Thursday, January 24, 2008

Written by Dr. Keith Gomez @ 9:00PM

Today Mrs. Gomez has not been responding as much to us. Her breathing is still very labored and she often gasps as she takes breaths. Flowers are still arriving from early morning till evening for my bride. I only wish she could truly enjoy them as much as we are enjoying them.

My daughter, Ashley and Jackie McFee, Carla’s mother, spend their days caring for her. Jackie is also busy caring for her husband, Tom, who has cancer. Jackie arranged for Hospice to come in and assist her with Tom while they are with us here in Illinois.

 

Pastor Tim Booth and his son, Jon Booth, stopped by to see me today. They were an encouragement to me. I sure enjoyed my brief time with them. I have been ill the past few days with an upper respiratory flu. I would appreciate your prayers as I try to get over this as quickly as possible.

 

Early this morning, Carol Merriott, one of our beloved church members, and my church financial secretary for almost 15 years, went home to be with the Lord. Carol had a long battle with cancer. Brother Stacey Merriott and his wife, Carol, have been faithful members of our church for 19 years. Pastor & Mrs. Cecil Ballard of Marion, Iowa, long time friends of the Merriott's, were with Brother Stacey at the time of Carol's passing. Many of you know Stacey, who has been my full-time bus mechanic, grounds and all-around maintenance man for these past 19 years.  They have two wonderful children, Austin and Sharon, who are both engaged to be married in June of this year. Please be in much prayer for this precious family as they mourn the loss of their beloved wife and mother. Carol’s wake will be held on Monday evening, January 28, at our church from 6PM to 9PM. Her funeral will also be at our church on Tuesday morning, January 29 at 10AM, preceded by visitation at 9AM. Graveside services will follow at the Bluff City Cemetery in Elgin.

 

Joshua is showing some remarkable progress. He is eating so well. He has put on almost 10 pounds now. Pastor Dan Woodward put together an exercise regimen to help rebuild his muscles. Josh has been following this full-body workout for the past few days. We’ve noticed his voice is beginning to change back to his old voice. This may be due to the exercises that are strengthening muscles and his voice box. Please pray for his continued recovery and that he will regain his full strength. He has a lot of injuries to overcome that still bother him and cause him some pain.

 

Today Mrs. Gomez received a letter from Joshua’s nurse who cared for him while he was in the hospital in Sacramento, California. Her name is Genevieve and she was an outstanding nurse. She has been reading these updates and learned about Mrs. Gomez’s cancer. She wrote a wonderful note to Mrs. Gomez that I’d like to share with you. 

 

“Dear Carla, You’ll remember me as Josh’s nurse, Genevieve, in Sacramento. I have periodically checked your church website to see how he is doing. Hearing of your illness, I want to tell you that I am praying for you and every person in your family. I want to tell you that I have been truly blessed to know you and witness your faith; your peaceful trust in God in the face of what to me would be the greatest test…harm to my child. I thank God for you. I also want you to know that my job as I see it now, and my future hopes for missionary work as a nurse have been greatly influenced by Josh. He came to us not long after we lost a 3 month heartbreaking battle to save a young mother that had a few of us ready to quit. Witnessing the incredible miracle of his healing, seeing the effect he has had on so many, and the chance to be a part of that myself, as a Christian and a nurse is what keeps me going back to work.

I pray that you all will have the peace, strength and comfort of Christ. Please hug Josh for me, and at the same time, you’ll receive one from me through him! Thank you so very much, Genevieve L.”

 

This note brought tears to Josh’s eyes. It is still amazing to see how God continues to use this trial to impact so many hundreds of lives across the world.  Please continue to pray for God’s will to be done and for strength and comfort for me, my family and my church.

Dr. Keith Gomez