It's been quite the month plus...

I wouldn't have thought I would have attended a second Celebration of Life Service in a month. This one was for the husband of a friend. Don passed away at the age of 62 from a massive heart attack over a week ago. It was so sudden, but he knew the Lord. His wife, Laurel, worked at the seminary while I was there and she was my former church's treasurer for a time. What a sweet lady! I didn't really know her husband, though I remembered him when seeing his picture. When I left the service on Saturday, I felt like I knew him a bit better. It was a beautiful testimony to Don's life and service to the Lord and love for his family and many passions he had in life. Please keep the Miller family in your prayers (daughter Jennifer, son Chris and his young family).

My dear friend, John, got the results from his brain tumor on Thursday. Not the best news. It's in Stage 3 and is incurable (but we know God could work miracles). He will start 6 weeks of daily chemo and radiation in mid-October, with a 2 week break. Doctors said that 50% of patients have 3-5 years with some living to 10 years. We are praying for at least 10good years! John will turn 50 in December and says he will celebrate his 60th! John is self-employed and owns a commercial sheetmetal and plumbing business. He will eventually sell the business and will be semi-retired. John and his wife Debbie plan to travel! The family already had a trip planned to Mexico in a couple of weeks. The doctors said it was fine for him to go. Please keep John and the family in your prayers as they embark on this journey with cancer. Pray for John's continued healing from the surgery. Debbie is clinging to a verse that God showed her just days before John's surgery: Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." That's one we should all look to!
For those who don't know John, here's a face to put with the name:



I'm not sure what to really think of everything that's been happening. I'm just thankful that I have God to look to in these difficult times. I am realizing more and more how fragile life is and that each day is a precious gift from God. As my friend Jesse Morales said in July 2008, "If today was your last day on earth, how are you impacting this world for the Kingdom?" Definitely something I try to remember each day and do something!

We're not promised tomorrow, but we do know the One who holds tomorrow and we can hang on to His promises!! Sometimes, that's all we can do...

Update on John Eagleson

Thanks for praying for John. He had the majority of the tumor removed yesterday. A small portion wasn't removed because removal would affect his speech and motor skills. The family has had conflicting information given to them about what's going on with John, so that's frustrating. As it stands tonight, they still aren't sure if the tumor is cancerous, but radiation and chemo has been scheduled for later this week, if it is needed. He did have an MRI tonight, so hopefully they'll know something soon. As a result of pain and brain surgery, John is not himself. Please pray for his healing. We have to remember the John we know and not the effects of the tumor!
I was able to visit with John and Brandy at the hospital tonight. It was good to see them and just get a glimpse into what John and the family are facing. I went by the house and got to visit with the rest of the family while they were home for dinner. Their church has been providing meals for a week now! What a blessing! I'm glad I was able to visit with them and get more details on what's going on and not going on.
It was a hard afternoon for me after Jessica called and said they got news that the tumor is cancerous and he will begin radiation on Thursday, they'll see what stage the cancer is in and chemo may be needed. Woah...You know this is a possibility, but I didn't want to hear it. I went to the hospital and Brandy isn't seeming like they received that news today and she even made a comment about we don't know if it's benign or not, so until we know...I thought, "Either Jessica was wrong, I totally misunderstood, or Brandy doesn't know"! I was glad to get to the house and get the story straight. When I walked in Jessica said, "Mom, will you please tell Ellen what's really going on because we're all confused". Debbie cleared up some things for me...they are a bit frustrated, but what can you do.
Maybe God used today to prepare me even more for what could come. There's a reason for everything and as my dad said today, "Keep the faith"! That is what I am trying to do and reading all those stories in the Gospels of how Jesus healed so many!

Continue to pray for the family in this time as their whole world has changed overnight...

Prayer for Friends

Seems it's been quite the year or more for illnesses and deaths. I told my mom last night that I didn't want to hear about anybody else being sick or dieing. Sometimes it just seems to be too much, but doesn't it usually come like that, all at once? I'm just thankful that in these difficult times, I have the Lord in my life and can look to Him!
I just wanted to take this spot to ask you to intercede for friends. Some of you may know the ones I will mention. Whether you know them or not, I ask you to pray for them and their families. Intercessory prayer is so huge!

What's heavy on my heart tonight is that my dear friend, John Eagleson from Calgary, will have brain surgery tomorrow (Monday) morning at 7:30Mountain Time. Just over a week ago, John had a major seizure in the middle of the night. CT scan revealed a huge mass on the left side of his brain that has been growing for quite a few years. He really had no signs. Seems that the tumor is malignant, but until the doctors take the mass out and get it tested, we're not 100% what is going on. Please pray for John as he has surgery. Pray for his wife Debbie during this time. Ask for strength and peace for her. Pray for daughters Brandy, Jessica, and Amy---all under 30. Jessica is married to Dayton and they have 2 daughters, Athena and Kaylee. Pray for John's parents and siblings and a host of extended family and friends. Pray for John's recovery. Pray that all of us will remember that God is in control. The family has already seen God working in many ways and all are encouraged by that. The reality of everything just hits at times...
John and his family have made me feel like part of their family from the time I met them. We were at Mountain View Christian Fellowship together and they have had me at many family functions and have just 'loved on me' during my time in Calgary. John and his wife have been somewhat like surrogate parents to me, seeing that I am far from my own parents.

A young friend from my hometown and church was recently diagnosed with lupus and a blood disorder called ttp. I need to research more about both diseases. Mallory Batte will always hold a special place in my heart as I remember when she was born, watched her grow up, and when I served as children and youth minister at the church, she was part of my group. I believe I saw her come to know the Lord and be baptized! Mallory is not yet 23 and has been in the hospital for a few weeks now. Pray for complete healing of her body, that she can be released from the hospital soon, and that she'll have the strength she needs during this time. Pray for her parents Doyle and Kathy, and sister Miranda and her young family. Pray that this time will grow all of their faith!

I found out last night that Mr. Bob Allen from my hometown passed away last week after having a brain aneuresym (spelling?). His wife, Mrs. Gloria Allen, was my high school English teacher who ended up being a dear friend. He was one of our town pharmacists for many years. The Allens are incredibly gifted in music and used their gifts in many different ways. Pray for Mrs. Allen in the sudden loss of her husband. They didn't have any children. Pray that she and family and friends will take comfort in Jesus!

My dear friend, Jackie Rettig, phoned today. I was about to call her! She and her husband, Kevin, became wonderful friends of mine while in seminary. Kevin and I were in class together and Jackie managed our bookstore. Since he graduated, they moved to his hometown in Montana and are pastoring a church. They have a 4 year old daugther, Fiona. In the spring of 2008, Kevin was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (spelling?) that has basically 'eaten' up a lot of his spine. He has been undergoing extensive treatment with trips to Salt Lake City. They are back in Montana and Kevin is preaching again, after being in SLC for a few months. He is doing farely well, regaining his appetite and strength each day. His immune system is low, so they have to be careful with that. They will continue treatments at a local hospital. Pray for his healing and strength for the family. Kevin and Jackie are in their early forties. Pray that people will continue to see Christ in their lives and they can be a light to others.

Continue to pray for the Morales family (see posts below). Kathy and Emily are the ones at home now, with Emily at school each day. Pray for strength for Kathy as she adjust to not having her husband there. Pray for Emily as her dad is no longer there with her. I contine to be encouraged by the family's faith and how I see God at work in Jesse's passing. Reports are that folks became Christians at the service and I think God's at work in the life of our little church as new faces are there! We had a young man playing the drums today who was saved at the service! An elderly lady was there today who is the Morales' neighbor. She felt led after the celebration service for Jesse that God wanted her to help with the children at our church! Oh, how we see God working during this difficult time. It's in these things I see reason for Jesse's illness and death.


Some good news this week was that I found out that two friends are expecting babies!! Yippee!! I needed that good news!!! Pray for Erin and Heather and the little ones that God has created inside them!

In the midst of all this life stuff, God does remain faithful and He will give strength when it is needed most. His Word is full of those promises!