Tuesday, June 21, 2011

We Are On Our Way Home!!!

This is the day the Lord has made for Rachael to come home.  HOME!!  She is excited, over stimulated at the thought.  She has admitted this.  It has been an emotional morning for her.   This morning at first sight she was grinning from ear to ear.  When I asked her where we were going today she spoke HOME.  Yes, home.  This is a new season that we are entering and though this trial is not over, the worst of it is.  The traveling back and forth, the moves, all the things that have happened.  The struggles, the tension, the falling on our knees over and over.  The tears, the hurt, the anger, the sorrow, the prayer, the prayer, the prayer.  We and you have been on a road that has changed us.  Some more than others.  Nancy and I have a new found level of trust in our Lord that is of the kind of stuff that Oswald Chambers speaks of but we never thought we could know.

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,  knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  James 1:2-4


We have abandoned ourselves to our Lord.  We were brought to a point where there was no place else to go.  Helpless.  He was and remains our help.  Rachael prays with us.  At times she literally cries out to the Lord.  Her faith remains strong, she prays, she worships.  She has the Holy Spirit in her.  She has the word implanted.  She is saved and Jesus is her Lord.  Nancy has called Rachael a missionary.  She has taken us to so many places physically, spiritually and locally geographically to have our faith tested.  She has provided numerous opportunities, a myriad, to  have God glorified in her struggle.  She has given us huge opportunities, from CEO's to Doctors to CNA's to janitors to share the word of God.  We have prayed with others suffering with the pain of the loss of good health of their loved ones.  Some we have prayed with, have seen the end of their loved ones time.  Through Rachael, new friends have come into our lives.  Several have simply fallen in love with Rachael and have treated her with care that we could not understand.  There have been several times when we have walked into Rachael's room and there have been staff taking their break with Rachael.  One lady at Healthsouth would come in and lightly massage Rachael on break.  Here at Heartland I do not have the time to explain the wonderful, heartfelt and spirit driven love that God has put into the hearts of many of  her care takers.   One in particular is a man by the name of Hepler, almost like Helper.  He has seen Christ in Rachael and in us.  He has the witness through Rachael.  He has been the most caring servant to Rachael.  He was above and beyond what a CNA does.  Bill, Susan (great gains in speech and a good friend to Rachael), Valerie, John, Sunilda, Ty, Jeff, Kathy, Jodi and Lorie you are in our lives with a love that won't remain behind here today.  It will remain in our hearts and we will see you guys soon.  You people are the Heart in Heartland.  Thank you so much for caring for our daughter as if she were your own.


There are many many more.  God has brought so many people into our lives through this tragedy.  Thank you Lord Jesus, God most high, our Lord and Savior, THANK YOU!


In 20 minutes a van will arrive and it is Rachael's chariot into a new season in recovery.  After 5 1/2 months, our girl is home.  We thank you for all your prayers and support.  Updates will definitely continue.  Healing is continuing.  The worst is over, the training is over, it  is graduation day for us all.  The ministry continues.  Thank you Lord Jesus for your presence in our lives.  I believe that it was your response in prayers that provided the effective result from our God.


Even though it is 'home' it is the temporal.  We are citizens of a better place where there is not pain or suffering and we look forward to that day.  Until then, we have a God who is with us in the mire of this earth.  Thank you Jesus, for all you have done so far.


Travel mercies and a comfortable adjustment for Rachael are the prayer requests for the day.  All the equipment arrived, the house is setup on the inside for her support.  We are spiritually prepared and competent to aid and minister to Rachael.  Wow, this is the day that the Lord has made for Rachael to get back home to Venice.


Excellent!

10 comments:

Don Haskins said...

WooHoo!!! Praying for you all. Great news!!!

Pastor Don

Professor Dr. Charles Scheide said...

What a wonderful, uplifting letter. Your continued confidence in our Lord has been a wonderful blessing to those who have thought of Rachael regularly, and prayed often. May your journey with your daughter continue, not only to your earthly home, but all the way to glory, where our loving Lord waits with outstretched arms.

Bill & Tammy Bryant said...

YAY!!! What exciting news! Praise the Lord, He is so good! You guys are such a beautiful testimony to all that God has for us when we just hold on. You have our continued prayers. Have a wonderful day today!!

Christine said...

yea!

Alice LaPointe said...

Praise the Lord!

Tom & Darryl Weaver said...

We kept all of you in our prayers this morning that the trip would go without incident or pain on Rachael's part. Thank you for sharing the joy of this day, thank you Jesus for your healing and compassion on us all!

Cameron McGough said...

Keeping on praying! May God flood your your home with so many blessings they will not be able to be contained! Love you all!

Sue said...

I have been away with surgeries , but am doing well, so I've been trying to catch up here...oh my dear Lord...thank you so much for all your mercies and blessings, and for teaching us so much through this incredible loving and faithful family . I am so happy to know your daughter is coming home. I will be praying for you all. I am praying that once she is in her own home, recuperation will accelerate - there is just no place like home....and for her comfort, your continued strength...much help to come your way...restful nights...no pain or complications to rise up....all that is good and pure and strengthing for you all...she is truly a beautiful young woman.

God Bless You all...

Natalie Letterio said...

I am late in reading the details although I knew she was heading home. Your family has been heavy on my heart from the first day. What an awesome God we serve! I absolutely love the way Nancy sees Rachel as a missionary. God can use anyone, in any capacity. He has had a plan for Rachel her whole life, He has prepared her heart and she is fully equipped to do His work. I look forward to the continued praise reports as your family goes on doing the work of the Lord!

Susan Runge said...

Just thinking about Rachael and hoping you all are well. I think about Rachael every time I pass her room and pray for a smooth adjustment home. Please give her a big hug from me and tell her that I miss her smiling face! She is truly amazing and I can't tell you how fortunate I feel to have worked with her!
Susan :)