Day 65 - August 19 - Rally the Prayer Warriors
Just heard from Eric - he's on the 10th floor at Community, which has not created a positive first impression, and he's reeling a bit from the challenges that this transition present. He hasn't yet been able to orient himself or his family to the new location, when he is pulled aside by Connor's case-worker, who drops this bombshell in their laps.
Care Meridian, the sub-acute care center in Gilroy, isn't going to take Connor at this time. Citing concerns over his respirator situation and their distance from the nearest ICU, the case worker reports they have declined to accept Connor.
The family was not prepared for this blow, and coming after this morning's experience with the 10th floor, has been hit pretty hard. Cherie´ was in tears, and Eric struggled to call for help.
Time to pray folks - the Williamsons are there for a reason, and they can't see it. Lift them up - pray for strength, courage, and perseverance, and that they would continually seek God in the midst of this.
Brad
Michigan
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posted by Brad Williamson @ 1:41 PM
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21 Comments:
HI CHERIE AND FAMILY,
I AM SO VERY SORRY TO HEAR THAT THINGS ARE GOING THE WAY THEY ARE AT THIS TIME. BUT PLEASE REMEMBER THIS IS THE NEXT STEP AND THINGS WILL GET BETTER, AS CONNOR'S HEALTH IS GETTING BETTER THAT IS WHY HE IS BEING MOVED AND WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT HE WILL BE EXCEPTED TO THE GILROY FACILITY, I DO HOPE VERY SOON.. I MISS YOU SO MUCH GIRL AND WISH I COULD BE THERE WITH YOU AND SUPPORT YOU MORE THEN I CAN FROM HERE. PLEASE KNOW I LOVE YOU AND PRAY FOR ALL OF YOU EVERYDAY. GOOD THINGS ARE COMING, THIS IS THE FIRST STEP. PLEASE POST THE NEW MAILING ADDRESS INFO SOON... XXOO...YOUR FRIEND ALWAYS....SARA
Jesus made a promise to His followers (YOU are included in that group, Williamson family)
"...in Me you [will] have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Jesus, thank you for overcoming the world. Please show the Williamson family and the family of faith represented on this blog that You are the One who overcomes. Standing on our own, we fall; held within your strong arms, we are upheld. Jesus, uphold us we pray! Please bring relief and comfort to Connor and the Williamsons. Show Yourself strong on their behalf. You alone are able to deliver them from this pit. Continue to manifest your love through this, Lord.
Eric, Cherie, Joelle and Connor,
You are loved and upheld in prayer. Your comfort is from Him alone. May He touch you tangibly today.
God loves you and so do we.
Jeff, for the Slavich family
"The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will be established"
~Proverbs 19:21
Father GOD, you are love, joy, peace, long suffering, and faithful always.
Please continue to be with Connor and the Williamson family. We know You have a perfect plan in place, help the Williamsons to relax in this promise as You reveil Your plan.
We rebuke in the power of Jesus' name - satan and his demonds of fear and depression. Cover Connor and the Family with the Blood of Jesus.
Let the Holy Spirit fill the 10th floor and bring a new and refreshing attitude to the men and women working there.
Please provide the perfect place and medical staff for Connor to be moved to while we wait for his healing to be complete in Jesus.
Jesus will never leave us or forsake us... Help us to remember this when we feel so low in the Spirit.
Praying and remembering you Williamsons.
Glory to GOD.
~SRB, Hollister
Hebrews 13:12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. (NKJV, emphasis added)
Heavenly Father, I pray that the Williamsons are able to continue to seek hard after You even in the midst of this new development, which must seem like the dry and thirsty land David was in when he wrote Psalm 63... but in spite of his surroundings, David wrote: Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You.
Enable them, Lord, to praise You in the storm.
Thank you Brad for this update.
Dear Lord God, we ask that You, in Your infinite power to do all things, just keep Eric, Cherie, Connor and Joelle, in perfect peace right now. This little family is struggling with so many challenges and yet Lord, they do not waver, but remain faithful to You. Make their path clear and guide them through these challenging days. And Lord we pray that You give them assurance and hope for better days ahead. In Your precious name we pray. Amen
MT
Dear Williamson Family:
I can see where being denied access to Connor would be incredibly frustrating. It makes me mad just thinking about it!
His mercies ARE new EVERY morning. I am praying for a much better day tomorrow.
Off to pray...
Lynne Piper
Houston, Texas
Probably insurance details would preclude this, but I wonder if Clovis Community or St. Agnes or even Kaiser has sub-acute care facilities that would be a better place. From my own experiences in the old part of the hospital, where Connor has been moved to, I'd have to agree with Eric's initial impression of things, both fixtures and attitudes. Anything I can do, since I live here in this lovely town?
Barbara
Dear Williamson's,
How hard to be denied to see your BIG boy, but perhaps it is a sign that they are focusing on your son 100% and at this time can not get to you. See it as a time where they are doing their jobs and just getting to you when they have him settled/resting well. It does take time to pass on case information and get the staff comfortable with him and his case.
Better they focus on your son, then on you at this time.
We all wish we could be there to bang those doors down, but perhaps God needs you to comfort those waiting with you. You asked us Eric to look around us and see those in need.
We will pray for rest, patience with the staff and good care.
We will also pray for peace as you do wait for news from Gilroy and the current Dr. he has. God is good and has His perfect timing....oh to understand that timing and know the final outcome. Just makes Heaven even sweeter.
We love you all and know that everyday will have sunshine and rain. May God grant you some sun shine SOON!
Hugs from Morgan Hill
Williamson's...
My heart is achy..mad and frustrated for you...I cannot imagine having to deal with all this and fighting so many other fears..doubts..worry's.. My spirit got angry when i read this last blog.. Went to praying and battling.. This verse rang out to me and i share it with you.." GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH ALWAYS READY TO HELP IN TIMES OF TROUBLE..SO WE WILL NOT FEAR WHEN EARTHQUAKES COME AND MOUNTAINS CRUMBLE INTO THE SEA.." Ps. 46: l-2
This is an earthquake and a huge mountain.. Yet God is so awesome to remind us that "He Is" the ever present help in trouble.. So we speak to our fearful hearts and in Jesus mighty name we ask God to replace it with confidence..strength.. might and power.. He is in control..I pray God's favor..guidance and His mighty answers to come to you quickly.. We love you very much and are crying out for you..
Love.
Kathy MacPhail and family
Dear Family,
Know that you are all in our prayers as you walk through these deep waters with Connor. God is sovereign and He has a purpose even though it is maddening. Continue to trust in Him. Even though we are far apart, prayer binds us as though we were neighbors. We love you,
Jodi
Cambodia
Psalm 61:1-4
Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer;
from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,
for you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy. Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter ofyour wings!
Sending many prayers up on your behalf.
Charlene
"Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm" (Ephesians 6:13 NLT)
I was reading this verse today and realize God has provided His full armor to protect your heart and mind against evil. Know that with God you can stand and overcome every obstacle.
I feel Cherie's tears on my cheeks along with mine as I pray that the Holy Spirit wrap His arms around you all with peace.
In Jesus Holy Name. AMEN
Love Carolyn
In The Waiting by FFH
I’ve seen the red sea part, I’ve seen the mountains move
But now it seems so dark, I can’t even feel you
If you choose to be silent, I’ll be silent too
I will worship in the waiting, quiet before you
Until your voice like manna from the sky falls
I WILL WORSHIP IN THE WAITING
I WILL WALK WITH THIS SAND BENEATH MY FEET
THOUGH THE WINTER WIND IS BLOWING
THE GROUND IS NOT FROZEN UNDERNEATH
I WILL WORSHIP AND NOT GROW BITTER
CAUSE I KNOW YOU SEE THE END OF IT ALL
AND WITH THE SPRING WILL COME THE RAIN
AND I'LL SEE WHAT WAS GAINED
IN THE WAITING
I’ve seen the blooms of spring, new life in everything
But now it seems so grey, bright colors fade away
This winter seems much longer and colder than before
But I will worship in the waiting, expecting something more
Until the sun shines warm upon my face again
He Leadeth me
He leadeth me
By his own hand He leadeth me
His faithful follower I would be
For by his hand He leadeth me
*********************
The Lord led you to this place for a reason. Rest in the fact that He is our sovereign God.
My heart is breaking for you. But I know that in reality that’s of little comfort to you right now. I pray that God will make his presence known to you and provide some sense of purpose for all your family is going through. But revealing purpose to you at this time may not be His plan, so I pray for peace. I’m reminded of former posts as I write this. May you be able to remember that God hides you under His wing during the storm as Kent reminded us so beautifully in the "Parable of the Pea Chicks" (Day 25). In the midst of despair may you be encouraged by Connor’s faith as he said "Do you have your sidearms on? God told me you need them. It's gonna get serious." (Day 24). And may God grant you strength as you struggle to keep your eyes on the Sailor. (Day 26)
There’s a Christian song that was popular when I was in college. Yep, it’s an old one but it came to mind as I read Jodi’s comment above:
When I think I'm going under, part the waters, Lord.
When I feel the waves around me, calm the sea.
When I cry for help, O hear me, Lord, and hold out Your hand.
Touch my life, still the raging storm in me.
Here are some verses that I pray will bring you comfort. We continue to pray.
The Duarte family
Hebrews 4:15-16:
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Psalm 139:
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men! They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD, and abhor those who rise up against you? I have nothing but hatred for them; count them my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Praying for you... so much.
Williamson's,
Please remember that God already has figured this whole thing out for you! How awesome is that? Continue to cling to that very thought. Gilroy may only be where you thought your boy should be, but perhaps there is a much better and suited facility for Connor. God shuts doors but opens others. Wait for that open door than walk through in faith. The road ahead is a long one but God has already walked that road for you and has cleared the way for all of you to follow. Cling to Him now like never before. Take care and know that all of you are lifted up in prayer constantly.
God Bless you,
Ginny
I know today was very difficult but in my mind it was two steps forward and only one back. Connor is making progress and he will soon be in a position to move to the care facility in Gilroy. I know the Williamson family has been so patient that it is tough to say to keep with it but the case worker will someday soon say "yes" :-)
Best Wishes and Prayers,
The Bantz's
Thanks Ginny for your comment, I agree with you, We were all concerned about the facility in Gilroy not having a respiratory therapist and my prayer was that God would close any doors that were not of Him and it seems as if He did just that, so, yes, like the others say Connor is right where he needs to be right now and I believe in a few days when the staff is more familiar with Connor and the beautiful loving family that you are they will be allowing you to come and go as you did in ICU. This will be my prayer to the Lord, IM remembering what ya'all said many times in the past blogs,
God is Good All The Time! Amen
From Streams in the Desert
August 19
Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing (2 Corinthians 6:10)
Sorrow was beautiful, but his beauty was the beauty of the moonlight shining through the leafy branches of the tress in the woods. His gentle light made little pools of silver here and there on the soft green moss of the forest floor. And when he sang, his song was like the low, sweet calls of the nightingale, and in his eyes was the unexpectant gaze of someone who has ceased to look for coming gladness. He could weep in tender sympathy with those who weep, but to rejoice with those who rejoice was unknown to him.
Joy was beautiful, too, but hers was the radiant beauty of a summer morning. Her eyes still held the happy laughter of childhood, and her hair glistened with the sunshine's kiss. When she sang, her voice soared upward like ths skylark's, and her steps were the march of a conqueror who has never known defeat. She could rejoice with anyone who rejoices, but to weep with those who weep was unknown to her.
Sorrow longingly said, "We cannever be united as one." "No, never," responded Joy, with eyes misting as she spoke, "for my path lies thorugh the sunlit meadows, the sweetest roses bloom when I arrive, and songbirds await my coming to sing their most joyous melodies."
"yes, and my path," said Sorrow, turning slowly away, "leads through the dark forest, and moonflowers, which open only at night, will fill my hands. Yet the sweetest of all earthly songs-the love song of the night-will be mine. So farewell, dear Joy, farewell."
Yet even as Sorrow spoke, he and Joy became aware of someone standing beside them. In spite of the dim light, they senesed a kingly Presence, and suddenly a great and holy awe overwhelmed them. They then sank to their knees before Him.
"I see Him as the King of Joy," whispered Sorrow, "for on His head are many crowns, and the nailprints in His hands and feet are scars of a great victory. And before Him all my sorrow is melting away into deathless love and gladness. I now give myself to Him forever."
"No,Sorrow," said Joy softly, "for I see Him as the King of Sorrow, and the crown on His head is a crown of thorns, and the nailprints in His hands and feet are the scars of a terrible agony. I also give myself to Him forever, for sorrow with Him must be sweeter than any joy I have ever known."
"Then we are ONE in Him," they cried in gladness, "for no one but He could unite Joy and Sorrow. "Therefore they walked hand in hand into the world, to follow Him through storms and sunshine, through winter's severe cold and the warmth of summer's gladness, and to be "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing."
That's beautiful, Lynda - thanks for typing it in! My parents read from that book during family devotions when I was a young boy - it's a great book! (It's also available online now!)
Gracious Father,
Holy Spirit, minister to Your servants. Holy Comforter, comfort in only ways that You can. Administer Your grace and mercy and allow Eric, Cherie, Joelle, and Connor to rest in You. We don't always understand why the obstacles are before us, but we rest and find comfort in knowing that You do. For You know the plans You have for Connor, Eric, Joelle, & Cherie, plans to prosper and not fail. I praise You that You are with them and that You are carrying them through this entire ordeal. We trust You Lord. I pray for their spiritual armor to be employed. Place Your helmet of salvation upon their heads, Your breastplates of righteousness on their chests, Your belt of truth about their waists, shod their feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace, help them to raise their shields of faith to quench all the narly arrows of satan, and most of all may they pick up Your Sword,Your precious Word which is their ONLY offensive weapon against satan and his schemes. And doing all this to stand we all pray with them continually that they may stay in constant communication with You. You are our Rock, our Strongtower, our Ever-present Help in times of trouble. We will not fear, for You go before them. What an Awesome and Mighty God You are!!! In the blessed name of Jesus, Amen
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