Life and Times of Maine Moose Patrol & Author Mack D Ames
Author: Mack Ames
I teach adult education, including high school equivalency test prep, adult basic education, and Work Ready for Corrections, a workplace readiness course at a correctional facility. I am married with two sons in high school. I have a dry sense of humor and try not to take myself more seriously than necessary.
I know, I know. The reality is that I am Thine. But because of that, Thou art mine, and so I can sing this song:
Dear Savior, Thou art mine, How sweet the thought to me; Let me repeat Thy name, And lift my heart to Thee.
““Mine! Mine! Mine! ““I know Thou art mine; ““Savior, dear Savior, “`I know Thou art mine. ` Thou art the sinner’s friend, So I Thy friendship claim, A sinner saved by grace, When Thy sweet message came.
My hardened heart was touched; Thy pard’ning voice I heard; And joy and peace came in While list’ning to Thy word.
So let me sing Thy praise, So let me call Thee mine. I cannot doubt Thy word, I know that I am Thine.
I have a question taped to a desk in my classroom: “Is Zion worth the Valley of Baca?”
It’s a reminder to me of what my ultimate goal is in life, and what lies between now and the finish line. It also speaks to much of what has already happened, and it offers meaning to what takes place in the Valley.
Our church has a pastoral intern this summer, and one of his sermons centered on this topic. He used Scripture to explain Scripture, specifically demonstrating that the Valley of Baca in Isaiah is the Valley of the shadow of death in Psalm 23. Both describe places of trial, weakness, suffering, and hardship; places that God’s people should expect to be, if we are following in Christ’s footsteps. But Zion is God’s dwellingplace, and when we are in Christ, we are God’s dwelling. Zion is the glory of God poured out on his people. If he is dwelling with us, even in the Valley, we have the promises and love of God with us.
March 17, 1987. Dread. Separation. Sorrow. The journey ends. The vows are fulfilled. The marriage is over—“till death do us part.” Hearts are empty. A once-beautiful bride now gone; the groom in grief. The children mourning.
June 20, 1987. Long-planned for. Joy. Happiness.
Expectation. Fulfillment. The journey begins. The vows are taken. Rings are
exchanged. The marriage commences. Hearts are full. A beautiful bride and a
beaming groom, celebrated. Tears of gladness. Yet, some sadness, too.
How does one weather these emotional ebbs and flows in life?
She completed college and moved home to plan her wedding, just as her mother’s
cancer was returning with a vengeance. While her Mum battled that dread
disease, the young woman kept house for her father and younger brother, who was
still a high school student, balancing her own job and her long-distance
engagement; her fiancé was in his final semester and they would both walk at
graduation in May.
She and her mother made wedding plans as best as they could,
not knowing if Mum would be there or not, praying that she would, but the
cancer was progressing very rapidly. It was life-training for her, laying a
foundation for the marriage and ministry that she would carry on with her
husband for more than thirty years. Love, service, compassion, humor. Prayer.
Submission to God. Repentance. Faith. “But to do justice, and to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.”
This hymn is my prayer today. Lord, my spirit has been restless today. I AM resting in you, but my body is weary, and I need you as my Rock, as my Fortress, as my Anchor. You are my God, and in you only do I trust. Please, God, restore Laurel‘s health to her! Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done. And let all the glory be yours alone, my Savior. I know thou art mine.
Father, I know that all my life Is portioned out for me; The changes that are sure to come, I do not fear to see: I ask thee for a present mind, Intent on pleasing thee.
I would not have the restless will That hurries to and fro, Seeking for some great thing to do, Or secret thing to know; I would be treated as a child, And guided where I go.
I ask thee for the daily strength, To none that ask denied, A mind to blend with outward life, While keeping at thy side, Content to fill a little space, If thou be glorified.
In service which thy will appoints There are no bonds for me; My secret heart is taught the truth That makes thy children free; A life of self-renouncing love Is one of liberty.
I just shared these thoughts on a friend’s wall. She has been seeking prayers on our behalf, and as I wrote a response to HER friend, I realized that many of you don’t know us, or don’t know Laurel, yet you are praying, anyway, so these comments belong to you, too:
“In truth, our health has been a rollercoaster. We seem to be doing great when I post one update, and then later, we’re down again, so it does get confusing. We appreciate your continued prayers, as Laurel is still critically ill. The improvements of a couple of days ago have not translated into more gains yesterday or today. Your willingness to raise a complete stranger to the throne of grace is a testament to the body of Christ reaching beyond the walls that separate us on Sundays or the distances that stand between us. To God be the glory.”
Joan Anderson Bill, So many prayers for you and yours over the past days to our only fortress and fountain of life…. “Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.” Proverbs 14:26-27 NIV
Pamela Bickmore Hughes It is a privilege to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you before the Throne, my brother. May this new morning bring fresh testimony of God’s great faithfulness and steadfast love for you all!
Rick Stocker Bill, I (Ann) am not on FB but cheat and use Rick’s from time to time. Your posts have proven to me yet again that we believers never stand alone nor do we go through trials for ourselves alone but for the benefit of the Church and for the glory of Christ. How beautiful is His love for us expressed in Christ’s finished work and in His church. We continue to pray for you all. We praise God for your Christ-centered testimony. To God be the glory!
Sylvia Ropp Bill, Our God is deserving of all praise and does work in mysterious ways! The only way I have heard of Laurel has been because of our mutual interest in an actor who before a couple years ago was unknown to me. I have been trying to figure out why this man has had a powerful effect on me and have been praying for his well-being on a daily basis. Now this journey has crossed with yours! God has brought it all together and I am sharing your needs with my church and other friends, even my CPA who did my taxes yesterday and is a prayer warrior!! We are all entwined in God’s plan! You have my continued love and prayers!❤️🙏
C made a Valentine for his Momma today at school. C: “I put lots of hearts on it. Do you think she’ll like it, Daddy?” Me: “Son, when she’s able to look at it, she’ll love it.” C: 😀😊😍
I spent a little more than an hour with Laurel this morning. I told her of your love and support. I prayed with her, and talked to her. I also talked to her doctor. The dialysis is slowly but surely removing fluid from her lungs. In order for her to begin breathing on her own, they will need to dry her lungs out. It may be a week before they can remove her from the paralysis drugs, so she will remain sedated until then. He said that she is not out of the woods yet, but they are seeing some very small improvements in her condition.
I expressed my gratitude to them for their care, both their compassion and their skilled medical care. I am grateful for the men and women at our primary care office, too. I saw them today at my own appointment–I am flu-free but have a little asthma flare-up–and they expressed their well-wishes for her.
Please keep praying for Laurel, her father, Christian, Michael, and me. We love you, and praise God for you!
On a somber note, TC, this year my love lies in ICU at EMMC. I will go see her. She may or may not know that I’m there, but I’ll know it. I’ll tell her again how much I love her, and that I want her to keep fighting to live. This year we will mark 21 years of marriage if the Lord grants her the healing I’d like to see happen. But if he doesn’t, then I trust him. Either way, my wife and I belong to him. THAT’s the Valentine love that matters most to us. Thanks for your post. It’s an uplift on a tough day after a tough week. <3.
Valentine’s Day was a bizarre celebration if you were in elementary or grammar school in the 60s and 70s.
I only remembered this morning about the decorated paper bag “mailboxes” we hung up in our classrooms in order to become the recipient of mandatory notes of adoration.
Along with the memory came the recollection that I hated doing that.
This event had to have been contrived by someone who sold greeting cards. It was like being in stuck in a Hallmark re-education camp run by Mrs. Hutchinson who probably deserved a Valentine’s card. Oh, and some breath mints.
Still, we forget. Not our love for that significant special person- but to buy the card, send the flowers, saying the sweet nothings.
If there was a life lesson in all that late night card signing before the big day in 4th grade it certainly slipped the mind of every man I stand shoulder-to-shoulder with in the CAOR (crowded aisle of ruins) that IS the Valentine’s Day card section at every big-box pharmacy across this great nation.
We join the mass male exodus from office and garage bay, usually late in the day on the 14th of February, right after work, while we all look for the perfect card which, by the way, was taken by one of the three guys in America who purchase a card well in advance of the “holiday.”
Add to that a good dose of shameful price gouging which arrives with several of shakes of cheap red glitter coupled with an insincere message which can be recycled year after year on subsequent cases of cards which cost $9.95 each.
Slipping a cellophane sleeve over the front of the card, in order to battle glitter-loss, adds another three bucks to an otherwise horrible poem.
Then we watch.
We watch her open her card. We smile and wait. We wait not for the hug, the kiss, the delighted look in her eye; we wait for her to casually glance at the back of the card as she wonders how much she was valued- just like we do when we get ours.
I sent flowers this year. It was far more expensive and nothing says I love you like 69 dollars flowers which could have been purchased for $11.99 two days ago.
Yes, I added the unecessary vase, red, so that the flowers can be displayed in order for others to believe I thought about this day far, far in advance.
I guess I did…4th Grade, Mrs. Hutchinson, halitosis. It becomes clear to me now.
I just want to let all the guys know I won’t be in in the CAOR this year. You boys are on your own. I’ll miss the camaraderie.
Truth be told, we should probably say the sweet nothings every day and skip the society mandated, socially acceptable trip to the pharmacy today. But only because you should have done it yesterday.
Happy Valentine’s Day. Take your love to lunch, buy them a coffee, give them a call instead of a text. Do something nice. The cards mean nothing if you don’t back it up with action.
But don’t forget the card because there is nothing we can do to save you if you don’t. Godspeed.
Be well,
Tim Cotton
Comments
Bess Leavitt ❤️💔❤️ I can only imagine Bill –I’m sorry today is so tough. I pray you have a blessed visit with your Love despite these heartwrenching circumstances and that you see hopeful miraculous signs of progress today! Tell her we love her too !
Ellen McBride Praying for you as you visit today, Bill.
Shelly Hanscom Praying for you as you visit today. My heart does truly break for you as I know how hard it is to see them there. Sending our love to you both!!
God has rallied his people to us amazingly from our church, our families, our community, and from around the world in action, in expressions of love, encouragement, support, and most importantly, in prayer.
The following is a letter that I sent to our church early this morning. It repeats much of what many of you already know, but perhaps ties many pieces of the picture together. Laurel and I are members of Pilgrim Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Bangor, Maine.
Dear Pilgrim Friends,
For a man known to have something to say most of the time, I’m at a loss to adequately express my gratitude for your prayers, your tangible expressions of love, and for your support for Laurel, the boys, and me over the last ten days! God has been so gracious to us. He has reached out to us through you, and through countless other family, friends, and members of the body of Christ to demonstrate His love to us. We thank God for you.
Laurel remains in intensive care. She is still critically ill. She is on complete life support, and will remain so for another week or so. The complications of flu pneumonia that her doctors have described for me are more than I’m going to list here (both because I cannot remember them all and for privacy’s sake), but I will frankly tell you until this past Monday, they did not hold hope, humanly speaking, that she would survive this. “But God, who is rich in mercy…” But you were praying! As of Monday night, the attending physician called to say that he was hopeful that she would eventually recover, though she may be hospitalized for a month or more.
The boys and I have recovered from influenza. Christian has a touch of pneumonia, but he’s on antibiotics and has been cleared by his pediatrician to be in school and to be out in public. Michael and I both have slight flare-ups of asthma, so we’re taking measures to deal with that.
Laurel’s sister was up to see her last Sunday. Thanks to her, we’ve made plans for the boys to spend February vacation in Massachusetts with their cousins. We’re expecting to see Laurel’s brother tomorrow; he’s coming from Massachusetts to see her, spend the night, and then take the boys back with him for vacation week. This will give them a fun week with cousins, while relieving me of finding care for them while I return to work on Tuesday. Furthermore, I’ll be able to go from work to the hospital without worrying about the boys needing me.
As you continue to pray, here are some specifics:
1. For the acidosis in Laurel’s lungs to be reduced. 2. For Laurel’s kidneys to begin functioning again. 3. For Laurel’s father’s health to return to him so that he can come and visit her. He suddenly became ill last weekend just when he was making plans to drive up from Massachusetts. 4. For Christian and Michael to be sustained in heart and body as they are separated from their Momma, and for them to enjoy their week with cousins next week. 5. For me to take care of myself while I manage everything else. 6. For God to be glorified in us, through us, and by us.
Thank you, dear friends. As most of you know, most of my updates are posted on Facebook, but I realized this morning that some of you don’t do Facebook, so I wanted you to know what’s going on.
I’m hoping to be in church on Sunday, but I won’t be able to have the same conversation over and over; I’m sure you understand. I love you all dearly!
C made it clear to me this evening that he wants to go see his mother before he goes to Massachusetts. I’m planning to take him in on Saturday morning. M made it equally clear that he doesn’t want to go. That works out well, as C is old enough, but M isn’t, even though they appear opposite in age.
Doctor said today that good case scenario is several months hospital and rehabilitation center, before she goes home. Very long, very tough road ahead. Not out of the woods yet.. keep praying. Keep believing! I’m trusting God. Bill M.
Dear Friends, this morning I am overwhelmed by the reality of our situation. Laurel faces an extremely long and difficult road to recovery from this devastating hospitalization. My heart aches for her. It aches for the boys. And yes, it aches for me. I miss her. But the God of all creation is her God and ours, and He Loves Us.
Two nights ago, I was in my room and I heard C humming this one. I went to his room and sang along with him. At the end of it he said, “I like to sing this. It helps me go to sleep.” ❤ this boy. ❤ this hymn. I sing this to Laurel when I visit her.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.
It is well with my soul; It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And has shed his own blood for my soul.
My sin—O the bliss of this glorious thought!— My sin, not in part, but the whole, Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more; Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll, The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend; “Even so”—it is well with my soul.93Mary Macdonald-Murray, Laurel Dorman Trundy and 91 others
C’s visit with Laurel was good. He told Momma he loved her, and he stayed while I sang hymns to her and prayed with her. and he was glad that he went. He remembered going to see a friend of mine in ICU a few months ago, and that prepared him for what he’d see today; it helped.
Furthermore, he’s eager to visit her again when he’s back from Massachusetts at the end of next week. “I want to see her more and more,” he said at supper tonight. ❤ this kid.
It was so refreshing to be in the Lord’s house among his people for church today. To sing his praises, to pray, and to hear his Word preached were so enriching, healing, challenging, and fulfilling. The fellowship of the saints and the love of God were so evident. My heart is full.
Laurel is having a good day. She’s breathing a little bit over the respirator–one or two breaths every now and then. That’s progress (the kind we’ve been praying for). I got to see her face today for the first time in more than a week; how precious my sweet wife is. ❤️ Tiny increments of progress; praise and prayers for more. Thanksgiving to God for YOU. Our love to you, dear friends.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise him, all creatures here below. Praise him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Good night, friends. I return to work tomorrow, Lord willing. Your prayers for that are appreciated. I’ve been out since the end of January and while I look forward to getting back into the routine, it’s going to take a little getting used to. I’m also, by necessity of my workplace, going to be separated from my cell phone during the day, and I’ve become very accustomed to having it with me everywhere and all the time since Laurel entered the hospital. But God doesn’t need me to have my phone in order for Him to take care of her. ❤ To Him be the glory for that!
Sing them over again to me, Wonderful words of life; Let me more of their beauty see, Wonderful words of life; Words of life and beauty, Teach me faith and duty:
Beautiful words, wonderful words, Wonderful words of life. Beautiful words, wonderful words, Wonderful words of life.
Christ, the blessed One, gives to all, Wonderful words of life; Sinner, list to the loving call, Wonderful words of life. All so freely given, Wooing us to heaven:
Sweetly echo the gospel call, Wonderful words of life, Offer pardon and peace to all, Wonderful words of life. Jesus, only Saviour, Sanctify for ever.
The boys face-timed with me a little while ago. C announced he’d taken his medicine. M announced he ate vegetables! (green beans). Then he warned me, “Don’t make them, Dad.”
Way to go, Auntie Kelly and Uncle Karl Boettger for getting Michael to eat veggies!! Woot! Woot!
I enjoyed lunch with Mary & Logan and their three sons today. The boys are all getting over colds, so they weren’t feeling great, but they put on a good face and did their best to be good company. When I thanked them for it, they told me,”You’re welcome,” and I was glad to hug each nephew before they left to return to Freeport.
Ann Hyatt was our server–on a day she doesn’t normally work at that particular restaurant, so it was a blessing to see a friend from church. As it turns out, Mary’s oldest son and Ann’s youngest son have spent time at Deerwander Bible Conference together, so that was a cool connection to make.
A couple of hours over a meal with loved ones was very refreshing, just as I’d hoped. Now, I’m at home relaxing. I was going to go back to the hospital after lunch, but there are some things I need to do around the house to make myself ready for the remainder of the week as I resume work tomorrow. Laurel is in the hands of the only One in the universe that can do anything about her situation, and He is using the compassion and skills of her nurses and doctors to meet her needs, so I trust her to God and those men and women at Northern Light EMMC.
Dear Lord, grant Laurel a good night. Help her lungs to continue to improve their functioning, and help her kidneys to begin to function as they are supposed to. Help Laurel to know that you are with her; encourage her by your Holy Spirit. Bring the power of God into her room in such a way that the medical personnel cannot help but give glory to you for how she is healing and recovering from this devastating hospitalization. Thank you for the many Christians working with her and interacting with her. Thank you for the friends from church and the community that are taking the time to visit with her, especially given that I cannot be there as much as I’d like. Thank you for the testimony to your love that you are producing in this situation. Give us all hope in you–not hope as the world gives that disappears when adversity comes, but hope that is certain because Jesus is our Rock, our Fortress, our Strong Tower, who loves us and gave himself up for us that we might be reconciled to you by his own blood. We give all honor and glory to you for what you are doing, Lord Jesus. We love you! We pray this in your name. Amen.
Laurel is making a little more progress today. The prayer need is for her kidneys to start producing. Please pray for that. Otherwise, she is making incremental but steady improvement, including that the dialysis is getting ahead of the fluids, which is good. She’s able to be on her back all the time now, too, which is good. 😁
The dialysis technician spoke highly of the number of visitors that have come to see Laurel. He’s impressed by the support system in place. I told him that I’m not happy that Laurel is sick, but I’m thankful for the lessons that God is teaching me about trusting Him and being more aware of the needs of others. He was interested in knowing more about our church, so I gave him a church business card with our names on the back. To God be the glory.
Dear Friends, I’m heading out to see Laurel in a few minutes. Lord willing, I’ll be having lunch with my sister Mary and her husband, which will be a much-needed time of emotional refreshment for me. While Mary is closest in age of all my siblings and we fought like cats and dogs when we were young, we’ve grown close as we’ve matured, and I treasure the time I get to spend with her and her husband (as I do with all my siblings and their spouses).
I’ll post an update about my dear wife later today. I love you all and thank God for you. Your prayers and support sustain me, by the grace and mercy of God. To Him be the glory!
Wonderful grace of Jesus, Greater than all my sin; How shall my tongue describe it, Where shall its praise begin? Taking away my burden, Setting my spirit free; For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus, Deeper than the mighty rolling sea; Higher than the mountain, sparkling like a fountain, All sufficient grace for even me, Broader than the scope of my transgressions, Greater far than all my sin and shame, O magnify the precious name of Jesus, Praise his name!
Wonderful grace of Jesus, Reaching a mighty host, By it I have been pardoned, Saved to the uttermost, Chains have been torn asunder, Giving me liberty; For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
Wonderful grace of Jesus, Reaching the most defiled, By its transforming power, Making him God’s dear child, Purchasing peace and heaven, For all eternity; And the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
This was shared by one of Laurel’s friends after I posted it. Sharing of my posts was common: Countless friends and loved ones passed the word along for prayer, and the gates of heaven were stormed daily on my dear wife’s behalf, and on behalf of my sons and me. Our gracious, loving Father took mercy on us and healed Laurel. I still weep for joy to know that God was willing to do that.
Another good update from Laurel’s husband Bill Please continue to pray as prayers are being answered Such an amazing little family 💕
After work I went to the hospital to visit Laurel. She was receiving her dialysis treatment; I often seem to be there for that, regardless of whether I see her in the morning or afternoon. I opened a couple of cards that had been delivered to her room and read them to her, told her about the adventures the boys were having with their relatives in Cape Cod, and passed along greetings from so many of you that have asked me to do so.
Forty-five minutes or so into my visit, Chaplain Paul Dunfee from Mountain View Correctional Facility, where I teach, arrived for a brief visit. After talking with me for a few minutes in the hallway and offering me some encouraging words, he and I went into Laurel’s room, where we took turns praying over her. Then, because it was time for her dialysis nurse to complete the treatment, and because it was late and I needed to come home and have supper, we left.
On our way out, the doctor met us in the hallway. Laurel continues to see some progress in her lung function, and as they remove her more and more from the sedation, she will come closer and closer to consciousness. We continue to intercede at the throne of God for her kidneys to begin functioning.
I had so many opportunities at work today to testify to the goodness, grace, mercy, and love of God–of how He is sustaining us and providing so wonderfully for us in this trial and hour of need. For those of like faith, the comprehension and shared awe of His lovingkindness is palpable. For those unfamiliar with such faith, such words seem like nice platitudes, I think, but little more than that. I can’t help that. All I know is that Jesus, our Savior, loves Laurel and Christian and Michael and me, and the Holy Spirit intercedes for us before the Father’s throne with groanings that cannot be uttered. Nothing is better than that. No place is safer than that. Children of the heavenly Father safely in his bosom gather, as the hymn says. To God be the glory, great things he has done!
I just spoke with the night nurse. Laurel has had a pretty good night. She’s been trying to open her eyes, but hasn’t quite gotten them fully open yet–just flutters so far. No movement in her outer extremities yet. But small improvements, nonetheless. Thank you for your ongoing prayers on her behalf and mine. We’d be lost without them.
May God bless you and yours for the love you are showing to us! And to God be the glory!
As is true for the suffering saints in communist China, so also is true for my wife in ICU: There is no safer place than in God’s will–in God’s hands. Romans 8:35-39 says:
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ruth and I return to China Friday morning, arriving late Saturday night. Unfortunately though nothing has changed as the Chinese authorities have removed the symbol of the cross from the local church where our friends attend. Just another example of the real threat to Christians living in China.
Some have asked why would we return to such an environment where ones faith in Christ is subject to persecution? Because that’s where we are called. Something the Lord spoke into my spirit the other day when he said, “the safest place to be is in my perfect will.”
Communists, Socialists and every other spirit of death can never remove the security one will find when they walk in God’s perfect calling.
Pray for China. Pray for democracy. Pray for revival.)
When Laurel was first hospitalized, many of you reached out with Bible verses and with songs that spoke to your hearts. I didn’t say so at the time, but now I do: Thank you for that. I didn’t have time then to read them all or listen to the songs, but the Lord has granted me periods of reflection and quiet to follow through and do it since those first few difficult days. Some of the songs were new to me, and others were familiar. Some have stuck with me and run around in my head all day long. 🙂 I wake up with lyrics and tunes, or fall asleep to them, as God ministers to me through music. Thank you. To God be the glory!
M & C contacted me last evening on Messenger Kids to let me know they had another wicked fun day with cousins and with Grandpa Robert Boettger. They had tacos for supper, they happily reported.
You’ve gotten so used to hearing from me so often that the sudden drop-off may seem strange, but there are two reasons for the lack of information. First, I’m back at work, so I have less time to spend on Facebook. Second, Laurel had a quiet night and there isn’t much to tell you.
We continue to thank you for your prayers and encouragements. Keep praying! “Who is like the Lord our God?”
Psalm 113 says:
Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, you his servants; praise the name of the Lord. 2 Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore. 3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. 4 The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. 5 Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, 6 who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? 7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; 8 he seats them with princes, with the princes of his people. 9 He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord.
Today was Laurel‘s best day yet since she was hospitalized on Feb. 6. Today, she was taken off sedation and breathed on her own for more than 4 hours. ! The doctor told me this evening that “her lungs are a million times better than they were last week” when he and I had last talked (the attending physician changes every few days). There was amazement in his face and eyes; the excitement was real for him (imagine what it was for me!). “Her oxygen is good, her blood pressure is good, and her lungs are doing very well. She hasn’t completely woken up yet; I hope she will do that tomorrow,” he added.
My friends, we have been praying that God would act above and beyond what the professionals expect for Laurel, and she has come much further in the past week than they had anticipated for her. I am very pleased by this, and I thank God for his healing mercies toward her. I pray that he will continue by touching her kidneys and helping her to wake up fully soon.
Finally, in a conversation I had with a friend today in which I was describing how I am coping with this situation, my friend affirmed how my faith is keeping me strong. I thanked my friend for that, but redirected the sentiment to this: It is not by my strength or effort that I’m clinging to God and holding on. It is, rather, that God is clinging to me, and Romans 8 promises me that NOTHING can pluck me from God’s hands nor from his love.
Lord Jesus, help me to keep trusting in you, and to keep pointing all of our friends to you as the only One worth trusting in this world. Forgive me of my sin, Father, and by your Holy Spirit, make me more like my Savior Jesus, in whose name I pray. Heal my wife, Lord. Restore her to our family, if it be your will. Amen.
Laurel has opened one or both of her eyes a few times in the last two days, but she hasn’t woken up and been truly alert yet. Her breathing continues to improve. They have gentle music playing in the background in her room, and when I go to visit her tomorrow, I’ll use her tablet to play some of her favorite music.
That’s the update for today on her. The boys just arrived home! My thanks to my sisters-in-law, Kelly and Nancy, for transporting them in stages to Maine, and to my sisters, Mary and Priscilla, for getting them the final two stages through Maine to our house!. ❤ Parenting resumes now.
One of the needs we have faced was that our washing machine had broken down a few months ago and we had been going to the laundromat to get our laundry done. This week, generous and loving friends arranged to have that taken care of. Thanks to them, we have a completely refurbished machine that was installed on Thursday. I’m so grateful for it! I’ve done three loads already today! God is blessing us through the kindness of his people. All I can say is, “Thank you,” and to God be the glory!
Christian and I went to see Laurel this morning. As he took her hand and began talking to her, she moved her head back and forth. It was the first time I’d seen her do that, and I encouraged her to do it again. Nothing. Christian began talking again, and she moved her head again. I talked, and she stopped. I realize there wasn’t any rhyme or reason to it, but we still got excited and for my nervous son’s sake, made light of the fact that when he talked she moved and when I talked she didn’t.
She is breathing on her own most of the time now, praise God, and as we sat with her, moved her head and arms a number of times. We still wait and pray for kidney function and full wakefulness in God’s timing.
In response to my request for prayer regarding logistical things, several people have already offered to help with specific things, and I’m thankful for that. God is good because he loves us, and I’m humbled by that love. The glory is his alone!
Laurel continues to improve. There are no earth-shattering strides to tell you about today, but it is the Lord’s day, so with so many gathering and praying for her on this day, we hope for further healing of her body. It was refreshing to worship God with his people this morning and to have my boys with me.
The outpouring of love of God’s people continues unabated. Christians from our town are praying in their churches, too, even though some of them do not know us personally. To God be the glory!!
Members of our church are helping to meet logistical and practical needs for the boys and me. IF there’s a snow day for the boys, I have a place for them to go that won’t be a burden for another school family and won’t be an allergy issue for M. Meals, cleaning, and other issues are finding solutions that just three days ago were puzzling my mind. The Lord is kind to me!
As the days and weeks move along, there will be needs and opportunities to help for those that want to and haven’t had the chance to yet. For now, we seem to be all right. To God be the glory, honor, and praise! Amen. We love him, because he first loved us. He is faithful. Hallelujah!
The nurse I spoke with this evening said the Laurel had a good day. There continue to be many encouraging signs of recovery and improvement, which are clear answers to prayer. At the same time, she said that Laurel still has a very long path ahead before she will be well. She said that it will take some months for Laurel to regain the strength that she has lost, but she spoke encouragingly to me on the phone. She emphasized that the prayer is making the difference in Laurel’s recovery. It was refreshing to hear that acknowledgment!
Laurel had at least two visitors today; our niece, Leah Dorman, and Mark Fowler. Thank you, dear ones, for going to see my dear wife. I could not get in to see her today. The nurse, a fellow believer, promised to give Laurel my love and tell her I’d be in tomorrow.
May God continue to hear our prayers on Laurel’s behalf, to restore her kidneys and other functions, and to encourage her spirit. May God comfort our children, and give me the strength that I need for each day. May He grant me wisdom and guidance for being a good father, husband, and employee.
Friends, I still covet your prayers and support. I am nothing without God, and you are his instruments of love to us. I rest in Him. To him be the glory, honor, and praise!
We appreciate your continued prayers, as Laurel is still critically ill. The improvements of a couple of days ago have not translated into more gains yesterday or today. Your willingness to raise a complete stranger to the throne of grace is a testament to the body of Christ reaching beyond the walls that separate us on Sundays or the distances that stand between us. To God be the glory.”
Mack Ames Books and Maine Moose Patrol 