Dear praying Friends,
Our daughter, Cassie, has developed a rash on her back which is directly related to the anti-seizure medication she is currently taking, She has had to be taken off of this medication immediately. As you know from previous posts, it's normally all about a slow transition from one medication to another. Needless to say, this is the antithesis for that.
We are all very fragile right now, Cassie Especially. We are waiting
Waiting for her coverage to come through so we can proceed with treatment . . .
Waiting for routine to re establish itself . . .
Waiting for the LORD Jesus to return
Thank you
Gary
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Monday, February 14, 2005
Out Top 10 List - 2/14/05
Some specifics for you to be praying for:
1. Last Wednesday February, 9th Jeremy Davis crashed his Cessna 206 into Lake Clark. He and Michelle (his wife) miraculously survived, but their three daughters (Samantha, Jesse, and Kadee) went to be with Jesus. The entire community is devastated but not destroyed, heart-broken but not hopeless. We know that God is still God and that this did not take Him by surprise. We know that he was waiting with His arms stretched open for those girls and is having a ball with them now.
Kris and I know the Davis family and Michelle's parents, Dave and Jacque Wilder. We attended a memorial service for the three children in Soldotna yesterday. Please pray for Jememy & Michelle, as well their younger three boys, who were not on the plane.
2. Joel Caldwell, director of Arctic Barnabas Ministries, got word early last week that one of his brothers died. As Joel was heading back to the lower 48 to be with family, he got word of the Davis Crash. Joel and Michelle's Dad, Dave Wilder, are very close friends. Pray for Joel as he spends time with family, He really wants to be BOTH places.
3. ABM's Love & Caring Fundraiser banquet is tonight. Pray that it will all go off as smoothly as possible without Joel being in attendance. The ministry is more than anyone person, but the concept for ABM started in Joel's heart long before ABM came into existence. Not having him there to share, and having the event run by two other ABM families that are new to the state, this will change the dynamic somewhat.
4. Kris was in the process of transitioning over full time to her missionary position at ACC's New Hope Counseling Center and out of the part time accounting position when the person hired to replace her developed health problems and was asked not to go back to work by her doctor. Kris is still bouncing back and forth.
5. Cassie's situation has stabilized somewhat. She is still having rather frequent petit mal situations but the grand mals have ceased for the time being. We are still in limbo for medical coverage for her, and the bills are starting to stack up.
6. Chelsie leaves today for Indiana, visiting the campus of Grace College and taking part in a Soccer training weekend. She is hoping to get a partial scholarship for soccer. She has already received a $4500 President's scholarship from Grace, but she is still also looking at a school in western Washington. Grace is back in Indiana. Tuition at Grace, even with this scholarship, would be much higher than Washington. We want her to go to Grace, but we also realize that SHE will need to pay for most of it. We would really be happy wherever she goes.
7. Tyler is still staying in our home. He did not go back to the lower 48 after new Year's. The one cooking job he got didn't pan out because he was just not getting any hours, so he is looking. We are happy to have him in our home as he tries to get back on his feet. Pray that God will continue working in his heart. Tyler told me the other day that he woke up and realized that he had not accomplished anything in four years! I reminded him that he HAD got his GED and that he gained experience as a cook. But he is coming face to face with friends who he hung out with years ago who have moved on in life . . . but he feels he has gone nowhere.
8. Our vehicle situation needs work. Our van has a major oil leak, two busted headlight clusters, and the rear breaks are locking up. On top of that, we need to bungee cord the driver's door to the steering wheel column to keep the door shut! But on the flip side, it does want to keep on running. Kris even got to drive my jeep pickup one day last week. I thought it was an honor to allow her to pilot the beast, but she didn't feel so excited.
9. Kris and I will be sharing our love story to the students of ACC today. Pray that God will give me the right words to share. We have been married almost 24 years and have alot to be thankful for this Valentine s day. (Guys, take this as a reminder if needed. Today is a very important day!)
10. A supporting church is going through some rough times. They are in the area here. Pray that God will give us wisdom what we can do to help however we can.
1. Last Wednesday February, 9th Jeremy Davis crashed his Cessna 206 into Lake Clark. He and Michelle (his wife) miraculously survived, but their three daughters (Samantha, Jesse, and Kadee) went to be with Jesus. The entire community is devastated but not destroyed, heart-broken but not hopeless. We know that God is still God and that this did not take Him by surprise. We know that he was waiting with His arms stretched open for those girls and is having a ball with them now.
Kris and I know the Davis family and Michelle's parents, Dave and Jacque Wilder. We attended a memorial service for the three children in Soldotna yesterday. Please pray for Jememy & Michelle, as well their younger three boys, who were not on the plane.
2. Joel Caldwell, director of Arctic Barnabas Ministries, got word early last week that one of his brothers died. As Joel was heading back to the lower 48 to be with family, he got word of the Davis Crash. Joel and Michelle's Dad, Dave Wilder, are very close friends. Pray for Joel as he spends time with family, He really wants to be BOTH places.
3. ABM's Love & Caring Fundraiser banquet is tonight. Pray that it will all go off as smoothly as possible without Joel being in attendance. The ministry is more than anyone person, but the concept for ABM started in Joel's heart long before ABM came into existence. Not having him there to share, and having the event run by two other ABM families that are new to the state, this will change the dynamic somewhat.
4. Kris was in the process of transitioning over full time to her missionary position at ACC's New Hope Counseling Center and out of the part time accounting position when the person hired to replace her developed health problems and was asked not to go back to work by her doctor. Kris is still bouncing back and forth.
5. Cassie's situation has stabilized somewhat. She is still having rather frequent petit mal situations but the grand mals have ceased for the time being. We are still in limbo for medical coverage for her, and the bills are starting to stack up.
6. Chelsie leaves today for Indiana, visiting the campus of Grace College and taking part in a Soccer training weekend. She is hoping to get a partial scholarship for soccer. She has already received a $4500 President's scholarship from Grace, but she is still also looking at a school in western Washington. Grace is back in Indiana. Tuition at Grace, even with this scholarship, would be much higher than Washington. We want her to go to Grace, but we also realize that SHE will need to pay for most of it. We would really be happy wherever she goes.
7. Tyler is still staying in our home. He did not go back to the lower 48 after new Year's. The one cooking job he got didn't pan out because he was just not getting any hours, so he is looking. We are happy to have him in our home as he tries to get back on his feet. Pray that God will continue working in his heart. Tyler told me the other day that he woke up and realized that he had not accomplished anything in four years! I reminded him that he HAD got his GED and that he gained experience as a cook. But he is coming face to face with friends who he hung out with years ago who have moved on in life . . . but he feels he has gone nowhere.
8. Our vehicle situation needs work. Our van has a major oil leak, two busted headlight clusters, and the rear breaks are locking up. On top of that, we need to bungee cord the driver's door to the steering wheel column to keep the door shut! But on the flip side, it does want to keep on running. Kris even got to drive my jeep pickup one day last week. I thought it was an honor to allow her to pilot the beast, but she didn't feel so excited.
9. Kris and I will be sharing our love story to the students of ACC today. Pray that God will give me the right words to share. We have been married almost 24 years and have alot to be thankful for this Valentine s day. (Guys, take this as a reminder if needed. Today is a very important day!)
10. A supporting church is going through some rough times. They are in the area here. Pray that God will give us wisdom what we can do to help however we can.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Gospel SINGING, That is! 2/08/05
OK . . . OK . . . Leave me alone!
In my last update I said . . .
Later that evening, we visited another church as their pastor was re-united with a gospel singing group he sang with back n the Seventies . . . and we enjoyed some great gospel sinning and fellowship as this church capped off it's 20th anniversary celebration. It was a wonderful experience.
It was gospel singing, not gospel sinning!
Kris always says "Please let me read your HarrisHotline e-mails before they go out." I know I make typos and blunders . . . But I am just too spontaneous in this regard to "send it to a committee" so to speak.
This makes my 2nd greatest blunder in an e-mail (in my humble opinion). The greatest blunder was when I welcomed about 30 people to Arctic Barnabas E-mail updates a year or so back. The e-mail started "Dear Friends of Arctic Bananas Ministries." Dare I attempt to explain? New laptop, with empty custom spelling dictionary in Word. It came to "Barnabas" and I must have hit 'change" instead of "ignore."
But my favorite (because it takes the focus off of me, even if just for a moment) was a dear friend who had a link to ABM put on his website, and it tried to take people to www.arcticbarabas.org
Now you know why we need your prayers!
THERE or in the air!
Gary
In my last update I said . . .
Later that evening, we visited another church as their pastor was re-united with a gospel singing group he sang with back n the Seventies . . . and we enjoyed some great gospel sinning and fellowship as this church capped off it's 20th anniversary celebration. It was a wonderful experience.
It was gospel singing, not gospel sinning!
Kris always says "Please let me read your HarrisHotline e-mails before they go out." I know I make typos and blunders . . . But I am just too spontaneous in this regard to "send it to a committee" so to speak.
This makes my 2nd greatest blunder in an e-mail (in my humble opinion). The greatest blunder was when I welcomed about 30 people to Arctic Barnabas E-mail updates a year or so back. The e-mail started "Dear Friends of Arctic Bananas Ministries." Dare I attempt to explain? New laptop, with empty custom spelling dictionary in Word. It came to "Barnabas" and I must have hit 'change" instead of "ignore."
But my favorite (because it takes the focus off of me, even if just for a moment) was a dear friend who had a link to ABM put on his website, and it tried to take people to www.arcticbarabas.org
Now you know why we need your prayers!
THERE or in the air!
Gary
Monday, February 07, 2005
A Day for Me . . .Tailor Made. 2/07/05
I just had to share this with you right away. It was an incredible blessing to me (Gary).
In our church in Soldotna, Alaska, I have been teaching an adult Sunday School class for about two months now. What started out as a 4 week commitment has extended out into "Let's keep going for now" attitude.
We are currently studying 1 Peter, and having a wonderful time as I enjoy a group who really likes to participate.
We start every class with prayer and praise requests. As someone would share a prayer request, I would ask someone else to pray for that need a few minutes later as we spent time in group prayer.
Well, as you know, the situation with our daughter, Cassie, has been consuming us quite a bit lately, and her situation was often a prayer request - - either from me or from someone else who is close to her (she touches the lives of many people.) However, this Sunday I decided not to mention anything about Cassie. And to my relief, no one asked. I guess I was just feeling a bit "raw" in that area, and I welcomed a chance to steer away from that topic.
We went to prayer as a class and took our burdens to the Lord. The last person to pray before I wrapped things up elected also to lift Cassie up to God in prayer with a simple, yet moving, request for continued protection. I then closed.
Well, that prayer and the concern these dear friends have for our daughter just sort of knocked me off balance. Fighting off tears, I dismissed myself for a moment under the pretense of needing to fill my coffee cup. I could not fool these fine folks however, and when I returned to the class to begin teaching it all hit me and I began to cry. Immediately, another person in the class asked if I would mine moving my chair to the center so they could surround me and pray for our situation.
Needless to say, it was a wonderful experience.
Later that day, we enjoyed "Superbowl Sunday" with staff and students at Alaska Christian College at one of the staff's homes. This also was something I really needed, Knowing some of the difficult backgrounds these people came from, and seeing them having a great time lounging around the house, watching the game, eating food, and enjoying the day - - and knowing that they were experiencing Christ in an incredible way in the whole-life discipleship environment the school gives them. It was a wonderful experience.
Later that evening, we visited another church as their pastor was re-united with a gospel singing group he sang with back n the Seventies . . . and we enjoyed some great gospel sinning and fellowship as this church capped off it's 20th anniversary celebration. It was a wonderful experience.
We got home, and hit the sack, pretty exhausted, and somewhat drained. But I was very happy. God had given me a day I really needed. Thank you LORD!
Gary
In our church in Soldotna, Alaska, I have been teaching an adult Sunday School class for about two months now. What started out as a 4 week commitment has extended out into "Let's keep going for now" attitude.
We are currently studying 1 Peter, and having a wonderful time as I enjoy a group who really likes to participate.
We start every class with prayer and praise requests. As someone would share a prayer request, I would ask someone else to pray for that need a few minutes later as we spent time in group prayer.
Well, as you know, the situation with our daughter, Cassie, has been consuming us quite a bit lately, and her situation was often a prayer request - - either from me or from someone else who is close to her (she touches the lives of many people.) However, this Sunday I decided not to mention anything about Cassie. And to my relief, no one asked. I guess I was just feeling a bit "raw" in that area, and I welcomed a chance to steer away from that topic.
We went to prayer as a class and took our burdens to the Lord. The last person to pray before I wrapped things up elected also to lift Cassie up to God in prayer with a simple, yet moving, request for continued protection. I then closed.
Well, that prayer and the concern these dear friends have for our daughter just sort of knocked me off balance. Fighting off tears, I dismissed myself for a moment under the pretense of needing to fill my coffee cup. I could not fool these fine folks however, and when I returned to the class to begin teaching it all hit me and I began to cry. Immediately, another person in the class asked if I would mine moving my chair to the center so they could surround me and pray for our situation.
Needless to say, it was a wonderful experience.
Later that day, we enjoyed "Superbowl Sunday" with staff and students at Alaska Christian College at one of the staff's homes. This also was something I really needed, Knowing some of the difficult backgrounds these people came from, and seeing them having a great time lounging around the house, watching the game, eating food, and enjoying the day - - and knowing that they were experiencing Christ in an incredible way in the whole-life discipleship environment the school gives them. It was a wonderful experience.
Later that evening, we visited another church as their pastor was re-united with a gospel singing group he sang with back n the Seventies . . . and we enjoyed some great gospel sinning and fellowship as this church capped off it's 20th anniversary celebration. It was a wonderful experience.
We got home, and hit the sack, pretty exhausted, and somewhat drained. But I was very happy. God had given me a day I really needed. Thank you LORD!
Gary
Thursday, February 03, 2005
No news is . . . we're coping! 2/03/05
Dear Praying Friends,
Have you ever heard the phrase "No news is good news?" Well, in our situation that's certainly not the case. For us, "No news" to you simply means we are still struggling to find some routine in the day-to-day happenings that have been consuming us:
Cassie's situation is still unchanged. She has had a continuing problem with seizures and we are preparing to put her in the hospital at some time in the near future. There, her condition will be monitored over a several day period, mainly via a constant EEG.
Until that day comes, life for our family has been somewhat "like eating an elephant . . . . just one bite at a time." Cassie spends her days with Kris over on the Alaska Christian College Campus (the folks at ACC are a real part of our "support group" right now!) and is trying to focus on her home school curriculum. But the medications she is on make it difficult to apply herself. This only increases her frustration. Meanwhile, we try to keep her as active as possible and not allow her to retreat into a wait and see attitude regarding her treatment. We are also waiting on final word re. being accepted on a Medicare program called TEFRA, which is for children with permanent disabilities. At one point we thought we were "in" but wee keep having to fill out something more . . . and we are awaiting some sort of final confirmation.
We have also been busy with Chelsie's plans re. college. She has been accepted at both Grace College in Indiana and a college in western Washington, which has an in-state agreement program with Alaska, and Chelsie has been approved under that program. It's not an automatic thing, Chelsie had to apply sort-of like a scholarship, and she was accepted. Later in February she will be traveling back to Indiana for a week to visit Grace College and spend time with the Soccer team there. We are hoping for some sort of partial athletic scholarship. We are also hoping she will choose Grace. But the financial burden is pretty much on her, and we will be excited for her, whatever she chooses.
Tyler is still living in the area. We see him every now and then. Last time we had him over for dinner it's like we traveled in time back to the days when we would all sit around the table and tell stories about each other growing up. You know the stories - - the ones that you tell over and over again? He is still walking far from the Lord. But his heart is still tender and we are confident that it is only a matter of time. How much time? I wish I knew, but then again, that's somewhat insignificant in light of eternity, huh?
Please don't take our decrease in communication to mean anything other than simply the fact that we are busy coping. We are loved by God and His dear children and have allot of support during this time. But we are also trying to hit on the best way to keep you informed. There are even more issues relating to confidence and discretion in how we share about Kris' activities and New Hope than in our working with families in the bush with ABM. Kris and I were just talking about this the other day. In the past, I have always been the one sending these updates out. But currently I am not involved as much in the day-to-day on campus. But Kris' plate is full enough right now, so I guess we are still transitioning. Once we have found the right combination of her details and my ramblings, we will start back up in earnest. Because we firmly believe that you are our partners in ministry and it thrills us to know you are staying up to speed on our ministry.
God is really breaking my heart with a concern for the lost. He is bringing me in contact with unsaved people on a regular basis. Sometimes, the contrast between their lives and what assurances WE know in Christ almost chokes me. I am teaching a Sunday School class in II Peter at church.
2 Peter 1:3-43 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. NIV
Everything we need! And through His promises we can participate in the DIVINE NATURE. That's good enough for me. This human nature is just too complicated, don't you agree?
THERE or in the air!
Have you ever heard the phrase "No news is good news?" Well, in our situation that's certainly not the case. For us, "No news" to you simply means we are still struggling to find some routine in the day-to-day happenings that have been consuming us:
Cassie's situation is still unchanged. She has had a continuing problem with seizures and we are preparing to put her in the hospital at some time in the near future. There, her condition will be monitored over a several day period, mainly via a constant EEG.
Until that day comes, life for our family has been somewhat "like eating an elephant . . . . just one bite at a time." Cassie spends her days with Kris over on the Alaska Christian College Campus (the folks at ACC are a real part of our "support group" right now!) and is trying to focus on her home school curriculum. But the medications she is on make it difficult to apply herself. This only increases her frustration. Meanwhile, we try to keep her as active as possible and not allow her to retreat into a wait and see attitude regarding her treatment. We are also waiting on final word re. being accepted on a Medicare program called TEFRA, which is for children with permanent disabilities. At one point we thought we were "in" but wee keep having to fill out something more . . . and we are awaiting some sort of final confirmation.
We have also been busy with Chelsie's plans re. college. She has been accepted at both Grace College in Indiana and a college in western Washington, which has an in-state agreement program with Alaska, and Chelsie has been approved under that program. It's not an automatic thing, Chelsie had to apply sort-of like a scholarship, and she was accepted. Later in February she will be traveling back to Indiana for a week to visit Grace College and spend time with the Soccer team there. We are hoping for some sort of partial athletic scholarship. We are also hoping she will choose Grace. But the financial burden is pretty much on her, and we will be excited for her, whatever she chooses.
Tyler is still living in the area. We see him every now and then. Last time we had him over for dinner it's like we traveled in time back to the days when we would all sit around the table and tell stories about each other growing up. You know the stories - - the ones that you tell over and over again? He is still walking far from the Lord. But his heart is still tender and we are confident that it is only a matter of time. How much time? I wish I knew, but then again, that's somewhat insignificant in light of eternity, huh?
Please don't take our decrease in communication to mean anything other than simply the fact that we are busy coping. We are loved by God and His dear children and have allot of support during this time. But we are also trying to hit on the best way to keep you informed. There are even more issues relating to confidence and discretion in how we share about Kris' activities and New Hope than in our working with families in the bush with ABM. Kris and I were just talking about this the other day. In the past, I have always been the one sending these updates out. But currently I am not involved as much in the day-to-day on campus. But Kris' plate is full enough right now, so I guess we are still transitioning. Once we have found the right combination of her details and my ramblings, we will start back up in earnest. Because we firmly believe that you are our partners in ministry and it thrills us to know you are staying up to speed on our ministry.
God is really breaking my heart with a concern for the lost. He is bringing me in contact with unsaved people on a regular basis. Sometimes, the contrast between their lives and what assurances WE know in Christ almost chokes me. I am teaching a Sunday School class in II Peter at church.
2 Peter 1:3-43 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. NIV
Everything we need! And through His promises we can participate in the DIVINE NATURE. That's good enough for me. This human nature is just too complicated, don't you agree?
THERE or in the air!