Answered Prayer: Light Floods the Tunnel

I am excited to report that there is light flooding into the tunnel. That darkness of the unknown can at times try to engulf us, however, today, I am excited to report a super flash of hope.
I read today where Joanne Heim (Littleton Colorado area) had a medical breakthrough regarding her medical condition and it involves my passion of communication and new media!

You see, I have been praying since January 11th, when I learned from a mutual friend that Joanne Heim (great Simple Life blogger, Christian author, wife and mother) suffered a sudden and severe stroke. Her young daughter found her in the basement shaking and an ambulance came to rush her away to the hospital where the family’s journey was about to take a drastic turn into a dark tunnel of unknowns.

There have been many ups and downs throughout the last month, seizures, brain swelling, surgery, coma, tracheotomy, monitoring of the brain activity. I have prayed for the two little girls Audrey (12) and Emma (not sure of her age) and of course, her husband, Toben who has curtailed his normal work in order to be by his beloved’s side.

It was interesting to hear Joanne’s situation mentioned on the local Moody Bible radio station that I listen to on a national program called Midday Connection. Then, apparently her blogsite registered 4,000 hits as people came to read about her and lift up prayers and comments of encouragement.  Friends have helped with updates being posted to her blog and even set up a way in which people could help the Heims out financially since this is taking Toben away from his normal job and also anticipated to be a lengthy and costly recovery.

I totally love how the Brotherhood of Christians come together and show the Father’s love at such times!! People who are thousands of miles away, still our brothers and sisters, can be reached through this wonderful tool of the internet. Blogs, Twitter, Facebook and even Skype are all powerful tools to connect with people in a way that some have viewed as too technological and therefore “cold and insensitive”. However, I disagree. This ability to communicate electronically has offered us great opportunities. That’s why I so love using it to practice my 5E’s of exalting; equipping, edifying, examining and evangelizing!!

Because of my own experiences with very rare Foreign Accent Syndrome since May 12, 2009, I am even MORE enthused about the process of communication and it’s many modes. Although I sound like a foreigner these last almost 2 years, I still count myself incredibly blessed to be able to sing and write normally.  This condition is so rare that many doctors don’t even know what it is, let alone how to help us. Consequently, I am so driven to have Linguistic Programs and Speech Pathology and Neurology labs to examine my and others’ brain via functional MRI or other means to learn more about the truly untapped wilderness of the human brain. I KNOW that a different area of my brain is functioning when I sing than when I speak. There is much to learn and I want to help.

Now; to the fantastic news that spurred this writing. My dear sister-in-the-Lord Joanne in a Colorado hospital, has blessed her caretakers and family with one simple act (simple, to someone who has NOT had a stroke nor been a coma).  Joanne cannot speak because of Tracheotomy and she’s had a hard time trying to use a pen and paper to write, but Toben had an idea to put an i-Pad in front of her. As she was in bed with the iPad, she utilized a doodle program and drew with her finger :

“Do we have Otter pops in the freezer at home?” A breakthrough!!! Then when therapist asked her what her favorite flavor was, she used her finger to spell out “orange”.  A great Hallelujah moment! I became emotional as I read the news and can only imagine the unspeakable joy that her husband Toben and the witnessing Speech Therapist were experiencing. I also am most rejoicing for dear Joanne… she can communicate!! How wonderful!!

It is a sign of progress that she is allowed to eat popsicles instead of only ice chips that they had been giving her. But this added ability to communicate by the use of an iPad is outstanding!!  She continued to write about being uncomfortably hot, and having a bit of trouble with her tracheotomy that medical staff were then able to address.

As exciting as all this news is; experience has taught me that this activity is especially draining on the brain.  She, no doubt, will get very tired, very quickly as she takes the extra effort to communicate. So that is a continuing prayer concern; her strength, endurance and ability to STOP and rest. (If you but read her blogsite postings, you’ll see that it is not generally her nature to just stop). I do pray for her, as I do myself, to make the time to stop; be still and know that He is Lord. She has seemed to me to be a driven person to “do” things. Now, the Lord has caused her to “rest in Him” an “be” rather than “do”. Oooh, that is a lesson I have frequented a LOT myself : P

At last nights prayer meeting Bible lesson, Kurt taught us out of  1st John 5: 1-5 where the apostle Paul talks of being “overcomers”.  It is through the Power of Jesus Christ that we are able to endure what appears unendurable; to more than survive a trial, but actually thrive in new ways as we come out of the other side of a dark tunnel of this world’s trials and into the Light of hope that is ours by being a Child of God and KNOWING that God promises never to leave or forsake us — He is our LIGHT through the darkness. His Word tells us these trials are “light and momentary” — not to belittle our experiences of suffering, but as a reminder that this world, in this decaying body… when viewed in light of eternity . . . is fleeting.

As I close, I invite you, my friends,  to join prayers for Joanne’s continued healing, that the testimony of the Goodness of God be evident to all who witness their responses of God-given peace and joy in the MIDST of the trial,  as well as praising God for his incredible mercies to her and her family.

Toben: I pray that you will share this with Joanne and the girls, so that they can know that God is at work through your situation, among His people, throughout the world.  They will know we are Christians by our LOVE.

To read Joanne’s Blog here is the link: http://thesimplewife.typepad.com/the_simple_wife/

For updates from Toben via Twitter: @tobenheim

6 Weeks: The Struggles Continue

If you have not been following this story, please read all the previous posts by searching “Baby Jonah” in the site’s search box.

This has situation continues to take a physical and emotional toll on the entire Silverberg family. So I encourage all of us to remain diligent in praying for them.

Dear praying Family,
No news is good news. Jonah has had a relatively quiet time since I last wrote. He is still very sick. He has a fever, is still on the ventilator, and is not conscious much, which may be better for him. They tried to put anew main “pick line” in him for medicines but could not get it in. After three hours of poking holes in him they gave up. Other than that, all is relatively well, for now. Please keep praying as he is far from being out of trouble.

Val is doing OK, except for exhaustion. I am having a very bad time w/ my hands and arms from shoveling. Painful, jarring, numbness, which won’t subside. Rest of spine and body in misery as well. Also exhausted. Josh, Shakinah and Josiah are having a very hard time with this continued situation. Please pray for us, especially Shakinah.   
   
Jonah is 6 weeks old today. Time flies, yet it has been a very long, hard 6 weeks. We do praise the Lord that Jonah is alive and God has used you to be a huge blessing to us thru this difficult time, which continues.
   
In Christ’s love,
Marty for Va

Jonah: Some Good News

Here is the latest update for Baby Jonah.

Dear Praying Family,
 
The doctors have told us that Jonah is doing a little better. They believe the infection is under control, his fever is down, and they will not have to remove a section of his intestine. That is where we are at now. Thank you so very much for your continued prayers. I know my problems [physically should not be shovelling snow & ice] are small compared to all this, but I am thankful for your prayers for me and Val thru all this.

In Christ’s Love,
Marty & Val
       

Are You Ready?

Emergency kit

There’s a huge winter storm coming! It’s shaking people up to see just about all of the United States east of Cheyenne Wyoming with some kind of winter storm watch or warning. Weathermen are predicting freezing rain, sleet, snow, ice and then powerful winds. This storm is expected to hit central Indiana over the next two days. In fact portions of our area are receiving freezing rain RIGHT NOW.

This has prompted many people to get prepared. . . are YOU prepared?

It only takes 1/2 inch of ice buildup on the lines to bring them down, especially if there is high winds causing them to sway and tree branches to fall. Ice storms are known for causing wide-spread power outages, so it is wise to prepare. If you hear “popping” or see sparking and wires down — stay away and keep others away and call your electric company or 911 immediately. (some phone numbers at the end of this post).  If you are in your car and the line falls on it. Do NOT leave the car unless told to do so by emergency personnel.

Are you and your family ready if your power should go out during this winter storm? Have you talked with your kids and have an emergency plan in place ? If you were told that you must be out of the house “NOW” (gas leak, fire, evacuation) would you be ready?

The American Red Cross says you can prepare by putting together a disaster supply kit, to be used in your home in the event of an emergency, and a “go kit,” which is something you would take with you if you need to evacuate to a shelter.

Your disaster supply kit at home could include such things as:

• at least 3-day supply of food (ideally eaten w/o heating, granola bars, cheese and crackers, cereals, etc. — don’t forget the can opener if you have canned goods)
• possible food-heat source, (ie. gel fuel, propane for outdoor cooking only)
• water at least a gallon a day
• first aid kit,
• flashlights and batteries.
• heating sources- candles, tea lights, lanterns, (+ matches in water proof cont.)
• Warm Blankets and clothing.

I.D. and Documentation. Always being sure that everyone is carrying some kind of Identification. You can have fun and create one for your kids with an index card and their photo, name, your name and cell phone number.  Also, it is good to create a secret word to know if someone is claiming to be taking them to you.

Remember that with power out… you will not be able to CHARGE you cell phone or mobile devices. Many people have all there important phone numbers stored electronically, so it is wise to transfer important contact information, accounts etc. into a small address book or notebook that you keep in your purse or on your person.

A digital camera (with extra batteries) may be of great use if you suffer some damage from the storm. I ALWAYS carry one with a set of extra batteries for it. This is especially important for capturing and documenting news as it happens. I keep my cell phone for only communication not photos.

Our First Aid Tackle Box

A “Go-Kit” (can be grabbed if you must evacuate in a hurry or go to shelter) . Place the following type items in a rolling suitcase or backpack:

• bedding,
• clothing for all family members, Warm & weatherproof
• medications,
• personal care items,
• toys or books for the kids and snacks.
• a notebook/folder with important addresses, phone numbers, & accts. info & key family photos.

Dog Bucket to Go

Don’t forget your PET Emergency family needs: (We keep ours in a five gallon bucket always ready in case of emergency evacuation.

• food Lg. ziplocs work well
• and water for your animal (reused gal. juice container)
• leashes and collars (be sure I.D. tag is on animal)
• toys, blanket, brush or comb, ziplocs for cleanup
• extra rope is always good to have for tie up or makeshift muzzle.

If you plan on using a grill, make sure it stays outside. Don’t operate it in a garage or a basement due to carbon monoxide and fire concerns.

Get Ready:

• Fill your gas tank
• Charge cell phones
• Have extra cash
• Stock non-perishable food
• Consider back-up methods for food/water, heat and lighting
• Have ice melt and non-clumping kitty litter on hand for melting and traction.

Electrical Power Providers:

IPL power outages.  To report an outage or a downed power line, please call 317.261.8111 or 317.261.8222 or toll-free at 1.888.261.8222. or 911 if an emergency.

Duke Energy outages. If you see a fallen power line, call Duke Energy at 1-800-343-3525 and select Option 2 or contact your local emergency services immediately.

Vectren outages. Call (800) 227-1376 to report an outage or downed line.

These are just suggestions based on my understanding of what the American Red Cross and local news reporters are suggesting, along with personal experience. Using your own common sense trumps it all. The purpose of this post is simply to prompt you to ready yourselves and consider items you may not have thought of.

I very much welcome other personal suggestions that you would make. What kind of experiences have you had with emergencies that caused you to better prepare for the future? Please feel free to send a comment and I will post it if it is helpful.

Now, people … get ready!

Baby Jonah’s Challenges Increase

Here is the latest update I have on little Jonah Silverburg.

Dear Praying Family,
 
We received a call at 1:45 AM this morning. [Sunday, Jan. 30th]
Jonah was unable to breathe on his own and was put back on the ventilator after 36 hours being off of it.
He was also having continuous heart arythmia, and there is a fluid buildup around his lungs. All this after his kidney failure, heart reconstructive surgery and 3 previous cardiac arrests. This little baby has been thru an awful lot. Valerie was unable to go back to sleep.
 
We will be leaving for Church soon to Praise our Lord.
Afterwards, Val will go to the hospital.
 
Thank you for your faithful and continual prayers.
 
In Christ’s Love,
Marty for Val

Baby Jonah Week 3

For those who are new, please read the background of this Missionary Family in the Bronx, NY by clicking on related links at the end of the post. For absolutely everyone I hope that you are blessed by upholding this entire family in prayer as well as having additional thanksgiving that your family is not going through this same trial. However, there are others who have gone through similar trials that may be all around us; everyday. We all are “living stones” and testify to the work being done by the Kingdom of God in the lives of people.

As you look at these latest updates you will notice more specifics for the need of prayer in the Silverburg family. Please, Please send a word of encouragement as a comment at the end of the post. It really helps them to know that we are walking beside them through the trial through prayer. Your words may be JUST what they need to hear.
“A man has joy in an apt answer,And how delightful is a timely word!” –Proverbs 15:23 (NASB)

Here are a series of updates for Baby Jonah and the Silverberg Family… Thank you for remembering them in prayer. Even when we don’t immediately hear how God is working, we can know that our prayers will be interpreted for us by the Holy Spirit even when our groanings are too deep for words.  I LOVE that verse of Scripture /

^“26In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;²⁷and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. “  —    Romans 8:26-27

1/26 –

Dear Praying Family,

Thank you again for your love and prayers. Jonah remains critical, but we believe he is improving.

Please pray for new problems of Kidney failure and liver function problems, with the possibility of liver damage. The Doctors have told us that in order to keep Jonah alive, they have had to possibly compromise these vital organs. Jonah is much smaller now, the swelling is way down. His whole face is purple and blue from bruising, from tissue damage due to the swelling. His hands and arms are also purple and blue from bruising from the swelling and the many lines

in and out of him. All in all, we believe he is improving.

We don’t know when he will be moved downstairs. It could be any day, or it could be a while yet. We are not looking forward to the chaos this will cause our family, yet it is a necessary step in his recovery and in his eventual going home w/ his family. We are hoping not to have to pay too much for round the clock sitting for Jonah. We are hoping and praying that the many people who have offered to help us during this crisis can somehow pull together as a team at that time, to help provide someone to sit at Jonah’s bed, so our other children can still continue to function here w/ their Dad and w/ their Mom as much as possible.

Everything has been very hard, but we are trusting the Lord and taking it one day at a time. Jonah is 29 days old today. Please pray for our new problem w/ Josh’s schoolbus, which was rerouted about 3 weeks ago, w/ Josh having to be up and out one and a half hours earlier, which our little autistic child could not adjust to. So I have been driving him, an hour round trip for me. We are doing much fighting w/ the bureaucracy. We did not need this additional trouble at this time.

In Christ’s Love,

Marty for Val

Also please pray for me regarding snow shoveling today and tomorrow

1/27

Dear Praying Family,

Jonah remains about the same. His kidneys have improved a little. They tried to take him off the ventilator yesterday, but he could not breathe on his own, so they put him back on. He has a fluid buildup around his lungs, and the Doctors were supposed to make another hole in him and drain the fluid but it hasn’t happened yet.

Today we are snowed in. Kids are home and Val cannot make it to the hospital.

The hospital is short staffed and no one answered when Val called.

I did a huge amount of shoveling. I also helped our neighbor shovel her entire 40 foot sidewalk. I’m not supposed to do any of this type of work, but when you see an elderly lady trying to shovel, what are you supposed to do. Lot’s of long toss shoveling and carrying shovels full to make piles.

No where to put all this snow. Arms, hips, shoulders and spine hurting badly. It is also very dangerous driving today, many sidestreets impassable and lots of cars blocking the streets, no where to park. Our street was plowed once, PTL, but it’s still very bad, and our car is very plowed in. Please pray for me. Later I will shovel the many stairs so our dogs can get out, then go back out and shovel some more in front. I will not even attempt to get our car shoveled out today, so we don’t know how Joshy will get to school tomorrow. I’ll try to walk Shakinah and Josiah to their bus in the morning, about 2/3 of a mile each way. I walk it every afternoon. The walk is good for me, but very painful.

We have attached anew picture of Jonah.

Thank you for your continued love and prayers for Jonah and our family.

In Christ’s love,

Marty for Val

1/28

Dear Praying Family,

Jonah will have the ventilator removed again around 1:30 PM.

Please pray that he can breathe on his own and not have to go back on the ventilator.

I also want to thank all who prayed for me re: snow shoveling. As you know, due to many serious medical conditions, I should not do this. If my current physician found out what I was doing, he would discontinue treatment. I am not too bad, PTL. Huge amounts of pain, but expected much worse from 6 hours of shoveling yesterday, including the neighbors walk and a stuck car. Practically had my car out, but got plowed in again w/ 3 feet of ice. Did 2 hours w/ pick axe and shovel today, almost have car out again.

Thanks for praying for us all.

Val took the bus to the hospital, as cabs are becoming too expensive and she is doing a little better. Josh had to take the 6:35 bus today. We pray he doesn’t get too sick.

I walked Josiah and Shakinah to bus, and am going to get them now. So glad to be able to walk. Not to be taken for granted.

We Love you All Dearly,

In Christ’s Love,

Marty for Val