Dear Team Members,
We were going to send this our early next week, but with so much to pray for, we decided to send it out today!!!!
Wow the months have flown by and soooo much has been on our plate as Cherrie gets ready for a total knee replacement on her left knee soon. Soooo many pre-op appointments and necessary clearance from various doctors. The class on knee replacement was excellent, blood work has been done and redone, and the time is now here.
We thank you so much for all your prayers, and ask you for continued prayers for good healing, and renewed daily strength for both of us.
On Thursday October 4th, our son Ray and his wife Janelle were able to fly from Kansas to Sanford and be with us until Sunday the 7th. It was a Special time. The fours of us got to go to Gator Land on Saturday which was quite an experience!!! Fun time, even though it was extremely hot that day!!!! Our daughter Esther and her two children were also going to come for a few days, but Esther’s husband Ricky’s step Mother passed away, so they made a trip up to New York to be with Ricky’s family. Know that family would appreciate your prayers!!
SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST:
Many of you would remember that a few years ago our son Raymond gave one of his kidneys to his Spanish friend Dan Espenoza. Dan was in their Bible study and on dialysis, not doing well at all!! Ray wanted to help Dan and found out he was a perfect match to donate a kidney to Dan. The procedure was a success for which we thank the Lord. Recently, though, Dan needed a knee replacement, which has not been successful, resulting in three operations. He has been told that the infection can’t be cured :o( There is no way to try another surgery as most of the skin around the incision is dead. One option is to have them try and put in a medical spacer and hope they can get the wound closed. Then he would be completely immobilized for six months. Lastly, the only resource is to amputate the leg above the knee. Decisions need to be made, which would be a major life changing event. PLEASE BE PRAYING FOR DAN as he has not been able to work, so he has lost his job, and now has no income to live on or to pay bills. Dan is a SPECIAL FRIEND and BROTHER IN CHRIST and we trust our Father to Encourage Dan’s heart and somehow meet Dan’s needs!!!!!
We would so love to personally answer all the emails we have received encouraging our hearts through Cherrie’s health issues assuring us of your prayers, but that is not possible right now. REMEMBER though, WE LOVE and APPRECIATE EACH ONE OF YOU!!!!! You are all in our hearts and prayers though!!!!!!!!
With Thankful Hearts for each of you,
Charlie & Cherrie
The following song I may have shared before, but in view of Dan’s situation, and for MANY of us – YOU INCLUDED – I love this song !
Just Be Held
Hold it all together
Everybody needs you strong
But life hits you out of nowhere
And barely leaves you holding on
And when you’re tired of fighting
Chained by your control
There’s freedom in surrender
Lay it down and let it go
So when you’re on your knees and answers seem so far away
You’re not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your world’s not falling apart, it’s falling into place
I’m on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, just be held
If your eyes are on the storm
You’ll wonder if I love you still
But if your eyes are on the cross
You’ll know I always have and I always will
And not a tear is wasted
In time, you’ll understand
I’m painting beauty with the ashes
Your life is in My hands
So when you’re on your knees and answers seem so far away
You’re not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your world’s not falling apart, its falling into place
I’m on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, just be held
Lift your hands, lift your eyes
In the storm is where you’ll find Me
And where you are, I’ll hold your heart
I’ll hold your heart
Come to Me, find your rest
In the arms of the God who won’t let go
So when you’re on your knees and answers seem so far away
You’re not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your worlds not falling apart, its falling into place
I’m on the throne, stop holding on and just be held (stop holding on and just be held)
Just be held, just be held, just be held, just be held
Casting Crowns