Tuesday, August 11, 2009

An Update...

Hi, I'm Amy (better known here in the comments as Whimzie from Snoodlings). I'm blessed to call Meredith my friend and she asked me if I would come by and let you know about events that have transpired over this past weekend.

Most of you know that Meredith's dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in November of last year. Over the last few weeks he has battled serious infections and other complications that developed as a result of his disease. This past weekend, his organs began to fail and on Sunday morning, Meredith's dad died.

Meredith flew to Arkansas on Sunday. John and the kids are driving from Colorado today. Over the next few days, Mer and her family will have a series of memorial services and visitations in two different cities in Arkansas before they travel back to Colorado.

Please pray for Meredith and her family. Pray for safe travel for John and the kids today and for the rest of the family as they travel different places throughout the week. Pray for peace and strength for Mer. Pray that Mer and her family will have the wisdom they need to deal with all the details and questions and decisions that follow a family member's death. Pray that they will deal effectively with the physical and emotional stressors that this week will bring. Pray for physical and emotional health for Meredith and her family.

I certainly don't know what else to say or do for Meredith right now. I can't tell you precisely how she's feeling. At times like these, I'm so grateful that she and I share a Father Who does know exactly how she feels and what she needs, because He Himself is everything she needs. In the last two emails I received from Meredith she told me that she has felt supernatural strength, grace, prayers, and God's provision for her over the last couple of days. Her faith is what will support her through this week and in the days and weeks ahead.

She will also draw from our strength and encouragement and support. I am sure that she can't respond to each individual email, comment, or text right now, but I know she appreciates the heart and love behind each one. We will be patient and give her the time she needs to work through the jumble of emotions she may be feeling. I feel confident that as soon as she is able, she will be back here to let you know how she's doing. She will have tough days, I'm sure, but I am confident that she will get through this.

Thank you (from Meredith) for being such sweet friends.

Amy

47 comments:

Shanda said...

Mer,
My heart and prayers are with you all. *HUGS*

Scrapper Mom said...

Mer - so sorry to hear of this loss. prayers going up that God will comfort you during this time.
Terri

Tami said...

I'm so very sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Praying for you and your family during this time.

Cathy said...

Whimz~ thanks for the update.

Mer~ STILL praying. Haven't stopped. He will cover you with His love...

*carrie* said...

Continuing to pray for you and your family, dear friend.

Barb said...

You and your family are in my prayers, Mer. Bless your heart.

Emily said...

Thoughts and prayers are with you Meredith!

Unknown said...

Thanks Whimzie,for the update. Mer, I am so very sorry. My prayers and love are with you and your family.

Becca~CapturingSimpleJoys said...

Meredith, my heart and prayers are with you, John and the kids as you face this week and the weeks to come. I am so sorry for you and the loss of your dad!

Carpool Queen said...

Lifting you up every time you cross my mind, friend.

Peace to you.

Amber said...

Meredith, my prayers are flowing for you and your family. I love you, dear friend.

Melissa said...

Mer,

Praying for you now...for His healing touch and His strong hand during the upcoming days and weeks.

Love you,
Melissa

Gretchen said...

Praying you grace & peace to get thru this minute. And the next. And the next... Wishing so much I could bear it with you.

Thanks for having Whimzie update us. Love u.

Stephanie Kay said...

So sorry for your loss.

Deidre said...

I am continuing to pray for you and your family, Meredith!

JenB said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, Meredith. I'll be praying for you.

Leigh Ann said...

Mer, I'm so sorry to hear this news. I'll be praying for you and your sweet family in the days to come.

His Girl said...

praying. praising God for the comfort I know He'll be faithful to provide.

love ya, mer. so much.

Tree Frog Creations... said...

Still praying,
Renae

Diane@Diane's Place said...

My heart, my love and my prayers go out to you, dear friend.

Much love,

Diane

Brenda said...

Please know that you and your family are definitely in our prayers. I thank God that He is there with you to sustain you thru all you are going thru and will go thru in the future.
Amy, thanks for letting us know.
God bless.
Brenda

Mary said...

Meredith,
I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my father to bile duct cancer on July 9. I felt divine intervention at every turn--the doctors said he had two months, he died in 6 days. So many of the staff were like old friends, strangers in the hall and palliative care staff cried along with me. I called them God's errant angels. Yours are around you too, you just have to recognize them. Know that he is in no pain, and God will give you the strength to work through it each day. My prayers and thoughts are with you.

really.truly said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, Meredith. Praying for you and your family.

jeanie@mageditor.blogspot.com said...

Sad.......:( I'm sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine.

Elizabeth said...

Mer, I'm thinking about you often and lifting you up in prayer each time.

Deena said...

Still praying!

Leah Belle said...

meredith...so, so sorry to hear this! i am praying for the peace and comfort that only God can give ...

Candace said...

Hi Merideth-
I'm a Whimzie/CPQ friend.
I just wanted to let you know that you'll be on my heart and mind and certainly in my prayers.

When my daddy went on to be with Jesus several years ago, one of my dearest friends- my second mom actually- had the insight to share with me that Jesus must have gone through the pain of losing his earthly dad as well. Implicit in the act of Jesus arranging for his mother to be taken care of as He hung on the cross was the fact that Joseph was no longer around.

He knows and feels our sorrows and he weeps with us. He comforts us, makes us strong. He steps in and is a strong and loving Daddy when we're SO missing the one we've known on earth.

May you be lifted up by your Father's love in the midst of your grief.

Candace

Tiffani said...

my heart is so so heavy for you this week, my friend...can't stop thinking of you and praying...

Love you.

Virginia said...

Praying for comfort and strength for your family

Lauren said...

Thinking of you Mer! Love you!!

The Bowden's said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Bowden's said...

Praying for you and your family!

Unknown said...

Sending love and prayers to Mer and her family!!

Amy, if one of those services is in NE Arkansas (Jonesboro) would you let me know? I would like to extend a shoulder if its where I can. Thanks.

Mama Voss said...

Thoughts and prayers to you.

(Please don't feel you need to respond, just wanted to send another push of love and strength to you.)

Nina Diane said...

hugs and prayers...

Stephanie said...

You are on my heart and I'm praying for you...

Jill said...

So very sorry to read the news of your dad, Meredith. My heart and prayers go out to all of you at this very difficult time.

Michelle@Life with Three said...

I'm sorry to hear the news, Meredith. I'm thinking of you and your family and praying for all of you.

Midway Records said...

My thoughts & prayers are with you and your family.

Betsy said...

I am so sorry about your dad, Meredith. I will be praying that you will feel God's arms wrapped a little more tightly around you as you walk through the days and weeks ahead. {{{HUGS!!!}}

Rachel said...

I'm so sorry, Meredith. I am praying for you tonight, that you will experience the comfort and peace of God surrounding you.

Jacquie said...

I JUST read this post. I am so very sorry for you and your family's loss, Meredith. Praying God's presence and comfort for you today.

His Doorkeeper said...

I'm late reading posts, but Meredith, I'm so sorry about the loss of your Dad. I know you were a wonderful daughter and you will miss him dearly! I still miss mine. I pray God's greatest comfort and strength for the days ahead.

Megan O. said...

Just want you to know I'll be praying for you and your family. Praying God's peace and comfort for you all.

Christi @ Writing the Waves said...

Meredith, I just checked blogs for the first time in a while, and read about you dad. I am so sorry for your loss. I know that this is a tough time, but know that you have my prayers, as well as many others being said on behalf of your family right now.

Julie said...

Mer,
I just saw the news about your dad. I am so sorry. I tried to call you on the cell phone number I have... didn't sound like you on the answering machine, but I left a message anyways.

I hurt alongside you... I feel your pain...

I can say this. I know God will make sense of it all and comfort you.. .just as He has done with me. It's hard to believe it's been 5 months since I said goodbye to my dad... The pain has lessened some...God has comforted me... I know He will comfort you too.

I'm just so, so sorry!

Julie
PS. I sent you an email...