For the first time in our marriage, Amy and I are laying out of church for the second consecutive Sunday. We are throwing down and having a big time down on the rehab wing of Atlanta Medical Center. She’s popping Loritab and drinking bottle after bottle of water. I’m focusing on gaining back as many of the 30 pounds I’ve lost by a continuing stream of food from the vending machines. We resemble a train wreck in slow motion.
Sure wish we were sitting in Meadow’s sanctuary singing, praying and serving. I don’t know why people make so light of such a precious privilege as corporate worship. Amy and I really miss it.
My girl is ahead of schedule and working hard at getting ready to go home. It looks like we could welcome her back somewhere between July 5-7. That’s when the hard work begins and all of you that have wanted to help will likely get your opportunity. Keep your fires of volunteerism burning! Deborah is still in Gwinnett Medical without any significant change. My concern is that she will be healed enough to miss death but not enough to live life. May the mercy of God find her.
I plan to pick up the kids and bring them back to Gwinnett on Tuesday. They’re having a hard time being away from us and, truth be known, I miss seeing them terribly. Our friends have provided a great time for them and we are content knowing they are in good hands. I praise God for the family of faith who provides such care for us.
Keep checking back. I hope to resume some normal devotional writing here in the next couple of days. Keep the comments fresh as it not only helps us to feel connected to you but it also encourages us as we read your words of love.
Wow. Sunday was amazing. Though you were not there physically, I truly felt your presence! I miss my dear friend, but I’m overjoyed and praising the fact that I will see her again!! Gotta love God’s mercy and grace!! I’m ready to start serving!! Love y’all!! God bless
Jeff our prayers are with you and your family in this difficult situation. We are praying for the will of God in All this and know that you’ll surely be in good hands. I know it will be a great Moral boost to have her back home close to the kids and we look forward to seeing you guys soon. Please let us know what we can do to help in any way.
heal, amy heal! praise the Lord
We miss all seeing you, Amy, and the kids. Thank you for the video message Sunday morning. It was conforting to see that you, Jeff, are OK. We don’t know what our circumstances are going to be in iife. In a split second our lives can change. But God in his wisdom knows what is going to take place. He knows the end of the story. We have to accept our circumstances and keep moving on with our lives. We praise him in the good and the bad because we know that all things are good. It was a joy to see the blog about Amy dressed and eating Chick fil A. I can only imagine how you felt. Thank you Amy for not giving up!! I like to imagine God in his glory smiling at his child. I know he helped her.
We will continue to pray for Amy’s speediy recovery. We are praying for you and your children too. The children need their parents. We are praying for what ever God’s will is for Amy’s mother that it will be. We are also praying for Amy’s father. We pray the he finds peace in knowing that God is in control and taking care of the two most precious women in his life.
Jeff and Amy, Pat and I are very new to Meadow and in the past two Sundays we have seen a church that is very concerned about their pastor and his wife. Jeff you have touched our lives though your undying devotion to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amy, you have touched us through your singing in the choir and also one Sunday I saw you hugging your little girl at the front of the church. A mother’s love, God and God alone can put that kind of love into someone. We miss you all and look forward to seeing you all soon. We will be out of town for the next three weeks so we may miss the homecoming, rest assured that some way we will help. May the Lord continue to provide comfort and peace to both and you and the children. We love you and admire you.
Alan & Pat
Hello Jeff and Amy: It was so good to see Pastor on screen today in church-it helps to know that we are all still connected through video and your blogs. I’m not able to do the twitter- thing but glad to hear that Amy is able to do some of her own notes now. Laying around in pain–anything is a relief to that! We missed you in church today and we are glad that Pastor Larry will be back this week. Amy, I bet getting you hair washed and nails done and being able to do Twitter has really made you feel alot better. We are still praying Gods’ Will for Deborahs life.
When the kids come home on Tuesday we are available to help with them if they need to go somewhere or you need groceries for the house. You call-we’ll come.
We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations!
I like the way the Greek Emphatic Diaglott reads: Phillipians 4:13
“I am strong to Endure All things, with Him, who strengthens me.”
Sue & Ed
Jeff and Amy,
Just wanted to let you know that Greg and I were so sorry to hear about Amy and her mom’s
car accident. I have been reading your blog keeping up with the news on Amy and her mom.
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all. I know that God is keeping you
in His loving care, and He will give you both the strength that you need during this very
difficult time.
Carol and Greg Seaman
Jeff and Amy,
Words can’t express what my heart is feeling. My heart goes out to you and your family during this time. God allows situations/circumstances to come into our lives for a reason. As humans we tend to ask why but we have to trust our Lord’s sovereign hand. He is in control of all things good or bad. I am so glad to here that Amy is making good progress with her physical therapy. I know the kids will be glad to be back in Gwinnett so they can be closer to you. My prayer is that God’s will is done in Deborah’s life and ultimately that God is glorified no matter the outcome. Know that you are in my prayers.
Kirsten
Dear Pasyor Jeff,
We were so glad this sunday morning to watch you on the church screen.We felt as if you were physically present with us.If you have to stay away from church more sundays please let us see you on the church screen talking to us.This is no less than preaching from the pulpit.We are praying for dear Amy with faith and assurance that the Lord will heal her.We pray for Alicia and Landon that they may enjoy being home with their parents.I suggested previously that you talk to Amy’s doctor about getting a scooter chair by calling 1-800-290-7900.I do not know how her hands are functioning.If there is reasonable function of her hands she will be able to operate the chair without the need for somebody to push her wheel chair.
We still are waiting for God’s will regarding Deborah.Heaven is our ultimate destiny.We are all aliens in this world.We do not belong here.The Lord has prepared for us what surpasses every imagination.
We pray for you Pastor Jeff most important, to get over this event far more powerful in spirit.You certainly need it in your ministry to your congregation.God bless you,
Sam & Zack.
Bro. Jeff and Sis Amy ,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you All!!
We are following your progress daily. Thank you for taking time to update us. Jason & I continue to pray for physical recovery, for emotional strength, and for opportunities to share Christ with all the medical staff around you. Your posts have been so encouraging, uplifting, and transparent. Several folks in our church here in Vancouver, WA are praying for you faithfully and following your progress via blog/twitter. Amy, please know that we are praying that you feel God’s comfort and strength through the rest of your time in physical therapy and through your next surgery. Jeff, we are also praying for you as you sit “on the sidelines” as Amy’s cheerleader during her therapy. We continue to ask God for His will concerning Mrs. Samples. It’s a blessing to remember that we have an Intercessor who prays for us even when we don’t know what to pray. Blessings!
Hey Jeff and Amy!
I have spent thus afternoon reading your blogs. Thank you s much for updating all of us on the conditions of Amy and Deborah. I’ve known Amy for most of our lives and one thing is for sure, she is tough! Please let her know that I am diligently praying for her physical recovery and her emotional stability through this trial. We are also praying you and the kids through this time. We are also lifting up Deborah to the Lord. He is so good and we are praying for His mercy in this entire situation. We are praying for Danny and Mark too.
Thank you again for keeping us posted! Please let Amy know that I love her and I am thinking of her and praying for her.
Kristen Anderson
We missed you both today, too. Everyone is filling in nicely, but it’s not quite the same as “our pastor.” It was so good to get your taped message, Jeff, and just see your smiling face. You looked really thin so the vending machine food must not be doing too bad a job on you. When ya’ll get home, I’m ready and able to do what I can to help. I think everyone just wants to do “something” so we don’t all feel so helpless. We love you both and hope to see you and the kids soon. Continuing to love on you through prayers of intercession – your sister in Christ.
Good Sunday afternoon to the both of you! I feel as though we are being bookended…. your wonderful testimonies here and good preaching at church. God is so good. Even the message this morning that John Reed preached reminded me to give God praise and glory in all things, not to mention the changes needed in my praying. Watching you go through this trial has awakened something inside a lot of us. How we take things for granted…. yes, even the privilege of corporate worship. To appreciate the gifts God has given to each of us in the body of Christ. We are being changed by this, and through His grace. Amy, your faith is likened to the fragrance that the flower puts off as it has been crushed. How precious you are to those lives you touch. Jeff, thank you for the video to us this morning. Our hearts were broken yet rejoicing at what is to come. Praying for Deborah daily…. MERCY. Holding you close in our hearts. Love and hugs !!!
Pastor Jeff and Amy, I went to your blog for the first time the Sunday after the accident and have been checking back and praying since. Amy I knew you would be a wonderful witness. I call it the”Amazing Grace” attitude that blesses His own and draws the lost through the power of Holy Spirit. Praying that God will bless the prayers of your children for their Grandmother. Pastor Jeff- You are “walking the talk” and it is a grand encouragement to me and I’m sure to many. Now-Pastor Jeff- go to the grocery and buy you some good organic baby carrots and stay away from that vending machine. Amy and your children need for you to be on your diet and healthy. God Bless you and yours. S
Pastor Jeff and Amy, On Sundays I join Meadow through Transforming Truth. The Sunday after the accident I went to your blog for the first time and have been checking back and praying since. Amy, I knew you would be a wonderful witness. I call it “Amazing Grace” attitude and saw the same while caregiving a very sick friend. It blesses His children and draws the lost by the power of Holy Spirit. Praying that God will grant the prayers of your children for their grandmother. Pastor Jeff, You are “walking the talk”-living out your faith and it is a deep encouragement to me and I’m sure to many. Now–go to the store and buy you some good organic carrots and stay away from the vending machine! Amy and the children need you too! God Bless you both !
Jeff and Amy – We missed the two of you this morning also. John Reed preached a very good sermon. Hopefully and prayerfully, perhaps in another week or two, you will have your family all home. We can only imagine how you must miss one another and your home. There’s no place like home.
We will continue to miss you and your and your wise words and Amy’s beautiful voice. You have everyone in your corner and lifting prayers for all of your family and Amy’s.
Gary and Shirley Nagy