My comfort in life and death

It is with deep regret that we, Gayle's children, share with you that on Nov. 4, 2009, our beloved mother went to be with her Lord. The following is an exerpt from mom's church bulletin for this Sunday:

Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Daughter, Sister, Niece, Auntie, Mentor, dear friend, Child of God, Sister in Christ, Encourager, Leader, True Woman of God! All these are just a few of the many faces of the amazing woman we knew as Gayle DeVries. We will cherish our memories of Gayle in our hearts. Many of us are stronger in our faith and walk with God because of Gayle's influence in our life. Ken DeVries asked that this beautiful and bold statement regarding believers' only comfort be placed in the bulletin as a testimony of Gayle's faith.

The Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 1

Question 1: What is your only comfort in life and death?
Answer: That I am not my own, but belong - body and soul, in life and in death - to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven.
In fact, all things must work together for my salvation.
Because I belong to Him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.

Visitation services will take place Monday, Nov. 9, from 2 to 8 pm. Funeral service will be at 10:30 am Tuesday, Nov. 10. Both services will be held at Community Christian Reformed Church, 10498 N. 450 E. Roselawn, IN.

Memorials: DeMotte Christian School Tuition Assistance Fund.

Wed...Christ hospital

Well, here I am. They called with a bed about noon. We arrived about 2 and didn't get into our room about four. When we walked in we walked past all the rooms where people were very sick. This is ICU cardiac/ I guess I just didn't expect such an environment for me. I got in my room and lost it. With the help of nurses and my husband I got hold of myself and surrendered once again. It was not easy.

My nurse is a young male, very competent. I had a general exam with one of the doctors on my team. Very handsome Indian/Hispanic. Young and unmarried. Gentle and very thorough. He explained every detail as he went along. Tomorrow I will have a whole gammet of tests. CAT scans etc. Most of the tests are non evasive but if you know me you know I am intimidated by even a cat scan. Imust surrender that too. What a growing experience.

Tuesday......middle of the night

Last evening, I invited two elders to come to pray over me and annoint me with oil (James 5) Everytime I read that verse my conscience was pricked. I could never do that. I'd have to surrender my pride. In addition, that just isn't done much in the Reformed tradition. I finally got to the point where I felt I was disobedient not to.

We had the most wonderful evening. I feel a sense of peace that wasn't there before. Praise God. We talked about the joy we all felt and made a committment to pray for others to receive this blessing.

Monday.

I spoke with the nurse at Dr. Silver's office this morning. She was MOST encouraging and said, "You'll be okay, Toots." I laughed out loud. I'm looking forward to some successful treatment. She said Dr. Silver has a soft loving and caring beside manner. Sign me up. Maybe I'm spoiled, but I need soft and encouraging. Dr. Brigham always gives me a giant bear hug before I leave. For that I'm grateful, but If what I hear is correct, he is just not as savy as this guy when it comes CHF. I feel God is directing my path.

Pray

Following is the note to our children that I will now share with you.


Today has been a roller coaster emotional experience. I waited all day yesterday for a doctor's call which happenned while I was gone to eat. I had given my cell phone but he called my home phone........so I had to wait until 12:30 to get the call. It was not goodnews. He told me they had no other options with medications and he really suggested a heart transplant. That blew me away. He told me to get on it right away. I called Elton and Lauri and Dad and Mary. They all came over and we had a pow wow. Lauri said she felt all the kids felt I should try this option. Dad looked at me and said, we don't won't to lose you now and would like you to do a positive thing. It meant a lot to me that he would encourage such a thing. Dr. Brigham got a referral for a doctor at Christ hospital. We called and Dad spoke with his nurse extensively. She said this doctor is the most wwell known doctor of CHF in the world and has been exclusively treating CHF for thirty years. She told dad that there are many other options before heart transplant. I have an appointment to see him on Tuesday. Yes, John, I know you will have a million questions and I have the answer to none of them. We invite you and anyone of our other children to accompany us. Call us if you care to meet there. If you have questions, please send them through this medium. Love, Mom

Please join us in prayer and storm the gates of heaven for a treament that will bring relief.

Home Identification

Two quiches would have been enough. Can we believe that? The table was beautiful with my friend's lovely fall decor. People seemed to eat plenty but they would cut one piece into four. At any rate I think we could assume we got an 8 on a one to ten scale. I was pleased and everyelse seemed so as well.



Our sunshine is gone and clouds have taken over. I hear we are supposed to get lots of rain overnight. Ugh. Where is Indian summer? I'm so ready.

I;ve decided to make a map by identifying church members homes. I talked with our administrative assistant yesterday and she said she had no idea where people lived. I know where most of the people who have been part of the church for a long time live, but I could catch up with the half of the people that are new. Ken and I started this afternoon by splitting the membership into three general town areas. We will see how far we get with that.

We just may have a new adminitrative pastor coming and that would be helpful for him as well. I need to find ways I can be of benefit at this point.

TGIF for most of you.

Treats

A friend and I have to bring "treets" for WWIW tomorrow morning. The friend didn't get home until this afternoon. Seeing as I'm not very strong today, I opted to make a trip to Costco. I bought six quiches, three sweet breads and a dozen huge muffins sthat I will cut in half to serve. I called my friend and she was in Indy on her way home. She will pick up some fruit juices and bring a fall centerpiece for the table. I think we are ready.