Urgent Prayer Requests

It's been a hard year for my grandfather. We lost Granny last January. It was profoundly hard for Grandad - in one devastating event he lost his love, his partner in life and his "job" as he had cared for her during her several years of illness.

Despite the loss, Grandad has done remarkably well this past year. So much so that we were even able to convince him to allow us to purchase a plane ticket for him so that he could spend Christmas here in Texas with my family, my parents, my sister and nephew. We anticipated this holiday together for many months.

Right before Thanksgiving Grandad had some medical tests completed by his doctor and again with some outstanding physicians at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. The diagnosis was both good and bad. The bad? Lung cancer. The dreaded "C" word. The good? It was caught very early and despite years of smoking when he was younger (no longer, thankfully!) and his age (85 years in December!), he is expected to make a full recovery following the removal of one lobe of his lung and shouldn't need any follow up treatments like chemo or radiation!

The doctors gave him the "all clear" to travel to Texas for Christmas. We enjoyed his time with us so much and are already talking about a return trip. Soon, we hope.

His surgery scheduled for Tuesday, January 5, 2010. Tomorrow.

Grandad caught a respiratory virus while traveling so we won't know for sure that the surgery will really happen until a final check in the morning. As of right now, though, it appears that it is a go. The surgery will take place sometime in the morning and is anticipated to last about four hours.

Unfortunately, my mom also caught the same bug. She needs to be well to help care for Grandad when he's released from the hospital.

So, here are my prayer requests:

• Wisdom for the doctors and medical staff attending Grandad. Especially for discernment regarding whether or not to proceed tomorrow.
  
  
• Concentration, knowledge and skill as the surgery is performed. Supernatural concentration, knowledge and skill!
  
  
• Compassion toward my grandfather and my family members as they are in the hospital.
  
  
• Healing for Mom before Grandad is released to her care.
  
  
• And, Lord willing, for a complete recovery and healing for Grandad following the surgery.

I'll keep you posted so that you can rejoice in the answers to our prayers.

You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. (John 14:13)

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20)

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

I believe!!!