Here is the current update on little Adeline from her father, Pastor....

So I know I've been off facebook for a bit...but wanted to 1) say a very big thank you to all of you for the prayers, wishes and positive vibes...and 2) tell about a huge breakthrough. Adeline not only got her arm wet today, she swam in a pool. I'm amazed and thankful - my girl is going to beat this thing. What a roller coaster these days have been.

Keep those prayers coming folks...

He Listens and He Answers!

Update on Randy I finally got more news. DIL said Randy was healing well. He is still in ICU and they have been doing surgery to cleanse out his organs or something several times a week. Good news is his kidneys are starting to make urine again, however they are not filtering toxins yet. Thanks for continued prayers as he heads toward complete recovery.

New Prayer request, Elsie--My mother-in-law Elsie told us all yesterday that she was just diagnosed with breast cancer. She is about 82 years old, but otherwise in pretty good health despite her diabetes and some minor heart issues. She will know more on Tuesday about treatment options, but they said it is in the early stages, so she is hopeful that there will be a good prognosis.

I could use prayer for my continued low energy and other vague feelings. They seem minor compared to others issues, but I have so much that needs done, I need my energy. I have had to stop exercising because it increases my night time heart palpitations..when my heart feels like is skips a beat.

I also need a word from the Lord on what to do about my weight. I have read and researched and tried various things, but still remain unable to loose even a small amount of weight. As i continue to gain, I am putting myself at risk for diabetes and other issues in my family history. Please pray God gives me a plan. I have little to work with financially, so the food can not be very specific. We have even got cut off one food bank due to my daughter's income putting us over by only $130 a month. It is very frustrating.

From my brother's FaceBook page last night ~


Ken ......

SHE'S HOME PRAISE GOD!!!!
Ready to start in home therapy
Thanks to all for your prayers and get well wishes! Love Kenny and Sue

I have not talked to him yet this morning, he will be at my house in an hour to help me with my remodeling. Hoping all went well with her first day home. A lot of work still needed!

Prayers for all on this Holy Saturday

GREAT NEWS ALL ROUND ~ PRAIZE GOD for His Mercy & Compassion & many answers to our prayers!

And, ^Prayers^ continue for RANDY G. in Texas; SUE MILLER in San Diego, CA; and little ADELINE (Lutheran Pastor Henry's daughter in Fort Wayne, Indiana); for Nelly's MIL, ELSIE & her doctors; for NELLY & her health issues & other needs; plus, everyone else here too ... :hug:

Thank God for his healing power.
Prayers going up for Elsie and for auntnelly.
auntnelly, it is not necessary to buy expensive food or to subscribe to an expensive diet program to lose weight , Counting calories and/or portion control work for many.

BARGOO ~ I sooo agree; I tell people this all the time. Today, I posted my first week's food intake in our Christian Encourager's Thread so people can see that they can just eat normal food from the grocery store, and still be healthier. Since health experts agree that our diet (meaning, food intake) is the most important factor anyways, there isn't any real need for costly specialty foods, diets, exercise equipment, or programs! :D

Thank you for the update ROSEBUD...a minor correction though. Adeline is the daughter of a Fort Wayne, Indiana Lutheran pastor...Henry. Henry did his vicarage at our church here in California a few years ago.

Sue is adjusting and feeling more comfortable at home. She still has a lot of work to do.

Prayers for all and have a blessed EASTER!

Christus surrexit hodie, alleluia, alleluia!

Also, an update on my friend: last week she gave birth to a big healthy baby boy! Rejoice with us :)

Praising God for His great power! We had an extraordinary Easter service at church yesterday! Worth every penny of gas money to attend (our church is 2 hours from us, drive a 14 mpg van) I am praying for God's provision to continue to attend every week. That would be nearly $400 in gas, we can't afford that.

Randy update My DIL posted this on facebook this morning "No dialysis for dad today! Kidneys are starting to rebound! Please continue to pray for healing! He has surgery today at 1:30! Possibly the last one. Praise the Lord!"

I am SO appreciate the continued prayers on this forum. You all are so full of faith and love for those you don't even know!

As far as my lack of weight loss, there have been changes in my ability to loose now that I am experiencing "aging" and peri-menopause. I do understand eating less SHOULD work, but it doesn't work as easily as it used to. Something is amiss, and I need to be healed of it or something. Yesterday at church there was some kind of change, not sure if it was spiritual, emotional or physical, but feeling better today. I need to know how to maintain the freedom I received.

auntnelly, name it and claim it.
Remember the scripture you have posted Hebrews 11:1.

NELLY ~ it was interesting that my devotional today was about the virtue of PERSEVERANCE. The question asked was "What challenge are you going through in your life now that could be a lesson in Perseverance?" pp

PAUL explained that some tribulations (problems/troubles) that we encounter in this life are lessons in Perseverance, which also produce & build more character; which in turn, also gives us more Hope ... Romans 5:3-4

As we persevere, we will eventually see some progress & benefits; and, the virtue of Perseverance is a part of a mature character which is formed by practicing perservering. Then from that we get hope, becuz we see that persistence pays ... :D

I have been experiencing slow weight-loss as well for the same reasons as you, but I am still losing, just more slowly. Yes, for some people, WL is much slower as we get older, but that doesn't mean it is non-existent. We can still improve our health issues & vitals (cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, etc); and lose inches & sizes as we get more fit too.

However, I would also say that the slower we lose weight, the more likely we will be able to keep it off too. It has been my observation that those who lose weight very fast, have great difficulty keeping it off; and they gain it back very quickly too. So, slow weight-loss is preferable anyways, and is an excellent way to practice for maintenance.

Too many people have a GIVE-UP MENTALITY: if I can't lose weight fast, then I may as well forget it altogether; but if you think about that kind of reasoning, it really doesn't make any sense. You will be no better off; and your health will continue to decline. So, the best & wisest thing to do -- is to still eat as healthy as you can for health reasons at least (regardless of what kind of food you have).

For those who have less money, I would focus on veggies rather than fruit, becuz fruit is expensive and you don't really need it to lose weight. George Cruise and other health experts say it is even better to limit fruit to one half or one serving a day while trying to lose weight, becuz you don't really need it, as you can get Vitamins from nutrient-rich veggies like tomatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, corn, turnips, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, peppers, peas, snap beans & greens (beet & turnip, spinach, swiss chard, mustard, parsley, and kale).

Often people eat fruit becuz it is low in calories and filling. If you can afford fruit, then buy it, but if you can't -- omit it and put that money into more veggies instead. When I was young, our family couldn't afford a lot of fruit, but I would use my babysitting & work money to buy one fruit per child for our lunches (3-4 days a week) when we were in school (on Fridays, I bought or made them a goodie dessert as a surprise).

The nice thing about veggies is that you can grow them anywhere, even in pots and containers in the back yard or deck. A small salad garden can be made along the side of the house. We did that in our last place; I even grew piles of green & yellow beans on the west side of the house there.

Anyways, don't give up Nelly; just do your best and let GOD do the rest. Will pray that your healing continues for sure ... :hug:

Thanks for the encouragement. I am pretty short on perseverance for sure. I am a very short term goal type person normally, however I had given up hope on fast weight loss long ago. However, I did loose a few pounds very slowly back in Nov/Dec. Not sure about that slowly over 7 weeks loss of 3.5 lbs, but it was gone and it came back....again slowly over weeks.

I don't binge on foods at all. I just can't seem to make a difference which is very discouraging. Everything I try even when I think what I am doing is helping with the weight loss, as I continue doing the same things, the weight is back. So really it is only gaining in the end, never loosing for long.

This has been the case since my last child was born almost 6 years ago in which I have gained 20 lbs. The pounds jump on with a day or 2 of bad choices and then stay forever. Yes, I'd say I'm feeling pretty hopeless about it by now.

I have read about alot of things that can cause weight loss to slow or stop and I feel I am pretty much in that right now. I read a magazine that pretty much sums up what I think is going on

What were they referring to here, Nelly? Was that a typo? "interval" what? Was that supposed to read -- interval walking? Just guessing ... LOL!

Yes, I have also heard this stress theory -- and that some people are more prone to it also. When I was younger, I didn't have a large waist like I do now. When I got really heavy in my 30's and 40's, my waist got larger than the rest of me. I still have hope though, becuz my DAD had the same life-long tummy issue and has now lost it. He chipped away at it over many years though (at least a decade), but has finally suceeded, although some of that was through illness, but I don't really want to go there.

Some say that we gain as we age becuz of hormonal changes and becuz we don't get as much exercise as we did when we are younger. I know that is true for me for sure. I have physical challenges that hinder my walking so I'm sure that is a factor. That is why I am trying other activities like dancing (although limited) and chair aerobics to see if that helps.

My health has been improving this past year and I am losing again. I am also praying that GOD will heal that kind of thing in our bodies ... all things are possible with GOD!!! :hug:

LOL !! Typo, Interval walking. Ha ha :o
Walking at different speeds during the 20 minute walk. I have had trouble with exercise due to heart palpitations. I had been doing Zumba 2 times a week and had planned to do it 3 times a week, but can't it makes my heart skip beats at night :dizzy:

Yes, this time I gained I literally felt the difference in where the weight went on. It was like, why does my body feel like that? It was just weird.

And growing veggies is a good idea. My husband plants a garden every year, but we didn't have any rain last summer, some months less than an inch. So we can't afford to water, the water bill gets very high even if watering in containers, it is just too expensive, and more useful just to purchase what we need. He did plant again this year, and so far more rain.

PRAYER REQUEST ~ for my SIL, Denise-- on Monday, her and a friend were doing spring cleaning (floors, walls, windows, etc); and she overdid it and hurt her back. She has an old injury that gets aggravated; so, she has been in a lot of pain and resting in bed ... thanks so much.

Remembering Denise in prayer.

I received, in my email, the following from the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod ~


One child in Africa dies every 60 seconds from malaria. In a single 24-hour period—one day—1,440 people in Africa will succumb to this disease. World Malaria Day offers an opportunity to raise awareness of the devastating effects of this disease and encourage people to join in the worldwide effort to end malaria deaths in Africa by 2015.

On Wednesday, April 25—World Malaria Day—please join us in a moment of prayer at 2:40 p.m. (14:40 on a 24-hour clock) as we consider the 1,440 Africans who die each day from malaria and remember in prayer all who suffer from malaria or will lose a child or other family member to the disease.

Here is a prayer you could offer at that time:

Lord God, our most merciful Father, in this fallen and sinful world death is the constant and impartial enemy of all. We humbly ask you to show mercy on all those who are suffering from malaria today. If it be your will, restore the afflicted to full health. Surround them in their time of illness with your love, especially the children who are weak and afraid, through the family and friends who minister to them. Comfort those who have already lost a loved one to malaria or will, especially the parents of young children, who in the minds of mothers and fathers are taken from this life too soon. We plead you to perform the miracle of ending this disease, in part through the education and relief efforts of the Lutheran Malaria Initiative. Grant that LMI’s educators, physicians, health care providers and missionaries are powerfully and fully equipped to bring an end to the human suffering and death in Africa caused by malaria. And Lord, through the Gospel of your Son Jesus, proclaimed through Word and Sacrament, strengthen our faith and lead others to see that a life in His grace leads only to an eternal existence in your loving presence. Through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Savior. Amen.

GARY ~ joining you in prayers concerning this disease. I know there is an inititive to get everyone mosquito netting for each family/person. I was wondering if there is a "Malaria Vaccine" that could help protect people from this disease. We also pray that meds to cure it will become available too.

Sorry I am so in and out these days, horrible weather in our area of the country yesterday, one tornado went close to our town, but we are thankful it was inbetween small towns here.

Randy update and Correction
Just so you know that there was some misunderstanding about the update I posted about him being off the vent.

I found out today that Randy, although doing well, is still on a ventilator, not off one as I said befor. Not sure how I misunderstood that. He is on a 7, with 8 being the highest setting for the vent. DIL said in order to be removed from it, he has to be weaned off and to be weaned off, his lungs need to become stronger.

As they near the 2 month mark of his hospitalization on the 18th, and nearly all of that time has been in ICU, I pray that the Lord begins to speed his healing, strengthen his lungs, and kidneys as he continues to recovery. Any continued prayer support would be appreciated.

Financially, I think he has only one more month of full pay before going to partial pay for a limited time. So soon the financial situation will be an added stress. Thankfully it has been covered so far.

NELLY ~ ^prayers^ continue for Randy's health & a full recovery ... and PRAIZE GOD that the tornadoes missed the towns too!

Prayer request for our friends Bill and Kathy as their daughter Kelli, 29, lost her battle with Alexander Disease Leukodystrophy this past Friday.

Such a sweet girl and loving family.

She is now with our Lord....

she loves Him very much...

you could see it in her eyes on Sundays!

She knew He loved her.

Love your kids today.

Prayers being said for all concerns, especially Bill & Kathy and Randy.

I have a couple requests today-Mom's hip replacement surgery is still scheduled for May 1. She's been undergoing allergy testing and this Friday is the final evaluation, which will be very important as we've been told that metals (as in the material the prosthesis will be made from) frequently have a delayed reaction time, so might not show up until this week. So, asking for prayer that she has no reaction to any more metals (tested positive for allergy to gold already) and that everything will be a go for the surgery.

2nd request is for prayer for DH and the situation at his work. Things just keep getting worse and worse, because management refuses to behave in an ethical manner and a couple of the other employees are being allowed full reign. See my post in general chatter if you want more info. But, DH is so stressed, I'm becoming afraid he'll have a heart attack. He's already been diagnosed with depression, but won't take the meds prescribed. He wants to quit the job so badly, but knows he can't as we have no other income and he'll have a really hard time finding a job in this economy and at 53 years old. So, asking for relief from his stress, and that one of 2 things happens-either management has an 'awakening' of the moral kind and sees that their actions are ruining the employees and the company--or--the 2 managers and the 2 offending employees get fired, as there's really no other way to fix the problems.

Something is going on at the plant today, as 2 members of upper management are there, but they have been in very secret hush-hush meetings....there have even been rumors of a buy-out of the entire company, but no confirmations of anything at this time. Don't know if that would be good or bad at this point.

Thank you all for your prayers.

Prayers are going upfor Bill and Kathy at this difficult time that they will find the peace that knows no understanfing.
Ronni , prayers for your concerns today. Praying a special request that your husband's concerns at work are relieved. Ronni , one time I was called into my bosses office and reprimanded for being late to work. I wasn't, anybody who has ever met me knows I am always the first one to any event, especially work, I am and never have been late. I was so upset and wanted to quit on the spot but couldn't afford to do that, this was on a Friday, I prayed about it all weekend and when I went to work Monday my boss announced hersignation, she had found another job. God works in mysterious ways his wondrs to perform !

GARY ~ ^Prayers^ for peace & comfort going up for Bill & Kathy at this time ...


RONNI ~ encourage your DH to Trust GOD; and to "LET GO & LET GOD" handle this situation going on at work, while we all pray about it. He did what he could by reporting the problems -- now he has to step back, keeping an arm's length, and let the management do what they think is right; and of course, let GOD do what He thinks is best too. Often these things take a lot of "time" to solve. We'll pray for peace & good health for your DH; and that he will retain his job for the time being, as GOD wills.

My sister (Numpster) was having a big problem with an over-zealous & under-handed supervisor, so we kept praying about it; and the women transferred to another office in another city this winter. She just told me about it, as she had so much on her mind with the house issues. BTW, they are going to rebuild the house from the inside out & a whole new roof. They have already gutted it, and hope that it will be done by fall (before Christmas). Right now, they are living in a nice rented house (all utilities included). They had to buy new appliances and furniture, so they are hoping the contents settlement comes very soon.

Thanks for the prayers, everyone-DH has problems trusting God, which is basically his biggest problem-he believes he's got to be the one in control in all situations and just can't believe that God had a plan and that plan might include my DH. Anyway, an interested development at DH's work-one of the upper management had called DH's lab phone earlier in the week, so since she was at the plant, DH asked if she had needed something, as he hadn't been in when the call came. She proceeded to ask how he liked working at the 'new plant' etc, and DH told her some of the problems. I guess they talked for over an hour and she's going to be contacting him for another meeting. Soooo, someone in upper management is finally listening. Not sure where it will lead, but the results of the most recent company survey have been published (company-wide, not outside the company) and the most frequently mentioned complaint was favoritism and unfair treatment by management, especially at DH's plant. When the survey results were made 'public' they did say that there would be more investigation.

Rosebud-to answer your question on the other post--this is a private utility owned by stockholders. The only regulation in the US, to my understanding, is over rate increases, building locations for new plants, and the splitting up of the generation and transmission divisions of the electric utilities (a company who owns generating facilities may not also own the transmission lines by which the electricity gets to the customer, so new companies sprang up to own and maintain the 'grid'). So, aside from suing the company and attempt to prove 'hostile workplace' or other harassment issues, there's really no governing body over workplace problems besides what's in place for any other industry (which really isn't much).

Ronni, that sounds like some promising news at DH work place. I will continuetoray for improvement by management.

Well RONNIE, GOD sure answered those prayers quite fast; that's what we prayed for -- that something would catch the ear of someone in upper management. We'll continue prayers that indeed all of this attention will work together for good for all involved. Praize GOD, it's a good start ... :D

PRAYER REQUEST: for ERIC, 25 y/o ~ my aunt just sent me a prayer request for a local young man, Eric, who had a massive heart attack on Wednesday. He is on life support in a hospital in Sudbury or Toronto (details are sketchy right now).

Eric is newly married, and his wife (Amy) is expecting their first child in the summer. Their families are very concerned, needless to say. May GOD use this time to reveal His awesome love to both Eric & Amy, and their families too. Thanks for your prayers; they are very appreciated.

Prayers are going up for Eric and also for his family.

Kelli's memorial was something special...as was she.

Only one of 3 known living with her disease in the world, at the time of her death last Friday the 13th....how un-lucky was that?

Pretty darn lucky as she is with our LORD!!!

I guess the average age is 7 for her condition, she lived to be 28.

She was well represented from at least 3 church's. Her memorial was held in ours.

She loved the Lord and our Pastor told us that after having served well over 1,000 funerals and memorials in his career He no longer beats around the bush with the message he presented to us today...

Our Savior died for us...believe it and LIVE FOREVER!....

don't believe it and die for eternity.

When Kelli took her last breath the people present told us her parents both said...

"Thank you for this blessing Lord".....

If you knew Kelli you knew what a blessing she was and at the same time what a difficult life her parents had caring for her...

they would not change it for the world.

Think about it folks....

life will go on forever...

where will you spend it?

:hug:

GARY ~ KELLI is now walking around in a beautiful, healthy "spirit body" and at peace beyond measure ... :hug:

AMAZING DREAM ABOUT HEAVEN ~ I had an amazing dream once, where all my family and friends that had passed over gathered to talk to me. One by one, they came up to me and said just one thing -- most of their comments were that they were in heaven, or to show me that they were well and in perfect "spirit bodies" and happy.

One of our mutual friends said, "Look, there are no canes in heaven". He had been injured in a bad accident and had to use a cane to walk. A friend of my gramma's who had a voice box (from cancer) was there and had a normal voice again; he told me that he had "caught up with Gramma & the gang" (he meant their good friends).

My Gramma told me that she was "managing" my grandfather there, just like she had down here. It was a private joke between us; as we had discussed this at length one time. One of my aunts had just passed over about a week before (from cancer); they told me that she would catch up with them very soon.

My SM's first husband asked me to give her a message -- it wasn't what I expected but it was important for her to hear. He said, "Tell her that there are no wheelchairs in heaven." I didn't know it at the time, but she later told me that he had been in a wheelchair for the last 15+ years of his life.

Anyways, the whole purpose of the meeting was to show me that they were all well, they were together & they knew each other; and they were all in heaven. Since I have physical challenges, and use canes to walk, this meant a lot to me too.

There is no sickness in heaven, there are no disabilities, no tears, no crying, no fears -- there is only peace and joy, healthy spirit bodies, and lots of love and friendship ... remember this whenever you think of any of your loved ones that have passed over to the other side. :D

Pray Without Ceasing ...
 

PRAY ~ All Day, Every Day ...


Did you know that you can "talk" to GOD continually? You can "pray" to Him throughout your day, as well. Some prayers are specific requests, but prayer can also just be talking to Him like you would a good friend.

Some people claim they are to busy to pray, but I beg to differ on that point because there is nothing that stops you from "talking to or praying to" GOD while you work, while you go for a walk, while you ride the bus, while you drive to and from somewhere, while you do your daily housechores, etc.

When you communicate with GOD like that, you will start to see changes in your relationship with Him. Continuous prayer, and talking to GOD has the power to transform your llife. You will start to hear that "still small voice" answering you, prodding you, and encouraging you throughout your day. This is particularly helpful when you have some concerns or problems that need addressing. Just tell GOD about them, whether big or small.

Prayers don't have to be fancy, as a matter of fact, JESUS encouraged us to keep them simple and to the point. When you just "talk" to GOD -- that is from the heart, and that is what GOD really wants. He wants a relationship with us that is one-on-one, and heart-2-heart.

JESUS said in John, "I call you my friends". Friends talk to each other naturally; friends talk to each other casually; friends talk to each other often; friends are thankful & grateful for each other; friends listen; friends care & share.

Talk to GOD like He is your friend -- anytime, anywhere ... :D

"Pray without ceasing" ... I Thessalonians 5:17

GOOD NEWS UPDATE ~ for ERIC SOUTHWARD, 25 y/o -- my aunt reported that Eric was up & walking (with assistance though), and talking on Sunday. PRAIZE GOD -- what wonderful news. Let's continue prayers for him and his wife, Amy, until he is well again. The paramedic who revived him is a Christian and said that he was praying "to beat the band" while trying to bring him back on the way to the hospital. PTL -- he did a fabulous job!!!

Thanks for your continued prayers ...

Outstanding!

Gary, I would love to copy and paste that last post you made into my facebook if it is alright with you. My goodness I know of so many people that this could really touch.. myself included!

I have no problem with that Karen....

I stopped getting the email notices and thought no one had been on here for awhile. hmmmmmmmmmm

Any how, I don't have much time any way, but I wanted to update
Randy update he is moving to rehab room today and hasn't walked in over 7 weeks. Still on the vent, because his lungs are weak, so they are trying to wean him off that.

Oooops! Gary, I got mixed up-- imagine that! I was talking about Rosebuds post she made about "Pray all Day" I know so many that would really like to read that. It just seemed to jump out at me.

Everyone enjoy this Beautiful day!

Still no problem Karen!...lol

thank you for this encouraging word! Thanks