Praise & Prayer Page

My secretary’s 16 year old son, Dan, is having all or part of his colon removed today at 1:30 at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh due to Crohn’s disease.  Prayers for peace, wisdom and healing are greatly appreciated. Kim

Jack Macom is having neck surgery today.  Please pray for peace for Jack and excellence and wisdom for the doctors and medical staff.

My friend, Roseann, will get the results of her brain biopsy today at 12:30.  Your prayers would be greatly appreciated! 

Hello faithful prayer warriors!  I don't know any new information about Eddie but he continues his battle so please continue your prayers.   

In addition, I am coming to you once again to ask for prayer for my friend, Roseann.  Rosie has been having significant memory problems and today they did a CAT scan and found an "intracranial mass".  I don't know what that means just yet but I know that it isn't good and Rosie and her family would greatly appreciate your prayers.  Thank you so much for your faithfulness! 

ELLIS: Update for Eddie Pickens.  Eddie’s parents reported that last evening he went into septic shock and is not doing very well at this time.  Please continue to pray for Eddie, his doctors and nurses, and his family.  The family is very grateful for all of our prayers.

Please pray for my co-worker’s nephew, Eddie Pickens.  Eddie is a 21 year old young man who has been hospitalized for some sort of infection which is not responding to any treatments or medications as of yet.  The infection has apparently attacked his heart valve as well so he may now also require open heart surgery.  His condition is critical.  Thank you in advance for your prayers for Eddie. 

BROWN: Sally Brown's son-in-law, Ted is hospitalized @ UPMC. He is from Florida.

Vance Scott Votaw was born at Dublin Methodist Hospital Thursday June 17, 2010 at 4:21 p.m. weight 7 lbs. 4 oz., 20” in length.  Mother and baby are healthy.  Thank you for all the prayers.

Proud Parents Natalie & Derek Votaw, Grandparents Brenda & Jim Burleson, Great Grandparents Dorie & John Apa

Jan's Moms service will be held this Saturday June 26th at 10:15 am at Notre Dame Church in Hermitage, Pa. 

Thanks to all our brothers and sisters in Christ for your love, support and prayer.  We celebrate knowing that Mary Lou is in His care now. The Bombeck's

Hi prayer warriors, my mom is in Greenville hospital with her second major stroke and is on a ventilator. We are waiting at this point for more news to make a decision. Pray for our family and peace for my mom. We don't know how long any of this will take but we trust God's perfect plan and know that He is the great physician and ultimate healer. Thanks everyone, Jan.

Please pray for Sam who is an 18 year old friend diagnosed with stage 3 cancer.  He started chemo yesterday in Pittsburgh and will continue through tomorrow with a ten day break before beginning the next round.  Please pray that the cancer would be destroyed, the side effects would be minimum, he would have safety in traveling and there would be an amazing peace in his life.  We serve a mighty God!  “God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,”  We can’t wait to see what He will do!

David Ryan Westcott was born to Donna and Ryan Westcott at 11:55 pm, Tuesday June 15,2010.  He is 8 lbs 9.4 oz and 22 1/2 in. long. Mother and baby are doing well.  Thank you everyone for your prayers!

Ann Ore had to cancel her surgery, as she wasn't able to see the cardiologist until the end of June.  Until she is released by the cardiologist, she will not be able to schedule her neck surgery.  She is content to have this all in God's hands.

Please keep Chris' mom in your prayers.  His dad called and said that she is in the hospital for the night to be observed.  They think it is heart related problems.  We will possibly know more by tomorrow of what is going on.  Chris and Angie Smith

 I went to my eye surgeon yesterday for a post surgery appointment.  He told me there was definitely improvement in the vertical alignment of my eyes.  However,  I will need to have more surgery.  He doesn't want to do additional surgery for 2 or 3 months. 

In the meantime my prescription glasses aren't correct and it is even more difficult to read than it was before the surgery.  I will not have a new prescription till after my second surgery.  Sure leaning on Jesus for His help through this time.  Thanks for your prayers. Carolyn

• Please pray for a friend of Dave & Sandy who was attacked during a baptism service last month.  He is also now facing a lot of slander on the where he is a professor.  Pray also that he would be open to my correction on his need to be more contextually (culturally) sensitive.  His reputation on this campus is in serious danger.  This is spiritual warfare.

My eye surgery will be Wednesday, May 26th at 9:00 a.m. at Sharon Regional Hospital.  Please pray for Dr. Lindberg who will be the surgeon.  The surgery is to correct my vertical misalignment.  It will be on my right eye and will take an hour.  Thank you!  I will have a follow up appointment with Dr. Lindberg on Tuesday, June 1st.  I will then let you know the outcome of the surgery.

I went to the eye doctor today and he is going to do muscle surgery on my right eye on May 26.   The vertical alignment is off.  He did say it is not an easy surgery to get right the first time and he may have to do it twice. Appreciate your prayers.  Thanks!  I'm so thankful that something can be done.

An email from Leslie Bailey, david’s wife.

Dear Family & Friends . . .

We are home from our down and back, 485 mi, trip to Duke.  We met with both Allan Friedman, David’s surgeon, and David Reardon, his neuro-oncologist.

David is scheduled for his fifth craniotomy (7th brain procedure) this Friday morning, May 7.  He may be discharged as early as Sunday — will have to stay in Durham, near the hospital, for several days — but we may be home around Wednesday of next week.

The surgery will be to remove a cyst that is enlarging and causing all sorts of neurological issues — and he will also remove as much of the tumor’s nodule in the frontal lobe (there are a few other nodules that he will be unable to excise — all part of the same web of tumor).  Post-surgical side effects could be worse than he’s experiencing right now — but, ideally, would improve as he recovers.  His recovery could be extended, which is Allan’s major concern with the surgery.

Dr. Reardon has a 3-tiered plan mapped out to address the remaining tumor after David is strong enough to begin treatment again.  There are several newer oral chemos that David has never had and have had somewhat promising results with other patients.   As soon as he can get started, the better, obviously.

We’re working out scheduling for travel and the kids –

Thanks to all of you for your loving support and powerful prayers.

Love, Leslie et al

Please pray for our niece Gretchen who is experiencing some extreme symptoms as she is weaned off of a prescription medication.  The doctors say the symptoms could last up to two months, but we know our God is ultimately in charge.  Thank you for being faithful prayer warriors for Gretchen and all those who have asked for prayers.

One year… isn’t it hard to believe it has been nearly one year since we all saw Dillon? It’s just crazy – it still doesn’t seem real at times. We miss him terribly. Some things change and some things remain the same.

As this anniversary is coming up we don’t know how or what to do – we will take comfort in knowing that May 14th is Dillon’s one year anniversary in Heaven.

We can tell you a few things that are happening here. We know that Dillon continues to affect so many people in a positive way - from messages that we get in one way or another from family and Dillon’s friends, to various groups reaching out to us. For example, the PTA and principal of Van Hoosen Middle School have created an annual award to be given out at the graduation ceremony for the 8th grade students. It will be called “The Dillon Cope Character Award” to recognize students that have demonstrated the kind of character traits that Dillon displayed so well -kindness, inclusiveness, integrity, perseverance, positive attitude, quiet leadership, and “smiling”. The winners will receive a plaque and also there will be a permanent plaque displayed in the school with Dillon’s picture and listing the yearly winners’ names.

We were contacted recently by the Rochester Hills Government Youth Council. Each year they host a 5K Run/Walk with the proceeds going to charity. They asked us if they could dedicate this year’s race in memory of Dillon and we gladly agreed. It will be held on June 19th at Bloomer Park, Rochester Hills. The proceeds will be used to supply the 7th floor of U of M’s Mott Children’s Hospital with new DVD carts with flat screen TV’s and a collection of new movies geared especially toward teenagers. While hospitalized, Dillon really enjoyed the escape of having a movie night in his room. Everyone is very excited about it. You can find more information at www.rochesterhills.org. Then click on “enter site” then go to “Hot Topics” and click on “Youth Council 5K”. Or you can copy and paste this link in your browser. http://www.rochesterhills.org/our_government/uploads/5K_Run_brochure_2010.pdf

Two of Dillon’s friends have created a team in memory of Dillon for the annual American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life to be held June 26-27 at Hart Middle School in Rochester Hills. The team name is “DC” and if you would like to join their team, or financially support them, you can go to http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=team&fr_id=21577&team_id=672765

We miss Dill so much and we couldn’t be more proud of him.

We love you Dillon

First of all the Bombeck family wants to praise the Lord for all His blessings as we know we are but servants and stewards.  We thank Him for the many, many blessings we have received during this time of change.  Many of you have been praying and all have been supportive.  Your love, affection and prayers definitely buoyed us all during this ordeal.  Along with your support and the out pouring of love from my co-workers, bosses and customers has been in a word humbling.  Every time I felt down, He would send me a note from one of you or a co-worker to remind me that He loves me and has a plan.  We as a family cling so dearly to Jer 29:11....as we know He does have a plan for us.

To that end... as of tomorrow close of biz, He has ended our time with the Hershey family.  It has been a wonderful and awesome ride for us all.  We know that God put us with Hershey, as we got to do things and go places that we never imagined.  For me on a professional level, I was given the opportunity to grow and develop further as a sales pro and whats more...I was given opportunities to share my faith.   Praise Him  for this.

Some of you have expressed some negative thoughts towards Hershey and I would remind you that it is still a wonderful company that even today has many of the values that Milton Hershey instilled back in the early 1900's when he donated most of his wealth to build the Hershey School.  In fact, today some 100+ years later ,this school owns most of The Hershey Company. (which means when you buy a Hershey product...some of the proceeds help kids in dire straits)  Still others have said they will stop buying Hershey as a way to send a message and support me.  While I appreciate the sentiment...Hershey didn't do this.  God has moved me on to a new chapter and there is no need to stop enjoying the great Hershey brands.  YUM

Once again, thanks to all for your love and prayers.  As we move forward come Monday morning we now covet your prayers once again that He will show us a clear path to our next job.

 In Christ

Jim B

I recently went to another doctor concerning my eyes.

He told me that the vertical alignment of my eyes is way off.  He is writing to the surgeon who operated on my eyes in May of 2008 to see what she did.  After he receives this report he hope to operate on my right eye again.  I have an appointment May 6 to see if this will be possible.  It would be nice to be able to read more than 15 minutes a day.  Appreciate your prayers. Carolyn

My grandma passed away this morning.  Prayers for the family are appreciated. Grace and Peace, Chris

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I do have a phone interview this Wed. morning at 10:30 am for a position with Hershey in our Military Division.  Please continue to pray that we hear His voice above our own, that we do His will and not our own.  Pray that in my interview, I bring honor and glory to Him, as all of my talents are God given and let the interviewer see me in that light. 

We know, trust and believe that regardless of the outcome, He has a plan for us and we praise Him for all of his blessing and goodness.  Amen

Dear Prayer Warriors,

Please pray for Jim.  He has applied for another job with Hershey.  Hopefully, he will be asked to interview next week.  He has 9 days left with the company in his current position. He is seeking God's will and plan for him to have this job or not.  We are very strongly seeking God's will and to hear God's voice loudly and clearly above our own.
Thanks so much,
Jan

Clarence "Jess" Holton - not CHF - it's lower lobe pneumonia - at SRH in step down. Thanks for the prayers.

Clarence "Jess" Holton - admitted to ICU at SRH w/Congestive Heart Failure today.

Brian's father (Dale) and his uncle (Kenny) both had blocked arteries and had to have stints put in this past week.  They both were successful surgeries (praise God!) and have been released from the hospital.  Prayer for continued healing and for the family.

Dear faithful prayer warriors and friends, Jim got the news today that he was not selected for the job he most recently interviewed for with Hershey.  Thank you for your prayers and please continue to pray for discernment.  We know God has a better job for him.  We will be waiting and watching for God to reveal it to Jim.

I think we all need to be praying for the people that are having to deal with the earthquakes and the aftermath.  Okinawa, Japan; Haiti; and Chile.  All have suffered earthquakes this year and all need prayer. Chris & Angie Smith

Pray for our family. Thank You my friends!! Birdie

2/15

MCCRUMB: Please pray for Guy McCrumb's healing of a broken femur bone,.  His accident occurred on Oct 23  and is slow in healing and he has blood clots in the leg and in the lungs. He had a filter put in the groin to help with blood clots but needs God's help in this healing process. 

My employee lost her mother two weeks ago.  Evelyn Adams died of a heart attack at 52.  Her daughter is Meriaha Mitcheltree and her father is alone now.  Pray for Meriaha as her mother took her children on and off the bus and watched them over the summer break.  She is struggling with how to manage work and home now on top of her loss.

Also, my prior business associates lost a valued employee of 23 years last week.  Kathy Diver was my friend and died of natural causes at 57.  She leaves a husband and two step children as well as her family of co workers at Paige & Byrnes.  They are all so devastated and so am I. 

Finally, please pray for me that I may find my way back into a church I can feel worthy of attending.  Pastor Tom was my friend.  I know there were many areas that needed to be improved and truly thought he was capable of making those changes with God’s help and mine.  Unfortunately, worship, session, staff and even I did not see those improvements come to light.  Pray that God can help us with our search.

Thank you for your prayers. Robin Miller

Mild- Bob has done so well from his double knee surgery that he is coming home on Friday afternoon!  Thanks be to God and for all your prayers.  He just had surgery a week ago.

CHRISTY:  Carol had a pacemaker put in on Monday and all seems to be going well.  Please pray for the ability to keep the restrictions required for the next month to be foremost in my mind as I improve and feel better.

My brother had a triple by-pass today. It's now 10:30pm and he is off the vent. Thank you so much for your prayers and continued prayers. God bless you all!

MILD- Bob did well with his double knee surgery.  He's having a lot of pain and nausea today but otherwise is progressing very well. Sunday he will be moved to Hillside Rehabilitation in Howland area.  Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.  Special to Dick Simon for stopping by Northside Hospital yesterday on his way home from work.

A lady named Jeff Delarcco who is a former member of CPC had a stroke last week. She lives in the Cleveland area with her husband Ray. Her daughter contacted us and asked for prayer, so here you my mighty prayer warrior friends! Thanks a bunch.

Dan Smith

Prayer is needed for Clarion County. As of July 1st, Owens Illinois Glass Plant will be shutting down. There are 420 people that will be out of a job including husbands and wives both working there. The glass plant was Clarions biggest industry. Chris & Angie

Please pray for wisdom and guidance for Jim Bombeck who has lost his position with Hershey and is seeking God's plan and God's path for future employment. Thanks,Jan Bombeck

Mild - Please keep Robert in prayer tomorrow (Thursday) as he is having both knees replaced at Northside Hospital in Youngstown.

He will go to a rehabilitation facility from the hospital for a week.

Also, please pray for a friend (Linda) who is having a lumpectomy on Friday- that the cancer has not spread into the lymph nodes.

At 7:17 PM, Monday evening, February 1, Lydia Grace Walker was born, the daughter of Beth and Torrey Walker, and the granddaughter of Dick and Lissa Herman and of Bill and Debbie Walker.  She was 7 pds, 6 oz's of beautiful little girl.  All the family was there to welcome her to the family and celebrate her birth.Mother and daughter are doing very well

Thank you LORD and thank you for praying my friends, Jenn and Brian Basner brought their son, Caden, home from the hospital today. He has been in the Neo Intensive Care Unit since his birth on January 7. Jenn was discharged on January 11 and they have been traveling back and forth to the hospital everyday.  He is 17 days old and weighs 4lbs. 2.9 oz.. Please continue to pray that they can rest, bond and remain healthy, now that they are all home. 

Please pray for Donna Whalen who is battling cancer.  She is Birdie Smith's mother.

Grant Martsolf Best news of the day. Christy and I just got a call from Donna. They are at the US Embassy in PAP. She sounded good; a bit frazzled but they are doing well. She didnt have time to provide details but said it is by the grace of god that they are alive and they have 'stories'. They will be flown out of the embassy on a ...military plane to Santo Domingo, DR tomorrow. No food in the embassy. (5 hours ago)

Here is what little we know in regards to our ministries there ~

• 3 of our board members, Pastor Butch Lee, Darrell Mullins, Charles McLain and 12 others from GA arrived in Haiti on Saturday to re-roof our church in Mirebaleis (sp??).  They were at a guest house north of Port-au-Prince on Sunday along with Pastor Beril, our Haitian national Director.  One of their family member back in GA received a text last evening that the team is safe but that is the last we heard directly from them.  There was a report that the team was taken to the airport to 'camp out' but has not been verified.  Someone called an Atlanta radio station with that report but none of the teams family members got that info and they are making an appeal on the radio for whoever gave that report to get in contact).  Pray for these men in Haiti and also their families back here in the states.
• Dr Rob Martsolf, another board member, and his wife Donna were on the AA flight that landed just before 4 PM.  They were in Haiti for meetings with a nursing school Donna is involved with.  Donna called home after they landed to let the family know they arrived.  They have not been in contact since that call and their family cannot reach them on their phone.  Pray for Rob and Donna and their family here in the states.
• As far as we know, Pastor Beril, was with the roofing team at the guest house.  I cannot begin to imagine what he is going through being separated from his family at this time.  Pastor Beril's home, church, and school is in Carrefour (car-Foo), right outside Port-au-Prince.  Pray for Pastor Beril, his family and our many Haitian friends serving the Lord there.
• We have not been able to reach anyone in Haiti with the numbers we have.  The phone lines are down, electricity and water out. 
• We have quite a few ministries in the areas that appear hardest hit.  Our medical/dental clinic, church and school in Riviere Froid (Riv-ee-air fwahd) is just outside Carrefour.

My heart is aching as I think of all the Haitian people are going through.  Where are all the church folk and children from our churches in Carrefour and Riviere Froid?  What about all those we ministered to during our medical team trip to Riviere Froid in March?  Please PRAY.

My heart is also overwhelmed with gratitude because of the care and concern from so many people.  Last night and today, George and I have been getting calls on both our cells and the home and office phone from folks to get info and to see what can be done.  Many asked if George is going down.  Right now that is a definite no.  Besides the fact that all flights have been canceled we feel he can do more from stateside as we get info and try to co-ordinate things from here. 

As we get more info we will send it out. 

We ask you to fervently pray for Haiti in the coming days, weeks and months and for Pastor Beril and our many workers there.

Baby Eli was put in the hospital today, as he tested positive for some type of respiratory infection.  He has no fever, is eating and functioning normally, but has mucous in his nose and throat that can only be removed by a tube down his nose (which, of course, he doesn't appreciate.)  Would appreciate prayers for him and Mark and Ayeisha.  I haven't heard yet what the dr. told them.  I'll update when I hear more.