Sunday, July 6, 2008

Prayer Requests & Rally Foundation



Hi all,
We head back this afternoon to Memphis. His surgery will be tomorrow around lunchtime, although there will be no lunch or breakfast for this little guy. So, that is number 1 on our list of things to pray for. :) Please also pray:
--that Dr. Boop will be able to remove this necrosis/mass/tumor easily and without any damage to nerves, etc.
--that the biopsy would show it is necrosis and NOT progression
--that we would have wisdom as to what treatment to pursue if there is tumor growth
--that God would give us safety and peace throughout the surgery and recovery
--that Joseph's recovery would again be swift and free of infection or complications
I could list a hundred things, but I think these are the main things. We cherish your prayers and truly feel them.
A dear friend of mine sent me this verse from 2 Corinthians 1:8-11:

For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

It just completely describes our feelings...how again and again we have felt the sentence of death in our hearts, but how we have been so upheld through the prayers and kindness of friends. You all have been the hands and feet of Christ for us and we are so grateful.

Another thing I wanted to write about was this wonderful foundation called the Rally Foundation. Every year they do a cross-country bike ride to raise money especially for childhood cancer research. They ended in Nashville and rode through Nashville in Joe's honor. The above pictures are from the lunch they invited us to. If you would like to check out their site it is:
rallyfoundation.org and rallyacrossamerica.org
Joseph is listed under "kids" on the rallyacrossamerica site.

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

We will be praying through lunchtime tomorrow for all your intentions. Found the blog by chance...our 5 month old son just had successful heart surgery and we certainly understand the challenges of hospital life. I am taking up for precious Joseph and have shared the blog with prayer warriors everywhere. May it be to God's glory that Joseph is completely healed.

Dave, Ami, Hadleigh Claire, Annelise, and True said...

we are standing with you.

Our family said...

We will be praying for all of your specific requests. Thanks for sharing them. Know that we are lifting y'all up daily.
Nathaniel, Rebekah, Anna Walton and Olivia

Jean Joiner said...

Thnaks for continuing to update us. We'll be praying for you guys.

With Love,
The Joiner Family

Anonymous said...

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Eph. 3:20-21

praying and believing.
love, norma & vann

John and Sue Burch said...

We have been following the blog and praying as you have requested. Know that we ask for wisdom for the doctors and all of those who care for sweet Joseph - to give him good care and wise counsel. Praying for necrosis and not growth of tumor. Praying most of all that you would know the presence and comfort and strength of your Heavenly Father! Add a dot to the map for Puerto Rico!

Anonymous said...

We will be praying in the a.m. here in AZ so that it will be over lunchtime your time! We are lifting you and what a blessing we all have together to pray for your precious son and family.
May the Lord give you grace as the body kneels before our great God and King on your behalf.

Craig and Gwen said...

O Gill -
Praying so much and missing you a ton.

HUGS HUGS HUGS - Gwen

joann said...

praying, praying, praying. love to all of you.

Brandon said...

On our knees we will be tomm through the noon hour.

notes of em said...

We will be in constant prayer and vigilant in petitioning our Saviour on behalf of sweet Joseph.
Again, thank you for allowing us to be "involved" in loving you all through the body of Christ and through continual prayer.

Anonymous said...

God is good all the time,as Peggy would say.Some times its just hard to feel good.God doesnt nt tell us to feel good..Inthe hidden recessesof our being dwells,not an angel,not a philosophy,not a genie,but God.May the God of hope and peace fill your hearts tonight.Sleep sound in Jesus.We are praying Nana and Holly bear

Anonymous said...

Praying, praying, praying in Palm Beach Gardens FL.

"Praise the Lord,O my soul; and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and HEALS all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.." Psalm 103:1-5

Anonymous said...

Praying that as you are waiting: for the surgery to begin, during surgery, for the results of the surgery, and during recovery -that you will be comforted by God's presence and His grace. "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful." Heb 10:23
Love, The O'Steens

Ashley said...

Y'all don't know me, but Amy Weiner asked me to pray for y'all a while back and I've been periodically checking in on you since then. I just wanted you to know that I am pryaing for all of you today.

Carrigan Family said...

Praying for you all this morning ....

Anonymous said...

Praying for you all this morning. Catherine Morris

Anonymous said...

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

I was listening to this hymn and thought of you guys today. Lifting up prayers for you today. Love you.

Carolyn

Anonymous said...

Praying praying praying. We love you and miss you tons. Jody

Laura Matthews said...

praying!

Anonymous said...

Praying throughout the day, praying all day!
The Booth family

Anonymous said...

You do not know me, but I found out about Joseph from Jennifer and she gave me the link to your website. I will be praying for you today during this surgery and in the days to come.

Ashli Avis
Memphis, TN

Anonymous said...

praying right now for you guys. Let us know how the surgery went when you can.

paige c.

vim+dash said...

i am praying!! just saw the post. please keep us updated. sellers and i will pray right now over lunch. so sorry joe missed his meals for the day... i can't imagine how hard that is for a mom (or a dad) to have to endure. much love...

boothe (and sellers)

conorbootheandgirls.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

woke up in the middle of the night last night with joseph on my mind...prayed for him then and again just now.

erin and dave

Anonymous said...

Gill,
We love you and we are praying for you all.

Anonymous said...

Still praying and anxious to hear!
All our love,
John and Vivi

Chloƫ said...

gill, hundreds prayed for joe at granny taaffes funeral in dublin this morning. so much love and faith has been sent your way and I hope today was everything you need and wish for. love you so much. chloe.