07/15/2009 email from TWHEAO President, Cheryl Morgan, post back surgery:
I am home, came home today.
 
I think I know what hell is like. The dr told me to expect lots of pain and that this was a very big procedure. Thank heaven I went in with my eyes open.
 
I went in expecting 3 days, came out of the rehab center 10 days later but the pain decreased some each day. Right now I can do nothing without assistance and that includes wiping my butt. That shows how good a marriage is
Drugs are a good thing and have become my best friends but if in the next few weeks I say or do something out of norm please blame it on the drugs.  They make me very stupid.
 
The staff at the Albany Mennonite Center are 100% good, very caring and they never yell at you or talk rudely, even when they should. I wish I could say the same for the Corvallis General Hospital.  They physically drove me right out the door and I still have the bruses to show for it.
 
I know I am going to be better because the pain is really not that different from what I was having pre-surgery. Joe also tells me that I stand straight now and walk straight.
 
Thanks for all the nice word and calls and the lovely flowers. I will keep you all posted on this circus.
Cheryl


02/26/09 From Holly Reynolds:
Prayers and healing thoughts for Holly's mother. She had hip replacement surgery on Monday and is recovering well. She is 90 years young and very spry but still could use our helping thoughts and prayers.
02/27/09 Holly's Mom is getting on very well and will be leaving hospital to return home.

From: Kimberlyn Totten and Allison Smart

I will try to make this update short and prayer requests as specific as I can; there is a whole lot going on all at once, so please let the Spirit of God lead as you pray!  I have included my blog link for those of you who would like more details on a constant basis http://www.tottenlifesong.blogspot.com/  
 
I. My Dad/Doug Smart was transferred from UW Hospital to a Rehab Center.  He will be at Rehab for 8 weeks then return to UW for another surgery for deb-riding of infection.  He will then return to Rehab for yet another 8 weeks after which time they will access his condition and see if hip and/or hip and femur replacement is possible.  The hardest news we received last week was that amputation of his right leg is still a possibility.  Prayer: Healing from all infection, peace of mind, patience and a covering and hope that only comes from Christ alone no matter the outcome. Healing and protection from depression for parents, sister and myself as we  are dealing with many different stresses and grieving many different losses.  Please also pray for open and gentle communication between each family member and with those that are standing in the gaps to help.
 
II. The House Fire is still under investigation.  The local fire Marshall deemed the cause to be a gas leek.  Although the insurance company, propane co. and oven manufacturer are all sending out there own detectives to collect evidence and make there own investigations.  They will all be arriving on Feb 3rd.  In the mean time the rubble sits.  Luke and I try to ignore it as we drive by on the tractor to tend to 27 acres farm and 13 horses out in pasture twice a day.  Prayer: Investigation would go smoothly and all parties would agree on cause, so we can move forward with clean up efforts.  Protection, peace, energy and safety as Luke and I as we tend to the horses and property. Please also pray that the weather is favorable, it is starting to snow as I type and this would really add a burden to our labor.
 
III. Other Pressing Issues: 
Sale of my grandparents home (they died last winter and their home is just now ready to be placed on the market).  Scott and I made the last few loads of furniture out of the house and are now doing craigslist daily to rid some of the excess stuff/junk.
 
Dad is not able to practice dentistry at this time and may not be able to anymore. There is no income and they are waiting on insurance funds to come thru.  There are many difficult financial situations that need to be faced and dealt with immediately.  Some hard decisions will need to be made that are highly emotional for both my parents.  Retiring from dentistry, selling horses, investment properties and other farm equipment and extras that are in excess and possibly even selling the farm.
 
Please Pray for Gods wisdom, guidance and will to unfold one day at a time.  Thank you for your concern and prayers.  Thank you also to those of you that have taken care of Makayla as Scott is managing things on his own at home.  I will probably be in Washington at least another 2 weeks then I will come home for a few weeks and return for a week at a time for the next couple months. 
 
In Christ's Love and Blessings...