We haven't been very faithful at keeping this updated, you all have our apologies.
TJ is getting up and running faster than expected. Yesterday, he met with one of the men on his leadership team (ironic, considering he is on "sabbatical"). In contrast, a month ago he was in the ICU, half conscious, and not communicating. Today his voice is still hoarse, his short-term memory still isn't up to par, but he is gaining strength back, and overall, his cognitive ability has to be at least to 90% of what it was before.
Yesterday I had a doctor's appointment and it came up that my dad had been in the ICU. I gave a very brief rundown of the experience, and my doctor repeated at least three or four times that it was his sincere conviction that TJ is alive due to prayers and the grace of God.
For the rest of the family, I (Jon) just finished my January course, as Chip has as well. We both have until Monday before school starts back up. I am going back to work next week as well. Mary Ann, too, is going back to work on a part-time basis.
I think we all are starting to get our energy back, although it is coming slowly. But life is starting to finally fall back into a predictable cycle.
Our prayer requests are:
- That TJ and the family continue to regain strength and energy
- That Chip and Jon are able to start school again rested
- And that Jon can finish up last semester's work without too much trouble
- That TJ's memory comes back to full strength, quickly
- That TJ's voice returns to normal
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7 comments:
Continuing to keep a watchful eye on this blog site and praying in agreement with your requests as they come. Blessings to each one of you. I have used the testimony of what the Lord has done in TJ's life many times over, and I am just one. The impact of this is far-reaching and will be effective in changing many lives for Jesus and then some.
I look at longer gaps in blog entries, in this case, as another reason to praise God for the wonderful healing of our brother. (No news is good news).
(BTW, many returning readers are probably reading or watching the blog through an aggregator as well)
Dear TJ, Mary Ann, and family,
After checking the blog many days without an update, it was so good to read this update this morning that is so uplifting. "Normal" is certainly an uncommon word to use in referring to you, TJ, when you hovered at death's door for so long. How I rejoice that you are getting back to "normal!"
Having just returned from 8 days in Albuquerque, Houston, and Chicago, everywhere I went, you were on everyone's radar, TJ. Everyone is rejoicing at your amazing recovery. Often your story of God's amazing grace has become a means of encouraging others to trust God in their valleys.
The time away was a time of reaping sheaves. Those coming to faith and assurance of salvation in Jesus included a nurse in Manchester, England. She was half Liberian and half Lebanese. Then there was a couple from Uzbekistan, the husband, a Russian Jew and his wife, Greek Orthodox. There was a returning Marine, a Afro-American soldier returning from 2 tours in Iraq, and lastly, a Maori native from New Zealand. Those people represent a tiny smattering of the billions yet without Jesus. God is raising you up, TJ, to once again reach out afresh to our world with the extended arms of Jesus.It appears the day of your return to ministry is coming ever closer. For that I praise the Lord! I love you, TJ, Mary Ann and family.
Pastor Rich Carlson, Supt. IWD
Great news. God used your story in a powerful way this week in Ukraine. Through an orphan ministry I am a part of, there was a baby who needed heart surgery. God did miraculous things to get this baby into the best heart hospital in Ukraine. When I met the director, he said, "I want our hospital to be among the best in the world. My doctors need to learn English to collaborate with other doctors around the world. Do you think you could come teach English to our cardiologists?"
So, we literally do OEC in the ICU. The ICU is the largest room so we put on scrubs, wash up, and have English class around a table in the middle of ICU surrounded by 20 beds with patients that have had open heart surgery that morning! The doctors pop up like popcorn every time an alarm goes off, then we go right on!
This week's lesson was on antibiotics and I was able to share your story. We got to use all those words of MRSA, sepsis, mitral valve, etc. They were amazed that you made it and this allowed me to share of God's power and ask if they would like to study some miracles from the Bible. They agreed and we will start the 7 week miracles of John study from the organic church plan next week!
God is Good,
Julie L. in Kiev
Praise God once again! Like my husband did two years ago - TJ is getting better very quickly once home - God is good!! Welcome back TJ - your ministry awaits! Karen
May each one of you experience blessing in this season....
It was explained in bible study today that a blessed person is one whom God makes fully satisfied, not because of favorable circumstances, but because He indwells within them through Christ. To be "makarios", blessed, is equivalent to having God's Kingdom within one's heart.
My prayer is that you are each fully satisfied during these days of recovery and restoration of health.
Continuing to rejoice, continuing to trust, continuing to believe, continuing to pray. God is good--all the time.
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