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DAN & BRENDA SCHMITT UPDATE

“Any family who goes through a long-term illness discovers you are not in control of the future - God is! It is a humbling and at the same time a comforting experience. He allows tears so laughter is more wonderful. He allows pain so we learn to appreciate the lack of pain. He allows challenges in life so we can appreciate the victories. God's Goodness is so amazing!”

“He (God) allows challenges in life so we can appreciate the victories.”

CHUCK & MAXINE BLOXHAM UPDATE

“What a journey this has been! Through our ups and downs since all this began on October 9th of last year, Chuck and I have come to realize that

 knowing our Lord is truly enough! Because we know Christ as our Lord and Savior, we have been able to make it through this very difficult time. We have cried out to our Lord many times, pleading for His mercy, to be able to get through one more day. We were reminded of God’s Word, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13.

We had never heard of necrotizing pancreatitis before but came to know it very well. It is a severe complication of acute pancreatitis where part of the pancreas dies. Chuck has been hospitalized six times (twice in Waukon’s VMH, once in LaCrosse’s Gunderson Lutheran, and three times in Rochester’s Mayo Clinic – Saint Mary’s). Many procedures were done. After not being able to eat much for weeks, he had severe malnutrition necessitating a feeding tube, had blood transfusions, platelet transfusions, treatment for a rare blood disorder which caused blood clots in both legs, and GI bleeding. Many days Chuck had excruciating pain.

Yet, through it all, we found something to be thankful for each day and remained grateful that God was in control and leading the way. We prayed that God would give the doctors wisdom to know the best treatment plan for Chuck, and He answered! During this time, we met many Christian nurses who said they were praying for Chuck. One day, a young female nurse stopped to talk, and she asked me if I had any advice for her being newly married; I told her about knowing the Lord as my Savior being the most important! Then she shared that she was a Christian! She hugged me and prayed right then and there for Chuck. Another male nurse asked Chuck if it would be okay to have his youth group pray for him when they met together that night. It was such a joy to see how God reaches out through others just when we need His touch!

We thank God for our daughter Jenny and son Jason and their families who gave us so much help and love through all this and continue to do so. God bless Pastor Duane for comforting us with his visits and prayers. And we are so thankful for our church family for holding us up in prayer, for all the encouragement and love, messages, phone calls, cards, and gifts. We love you all! Most of all, we praise our Lord for the strength and courage He has given us each day and a “peace that passeth all understanding…” Philippians 4:7.

We really miss worshiping with you all at church, but Chuck is just starting to gain strength and so far, mostly gets out only to appointments. So glad we can tune in to services through the livestream. Chuck has more procedures to be done in Rochester in 3 weeks, so please continue in prayer for him. We rejoice that he is on the mend and feeling much better. Last week he even said, “I’m hungry!” – music to my ears! He has graduated from using a walker to using a cane now! 

A favorite verse: “Rejoice always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. And yes, GOD IS ENOUGH! In Christ’s love, Max (& Chuck).”