A Room for a special one, for a night

Our house was directly across the street from the clinic entrance of Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore .. We lived downstairs and rented the upstairs rooms to out-patients at the Clinic.

One summer evening as I was fixing supper, there was a knock at the door I opened it to see a truly awful looking man. "Why, he's hardly taller than my eight-year-old," I thought as I stared at the stooped, shriveled body.

But the appalling thing was his face, lopsided from swelling, red and raw. Yet his voice was pleasant as he said, "Good evening. I've to see if you've a room for just one night. I came for a treatment this morning from the eastern shore, and there's no bus 'till morning."

He told me he'd been hunting for a room since noon but with no success. No one seemed to have a room. "I guess it's my face. I know it looks terrible, but my doctor says with a few more treatments..."

For a moment I hesitated, but his next words convinced me: "I could sleep in this rocking chair on the porch. My bus leaves early in the morning." I told him we would find him a bed, but to rest on the porch. I went inside and finished getting supper. When we were ready, I asked the old man if he would join us. "No thank you. I have plenty" And he held up a brown paper bag.

When I had finished the dishes, I went out on the porch to talk with him a few minutes. It didn't take a long time to see that this old man had an over sized heart crowded into that tiny body. He told me he fished for a living to support his daughter, her five children and her husband, who was hopelessly crippled from a back injury.

He didn't tell it by way of complaint; in fact, every other sentence was prefaced with thanks to God for a blessing. He was grateful that no pain accompanied his disease, which was apparently a form of skin cancer. He thanked God for giving him the strength to keep going.

At bedtime, we put a camp cot in the children's room for him. When I got up in the morning, the bed linens were neatly folded, and the little man was out on the porch.

He refused breakfast, but just before he left for his bus, haltingly, as if asking a great favor, he said, Could I please come back and stay the next time I have a treatment? I won't put you out a bit. I can sleep fine in a chair." He paused a moment and then added, "Your children made me feel at home. Grownups are bothered by my face, but children don't seem to mind." I told him he was welcome to come again.

And on his next trip he arrived a little after seven in the morning. As a gift, he brought a big fish and a quart of the largest oysters I had ever seen. He said he had shucked them that morning before he left so that they'd be nice and fresh. I knew his bus left at 4 a.m. , and I wondered what time he had to get up in order to do this for us.

In the years he came to stay overnight with us there was never a time that he did not bring us fish or oysters or vegetables from his garden.

Other times we received packages in the mail, always by special delivery; fish and oysters packed in a box of fresh young spinach or kale, every leaf carefully washed. Knowing that he must walk three miles to mail these and knowing how little money he had made the gifts doubly precious.

When I received these little remembrances, I often thought of a comment our next-door neighbor made after he left that first morning. "Did you keep that awful looking man last night? I turned him away! You can lose roomers by putting up such people!"

Maybe we did lose roomers once or twice But, oh, if only they could have known him, perhaps their illness would have been easier to bear. I know our family always will be grateful to have known him; from him we learned what it was to accept the bad without complaint and the good with gratitude to God.

Recently I was visiting a friend who has a greenhouse. As she showed me her flowers, we came to the most beautiful one of all, a golden chrysanthemum, bursting with blooms. But to my great surprise, it was growing in an old dented, rusty bucket. I thought to myself, "If this were my plant, I'd put it in the loveliest container I had!"

My friend changed my mind. "I ran short of pots," she explained, "and knowing how beautiful this one would be, I thought it wouldn't mind starting out in this old pail. It's just for a little while, till I can put it out in the garden."

She must have wondered why I laughed so delightedly, but I was imagining just such a scene in heaven. There's an especially beautiful one," God might have said when he came to the soul of the sweet old fisherman. "He won't mind starting in this small body."

All this happened long ago -- and now, in God's garden, how tall this lovely soul must stand.

The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Friends are very special. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear and they share a word of praise. Show your friends how much you care.

The New Priest - Confessional Training

The new priest, born and raised in Texas, is nervous about hearing confessions, so he asks the older priest to sit in on his sessions.

The new priest hears a couple of confessions, then the old priest asks him to step out of the confessional for a few suggestions.

The old priest suggests, "Cross your arms over your chest, and rub your chin with one hand and try saying things like 'yes, I see,' and 'yes, go on,' and 'I understand.'" The new priest crosses his arms, rubs his chin with one hand and repeats all the suggested remarks to the old priest.

The old priest says , ..."Now, don't you think that's a little better than slapping your knee and saying, "No crap... what happened next?"

Dirt Bike 1, Quirin 0

In a message dated 9/24/2007 3:39:41 P.M. Central Daylight Time, mquirin@weldtechservices.com writes:
Bock,

Back at work now and just catching up on e-mails - thought I’d pass this along. Was out riding my new dirt bike in Tennessee over Labor Day (yeah, I know I’m getting too old for that stuff) and had a pretty good crash and burn at 70mph. Hit the dirt head first and ended up with a “Hangman’s fracture” of my neck according to the neurosurgeon – one of my vertebrae broken completely in half. Now I have this cell phone tower on my head. Everything works though, and I’ll get out of this thing in 2-3 months. The really good news is my dirt bike sustained no serious injuries and I’ll be able to ride it again.

LePori stopped by this weekend and we downed a few Michs to help ease the pain. He’s doing well and living in Jacksonville.

Life is good,
Mark

For my Cousin Lisa

In a message dated 9/25/2007 4:38:41 P.M. Central Daylight Time, mrosepalmero@yahoo.com writes:
Hi Rick,

I was talking to Uncle Ron and Aunt Faye over the week-end. Aunt Faye is doing great. But they told me that Lisa (daughter) was diagnosed with breast cancer and will be operated on Wednesday. It will not be a full mastectomy. So please again ask the prayer group to put their hands together for Lisa. She is also having a D and C at the same time. I will give you an update as soon as possible.

Love Ya,
Aunt Mary Rose

Sarah Rogers - Out of Coma - Out of Insurance!

Dear friends,

I'm forwarding this e-mail as every little bit helps. Sarah Rogers, one of the girls in our local chapter of the Society of Women Engineers got into a bad accident and needs a lot of help. Please say a prayer for her and her family and read the e-mail below for the raffle details.

Thanks to all,
Nevena

----- Original Message -----
From: Secretary Central Florida SWE
Subject: SWE - Raffle for Sarah Rogers
As you may already know, Sarah Rogers, president of the UCF section of SWE, was in a tragic car accident on May 8, 2007. Her boyfriend was killed and Sarah was in a coma for over a week. She was moved to Indiana for critical care therapy. Her father had to move her out of that facility due to the cost and insurance no longer covering any of her care. Sarah still needs a great deal of medical care. Currently, her father is caring for her at home and taking her to therapy appointments.

Her mother is putting on a raffle to raise money for the medical expenses. Disney has donated a great package to this effort. Tickets are 3/$25 or 1/$10. More detailed information as well as a link to pay through paypal can be found by visiting the following site:

http://www.swe.org/centralflorida/2007_SarahRogersfund.html

Please do anything you can to help. Sarah is an amazing girl and her family really needs our help.

CORRECTION: Ryan Mahaffey's Dad's Funeral

I apologize, but I gave you all the wrong time for the funeral on Friday. It is at 10:00, instead of 10:30. I am sending you a copy of the obituary as well, since it will only be in the Daytona paper. It's a nice tribute. Again, thank you all so much for your support.


Leo Hubert Mahaffey "Hub"
Funeral services for Leo Hubert Mahaffey 82, of Bay Ridge Lane, Port Orange, passed Monday, Sept. 17, 2007 at Daytona Beach Health and Rehab, will be Friday Sept. 21, 2007 at 10:00 AM at Volusia Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, 4815 Clyde Morris Blvd, Port Orange, FL, with Minister Steve Johnson officiating, with burial following at Volusia Memorial Park 550 N. Nova Rd. Ormond Beach, FL, the family will receive friends on (today) Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007 from 5PM until 7PM.
Leo was born May 13, 1924 in Xenia, Ohio, known by his friends and family as Hub, he graduated from Xenia Central High School in 1943 where he was football captain of the Xenia Buccaneers, he earned a scholarship to the University of Miami of Ohio, but was called to serve his country immediately after graduating. He received an Honorable discharge from the United States Army in 1946; he was stationed in the Philippines, and was a PT Boat, also known as the Knights of the Sea, metal smith during WWII. He was a member of the PT Boat Preservation Association. Hub retired to Florida in 1985 after 30 years of service with Conrail as a Brakeman. He was a member and usher of First United Methodist Church of Port Orange and he enjoyed golfing.
Hub was preceded in death by his parents Leo and Mesie Mahaffey, and his brother Dean Mahaffey.

Hub is survived by his wife of 37 years, Rhonda Knight Mahaffey, of Port Orange, FL, and their two sons; Ryan, of Orlando, FL and Brock of Port Orange, FL, and their three grandchildren; Vanessa, Madison and Aidan. He is also survived by three sons from a previous marriage, Tim of Huber Heights OH, Mike of Cedarville OH, and Pat of Xenia, OH, and seven grandchildren, Jamie, Katie, Kelli, and Kasey, and two great-grandchildren, Jason and Justin.

Memorial Donations: WWII PT Boat Preservation
PT Boats Inc.
P.O. Box 3870
Germantown, TN 38183
Arrangements are under the care and trust of:
Volusia Memorial Funeral Home
4815 Clyde Morris Blvd
Port Orange, FL 32129

The following email was forwarded to me by Amelia Z...thanks. I am asking the Prayer Group and the "ASI graduates" group to say a prayer for Ryan and his family.

By the way that ASI Graduates group name was inspired by Novi.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MELANIE writes...
I just wanted to update you all. Ryan's dad passed at 8:30 this morning. He went peacefully, just as he wanted. Many have asked, so here are the arrangements. There will be an announcement in the News Journal as well. The viewing will be on Thursday from 5-7 at Volusia Memorial in Port Orange. As of right now, the funeral will be there as well, on Friday morning at 10:30.

4815 Clyde Morris BoulevardPort Orange, FL 32129
(386) 673-5373
The internment will be at Volusia Memorial in Ormond Beach.
548 North Nova RoadOrmond Beach, FL 32174
Rhonda, Ryan and Brock are doing as well as can be expected. As you know, Hub hasn't been himself for the last 2 years, and the last year has been rather difficult for everyone. Rhonda in particular. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. We appreciate them. Our family is truly blessed to have you in our lives. I know that they are comforted by your love, support and willingness to step forward in any way. Both Ryan and Rhonda really want to have the kids with us for everything, so thanks for the many offers to care for the babies. Madison has always managed to put a big grin on her Papa's face when no one else could. They had a special bond. We know he would want her there. A couple people asked for Ryan's mom's address, so here is that as well.

Please forgive me for the impersonal group email.

Rhonda Mahaffey
810 Bay Ridge Lane
Port Orange, FL 32127

Thanks again,

Melanie

UPDATE Dale Malone HEART Health Prayers Needed

From Reagan M.
Thank you for remembering Dale in your prayers. The procedure was a great success. Dales son, James Harrell Malone, called this evening to put the final touches on the success and optimism for Dale. Briefly stated, the surgeon found the vein to be almost 100% blocked and after finding the right size "roto-rooter" to run up the vein, the surgeon said the surrounding vessels began to fill with blood. He was optimistic that Dale would surely feel better and have more energy. James was happy that Dale went to another surgeon for a second opinion and for acting on the second opinion. His GP and other Heart Surgeon had advised against the procedure because of Dales critical condition.

Never count the God factor out. Thanks again for your prayers.

Please keep my older brother, Dale, in mind for prayer on 9/12 as per the following. Dale's condition requires surgery but his health is so poor they will not operate on him. His new heart surgeon has advised him there is a smaller size balloon available now that could give him some relief and he recommended Dale to try this procedure. Dale almost destroyed his knee 20+ some years ago on a motorcycle and that is also giving him a lot of misery. Please keep him on your prayer list.

Thanks,
Reagan

=========================================================================

Could net get your cell phone earlier today. Have scheduled angioplasty for me at Harris Hospital downtown Ft. Worth Wednesday 9/12/07. Have to arrive at hospital 1:30 pm and procedure is scheduled for 4:00 pm. I was told to expect to spend one night at the hospital.

Have been struggling with a lot of pain in my motorcycle knee for the last two days and am not looking at email very much due to the pain of sitting in a chair.

Salutations, or Salud; whatever churns the butter. Dale

Jim...Carpenter...Macek Heart ByPass!!!!

Folks...Jim is a friend my family met when we first moved to Kansas. His daughter was tutored by my daughter Shannon. He has done ALL of the home improvements on our little house above the prairie in Shawnee. He is a hunter supreme. He shares his special game preparations. He is a great guy...even though he is a Jayhawk! Please read on...and while you do...say a prayer for a great, young guy who just got remarried one month ago! Thanks...Bock.

In a message dated 9/5/2007 2:42:02 P.M. Central Daylight Time, erbgarden@everestkc.net writes:
I just got a call from Jean, Jim’s sister. He asked her to call because he can’t be here to tile this week-he’s having heart by-pass surgery today! He’s only 42-the family is shocked, since he’s probably the fittest of the bunch. He didn’t see this coming. He’d been tired, and his normal Dr. didn’t think it was anything worth investigating, other than thinking maybe acid reflux was causing his sore throat. Jim wasn’t satisfied, so on the recommendation of a friend, he saw a Dr. at KU Med. Center. This Dr. found classic symptoms of heart disease, and found 3 blockages, 90-95% blockage is what Jean said. So, the surgery was scheduled right away.

Progress Report for Gabe

Ellen DeMik sent this to Michele who sent it to us to send to you.
Please pass along this update on little GABE and ask for continued prayers.
Thanks
Uncle George

UPDATE
"jdemik@juno.com" wrote:
FYI - Gabe is still in a lot of pain, part of the issue is high pressure. He is going in to the hospital Tuesday for a minimum of a week for a lumbar drain trial. If it is successful (the doctors are optimistic), the next step would be a shunt.--Prayer Request - Gabriel Hartman

INTRO:

Thank you so much for being willing to add Gabe to your prayer chains. I did not receive an update today. Love, Ellie

Gabe was diagnosed in 2003 with Metopic craniosynostosis (same condition as Andrew DeMik on Rick's prayer chain in 2004). He has had 2 surgeries for craniosynostosis (5/03 & 2/05) to open up and reconstruct his skull. In 2/07 Gabe was diagnosed with Chiari malformation. Chairi is explained on one website as "It is characterized by abnormalities in the area where the brain and spinal cord meet that cause part of the cerebellum to protrude through the bottom of the skull (foramen magnum) into the spinal canal. This interferes with the flow of cerebral spinal fluid to and from the brain, leading to accumulation of cerebral spinal fluid in the empty spaces of the spine and brain." It is often extremely painful.

Gabe had surgery for Chairi on June 27th. Since then, his extreme, relentless pain has returned. He was taken back to the hospital when the pain could no longer be tolerated and vomitting began. In his mother's words, "We have a diagnosis. Gabe has chemical meningitis and a Cerebral Spinal Fluid leak. He will be taking 15 days of high dose steriods. That will take us to August 3rd. If his symptoms come back or worsens during that time we will schedule surgery to fix the leak and (another issue) the week of August 6th." Please pray for Gabe and his family. He is only 5 1/2 years old, he has a twin and he has 2 younger siblings. All four children are having headaches. The third child has been diagnosed with Chiari. The youngest one will probably be evaluated once Gabe's condition improves.

Aunt Faye's Cancer

Hi Rick,
Got a call from Aunt Faye today with an update.
Surgery for Aunt Faye will be on September the 5Th. They will be doing a bilateral mastectomy. They feel that they have caught it in the beginning stages. Her right breast is a stage 1 and the left a stage 0. They will be injecting dye in the lymph nodes. Aunt Faye will not have to do chemo or radiation but will be on pills for 2 years.
Needless to say Aunt Faye is in need of a lot of prayers. So lets engage the fantastic Prayer Group on this one.


Love Ya,
Aunt Mary Rose

92 year old preacher

While watching a little TV on Sunday instead of going to church, I watched a Church in Atlanta honoring one of its senior pastors who had been retired many years. He was 92 at that time and I wondered why the Church even bothered to ask the old gentleman to preach at that age.

After a warm welcome, introduction of this speaker, and as the applause quieted down he rose from his high back chair and walked slowly, with great effort and a sliding gate to the podium. Without a note or written paper of any kind, he placed both hands on the pulpit to steady himself and then quietly and slowly he began to
speak....

"When I was asked to come here today and talk to you, your pastor asked me to tell you what was the greatest lesson ever learned in my 50 odd years of preaching. I thought about it for a few days and boiled it down to just one thing that made the most difference in my life and sustained me through all my trials. The one thing that I could always rely on when tears and heart break and pain and fear and sorrow paralyzed me... the only thing that would comfort was this verse.........

"Jesus loves me this I know.
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong,
we are weak but He is strong.....
Yes, Jesus loves me...
The Bible tells me so."

When he finished, the church was quiet. You actually could hear his foot steps as he shuffled back to his chair. I don't believe I will ever forget it.

A pastor once stated, "I always noticed that it was the adults who chose the children's hymn 'Jesus Loves Me' (for the children of course) during a hymn sing, and it was the adults who sang the loudest because I could see they knew it the best."

"Senior version of Jesus Loves Me"

Here is a new version just for us who have white hair or no hair at all. For us over middle age (or even those almost there) and all you others, check out this newest version of Jesus Loves Me.

JESUS LOVES ME

Jesus loves me, this I know,
Though my hair is white as snow
Though my sight is growing dim,
Still He bids me trust in Him.

(CHORUS)
YES, JESUS LOVES ME... YES, JESUS LOVES ME..
YES, JESUS LOVES ME FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.

Though my steps are oh, so slow,
With my hand in His I'll go
On through life, let come what may,
He'll be there to lead the way.

(CHORUS)

When the nights are dark and long,
In my heart He puts a song.
Telling me in words so clear,
"Have no fear, for I am near."

(CHORUS)
When my work on earth is done,
And life's victories have been won.
He will take me home above,
Then I'll understand His love.

(CHORUS)

I love Jesus, does He know?
Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say,
That I love Him every day.

(CHORUS)

What is on the Other Side?

For Amelia's Dad...and her family, we pray for his passing this day.

Bock,

Can we add my Dad – he passed this morning – At home in his bed, in his sleep with his dog by his side. Just how he wanted to go.

Thanks,

Amelia
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side."

Very quietly, the doctor said, "I don't know."

"You don't know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?"

The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing...I know my Master is there and that is enough."

Good News about Pete...THANKS

From: Peter M. Lynch III
To: lyncha@email.chop.edu
Sent: Friday, June 29, 2007 7:00 PM
Subject: FINALL:GOOD NEWS!!
Good afternoon to all the family, friends, and supporters. I just got back from seeing the Oncologist. This, after a week of tests, MRIs, PET Scans, and visits to the surgeon and dermatologist. He told me that everything looked good and that they could find no sign of the melanoma lurking anywhere. We also heard today, that Nancy's mom is doing quite well and they are cutiing back, significantly, on her chemo. It has been a long and difficult year in dealing with this. I am pleased with the outcome since I chose the "nuclear option", or most aggressive treatment available. My brain is still fuzzy over events while I was in treatment, and I missed some collasal snowstorms this past Winter. I shall be in follow up for quite some time. Now, my next challenge is to get all the paperwork and test results to the FAA so that I can try to get my Medical back and return to flying, which I have truly missed. Once again, I would like to thank all of you for your prayers and support throughout this ordeal. I hope that you all have a nice 4th of July weekend. I know that we shall be celebrating here. Pete

I LOVE THIS MAN

No one falls in love by choice, it is by CHANCE.

No one stays in love by chance, it is by WORK.

And no one falls out of love by chance, it is by CHOICE

Matthew 10:32 'Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before men, I will disown him before My Father in heaven.

Peggy Webber...Memphis, MO

From Renee "Ross" Vetter....
I wanted to tell you about my friend Peggy Webber. I think you will remember her - Dick Webber's wife. He was a circuit judge when you knew him. Now he is a Federal judge in St.Louis. Peggy is 60 and just retired from teaching last year. She had breast cancer a couple years ago and now it is back and in her spine and other bones. She is really a fighter and never gives up. She has so much faith and feels with God's help she will beat this. She just did the Komen walk in STL and is planning to do the triathlon in Denver for the same cause.

Her web site link is below...if you have time to read a little.

Her daughters were very small when you visited Memphis. Erin is now an attorney in Denver and Nicki has her doctorate in sport's psychology. She was quite the athlete at Mizzou and this year was invited to speak at the year end Sport's banquet. She also gave the address at graduation at Memphis High School this year. Dick's folks have passed away so Dick and Peggy get to Memphis some to his folks' farm.

www.caringbridge.org/visit/peggywebber

Sarah Gracely's MS battle

You all have been praying for Sarah Gracely, my friend Dawn's 15 yr old daughter who was dx with MS....here's her latest update. KEEP PRAYING!!!

dbgracely@aol.com <dbgracely@aol.com>
Hi Sylvia!
Guess what! We took Sarah down to Philly yesterday for a checkup and she did great! The dr. was very happy. Her balance is back to normal and her one eye isn't delayed. It was such a great report and a great feeling! Of course she had her two friends with her in the room and she asked about sharing a soda (which she believes causes her to get sick and she turned into such a germaphobic) and he told her to stop being paranoid and share so long as they are not sick at the time. Her friends were laughing!

She doesn't have to go back until late November and we will have an MRI done at that time.

Thanks for all of your help and support!How's Meghan doing?Love,Dawn

Cathy Comly

Margaret Luette <MLuette@bcidaho.com>
good morning Syl,
i have a couple of prayer requests this morning. My dear friend Cathy Comly emailed me this morning to ask if we would all pray for her father in law . He just found out that he has metastic cancer in the lungs, lymph nodes and liver. Also, Cathy's daughter Ashley, the marine, just left for Iraq this morning to finish her tour. Please keep her, her unit, and her family in your prayers. Thanks, Marge

Mario Spagnolette

Karen S. Poshefko <poshefko@ptd.net>
Hi All,

My dad's surgery went very well. His neurosurgeon, Dr. Lee, is reported to be the best in the Valley and is also an avid fly fisherman! All of this gave my dad a lot of confidence going into the procedure. Dr. Lee said they were monitoring my dad's spinal functions during the procedure and that the electrical impulses have returned to his hands. Yeay! Dr. Lee said my dad will be back fly fishing in a month.

My dad does have some difficult days ahead. We had a little setback the night before the surgery, as he suffered hallucinations from one, or a combination of drugs. This is not surprising, as he has been on TONS of pain killers and muscle relaxers over the past week to relieve his intense pain. They added a steroid a couple of days ago to relieve the inflamation around his spinal cord. He also had Ambien to help him sleep. His glucose level is up due to the steroids, which he is very concerned about. My dad has been a "pre-diabetic" for about 25 years and has been controlling his condition with a strict diet. Up to this time, he's been on no medication and doesn't even like to take aspirin. This is quite amazing for a 78-year-old! We keep telling him all these meds are temporary, but necessary.

Dr. Lee expects my dad will go to Good Shephard for a few days of rehab. We'll see how things go over the next couple of days.

THANKS to all of you for your prayers, and offers of food and rides to hospital. We really appreciate it!!

I'll be in touch.
Love,
Karen

Caitlyn "CAT" Breast Cancer SURVIVOR

Dear PGPG:

Here's a the brief...Caitlyn has just had surgery to remove a lump (and half her breast). She has completed chemo and is a survivor. However, as Peg "S" can relate, her mom survived breast cancer, had it in remission for over 20 years...and it came back.

That said...reality is this...prayer, and faith brings results. Please pray for Caitlyn...the Cat.

Cancer Strikes DEAR Friend Peg "S"

Dear PGPG,

My sister, Sherry, has just learned that her longtime, great, close friend, Peg "S" has been diagnosed with Stage III lung cancer.

Peg has a great family. She has a 19 year-old daughter in University (i.e. Ole Miss...you folks from Penn State don't be holding that against her ;-)

Peg has given her life to working for charity...that has been her "job".

Just this April, Peg and her twin sister, and elder sister lost their mom to cancer. They each stayed each night this year with her mom in hospice so her mom would not be alone when the time came.

Peg has never smoked.

She had a little pain in December...figured it was from a recent automobile accident and thought nothing of it. Now, months later she learns this challenge she must face.

She and her family need our prayers.

So how about it...send me a prayer for Peg...but first say one Hail to our Mother Mary for all of us that we have the strength to share and lift Peg up.

with Love
RGB
Host
PGPG

To Forgive?

One day a while back, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was walking in the woods. As he thought about his life this day, he knew many things were not right. He thought about those who had lied about him back when he had a job. His thoughts turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated him. He remembered family that had passed on. His mind turned to the illness he had that no one could cure. His very soul was filled with anger, resentment and frustration.

Standing there this day, searching for answers he could not find, knowing all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak tree to seek the One he knew would always be there. And with tears in his eyes, he prayed:

"Lord- You have done wonderful things for me in this life. You have told me to do many things for you, and I happily obeyed. Today, you have told me to forgive. I am sad, Lord, because I cannot. I don't know how. It is not fair Lord. I didn't deserve these wrongs that were done against me and I shouldn't have to forgive. As perfect as Your way is Lord, this one thing I cannot do, for I don't know how to
forgive. My anger is so deep Lord, I fear I may not hear You, but I pray that You teach me to do this one thing I cannot do - Teach me To Forgive."

As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree, he felt something fall onto his shoulder. He opened his eyes. Out of the corner of one eye, he saw something red on his shirt. He could not turn to see what it was because where the oak tree
had been was a large square piece of wood in the ground. He raised his head and saw two feet held to the wood with a large spike through them.

He raised his head more, and tears came to his eyes as he saw Jesus hanging on a cross. He saw spikes in His hands, a gash in His side, a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into His head. Finally he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face. As their eyes met, the man's tears turned to sobbing, and Jesus began to speak.

"Have you ever told a lie?" He asked?

The man answered - "yes, Lord."

"Have you ever been given too much change and kept it?"

The man answered - “yes. Lord." And the man sobbed more and more.

"Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't yours?" Jesus asked?

And the man answered - "yes, Lord."

"Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain? "

The man, crying now, answered - "yes, Lord."

As Jesus asked many more times, "Have you ever"?

The man's crying became uncontrollable, for he could only answer - "yes, Lord."

Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other, and the man felt something fall on his other shoulder. He looked and saw that it was the blood of Jesus. When he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus, and there was a look of love the man had never seen or known before.

Jesus said, "I didn't deserve this either, but I forgive you."

CELL PHONE vs. BIBLE

I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat
our cell phone?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to our kids as gifts?
What if we used it when we traveled?
What if we used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go....hmm...where IS my Bible

Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our
Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill. And no dropped calls!

Another Favorite Prayer of Grandma's

PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

COME, Holy Spirit.
Replace the tension within me with a
holy relaxation.
Replace the turbulence within me with
a sacred calm.
Replace the anxiety within me with a
quiet confidence.
Replace the fear within me with a
strong faith.
Replace the bitterness within me with
the sweetness of grace.
Replace the coldness within me with
a loving warmth.
Replace the night within me with
Your day.
Replace the winter within me with
Your spring.
Straighten my crookedness,
Fill my emptiness,
Dull the edge of my pride.
Sharpen the edge of my humility,
Light the fires of my love.
Quench the flames of my lust.
Let me see myself as You see me,
That I may see You as You have
promised me,
And be healed according to Your word.

Fr. Tom Duff. OSM

Crabby Old Man

CRABBY OLD MAN

When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a small hospital near
Tampa, Florida, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value.
Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, they
found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that
copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital. One
nurse took her copy to Missouri . The old man's sole bequest to posterity
has since appeared in the edition of the News Magazine of the St. Louis
Association for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made
based on his simple, but eloquent, poem.

And this little old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now
the author of this "anonymous" poem winging across the Internet.

Crabby Old Man

What do you see nurses? What do you see?
What are you thinking.... ..when you're looking at me?
A crabby old man, ....not very wise,
Uncertain of habit ......with faraway eyes?

Who dribbles his food.......and makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice....."I do wish you'd try!"
Who seems not to notice .the things that you do.
And forever is losing ............ .. a sock or shoe?

Who, resisting or not......... lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding ....... the long day to fill?
Is that what you're thinking? Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse......you' re not looking at me.

I'll tell you who I am ....... as I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, ......as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of ten....with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters .who love one another

A young boy of Sixteen ..........with wings on his feet
Dreaming that soon now. ..........a lover he'll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty ........my heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows........ that I promised to keep.

At Twenty-Five, now ......... I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide ........ and a secure happy home.
A man of Thirty ....... my young now grown fast,
Bound to each other ......... with ties that should last.

At Forty, my young sons ........have grown and are gone,
But my woman's beside me......to see I don't mourn.
At Fifty, once more, ........... babies play 'round my knee,
Again, we know children . my loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me .......... my wife is now dead.
I look at the future ........... .I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing ........young of their own.
And I think of the years...... and the love that I've known.

I'm now an old man......... and nature is cruel.
Tis jest to make old age .......look like a fool
The body, it crumbles.... ......grace and vigor, depart.
There is now a stone...... where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass ...... a young guy still dwells,
And now and again .........my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys........ ..... I remember the pain.
And I'm loving and living...... .... ...life over again.

I think of the years all too few......gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact........ that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people ...........open and see.
Not a crabby old man. Look closer....see. .......ME! !

People are like...

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within. ~Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Stones Applaud

Those of you who are or were part of the St. Thomas More Parish family know or know of the Mullin family....Ed and Patricia are the proud parents of Teresa, Susan (Mullin-Boyle), Ted, Elizabeth, and Tim. Sadly Teresa and Susan's time on this earth was cut short by Cystic Fibrosis. Teresa wrote her own story, "The Stones Applaud: How Cystic Fibrosis Shaped My Childhood" ...it has finally been published and is available for purchase. I found it on the Amazon site, but I'm sure it is available at any local bookstore. A neat little story.... the book arrived at the Mullin home the day of Patricia's mom's (Mrs. Mary Terese Dugan) viewing. Can't get a more visible sign than that that from grandmother letting them know she met up with Susan and Teresa! <3


http://www.amazon.com/Stones-Applaud-Cystic-Fibrosis-Childhood/dp/1577363639/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-7473944-7487217?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175717121&sr=8-1

6 reasons not to mess with children

6 reasons not to mess with children.

(1)
A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales.

The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small.

The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.

Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible.

The little girl said, "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah".

The teacher asked, "What if Jonah went to hell?"

The little girl replied, "Then you ask him ".

(2)
A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work.

As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.

The girl replied, "I'm drawing God."

The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."

Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, "They will in a minute."

(3)
A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds.

After explaining the commandment to "honor" thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?"

Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, "Thou shall not kill."

(4)
The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture.

"Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael, He's a doctor'

A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher, she's dead."

(5)
A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood. Trying to make the matter clearer, she said, "Now, class, if I stood on my head, the blood, as you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the face."

"Yes," the class said.

"Then why is it that while I am standing upright in the ordinary position the blood doesn't run into my feet?"

A little fellow shouted,
"Cause your feet ain't empty."

(6)
The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray:

"Take only ONE. God is watching."

Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.

A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples.

Living the Bible

His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college.

He is brilliant. Kind of profound and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college.

Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students but are not sure how to go about it.

One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat.

The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now, people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything.

Bill gets closer and closer and closer to th e pulpit, and when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet.

By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick.

About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill.

Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do.

How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?

It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy.

The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to d o.

And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty, he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won't be alone.

Everyone chokes up with emotion.
When the minister gains control, he says, "What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget."

"Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read!"

St. Christopher's Hospital

KELEE WHALON

Below is the letter my son, John, is sending out for his Management class. If you want to donate towards the purchase of beds, include a note that this is for John Whalon’s Management class project (address and name are below):

Dear Family Members and Friends:

As a semester-long project, for my Management class, my group is required to add value to a select nonprofit organization in some way. My group has chosen St. Christopher’s Hospital in Philadelphia. St. Christopher’s performs many surgeries for children with heart problems for free and most of the hospital is run on donations. After speaking to a representative and experiencing the value first hand, we were able to determine that the hospital has a need of beds for parents. Often before surgery, children wish their parents to stay in the hospital rooms with them. Our plan is to donate beds to be used to house parents so they can be with their children before and after surgery.

We are writing this letter to ask for donations to help our cause in both funding the events we have planned to raise money, such as a dinner night for faculty here at Villanova, and adding to our donation to St. Christopher’s. My group is asking friends and family members to help out, with whatever amount you can to help us get our project up and running.

Please send donations for beds by Friday, April 16 to:

Debra A. Arvanites, Ph. D.

Associate Dean, Villanova School of Business

800 Lancaster Ave

Villanova, PA 19085

Sarah Gracely Fighting MS

Good morning everyone! We have been praying for 15 yr old Sarah Gracely who was recently diagnosed with MS. The Gracely's are members of St. Thomas More Parish and Sarah is very active at Salisbury Middle School. I just received this latest update from her mom Dawn and I really do think that we need to "step it up a notch" in praying for Sarah's complete healing, or at least permanent remission of this disease. Dawn is a Longaberger basket consultant and she will be hosting a fund raiser for Sarah. There was a beautiful flyer but for some reason I'm not able to send it even as an attachment, so I have the info below. I hope those of you who are in the Lehigh Valley will be able to support Sarah with this event. Please feel free to pass it on. Thanks so much! <3

Dbgracely@aol.com
Hi Sylvia,

Sarah is experiencing some crazy things. She is experiencing the tingling in her legs when she looks down and she is now experiencing pain in her right eye when she moves it. I hope it isn't the beginning of something. Keep her in your prayers. You don't need to put her on the prayer chain - just thought I put a couple people on a prayer request. (There are so many others who need our prayers now) Thanks!

I'll talk to you soon.

Love,
Dawn

Prayer from Grandma Fuchs

Rick ,
I would like to share one of Grandma's beautiful prayers with you and the prayer group.

God, my Father, put me into the quiet of your care. All my tomorrows are in your hands. Don't let me be a hostage to my fears. I will await the outcome of your plan with a mind uncluttered and undisturbed. Give me the attitude of thankfulness, joy, and hope.
Amen

Request for Prayer for Terri Signaigo

Dear PGPG:

My best friends, Michael and Terri pictured below, need a prayer.

Aloha All:
Friday Terri got a call saying she is being scheduled for another test ( MRI / Brain Scan ). Test results the doctor got this week showed a dense area on the left side of her head which is indicating she may have Cerebral Ischemia. This is caused when the brain does not receive enough blood flow to maintain normal neurologic function. There are a number of causes for this including a blocked artery.

When we checked out the various symptoms for this on line it appears to be the first thing they have come up with that would pretty much cause all of her various symptoms. We won't know the next step for treatment till after the next test results. I will keep you informed. Love to all, Doc

The Prodigal Son

An old Irish monk climed into the pulpit to deliver his "Prodigal Son" sermon. He filled his lungs with air and powerfully said,

"The prodigal son went out and he spent his money on wine, women, and song. The rest he wasted."

God Bless and Peace
Tom

Catholic Parrots

A lady goes to her priest one day and tells him,
"Father, I have a problem. I have two female
parrots, but they only know how to say one thing."

"What do they say?" the priest inquired.

They say, "Hi, we're hookers! Do you want to have
some fun?"

"That's obscene!" the priest exclaimed, then he
thought for a moment. "You know," he said, "I may
have a solution to your problem. I have two male
talking parrots, which I have taught to pray and
read the Bible. Bring your two parrots over to my
house, and we'll put them in the cage with Francis
and Peter. My parrots can teach your parrots to
praise and worship, and your parrots are sure to
stop saying . . . that phrase. . . in no time."

"Thank you," the woman responded, "this may very
well be the solution."

The next day, she brought her female parrots to the
priest's house. As he ushered her in, she saw that
his two male parrots were inside their cage holding
rosary beads and praying.

Impressed, she walked over and placed her parrots in
with them.

After a few minutes, the female parrots cried out in
unison: "Hi, we're hookers! Do you want to have
some fun?"

There was stunned silence. Shocked, one male parrot
looked over at the other male parrot and exclaimed,
"Put the beads away, Frank. Our prayers have been
answered!"

The Five Finger Prayer

1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

God's Coffee

God's Coffee

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visittheir old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaintsabout stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor wentto the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment ofcups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive,some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee. When all thestudents had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said:

"If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leavingbehind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only thebest for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.

Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it isjust more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all ofyou really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for thebest cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups. Now consider this:

Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us."

God brews the coffee, not the cups.......... Enjoy your coffee! "The happiest peopledon't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything."

Live simply.

Love generously.

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.

Controversy - The Lost Tomb of Jesus

Updated: 2007-02-26 14:50:44
Scholars, Clergy Criticize Jesus Documentary
Film Contradicts Beliefs at Heart of Christianity
By MARSHALL THOMPSON
AP

NEW YORK (Feb. 26) -- Filmmakers and scholars on Monday unveiled two stone ossuaries they said could have contained the remains of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, but several other scholars derided claims in a new documentary as unfounded and contradictory to basic Christian beliefs.

Jump Below: Watch Video
"The Lost Tomb of Jesus," produced by Oscar-winning director James Cameron and airing on the Discovery Channel on March 4, argues that 10 ancient ossuaries -- small caskets used to store bones -- discovered in a suburb of Jerusalem in 1980 may have contained the bones of Jesus and his family. One of the caskets bears the title, "Judah, son of Jesus," hinting that Jesus may have had a son, according to the film. The very fact that Jesus had an ossuary would contradict the Christian belief that he was resurrected and ascended to heaven. "There's a definite sense that you have to pinch yourself, that what you're doing, that email you just sent, is real," Cameron said at Monday's news conference. He told NBC'S "Today" show earlier Monday that statisticians found "in the range of a couple of million to one" the likelihood of that grouping of names appearing together on ossuaries in one place. Simcha Jacobovici, the Toronto filmmaker who directed the documentary, said that a name of one of the ossuaries -- "Mariamene" -- is a major support to the argument that the tomb is that of Jesus and his family. In early Christian texts, "Mariamene" is the name of Mary Magdalene, he said. Most Christians believe Jesus' body spent three days at the site of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old City. The burial site identified in Cameron's documentary is in a southern Jerusalem neighborhood nowhere near the church.
Watch Video
In 1996, when the British Broadcasting Corp. aired a short documentary on the same subject, archaeologists challenged the claims. Amos Kloner, the first archaeologist to examine the site, said the idea fails to hold up by archaeological standards but makes for profitable television. "They just want to get money for it," Kloner said. Shimon Gibson, one of three archaeologists who first discovered the tomb in 1980, said Monday of the film's claims: "I'm skeptical, but that's the way I am. I'm willing to accept the possibility." The film's claims, however, have raised the ire of Christian leaders in the Holy Land. Stephen Pfann, a biblical scholar at the University of the Holy Land in Jerusalem who was interviewed in the documentary, said the film's hypothesis holds little weight. "I don't think that Christians are going to buy into this," Pfann said. "But skeptics, in general, would like to see something that pokes holes into the story that so many people hold dear."
"How possible is it?" Pfann said. "On a scale of one through 10 -- 10 being completely possible -- it's probably a one, maybe a one and a half." Pfann is even unsure that the name "Jesus" on the caskets was read correctly. He thinks it's more likely the name "Hanun." Ancient Semitic script is notoriously difficult to decipher. Kloner also said the filmmakers' assertions are false. "The names on the caskets are the most common names found among Jews at the time," he said. William Dever, an expert on near eastern archaeology and anthropology, who has worked with Israeli archeologists for five decades, said specialists have known about the ossuaries for years. "The fact that it's been ignored tells you something," said Dever, professor emeritus at the University of Arizona. "It would be amusing if it didn't mislead so many people." Osnat Goaz, a spokeswoman for the Israeli government agency responsible for archaeology, said the Antiquities Authority agreed to send two ossuaries to New York, but they did not contain human remains. "We agreed to send the ossuaries, but it doesn't mean that we agree with" the filmmakers, she said. Associated Press Writer Marshall Thompson contributed to this report from Jerusalem and AP Religion Writer Rachel Zoll contributed from New York.

Marine Made Time to Laugh

Marine made time to laugh
By Kim Bell
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
02/18/2007

After the funeral service for Marine Lance Corporal Matthew Pathenos and as his coffin is leaving St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, his brother, Marine Sgt. Christopher Pathenos (center) consoles their mother, Paula Erney, (left) and Matthew's girl friend, Jessica Determan (back) as they leave the church.

(Wayne Crosslin/P-D)

ST. LOUIS — On his first tour of duty in Iraq, Lance Cpl. Matthew Pathenos had a knack for making his Marine comrades laugh and forget the ugliness they'd see on patrol.

The stories about Pathenos, a young Marine reservist from Ballwin, spilled out of a typed letter — sent in a hurry late last week from his best friend still serving in Iraq.

The more than 400 mourners at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church on Saturday heard the one-page letter read aloud at the funeral for Pathenos.

"The best thing about Matt was his ability to wake up every day with a smile and hold it all day long," wrote Lance Cpl. Robert Cross.

Cross joked about how Pathenos would greet him when he returned from patrol."He would always ask me if I had a rough day at the office and then proceed to tell me how he spent all day cooking and cleaning the house for me," Cross wrote.

"It was those little jokes that made me forget about the horrible things that we see right outside in the city."Pathenos, 21, was killed Feb. 7 in Fallujah while conducting combat operations in the Anbar province of Iraq.

He was riding in a Humvee when it was struck by an improvised explosive device.

Pathenos had been in Iraq since October and was due home in April. Pathenos is a 2003 graduate of Parkway South High School.

His older brother, Christopher Pathenos, is a Marine sergeant.

In a photo tribute at the church, pictures show the inseparable brothers: Matthew and Christopher in matching plaid jumpers as little boys, on the golf course as teenagers and later as young men sporting military garb and the traditional "high and tight" Marine haircuts.

Christopher Pathenos completed two tours of duty in Iraq and was back home in St. Louis when the family got word of Matthew's death, said Melanie Johnes, their stepsister.

Christopher had been motivated to join the Marines after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. "For Matty, the motivation was more Christopher, seeing how the Corps treated him," Johnes said.

"We're a very patriotic family, and Matty died for our freedom," she said.At the funeral, mourners filed past the flag-draped casket. Some wiped away tears, and a few wailed, as they said their goodbyes. Christopher Pathenos sat in the first row of pews, wearing his dress Marine uniform.

The Pathenos family for generations has come to the ornate sanctuary of St. Nicholas church. It's where Matthew was baptized, and where his great-grandparents, grandparents and parents were married.

"These parish walls have seen the happiest of times for our family and tragic times, this being the most tragic of times," said Matthew's uncle, Nicholas Pathenos, a Greek Orthodox priest from Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

Nicholas Pathenos last spoke to his nephew a few weeks before he was deployed. They talked about planes. Matthew got his pilots license at age 14. He teased his uncle that a Cessna aircraft was better than a Piper.

"I told him when he gets back, we'll go flying," the uncle recalled.Matthew Pathenos belonged to the 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines, which has its headquarters and service company at Lambert Field. He was in Iraq with a sister unit, the Detroit-based 1st Battalion, 24th Marines.Christopher Pathenos has told family members he'll return to Iraq if needed.

Johnes said, "But we pray that won't happen."

Matthew Pathenos - Served for US! Pray for him.

Ballwin Marine is killed in Iraq
By Harry Levins
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
02/09/2007

Matthew Pathenos, member the unit 3rd BN 24th Marine, was killed in action in Iraq.(Handout)A Marine Corps Reservist from Ballwin has been killed in Iraq, his family says.The reservist is Lance Cpl. Matthew Pathenos, 20, a 2003 graduate of Parkway South High School. He died in Fallujah on Wednesday.The family said in a statement issued through the Marine Corps Reserve:"Like his brother Christopher, he was proud to be a Marine and volunteered to serve his country, Matthew paid the ultimate sacrfice for our freedom and the future generation’s of this country. He loved his country and family and we will miss him terribly.

"The family asks that their privacy be respected during their time of grief. Services will be held at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church date and time to be announced."Pathenos belonged to the 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines, which has its headquarters and service company at Lambert Field. He was in Iraq with a sister unit, the Detroit-based 1st Battalion, 24th Marines. Last spring, the Lambert unit tabbed about 80 members to fill vacancies in the Detroit unit before it deployed to Iraq. About 50 were Reservists who, like Pathenos, had missed the local battalion's deployment to Iraq, in 2004. The rest volunteered for a second tour of duty in Iraq. The 80 left here on April 29 for Camp Pendleton, Calif., for training before moving on to Iraq.

The Detroit unit arrived in Iraq in early June and has almost wrapped up its seven-month stint in Iraq.

NOTE from Siggy...our PGPG member...

Dear Rick,
Thanks for your prayers. I have gotten to know Matthew's parents, Gus and Bren. They are cousins of my extended family and I often see them at social gatherings. I just met Matthew before he was deployed to Iraq. He was so excited and proud to be serving. At Christmas, instead of the usual Kekeris family gift exchange, we pooled our money together and sent him "care packages" of items he had on a wish list. He was so appreciative and shared them with all his Marine brothers. He said many of the Marines never get a thing from home and there wasn't one thing sent they couldn't use. I was looking forward to his homecoming... just not this way.
Thanks again,
Mary Frances

Mason UPDATE...Good News Thanks to Prayers

Hi Everyone! We just wanted to give you all an update on Mason. He's been home from daycare for a week now and is doing much better. His respiratory issues are almost a "nonissue" now - which is wonderful. We went to Children's Hospital on Friday for his CF test and he did wonderfully. We found out on Friday evening that he tested negative, which was music to our ears. They also did some bloodwork which also came back normal. What that means to us now is that Mason, like his brother, has a pretty severe case of asthma. We will continue to treat him acutely as we have been and monitor him more heavily when he does get sick again. HOpefully this is something that both Mason and Jack will outgrow as they get older. Until then, Tim and I just educate ourselves a bit more on Asthma and learn how to let both of the boys be at the best health that they can be given our circumstances.

So......the news was what we wanted to hear! Thank you everyone for your prayers and good thoughts. It obviously gave us the outcome that we wanted.

Jack and Mason need your prayers

Dear PGPG...the following request is from one of our charter members, Sue. Please pause to say a prayer for our group, then read on for we have a new mission. RGB

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rick - My nephews have been two sick little boys. This prayer group has done wonders for so many people. I ask once again for their help. Please pray to give this family the strength they need to get through this time and the upcoming tests. I ask not only to prayer for the two boys, but to see them happy and healthy and playing in their backyard. I thank all of you in advance for taking the time to pray for others. The email below is from my sister-in-law. Sue

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Short version (things are crazy at work today and I've wanted to email you but am JUST getting to my email). For those of you who don't know the beginning of the story, Mason has been sick off an on since July with ear infections and respiratory infections of one kind or the other. Two weeks ago he was hospitalized for 2 days with RSV. He was on oxygen, IV antibiotics and breathing treatements every 4 hours. We were released the day after the ice storm hit St. Louis. We had about 5 days of a "somewhat healthy baby" until he started to slide back down the hill and developed another infection. We had a visit from our Paramedic squad on Wednesday morning due to a "asthma like attack" and had him at the Pediatrician yesterday for his 9 month checkup. He is now back on oral steroids (the second time in a month), oral antibiotics and increased albuterol for his breathing treatments.

Tim and I have made the decision, with the recommendation of the Pediatrician to pull him from daycare on Monday and my Mom is coming in from South Carolina to live with us for 3-4 weeks (OMG!) to watch Mason during the day for us while we get him healthy. Once he is healthy, we will reevaluate as far as sending him back to daycare or finding other arrangements for him.

We are taking him next Friday to St. Louis Children's Hopsital for a CF (Cystic Fibrosis) sweat test - Yes, I am scared shitless. Dr. Graham is cautiously optimistic that it will come back negative but we're doing it to hopefully "rule it out". If the sweat test comes back positive, we do blood work and find specialists to deal with CF - if that's the case then we also test Jack to see if he has it (due to his respiratory issues). If the CF test come back negative then she said we're probably dealing with a pretty serious case of Childhood Asthma - I guess the lesser of the two evils but still scary.

Tim and I at this point are both comfortable with how the Pediatrician is handling things. We felt better last night when we left, moreso than we have in months.
Mason slept pretty well last night. I on the other hand didn't because of my brain spinning about everything but know that that will get better once we get the CF test behind us next week. So......please keep us in your prayers. He's a pretty sick little baby and we're doing everything we can to get him healthy.

Just wanted to let you all know what was going on. Please say a prayer for Mason. We just want him to be healthy and happy.

On a good note - he continues to grow and will be soon passing up his brother on the charts. At 9 months Mason weighs 19 lbs 4 oz and was 28 1/2 inches long. He and Jack are wearing the same size diapers!

Libby

Timothy's Funeral 2/6/07

Timothy's Memorial Service will be at Wayside Chapel, 1705 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78213.

Reception will immediately follow in the Wayside Chapel fellowship hall. There will not be an open casket for viewing. However, a large picture poster of Timothy will be displayed and Kristen and Michael are putting together a table displaying things Timothy loved, written, etc.FYI - Timothy's article obituary is in the Metro section of today's San Antonio Express News. Also on this page is a dear brother and Wayside Pastor, Bill Cose (who prayed for Timothy, visited Timothy in the hospital several times and deeply ministered to our family throughout this entire experience). Pastor Cose was promoted the day before Timothy. Please pray for Mildred (his dear wife of many, many years), children and grandchildren. Bill Cose's Memorial Service is also at Wayside, Monday, 2/5/07, the day before Timothy's.

Under the circumstances, we're doing well. After the service and all family and friends "leave", there will be different issues to deal with (our sense of loss will deepen). Pray for God's grace, comfort and strength in our lives. I slipped tonight. At one point during the Super Bowl, I said from the kitchen, "Hey Tim, what's the score?". Hey, we're human and will weep, but not as if we have no hope. We love you and, again, appreciate all your prayers and incredible support. Kevin (for all)

Akiane - Child Prodigy

Thanks to "siggy" for providing this inspirational story of a prodigy of God. Please click this link and see a real life angel here on earth.

http://tinyurl.com/yxewot

Akiane Kramarik (born July 9, 1994) is an American artistic prodigy and poet.

Akiane Kramarik was born in Mount Morris, Illinois to a Lithuanian atheist mother and an American father. She is of Polish, Hungarian, Slovakian, Russian, Bohemian, Chinese, French, Danish, Jewish and German heritage.[1]

Primarily a self-taught painter, Akiane Kramarik started drawing at age four, painting at six, and writing poetry at seven.

Her first completed self-portrait sold for ten thousand US dollars.[2]

Her art is inspired by her visions of heaven and [in her view] her personal connection with God.

Akiane's mother did not initially believe in God, but has since become a Christian.

Kramarik's art also depicts wildlife, landscape, and people.

By age 10 she appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show[3] and CNN.[4]

Leave~Taking by Sandra Bury

Dearest Kyler family.........there are no words. Thank you for sharing Timothy with us. Thank you for being a witness of deep faith. Thank you for allowing us to pray for you. Sending you a gentle embrace with the promise of our prayers in the weeks and months to come as you continue on this new part of the journey.

Love, Sylvia Pituch and family/Allentown PA


Leave~Taking
By Sandra Bury

When the coming of your death
Became an awareness on the planet
Some wondrous events began.
The word went out that you were preparing to leave,
To leave this place that you call home.

The word was heard by the wind
And it promised to blow
Under you and push you.

The clouds heard the wind and billowed for joy.
“You may land on us and float for a while.”

The rain said, “I’ll wash the air clean,”
While each star polished itself to a brilliant shine.

In the presence of your impending death
The earth prepared to send you forth.
The gravity that had held you so tightly
Began to lose its grip.
It called, “Let loose, Let loose,
Let loose and fly.”

As you began to float, a squirrel noticed and remembered;
Remembered how you saved,
Saved those things that were important.

He told the rabbit, who told the turtle, who told the bird.
“He’s coming,” they whispered.
The bird sang your memories a joyous release.
The song was heard by a lone wolf.

The lone wolf stood on a cold tundra
Howling her appreciation of all the lessons you learned so well.

Some distant great pines heard the howl
And knew of your leaving.
They swayed, releasing their fragrance to waft with you.

The fragrance was gathered in
By the swiftest of hawks, flown high
With the wisdom that the great hawk knows.

The hawk told a passing eagle who
Swooped and soared until,
Finding your spirit loose on the wind,
Carried it forward to a joyous rainbow.

The rainbow said, “Come, I’ve been waiting.
The colors are all for you!”

When the moon heard this, it shouted,
“Prepare! A life well lived is approaching!”

The stars again polished their shine
Until the illumination penetrated the system.

Your soul saw and knew it was going home,
Home to the light, home to the sun and home
Beyond home, beyond home.

And it met with all that it had always known:
The silent and brilliant mystery.
The source.

The entire mystery burst with the splendor of
“Welcome, welcome, we have been waiting.”
The source, with all the ancestors gathered round,
Enfolded you and danced your coming.

While far away, in the world you had known,
A group of your loves and friends
Gathered to speak your praises,
To sing your leaving and
To forever remember.

Our Inspiration Earth Awaits us in Heaven

On Friday, February 2 (tonight) At 9:12 this evening, Timothy Chandler Kyler was taken to his heavenly home...quite peacefully.

We are deeply grateful for your prayers and support.

Well, done Timothy!!!!

We love you!!!

We'll miss you!!!

Praise be to God.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

Kevin (for all)

The Angel Among Us is surely Above Us.

Greetings from our 4th floor hospital room. We have so appreciated the prayers, support and visitors from many over the past week.Up until this past Tuesday, we have been blessed by Timothy's strength of heart, mind, body and spirit.

As always, Timothy lends a smile when he's able...even if it is the last 5% of his strength. He loves being loved. The outward may fade, but the spirit remains.

Although Timothy has not had any outward signs of pain, his heart rate increased from about 100 to 130 over the past 24 hours. This could be due to contributions from several things - which we've discussed with Dr. Patel. Because it is difficult to positively know Timothy's level of pain (which could be zero) and because Timothy is now 100% non-responsive, we have decided better to err on the side of comfort. Timothy is receiving minimal, but continual doses of pain medication (fentinol, not morphine).

We've all made tender exchanges and are "ready" for his home-going.

The atmosphere in the room is quiet, somber with hymns playing softly in the background. Although we continue to pray that God to be glorified through Timothy's earthly healing, we will accept and grow in God's grace no matter what the outcome.

On this present course, we are watching gradual respiratory failure - difficult at best. Family members have surrounded us and TImothy is not a moment without the touch of a warm hand, gentle hug or sweet whisper. We begin to view the body as a prison, not the actual person. This is also difficult because Timothy, in spite of 20 something rounds of chemo, surgeries, hospitalizations, etc. retains the face and complexion of an angel. His peaceful countenance a testimony of his character and peace with God.

Time to go. Please remember us through the weekend.

Kevin (for all)