This is a very sad and heavy time for our family. My Joyce is declining a lot quicker than any of us anticipated. We were hoping for months and instead may only have days. After a horribly pain filled day yesterday she has been calmer and not hurting much today. She has been sleeping deeply thru the nite and most of the day today but with only a few minutes here and there of awareness. My son and daughter are with me and we have a few friends and other family members with us round the clock the past couple of days.
It's really hard to express what I'm feeling right now. I've counseled hundreds of families over the years of my ministry that have had to face a family member's death but it's a lot different when it's happening to you. Our hospice nurses have been so helpful in not only caring for Joyce but helping me and my family prepare. I go between moments of great peace and overwhelming agony. The Lord is with us - when the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say, "Blessed be the name of the Lord" You give and take away - my heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be Your name!"
I just can't imagine life without her - I know the Lord will sustain - I just can't even picture it right now. Thanks for continuing in prayer for us - the Lord of mercy hears.
In His Arm's,
Pat
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Truly Pat, you are in His arms, as is Joyce. May Jesus hold both of you closer and tighter than ever before!
ReplyDeleteWe love you and Joyce, Noelle & Jordan, and will continue to hold each of you up in prayer.
Jeff & Lisa
Pat, your family is in our prayers continually. May the Lord give you, Joyce and your kids all comfort and peace. Even though I know we will be together for eternity, it still hurts to see a dear sister suffer so. I pray that you have some quality moments with Joyce while she still has time on this earth. If there is anything tangible the body can do for you, please let us know. We love and want to support your family in this time.
ReplyDeleteOur hearts cry with you as this happens. We know it is traumatic and heartwrenching. But still we say, Blessed be the name of the Lord. He gives and takes away but still our hearts will choose to say blessed be the name of the Lord. We have continued in prayer for you both here in St. George, Utah. With the love of Christ. Dave and Jane
ReplyDeleteDear Pat we feel your pain and sorrow. Our hearts hurt with yours. God is so merciful and He is holding you up, He will never leave you nor forsake you in the mist of this horrible trial. A trial that we all must go through. When Jesus wept, I believe, He was weeping at the sorrow and pain we would be feeling at seeing our love ones going through death. And the emptiness it leaves us. But He has left us with His Comforter to comfort us and give us peace,
ReplyDeletestrength,and yes even joy. We weep with you and we pray with you, and our hearts cry out to the Lord. May His peace surround you and your family at this difficult moment and may Joyce be pain free and coherent so that you could fellowship with her. Jesus has His sweet arms around you and your family. He loves you so much and He will never leave you.
Hi Pat!
ReplyDeleteWant you to know that Joyce, you and family have been in our thoughts and prayers. We at Calvary Chapel Poway will be meeting for our Tuesday morning prayer tomorrow and you can be sure that you will be in our prayers.
Al & Shirley
Dearest Pat, Jordon and Noel,
ReplyDeleteI read this blog every other day if not daily. We are the body and when one part of the body hurts we all hurt. We are weeping with you and crying out to God for each of you and our dearest sister Joyce. I lost my best friend, my mom, at age 27. So Noel I know the pain of loseing your mom so sweetheart I am praying for you. Jordon your mom loves you so much. Pat I can't even imagine what you're going through but you will live to tell the story to help us all when one of us has to face this storm. I pray for peace that passes all understanding and the sweet presence of the Lord be continually with Joyce and all of you these next few days. Yes, you are in His arms. Bless you.
Dearest Pat and Joyce + rest of family:
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to tell you we are praying and thinking about you guys so much!!! We are so sad with you and are hoping for a miracle - as we ALL know God can do one... Please know guys that you are not alone, I am sure you know that, please feel and rely on the love that is all around you and your whole family!! I wish there were some wonderful, inspirational words to say - but as you know there just are no words to express how deeply sad and sorry we are for Joyce hurting and being in so much pain, it is truly breaking our hearts... But God is faithful who with this
horrible" "trail" will not allow you to go through more than you can handle - and will provide a way of escape (and peace..) ( just know He will Pat and rest of family!!! God Bless you everyday, we LOVE you so much!!! ;-)
Love in Him always,
Jim and DeeDee Bollinger and fam..
Dear Pastor Pat, Job said, "Tho He slay me, yet will I trust Him". Praise and glory be to Him who knows all and has us in the palms of His hands. Praise God in good times and in bad. May His Peace fill each and everyone of your family is my constant prayer. My brother recently lost his 40 yr old wife to cancer...they have a young child. Recently a 42 yr old friend came home after work with a headache, took a nap and never woke up...they had 3 young teens. Why? Praise Jesus for His promises and our hope in Him.
ReplyDeleteDear Pat,
ReplyDeleteThis is so hard. It breaks our hearts that Joyce has been in such pain, and we know that it is painful for you to see her suffer. This has been an incredibly difficult season in your lives. We pray that God give you the strength to carry on and that you feel his presence and his love for you both.
We continue to keep you in our prayers. God bless you and Joyce and give you comfort and peace.
Greg & Sharon Graham
Dear Pat,
ReplyDeleteThis is so hard. It is so difficult that Joyce is in so much pain and I know it hurts you to see her suffer. We pray that God gives you the strength to carry on and be there for Joyce and that you both feel His presence and His love.
May the Lord bless you and keep you;The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.The Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.
You, Joyce, and your children remain in our prayers.
Greg & Sharon Graham
Dear Pat and Family,
ReplyDeleteI cry with you and continue in prayer for you. My struggle is similar and I think about what you've said that always helps me "the last breath on earth is the first breath in heaven". I believe it and count on it. Our Lord is waiting with open arms and a love like we've never known before.
MARANATHA!!!I THANK YOU FATHER THAT WE KNOW THAT OUR PRECIOUS SISTERS PAIN WILL BE OVER SOON, AND SHE WILL BE IN GLORY! FATHER GOD I PRAY THAT YOU WOULD GIVE JOYCE COMFORT AND PEACE AS SHES COMING HOME!! THAT I PRAISE YOU FOR!! BUT HERE ON EARTH FATHER I PRAY FOR PAT AND THE KIDS I JUST THANK YOU SO MUCH THAT THEY DO KNOW YOU AND KNOW THAT SHE IS IN THE FATHERS HANDS!! YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN GIVE PEACE AND REST AND I SO PRAY FATHER YOU WOULD FILL THE WHOLE FAMILY TO OVERFLOWING RIGHT NOW AS I TYPE!
ReplyDeleteBLESSED BE YOUR NAME O LORD!!
YOU ALL ARE IN OUR PRAYERS!!
Psalms 23
ReplyDelete"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even 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 overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
I love you Pat and Joyce. You are in my everyday prayers.
--Christian Turner
Dear Pastor Pat and Joyce,
ReplyDeleteAs you have been in my prayers this past week, the words 'underneath are the everlasting arms kept coming to my mind. So, I looked up the verse: "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms...."
Deut. 33:27a.
You are constantly in our prayers.
We love you,
The Jensen Family
"He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son." (Rev. 21:7)
ReplyDelete"Keep yourselves in the love God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." (Jude 21)
Dearest Pat, Joyce & family ~ He is faithful, and He will help you overcome. This is His promise, and He will never leave or forsake you. Our hearts and prayers are with you. No, Pat, you cannot imagine now, but when the Lord says it is time, He will give you the grace you need to face each day. We pray for Joyce and your family every day and understand and know the huge bipolar feelings of joy and sadness you are experiencing. Enjoy every waking moment you have together. Please, call us if you need anything! Meals, errands, cleaning, an ear to listen, prayer. H: 737-7688 Cell: 519-0767. We are standing with you in faith and hope.
May the God of all mercy pour out His love and grace on you today.
Love in Jesus - The Asman Family (Todd, Rachel, Raylene & Chet in Heaven)
Brother -
ReplyDeleteSo often we sing songs of praise and we love singing them . . but never realize that we are to live them; or the consequences of what we sing. Your sharing of the song "Blessed Be the Name of the Lord" has reminded me - as one of your worship leaders - that God takes great pleasure in how we change in our walk with Him when we sing praises- not in just what we say or sing. " . . .where the rubber meets the road . ." Boy . . do I need that reminder sometimes . .
I love you for being so transparent with all of us . . . and helping all of us to prepare for times like this. Thank you for being a spiritual leader for this "sheep".
Sherri and I will be in prayer for you and your family. We love you and Joyce . . .
Dave & Sherri Schmitt
Pat and Family,
ReplyDeleteHorizon and I are all praying for you with the passing of my mom reciently i know that nothing i can say but you are all in my prayers
Love you guys
Guy Barnes
Patrick me boyo,
ReplyDeleteAs Moses had his men to hold up his arms, we are here to hold you and your family up in time of need. We are close, so if you and the family need anything else, just call your "neighbors down the street and we will hop to.
BBB
Dear Kenney Family,
ReplyDeleteThere are sufficient words at a time such as this. Our hearts cry out for you for God's peace that surpasses all understanding and His strength that doesn't fade away. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you cling to Jesus our Living Hope!
Todd and Donna Kent
Dear Kenney Family,
ReplyDeleteThere are not sufficient words at such a time as this. Our hearts cry out for you for God's peace that passes all understanding and HIs strength that doesn't fade away. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you cling to Jesus our Living Hope!
Todd and Donna Kent
Dearest Pat, Joyce and rest of your family,
ReplyDeleteWe are praying every day for your family and the comfort God provides. Please kiss Joyce for us and know that we love you both. You are in our hearts and minds every day. We pray for comfort and HIS strength.
Ken, Carol and Kurtis Pilbin
My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
ReplyDeletePsalm 73:26
In our prayers!