Monday, October 31, 2005

Halloween Update

Hello All—

Happy Halloween, peeps.  We had a pretty good day today.  Kari slept most of the night last night and was pretty confused in the morning, but by about 11am she was clearing up.  We went outside and stayed up in the chair for over 5 hours which is the longest in a long time.  As the evening went on though, she started to slip back into panic and confusion.  She tends to have extreme anxiety either over something that she can’t explain to us or over something that even she can’t identify.  It was encouraging that she slept, but until she sleeps on a consistent basis, it looks like our problems will continue.  At least today we had a sliver of hope.

I also want to give you all an opportunity to participate with our home church, Brookside Free Methodist Church, in a one week-long fast that starts tomorrow (Tues. Nov. 1st)  The purpose of the fast is to submit to God this whole situation—Kari’s health and mental status obviously, but also all the other issues that surround this.  If you want a good starter list of what to pray for, go to the “prayer and blessing” link on the website.  Specifically our pastor has called us to do a “juice fast,” which means that you would only consume juices and water for the duration of the fast.  If you are healthy, you should be physically able to continue all of your normal activities.  Of course, the exact manner in which you fast is a personal decision.  Some people at our church that don’t feel able to do the juice fast have fasted from solid foods, from TV, from the internet, from a particular food item like coffee or soda, or basically anything else that would be a constant reminder of the purpose of the fast.  If you feel led to participate, give it a try.  You should commit to doing it for the duration of the fast, but if you really can’t make it, there is still a great benefit to doing what you can.  To help us understand what God is doing and teaching us during the fast, we often share our experiences and feelings with each other to gain better discernment.  I would encourage you, if you are not a member of Brookside, to let Jenny Switkes (jswitkes@hotmail.com) know that you are participating and also email her some of your feelings/experiences.  That way we can better understand what God is doing amongst the body of believers and is doing or will do with Kari.  If you don’t want to use your name, that’s fine too, and if you don’t want to let anybody know what you are doing, that’s fine as well—it’s all up to you.  BTW—I know that most of you will probably not read this until sometime on Tuesday, the day this all starts, so if you want to participate, just join in whenever you are ready.  If you have any questions, you can also email Jenny at the address above.  God bless you all.

Aaron.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Aaron,
This is Kelly Byer, Kristen's mom. Just wanted to let you know that the idea of a community fast has been on my heart as well, and I will be joining you guys in praying and fasting. I am excited to see what God reveals during this time.
Kristen hopes to see you at Lester Oaks!
Peace,
Kelly

Anonymous said...

Dear Kari + Aaron,

Kari so often spoke of how she loved the Old Testament and the stories. At a time when I was rebuilding from a hospitalization she urged me to read the book of Nehemiah, which was the miraculous rebuilding of Jerusalem in such a short time. I read part of the opening every morning. This is some of it...
>
NEHEMIAH
CHAPTER 1
Nehemiah's Grief for the Exiles
1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa the capitol ,
2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, and some men from Judah came; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped and had survived the captivity, and about Jerusalem.
3 They said to me, ``The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire.''

+++ 4 When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
Neh 1:1-4 (NASB)
>
Actually, where I start my daily reading is verse 4. The fasting and praying before the God of heaven. That brings faith, confidence and determination. The fasting this week, and the restoration of Kari, and rest and peace for yourself, Aaron, all goes very well with this book in the bible.

I read very slowly, but as the book in the bible is not that long, a dozen or so chapters, I would urge anyone to read it right now as an example of remarkable restoration.

Love/Peace/Strength,

Charlie +

Anonymous said...

Aaron, I found this poem a few years ago and read it to Tricia on bad days. She wanted me to send it to you.

Have Courage
Do not look forward to what might happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.

God be with you and your family.
Wendy, Dick, and Patricia Folger

Anonymous said...

Hi there,

I think that's a great idea to do a week fast! I will be participating on some level and praying as well.

Also, I wonder if when Kari gets anxious if you stopped and prayed with her or read her a scripture about being anxious if that might help.

Lots of love in him,
Alicia

Anonymous said...

Hi Aaron~

You had mentioned in the 10/28 entry that you were coming home to look at apartments in Redlands. I was looking through an apartment magazine & found a few but not sure what youre looking for. Here are just a few. Arroyo Vista @1-800-668-9642 on Orane Ave; Countrywood @800-224-7119 on E. Citrus; Red Oak Villas @800-559-3430 on Tennessee; University Apt @866-209-2738 on University; and Colony Apt @877-901-8216 on New York;

If I can help you out in any way please let me know. You can actually call Brandi Aguilera-Wassmuth and she can give you my #.

You and Kari are in my thoughts and prayers.

Stay Strong,
Diana Payne (former Gage staff member)

Anonymous said...

Aaron, this fast was a wonderful idea. I have been led to join and did so a day late. I already feel that God is working fantastically as a result of this fast. He is doing wonderful things, now we just have to wait and see what those things are. Patience and submission to His Will are two common themes in my prayer time with Jesus these days.

Anonymous said...

During my prayer time this morning I was reminded "when I am weak, he is strong" and how God brings glory to himself through refining our weaknesses and bringing his power to bear in the midst of weakness."

I have been praying that if this is a spiritual battle and God is allowing satan to torment Kari's mind or body that He would release him or at least bring the fruit to bear that is needed in this situation so that the trial can subside. (2 Cor 12:1-10 is when that happened to Paul)

I think you are all doing a great job of glorifying God in this time of trial and weakness and allowing him and his name to be praised despite your circumstances. I'm sure God is so proud of you and pleased. You're awesome!

Also, I loved Charlie's post with verses from Nehemiah!

"In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." (Psalm 5:3

I'm waiting anxiously to hear how God powerfully uses this week!

Kari & Aaron, you are loved!

Anonymous said...

In case it encourages anyone to join the fast...I decided as a mom constantly watching my daughter and making meals for my family...that I would fast for breakfast each day of the fast. That way I can put a movie in for my daughter during an easy meal and spend time in prayer and scripture.

Anonymous said...

Hi,Kari & Aaron--Continuing to pray daily for both of you, for comfort, peace, patience, rest, and even joy and laughter. I have a special extra prayer time in my car on my way to night shift at Kaiser Riverside 5 nights a week. That's when I pray for my 2 kids, and you are always included. God bless you and keep you! ---Diane B.