Hi Ladies,

We just found out that my sister, Julie's father in law needs to have open heart surgery soon as one of his valves is bad. His name is Tom B.

And, my dear friend, Larry Sr., [whom I met in Houston when we roomed across the hall from one another in a lady's home] needs prayers TIMES TWO!

While I lived down there, Larry became like a second Dad to me, so we are quite close, still. He is 3 years younger than my Dad was, so that would mean he is 74 yrs old now. He has been having some lung problems that the big VA hospital in Houston can't seem to figure out. But, the gist of it is that he can only lay on one side, and couldn't talk to me for long last night when I called him.

Then, on top of that, he told me that his 41 year old son, Larry, Jr., has been diagnosed with lung cancer and is starting radiation and chemo. soon, if I recall correctly. And, Larry Sr. has 2 other sons, that he had to raise by himself for quite a while after his wife died of breast cancer back in 1980. Then, Larry chose to re-marry, so the boys would have a mother-figure in their lives, and I think he loved her, too, but she had an older son who was into drugs and such living there with them, so he chose to get a divorce because he couldn't handle this older step-son... And, I don't blame him, and he wasn't exactly a "good role model" for his sons, either. However, she, too, passed away last December.

But, on a more positive note, Larry Sr. does have all 3 sons living in the Houston area now, and has a bunch of grandchildren whom he adores.

I'm sure these dear people would really appreciate your prayers...

In Christ's Love,

Jennifer

Hi again,

Please pray for Tom. Things are getting to be much more urgent with my sister's father in law, Tom.

They decided to bring him up to Madison [40 miles from here] by ambulance this morning, as they found out the bad valve is in his aorta, and he also has a bad case of emphysema. Unfortunately, however, he never has quit smoking.

Our hometown hospital is a very good hospital, but apparently they do not do this particular kind of open heart surgery here, so they had to send him to the closest hospital that does this.

I guess things are not looking very good for him right now.

His immediate family was up there with him this afternoon, but I'm not sure if they are able to stay with him there or not.

Tom is my oldest niece, [Alyssa] and nephew's [Ryan] only Grandpa now that my Dad passed away. [And, quite a while ago, I mentioned that my nephew had tried p*t at work, but I am pretty sure that it was just a couple times, and he hasn't done so since then]

But, these kids [now 19 and 22] are very emotional kids, so I can only imagine how they must be feeling right now. Very frightened, I imagine. [But, unfortunately, they tend to be a lot like I used to be, in which internalizing feelings was more "normal", which is not a good thing, either, but only the Lord can help them deal with that issue.]

And, I do not know if Tom has a relationship with Jesus or not, so if Y'all could pray for that, too, it would be great; especially if he is in such a serious condition now.

This really seems to be a "season of hardship" for my family, and I'm not quite sure why that is. But, it must be God's will, or I know that it wouldn't be happening like this.

We are all still so devasted by my own Dad's passing, I'm not sure how to handle this. And, strangely enough, each one of my 3 sisters who are all married, have more or less just added their in laws to the "family", as they are all very dear to us, which is a wonderful thing, but it can be a difficult one, too.

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My Mom is out at the camper already, but thanks be to God, it is a 5th wheel trailer that has air conditioning, as it has been very hot and humid for us here for the past several days. However, she does have a cell phone, so she can make and receive calls out there, thankfully. And, she knows all about this situation with Tom.
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It is very tempting right now to start asking God, "Why, and why us?", but I do not want to doubt His will or plans for our lives, as I want to be "snuggled up" right there next to my sweet Savior, Jesus, not questioning Him or His Father's will. But, it just seems to be getting harder and harder with all of these special people that we love getting so ill all of a sudden like this.

Please pray !!! Thank you...

In Christ's Love,

Jennifer

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sparki2003,

Hi,

I made a mistake about my friend, Larry Sr.'s son. It is actually his son, Jerry, not his son, Larry Jr.

However, after speaking with Larry Sr. just now, he told me that Jerry apparently has one of the most deadly lung cancers out there, and the radiation and chemo are not seeming to help him very much at all. So sad... This family is a very close knit family, and I am quite sure that Larry Sr. accepted Christ at some point in his life, as he talks about Him and his faith a lot. So, I imagine that his faith trickled down to his 3 sons.

And, Larry Sr. lost his 1st wife to brea*t cancer way back in 1980, when his boys were quite young. I believe he told me that the oldest son was 8 years old at the time of her passing.

At this time, I do not have any more updates on Tom B., my sister's father in law. I will let you know as soon as I find out anything more.

We would appreciate your continued prayer support. Thank you!

In Christ's Love,

Jennifer

Please pray for peace for Tom B.and his family and extended family, as we have not heard anything, and Mom cannot get in touch with any of his immediate family members. Also, please pray that he has accepted Jesus into his life, just in case he does pass away in the near future...

In Christ's Love,

Jennifer

Hi Ladies,

Tom went in for emergency open heart surgery this morning [Sunday], and Mom just talked to my sister's husband [Tom's son], Steve, and he said that the surgery "went well", but that Tom needs to rest now. They found several holes in his heart, which they patched up, too. Praise God! =)

However, he still needs our prayers for a full recovery, as I'm sure you know already...

But, let's go ahead and throw a praise party for our Heavenly Father/Great Physician for now, shall we, [as Tom had a seriously life threatening condition] ???? HALLELUJAH !

Thank you for your prayers...

In Christ's Love,

Jennifer

Jennifer,

Just wanted to say just because noone responded here, your family is being prayed for. You guys have been through a lot this year. And even though I just joined in December, I can honestly say you are so loved here and of course by me!

((hugs))