The Latest

Dear All,

Overall, Daniel continues to progress well. The hole in his back continues to heal. It is less deep and skin has grown some on the edges of it. He usually has energy to get out some each day, even if it is going to another doctor appointment. He is still taking IV antibiotics 3 times a day which he administers himself. He did have an allergic reaction to one this last week so he had to change one and take a round of steroids. He has an appointment with the Infectious Diseases Doctor on Tuesday morning. Please pray for wisdom for this doctor on his continued treatment of Daniel's infection from the gunshot wound that created seepage from his intestines, causing infection.

Saturday Daniel saw his internist for the first time since he was discharged from the hospital. She was happy with his progress but stressed he needs to be entirely healed before he leaves for Seattle. His back wound has to be completely taken care of. For the first time, to stress how seriously the situation needs to be taken, she stated that some doctors weren't sure Daniel would survive when he first arrived in the US. (That caused me to sit in the corner with tears quietly coming down my cheeks. It was very sad and sobering yet made me grateful to God, too.) The wounds on his front from the gunshot, surgeries and various tubes are all healing nicely. It's the wound on his back that is open that is the concern. So even though all medical people involved are pleased with his progress, it is still a serious condition. There is no reason to assume there will be major problems but it would be foolish to be casual about it.

This weekend Daniel was especially blessed in two ways. He had 6 friends from ACU (most of them roommates of his for a year or more when he lived in a house with a bunch of guys) come to town to spend about 24 hours with him. Daniel and his "man friends" (as he calls them) did guy things like going to a guy movie, eating manly bar-b-que, and playing guy video games. Thank you Stephen, Curtis, Marcus, Mark, Phil and Bret for coming. I pray God will bless your generosity. Also, thank you wives for those of you who are married. Then also Jonathan was able to get a few days off work and arrived tonight from Lubbock and won't have to go home until Tuesday. So a mother has all three of her chicks here. Yea!

We have been very loved and encouraged by people. Daniel has received many cards and really good food. People have said many encouraging things to us. The love has been wonderful.

On the other hand, I have really prayed about sharing this next series of thoughts. Before you read the next paragraphs, know that we feel deeply loved and can't express how much we appreciate all the love and concern shown to us. Just today I had several people tell me they are still praying for Daniel and us. The prayers have been incredible. By that we are greatly encouraged and blessed. God has been gracious beyond our belief. Yet, I still want to share some thoughts that might be helpful to others and have humbled me when it comes to sharing my concerns for others in difficult situations. So here goes.

Sometimes its hard to know what to say to people. God has shown me in a small degree what people go through who deal with chronic illness. When people ask how Daniel is doing, I say he is "going the right direction". Of course with that I mean in my heart that his wound is healing, closing more all the time, he has more life in him and is seeming more himself. But I also think in my heart that my son almost died, has had three major surgeries, he has a hole in his back that is packed 3 times a week with special healing materials, and has to take antibiotics 3 times a day through a PIC line that is semi-permanently inserted in his arm where they also draw out blood regularly. One day a loving brother in Christ asked me how Daniel was doing. I barely got through saying "he's going the right direction" when the brother enthusiastically said "Great!" and abruptly walked off. Although I didn't respond outwardly, inwardly I thought, "There is nothing great about this! My son almost died!" Oh, I know God is great. And I know that is what this kind gentleman meant. But what we have been going through is not "Great!" Don't get me wrong. I did appreciate being asked about Daniel by this man. I deeply appreciate all the encouragement and love that has been shown. But relying on the Lord doesn't mean it doesn't hurt and that it is not difficult. It is emotionally a whippin' at times.

Again, don't get me wrong. I see God working every day. I have been especially aware the last few days that God orchestrated Sara Ann being home this summer after being away except for college breaks for the last 8 years. There are no accidents. We have really needed Sara Ann this summer. I don't know what we would have done without her in the hospital and since we have been home. She has been a great comfort to her brother. And she cooks great too!

In addition, I have continually prayed that we would never be the same again. I see God bringing that true in many wonderful ways. Spiritually I feel God's presence in ways that would be difficult to explain in an email. I understand more fully Paul's words in II Corinthians 4:6-9. " For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."

Long-term illness or chronic illness or what ever you want to call it is not for wimps! (Do I hear some loud "Amen"s in the background??) For example, just this week Daniel has had a fever two different nights. This has not happened since he left the hospital on August 1. Should we be concerned or not? The doctor says it is ok. Daniel thinks it is just because he has gotten too tired at times from being up too much. You know it is hard to keep a 24-year-old down too much!

I am reminded of the old "can't go around it, can't go over it, gotta go through it" when it comes to what is happening. I am grateful for where we are and all is going the right direction. We have our son and we know others don't. I would be very ungrateful to not be aware of that every day and count each day as precious. The prognosis is "complete recovery expected". I know many who have cancer who don't know if their loved one will be here another season, much less many more years. But when I was on the phone with my mother today and she told me that my sweet Aunt Jill had prayed "God, please don't take another one" (family members know what that means) I had to shed a few tears.

So, please keep praying. Please know that God is working mightily and we are blessed. But please also be aware that anyone who has a loved one or is themselves going through a serious illness needs your continued love and support and concern. Do ask how they are doing but realize their answer may not say even half of what they are saying in their heart. Send them cards, share a word of encouragement, in general show your love.

We are still praying in faith for God's healing by September 1 (God does still do miracles) but also accept whatever his plan is for Daniel. As said before, "the Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord." We are enjoying sweet times with each other. It would certainly be fine to have him here more but would be great if he leaves too.

Overall, things truly are "going the right direction." Again, thank you for your love and concern. Pray for the healing of Daniel's wound. Pray for the infection to be completely gone. Pray for our emotional, physical, and spiritual strength. And pray that God will be glorified.

May God bless you and your family whatever your circumstances today. May He richly bless you in the days ahead. May you feel His presence. May others comfort you and care for you in exactly the ways you need it today.

Keep the prayers going. To God be the glory.

Love,
Eddie, Marilyn, Daniel, Sara Ann, and Jonathan


P.S. If you would like to see pictures of Daniel's stay in the hospital in Ecuador and here, you can look at his blog at http://toorestlessfortexas.blogspot.com/. I do warn you that the last picture is of his wound. So you may want to skip that one.

Healing Right Up

Dear All,

Daniel has been home from the hospital for over a week. Hard to believe. His health is getting better every day. We are thankful. For example, the hole in his back has shrunk. It is now 6 by 1.9 cm on the outside with a depth of 3.2 cm. Only two days before the depth had been 4.5 cm.

So what all is happening now? He has IV antibiotics 3 times a day. He still has his Wound VAC (we call it his "man purse") which he is able to plug in at night then go on battery all day. So he is mobile and has had several outings. He can't drive for 6 weeks after surgery (basically till Sept 1) so he is always chauffeured. He has 4-5 doctor/nurse appointments per week that Sara Ann and I divide up taking him to.

We have been blessed by meals (nothing nurtures like food!), phone calls, emails, cards and people contributing to his medical expenses. Daniel specifically said to tell everyone he is thankful for the prayers, cards, food and support. He said he has really been humbled by how people have come in to help him and his family. Every day he checks the mail, looking for cards. And he has certainly enjoyed eating after not being able to for weeks and weeks.

He has also had several visits by his peers. He has been greatly encouraged by that. Just today 3 young women that he went on a Spring Break Campaign with his sophomore year of college came to visit and laid hands on him and prayed over him before they left. He had not seen or talked to any of these young women in years. Praise God for servant hearts.

I have personally been amazed at how God is working in so many lives of so many we are getting to touch base with. God is working powerfully through people who are single, young married, middle aged or retired. Regardless of their walk in life, God has great plans and is using each life in His own unique way. Daniel and I have been talking about how God puts people at different places in life and then utilizes their unique abilities and circumstances in His kingdom. It is great to see the creativity of God and how He works mightily to have a relationship with His people. It reminds me of Romans 12 and I Corinthians 12 and how God has chosen each part of the body for the work He has for that person. Each may look different and have different functions, like the eye and ear, but each is designed to function as God has made them. May God work in your life mightily today whatever your station. May you feel His presence and the peace that passes understanding that comes only through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. May you be aware of being an ambassador for Jesus if you are working in an office, getting ready to go back to teach this fall, wading through lots of laundry and dirty diapers, or being limited in life by your aging body. May you remember that your generous, caring Heavenly Father loves you if you are struggling with your marriage, your health, your children, your finances, your lack of relationships or your mental or spiritual health.

What is Daniel's main prayer request? Daniel is fervently praying and ask others to pray that he will be healed by September 1st and be able to move to Seattle. What will that take? The Infectious Disease Doctor releasing him from taking the intravenous antibiotics. The wound on his back must be closed and no more need for wound care for that wound or the other various holes from surgery, gun shot, etc. And the Trauma Surgeon releasing him.

If you want to drop Daniel a card with a message, his address is 2801 S. Shady Lane, Arlington, Texas, 76001.

Again, we praise God for your interest, love and prayers. May the peace of Christ be with you.

Love,
Eddie, Marilyn, Daniel, Sara Ann and Jonathan

How Do You Explain?

Fairbanks has been great. Alaska has been great. I love so many people here. Theoretically, I love so many people everywhere, but practically, this is where it's at.

Here's a rundown on what's happened with me since coming back to Alaska.

• Loved seeing my parents. They are such a strength for me. I know that no matter what is going on in my life, their love is unchanging and stronger than I can conceive of. I hope to someday love as deeply as they do.
• Loved seeing my brothers and sisters in Kenai. I especially loved some of the conversations I got to have and excitement I got to share over what God is doing in Kenai. He is moving! Again, the love my brothers and sisters in Kenai have for me is humbling. I don't understand it, but it is a source of strength for me.
• Loved seeing my friends, brothers and sisters in Girdwood... and Mandy, Darren & Ely. Coming to Girdwood feels almost like coming come for me. I really love that place! It was great to see Roberto from Ecuador and talk about my trip to his country, and see my friends from The Pond, and hear about Adam's epic spiritual adventure to Haiti and stay with my wonderful family there.
• Loved camping with my friends in Hope. A great time of relaxation, conversation and reflection. Am SO grateful to have friends who love me enough to come visit me and go camping with me in Fairbanks! I don't deserve you.
  
• Loved seeing my sister in Anchorage and getting some in-your-face kind of challenges that caused me to reconsider my view of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. We truly are caught between the times.
  
• Loved spending time with my brothers and sisters in Anchorage. Had some great conversation and renewal. And some great pizza for that matter =).
  
• I'm realizing that more and more places are starting to feel like home and that it is more a reflection of how I have come to know God in those places than anything else.
• I'm happy to be in Fairbanks learning about primary care!
• For the first time, I saw a child be born last night... twice. Incredible.
• For the first time, I scrubbed in on an emergency surgery (a D&C for you medical folks).
• I've been to a recovery camp for substance abusers and seen the face of Christ in the very warm people there.
• I've realized my own weakness and inability to stand on my own. If I look strong to you, it's a show and I'm sorry. My only strength comes from what the Lord gives me.
• I've made plans to live with Daniel in Seattle, counting on God to heal Him because of His marvelous glory and excellence.
• I am so incredibly happy to have Abe in town with me. I need Christian brothers around me at all times or I fall apart.

So much more I could say. May God receive glory for everything I've written tonight and may He continue to become greater as I continue to become less.

Home at Last!

Dear All,

We are thrilled to report that Daniel was released from the hospital today, Wednesday, August 1, exactly one month after he was shot in the stomach in Ecuador. He goes home with a Wound V.A.C. that he must be attached to 22 or 24 hours per day, a PICC (sp?) in his arm to get IV antibiotics twice a day, many medicines and lots of "cool scars" / wounds. He also goes home weighing 30 lbs less. Yes, when we weighed him on Tuesday, he had lost 30 lbs in 30 days. WARNING: this diet is not FDA approved!

The next few months are going to be eye opening for Daniel. He has been in such a fog for so long now. Daniel knows God has much more service for him to do. He feels the calling. He wants to hear and see God's direction each and every moment of the day as well as show others Jesus. Pray that he will hear God's sweet and gentle voice. He knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that this injury is part of how God is going to use him. One time I said something about "when the accident happened". He quickly but calmly corrected me and said, "Mom, it wasn't an accident." He not only meant that from the shooter purposely shooting into his tent but also from a spiritual point of view. Romans 8:28-29 anyone?

As I was reading the Bible to Daniel a couple of days ago, he asked me where the verses are that say God will never leave us or forsake us. I turned to Hebrews 13 and we read them. He said that people's prayers can be so weak. That is why we don't see God doing powerful things in the United States. People don't boldly ask God for specifics. Why would we just ask God to be with us when He has already clearly said He will be? Ask for more! Be bold. Be brave. Let God work powerfully. Then praise Him! We are asking boldly for a complete healing and many blessings to continue.

We have learned so much. We've learned a lot about how God provides what we need just when we need it. I read Acts last week and felt close to the apostles, seeing the many ways God provided for us in Ecuador and when we got back to the US. I pray that each day, just as God provided for Paul and the apostles on Paul's oceanic cruise to prison, that you and I will see God providing for the smallest things, each and every step of the day throughout our lives. And not only in the crisis times! But in the daily humdrum, too. He is there. Count on it. Watch for it. Believe it. Share it with others.

We are beginning to know a little bit about the weariness that can settle in when you have a loved one with a long term illness. (Forgive us if we have not loved you enough when you needed someone to continue to care about you during your time of ordeal.) But getting Daniel home today will help greatly with that. He has a long way to go with lots of recovery and doctors appointments and medicines, etc. Thankfully, Sara Ann is still around to help as are other loved ones.

Where do we go from here as a family? All 3 of our children want others to know the love Jesus has for them. Sara Ann was a vocational missionary in China for 2 years and feels led to move to LA in about a year for more vocational ministry (any one interested in forming a team?). Jonathan graduated from Harding in the Spring and is on a church planting team headed for Chicago in about a year. Eddie and I are amazed at the faith of this younger generation -- not just our children. God is on the verge of doing incredible things with so many of them. So where do we go? We look for God's blessings to be new every morning and seeing how we can join Him in His work. We will let you know about that every once in a while as Daniel continues his recovery.

Please don't forget us in prayer. If you would like to send Daniel a card now and over the coming weeks, I know that would be a great encouragement to him (Daniel Stinson, 2801 S. Shady Lane, Arlington, TX 76001). In some ways he should heal fast since he is 24 years old but also it will be months so that will seem slow in ways. But we do believe he will heal.

Thank you again for your love and prayers. Thank God for the wonderful doctors and staff who He has used thus far and will continue to use. May God bless you richly today. His blessings ARE new every morning.

Love,

Eddie, Marilyn, Daniel, Sara Ann and Jonathan