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Post by dizzyjam on Jun 4, 2009 12:24:57 GMT -5
I was reminded of what Jeff's doing this week and I felt led to put a prayer thread here for his daughter and that the surgery schedule goes well for her and that in the future the surgery itself goes well too. Also for Jeff and his family that God calms their nerves.
Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit and I pray for Jeff's daughter Sophie that everything would be scheduled well and that just as you planned the writer's conference to be at the same location as the hospital on the same day, other schedules will work out miraculously too. I pray that all the financing will always be there for them and that they will never be in lack. I pray God that you would guide the surgeons hands in such a way that they do an even better job than they thought they would do. I pray for Jeff and his family that you would give them peace and keep their nerves steady and that Jeff would be the rock for his family that you are for us the Church, Lord Jesus. Father, keep this family steady and give them strength as they help their daughter out. And I pray for Sophie. Let her know she is loved and help her out as she goes through this surgery. May she grow up to be a happy little girl and a blessing to the Gerke family. Bless this family Father God, and I pray all of these things in the mighty name of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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Post by Christian Soldier on Jun 4, 2009 15:05:40 GMT -5
I add my voice to yours in supplication to our Creator
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Post by metalikhan on Jun 5, 2009 11:14:37 GMT -5
Let it be so, Lord. Amen.
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Post by Jeff Gerke on Jun 8, 2009 8:28:20 GMT -5
Thank you, guys! The trip was a huge success. Thanks in no small measure to your prayers, I have no doubt. Especially with all the crazy coordination and cab rides and stuff we had to do. So many things that could've gone wrong and yet everything went perfectly.
We met all Sophie's surgeons, dentists, audiologists, psychologists, nurses, and other specialists on her team.
They said that normally they do the first set of surgeries at two times: the first for lip repair and tubes in her ears, and the second, six months later, to begin the palate repair. But they said that sometimes the conditions are right to do all of those at once, and they'd like to do that for Sophie! It's terrific. She'll have a harder recovery time, but it will be only one. (Well, for now. Many surgeries to come.)
We had also been thinking they'd do these surgeries by September at the earliest, but they said they'd like to do them in July!
It's terrific. They haven't told us when in July, though. That's important because I'm scheduled to be on faculty at the Oregon Christian Writer's Conference in late July. And when we go out for her surgeries, we'll probably have to stay 2 weeks in Chicago because they'll want to do a post-op checkup.
Another great thing that happened on this most recent trip to Chicago is that I met a writer there who lives 30 minutes from the hospital and has offered to let us stay at his house when we're there. Amazing.
Thank you guys! I'm indebted to you.
Jeff
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Post by Christian Soldier on Jun 8, 2009 16:51:36 GMT -5
That IS amazing! Praise Be!
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Post by morganlbusse on Jun 8, 2009 22:12:35 GMT -5
God is good Will keep praying for your little one...
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Post by dizzyjam on Jun 9, 2009 15:54:31 GMT -5
Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! It's so great how our God works things out. I know that the writer's conference won't be interfered with because God has it all under control just like he did this time. Just let the doctors know your schedule and I'm sure they'll work around it. That's the way things work out for me with doctors, so why shouldn't you have the same blessing? Be encouraged, and be blessed.
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Post by metalikhan on Jun 10, 2009 1:52:34 GMT -5
What wonderful news! God takes such awesome care of His children! Prayers continuing for you and your family.
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Post by Jeff Gerke on Jul 21, 2009 7:31:17 GMT -5
Sorry I haven't been on lately, folks. We were in Chicago last week for Sophie's surgery. It went very well and she's slowly recovering.
Now I'm home for a 3-day scramble to catch up, do as many freelance jobs as I can, try to finish acquiring the third MLP list, and prepare to head out on Thursday for Oregon, where I'll be teaching at a writer's conference.
Upon our return, we'll be home like 4 (scrambling) days and I'm off to Philly to teach at another conference. Back from that for a few (scrambling) days and I'm off to Chicago with our new daughter again, for her post-op checkup.
I miss being able to hang with you guys and interact with your wonderful minds.
Jeff
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Post by JenLenaMom on Jul 21, 2009 8:12:27 GMT -5
That's wonderful news Jeff. Very glad to hear everything went well for Sophie.
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Post by Christian Soldier on Jul 21, 2009 13:09:52 GMT -5
I'm so glad that Sophie is doing well and recovering. Sounds like keeping busy isn't a problem in the Gerke household, then .
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Post by morganlbusse on Jul 21, 2009 14:39:34 GMT -5
Good to hear Sophie's doing well! Will continue to pray for your family during these next few busy weeks.
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Post by dizzyjam on Jul 23, 2009 0:14:46 GMT -5
Great news! Thanks for sharing with us.
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Post by Jeff Gerke on Aug 3, 2009 8:41:12 GMT -5
I'm here but not here. Checking in, passing through, and very likely passing out!
The Oregon trip went great. Sophie is almost completely healed and is very much back to her old self. People don't point at her and ask what's wrong anymore. Now they point at her and say, "What a beautiful baby!" That's way cool.
Teaching at the Oregon Christian Writers' Conference was great. Terrific attendees in my fiction classes--many of whom will hopefully find their way here soon--but the weather was 106 every day. Ugh.
Now we're back in the Springs--but I leave again the day after tomorrow to teach the advanced fiction track at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers' Conference. It will be great and I'll get to meet more awesome Christian novelists--many of them will like spec, I'm sure--and I've never been to Philadelphia. But I'll be glad to be home.
Then it will be home for 10 days and off again to Chicago to take Sophie back to Shriners for her post-op checkup.
I'm going crazy trying to catch up from work I didn't do while in Oregon, do the jobs that simply must be done before I leave, and prepare to be gone again for another week. The good news is I have a lot of freelance jobs at the moment. The bad news is I'm not able to get them done as quickly as usual!
I have managed to finalize the third release list for Marcher Lord Press! But when to edit them?
Newsletters, interviews, order fulfillment, bill-paying, being a husband and father, taking out the trash...
I'm not sleeping well and I have this frantic stress headache all the time. I would be burning the candle at both ends--if there were any wax left in the middle...
Thank you for your prayers, you guys. I value them--and you--so much!
Jeff
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Post by Teskas on Aug 3, 2009 8:57:13 GMT -5
That is excellent news about Sophie, Jeff. As for the rest, it sounds as though you are trying to keep the American transport industry in business all by yourself. The prayers for you and yours continue--with special supplications for that headache.
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