July 11, 2009

A nurse caring for Dan today has told the family that she feels he will die this weekend.

The last few days have been strong evidence of this, but from the sound of things, Carol and the family know that the hours to come will be the end--and they are grieving and hurting in ways that are unimaginable. And while they have walked this path and seen Dan suffer, there is no doubt that they are unprepared for this.

Pray.

Pray for Carol, who feels like she is falling apart. She is beyond sad, and having trouble resting in the promise of heaven for Dan, when she would love nothing than for him to live. She needs peace that transcends the horrible pain of this week, and the years that have led up to it. She needs trust in the Lord and his plan for their family. She needs strength, and as you can imagine, she struggles with staying strong for the boys while mourning the husband she is losing before her eyes.

Pray for the boys, for their hearts, for their trust in the Lord--that Dan's illness and his struggle would not push them away from their faith, but grow it stronger. That is a LARGE prayer. This is a lot for them to watch, to understand and to process--and it won't be easy, certainly for some time. Pray for their peace, for strength, for wisdom that is FAR beyond their young years. Pray against bitterness and anger. Pray that they would be brutally honest with their Savior and carry their terribly sad burdens to the cross. Pray that when sadness and fear overtakes them, that they would be able to see Jesus and know there is hope and redemption. Pray against the lie that death is the end--and that the Lord would show them, through their hurt, that there is so much more.

Pray for Dan. That he wouldn't be suffering. That he would CLEARLY see Jesus, and not be afraid. That he would trust in God's plan for the family he will leave behind. That his life and his ministry will live on, even if he isn't here physically. That these hours would be peaceful, surrounded in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

Family and friends continue to surround them, to remind them of who Dan was, what he meant, how he loved those around him. Carol and the boys were also able to have some time with Dan as a family--and it was all things you never want to do, and yet so intimate and full of love at the same time.

There isn't much new to report in terms of changes, except that Dan has some trouble with his breathing. These moments, for the family, are spent just being with him. Enjoying him, loving him, trying not to fall apart.

Please continue to pour your love upon this family!!!!