Thursday, August 28, 2008

Thursday

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God, and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. " II Corinthians 4:7-9

Yesterday, the hospice nurse told me that she thinks the end will come in about a week. That's her best guess based on the signs and condition she sees physically. Only the Lord knows the days He's ordained for Steve.

Steve slept well last night, and is sleeping now. I'm so thankful to have such a supportive family, and church and to have so many people praying for us. It's important to keep things around him quiet, so we're still asking people not to come. Steve wants to see his parents today, and they're coming later.

We talked some this morning, and we're both so thankful for the years He's given us together. Steve is such a wonderful husband, an incredible man of faith, my best friend, and I love being married to him.

28 comments:

Vickie said...

Still praying for all of you .....

Thanks for continuing to take the time to keep us updated on what exactly to pray for.

The Lloyds

SNB's said...

Sheri,
Yes, how blessed we have all been to have Steve in our lives. Of all my friends, he's the one who always remembered my birthday (when family would not), and would just drop by, call, or email. Since I can’t see him I’ve been going to a lot of the places we used to hang out, and just remember the silly things we used to do when we were young; we just were happy to celebrate life in our own simple ways like driving around and singing to tunes or checking out the Hale-Bopp comet. He’s been a solid presence and best friend.
I think the last 8 years have been some of his happiest, and want to thank you for being his companion. One of the qualities Steve has that I liked the most was his spontaneity; he was not afraid to live his life to the fullest. I was too chicken to go sky-diving with him and Chad when they invited me to go, and I’d never bungee jump either, which he did on our Australia trip. You should have seen him fly 25 feet off of ski jumps! The funny thing is that he could do all this crazy stuff, but was too nervous to talk to a girl. Thanks for being the most special gal in his life, and giving my friend so much happiness.
Toby

Maxwell's Mommy said...

What a testimony and example you and Steve have been and continue to be through life and through all of this for my family and for so many others who read this and who have come into contact with the both of you. Thank you for being real, honest and vulnerable through this difficult time.

I'm continuing to pray for Steve's comfort and for your family Sheri. Keep clinging to the Lord and keep knowing that He is in complete control of all!

It hurts me and makes me so sad that Steve is having to go through this, but as you've said many other times, there is a purpose for all of this. We love all of you. Steve, if you're able to read or hear this, I love you brother, you're one of a kind. Enjoy the kingdom!

Scott Crissey

Anonymous said...

Sheri,
My heart goes out to you, Charlie, Andy, and Steve's parents as well as the rest of your family. I can only imagine the many emotions you must be going thru now. Steve's and your faith in our Lord Savior is something that your children (as well as all of us) continue to see during these very hard trying times and well as the rest of us. Steve's and your mission to give all the Glory to God has given so many the drive and desire to also grow in their individual walk to to Glorify our Father. I pray that whatever time on this earth you and the boys have with Steve will be pain free and full of memories. Talk when you can, try to get a few more laughs in with Steve - take in all you can and continue to enjoy what time God gives you with your best friend and husband. We love you guys and will continue to pray for you all.

Our love and prayers
Debbie and Dave

jennifer h. said...

Praying for Steve and your family. I do not have the pleasure of knowing you all. I stumbled upon Steve's site through an adoption blog. I have been touched by ya'lls faith and have learned many lessons. God bless.
Jennifer Hutson
Odessa, Texas

Daphine said...

Sheri,

Hi,my name is Daphine and I am a friend of Dee Hyman's. I had the pleasure of meeting Steve about 10 years ago. What a mighty and wonderful man of God Steve is.

I have added his site to my both of my sites and will be praying for you both daily.

From reading much of your entries today during my lunch hour, I am amazed of the strength the Lord is giving you during this trial.

Thank you for sharing Steve's story with us. God bless you!

Daphine

Anonymous said...

Steve is right at the top of the prayer list at our church and we continue to be so impressed by your's and his faith. If you get a chance, tell Steve that we still remember all the good times we had together at the Greenville Ave. CiCi's Pizza.

Gaynelle and Miles

Anonymous said...

Love you both!

Anonymous said...

I continue to pray for you daily. Like I said before, your journey has been an inspiration to me. While I am deeply saddened by what is happening to your family, I am amazed at your strengnth and your ability to find purpose from this pain. Thank you for sharing such a vulernable time with us, I know it must be incredicbly hard, harder than I could even imagine. I met Steve when I was 10 and Van married my mom. He has always been so sweet, always has a smile on his face, and always succeeded in cracking the perfect joke at the perfect time. I remember when I was told that he was going to marry Sheri, and I was thrilled for him. I knew that he was going to make a wonderful husband and father to Charlie and Andy! Which he of course has. You are a pilar of strength Sheri, and I hope that you are finding a way to take care of yourself through of all this. I know that God has his arms around Steve and is preparing him for greatness. You are in my thoughts daily, and I am sending my love your way.

Anonymous said...

Lifting you all up in prayer.

Anonymous said...

Sheri, I sit here writing to you with tears in my eyes. We'll never give up believing for a miracle so that you can have many more years with Steve. But we will bow to the will of the Almighty God.
Still praying,
Nancy

adry said...

Sheri,
This are the twins from store 27.

We want to let steve know that we love him, that here at the store have him in our minds and we pray for him every day. we wish we could see him give him a hug, but at the same time we understand. please let him know that we LOVE HIM.

Good bless you all.

Anonymous said...

I continue to pray for peace, quiet, solitude, the feeling of our father wrapping his arms around both of you. Fill these days with smiles, stories, solitude. You are both the perfect examples of what we are put on this earth to do.
Holding you up in his glory,
much love,
marcy

Anonymous said...

My heart is breaking as I sit here crying and reading... I have to share this with you... when I was told I had to have full open heart surgery 4 months ago, I had so many people tell me to pray and make my faith stronger and God would heal me... then after 3 weeks, I still was not healed, I had people say to me also that I wasnt believing God or praying enough or letting enough people lay hands on me... well a very dear friend of mine at Keller Williams gave me this word on all that.. " You do the possible and let God do the impossible" meaning, pray, fast, seek and be faithful and God will do what we cant and what He wants... we dont always like HIS will and we will never understand it but we know He loves us more than anyone every has or ever will. I had 2 open heart surgeries and God healed me in other ways... spiritually, emotionally and in so many other ways through it all... I cant imagine what you and your boys and family are going through but just know, my heart and soul are with you and your family. Please tell Steve how amazing I think he is.... he has sat and ministered to me and helped me with many words of Christ. Please thank him for me. I will contuine to pray for comfort and peace. You have so many people behind you and God and his staff are carrying you and Steve in His arms.

With Respect,
Ara Hunt
& Family

Anonymous said...

God must think you a very special woman to give you the privilege of helping usher His beloved Steve into Heaven.

Anonymous said...

Words cannot express how much you and Steve have touched our lives and strengthened our faith. Terry and I continue to pray for you both. We look at you and think how blessed you are to have found each other. Tell Steve his cousin Shelli loves him!!
Terry,Shelli and Kids

Anonymous said...

I am so glad you and Steve have time to talk and that you can both have that opportunity to tell each other how much you love the other.

I pray that in the coming days the Lord would give you the peace that surpasses all understanding.

I wish I could have met your husband but am confident I will meet him on the other side.

blessings, Sheila

Anonymous said...

Sheri,
What a bitter sweet time you are having now. Steve's sweet life is in God's hands and HE must be ready for him or you know Steve would be up and running.. This race is now to meet the Father. I love the song HE rose and conquered the grave , Jesus conquered the grave.. auther of salvation....That is our promise. thisis a time of loving on each other a time so many people don't get, a tragic accident , a sudden death... I had this special time with my mother and father and not that I was ready to let them go, but when God wanted them to come home .. I was able to lay in the bed with them, hold them, share happy stories and to let them know just how much I loved them and what great parents they were. I by no means mean this lightly , it is just a time we will all come too and you and Steve have such a special love for each other . I know you are spending as much time with him and talking when you can to him. He is a wonderful man. I am praying for Gods will for Steve. PLease let me know of anything I can do to help now or in the future....... Kim

Anonymous said...

Sheri,
My heart breaks when I think how hard this is for you and for all of our family who love Steve dearly. I'm trying to envision the glorious reception he will receive when he enters paradise, and Steve with that big grin on his face, and hears the words "Well done, my good and faithful servant". And Steve has remained faithful throughout this terrible ordeal, as you have. You both have shown such an amazing strength and grace, an example we all hope to emulate if faced with similar circumstances. Please give Steve a hug for me and tell him that Aunt Tami loves him very much. I love you too, Sheri. Thank you for making Steve so happy all these years. He deserved the best and he found it in you.
Love you all,
Aunt Tami

Spencer said...

Steve and Sheri,

God has you both in His hands. Be still and rest in His presence. Enjoy each other and enjoy God together. Bless you both. What a wonderful example of extreme faith for us all.

Gary

Anonymous said...

Sheri,
Our hearts are breaking for you and your family. We appreciate you keeping us up to date on what is happening. We know that God's timing and will is perfect. We are praying for you to have many more moments together to enjoy. Please know that you continue to be in our prayers every time we think of you and Steve. We feel so blessed to know you both!
Marco and Donesa Rodriguez

Unknown said...

Sheri,
When I first met Steve back during the days of the Ministry Involvement Team at church, I was in the midst of my own personal crisis and grief. During our time together on MIT, Steve's constant smile, joyful greetings of "Hey Kimbo!", and awesome sense of humor helped to remind me that life was good, that joy and laughter were still available to me, that God remembered me and wanted to remind me that it was good to grieve...and good to heal. Please tell him "thank you" from me for the simple smiles and wonderful jokes of those days. His kindness meant - and means - more than he has ever known.
Phil. 1:3
Love to you all...
Kim Jones

Gloria de la Peña said...

Dear Sheri:I really would like to be with you in this hard moments,but I understand very well .But be sure, in my spirit Iam with you both.
En todo tiempo ama el amigo y es como un hermano en tiempos de angustia Prov 17:17
Please tell Steve that he is a wonderful lider,brother and a special friend for me and my family.Everyday we are praying for all of you,and i enjoyed seeing the Egypt pictures,what a blessing experience to share with you both !
Con amor en Cristo jesus
gloria

Anonymous said...

Steve,
From a Christian man to another Christian man; from the first time that you and Sheri greeted Debbie and I into Kennys ABF, I knew that
that the two of you were not the norm. The two of you put God first, others second, and yourselves last. Steve, God inspires me ,through you to be a better father, a better husband, and a better man. I pray that GOD
comforts you. I love you.

Dave

Anonymous said...

Steve and Sheri,

I'm so grateful for this time with the two of you, and to hear of the incredible love and relationship you share in the Lord who is fully human and fully God.

Christ grieved with and for those he would leave behind in the world. He prayed for them as one of his final acts of ministry on earth.

We grieve that separation with you and Steve and we rejoice with Steve that he will soon be with our Lord, where he will wait for you Sheri.

We continue to love you and pray for you in this time. God is good!
Love,
Bettye

Anonymous said...

Sheri and Steve,

Thank you for showing such an AWESOME faith in our Heavenly Father. What a Godly example you are for all to see. We love you both and will continue to lift you up in prayer.

Blessings, Charlotte

Anonymous said...

Love you guys....
Tharp Family

Anonymous said...

Sheri,
The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Is 58:11-12