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By admin,

I’ve felt great comfort since Steve’s death knowing that he has gone before us and that he now completely understands his son’s suffering. All of his questions have been answered and he fully understands the purpose in Ian’s suffering. When I think of what Steve might say to us now it is that all of this is worth Christ.

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The Blog

By admin,

I don’t like to think about maintaining this blog without Steve. For three years, he and I have been the main authors to this blog and have tried to use it as a means to share our sufferings and wrestlings with truth. But I would rather maintain it myself than have someone else write- no one else will be Steve. So consider this my vow to the blogger world to continue to write, Lord willing, with the ultimate desire of reflecting Christ in all that we share with our readers.

And to honor Steve’s desires, this blog won’t mainly be about Steve. Just a few weeks ago he clearly expressed to me the fact that this blog is pray for Ian, not pray for Steve. Even in his cancer, he was more concerned about his son than himself. I’m sure that we will post pictures and share this new journey of deepened suffering, but will continue to mainly communicate Ian’s story. Although, without Steve there would be no Ian, so untangling the two may be difficult:)

Thank you, all, for praying.

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By admin,

My dad went on to glory to see his Savior this afternoon.


There will be a service on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Sovereign Grace Church at 1220 Wayne Avenue, Indiana, Pa. If you are planning on coming from out of town and need hotel reservations you can call the following hotels:

The Holiday Inn: (866) 270-5110
Hampton Inn: (877) 241-2452
The Comfort Inn: (724) 465-7000

You may have difficulty finding a room in Indiana because it’s Homecoming Weekend at IUP. If so, you can try the Comfort Inn in Blairsville (about twenty minutes from the church): (724) 459-7100

If you have further questions, please call Sovereign Grace Church: 724.349.7941

_Ben

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By admin,

My name from the palms of your hands
Eternity will not erase
Impressed on your heart it remains
In marks of indelible grace
Yes I to the end will endure
Until I bow down at your throne
Forever and always secure
A debtor to mercy alone

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By admin,

An email to the church from Mark Altrogge, our pastor:

Hi everyone,

I just spoke with Mary Murphy who gave me an update on Steve. Since the second operation his condition has continued to deteriorate. He has experienced excruciating pain and pressure in his head, and is now unable to speak, and pretty much unable to walk. Last night Mary enrolled him in the hospice program. Hospice really makes an effort to get pain under control and keep him comfortable. They started Steve on morphine today, so they are hopeful that Steve’s pain will lessen. At this point they are not planning any more treatments.

Although Steve is sad, he is not at all afraid and looks forward to going to be with the Lord, should that be God’s will. Mary and the family are trusting the Lord and looking to him for grace.

Although the situation does not look encouraging, Jesus could still heal Steve. Until we know what God’s will is, let’s continue to ask God to have mercy on him and heal him. Let us pray and ask the Lord to relieve Steve’s pain, to restore his speech, to restore the use of his arm and legs and to heal him completely. Nothing is impossible with God. Let’s pray for grace and strength and comfort for the family.

Thanks for praying,

Mark

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By admin,

Specific udates/prayer requests:

The anti-seizure medicine that Ian is now on makes him very tired. He told me tonight that it’s really frustrating to be that tired. Please pray that God would work the situation out- either allowing Ian to be removed from the medication or not becoming so sleepy from it.

Please pray for Steve that his pain would continue to be managed by medicine and that he would rest well.

Thank you for praying

Larissa

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By admin,

Three years ago today, September 30.

I guess that’s all I wanted to say.

Larissa

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By admin,

“Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.”

Psalm 73

We are wired to defy death. We try to run from it. We seek things that will make our lives longer. Even as a Christian, I find myself fearful of how I’m going to die, what really is after this life, what life on earth will be like when I’m not here.

None of us is immune to death. It seems to be the only guaranteed health ailment. Yet even though we know we will all face it one day, how many people actually want it to come quickly? How many people don’t fear its consequences?

Over the past week, we were struck by how Steve has no fear in death. Steve has complete confidence that he will be received into glory. He has confidence in death and in life, because he knows Christ.

Steve’s cancer would be much different if he were scared. Ian’s brain inury would be much different if he were scared.

Are you scared of death? Steve’s first post after his prognosis was challenging blog readers to evaluate what they are hoping in. These trials are awful. And they are dark. But we have Christ. And we know He will receive us into glory. Sometimes, it seems like that’s all we have. But we have to believe that it is enough.

Please trust in Christ

Ian and Larissa

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By admin,

Steve’s home and doing well

Thank you for praying

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Wednesday Night

By admin,

After seeing the mass in the surgery this morning, the surgeon said that he was confident that my dad’s speech would be not as good as it was last night. Today it was actually a little better, praise God! Considering the surgery was more extensive than he had expected, the doctor was very pleased with how it went.

He is still not feeling very well and still has trouble speaking. We don’t know how long he will be in the hospital, but he is scheduled to leave the ICU and go to a step-down unit. Thank you for praying, and thank God for all the grace he has given us.
-Ben

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