Greetings in our Lord Jesus,
I just wanted to post a brief update for those of you who have been asking how my dad is doing. We have been seeing a steady improvement in him over the past few weeks, and this week has continued in that direction. We are very grateful for all the continued prayers, the words of encouragement, and financial gifts you have generously shared over the past weeks. I cannot thank all of you enough, but I pray the Lord returns a great blessing to each of you.
My dad is now getting around quite well with a cane- He has started walking up and down the dirt road where he’s been staying, and seems to be able to go further and further, which is a great blessing. He is even walking around in the house more often now without the help of a cane, which I love to see. :)
The past week has also brought some progress to my dad’s clarity of mind and ability to read & comprehend what he’s reading. It’s a blessing for me to walk in and see him reading his Bible, and even to start discussing some things with him along those lines. Communication is still one of the big things he’s working on, and while he seems to be steadily moving forward, it is still a process to walk through.
We praise the Lord for His great grace He has shown us through this time. He always knows exactly what we need, and is faithful to provide it in the right time, whether it be encouragement, physical aid, wisdom, etc., we serve a God of perfect timing, who has limitless resources.
We are planning to move my dad back into his home in the coming week, and would appreciate your prayers in that. He is ready to get back to his familiar surroundings, and to spend time with his dogs. :) I’m sure he’ll be catching up and reading emails and things of that nature as he’s able, so feel free to write to him. At the same time, it will probably be a process and might take some time for him to get back into writing much. You could join us in prayer for restoration in that area.
May God bless and keep you.
In Him,
Kristin
Heart4God Website: http://www.heart4god.ws
Parables Blog: www.parablesblog.blogspot.com
Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063
Saturday, May 28, 2016
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Update
Brothers & Sisters in the Lord,
I, Kristin, am writing once more today to give you a brief update on my dad, and also to say a deep, heartfelt thanks for all of the many kind words of encouragement we have received since my last post. We have been showered with words of blessing, many prayers, and even very generous gifts from some of you, and I want each of you to know how deeply appreciated all of you are. I wish I would have more time to reply to each note individually, but with my busy schedule it has just been too difficult for me to reply as I would like. Please know I have read your letters, and they have been a blessing. My dad has read many of them as well, and I know they mean a lot to him.
Many of you have asked for an update, and I'm sorry I haven't given one sooner. It has now been a little over 2 weeks since my dad had the stroke, and he seems to be very stable, though recovery in some ways is a slow process right now. We are grateful for the progress that has been made. This past week my dad has focused a lot more on doing different exercises with his right arm and leg, and has been making progress. He is able to get around considerably well with a walker or cane, and seems to be gradually gaining more stamina. He is still working on getting full use of his right hand, and while he can pick some things up and use it minimally, it is still too difficult for him to use it for many normal tasks, such as typing/writing.
The area we would desire the greatest amount of prayer for right now is the full recovery of his ability to communicate/process thought clearly. All of you know my dad as a writer, and he has always had a gift with words. Right now, however, it is still a struggle for him to remember many words and to communicate clearly. He can talk and communicate on a surface level, but to have a deep conversation or to go very far with a train of thought is difficult. I know this is completely in the Lord's hands, and He will be faithful to bring recovery in His time and in His will. Please pray for my dad as I am sure it is difficult for him at times when he desires to express things and can't find the words.
Through all of this God has continued to show us tremendous grace, and we have felt His peace in abundance. My dad has had a very positive countenance, and I have not seen him express any complaint or discouragement. He is often humming familiar tunes and seems very peaceful. God is showing Himself strong in this trial- He is faithful.
The following passage of Scripture has been a great blessing to me recently. It speaks of the trials we face in this life, but the overwhelming testimony of victory that is our through Christ Jesus- May it minister to your hearts as well:
2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves. 8 We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; 9 hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed; 10 always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly [experiencing the threat of] being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced in our mortal body [which is subject to death].
We have a beautiful, living hope, and our hearts are continually renewed and strengthened in our Lord.
Once more, thank you for all of your support. Please continue in prayer, as I know you will. May you be encouraged and continue to fight the good fight of faith.
In Him,
Kristin
Heart4God Website: http://www.heart4god.ws
Parables Blog: www.parablesblog.blogspot.com
Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063
I, Kristin, am writing once more today to give you a brief update on my dad, and also to say a deep, heartfelt thanks for all of the many kind words of encouragement we have received since my last post. We have been showered with words of blessing, many prayers, and even very generous gifts from some of you, and I want each of you to know how deeply appreciated all of you are. I wish I would have more time to reply to each note individually, but with my busy schedule it has just been too difficult for me to reply as I would like. Please know I have read your letters, and they have been a blessing. My dad has read many of them as well, and I know they mean a lot to him.
Many of you have asked for an update, and I'm sorry I haven't given one sooner. It has now been a little over 2 weeks since my dad had the stroke, and he seems to be very stable, though recovery in some ways is a slow process right now. We are grateful for the progress that has been made. This past week my dad has focused a lot more on doing different exercises with his right arm and leg, and has been making progress. He is able to get around considerably well with a walker or cane, and seems to be gradually gaining more stamina. He is still working on getting full use of his right hand, and while he can pick some things up and use it minimally, it is still too difficult for him to use it for many normal tasks, such as typing/writing.
The area we would desire the greatest amount of prayer for right now is the full recovery of his ability to communicate/process thought clearly. All of you know my dad as a writer, and he has always had a gift with words. Right now, however, it is still a struggle for him to remember many words and to communicate clearly. He can talk and communicate on a surface level, but to have a deep conversation or to go very far with a train of thought is difficult. I know this is completely in the Lord's hands, and He will be faithful to bring recovery in His time and in His will. Please pray for my dad as I am sure it is difficult for him at times when he desires to express things and can't find the words.
Through all of this God has continued to show us tremendous grace, and we have felt His peace in abundance. My dad has had a very positive countenance, and I have not seen him express any complaint or discouragement. He is often humming familiar tunes and seems very peaceful. God is showing Himself strong in this trial- He is faithful.
The following passage of Scripture has been a great blessing to me recently. It speaks of the trials we face in this life, but the overwhelming testimony of victory that is our through Christ Jesus- May it minister to your hearts as well:
2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves. 8 We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; 9 hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed; 10 always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly [experiencing the threat of] being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced in our mortal body [which is subject to death].
We have a beautiful, living hope, and our hearts are continually renewed and strengthened in our Lord.
Once more, thank you for all of your support. Please continue in prayer, as I know you will. May you be encouraged and continue to fight the good fight of faith.
In Him,
Kristin
Heart4God Website: http://www.heart4god.ws
Parables Blog: www.parablesblog.blogspot.com
Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063
Friday, May 6, 2016
Prayer Request
Dear Friends in the Lord,
“It is of the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.”
-Lamentations 3:22-23
Great is the faithfulness of the Lord.
I (Kristin) am writing today at the request of my father let you know some things that have taken place in the past week.
My dad had a stroke last Thursday. Initially he experienced numbness in one arm and leg, and lost his ability to communicate some words. However he regained full bodily movement after a few minutes, but maintained some confusion in his speech. By Saturday he was seemingly back to normal physically, but still struggling with his speech. He could speak words clearly, but couldn't find the right word for many things, and would be fairly quiet because of that. Saturday evening he seemed to suffer further effects, and lost most of his strength on the right side of his body.
I know many of you are familiar with his testimony, and probably know his convictions of trusting the Lord for his health and healing, and how God miraculously healed him from a heart attack and from diabetes in the past. With all of this, he still feels convicted to not seek medical attention, and to trust the Lord solely with the results of this. We are seeking to honor Him in this, and also looking to the Lord each day for wisdom and guidance in moving forward.
I share these things to ask you to please join us in lifting my dad up to the Father in this time. We know that God’s ways are perfect, and He can be trusted. It has been a difficult trial, but I can testify to the grace of God, and His peace that passes all understanding, that have been manifested to us this past week.
I will be trying to keep an eye on my dad’s emails for him, to pass along messages and respond some as I’m able. My dad has a really hard time communicating right now, and it's difficult for him to talk on the phone. He is able to think clearly from what we can tell, only struggling with speaking. Also, as he cannot really use his right hand, typing is not an option for him for the time being. It has been an encouragement to see him talking more as the week has progressed.
Please join us in praying for my dad’s healing, in the Lord’s will and perfect timing. And for all of us in the journey, that we would keep our eyes on God, and have grace to take one day at a time. Also, for much courage and peace for my dad in facing these trials. He seems to be doing well, but I know it’s a difficult experience.
Tomorrow will be my dad's 55th birthday. We are looking forward to celebrating it with him, and praying for a double portion of grace for him in this season.
Thank you so much for your prayers, they are greatly appreciated in this time. Our God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.
In Him,
Kristin
Heart4God Website: http://www.heart4god.ws
Parables Blog: www.parablesblog.blogspot.com
Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063
“It is of the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.”
-Lamentations 3:22-23
Great is the faithfulness of the Lord.
I (Kristin) am writing today at the request of my father let you know some things that have taken place in the past week.
My dad had a stroke last Thursday. Initially he experienced numbness in one arm and leg, and lost his ability to communicate some words. However he regained full bodily movement after a few minutes, but maintained some confusion in his speech. By Saturday he was seemingly back to normal physically, but still struggling with his speech. He could speak words clearly, but couldn't find the right word for many things, and would be fairly quiet because of that. Saturday evening he seemed to suffer further effects, and lost most of his strength on the right side of his body.
I know many of you are familiar with his testimony, and probably know his convictions of trusting the Lord for his health and healing, and how God miraculously healed him from a heart attack and from diabetes in the past. With all of this, he still feels convicted to not seek medical attention, and to trust the Lord solely with the results of this. We are seeking to honor Him in this, and also looking to the Lord each day for wisdom and guidance in moving forward.
I share these things to ask you to please join us in lifting my dad up to the Father in this time. We know that God’s ways are perfect, and He can be trusted. It has been a difficult trial, but I can testify to the grace of God, and His peace that passes all understanding, that have been manifested to us this past week.
I will be trying to keep an eye on my dad’s emails for him, to pass along messages and respond some as I’m able. My dad has a really hard time communicating right now, and it's difficult for him to talk on the phone. He is able to think clearly from what we can tell, only struggling with speaking. Also, as he cannot really use his right hand, typing is not an option for him for the time being. It has been an encouragement to see him talking more as the week has progressed.
Please join us in praying for my dad’s healing, in the Lord’s will and perfect timing. And for all of us in the journey, that we would keep our eyes on God, and have grace to take one day at a time. Also, for much courage and peace for my dad in facing these trials. He seems to be doing well, but I know it’s a difficult experience.
Tomorrow will be my dad's 55th birthday. We are looking forward to celebrating it with him, and praying for a double portion of grace for him in this season.
Thank you so much for your prayers, they are greatly appreciated in this time. Our God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.
In Him,
Kristin
Heart4God Website: http://www.heart4god.ws
Parables Blog: www.parablesblog.blogspot.com
Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063