written Wednesday, August
6
To Our Brothers and Sisters
in Christ,
6 Aug 2003
This is the first time
I have addressed the entire E-mail listing since
Dwight's accident. Joan has been doing an outstanding job and
I think
it has been helpful for her to write. But, I wanted to take
the time
to personally thank everyone for their support. Many of you
drove in
from The Wilds of the Rockies, Vail, Steamboat Springs, Greeley,
Colorado
Springs, Derby/Rose Hill/Augusta, Kansas, West Virginia and even
Florida numerous times to minister to us in Denver. Looking
back and
remembering those smiling faces meant a lot to us, (Mirm)! The
financial
helps, the meals, the absolute most convenient home to stay,
the van we
were allowed to use, the ladies who stayed the nights with Dwight
at the
hospital so I could get some sleep and even Dwight's haircut
(given by 4
women) will always be cherished. Of course, the prayers offered
up by
folks from all over the world were monumental. We all know that
the
Father desires us to bring our needs to Him and we thank all
of you for
the prayers.
As Joan has stated recently,
Dwight is getting stronger and continues
to not need any medication. We met with the Neuro-psychologist
yesterday. The battery of tests Dwight took several weeks ago
will be repeated
this December. This testing will help determine what is healing
and
what isn't. Until then, Dwight will continue to maintain his
current
routine. I have been wanting to push Dwight (he also is ready
to be
pushed) in hopes of challenging him, physically and mentally.
The doctor
made it very clear it is much too early for this. I do believe
Dwight is
just now starting to realize the full extent of his injury.
Nonetheless, God is doing a mighty work in him. Dwight still
has his
dreams/desires for the camp ministry he had prior to the injury.
Additionally, he
is actively praying for Gods' will right now.
We realize the road ahead
is a long one. Yet, Almighty God has been
so good to us already. With the severity of the injury, we were
never
promised anything in the beginning. Those of you who were in
Denver
with us will remember we never felt the Lord had given us any
indication
Dwight would not heal. To this day I don't believe we were naive.
We
still pray for a full recovery and will continue until God shows
us
something different.
We hope to be in the Denver
area later this month or next for a brief
(3-4) day visit to see friends. We will return to Craig Hospital
for a
follow-up this December. In the mean time we feel very confident
with
the care he is currently receiving.
Dr. Fritz, thank-you for
the book. We have all read it and were
thoroughly ministered to by you and your mothers' testimony.
J.W. (Joe)
I asked for health that
I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked God for strength that I might achieve;
I was made weak that I might learn to obey.
I asked for riches that I might be happy;
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power and the praise of men;
I was given weakness to sense my need of the savior.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing I asked for but everything I hoped for;
In spite of myself, my prayers were answered -
I am among all men most richly blessed.
Final Note: People sometimes
ask what has God taught you through this
situation? There has been much, at least for me personally.
I don't
suppose this is the appropriate place for me to espouse my
beliefs/feelings. One point I would like to share is that over
the years and
especially the last 7 months I have come to realize that heaven
is not going
to be full of individuals that were wealthy, healthy, arrogant,
etc.
Scripture doesn't indicate Christ ministered very much to these
people
when He was here on earth. I feel this was mainly because we
don't
sense the need when all is OK. Christ's ministry was to the
weak and
hurting. So, next time you visit a long term care facility or
spend time
with people who are handicapped in some way, think about this!