3-2-1

Ladies,
God-willing, three weeks from today, Elijah Henry will join us! I greatly covet your prayers, and I gladly list some specific requests.

You might think that after already having seven c-sections, it's not a big deal to have another one. But it is. A c-section is never a small thing, though many women breeze through it as though it is. Truly, getting through a delivery, regular or by c-section, is a mercy from the LORD.

Our ride to the hospital normally starts out with my having the closest thing to a panic attack I've ever known. My Beloved prays with me and calms me, and I'm so thankful for his compassion and the LORD's provision. Part of the anxiousness is knowing what to expect AND knowing that part of what to expect is not knowing what to expect.

For the last few deliveries, I have spent that entire first day very sick. Believe me, you don't want to know what it's like to retch non-stop after major abdominal surgery. A couple of those times, I've gotten sick soon after the surgery starts. I'm lying there feeling quite sorry for the anesthesiologist who got me for a patient!

Now for the specific prayer requests:

1) Wisdom and skilled hands for my doctor
2) Competent and kind and compassionate nurses and anesthesiologist
3) Lots of healthy, loud screaming from Elijah and a blow-them-away-with -a-10 score on the Apgar
4) No torn bladder or other complications from the c-section
5) No getting sick during or after the c-section
6) That Elijah would take to nursing without any problems
7) That Chick-Fil-A wouldn't run out of waffle fries (had to insert a bit of humor here). They just built one not even a block from the hospital! Have I mentioned that I never eat hospital food? My Beloved eats the meals and then buys me something else. Yes, I'm blessed.
8) A super-calm spirit for me and a clear mind that focuses on the truth of His Word, regardless of my circumstances

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

With love,
Trisha

Update on My Mom

Thank you to the many who have been praying for my Mom! I'm grateful beyond words!

She has been diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension. Obviously, this can be very serious, and we are praying for wisdom for the doctors and for speedy effects from the medications.

Shortness of breath is her biggest struggle right now. Though having her go on oxygen seems like a logical solution, her doctor actually advised against this yesterday.

My Mom will be seeing the cardiologist tomorrow and will also be following up with a pulmonologist.

The good news is that she has started to feel a bit stronger, at least able to wash dishes and take care of some other household duties...all of the stuff we so easily take for granted in being able to do.

Your continued prayers are a great blessing, and I thank you advance for continuing to intercede for her.

Much love,
Trisha

Happy Birthday, Dear Mama!

Me and my Mama, Christmas 2011

Today is my dear Mama's birthday. It's a bittersweet day, though, as this marks her first birthday without my Dad in over 50 years, as well as the 9 month anniversary of my Dad's Home-going. Thank you in advance for interceding for her. 

I love you, sweet Mama! Oh how I pray God grants us many more years together. May your heart overflow with love for the LORD as you reflect on the many mercies He's poured out on you throughout the years, and may you cherish those special memories you have of Dad, remembering the hope we have in Christ Jesus.

Surrounded by Merry

Ink and I were running errands yesterday when I got a call from David. The news was heavy and hard. As I drove around I was praying and crying and praying and wondering. Thinking deeply about what is good and just and right and knowing that God is all of those things.

While walking out of a store, I told Ink what I wanted him to do if I was ever in the hospital and unresponsive. He told me I was being morbid. I insisted I was being realistic. He replied, "Realistic is crying. Telling me what you would want me to do  is morbid." Perhaps. But, I'm also the Mom whose older children know what hymns I want played at my funeral.

As we pulled up to a stop light, I caught a Daddy bending over to zip up his son's jacket. It wasn't the act itself that made me smile. It was how tenderly he did it. You could tell this father delighted in his son, and you could tell this wiggly, smiling boy loved his Daddy. It was beautiful. It was a grace note.

Then while we were in Costco, a little girl dressed in an airy white dress skipped right by me and ended her performance with a twirl and a big grin. How could I not smile?

Yesterday I spied the Littles enjoying their homemade see-saw. So simple, and yet, so merry.

I had to capture the joy.

These scenes were water in the desert.
Sunshine in the valley.
Merry in the heartache.

They were sweet reminders of the presence of the LORD, of His care and His compassion.

Because God pours out merry all around us. We just have to have eyes wide open, mouths ready to praise Him, and hearts eager to meditate on His mercies.

Thank you for your continued prayers for David and Michele. Michele is heavily sedated right now as the doctors focus on improving her heart and breathing issues. We wait and we pray and we hope!

With love,

Michele Update #6

I just got word from Michele's husband, David, that because Michele has continued to put on fluid through the night, she'll be put on dialysis.

My precious cousin HATES dialysis, and I know this is so distressing to her.  Please pray for a calm spirit, for no infection from the surgery, and that this will be a temporary measure.

I can't thank you enough for reading these updates and continuing to pray. I know that our flesh often resists reading of the trials and heartaches of others. Satan wants to convince us we just need to focus on "happy" things and that our prayers won't matter.

BUT, they do!! Every prayer we offer is a gift to the person we're praying for. It's a display of our faith and trust in the ONE with whom nothing is impossible. It's a reminder that we are completely dependent upon Him for EVERYTHING.

And every time I see a words of encouragement from one of you, my heart is filled with joy. It's the best gift you could give us!

"We survive the package of pain God allows in our lives by remembering who God is and what He has done in the past. When "If Onlys" invade my mind, when anguish fills my heart, I return to one of my favorite psalms. It is a place where God has met me time after time. Read Psalm 77 and hear the psalmist's pain-drenced words: 'My soul refused to be comforted. I remembered You, O God, and I groaned;...and I was too troubled to speak. Has His unfailing love vanished forever? Has His promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful?' (Psalm 77:2-4, 8-9).


These questions sound like my questions. But listen to how the psalmist's despair changes from pity to praise.


'I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all Your works and consider all Your mighty deeds. Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; You display Your power among the peoples. (Psalm 77:11-14).'


I will remember. This is a key to trusting God."
~Linda Dillow


I spent much time in Psalm 78 this weekend. What a powerful psalm that speaks of recounting God's faithfulness to generations to come. It reminds us of the dangers of forgetting God's marvelous works. It encourages our hearts as we read of God's power and glory. Yes, HE is the God we serve!

We must remember and encourage others who are in the midst of hard providences to remember. And when their memory fails, let us be instruments of holy declaration. Let us declare God's mighty works to them.

No matter what is falling apart around us, our God is true, and He keeps His promises. Please pray that my cousin and her family will know this in a most powerful way as they continue to walk through this valley.

I can't thank God enough for you and your prayers.

With love,

When Circumstances Seem Against Us

It's so easy to speak of God's providence when life makes sense to us. When things go as planned. When evil is recompensed and goodness is blessed.

But life doesn't normally go as we plan it. We endure hard providences that sometimes leave us questioning what's going on behind the scenes. Is Someone still directing, or are we left to ourselves?

Praise God that even though we can't always answer the "whys" behind God's plans for us, we can know at least these things....

~He's working it for our good.

~He will never leave us or forsake us.

~He's making us more like Christ.

~His ways are beyond our understanding, and that even if we knew the "why", we'd still be tempted to put His wisdom on trial.

~Our trust muscles grow and bulge under the weight of affliction.

~Every affliction is an opportunity for God to display His glory and power and provision and for us to learn to sing His praises better and better.

~He is full of compassion and mercy and grace. He is trustworthy and faithful.

~You can have a thankful heart and peace in the midst of your trial. By His grace.

~We store up Ebenezers. We tell of God's mighty deeds to our children and their children.

All we have to do is search the Scriptures to think of many things we CAN KNOW when we feel like we know nothing but heartache and disappointment.

Those of you who know my cousin, Michele, know that she has battled multiple myeloma for over eight years. You've prayed for her as she has been preparing for her fourth stem cell transplant. You prayed for her husband,David ,as he suffered from pancreatitis and was hospitalized for over four months. You prayed for me as I recently made a trip to Utah, where she's getting treatment, to help them out while they were BOTH hospitalized.

If you know of my cousin, you know I love that girl. You know she's like a sister to me.

God did amazing things on that trip, and now, after receiving the most unexpected news, we beg Him for another miracle.

Michele was just told that she is VERY high risk for this transplant. The chemotherapy has damaged her heart, and of course, she has continuing kidney issues. Doctors love statistics, of course, and Michele's been told she has a 50/50 chance of surviving this. If she does survive, she might experience many complications.

Her other option is to return home and live out the rest of her life.

They tell her that would only be a couple of months.

Michele is going through with the transplant. We already see evidences of God's amazing provision, and we're asking Him to get Michele through this procedure and put her in remission.

We're asking you to pray with us. Pray with faith, not wavering, remembering that nothing is impossible with God.

And please pray for a heart that surrenders to God's will, no matter what that might be. Pray for peace and calm and a strong sense of Christ's presence. Pray for a deep and sweet communion with the LORD. Pray for increased faith.

With tear-filled eyes that are fixed on Jesus and heavy hearts that remember His faithfulness, we thank you in advance for the sacrifice of your prayers.

"If we do not believe God when circumstances seem to be against us, we do not believe Him at all."
~C.H. Spurgeon

With love,

Update on My Dad

My Dad continues to be in critical condition. He is suffering from kidney failure and an extremely severe case of ketoacidosis. This condition is their main concern right now. They've gotten his blood sugar down below 200, but the difficult part is lowering his blood sugar without getting it too low.

My Mom was able to get to the hospital yesterday to see him, but she is now having serious health complications not related to the current abdominal surgery she is recovering from.

When it rains it pours, and what would we do without the knowledge that the rain is coming from His loving Hand?

A multitude of thanks for your prayers....

Love,

Prayers for My Dad

My Dad was taken to the hospital this morning with a blood sugar of almost 1000. Because of my Mom's recent surgery, she was not able to go with him. Please pray for wisdom for the doctors, comfort for my Mom, healing for my Dad, and for fresh supplies of God's grace for them all.

Thank you.

Weekly Rewind 5/15-5/21/11

May is coming to a close, and everything is happening too quickly!  Last week was very busy and very fun.

Mountain Man and I enjoyed a night away, and then spent my birthday browsing shops, reading at the park, and eating a yummy brunch at Cracker Barrel.  I don't think we've ever been to that Cracker Barrel without all of our children.  It was a strange experience to be led to a table that would seat only four.

When we returned home, the children had such a wonderful birthday welcome for me!  Confetti and purple and pink and white balloons were everywhere.  We grilled out, and I was surprised to get a new lens for my camera.  I'm loving it, and it's great for sneaking shots that I couldn't get before unless I was super close.

I love the "Ortonish" feature on Picnik! :)

Friday we enjoyed a fun date with great friends, eating out and enjoying the movie, The Conspirator.

Yesterday we enjoyed celebrating a dear friend's graduation, and then we came home to beat up build a bookcase.  That's a story that I might tell later.

Scribe is doing well behind the wheel as he racks up the hours towards getting his license, and Little Big Man just started a computer programming course and is having a great time with it.

The biggest news this week is that we said goodbye to Clairesy's binky!  She's done really well, except for a few minutes ago when she saw the above picture with her and her old pal.  It brought back too many memories. :(

Cap'n turned 11 months!

While many others are wrapping up the school year, we'll continue on through the summer. The goal is to finish by August and take September off.  Life never happens as we expect it to, and I'm thankful for the flexibility of homeschooling.

My Mom is still in the hospital and will be moved to a rehab center hopefully later this week.  Thank you for your continued prayers.

"Your children may read many books, but the first 
book they read, and that which they continue to
read, and by far the most influential--is that of
their parents' example and daily deportment."
~J.A. James, A Help to Domestic Happiness

Much love,

Update on My Mom

My Mom will be in the hospital for another 4 days and will then go home to be on a liquid diet for a while.  Surgery will be considered in about six weeks.  Please pray that God would heal her without the need for surgery, and that she would have much peace and trust in the Lord regardless of what He wills.

Mountain Man had a bit of a relapse with his inner ear and dizziness issues, so we covet prayers for his healing, especially before he and Scribe leave for the Ligonier conference.

Thank you!

Update On My Mom

My Mom has been admitted to the hospital, and the doctors will be trying IV antibiotics for a couple days to see if this brings healing.  If not, more tests will be done and possibly surgery.

I'm thankful she had the scan done when she did and that the doctors were quick in getting her to go to the hospital.  I'm thankful that my Dad is taken care of while she's away.  And I'm thankful for your prayers!

Prayer Request for My Mom

My Mom is headed for the hospital after the results of a scan this morning showed she has some stomach issues that could be fatal if not treated right away.  Please pray for:

~peace for my Mom and Dad
~available help for transportation, meals, care for my Dad
~wisdom for the doctors
~quick response to treatment (a surgeon is coming in to determine necessity) and  complete healing
~No infections from hospital


Thank you.

Prayers for Mountain Man, Please

Mountain Man has been battling balance issues for the past few days.  He was finally able to return to work today, only to be sent to the ER because a physician was concerned he had had a stroke.

Evidently, the combo of meds he's been told to take in addition to the motion sickness medicine he started taking on Monday have severely raised his blood pressure.

The doctor described him as a "very sick man" who has an uncommon combination of sicknesses.

~bacterial infection
~viral infection
~some form of pertussis
~rotavirus
~something in his lung
~flu

AND

because of the body fighting all of these things, he's developed an inner ear infection.  This isn't an easy thing to clear up.

So, please pray for healing.  It's one thing to have one of these and recover, but Mountain Man has been assaulted from every direction, and his body is very tired.

The doctor said most people fighting such a combination of things would have ended up in the hospital by now because it's so much for the body to take.  We're thanking God for His many mercies and the endless ways He has protected Mountain Man thus far.

Cough, Cough, Cough

We had a delightful day celebrating Claire's 2nd birthday.  I'll post pictures later.

For now, please pray for Mountain Man.  He missed the festivities last night because he's feeling quite sick.  We have three appointments in town today, and we're hoping we can get him into an urgent care.  His main symptom is the coughing fit which starts whenever he moves (and pain in his chest from all the coughing!).

So, we'd appreciate prayers for a competent doctor, since you just never know what you'll end up with at an urgent care.

Love,

Prayer Request

Please pray for my cousin's spouse, David, who has been admitted to the hospital with pancreatitis and gall bladder problems.  He has recently been moved to ICU, and my cousin, the one who has been bravely fighting cancer for over 5 years now, is not allowed to stay overnight with him.  It's very unsettling to have to leave him, wondering if he's going to be okay through the night.

Please pray for strength and healing and for much comfort for their entire family.  Pray that even when apart, each of them would know sweet sleep and that fear would not overwhelm them.  Pray that my cousin would not suffer any sickness from being at the hospital and that God would preserve her health that she might be a strong source of comfort to her Beloved.

With many, many thanks,

Little Big Man is THE Man!

Our rugged Mountain Men returned this afternoon.  Oh, how they're looking forward to a good night's sleep in their warm beds. :)

Time at camp was wonderful, and Little Big Man whooped everyone at the hawk and knife throw.  After round three, he was so far ahead, the contest ended.  It was impossible for the other men to catch up and win.  So, he came home with yet another Bomboy knife to add to his extensive collection.  And while we boast in his throwing skills, we're even more thankful that he was such a blessing at camp.

He would get up each morning and get the fire going and have a hot drink waiting for Mountain Man.  He showed much initiative at camp with taking care of things, making dinner, and cleaning up.  And, he had a very teachable spirit and demonstrated humility.  Praise be to God!

This is Mr. Bomboy, maker of these great knives.  He was rushed to the hospital the first day of camp and is currently recovering from a minor heart attack and pneumonia.  The guys are visiting him right now.  Would you please pray for his healing and his salvation?

This man loves our boys like they were his own grandchildren, and from the hospital he called just to make sure Corey was doing well.  Thank you for praying for him!

With love,

Weekly Rewind 10/24-10/30/10

We thought cooler weather was here to stay, so we turned on the heater this week.  However, the past few days have been much warmer.  No complaints, though.  The men were able to enjoy tossing the football around a bit later this afternoon, and the colors of autumn are all around us.

Wednesday, Whistler and I went to town for a book study date as well as for my appointment with the dermatologist.  The doctor had to freeze three places on my face, so I appreciate your prayers that the treatment has taken care of any cancer and future cutting won't be necessary.  One of the places is at the outside corner of my eye....can't comprehend having surgery there, but the doctor did say it's not an uncommon area for skin cancer.  I'll return for a follow-up in January.

We tackled in record time changing out our spring/summer clothes for autumn/winter.  That's no small task for so many of us, and I'm thankful most of it is DONE. :)

Scribe is doing well, but I think we're learning to accept that pain will be his companion for quite some time.  His attitude is wonderful, though, and I'm so thankful for his gracious spirit, enduring this without any complaining.  And, really, I mean NO complaining.  How wonderful is the grace of God!

Jedediah is growing and starting to move (rolling over).  The bed is no longer a safe haven, and I'm determined he won't join the rest of the Poff children in falling off of our bed.:)

Our sweet Whistler turns 10 tomorrow!  We're excited about making the day special, and we're thankful we were able to celebrate last night with our dear friends and their children.

Here's a picture of Whistler's favorite way to have Cap'n near her when she's unloading the dishwasher.  He lasts here about 1 minute.

The girls are amazed at Mountain Man's fancy cooking creation.

Sweet Boo gets little sister to sleep.

Have a wonderful week full of rejoicing over God's goodness and mercy!

Love,

Update on Scribe

Scribe saw his surgeon today.  A simple visit it was, but the trip to the hospital was full of God's blessings.

~The surgeon worked him into her schedule, especially before going out of town for a week.

~The receptionist at the x-ray dept. moved Scribe ahead after I mentioned that he was in pain.

~The x-ray looked "beautiful."

~The doctor prescribed stronger pain meds. but thinks Scribe looks great considering and is progressing as expected.  She even ordered him to hold his baby brother (just protect his chest with a pillow).

~We found a parking space close to the entrance. (Surely, you can understand why that's such a gift.:))

Scribe doesn't have to return for 3 months.  Progress is slow but steady, and we're hoping this new pain medicine will give him more relief.

He did start running a fever tonight, so please pray it will go away soon.

Even though he can't thank you himself right now, please know that he is very, very grateful for all of the cards, gifts, and prayers. 

With love,

Miscellany

My Mom returned home Monday.  She had great flights and her luggage arrived when she did. :)  That's always nice.

She did fall a second time while she was here, and her doctor said, based on the x-rays,  it's likely she has some fractured ribs.  That explains the great pain she was in her last few days here.  She also had the MOHS procedure on her face like I had on mine almost 2 years ago.  However, she required 22 stitches!  So, please pray for her continued healing and strength.

It was a mega-blessing to have her with us during Scribe's surgery.

****

We're getting into a new routine with my Mom gone and Mountain Man back at work.  I use the word "routine" lightly since each day is different.  Do you want to know how much Scribe did to keep us sane around here?  A LOT.

We're all filling new roles, and I'm learning, ever so slowly, to let go and just enjoy this time as it is.

Scribe's pain is about the same, but thankfully, his doctor will be seeing him tomorrow.  He'll be getting an x-ray first.  The doctor said to remember that he's going to be in pain for quite some time since he's healing from several fractured ribs.  As she says, they really "pounded" on him.  Right now, activity is to the very minimum, and he's finding audiobooks to be great friends.  

****

Jedediah?  Well, I'm so grateful that he is such an "easy" baby.  Truly, he's so content, blesses us with endless smiles, and sleeps several hours at night.  His gentle disposition is a gift from the Lord.

Thank you for your continued prayers!

Love,

The One Question...

that I think Scribe is getting tired of hearing.

"How's your pain?"  


On a scale of 1 to 10, of course.

As we wrap up day 3 of being home from the hospital, we still haven't been able to improve Scribe's pain level.  The good news is that it is at least steady even though he's in more pain than we think he should be at this point.

So, we appreciate prayer for:

~reduced pain levels.

~healing of ulcers in his throat that we think are from the tube used during surgery...they're really impacting his ability to eat as much as the doctor wants him to

~clarity of mind for me as I go into tomorrow and physical and mental endurance for Mountain Man as he returns to work after so much time off

~eyes FIXED on Christ and not our circumstances

Thank you!


With love,