Thursday, February 8, 2007

same story, hard to deal with....

we are in a really strange phase of this tragedy. as mentioned yesterday, dad needs to get off the ventilator, but they cannot do so because of his broken neck. the doctor told us this morning that even if dad by miracle wakes up today, his throat muscles need a week or two to be able to handle breathing and coughing on his own. we are told that the ventilator lasts 3-4 weeks tops until the body rejects the tube and infection becomes an issue. we are at 3 weeks tomorrow. the doctor says that we have nothing else to do.

so, while dad's numbers are as good as they have ever been, the clock is ticking. this is probably the most helpless we have felt in this entire process. we know that God is big, but frankly, this is hard.

while we are all in constant prayer, we are asking everyone to take some time at 5:30 p.m. EST this evening to approach God and ask for a miracle. our prayer is that dad wakes up enough to respond to commands, and is able to breath and cough on his own. reality of where we are is setting in with all of us, so today is a rough day. thanks again for approaching the Father on our and dad's behalf.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are in our thoughts and prayers every day and we will join many others at 5:30 p.m. today. Thank you so much for taking the time to write the updates. It helps so much to feel "connected" and be reminded to pray specifically. Please know you are all remembered!
Dale and Mary Kay

Anonymous said...

I'll be on my knees
Becky

Anonymous said...

We will be in prayer at 5:30pm.
Thank you for keeping this updated!

John and Tara

Anonymous said...

Hello Maley Family... Its been a long time since I've seen most of you.... Amy told me about this blog and I wanted to let you know that I am praying for you-- and specifically will join with many others today at 5:30. I see miracles everyday at the hospital and know that God is mighty and will see you through this. These are the days where only one set of footprints is visible in the sand as our Father carries you. With love and prayers from Ohio...
Michelle Baldwin (Zehr)

Anonymous said...

I am sorry that your family is enduring such sufferings...i am praying for the Lord to have mercy on Jim. That the Lord will allow the miracles needed for his healing...I am praying for all of you who are infected so deeply in this painful time...To truly seek the Lord,that through His grace, He will help you endure well in your sufferings. I am praying that you will all continue in your growth and maturity. That you will grow in wisdom and in understanding in how this all should look...with the balancing of your care and time with Sue, to the time spent at the hospital,as well as, caring for all the important responsibilites the Lord has given you...in your jobs, children, and spouses.... This is a hard place, but I pray the Lord will give wisdom where there might be lacking....

Anonymous said...

Dear Maley Family,

Ken and I will definately be praying at 5:30 p.m. tonight asking God to wake Jim up and help him be able to get off of the ventilator.

I find myself falling asleep and waking up asking God to work in Jim's life, restore his health and that He would be everything each of you need Him to be during this trial. God is so faithful. He will never leave you or forsake you. He loves all of you more than any of us can know.

Take care. Thanks so much for the updates. They really help us know how to pray day to day.

We love you and we care.

Ken and Rosa Liston

Anonymous said...

We will be praying, and have sent the update to others to also be in prayer at 5:30 this evening. We send our love and hope in the Lord, the Sommers

Anonymous said...

We will be on our knees with you today!
Jeff and Kendra Harless

Anonymous said...

Dear Maley's,
I was so sad to hear what has happened to your family. Justin, myself and the entire "Stuckey" Family will be praying and praying, until your father is back with you. After all, he is the core of any family.
All our prayers, Terri

Anonymous said...

Dear Sue and Maley family:

We have continued to pray each day for you and Jim through these difficult days. We will join others at 5:30 p.m. today to lift Jim in prayer.

With Love and prayers from NY,

Joe & Johanna Gorsuch

Anonymous said...

I'll be praying with you. Jim is a great man and I sure want God to answer our prayers in the way that makes sense to us.

Thanks for keeping us all informed.

Dale Johnson

Anonymous said...

Arizona checking in... we too will
be in prayer at 5:30 your time ...
I have that same thing... with the
first thing in my mind when waking whether in the morning or the middle of the night..it's the Maleys being lifted up to our precious Lord.
you are able to endure in His strength...He is your friend in need and your friend indeed :)
xoxox
helen

Anonymous said...

Our daily prayers are with you. We as well will join you today at 5:30. I pray that you will feel our Saviours embrace at this time and throughout the next several-weeks. You are all dear to our hearts and we pray that as the clock ticks on your faith will remain steadfast.
With love,
Dave and Jenny Hoffman

Anonymous said...

Robert and I will be praying at 5:30 this evening. Remember that nothing is too small or too big for our God. You all are strong in your faith and I pray that you continue to find comfort in his unfailing love!
Robert and Sara Craft

Anonymous said...

I will make sure my family and I are praying at that time.
Lot's of love and praying going out to you now.
We serve a Mighty God !


The Gallagher Family

Anonymous said...

Dear Sue and family,
Just want to let you know how sorry we are to hear about all the suffering you and Jim are going through over the last 3 weeks. We have been praying for all of you and especially for Jim ever since the shocking call we received informing us of this terrible tragedy. We are praying for God's mighty healing hand to touch Jim in a miraculous way. Also, may He carry you through this incredibly difficult time.
God is faithful
WE ARE PRAYING
Nick and Ursula

Anonymous said...

There is a bunch of us here in AZ that will be praying at 3:30pm for your dad & the family. Please know that even because we are 2000 miles away, you are constantly prayed for & thought of. Again, I will post the lyrics to one of my favorite hymns pasted with another song I found...


Much love,
Michelle (Zook) Petrey
602-448-5125
Trainer4Athletes@cox.net

The Arms That Won’t Let Go (The Pillow Song)/
Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Don’t know why it happened
It’s hard to understand
You give someone your heart
And then they’re gone
Searching for a reason
We must walk through this season
Well don’t give up just yet
A light is shining up ahead

Chorus 1:
If you need a pillow for your sorrow
If you need a blanket for your soul
If you need a place your broken heart can be made whole
He’ll be your strength to face tomorrow
And when the night seems dark and cold
Fall into the arms that won’t let go

Don’t have all the answers
Facing tragedy
It seems as though the tears will never end
But through the dark you’ll see Him
The one you can believe in
He’s offering you rest
And a place to lay your head

Chorus 2:
I’ll be the pillow for your sorrow
I’ll be the blanket for your soul
I’ll be the place your broken heart can be made whole
I’ll be your strength to face tomorrow
And when the night seems dark and cold
Fall into the arms that won’t let go
You can rest here in My arms, I won’t let go

Great is thy faithfulness, oh, God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not
As thou has been, thou forever will be
Great is Thy faithfulness, oh, great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning, new mercies I see
All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me

If you need a pillow for your sorrow
If you need a blanket for your soul
You can rest here in my arms, I won’t let go.

Anonymous said...

We will be joining you in prayer today. It is our prayer that God will encompass you in His arms and hold you tight as you walk through these very hard times. We also pray that He will make His direction for your Dad's life clear to you and the docs caring for him. For strength, for peace, for clear thinking......we want you to know that your extended "family" is lifting you up before the Throne of our precious Heavenly Father.

Anonymous said...

"There is no blessed way of living, than the life of faith upon a covenant-keeping God - to know that we have no care, for he cares for us; that we need have no fear, except to fear him; that we need have no troubles, because we have cast our burdens upon the Lord, and are conscious that he will sustain us."

- C. H. Spurgeon

Anonymous said...

from Psalm 62 & 63
my soul finds rest in God alone,
my salvation comes from Him, He
alone is my rock and my salvation,
He is my fortress, I will never be shaken
trust in Him at all times, O people,
pour out your hearts to Him for God
is our refuge.
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods, with
singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I remember you, I think of you through the watches of the night, because you are my help I will sing in the shadow of your wings I stay close to you, your right had upholds me.

brianandcourt said...

Hi Maley's. I didn't get to check this post in time for 5:30... but I will take a moment to pray after this post. After all, God is not bound by time! I heard a song today that reminded me of you. While I don't know all they lyrics, the ones that stood out for you were "Strength will rise as we wait up on the Lord." I feel that's what we are being asked to do ... wait on the Lord. And while we wait, I will pray for strength for you all.
Courtney & Brian

Anonymous said...

I have joined with countless others across the USA to lift Jim up in prayer. I found myself thanking God over and over for Jim. What a wonderful friend and blessing he is to me and many others. Sweet hour of prayer. I pray that God grants strength to all of you as you walk this difficult path.
Love,
Merrie

Anonymous said...

God knows your pain and hears your cries. May He continue to sustain and lift you up during these next few hours. Our family has been so blessed by your family and your love and faithfulness to serve and worship our Savior. We will continue to pray for a miracle.

Psalm 73:26

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Anonymous said...

Sue and Family-
Kylee had a HotShots game tonight, and the whole gym of people took a moment and prayed for Jim at 5:30...it was an awesome moment. Kylee also scored another basket for grandpa.

Love you guys-
april

Serenity isn't freedom from the storm, but peace within the storm. --Unknown

Anonymous said...

Good night, sweet Maley family. We are praying . . . .

We are reminded that prayer is not only a petition to God but a comfort to us who are awaiting his answer.

Please take time to rest in him .


Dave and Sharry Graham

Anonymous said...

God I just pray tonight that you hold each member of this family in your arms.They need your strength to carry on. Help them feel the love of the family of God and the power of prayer like they have never experienced before. You are the great Physcian and you have the power to heal our friend. We don't always understand Your plan but we cry out to you for a miracle beyond miracles and we thank you in advance for what you are about to do and what you have already done in this family! May they rest in your peace tonight knowing you are in control!
Amen