Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Feeling Thankful at the Hospital

Hello friends and Family!  

Here is a verse from Philippians that stands out to us right now...

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

We have many things to thank God for!  We thank God for our amazing support team (that would be YOU, the person reading our blog!) and for these items that we can think of while we write this blog from Ruthie's hospital room.....

Thank you, God, for our prayer team!  We can't do this alone.  We need their help!!

Thank you, God, for providing financial support!  At this time we have enough support to purchase our plane tickets.  If the rest of our support comes in, then we will leave for Kenya on JULY 5!!

Thank you, God, for the extra opportunities we have had to share with our friends and family.    A family friend called us a few weeks ago and asked John and I to fill in for their Sunday School Teacher.  With just a few days to prepare, we were happy to fill in!  The class enjoyed hearing John's stories of how the good news is being shared in Africa and how he helps as a teacher for MKs. The class stayed and asked us questions and suggested to the next Sunday School Class that they have us stay and share with them too.  What a blessing!!  We were thrilled for the opportunity to share with another class (this class just happened to be John's brother's class!).  The second class wants to learn more about our family and our mission so they invited us to an overnight retreat.  Thank you, God!! We feel and see Your love and appreciate how You are adding prayer warriors to our support team!

Thank you, God, for helping plans to fall in to place for one of our properties to be rented.  We can see your fingerprints all over the conversations and meetings the past several months for Becky's town home to be rented by another sweet family.  God, please continue to be with the family moving out and the family preparing to move in.

Thank you, God, for the outstanding care our Ruthie has received while she recovers from having pneumonia.  You have given the doctors and nurses wisdom and hearts full of kindness.  We know that Ruthie is in good hands and that You, Lord, will continue to help her heal!!

Thank you, God, for sending our friend Sara to our house just as Becky needed help!  She thought she was just kindly delivering the family a Valentine's Day treat, but instead You placed her there just as Becky needed help with Gracie.  Sara took Gracie to Grandma's house and Becky was able to take Ruthie straight to the ER when she struggled with her breathing.  THANK YOU!!!

We are trying hard to remember the verse from Philippians and to not be anxious.  Instead, as we sit here in the hospital holding our sick daughter, we will pray and ask God to heal our daughter.  
Will you pray with us?  
Ruthie was admitted to the hospital on Monday with pneumonia.  Please pray that her lungs will start working harder and she won't need extra oxygen while she sleeps and plays.  Please pray for her willingness to drink.  She was dehydrated and they just turned off her iv fluids in hopes that she will get thirsty and drink on her own.  Daddy and Mommy are trying hard to get her to drink!
Please continue to pray for the doctors and nurses.  May they continue to have the wisdom and kindness to treat sweet Ruthie.  
Daddy, Mommy, and Gracie could use your prayers too!  Gracie is recovering from being sick last week while John and Becky try to stay healthy and take care of the family.
We will continue to keep you updated on how your prayers are helping!!

Life....we can't do this alone!  With God and your prayers and support, anything is possible!!

In the love of the Savior we serve,
John, Becky, Ruthie, and Gracie

First full day in the hospital:  Ruthie sleeping restfully on Mommy's lap.

Second Full Day in the Hospital:  Ruthie feeling well enough to play with blocks on the floor!  This is a huge improvement!!!