Welcome Family, Friends & Guests Last updated 11/24/09
09/26/09 5:07 PM - One year ago today...
"09/26/2008 4:06:45 PM She's off the machines functioning by herself responded completely to Nikki can't talk for six hours but she's got all faculties"
09/23/09 9:07 PM - One year ago today....Kelli had surgery to remove a suspect bad gall bladder. While members of her family waited in the recovery waiting room for results of her surgery, they got the horrifying news that what started as a routine surgery, had just become a nightmare beyond anyone's expectation.
It was reported that after surgery, Kelli coded in the recovery room, suffering from congestive heart failure. As more family members were contacted and arrived on scene - the news only grew worse. The doctor's were not certain what was going on with Kelli. They informed us that she was being kept alive by machines and that they could offer little hope at this time to the outcome of her condition.
After four days in a coma, the doctor's continued to express
"guarded optimism" as they began to see small improvements in
Kelli's condition, however they still could not say for certain
without removing her from the machines just what her true condition
was. Kelli was eventually diagnosed with "dilated
cardiomyopathy."
The doctors became concerned that Kelli had developed a fever and were contemplating the need to transport her to a facility that specialized in cardiac care. As the hours passed by the doctors and family held out for a miracle - and hours later, it came. Kelli's fever fell and the doctor's decided to use this miraculous window of opportunity to remove her from the machines and see how she would respond on her own.
To everyone's utter astonishment, Kelli responded. She was breathing and functioning without the aid of the machines. Kelli's improvement from here was rapid. She was soon moved from ICU to a private room in PCU where her condition continued to improve, however, it was certain that she would only improve so far and that a heart transplant was probably going to be needed as her heart only has a 9% ejection fraction making the probability of treating her condition with medicines not possible.
Within days after being removed from the machines, Kelli was released from the hospital and referred to cardiac specialists where it was determined for certain that she would need a heart transplant.
Kelli was implanted with an ICD (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator) and then later was placed on a continuous IV infusion, with which she remains today awaiting transplant.
While Kelli is at home and mobile, she is restricted to an extremely low sodium diet, is on a daily cocktail of prescription medicines to regulate her heart condition along with the continual IV drip. To the appearance one might often wonder how there could be anything wrong as she seems to carry on in a "normal" manner with an attitude of great optimism and hope. Yet, she tires easily and must continually guard herself against risk of illness.
Kelli is truly grateful to the amazing team of doctors who have taken her life so delicately into their hands. And she is likewise unspeakably grateful to the love and support of her family and friends and stands is awe of the open generosity and kindness of so many people, near and far who have given money, time, words of comfort and most importantly their PRAYERS!
There are no words to express the comforting assurance that she feels with the knowledge that prayers are being offered without ceasing on her behalf. And she openly testifies that it is by these prayers which hold her continually in petition before God that she is here today, sustained and able to do so well physically and emotionally. It's been a truly amazing experience to watch the continual circle of God's love embrace everyone touched by this tragedy turned blessing.
Thank you to all for the multitude of blessings and the love you have showered upon Kelli and her family. Please stay in touch with this website and we will keep everyone up-to-date on Kelli's journey through this "Change of Heart". And may God add his blessings to each and all.
Your's truly,
Kelli & Family
08/13/09 12:30 PM - Stay tuned as TeamKelli.org is under-going a face lift and will reintroduce itself as an interactive site, making the site easier to update on our end and giving the reader the ability to interact with our posts....we're excited and we're sure you will like the new look and features as well. Click HERE for the preview!
08/12/009 8:30 PM - I absolutely love it when I am in tune enough throughout the day to pick up on little tidbits of insight and draw comparisons using simple daily events and tie them to Biblical truths.
Late this afternoon while I was preparing to leave work, I realized that I was late in returning a video that was on loan to the company from our insurance company. So, as I made my way home I detoured slightly from my normal route and stopped by the UPS store to get this late video on its way back to the lender. (It's noteworthy to state that I was somewhat experiencing a slightly elevated level of anxiety concerning my delinquency in this matter.)
As I arrived at the UPS store and stepped inside and the gentleman behind the counter took my package and labeled it and told me that it would be in the hands of the lender by tomorrow. I thanked him and exited the store.
Yeah, so - what's the point? Bare with me.
Immediately, I had a great sense of relief that I had given this package over to a place that could remedy my situation and provide the needed solution to my problem. As I drove out of the parking lot I left all care for this matter behind, trusting in full confidence that UPS will handle the matter from here and taking complete assurance in their word that tomorrow, my lender will have their video returned safely to them.
Tada! My point!
That is what God asks of us! Come to Him with our troubles. Like the old hymn, "What A Friend We Have In Jesus." - All our sins and grief's to bear, of what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!"
Isn't it amazing that I could take such immediate and complete confidence in the promise of the UPS Store to deliver my package the next day that I gave it no further thought or consideration.
Why don't we so readily, quickly and confidently hand over our cares and concerns to Jesus and give them no more thought - trusting explicitly in the promises of His Word, without reservation.
How many times do we take our troubles to God and place them in His hand only to run back to him in a few minutes, hours or days and snatch them back from Him and try to deal with things ourselves again. That would be like me running back to the UPS Store tomorrow morning, stopping the truck that will take my package to the terminal to be transferred to the outbound truck going to Iowa and telling them that I just don't think they can handle this without my help.
Could you imagine how the folks at UPS would react if I did that. Even more so, my meddling in their affairs would only disrupt their well trained and executed plan of action. By the time I went to all the trouble to "assist" them in delivering my package - it would have already been delivered to the lender.
Just like with God. If we keep our hands out of the way once we give Him our problems - His wisdom will produce the proper and most effective, efficient solution for our situation - but if we keep sticking our hands in and trying to "help" God we slow our own solution down.
8/11/09 9:45 PM - I must keep this short tonight, but I found this thought intriguing enough that I must share it.
I am almost certain that I can ask this question and the unanimous answer will be, "Yes", but I will ask it anyway. If we all remember back to when we were kids and our parents told us to do (or not to do) something or gave us some kind of instruction or even a task to carry out and instead of just obediently fulfilling their directive out of respect for their parental authority we often interjected the conjunction, "but...." into our response or rebuttal to their request. (We all did this right?)
Interestingly enough while I was visiting with the Lord tonight I began to give in to an attitude of complaint over certain areas of disruption and agony in our life that just doesn't seem to go away - year after year it continues to fester and stir and year after year I continue to pray and seek wisdom from God and His answer to me has always been to pray - pray as Jesus instructed us to do - Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who insult you and persecute you, ...
This has always been God's answer to me - never varying. Kind of like when you asked your parents for a certain something and they said no you cannot - and then you would ask it again later, maybe wording things differently or perhaps waiting for a different mood or opportunity of distraction to arise only to find their answer was still the same as the first 99 times you asked it.
So for years now I have approached this matter in this fashion - sometimes with joyful gladness and other times with reluctance, but nonetheless I have endeavored to maintain this course without complaint and have encouraged others to do the same.
Tonight however, I began my conversation with the Lord sounding very much like Habakkuk when he asked the Lord, "How long - How long will I cry and you will not hear.....cry out violence! and you will not save...
....and my tirade lit off like wildfire from there....
But in my complaining and murmurings to God tonight, I felt the quiet calm of His Spirit once again speak to my heart and repeat the same answer as always - Pray - love - bless - do good....
And I said, "But! I have prayed, I have loved, I have blessed and I have done good - BUT it has done no good...." and sudden I stopped in mid complaint and I realized what I had just said. Did you catch it....
That "BUT" was telling God that his plan, his Words, his answer IS NOT CORRECT. I'm telling God, that's all good and well, but it doesn't work here in this situation.
And I realized God didn't include any "buts" in his command - He didn't say do these things for a week or for a month or for a year or until you in your wisdom determine that it's been long enough and you decide to turn from what God has told you and apply your own solution to the problem....God said to do these things. To pray, love, bless and do good. Period. And leave the rest up to Him. Jesus also taught us to pray to the Father saying, "Thy Will Be Done on Earth as it is in Heaven."
So I silenced myself and humbly asked forgiveness and thanked Him for the lesson. Instead of questioning God like some spoiled child we should take Him at His word - do what he says without the "but", even when we don't understand the reason - trust in Him for He is faithful to watch over His own words and perform it.
None of us have ever been persecuted, reviled, hated, mocked or scorned like Jesus was here on this earth. If anyone had the right to lash out in anger, to seek retaliation, to wish evil upon others, to exact revenge - it was certainly He... but what did He do? He watched over His words and was faithful to perform them. He loved his enemies, he blessed those who cursed him, he did good to those who hated him, and he prayed for those who insulted him and persecuted him, .. and that even includes you and me!
Good night and God bless.
08/11/09 9:40 PM - Congratulations to Amanda on your ZERO rejection biopsy and your liberation from that nasty horrible PREDNISONE!
08/10/09 10:45 PM - (It’s late and I don’t suppose I will be able to finish this thought tonight, (or maybe I will) but I want to get it started so that I will hopefully come back and finish it, so if I don’t make it very far tonight, stay tuned….)
"What's in a name? That which we call
a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."
This is a line from William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet". Am I going to recite a poem to you? No. Why would I start my writing in this fashion? What does this have to do with anything? I'm glad you asked. I was needing a place to share what has been stirring in my heart and mind, and this is as good a place as any, so if you are here and you have read this far, get comfortable in your seat, make any necessary adjustments or acquisition of refreshments - this might get long-winded....ready or not here we go.... (however there might also be drawn the unintentional parallel between this writing and an actual play - as the curtain may close for an intermission between acts - specifically bed time and the snooze button on my alarm clock tomorrow morning....)
I've spent a considerable amount of time on this recent communication fad we call "Facebook" - (something I didn't think I would actually use at all - I tried it out after some coaxing from family and friends and found it to be an interesting means of entertainment and sharing of ones thoughts with others.)
Most interesting to me is that just about "everybody and their brother" has a "Facebook"! In so many ways this is a wonderful thing - but as in all things, anything can be used for good or ill and we must be careful how we use the tools at our disposal and remember that even "Facebook" leaves a "digital impression" on those who view our "Wall".
As I began adding "Friends" to my "Facebook", I ran across people I haven't seen in decades as well as people I currently and regularly associate with, even some whom I thought had no internet savvy at all.
What I have found most concerning is that "Facebook" is a medium for communication throughout the world. It's design was simply that. It's "unmediated" for the most part - there is no censoring of explicit language and content can push the envelope of public decency. Even the advertisements are geared toward interests of the "public in general".
Where am I going with this you ask? Hold on, I'm getting there....or I may be doing an intermission - I haven't quite decided - I'm looking for a stopping point but I'm not there yet I don't think - but I am rambling so it's getting close....
While this tool is the "in thing" at the moment and is accessible to anyone with a computer or cell phone with internet access...it is also a "mirror" that if one looks into they will see the true reflection of themselves and others like wise will see an image of you - but it could be a distorted image - depending on how you present yourself in this mirror.
In keeping with it's intended design as a means of communicating and networking with others, Christianity has adopted Facebook into its family as well. Churches now have Facebook; Pastors; Ministry Leaders, and Members all have Facebook. Am I saying this is wrong - absolutely not! Nothing wrong with it all - in fact I encourage it - as I do many of the internets valuable resources. The internet provides and avenue into the very center of homes and lives who might not otherwise experience God and Christ - and if we utilize these tools for this purpose then we are using them for a good cause.
But remember - that when you put yourself out there - especially when you identify yourself as "Christian" you purposefully and intentionally cast a bright light upon yourself and your actions on Facebook and elsewhere will be viewed and scrutinized more so than those who are just there to play.
For instance - I did a recent and random study through Facebook members who identify themselves as Christians and found a couple areas of alarming concern.
First off, many who identify themselves as Christians (particularly Christian youth) do not give the appearance that they are representing Christ in their choice of apparel. Young Christian men and women are not distinguishing themselves in appearance from those who do not profess to know Christ. To look at many Christian youths today, one would not know the difference between those who call themselves Christ's and those who do not. Piercing and markings, tattoos and provocative apparel all cause the Christian to blend into the crowd - rather than to be an example - letting one's light shine. Something to definitely think about wouldn't you say?
Second area of notice was in conversation. Christians don't speak a whole lot differently than non-Christians. (Accept for Sunday morning's that is.) Here is where I get to my point - tie all this together with my opening quote from Shakespeare..."
My high school English teacher, Mr. Wilson, always encouraged us to add a new word to our vocabulary every day. Although I have heard this word before and I suppose even have used it in a sentence at some point, I never gave it any study until today.
Today's vocabulary word is - "Euphemism" (No it's not some new fangled religion or theology") Webster's Dictionary defines Euphemism as such -"A euphemism is a substitution of an agreeable or less offensive expression in place of one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant to the listener."
So, as I began by quoting "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet..." so I think it would be true also that a "word by an other name would mean the same." Let me explain.
While society has broadened it's acceptance of vulgarities and profanities even finding what was once considered offensive and only acceptable to be spoken in private circles or seen behind closed doors - is now common place in the center of our homes and practiced in our lives, even incorporated into the learning of our children through television and other media outlets, Christianity has endeavored to to maintain its position on the extremities of indecency and here it is - that horrible word few seldom say or hear in the 21st century - sin! EWWWWW!!!!
Yet, as Pastor drew the picture Sunday during his sermon how Christians want to follow Christ, but many want to do so while walking a thin line between Christianity and the world. We don't want to stray too far from the culture so as not to be deemed "uncool" or "an outcast" or "freak".
In our righteous endeavors to keep one hand it God's hand and the other hand in the world - we have found a justification for the use of Euphemism's.
Let me explain further. I found many Christian Facebooks littered with Euphemisms - words that substitute for words that might otherwise be unacceptable or offensive in a Christian conversation. But wouldn't it be true that just because you change the word - the context and intent of the sentence remains the same. The substitution still implies the same meaning? Yet somehow we justify that since we changed the word, we didn't really say the word.
For example: Euphemisms for God and Jesus, such as gosh and gee, are used by Christians to avoid taking the name of God in a vain oath, which would violate one of the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 20)
Dang and darn-it are euphemisms for their stronger counterpart. Yet I've heard it said and seen it written from the mouth or hand of Christians, "Gosh darn it!"
Even though we have lightened the impact by changing the words, what is the meaning we are intending to communicate - "A word by any other name means the same does it not?"
It feels like I'm cutting myself off in mid-sentence, but I believe I will close with that thought in mind. Something for us all to consider, to govern and seek to correct in our daily lives and conversations so that when we speak or act in representation of Christ to the world we do so in a manner that will not bring ridicule, shame or displeasure upon the Name of Him whom we seek to serve, even Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Good night and may God add His blessings....
08/01/09 10:00 AM - Unbelievable! It cannot be August 1st already! As I was reviewing the last several posts I found the post dated 5/27/09 where I commented that the kids were boarding their school bus for the final day of school - summer had arrived! Now, in just a few short weeks the school house doors will re-open and summer will soon yield to the crimson and golden colors of autumn foliage. Simply amazing!
It's been a busy summer and I have allowed such busy-ness to slow our work on this website and for that I apologize. I know there are still many visitors to this site on a daily basis that have been disappointed to find the content unchanged for so long.
The past few months have brought several challenges. Kelli has battled with adjustments in medications and a troublesome infection of some unknown origin or her leg, which continues to give some troubles as treatment continues. She had a couple stays in the hospital for testing to determine the cause of certain intolerances to certain medications.
At the end of all of this, July has been a very good month for Kelli. She has enjoyed some very good and energetic days and has been renewed in her spirit by the encouragement of her improving health.
It's hard for us to realize that as we enter August, we also quickly approach the one-year anniversary of Kelli's illness. It just does not seem possible. But, to acknowledge such brings an immediate joy to my soul and I can't help but thank God again for the amazing miracle(s) that we were all partakers in this past year.
To each who have offered their prayerful support for Kelli through this past year, I thank you again also. Kelli and I and our family TRULY believe that it is SOLELY and UNDENIABLY the POWER of PRAYER that Kelli is here with us today.
I'm reminded of the conversation had between God and Abraham in the book of Genesis (ch. 18) where God was revealing his intention to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and Abraham asked of God - What about the good people? Will you destroy them with the bad ones? What if there are 50 good people - will you spare the cities for their sake? And God answered him saying, "Yes" If you find fifty good people I will spare the cities for their sake. So Abraham searched, but could not find fifty and so he went back and asked - what about 40, then 30, then 20 and finally - what if only 10 good people can be found - will you spare the cities? Yes, answered the Lord.
(Although Abraham did not manage to find even ten "good" and God destroyed the cities - the story shows God's willingness to listen to man and to consider his words and answer the prayers of man.)
And also, I'm reminded when Moses came down from the mountain having received the tablets containing the law of God - written by the finger of God ; the Ten Commandments, and found the children of Israel worshiping the golden calf and God's anger turns fierce and says to Moses - " 'I have seen these people and they are a stiff-necked people...leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them...."
"But Moses sought the favor of the Lord, 'O Lord, why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand?
"Why should the Egyptians say, 'It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth'? "Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people.
Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: 'I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.''
"Then the Lord changed His mind and did not bring on
his people the disaster he had threatened."
Why did I share all of this - to highlight the point that on September 23rd, 2008, Kelli's life on earth could have ended, but it was the prayers of the people gathered together as touching this one thing and God heard from Heaven, answered prayer and spared her life to His Name's Honor and Glory!
And so again, I quote my favorite passages of Scripture as a reminder to us all - that no matter what situation you may find yourself facing, "Those who come unto God must believe that He IS and that He IS the REWARDER of them that DILIGENTLY seek Him; Ask and you shall receive, Seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you."
And may the Lord add His Blessings.
LINKS
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