The Invisible World
Many things we take for granted in our world are unseen. Talking on cell phones with no wire, flying in airplanes with nothing visible holding us up, connecting our computers to a wireless signal, turning on our TV with a remote.
After Jesus was raised from the dead and had been seen by some of His disciples, the Apostle Thomas said, "unless I put my hand into the spear wound in His side, I will not believe it is the Lord. Jesus came to him and insisted that he thrust his hand into the wound. Only then did Thomas make his confession of belief to the Lord. Jesus responded, "Thomas, you believe because you have seen. Blessed are those (us) who believe and have not seen.
The christian's faith opens the eyes so the unseen is seen. So the future is now. So the promises are true.
The Lord spoke to us through the prophet Jeremiah and said, "I know the plans I have for you, saith the Lord. Plans for good and not for evil. Plans for a future and a hope."
How can this be possible for our belove Valerie? Because, beloved, Val's future is now. We who love her so struggle in time and space as we watch her fight the good fight. But in God's eyes, Val's future is now.
The Lord spoke to us though King David in Psalm 139. "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Does this mean that the subject is already closed and it really doesn't matter how fervently we pray for Val to be delivered from this disease? Absolutely not. The prayers you pray for our dear Valerie tomorrow have already been heard and answered by God Most High. The number of days ordained for Val will be determined by them.
Beloved, many a soldier's life has been spared a bullet to his heart by the prayers of his mother offered weeks after the bullet was fired.
Pray on dear ones. Our God is listening.
I left Val at 5 this morning to go to work. She slept well. Mia, our excellent night nurse said she had a better night than the previous. Her vitals are good. She did require more short term morphine yesterday. We need to adjust the longer acting MS Contin to adjust. Val took a shower yesterday.
The best thing we can do is not to placate her and treat her with kid gloves like she is dying. We must also slow down to her level of communication and listen carefully. We must get her up and out. In the sunshine. Up to see tractor man. We must take the time necessary to help her eat an drink. We must continue the CIPRO crushed in applesauce.
Julie is coming tonight. Char is coming tomorrow.
Godspeed
posted by McCrea Family at 9:14 AM
23 Comments:
Life is what it is, today. She is a survivor and we all know that "he" is with her and his plan for her is already determined. I beleive that you will be taking her for that stent replacment next week. I beleive that the Lord is touching her gently, comforting her and healing her; in his own time. I will continue to pray for healing and trust that Jesus knows best. Thank you for the update.
Michelle Schueren, San Diego, CA(friend of Kelli Lawrence)
Many thoughts and prayers are going your way from several of us here in Houston, TX. I pray that Val continues to eat/drink, manage her pain and have some good alone time with her husband, boys and parents. You are such a strong and faithful family. You all bestow such wonderful care to Val and to each other, I pray for continued strength for you all. Brittney K.
Our Pryaers have never changed foro Val's strength and healing. Continuing every prayer for her. Enjoy the sunshine on your face Val!!
We continue to pray for Val and her strength to get through this. She is blessed with so much drive and energy. I can always see her smiling face in my minde. She lights up every room she enters!!! We think about you all very often and pray for Val's healing and the families continued strength. With love, Tracy Parks & Family
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27 May these words of Jesus comfort you and give you peace and rest. Just allow yourselves to lean wholly on Him and rest in His care. He is the great Physician and Jehovah Jirah (our provider). Praying for His strength to enfold you...
Colleen Lister
Whenever I think of Val I have hope and positive thoughts. I agree that no matter what she has a future and a glorious purpose to her life. I feel it. I am constantly visualizing Val with the ones she loves the most and it is a beautiful picture. I look out my window every morning at the McCrea home and I send a heartfelt prayer of love and peace their way. Edie, Dave, Zack and Elora Diane
Psalm 130:5
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
And in his word I do hope.
May you enjoy your day today in the sunshine. You are a ray of
sunlight with an everlasting smile.
Praying for you Val. May you feel God's arms holding you where ever you are today.
It was such a blessing to us for your family to let us in and visit.
Thank you again, Chris and Sloan Family.
The Sayers
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me save that thou art
Thou my best thought by day or by night
Waking or sleeping thy presence my light.
Be thou my wisdom, and be my true word
I ever with thee, and thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, and I thy true Son
Thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.
Be thou my battleshield, sword for the fight
Be thou my dignity, and my delight
Thou my soul's shelter, and thou my high tower
Raise thou me heavenward, O power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise
Thou mine inheritance, now and always
Thou and thou only, first in my heart
High King of heaven, my treasure thou art.
High King of heaven, after victory won
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O ruler of all.
This song has been stuck in my head all day yesterday and today, so I'm sending it on to you Val... It's such a beautiful old Irish hymn, I'll sing it for you someday!
All my love and prayers,
Osil
As a mother of three children myself I have tried to put myself in your shoes Valerie. Your faithfulness is inspiring and your family support is tremendous. Many people in Utah are checking in on you daily and praying continually.
We are fervently praying and believing for a miracle healing for Val. God bless you and give you peace, strength and all of His richest blessings. (Corona, CA)
Val,
I am home now in Michigan and I miss you very much. I am so grateful for the time that we had together. It was very special to me just to be there with you and hold your hand. You are so strong. Even though it was hard to talk you managed to communicate well. You have such a caring and loving husband and family.
I pray for you to spend time with Ryan,Gavin, Tyler, Julie, Paul, Jeff,Mom, Dad, Chris, Aunt Char and everyone in your close knit family.
You have made the world a better place by just being you!
Enjoy the beautiful California sunshine.
I love you Val,
Marianne
Our continued thoughts and prayers for your strength and that of your family. Enjoy the glorious sunshine God is giving you to bask in with your boys. (Just down the street, San Marcos CA)
Valerie – I have been thinking a lot about you and your family lately, as a lot of people have and I wanted to share some memories with you that I have reencountered. Val you were one of the first friends I made after moving here from lil Eugene, OR back in 1992 or 1993, (I can’t remember it has been too long). I remember meeting you and Deanna at Americair… and then there was BioSafety that you helped me get a job at, where I met a lot of good people that I have remained friends with over the years, for that I thank you.
I will never forget when you and Chris introduced me to rollerblading and we would go down to the boardwalk in Pacific Beach. Chris of course always performing his dare-devil moves. We spent many fun days down at the beach, working out and of course hitting the town here and there on the weekends. I also still have my cat Teva, which you and Chris brought to me one day 13+ years ago. I remember you calling me to tell me you had found this lil kitten in the gutter and asked if I would take him. He was as big as the palm of my hand and only about two weeks old. He is my best buddy today, we have gone through a lot together and I am so glad I took him in, so again I thank you.
Another memory I will never forget is when you went shopping with me and helped me to get ready for my “blind” date with who would of ever guessed, Patrick, my husband today, for that I thank you.
I think I could go on and on with all the memories which I feel fortunate to have. Although we have fallen in and out of touch over the years, the one great thing that I cherish about our friendship is that we could go a year without seeing each other, but when we would catch up it was just like we saw each other yesterday, for that I thank you.
Val you are truly an amazing woman who has reminded all of us how important it is to live life each and every day to the fullest. Thank you so much for sharing this journey with all of us. I hope that you have found peace and are quietly enjoying this time with you family that cares about you so much.
Thank you for being the person that you are.
Love, Lara
MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU, AND MAKE HIS FACE TO SHINE UPON YOU, AND GIVE YOU HIS PEACE.
Glory with God takes on a longful desire when compared to our frail and fragile physical body, with its pains and sorrows. The tears and the pain will be no more in the presence of our loving Lord Jesus. Victory! It is with great love we pray continually for her life of peace to come gently in the Lord's timing. He knows the number of our days... And he has a great future planned!
The Peace of God, a prayer for each one of you.
Val, I do feel that there are many more things to look forward to in your life. I pray every night for your healing.
Elda
Thank you for your updates everyday. I truly means so much.
Father, Your Son accepted our sufferings to teach us the virtue of patience in human illness. Hear the prayers we offer for our sick sister Valerie. May all who suffer pain, illness or disease, realize that they are chosen to be saints, and know that they are joined to Christ in His suffering for the salvation of the world, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Val, I pray you find peace and comfort . I pray you have beautiful days with your family, and I want you to know what a truly inspirational, exceptional woman you are. God has you in his hands and you will be comforted there. God Bless you dear Val.
Valerie you are such an inspiration of Joy and Love to everyone! I am praying for you to find peace and comfort. I pray for your family to have the strength they need. God Bless you always. (NY)
Val, we pray for many beautiful days with your family. Enjoy the warm California sunshine.
The Hughes (Boise, Idaho)
Val,
When I started my job seven years ago and you flew in to train me in Santa Barbara, I felt immediately that I had a friend, mentor and someone I could count on in my corner. Above all I remember thinking what a strong, confident person you were. You are and always will be amazing in my mind.
Love,
Jocelyn
Valerie,
High School Cheerleading seems so long ago, and yet I remember so many fun times.You always had a smile on your face. Remember the silly little step ladders we made and had to stand on, and the pep rally where the moms kissed the football players, and they thought it was one of the cheerleaders. We laughed so hard. When I look at your pictures, you look the same as you did in high school. the same big smile. I have no words to say how sorry I am that this illness has affected you and your loved ones. I only know the holy Spirit knows what I should pray for you now. I am not good with words, but this blog has brought me closer to God and has had me pray more than I ever have. You have touched me so much with your faith, and your life. I see Jesus in your face. Thank you. Dawn (Arroyo Grande, CA)
Val,
Tonight when Virgil and I put our children to bed, we went around said what we were thankful for and mentioned special intentions. Ike, 7, said, "Special blessings for Valerie." We have CONSTANTLY been praying for you and your family.
When you lived in Escondido and I would run in to you every once in awhile(at the mall or at the gym), it was always a pleasant surprise. Even though I have not seen a lot of you recently, you have continued to be in my thoughts and prayers. You are an amazing person and I have the utmost admiration for you. Keep enjoying your moments with your family--you are VERY loved by many!!
Love you,
Maricris, Virgil, Donovan, Ike, Maxwell and Ava Enriquez
Val,
One of the things I strive for in my life is to make a positive impact in other peoples lives. I am not so good with words, so this is how I feel I can make a difference for Christ. As I read these and other comments, and reflect on the years we have known each other, it is clear to me Val, that you are making a difference for Christ. You have always seemed to carry yourself with such quiet confidence and class. Always beautiful, always the warrior, always the fighter. I have been proud to be called your friend, but never more so than now. Your charachter has shown through. You have been a great example for your boys and all of us on how to handle life in the midst of the worst circumstances. Through all of this, God is holding you and your family up as an example of faith and fight for all of us to see... I am proud of you. I am proud of Chris. I am proud of your family. I love you, and I am praying. Be well my friend.
Leif
P.S. As I was preparing to move to Chicago, I ran across a photo of You,Chris,Catherine and I at Forest Home. I believe it was the first time Chris had come to a church event. I remember you being so excited that he was coming. I will be in San Marcos this coming week and would love to bring it by. I will call first, but look forward to seeing you and your smile.
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