Antioch Alerts

Results from Ken’s arteriogram have come back with no heart blockage. Thanks to God for the positive results and to everyone for your prayers.

Ken Bissell will be having an arteriogram performed Tuesday morning at St. Thomas. Please keep him as well as his family in your prayers.

Thanks,
Kathy

Bud Clymer will have an arteriogram in the morning at 6:30. They will determine whether or not he needs a stent. Please keep him and Betty in your prayers.

UPDATE: Bud’s arteriogram went fine, and no stent or other surgical procedure will be required. Thank you for all your prayers!

A note from Kathy Irons Greene and Andrea Nicholson -

Just want to let everyone know Tommy Irons was admitted to Vanderbilt yesterday with chest pains. They kept him for observation and are going to go in and look at the arteries. The doctor said that when they put the stint in in May that there was another artery that was closing. They think it is that one; if it is, then they will put a stint in there and be done. Just pray that the procedure with go well and that Tommy will get some relief. Thanks.

We had an appointment with Madelyn’s neurologist at Centennial yesterday. He had not seen Madelyn since she had regained some of her movement on the right side of her face (although the left side still has some paralysis). He wanted to be updated on what happened while we were at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital since they did not give him an update.

Anyway, when I informed him that the Ear/Nose/Throat surgeon was convinced that the paralysis was due to the ear infections, he still did not believe it. He also does not believe that the tubes they surgically placed in her ears are responsible for any progress she has made. As he put it, “They are totally fine in themselves, nothing wrong with having them inserted” but it would not have any effect on whatever happened. (The neurologist at Vanderbilt said the same thing.) But, in the end, he says he still has no idea what happened but that the fact that her movement is slowly coming back (this soon vs. 6+ months) leads him to believe that there was no permanent damage and that we should expect it all to come back in time. Praise God!

At the end of our visit, when he again was saying how rare this bilateral paralysis was, I told Madelyn, “Girl, you are one in a million!” Then Dr. Anderson said, “No, try multi-million.” I again voiced that there were so many prayers going up for her and God may have chosen to heal her and he reiterated again, “I don’t discount that at all.”

I confess at first I hesitated sharing this with everyone because we want all the focus to be on Matthew today. But God must be glorified. We cannot let Satan give the false impression that her recovery can be explained away by one doctor when numerous others are telling us there is no medical explanation. May this give all of us more faith that God can and does heal. May this be a testimony to everyone that God is merciful and mighty. We plead, beg and cry out for that same mercy and might to be upon Matthew this very hour! May the Butterfields gain strength from our testimony as we hold them so close to our hearts.

Praise to God our Creator & King,
Laura

And Jesus said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26

I received a call from my dad last night. My cousin (Laura Franklin), her husband (Pat Franklin), her sister (Melody Epley), and Pat’s and Laura’s 2 grandchildren were involved in a head on collision Saturday night in Kentucky. The driver of the car that hit them was killed and she had 2 children in her car. It is my understanding that these 2 children are at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.

Laura has a broken foot, Pat has a broken wrist, and Melody suffered several contusions. They are all in the hospital in Madisonville Kentucky.

The oldest grandchild, Paige (she is 5) is at Vanderbilt’s Children Hospital. I just came from visiting her. She had a 3 hour surgery yesterday to fix a nicked bowel and a huge laceration across her forehead. She is still in a neck brace and her neck will be evaluated today. Her little sister was not injured. They fortunately were all wearing seat belts.

They all attend my home congregation, Drakesboro Church of Christ and Pat is the current minister.

Pray for God’s healing and peace for the family as this accident caused a tragedy.

In him, Sherry Wright

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. – Ephesians 3:20-21

The doctor called about Matthew’s bone scan saying they detected something they call a “hot spot” at the tip of the spine. It could be something as simple as a fall on the tailbone or it could mean something else. They said it was worth keeping an eye on. They suggested doing some type of test involving his bone marrow and that will be discussed early next week. Please continue lifting up this specific concern to our Father.

Some talented Antioch friends are in the process of setting up a site to leave encouraging notes to Butterfields and their family. We’ll send out info/inks/etc. on how you can do that shortly.

Gina and Keith continue to be overwhelmed by your displays of support and encouragement for their precious little Matthew. Since they cannot respond to everyone individually, please consider this your personal “Thank You” for your prayers and petition.

Fast, Pray and Be in the Word!

“Do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10

God continues to answer our prayers. Other than the bladder, the doctors say the results from the CT scan and blood tests were good. They are still awaiting official results from the Bone Scan. Continue to pray and fast over this matter.

Keith and Gina want to express their heart of thanks and let you know how they are so overwhelmed by the gifts of time, heart, material, food, words but mostly petitions. Matthew’s urologist asked if Keith was a preacher because he witnessed the number of friends (Gina prefers to call them “warriors”) who appeared by their side as soon as they got word.

The Lord is their strength and they continue to praise His name. Matthew is a shining light to others for Christ.

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
He enables me to go on the heights.”

–Habakkuk 3:17-19

Keith and Gina have a request of us - “Fast, Pray and Be in the Word.” Everyone is asking what they can do and this is what they need most right now. No one but our Almighty God can fill the need that they have and they need righteous prayers being lifted up before His throne. The Butterfields want God to be glorified through all this.

Although they did not specifically request this, I ask that you please pray for pain relief for sweet Matthew. Though playing light sabers with his brothers and chanting “God is good” a portion of the day, there is the other side. Gina says “I hurt” is his song. Fervently pray for God’s mercy on his little body, that He will strengthen Matthew, relieve his discomfort and HEAL HIM.

On Sunday evening at our church, a special time of prayer for Matthew will be included in our service. Gina wants all our friends who worship elsewhere to know these plans. (Our service starts at 5 pm at Antioch Church of Christ. Log on to www.antiochcofc.org for directions.)

Fast, Pray and Be in the Word.

I want to say a huge thank you for the overwhelming response for food. Here is how we stand to date:

January 18th- Amy Sturgeon- Roast
January 19th-Becki Hendrix- Pork Chops
January 20th- Ramona Martin
January 21st-Angie Partlow- Chicken Tenderloins/Cheese Grits
January 22nd- Karen Bostian-Chicken Casserole and Veggies
January 23rd-Debbie Houser
January 24th- Valerie McKnight
January 25th- Renee Bissell-Vegetable Soup
January 26th-Judy Hutt
January 27th- Kristy Cope-Pork Tenderloin/Mac-n-cheese
January 28th- Leftovers!!

Rick Lowry dropped off a spiral ham today for breakfast and sandwiches.

If any of this is inaccurate-please let me know!

Reserve List::

Amber Roberts 368-3303
Tiffany Batts 834-8051
Monica Jett/Jami Litton 459-9578

If something comes up and you can not do your meal, you may call one of these ladies.

After this we will reevaluate the Butterfield’s needs. Thank you again for your amazing response.

Bless you all-Angie