Dear Praying Friends,
(This e-mail is coming via my other e-mail address because the my
ACC e-mail address is not working at the moment. This way, any
replies made to this e-mail, will get back through)
In my last brief update (who, me? brief?) I mentioned about
Cassie moving to another HOTEL room. Well, they really are not
doing out-patient brain surgery yet. I meant, of course, moving
her out of ICU and into another HOSPITAL room.
The room number is 354. The direct number to that room is
206-731-5210. calls are welcome. Cassie is up and moving a bit.
Swelling in face has gone down. We are rejoicing!
The rest of this update is from Kris. God Bless each of you. He
has lavished his love on us in so many ways.
From Kris:
Dear Loved Ones,
Several times this past week I have tried to sit down and compose
an email that would convey the depths of our gratitude to you for
ALL you have done and continue to do on behalf of Cassie and our
family. But, I just can't seem to get my mind around this whole
situation enough to even begin to put words to it. I'm undone,
speechless and overwhelmed because God has done so much for
us-not just His miraculous work in Cassie's body, but the ways He
has laid our family so heavily on the hearts of so many! Its one
of those things that has God's handprint all over it!! As
frustrating as it is to not be able to get my mind "around it", I
know I should be grateful because I'm brought to tears every time
I focus in on just one aspect of this whole situation.
Today was a day for celebration for us. Cassie has been moved
back to the Epilepsy Ward (jokingly referred to as "home") and is
out of ICU. She gets a little better everyday and for that we
rejoice with all our hearts. Gary and I are so anxious for the
swelling to go down in her eyes so she can actually look at us
and for her to get her appetite back. The Dr's assure us it is
only a matter of time. As we moved all her stuff into her new
room, Gary and I both began to feel the load of concern for
Cassie lift. My mind was immediately drawn to you-I composed a
rough draft of this letter in my mind while trying to take a much
needed nap. It felt so good to focus on you and just try to grasp
the magnitude of the love lavished on us by so many. Our new
Pastor friend, Ray, was praying for Cassie the other day and he
praised God because he knew once we all get to heaven our tongues
and minds will be released to express what just isn't possible
here on earth. And how exciting it will be to hear Cassie's
testimony of all that God has done. That got me all excited and
thinking about HEAVEN!! If only this feeble tongue of mine could
speak words that express the worship and praise in my heart-I'd
be shouting from the Mountaintops GOD IS FAITHFUL, HE IS
TRUSTWORTHY AND HE IS ALWAYS GOOD!!- only I'd be saying it in
such a way everyone would know WHO I was talking about and would
be as undone as I am right now.
So many e-mails, cards, gifts and financial gifts have been
given-we will NEVER be able to thank each of you adequately.
Cassie hasn't yet felt good enough to actually enjoy all of the
cards and gifts-we tell her about each and every one but she
hasn't felt well enough to sit up and enjoy them-Gary and I have
though! We are so blessed by every single e-mail, gift and card
that comes in and really enjoy just seeing who they are all from.
I know Cassie's socks will be blessed right off her feet once she
feels well enough to sit up and enjoy all of them. Thank you with
all of our hearts. Thank you for your love and faithfulness to
keep us before the Lord. Thank you for taking the time to pick up
a card and send it, to make a phone call, to send an email. Thank
you. Each and every one has brightened our way and blessed our
hearts so much.
Our very dear friend, Amy Fetterhoff, sent us a card a few weeks
back letting us know their family has been praying for us and
would continue to do so. She said when she prays for us, she
thinks about the story in the Gospels where the paralytic's
friends brought him to Jesus. They couldn't get him to Jesus
through the door because it was so crowded-doubtless many other
very needy people. But these friends were not to be discouraged!
They climbed up on the roof top, with their friend, made a whole
in the roof and lowered their friend right down in front of
Jesus-at His feet. Thank you Amy for that beautiful picture!
Indeed Gary and I and our family have been brought right to
Jesus' feet countless times. I shared with Gary this evening
while we were eating dinner, I can't help but ask Why? We are so
unworthy of such an outpouring of love from so many people. And I
know there are so many others who are just as needy if not more.
Why would God see fit to place us so deeply in the hearts of so
many people? Beth Moore calls it Scandalous Love. At first, I
didn't like that description-you know, I'm one of those very nice
conservative Baptist girls. I just can't see God and scandalous
in the same sentence!! But now that we have experienced it, I
can't think of a better description! And I will never be able,
this side of Heaven, to express what is overflowing in my
heart-towards God and towards YOU.
Resting In His Arms,
Kris
