Jim's brother

In my mind I wrote you all with an update on Jim's brother.... in reality, I did NOT!!!  Sorry!!  As you know he developed (or they found) a number of other problems with Bob's health... pneumonia, elevated blood sugar, atrial fibrillation, and finally kidney failure.  They had tried to reduce his sedation to wake him up, and he did not wake up... so the doctors told Carol that there was nothing else they could do since they were carrying on all his vital body systems with machines.  She and their son decided to take him off the ventilator, and when they did, he went peacefully to be with the Lord.  (If I have told you all of this, just humor me).  This was merciful since he had emphysema and dying in his sleep is the grace of God.  Even before the pneumonia took him to the hospital he was hardly able to walk across the kitchen, etc.  We praise the Lord for His grace and mercy.
So the funeral has finally been set for Wednesday with visitation on Tuesday night.  We will be leaving Tuesday AM (by car) and will probably be back on Thursday night or Friday.  Please pray for us as we travel and that we can minister to his family.

Happy Birthday Jim Brown !!!

Happy Birthday Jim Brown !!!

Happy Birthday, Jim Brown... and other news

Happy Birthday to Jim Brown!!!!!  I can't do the poster thing that Ernie does but want to say a very special day to you, Jim.  God bless you in every way this year.  You are a blessing to us all!!! 

Then just a little info on Jim's brother.  He is still on a ventilator, but they are slowly waking him up, and he is breathing about 15% on his own at this time.  His lungs are full of emphysema, his pneumonia is some better, but it will be awhile before it is gone, his blood sugar is running 400 (so he is on insulin... he has probably had undetected diabetes for a while), and the good news is that his urine output has improved.  Please continue to pray for him and for Carol who sounded like she was getting sick with a cold or the flu.

Jim's brother

Jim's brother, Bob Smith, was admitted to the hospital for shortness of breath and just not feeling good.  It turns out that he was in Atrial Fibrillation (a heart rhythm problem) and has pneumonia.  He also has emphysema so this made this all worse.  They put him on a ventilator and sedated him to give his lungs a rest and to deal with his heart rate, etc.  His heart rate is much improved and he is receiving IV meds for the pneumonia.  Something has now happened to cause his kidneys to not function as well (a little confusion here when talking to his wife, Carol), but suffice it to say that Bob is very ill.  Also this is the weekend for their granddaughter's wedding.... the good news is that all of the immediate family is in town for the wedding.... the bad news.... Bob is very ill....  but the best news... God knows and His ways are perfect.  Oh, and the father of the bride just came down with the flu.  Please pray.... meet you at the throne of Almighty God for grace to help in time of need.

Happy Birthday, Ernie!!!!  Oh, how I wish I could make you a poster like you do for everyone else.... but I can't!!!  Maybe someone will do it for you later.  In the meantime we wish you a great day in Him in the middle of ice, snow, and any other difficulties in your life.  We pray that God will show Himself mighty as you walk through the day.  That His Presence will over shadow you and overwhelm you with Joy.  That you will see Him in all that happens today and praise Him in it all.

We love you much!!!!