fond moments. I am encouraged by your example to be even more transparent in ministry. Know we are praying constantly for you, as is our whole fellowship. Give Joyce our love. Thank you for your godly examples to us.
Much love, K. Kordakis
Hi Pat,
ReplyDeleteIt's 1:51am and it's a good time to pray. Peace and comfort for You, Joyce and family. God's blessing.
Frank
Dear Pat and Joyce,
ReplyDeleteJoyce~ I am thankful you are able to remain at home for your last few days on this earth. What comfort that must bring you to be surrounded by family and friends!
Pat~ I pray that God gives you the grace and strength to walk through the remaining time you and Joyce have left together on earth - that you will have a precious time together with which to say good-bye and that God grants you more cherished memories to help sustain you in the months ahead. I am thankful you are also at home, in comfort, around familiar things . . . and pray God ministers to you both as a couple in a special way today.
What a blessing to experience God's love in your marriage - something few ever understand and/or experience.
"Trust in the Lord with all thy heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." (I hope that was correctly stated) We know He is watching over your family and still directing your paths-even during this time.
Blessings of love and joy for both of you today.
Joyce~ you are leaving quite a legacy of strength and determination for your family. Praise God!
Serving Him in San Diego,
Linda Doyle Fravel
Pat&Joyce,
ReplyDeleteThe Lord bless thee,and keep thee; The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee,and give thee peace.
Day&night your family is on our hearts. Love the trunzos
Dear Pat and Joyce,
ReplyDeleteThose who sow with tears shall surely reap with joy.
Glory, blessing and honor await you alongside our Saviour as He is glorified in you forever. Thank you for sharing Christ's love and glory with us.
Love in Christ,
Rick and Judy Erickson
Pat,
ReplyDeleteI read your blog daily and I pray throughout the day for Joyce, you and the entire family. Joyce has been such a joy, such a shining example for all she has met and she has touched so many in this life. I take great comfort from knowing that I will meet her again in heaven and I know that heaven will be greatly benefitted because she is there. Thank you for sharing with us all Pat, I know this is not easy, yet you do it with such grace and love.
Pat,
ReplyDeleteJeanne and I pray for you and your family regularly. May the grace of God cover your thoughts and emotions during these last moments.
Bob and Jeanne Claycamp
Pat, Joyce and Family.....
ReplyDeleteContinuing to pray daily for you guys and thanking GOD for those precious caregivers who are helping to make Joyce comfortable. We love you guys!
Bob and Gloria
Dear Pat,
ReplyDeleteI went through this watch with my precious Dad all through the month of May, and as I read your comments I am right there with each emotion. Two nights before Dad died I prayed for the Lord to take him home. Then, on the morning he died, I changed my prayer. I said in my journal, "take him at the perfect time" and two hours later he was gone. This is the most painful and yet precious time and I have been forever changed for having gone through it. I ask the Lord to give you and your family just what you need at the moment you need it. Truly, the stars are brightest in the darkest hour. Love, in Christ, Jane Levin
Hi Pat,
ReplyDeleteYou and Joyce have had such a great impact on us. We still count you as our Pastor and friends. Praying for you from Utah! Love you guys, Dave and Jane
Rom 8:38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
Rom 8:39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down for the Lord upholds him with His hand.
ReplyDeletePsalm 37:23-24
Dear Pat,
ReplyDeleteYou and Joyce have been in our prayers everyday since we found out last week at church about Joyce. May the angles that are all around you, keep you strong and hold you gently until the Lord calls for Joyce to come home.
I read the other day that suffering is the only currency for love. God showed us this kind of love on the cross and now you as you wait beside your beloved Joyce suffering in these final days you have shown such love and bring Glory to our Father in heaven with your faithfulness and hope and love.
This most excellent love that comes from suffering which cannot be re-paid is what brought me to Christ as only this love is of God who is all love. I feel your pain Pat as I read your comments and my heart goes out to all of you.
May God Bless and keep you all.
Dave & Pat Pettigrew
Isn't it amazing how God has pulled together so many family and friends in Him to support you through this? What an awesome God we serve. He extends His hands to us through the body.
ReplyDeleteYou have had an incredible impact on so many lives. I recall a friend Terri from Escondido sharing with me the wonderful wisdom that Joyce gave her one year at a Ladie's retreat as she went through a trial and how that line of wisdom forever changed her life for God's glory and the strength to endure. She is incredibly precious and her effect on those around her will live on in changed lives.
We continue to pray with you and for you all and send hugs in Christ Jesus! May our Lord be exalted, even in this.
big brother and children,
ReplyDeleteas i journey with you and cry with you am still blessed of how you all overcome each day by trusting that the day is the LORD and if we just entrust our lives daily unto HIM who is the creator of all things and the giver of life and taker of life then that is the only time we could really have that peace as HE promised. i will continue and jane to fight this battle with you in prayers. thank you so much for sharing.
in HIS care,
boy/jane; bj and janalei
To Our Dear Pastor Pat, Joyce and family:
ReplyDeleteOur hearts are so heavy today, we love you so much and can feel your pain. May the God of mercy and love continue to keep you strong during this time. May it bring comfort to you to know how many people are being touched by your witness. Each minute, hour and day you are all in our prayers. We love you so much and thank God for the time that the Lord shared Joyce with us. We know she is in his loving arms as are you and your family. Words are inadequate to express what is in our hearts. God Bless you all. Love In Christ, Margaret, Kathy, Rosemarie, Emily and Angelica