Tuesday, April 28, 2015

A slow process

Thank you once again for all the comments and especially your prayers.

Apparently last night Josh opened both eyes on command. We were thrilled to hear such news.

Then throughout the day Josh had been battling a fever which is most likely due to the pneumonia. We had little response throughout the day and when there was a response it was slower than yesterday. Josh is responding to pain stimulus which is a great blessing but it is hard to watch. Even though it was a rough day, we were reminded by the doctors that this is part of his healing process and this is a journey that could take months. Although that was very difficult for us to hear, we know that the Lord will be with us every step of the way.

"Those who wait for The Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

Terri

20 comments:

  1. My thoughts and prayers are with you throughout the day and night. Praying for healing, peace, patience and understanding. Psalm 62:1-2 "My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken." Love, Sherry

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  2. John 14:27
    “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
    Thanks Terri for the update. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
    Love Dan and Teresa

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  3. My thoughts and par years always go to you family and Josh .your a great leader for youth Josh.

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  4. Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." We continuously pray for Josh's healing and for your whole family to be strengthened and uplifted daily. Love you all.
    Elaine and John

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  5. "Be still and know that I am God." psalm 46:19. I pray that you may all experience that stillness as you feel God's arms carrying you. We rejoice to hear that there is improvement. We continue in prayer for healing.

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  6. Praise God for baby steps and continued visible signs of progress and hope. May He continue to strengthen you for each day! Psalm 121

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  7. "The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. 15 Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: "The LORD's right hand has done mighty things! 16 The LORD's right hand is lifted high; the LORD's right hand has done mighty things!" Psalm 118: 14 -16 Thinking of you constantly and holding you up in prayer. May the Lord continue to do mighty things. So thankful for the signs of progress that Josh is making. Continued strength and encouragement to you all. Love you, Hetty and Karl

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  8. Thinking of you and praying for healing for Josh. May our gracious God be near you each day.

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  9. Dear Terri and Phil, we are continuing to pray for Josh's healing from the Lord. We thank the Lord for the little signs of improvements. We pray for patience for you as some days may seem longer then others and disappointments will arise. We pray that the Lord will bring Josh out of this coma and we pray for the days and months ahead as he recovers. May you feel the Lord carrying you on this journey and all the many friends and family who are praying for him and you.
    Michelle Van Zeumeren
    Ryan, Collette and Sierra

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  10. Continually lifting all of you up; praying you feel God's strength and peace. Sharing in your tears, and in the hope that each new response brings - blessings.

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  11. "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord our God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 May our loving Father give you all you need each day.
    Herman and Joanne Faber

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  12. We are thrilled to hear the recent encouraging update about Josh. We've been praying daily for Josh and you all, continue to pray.

    The kindness and love that Josh showed to Jonathan over the past few months has touched him deeply. When I asked Jonathan if he wanted to come to the Saturday night prayer meeting, he said "I wouldn't miss it for the world!" Every day Jonathan asks (multiple times throughout the day), "How is Josh? Do you have any news about Josh?" and "When can I visit Josh in the hospital?" A testimony to the kind of man that Josh is, and the effect of his kindness to Jonathan.

    We are so grateful to the LORD for sparing Josh's life and for his steady, if slow, recovery.

    - Stuart.

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  13. We are continuing to hold all of you in our prayers.
    1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek the Lord and his strength, Seek his presence continually.

    Kevin & Heather Biersteker & family

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  14. You are in our thoughts and constant prayers...rejoicing with you on each and every small sign of progress and praying fervently for the complications and set backs like pneumonia. May God continue to wrap His loving arms around you. Ps 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble".
    May He renew your strength each and every morning!
    Art and Joanne and girls

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  15. Hello Phil and Terri. We have never met but my family and I have had the wonderful pleasure of having Josh join us for dinner and stay over at our place almost every Thursday evening for the last 2 years. He is a great young man and we feel he is like one of the family. We just want you to know that we are praying for his complete recovery and for your family as you support him in this process. We miss him. Please tell him that we look forward to having him back at his place at our table and if he wants, he can pick the menu the first day he returns. God bless,
    Gwen and Henry Veenstra

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  16. Terri, Phil and family - just wanted to let you know we are thinking and praying daily for Josh and all of you. We give thanks for the progress made these past few days, but acknowledge the challenges and battle that lies ahead. Prayers for patience, strength and endurance for the road ahead. Your faith and steadfast trust in God is a testimony of His place in your family's life. Love and prayers,
    Tim, Patty, and Jacob Schuurman

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  17. We are thinking of you guys and praying for you. HUGS

    Cris & Norm Geroux

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  18. Thinking of you all constantly, praying always. Love you all - Kristy

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  19. We are thinking of Josh and your family. May have have a full recovery and may your family find the strength you need in this tough time.

    Love Tom, Catherine + family

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  20. Phil, Terri and family, We continue to lift Josh up in prayer and we are encouraged to hear of his progress so far. Many times during our days we are reminded of Josh; his integrity and his enjoyment of life, and this reminds us to pray again. May God give you daily strength and mercies, Bill, Monica and family

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