Monday, March 31, 2008

Where do I go from here?

It's Monday morning and I am asking God two questions today. I don't think I'm angry and I am not blaming God for Jane's passing a few days ago. I know she is in Heaven and is healed but why did she have to go so soon? And where do I go from here?

Jane felt so humbled by and thankful for the outpouring of support for us these past few months. She loved thinking of you and when we spoke of each act of kindness that we knew about, she marveled. Her goal was to get well enough to feel like getting together with you to give you thanks and a hug personally. We just couldn't get her there except for very brief periods so for now, I thank each of you for the two of us.

Our prayer is that each of you would call out to God today to seal your future with Him, so that you could join Jane for a meeting in Heaven. I know she wants to give you that hug she owes you.

Dave

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Visitation and Funeral

Visitation - Woodstock Funeral Home in downtown Woodstock from 6-8 PM Friday, March 28


Funeral - First Baptist Church Woodstock - 2 PM - Saturday, March 29

My heart is broken

I am assured that my precious wife and best friend Jane is with Jesus today. At about this time yesterday as she was struggling to get her breath, Jane was calling out to me to help her. As I was trying to sooth her and help her, she quit calling out to me and starting calling out to Jesus to help her. I believe that at that moment, my love found the perfect healing and peace that we had been trying to find. She found the best Medical Institute and that Great Physician that I could never find for her here on earth. She is now pain free and doesn't have to be afraid of anything again. I praise God for giving me this life, this love and the Promise of a future. This life on earth, though so good and special, is not all there is. On that Promise, I can live.

Dave

Jane - You have been the perfect mate for me, you filled my days with happiness, I thank God for each day we had together and I will always love you.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Mom has passed away... Praise God for no more pain!

Thanks for all who continue to pray and think about our family...

Mom passed away early Wednesday morning at home in Dad's arms. She did make it home after doctors said she probably would not check out of the hospital. We praise God that she has found peace.

Please pray for Dad now, as he will need a mountain of support to move forward. We need to make sure he knows how much we have all appreciated him extending her life for so long and that we still need our Daddy to show us how to live and love. Mom knew how put up a noble fight for Dad and all of her children and grandchildren.

She was uncomfortable throughout the night and did not want to leave us alone. We all tried to console her and let her know we were there for her. She told us how proud she was and how much she loved us all.

We will continue to post and honor our mother.

We love you all!

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Pray for Mom's Kidneys

As dad stated in the last post, it is really important at this time to pray for mom's kidney function to return. We are very concerned about her fluid retention and it is making her very sick and uncomfortable.

Dad and I just prayed for this and we ask you to join us. So many things hinge on this functionality.

Praise God.

Yesterday, as my faith in miracles faltered, I thought Jane was going to die. I tried to say so many things to assure her of my undying love for her. I asked her to reassure me that she had accepted God as her Lord and Savior. She said she had. I just wanted to make sure one more time, even though she had told me the story of her salvation during her high school years many times. I had to make sure that we would meet again in heaven if God called her home today.

She kind of woke up and said "I'm not ready to go." I asked why. She said "We have too many things to get done." I asked her what things. She said - We have to make sure this (the cancer) doesn't happen to Susan. What else - I have to take care of Caleb. (He is our grandson. He and Jane have a very unique and special bond). Then she said we have to get Kelly taken care of. I said I think he is doing ok. She said, "Yes and he is so sweet." Then I asked what else - She said "and we have to clean the house." We weren't able to finish the list due to medical personnel surrounding us but we will. Praise God that He gave us at least one more day.

Today we are going to our home in Woodstock. That is a great thing but the day has been real tough since the doctor had to come in and be brutally honest about our slim chances of whipping this disease. That makes 5 doctors recently who have had the duty to do that. Jane and I both took this kind of hard and cried a lot for each other. First of all, we both realize that God can reach down at any time and give us another miracle if He chooses. Beyond that, we know that cancer is a horrible disease and do not need anyone to tell us that. My sweet and precious wife has been living with it for 5 1/2 years.

When either of our lives are ended, we know that we will join Jesus. But, we have had a great relationship here on earth for 39 years of marriage and a great life because of that relationship so we just don't want that to end. I thank God that He made a perfect mate for me.

Please pray that Jane's kidney function makes a rebound as that seems to be the key to several obstacles for her to recover. And thanks to all of you who have prayed for us, loved on us, helped us with meals, money and more. Thanks for those who built the ramp at our house. I can't wait to use it tonight.

God bless you,
Dave

Approval to Go Home Today from Hospital

Mom has gotten approval to go home from the hospital today. It will probably be sometime later this evening and they do not want to get stuck in traffic, so hopefully she can leave after traffic settles down and still get home before nightfall in order for us to all be there and to take some pictures together. She's really excited to see her ramp/bridge to the back porch and the grandkids, of course. We'd love to get some video footage.

Dad's been working on the hospice care situation to get it all arranged as well. Susan has been down at the hospital putting in extra hours helping them organize and arrange things as well as caring for mom as only she can as a daughter.

Things are really a struggle right now, and it is tough, but we praise God that she will get to go home. Remember that the doctor had told us when she was admitted to the hospital that it was unlikely that she would leave.

She will be more comfortable at home.