Please, please pray for very close, long-time friends of ours:
1) Their college-aged daughter is coping with the emotional aftermath of a point-blank range shooting on Monday - the Lord miraculously spared her and her boyfriend's lives... Her boyfriend is hospitalized and will recover - the bullets shot into his limbs missed a vital artery by just millimeters. She too was spared miraculously with a bullet entering and exiting the pillow on which she was huddled.
2) This same daughter was in a car wreck just 2 weeks ago in which her car was totaled. She was uninjured.
3) This same daughter is a VT student and lost her best friend, Rema, in the massacre. She was not on campus at the time.
4) This same daughter's uncle was found dead the day of the VT massacre
(our good friend's brother).
5) This same daughter's grandfather died just after Christmas (our good
friend's father)
6) This same daughter has just lost another relative today.
Her folks, our dear friends, have almost lost their daughter, have lost her dad and brother and another family member within 5 months.
Her folks have given permission for us to ask for prayer for themselves and their daughter (her dad is not a believer): for a counselor for her that is skilled in post-traumatic stress disorder; for healing and recovery of her boyfriend from his wounds; he is also having nightmares; for physical protection - the shooter is still at large; for her innocence to be restored; for her life to return to "normal"...
May we add that her dad would realize God's Hand in all of this and come to a saving knowledge of the Lord - Thank you for praying for this traumatized family as they cope...
As I write this email, I once again want to share some of "what I know" and "what I don't know" with you concerning Laurie's health condition. After a biopsy on her lymph glands, x-rays, and other tests today, it is definitely cancer that is attacking her body. The doctors do not believe it started in the lymph system, but are not sure where it did start. The type that she has is extremely aggressive and is spreading throughout her body quickly. It is possible, although not definitive, that it may have started in the pancreas and spread from there to the lymph glands and liver. She also has some fluid on her lungs at this time, but this is not hindering her breathing. At any rate, this is obviously not the news the family would have desired to hear today, but is what several MD's expected based on her symptoms and previous testing in February. Thus, the decision to move Lauren and Adam Barnes' wedding from November to next Friday is certainly a very good decision since medically speaking Laurie may only have a few weeks to live.
Both Laurie & Greg understand what this means and that the end of her life may be nearer than desired or hoped. However, as strong believers in God's sovereign will and His power to heal, they are also still praying that God may glorified by performing a supernatural miracle in her life - "on this side of heaven". To that end, they are asking those who believe in such miracles to consider fasting and praying on Monday, April 30th. They shared both the facts of Laurie's situation and their spiritual position on this matter with me tonight which could be compared to a set of railroad tracks. On the one track is the possibility of a miracle and on the other is God calling her home. With this in mind, they are both ready to accept either one because God's will answer their prayers - they just don't know when or how.
So - with their encouragement I want to ask all of you to solicit your family, friends, colleagues, church members, and prayer warriors wherever they may be to lift up Laurie and her family in prayer on Monday. I also want to ask you to send cards to Laurie - because I know she would really enjoy receiving them. Recently many of you sent cards to my Mom, Ethel Farver for her 90th birthday on April 8th and I am thrilled to report that she received over 120 cards! These thoughtful written reminders from folks who cared about her seemed to energize her life immensely. I truly believe that sending cards (or notes) of encouragement would have a similar effect on Laurie. And, it would give the postman a good strength workout as well! The address is: Laurie McCauley, 221 Lansing Avenue , Lynchburg, VA 24503.
Just a little personal information about Laurie - she is 48 years old and a 1984 graduate of LU. Greg is 45 and he graduated from LU in 1985. Laurie was "Miss Liberty" back in the days when we still held that tradition and Greg was a standout basketball player during his time at Liberty. Laurie has been a "stay-at-home" mom and Greg owns Seniors Only Financial. They have five children: Lauren (21), Scott (19), Jordan (17), Francis (12), and Isabelle (10). The two youngest are home schooled, but that has been put on hold for the last several weeks.
I can tell you that life for Laurie, Greg, their family and close friends has been like a roller coaster ride this week with many steep ups & downs. One of the "ups" was a phone call Laurie received from Dodie Osteen, Joel Osteen's mother, who was miraculously healed of cancer in 1981. Laurie had read her book, "Healed of Cancer" in which she shares numerous scripture verses regarding healing. She sent Dodie an email weeks ago, but had not heard anything from her. She was quite surprised and blessed when Dodie's call came this evening. It was such an encouragement for Dodie to pray for complete healing just like hers with Laurie and Greg over the phone - it put big smiles on their faces. So, I want to encourage you to also pray for them - and allow God to put smiles on their hearts.
So, I close with this verse from Psalm 73:23-24: "Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel . . ."
In Christ's service,
From my friend Patricia
Please pray for my niece as she underwent surgery yesterday and they have determined that she has Crohn's Disease. She is not saved.
Thanks,
Patricia
Update from my cousin Erin on her son Tommy
Thanks, Gary. Tommy is actually still in New York at a children's hospital there. They transferred us this morning. We have been dealing with high fevers, a rash and his inability to walk for almost two weeks now. We are optimistic that they will be able to get a diagnosis in the next few days. Basically they have just been eliminating different things.
Thanks for putting him on your prayer list.
Love,
Thanks again,
Scott/E.W.
My dearest Prayer Warriors,
It is by the grace of God that I can even type right now. I just talked to my sister in Richmond. Two different Neurologists have been in to see my dad today. They are almost positive that dad's brain is not functioning. The fact that he can breathe and has moved a little is involuntary movement from the brainstem that must be functioning okay. They are going to run more tests tomorrow to get a definite diagnosis. If they are right, our family will be making some very difficult decisions.
I have not given up on complete healing for my dad-that is my will. However, I am totally trusting God-may His great will be.
I know how much God cares for us and that he wants the best for all of us. Please pray for wisdom, patience, discernment, and a spirit that allows us to give it all to God for our family. Please pray that the doctor's will do the right tests and be compassionate as they share the results with our family.
I love you all and have been and continue to be thankful that I can lift my dad up in this most precious way of prayer.
Please know that before dad went in for surgery he said that he was ready for complete healing-here on earth or in heaven. What a great comfort to my family and me that statement is right now.
May He be glorified in everything.
In Christ alone,
Tanya Paulette
Good Morning,
Most of you know that my dad had quite a setback one week ago when he aspirated and stopped breathing. By the grace of God, the doctors and nurses acted very quickly to resuscitate dad and he was put back on the respirator and moved to ICU again.
Dad is off all sedation and pain medication and the doctors and family are now waiting for him to "wake up". We have been told that this could be a very slow process-but so far the doc's see no reason why dad should not come out of this-no sign of stroke or brain injury. The family is now taking turns to sit with dad, talk to him, and encourage him. I was in Richmond all weekend and dad did open his eyes some and moved his arms-he is yawning and swallowing-both reflexes-but movement so that is good.
We continue to trust God in His infinite wisdom to do the best for dad. We feel like God has saved dads life twice in the last few weeks both curing cancer and reviving him ( and probably in many other ways!). However we are becoming increasingly concerned about his lack of progress. My sister is with him now and says that he has barely opened his eyes since Sunday afternoon. He is not responding much to stimuli.
When I called this morning I was told that a CT Scan had been done in the night but results are not available as of yet. This has concerned me because the doc did not see a need for a CT Scan last week and now he does.
I guess that I am just asking you guys to continue to stand with us. It is your prayers, love, and concern that has kept dad and us going since before his surgery on Feb. 14 th. Of course I want my dad restored here on earth but God may completely heal my dad in heaven. Please pray that He will prepare our hearts for His plan in dad's life.
God Bless you all,
Tanya Paulette
Hello friends,
Tanya is in Richmond for the weekend and she told me tonight that her father's condition is still very serious. He is still on the ventilator, though he's been weaned off the sedating drugs. Hopefully it's taking time for those to clear his system as he has yet to respond to commands. They meet with the physician tomorrow to hopefully learn what happened Sunday night/Monday morning and whether he suffered a stroke or some other event that set him back. It may be that he's simply taking a long time to rebound; he wasn't really all that strong when we left him Sunday, though we were quite encouraged at that point that he might be turning a corner.
As you can imagine, Tanya and her family are anxious and weary. Psalm 34:18 informs us that "The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit". May they, and all who are ill, grieving, worried and exhausted find strength and comfort for a very challenging time.
Thanks for your prayers,
E.W./Scott Paulette
Feel free to share this with others as you are so led.
Hello friends,
Tanya and I were in Richmond this weekend and found her dad to be not as strong as we expected ( we had thought he might be coming home early this week). When we left yesterday, however, we were encouraged that he was showing enough improvement to begin physical rehab this week ( that's been delayed because of general weakness). His respiratory functions have not been strong enough to allow him to regain overall strength. This morning we learned that in the night he aspirated some vomit in the night and is back on the ventilator, sedated. He also has pneumonia. The physicians indicated that his recovery would be slow, "baby steps" was the phrase, but this pace has wearied Tanya and her family. More intercession may be needed on their behalf, perhaps, than on Dallas ( Tanya's dad); I'll trust the Lord to lead you how to pray.
Thanks,
Scott/E.W.
Feel free to pass this along as you are so led.
This came in the other day! Additional info on her injury and some good news! Amen!
E.W./Scott
Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2007 4:02 PM
Here is some more info on the prayer request that I sent out yesterday .I ask that we be in agreement to pray for complete healing from the injuries and also from the siezures that Tonya has been suffering with.God bless .Pastor Danny
Hey Danny! I'm sorry, I was in a hurry when I wrote that! Tonya had a seizure and fell down a flight of steps around midnight! She broke 5 vertibrae and her wrist as well as a serious head injury. The baby was sound asleep in bed and doing fine.
Sent: Fri, 2 Mar 2007 3:51 PM
Subject: Answered Prayer
Hello Everyone!
Tonya Massie, the daughter of my guitar player Gary Peters, pulled through surgery yesterday very well. The doctors had her up today "WALKING" (PRAISE GOD!!!!!) and said that if her arm was not still bothering her, she would have been able to go home tomorrow. The arm is in pain due to a nerve in the vertibrate that is pinched, I think, so they want to watch this. This is a huge answered prayer and God deserves ALL THE GLORY!!
Thanks for all your prayers!! HE IS LORD!!!!!
In Christ!
John Sines, Jr.
Hello again,
This request came from John Sines, Jr.:
My lead guitar player Gary Peters has a daughter named Tonya who had a baby about 4 months ago. Tonya has seizures and at this time, all I know is that she has broken her neck in two places and broken her arm, as well as had a serious head injury. Please be in prayer for this family! God IS good, ALL THE TIME! He IS in control!
In Christ!
John Sines, Jr.
Thanks again for your prayers,
Scott/E.W.
Hello friends,
A friend of ours has a cousin named Anne who is sick. Here's part of her email to us:
Anne is very sick. She has Type 1 diabetes, and she is pregnant (with twins!). She's being doing so well, but this past weekend had to be put in the hospital. I don't know a lot of details or exactly what is wrong, but whatever it is, it's affecting her liver and bleeding status.
There are a few more tests to run, but the may have to do a C-section. The twins are 27 weeks old, and "they" say that babies have a chance at 26 weeks.
Thanks for your prayers for this family.
Scott
Hello friends!
Just a quick note to say our team has safely returned from Africa and for the most part, all are well. Pray for them as they transition back to their daily routines, and that none of us will go back to "our old selves" but rather live with a fresh perspective of God's grace and provision.
Thanks for your prayers!
Scott/E.W. Paulette
Mom began her radiation treatments at UVA Thursday. She had one Thursday and another Friday. Other than being tired and sleeping a lot, she appears to have no ill effects. Please keep her and Dad in your prayers as they continue this process for the next 4-to-7 weeks.
Suzanne has been on her back for a week now. She went to the doctor last Friday (2/9) and got some antibiotics for an ear infection and some prescription cough syrup, but Monday had to be rushed back to the doctor with breathing difficulty. That's when we found out she had walking pneumonia. She's still pretty much on her back, but gets up occasionally. Doctor said for her not to over-do it or she could have a relapse. I've been pulling some double-duty as daddy and mommy this last week! She feels better this morning, so I'm sure I've got a battle on my hands getting her to relax. Please keep her in your prayers. Thanks to our neighbors, Carol and Charlie, for some great macaroni-and-cheese, and Glenn and Sherry (and family), who sent awesome spaghetti & meatballs Thursday night despite the death of Glenn's aunt. Please keep their family in your prayers as well.
Also, please pray for my friend Melissa, who is having some health problems.
Thank you.
Hello Body of Christ,
Just a reminder that dad will have his esophagus removed on Wed. 2/14. Do not have the time yet so please lift him, the surgeon, the medical team, and his family up anytime! He is in good spirits and we are so thankful that we serve such a Great God. I know that He is already there preparing a path. Thanks for your prayers and concern. It has made a difference and will continue to.
Some of you know that Scott is in Uganda. He left on 2/5 and will return on 2/21. I spoke to him Saturday night and he was safe and is having a wonderful time of ministry. Please continue to pray for the team- for many opportunities to share God with the beautiful people of Uganda and for traveling mercies. I also know that it is hard for him to be so far away while dad is having surgery.
On that same note please lift up my baby sister Lana who is in South Dakota and very concerned and is so far away.
Thanks so much to you all.
With love in Christ ,
Tanya Paulette
Philippians 4:13
I have an urgent prayer request that was forwarded to me from my cousin, Kim Smith. It is for Brent Morgan, the son of Pastor Morgan of Calvary Baptist Church in Radford, VA. Brent is serving in Iraq and is an air traffic controller. Last week an airplane went down killing 34 Turkish people. Brent was the air traffic controller for this plane. He has been fully exonerated by his superiors. All tapes have been watched and ruled he was totally innocent of the crash. Brent was suppose to leave Iraq on Saturday, January 20, and be back home Tuesday. Pastor and Phyllis Morgan just received an urgent phone call from Brent that he cannot leave Iraq. The Iraqi government has stepped in and he must go before an Iraqi board tomorrow. Although he is innocent, they are looking for someone to blame. Brent is very scared. Please forward this request to as many people as you can. Pray without ceasing for his full release from this board. We know the Lord can intervene and bring him home soon!
Thanks for your concern.
On the day of our departure, I ask that you please pray for our 30 member team as we go and share the love of Christ in East Africa. The team will be constructing offices for Arise Africa International, developing the Mission Link International Christian Study Center, Medical Missions, Evangelism and a Feeding Clinic. May the Lord Jesus Christ be glorified and magnified in all we do!
The Uganda/Kenya Mission Team will be in East Africa February 5-21, 2007. Please pray daily for protection, fruitfulness and personal growth.
How shall they preach unless they are sent? (Rm 10:15) Below is the team roster....
Allen Birckhead; Rev. Jackie Carver; Glynda Carver; Clayton Carver; Joanna Carver; Dr. John Cramer; Wendell Drumheller; Dr. Glenna Dunn; Randy Fox Dennis Hansen; Melody Lain; Dr. Jim Masloff; Rev. Dennis Moore; Grace Moyer; Larry Mullins; Alan Newsom; Cindy Newsom; Charlie Pace; Tommy Pace; Susan Prather; Stephen Reynolds; Garry Rund; Zeke Ryan; Dr. Rick Sadler; Candy Sadler; Heather Vicks; E.W./Scott Paulette ; Malcolm Warfield; Jeanne Williams; Glassell Williamson
Please keep my mother in your prayers. They found another tumor on her spine recently (it appears benign) and she will start a new form of radiation therapy in February. This is a brand new type of radiation therapy that only has 5 facilities in the United States. Mom will be going to the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville for her treatments (about a 4-hour round trip) 5 days a week for 4-7 weeks. Also, please pray for Dad as he takes of care of her.
Please pray for Carl, who is recovering from oral surgery, and Karen, who had a bad fall last week. Nothing broken, but she's bruised and sore. Also for Rachel, who is still having problems with her knee.
Please continue to pray for our twin nieces, Mollie and Madison, who will celebrate their first birthday February 2nd. Also for Bryan's mother, Lois, who is recovering from surgery, and his father, Steve, who will have surgery in February.
Please pray for Suzanne, Holly and Chris, who have had different varieties of the winter bugs that're going around. I've had a touch of something myself, too - we're all on the mend. David has managed to avoid them.
Finally, please continue to pray for our fighting men and women in the armed forces, and for our leaders and our nation.
You can now email your prayer requests and have them posted on my prayer blog immediately. The email address is: prayer@garyLthomas.com You may post anonymously if you wish, just be sure to remove any signature from your email.
You can view the blog at www.garyLthomas.com then choose "Prayer Requests" from the menu.
Thanks for all your prayers, and please pray for those who've posted on the website.
ONE MINUTE EACH NIGHT
In WWII, there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a
group of people
who dropped what they were doing every night at a prescribed
hour for one
minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its
people and peace.
There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here
in America. If you would like to participate:
Each evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 PM Central) (6:00 PM
Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for
the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, and for a Godly
nation.
If you know anyone who would like to participate, please pass this
along.
Someone said if Christians really understood the full extent of
the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless. Our
prayers are the most powerful asset we have.
Together, we "CAN" make a difference!
God Bless America!
This was sent out on January 15, 2007 by the secretary at Moffett Memorial Baptist Church in Danville, Virginia.
To those of you know who know me or those of you who were at my wedding will
remember my precious little flowergirl Kelly Moorefield. She was 3 at the time. She is a very special girl who has been part of our family for many years.
We received terrible news yesterday that she was in a horrific head on collision near her house early Sunday morning. She was a passenger in the vehicle that hit the other car. It's my understanding that the car she was in flipped and some form of a pipe in a yard came through her side of the window and hit her head which has caused severe swelling and internal bleeding in her brain that they haven't been able to stop. She was flown in to UVA from Danville after they checked her out here. She has been unconscious the entire time and also has severe damage to her spinal area. Things are pretty bad for her and she needs as many prayers as we can possible get to her. If you would, please forward this to everyone you know in hopes that many people who receive this will continue to forward it and that we can get a prayer chain started for this child who needs prayer more than anything right now as well as her family.
Kelly is now 14 yrs old and in junior high school.
She is an honor roll student, cheerleader and part of the school band. She has her entire future in limbo right now and so much to gain to pull through this and too much to lose. If you will please keep Kelly and her family in your prayers and send the prayer request to everyone you know. I appreciate all of you who can help us during this most difficult time.
May God bless you all.
Much Appreciation
Lisa Wright
