Update from Melody~

Thanks for updating us Melody~

"Hi All!

Just wanted to drop a quick line or two while I've got the chance. Kyle is doing very well, and we're both learning to cope and be thankful in a tough way for all of the previous months' events.

There's so much more to come - I'd love to write you all on the many wonderful prayers that we've seen God so blatantly answer, but for now, just another short thanks. But AGAIN, thank you for all of the words and prayers, cards, gifts, flowers, In N Out stuff, gift baskets, meals, visits, calls, and anything else I'm not including at the moment. It has ALL made a big difference for us, and so much easier.

And a special thanks to Kyle's home church members - for loving him and showing him just how supported he was over Easter and the past weeks.

You'll be hearing more from us soon, but just a couple more things that we could use prayer for at this time:

1 - Our vacation April 2-12. We'd planned it a while ago, and the doctor thinks it will be fine to still go. Pray that we will have a great time, and that all will be safe and okay.
2 - Kyle's 100% recovery. We're still waiting for a some important things to go back to normal.
3 - Our emotional/spiritual health and that of those around us. We're exhausted.

We love you all so much. Thank you for being a part of this journey.

Love,
Melody"

*Thanks for letting us travel alongside you both~

Happy Easter and an Update

Good evening and Happy Resurrection Day~

What a great day to celebrate! I pray that each of you had the chance to do that today. As Christians Easter is what we hope for. Without Christ's death and resurrection we are nothing. It is our hope, our life and our future. Without Christ's work on the cross we would not know the depth of His love, His mercy and His grace.

God's faithfulness observed! God's faithfulness experienced~

I pray that this season of hope finds you basking in His love and rejoicing for what He has done for us and through us.

So, why am I writing this? Thanks for asking:) One of the highlights for me today - Was seeing Kyle at church. He and Melody came to Ventura to see the folks and what a testimony to God's faithfulness and mercy for Kyle to be there. What an opportunity to praise God for a visible evidence of His grace. Kyle is a walking testimony of God's saving grace - literally pulling him from deaths door and we rejoice in that.

It has been a humble privilege to be a part of this wonderful network of believers. I have heard from so many of you offering your prayers - your support and your love for Kyle and Melody and their families. And for some of you - you don’t know Kyle or Melody personally but because of your love for their families - AND your belief in the power of prayer you have come alongside these wonderful families to support them in this time of need.

I would like to pass on a couple of prayer items from Melody - specifically for the next couple of weeks. They are scheduled to go on a cruise vacation next week for their anniversary - leaving a week from today (Sunday). The doctor has encouraged them to go stating that it would be good for them to go and relax. They are both a bit apprehensive about going. Kyle will see the doctor on Wednesday to make sure he is progressing as well as to get the doctors final okay to go.

I am asking for all of us to pray in the following ways:
1. Pray for peace of mind and heart for both Kyle and Melody - For God’s confirmation that this is the right thing to do.
2. Pray for a relaxing and refreshing time for both of them. Not just physically but emotionally, mentally and especially spiritually.
3. Pray for God to give them glimpses of His majesty and His character. In big ways and small ways.
4. Pray for strength and energy for Melody. For refreshment of spirit.
5. Pray for Kyle’s continued healing. Pray for patience within himself. Pray that if he is feeling frustrated or discouraged that God will show Kyle how to continually wait His timing.
6. Pray for those who have heard Kyle’s story who do not know Jesus Christ as Savior would make that decision having seen God’s faithfulness observed first hand.

Thank you all again and again~ And Praise our God and Father for the sacrifice of His Son - And because He loves us that much~

A Special Note From Joy

Dear family and friends

Our hearts are overflowing with joy and thanksgiving for all that God has done over these past 3+ weeks. This was an 'unscheduled flight' (from our perspective, though not from God's) to places we would never have volunteered to go. However, this journey has shown us the love and faithfulness of God in so many amazing ways. As much as we love the comfortable and familiar roads, they don't always provide the best view of the beauty and glory of God.

We have witnessed the sovereignty of God in revealing of the aneurysm, limiting the hemorrhage, and providing all that was needed to repair it.
We experienced His peace, in the midst of unsettling and uncertain circumstances - even in the long hours of waiting for the transfer to Hoag Hospital and surgery.
We saw His wisdom in choosing just the right hospital, neurosurgeon and professional staff to care for Kyle.
We were constantly comforted by His promises and His presence with us.
We marvel at how He set off this chain of events to reveal the problem, and yet at the same time, carefully managing every detail so that a full recovery is anticipated.
He poured out His grace beyond measure, enabling us to do what we could never have done in our own strength.

AND - He showered us with blessings through all of you. Your prayers, words of compassion and comfort, notes of kindness, gifts of love, visits and phone calls of encouragement -- were precious gifts. The out pouring of God's kindness through all of you, is one of the outstanding memories we will cherish as we reflect on this journey.

Thank you for 'sharing our burden.' Now you can share in our rejoicing,' as God has answered your prayers. There are so many of you that we don't know, and some of you don't even know Kyle -- but we thank you for caring and for your prayers.

We are especially grateful for our daughter (by love). We already knew she was a treasure, chosen by God to be Kyle's bride. But, this experience has allowed us to see her devotion to God and Kyle demonstrated in many new ways.

We are also thankful for the additional family that Kyle gained when he married Melody. How blessed we all were to have another brother and another set of parents loving and supporting Kyle. Gary and Deb have watched and prayed with us through the whole journey, and came along side in countless ways. Shane (Meyers) set up one of the websites which was SO helpful for gathering people to pray, passing on updates and sending those encouraging messages. A special thanks to Sheri Dickinson also, for setting up the other website. She knows we are not “techie's” and would never have been able to do that!

With heart felt thanks and a great big hug to all of you for your many expressions of love

The Matthews Family

A Special Note From Kyle

I want to pass this on from Kyle:

"If you could post this e-mail, or even a simple thank you on your websites, I would be grateful.

To all those who prayed and continue to pray, your prayers have been answered "beyond what you could ever ask or imagine," the things God has done are too much to put into writing. But I have seen many miracles in the past weeks. From dealing with needles (not my strong point) to praying with a nurse about her divorce, I have seen God do many amazing things.

I will try and keep you updated but at this point I am still on a few precautionary medications, and I am slowly but surely getting back to normal. My Dr. said I have no restrictions on my recovery but to use good judgement and get better. (he did say the scuba diving was a little ways out :) ) But not gone forever :) Thanks again for everything.

In His Name

Kyle Matthews"

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow~"

A note from the Meyers

Good evening folks~

I want to pass on a note from the Meyers as well as a link to some pictures. Here is the note:

Hi all,

We want to say thank you so very much for yourprayers, emails, and calls while we were away. Thanksto our gracious Lord, Kyle continues to improveeveryday. He is home now and getting stronger by thehour.

For a great testimony of the praying saints, visitthis website that Shane is hosting:http://www.realslmshaney.com/kyle/

Thanks again dear friends,Gary and Debra

P.S. - and a special thanks to my brother andsister-in-law for making us feel so welcome and caredfor in their home!

Here is the link for the pictures: http://www.realslmshaney.com/pictures/index.php?album=Kyle - If you have any trouble with this link let me know.

God bless~

A Quickie

Good evening to all of you~

Just to keep everyone up to speed. Kyle is home and doing well. That last I heard he was getting caught up on his sleep for which I am sure he is very grateful.

I wanted to let all of you know that Kyle will be going to the doctor later this week so they can check his progress. Please pray for the Doctors wisdom and for Kyles continued recovery. Another way to be praying is for there to be no residue for Kyle. Pray for God to completely and 100% heal Kyle. Of course we always want to pray for God's will and purpose to be worked out in any circumstance.

Thank you again for all of you who have prayed and supported these 2 young people. I know God is pleased by the outpouring of His people on another family member:)

Have a great week~

A Great God

Good evening to all of you~

As you have already heard - Kyle is home and resting comfortably. He is getting a lot of much needed sleep. Please continue to pray for a complete healing. The vasospasm are still there but certianly on the decrease. I will give a more updated list of ways to pray in a couple of days. Thank you all so much for walking with this family through a very hard time. What a great opportunity to see God's faithfulness in action - God's blessings on all of you~

Sheri D

Update from Melody~

Kyle's doctor came in today and discharged him! The doctor was very optimistic, and he even joked with Kyle about his eating vegetables for a "full" recovery. : )

Now, a few cinnamon rolls (hardly vegetables) are keeping him company on his own comfortable couch with his own pillow. : ) He's smiling pretty wide.

Today he went outside for the first time in quite a while, and he realized he'd been in the hospital for two weeks.The home recovery will be a whole new recovery stage, so prayers are still very much needed.

The doctor did comment that Kyle may have trouble with concentration and memory for a while - basically his brain will take a long time before it's "back to normal," but if you ask Kyle, he'll make a sarcastic comment in regards to that. : )All things considered, he's doing great, and we're very blessed that's the case.

I'll send more in just a little while...Melody

Wonderful news!!

I just recieved a message from Joy that the doctor is so pleased with Kyle's progress that he is discharging him today. The doctor said he needs to not do anything for a week and can do that in the comfort of his own home. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!! I will do another update tonight on how we can all be praying now that Kyle will be at home.

Thank you again and again to all of you - and how exciting for us that we can share in praising God for what He has done!

Update From Gary

Thank you Gary for the update~

This morning Melody is off to the hospital for another long day to gather with the truly amazing Matthews family to be with Kyle. The Matthews have been there for K-M unselfishly twenty four seven all through this ordeal. We should all be so fortunate as to have such a supportive loving family as there's. I could go on about them for hours.

As to Kyle's progress. Much to my surprise, with the help of a very kind physical therapist, had Kyle walking a short distance around the hospital hallway and a few stairs, and of course Kyle all the while "smiling" Also, Melody made arrangements to allow there loving little black dog Daisy to come to the hospital for a visit. So aunt Kathleen who by the way has been caring for Daisy all this time, brought Daisy to the hospital for a visit. Kyle was elated to have a visit with Daisy in the hospital. " Thats a first" Although, Daisy seems a little confused with all of this.

I have taken many images of these past days, So when Shane has time, to post some of them we would be glad to share them with all of you. I can truly see Kyle's recovery progressing and both Kyles and Melody's steadfast strength. Together we have made this happen, with your prayerful love to Him who is the great healer that delights in hearing the sweet sounds of our faithful hearts and voices.

Prayerfully yours...Gary

Update From Gary

Here is an update from Gary - And Gary thank you again for sharing with us~

This morning Melody is off to the hospital for another long day to gather with the truly amazing Matthews family to be with Kyle. The Matthews have been there for Kyle & Melody unselfishly twenty four seven all through this ordeal. We should all be so fortunate as to have such a supportive loving family as their's. I could go on about them for hours.

As to Kyle's progress. Much to my surprise, with the help of a very kind physical therapist, had Kyle walking a short distance around the hospital hallway and a few stairs, and of course Kyle all the while "smiling". Also, Melody made arrangements to allow there loving little black dog Daisy to come to the hospital for a visit. So aunt Kathleen who by the way has been caring for Daisy all this time, brought Daisy to the hospital for a visit. Kyle was elated to have a visit with Daisy in the hospital. " Thats a first" Although, Daisy seems a little confused with all of this.

I have taken many images of these past days, So when Shane has time, to post some of them we would be glad to share them with all of you.

I can truly see Kyle's recovery progressing and both Kyles and Melody's steadfast strength. Together we have made this happen, with your prayerful love to Him who is the great healer that delights in hearing the sweet sounds of our faithful hearts and voices.

Prayerfully yours...
Gary

A special message

Kyle & Melody

I wanted to be sure this got posted out front because I didn't want it to be missed. And then a thank you to the young lady who wrote this - for her willingness to share her experience of God's faithfulness in the hard things. Thank you Kim~ As Gary shared earlier this week - we take for granted the everyday things we do like sleeping and walking and .... when you lay down tonight to go to sleep tell God thank you for the "small" things.

Here is the message from Kim:
Hi Kyle and Melody,

My name is Kim Preschern and I am good friends with Holly and Shane and Wendy. My husband Sean and I, volunteer in the high school ministry at First Baptist Church in Ventura. I've been meaning to write to share a little of my story with you. I know what you guys are going through is unique and scary and different than mine but similar in so many ways.

When I was 21 and married to Sean only a year I caught an infection that killed a quarter of the muscles and one of the bones below my knee. I landed in UCLA med center and forever lost the ability to run, work, and function normally as I had done all my life. I have since had 11 surgeries and spent a total of 6 or 7 weeks in the hospital, the last trip sending me to the ICU for 2 weeks due to a respiratory infection gone haywire.

I have experienced agonizing moments of fear and questioning Gods plan and hours in physical therapy and wondering how rent would get paid as Sean tried to take time off work to be with me.

Scary, you know. God has indeed always been faithful. The life and activities Sean and I used to have can no longer exist but God has filled those times and activities with new ones that he alone has provided! He allowed pain and loss but replaced it with peace and hope in him. Life changed for me, my husband Sean and you both overnight. It's ok to wonder from your new position on your knees what God has in mind here. Continue to seek him to keep bitterness at bay. He knows your inmost feelings and he loves you.

Take care,
Kim Preschern
Psalm 139:7-10

P.S. tell people to send gift certs to INnOUT instead of flowers Melody, no reason you should both be living on hospital food!

A message from Debra

Thank you all for your prayers - God has heard them and answered!

Kyle was moved out of ICU last night at about 10. He's in a private room with a harbor view on the 9th floor. It's very quiet and we think he can finally get some sleep. He is very weak, but improving by the hour. He might be home by Mon or Tue.

Thanks again for your prayers and encouraging emails.

love,-deb

Praise God!

A wonderful message for Melody:

Well, great news!

Kyle was discharged from Neuro ICU late last night, and he's moved on to a nice, quiet, private room where his neurochecks will be less frequent (probably every four hours instead of one), and all of the leads and cords came off - so they're confident his vitals are strong and he's making a great recovery. Not to mention, he's got a nice harbor/ocean view of Newport Beach there on the ninth floor. : )

The doctor is very pleased and confident of his recovery, so please keep praying that no mental faculty will be compromised in all of this, as there is still some time that needs to pass before everything can be considered normal again.

Also, he finally got up with the help of the physical therapist yesterday, and his steps were initially wobbly, but he's getting back on track with sitting and walking - considering he's lost a lot of his strength through the trauma of the surgery and the bed rest for almost two weeks now.

Thanks for all of your prayers. He will hopefully come home soon and be able to rest easy in his own home. God is such a good God - he's faithfully answered EVERY prayer of ours in all of this. : )

Love,Melody

P.S. Also, Kyle's vasospasms are still there, but there are steadily decreasing, which is why he was able to transfer up to a normal floor.

Update 3-8-05

Good evening to all of you~

The good news for tonight is that Kyle is due to be moved to a regular room at any moment. I was waiting to hear a confirmation that he had actaully been moved but I haven't heard for sure yet that it happened. Just the fact that moving him is in the process of happening is great news!! Praise God from whom ALL Blessings flow! As soon as I receive an update from the families I will pass it on.

I also wanted to share with all of you - Especially the Meyers and the Matthews - The words to a song that I heard today. It was such a great reminder to me of "whose" we are. The love that God the Father has for His children is beyond my understanding but I am so glad He does. There have been so many evidences of His faithfulness - His love as we have upheld these families in our prayers. I pray the words to this song will bring some reminder to each of you of who you belong to. And what a humble privelegde it is that we have all been able to share in this time with the Meyers and the Matthews families.

Good evening and God bless~

"Loved with everlasting love, led by grace that love to know; Gracious Spirit from above, Thou hast taught me it is so! O this full and perfect peace! O this transport all divine! In a love which cannot cease, I am His, and He is mine. In a love which cannot cease, I am His, and He is mine.

Heav’n above is softer blue, Earth around is sweeter green! Something lives in every hue Christless eyes have never seen; Birds with gladder songs o'flow, flowers with deeper beauties shine, Since I know, as I now know, I am His, and He is mine. Since I know, as I now know, I am His, and He is mine.

Things that once were wild alarms cannot now disturb my rest; Closed in everlasting arms, pillowed on the loving breast. O to lie forever here, doubt and care and self resign, While He whispers in my ear, I am His, and He is mine. While He whispers in my ear, I am His, and He is mine.

His forever, only His; Who the Lord and me shall part? Ah, with what a rest of bliss Christ can fill the loving heart! Heav’n and earth may fade and flee, firstborn light in gloom decline; But while God and I shall be, I am His, and He is mine. But while God and I shall be, I am His, and He is mine."

A message from Gary

Gary put a post on here and I just wanted to be sure everyone saw it. I so appreciate his comments and insights - And his willingness to share his heart with all of us. I just didn't want it to be missed. Thank You Gary for sharing your heart~

"It is very rewarding to sit and reflect on each day's postings. I can surely see how God is working in the lives of believers and non believers as well, through this time.
I spent last night with Kyle doing the graveyard shift (No pun intended) after relieving Earl's and Melody's very long day shifts. When I arrived Kyle was seemingly asleep, he never really gets much sleep with all the nurses checks, pump beeps and monitors going off constantly not to mention the IV in his neck and can't roll his head much side from to side. And to make matters worse he has to be placed in a thirty degree upright position at all times. He has been in this physical state for over thirteen days and has not been aloud to lay down.
He has a head ache and and back ache and can't seem to find a position to comfort himself for more than a few minutes at a time. I'm sure he wouldn't want me to share this with all of you. However, I wanted to point out how we take our daily lives in comfort and hardly give a thought to someones lives survival until we are faced with it ourselves.
He has been given some encouraging words from his doctor that he might be out of IC soon depending on his progress. Please continue to pray for Kyle and Melody. There strength of which they get from the Lord is rewarding to all of us. For through it all I now realize why Melody lovingly calls him, "Kyle Smile" because thats what he does by the hour....

In The Lords Grace. . Gary"

Update for 3-7-05

Good evening (or morning) to all of you~

Over and over again I am amazed at the grace and tenderness of our God. He lovingly reaches down and shows His character to us and we are always amazed. Why does His goodness surprise us? Or why does His grace and faithfulness "catch us off guard"? I don't know either - Other than the fact that I think He likes to surprise us.

Anyway - I am rambling so let me give what I have on Kyle's progress and send this on its way. I sure would love to meet all of you just for the chance to give Him glory together for what He is accomplishing in this circumstance and to see the lives He is reaching.

Now - on to the update for tonight -
Things continue to move ahead although slowly. He had some PT today (Monday). He was able to stand up and sit in a chair for the first time. The vasospasms are subsiding - though not gone - This is a good thing. He continues to be in ICU and will until he is off of certain medicines for the Vasospasm.

Let me encourage you to remember to pray not only for Kyle and Melody but also for the immediate families as well. Here are the names of the immediate family members - the ones I know of or have been given:

1. Melody's family - Gary (Dad), Debra (Mom), and Shane (Brother) Meyers. Also remember Grandparents, Aunt's, Uncles, Cousins, etc.
2. Kyle's family - Earl (Dad), Joy (Mom), Shane (Brother), Holly (Sister), Craig (Brother), Wendy (Sister-in-law), Tyler (Nephew), Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, etc.

My guess is that for both sides of the families - They want more than anything for God to use this to reach others for Christ. Also pray for Peace, Strength, Unity, Wisdom, Gracious Spirit, How to handle the practical "stuff", and any other ways God lays on your heart to pray.

I know that when things "settle" down - each family member has a story to tell of how God's faithfulness was observed (& lived). It's my hope that each one will get the chance to share some of that in the future.

I am so glad we have a God who hears and graciously answers the desires of His chidlren. Good night to each of you and God's blessings on each one of you~

An update from Melody - Again a reminder that this is a long process for Kyle:

Well, we thought things were looking better for Kyle - getting ready to move him into another room and remove all of the cords and lines, so that he'll take everything orally and they won't wake him up every hour, but today he hit rock bottom emotionally, and it may be another day or so in the ICU.

Today Kyle was very irritated from lack of sleep (the nurses wake him up every hour to do "neuro-checks," just to make sure he's not suffered brain damage over time), and he's so tired and sleep deprived due to the last 10 days of events, that he just got up and out of bed today and fainted right in front of me.

As if this situation wasn't traumatic enough, his act of panic scared me most of all, and luckily, no lines came out, he woke right up, and he didn't hit his head.Please pray specifically for his patience with the recovery.

Even though he hasn't suffered any apparent damage, he HATES laying in bed awaiting recovery of the brain vessels. He is feeling like he may lose his mind. And the pain in his head is still there - as a result of surgery. So pray for PATIENCE and FAITH and UNDERSTANDING.

Otherwise, physiologically, he's doing very well! So, thank you for your prayers - God hasn't let any detail go unnoticed. That was especially evident today.

Love,Melody

A Message from Gary Meyers

Melody's Dad posted this and I just wanted to be sure everyone saw it. Thank you Gary for keeping us update and what a privelege it has been to stand with the Meyers and the Matthews in pray through this difficult time. Now I for one am not fond of roller coasters but its a good thing I can sit down and hold on to the Heavenly Father - I know He won't let go:) Anyway - enough from me - here is what Gary wanted to share with everyone:
****************************************************
Hello All God's people.

As father-in-law and father I want to extend my greatest thanks to all that have responded in concern.This situation has been a real roller coaster for Kyle and Mel. I can't state more how greatful I am with all your prayers.

Trust me he is still is not out of danger. Please continue to stand in prayer with all of us and lift Kyle and Mel up to the Lord. Having been there first hand I know much it is touching them and they need it. This has been a great coming togather for the Matthews and Meyrs.

Finally, I wanted to state that Kyle said to me today, even though he was awake and alert these past days he finally realised what was going on and where he was.

Thanks, Please let us all stand in His Glory

Encouraging Words

Here are some words of encouragement for Kyle & Melody & the entire family:

Dear Folks --

We are dedicating today a prayer day for Kyle. He has been to our home more than once, and we met him when he first came to Cal Poly. He was in my accountability group back then. What a great Christian and great person!

With all our love and prayers,

Norman and Connie Pillsbury(Elder, First Baptist Church)

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SO wonderful to see God's family surrounding you all with prayer, His love and faith in our most Magnificent God. May He lift you up keep you under His wings. He will answer our prayers for your good and glorify you and Himself. John 17

S.M.

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Dear Kyle, Melody and Matthews and Meyers families,

I have been praying for you all throughout each day. I am now rejoicing in the wonderful news of this turning point in Kyle's recovery! I am also in awe of the strength that God has provided for Kyle and Melody during this extrememely difficult time.

I was just reading II Cor.6:3. It reminded me of you, Kyle, ministering to others in the midst of your affliction. Praise God nothing is too difficult for Him (Jer 32:27)and that He is using this illness to further His purposes because of your love for Him. (Romans 8:28) I have heard of the many blessings the hospital and those in it have received because of your love for the Lord.

You all continue to be in my heart and in my prayers during this next phase of recovery.

With love, Bobbie

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From Nancy Hogan - One of Joy's BSF Leaders:

Please tell Melody that my husband and I are praying that God will continue to be so magnificantly glorified through Kyle's illness and that Kyle will be totally healed. Praising Our Saviour All the day long,

Nancy Hogan

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Kyle & Melody,

Our prayers and love are with both of you. You both know God's love and that is what will see you through. Your updates have been a comfort to me and my family-thank you for taking the time to share and comfort those who care about you both so much.

"Praise be to the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

En el nombre poderoso,

In Him,

Chris and Barbara Walker

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Kyle, Melody, and family-

We think of you and pray for you every time we say our baby boy's name-his name is Kyle Matthew. We pray for God's healing and peace in your family.

The Engstrom Family

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All the MacMillan family is keeping up to date with Kyle's progress and we pray every day for all the family.

Robert MacMillan

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Kyle & Melody,
We're praying for your recovery, Kyle. Melody, we're praying the Lord will strengthen you too.
Jon & Janel Kirby & family

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My heart aches for all of you. I will be lifting up each of you to our wonderful, faithful Lord, knowing that he holds everything, including this situation, in His perfect hands!
Please let me know if there is anything I can do.
Love you! Vicki Weishaar
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Kyle and Melody,
I'm praying that God's will be done in you lives and that he will give you the strength to carry it out. I'm thinking of you often.

Erik Payne
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We are praying for you hard!! I don't know why God's allowing this, but He will see you through and there will be good from it! Since we're praying for you, can you pray for some warmth for us here in Chicago :)

God, heal Kyle. You are the Great Physician. We believe in your power! Amen.

Love, Eric & Rachel Rojas
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Just wanted to let you know I'm praying for Kyle and for his whole family. I am a friend of one of Joy's friend Bobbie from Katy, TX.
My love and prayers....

Carol

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Melody,
I love you and will pray for your health as well as Kyle’s. He is a good man and I know you are in pain to see him suffer even a little.
If you ever need to talk, please know that I am always here. I don't want you to break down, so make sure that when you do break into something, it's laughter.

Love nate (Natalie Carlson)

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Kyle and Melody,
We are all praying for you.
God bless you both.

Bart Ketterling

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Kyle and Melody,
Our prayers and deepest concerns go out to you. It is always hard to find the right words to say in such situations but be sure and know that as we pray for you and Kyle and see the Lord work in this situation, we also are bless because of yours and Kyle's strength and faith.
May our blessed Lord continue to pour his love out on you and Kyle in tremendous amounts.

God Bless

Chris & Liz Maguire

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Kyle and Melody --
Lots of prayers coming your way from the Rasnick household. Thank you for doing this site. It is so helpful. We are adding to the prayer request that Kyle can indeed get his hamburger soon! Hamburgers cure a multitude of ills, we always say... Such a good sign that he WANTS one! Keep looking up, you guys. And know that so many people are praying for you.

Ben and MaryEllen Rasnick

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I'm praying for and thinking of all of you...

Vickie Johnson-Moore

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Melody, We want you to know that you are in our prayers daily. May God's love surround you and may you know the peace that only He can bring.

In Christ,
Paul and Connie Starfas

Update for 3-5-05

This is very good and encouraging news:

From Debra:

Yes, praise God, Kyle is improving! He might get tomove to a regular room in a couple of days. His surgeon is pleased with his progress - and so are we!! He still has that nasty central IV in his neck, but has adjusted okay, considering.

Hopefully, physicaltherapy will begin soon so he can get out of bed. It's so good to see his smile. Thank you all for your faithful prayers. God is good.

love,-deb

Update for 3-4-05

I received information this morning that Kyle woke up this morning feeling better and "looking" better. The doctors were hoping that medicinces could possibly be adjusted. Again that was as of this morning. Please continue to be the wonderful prayer warriors that you are. They are working!

Thank you all so very much for the support - the prayers and the outpouring of love for the Matthews and Meyers families. As soon as I hear more I will let you know.

"Give thanks to the Lord our God and King - His love endures forever! He is good He is above all things - His Love endures forever! Sing Praise!!!"

Update from Melody 3-3-05

I received an update from Melody tonight and wanted to pass it on. I think her words say it all~

Well, it has been a sad couple of days for the Matthews and the Meyers. In the last two days, there has been increased pressure in Kyle's brain due to some slight vasospasm. The staff is doing their best to keep the pressure at a non-dangerous level, as this is somewhat common for this type of recovery. Please continue to pray that the vasospasm does not elevate to a dangerous level. And Kyle is still very much in pain, although, this time, it was due to putting another IV in his carotid, right at the neck, amongst other things.

Yesterday, Kyle was finally able to let out some tears. He's coherent enough to realize the dangers that were and are involved, and he was finally able to surrender his thankfulness to God for saving his life. It is very hard to watch him cry. I was doing so well until that moment. And then it happened again today. Praise the Lord that he has faith to see God's small but significant miracles already (which I will go into further at another time). But pray that he won't question the purpose, just focus on the outcome.

Kyle is quite amazing. Yesterday he sent for flowers for his neighbor in ICU, and he's had no hesitation to share God's love to family and staff. I am so blessed through him, I can't even express it.

Thanks for praying for our families as well. We have all been holding up as well as we can. I am so overwhelmed now that I sat down and read your notices, I can't quite respond. Just know that so much good will become of this and have faith.

Love,
Melody

A message from the Hill's

Dear Matthews and Meyers,

As I'm sure with many, you all have been in my thoughts and prayers continually this week. Many times during the night the Lord has awakened me from my sleep and I count it a privilege to intercede for you all when that happens.

Of course, Kyle is in the fore front of my heart and mind, but you all are taking a close second. I know that it sometimes becomes difficult to know how to pray in your situation. Please be assured that hundreds, maybe thousands are praying on your behalf. The passage that keeps entering my mind is Psalm 121, so I thought I would send it to you. I hope that the Lord will use it to gird your hearts and minds in Him.

"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from whence shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever."
Psalm 121:1-8

Love you all!
Debbie Hill

Update for 3-3-05

Kyle's progress as of this morning is one of mixed reports. Although Kyle has been doing well considering the circumstances - the past couple of days there has been an increase in pressure in the brain. That pressure has caused spasms in the brain. They have began treatment to help with this aspect.

Please understand that although Kyle has been doing well - He is still not out of the woods. God has been faithful and will continue to be so. People have been reached with the gospel in ways the families would never have had the chance. But Kyle needs our prayers.

Thank you - All of you for your prayers. The families have felt those prayers and experienced God peace in abundance. Please continue to pray as God leads. I will post more tonight in the way of specifics. I wanted to get this out as soon as I could.

I also wanted to include a message from Melody's Father. Again thank you - each of your for love and support for the families and for Kyle and Melody.

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From Gary:

I would love to say that Kyle's progress is going along strong but, given the seriousness of this situation it is a very slow process. All in all, as the father-in-law and father, I'm personally saddened but privileged to be able to have a part of his recovery.

I can't believe how strong Kyle and Melody are during this time of trial. It helps keep me lifted up. It says a lot about their faith in "Him".

Thank you to all the for the attention to Kyle and Melody. There has been a stream of concerned people visiting the hospital every day not to mention the cards and flowers and calls. Also, it says a lot about two families, the Matthews and Meyers, and how we have melted into one.

Just as sudden as this situation started I pray that it would cease. It will just take time to go heal. I have faith that if we all keep praying together He will have mercy on us and grant complete healing. Even though God places these challenges before us, He expects us to stand together strong in His glory no matter what......More tomorrow...

Gary

His Faithfulness

God’s faithfulness observed~

When one stops to ponder what God’s faithfulness is really all about it kind of takes your breath away. Think about it for a moment - you have the God and creator of the universe who has more power and more strength in His baby toe then any of us will ever have and yet we doubt His faithfulness. We doubt His trustworthiness and His sovereignty. We stand back and look God in the face and ask Him, “How dare you hurt the ones we love!” We have the boldness to stare Him in the eye and say, “How could you! And you call yourself a loving Father??” I’ve done it - haven’t you?

The amazing thing is that He doesn’t take His thumb and squish us or throw up His hands and walk away. He patiently and lovingly reminds us of Who He is - He gives us opportunities to see His faithfulness observed.

How many times have you seen His faithfulness observed? I lost count a long time ago! God has been continually faithful despite the many times of doubt and the numerous times I have sinned. God’s character does not change - never has and never will.

Here is a definition of “faithful”:
Worthy of trust or belief, reliable, steadfast in affection or allegiance, loyal, true, constant, ….

Is He worthy of trust? You bet He is!
Is He reliable? More than we deserve!
Is He steadfast in His affections for His children?
Just ask the Israelites! I mean they are still around right??
Is He Loyal? True? Constant? Absolutely!
Is He worthy of our believing in Him? So very much so!

God’s faithfulness observed.
His character revealed.
How? Through an obstinate and stubborn people. You and me. He constantly works to do His will in our lives and constantly showers His children with His love and grace. His loyalty and trustworthiness - His steadfast affection for those that belong to Him - And talk about constant!

God’s faithfulness is seen everyday~ whether its in big ways or in the small details of the day. He is the constant one remember? Did you see His faithfulness today? Did you see that His character stayed the same? Did you see today just how much He loves you?

God’s faithfulness observed.
His love revealed.
His grace sufficient.

“Great is thy faithfulness oh God my Father. There is no shadow of turning with thee. Thou changest not thy compassions they fail not. As though has been thou forever wilt be. Great is thy faithfulness! Great is they faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see! All I have needed they hand hath provided. Great is thy faithfulness Lord unto me!”

Would this be your song today? Can you honestly say “Great is thy faithfulness” amongst your circumstances? I dare you to do it - sing it and mean it! Say the words out loud with conviction! I guarantee that He will reveal Himself to you as you take one step at a time - moving closer and closer to the one Who loves you the best and loves you the most!

God faithfulness revealed? Always! Everyday!
God’s love bestowed on His children? Most assuredly
God’s grace sufficient for even me? Thank you Lord Jesus~

Update for 3-1-05

The update for today is just bits and pieces I have picked up. Kyle is doing good and continues to improve a little at a time. He is still wanting to just be done with it and be at home in his own bed without all the machines and needles and ect.

God has shown Himself throughout this entire ordeal. He has given wisdom where needed, He has given comfort and peace, He has provided in monetary ways and given rest to all who have been standing watch.

Please continue to pray in the following ways:
1. Continued healing for Kyle. The next 11-12 days are crucial.
2. Pray for the blood vessels to heal without any spasms or further problems.
3. Peace for Kyle in the process and for his rest
4. Pray for Melody - for strength. For Godly wisdom. Pray for her spirit and physical refreshment.
5.Pray for The entire Matthews family. For Mom and Dad, Shane & Wendy, Holly, Craig - for God's peace and strength. Pray for Grand parents who are out of the area - for their peace in all this.
6. Pray for the entire Meyers family (I hope I got that right). For Mom and Dad, Shane and any other family members I don't know of. For extended family such as Grandparents - for peace and strength.
7. Pray for those who don't know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior to come to Him through this process.
8. And anything else God lays on your heart to pray.

Thank you - each of you for your prayers, support, encouragement and out pouring of love for Kyle and Melody.