Sunday, April 25, 2010

Invitation to post comments and additions

At the bottom of each post, there is a spot for your comments. We have no idea who/or how many folks are reading this, or if anyone is. It would be helpful and encouraging to know that someone 'out there' is part of this.

If you disagree with a comment, or think we are crazy, say so. Encouraging comments are also welcomed. Your presence is what we seek, not profound words.

Please consider just adding a short comment and your name or initals so we have an idea that someone is 'out there.'Even if it's just this once.

Thanks!

18 comments:

  1. Point taken! I know there are many, like me, that check your blog morning and night for the latest news. We may not offer comment via this media, but rest assured you are constantly in our thoughts and prayers. Bruce and Teresa

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  2. Hello, Vern, Deb, and family. I am reading all of your blogs by catching up on them a couple of times a week. My heart and prayers are with you. You are in my thoughts all the time, whether at the front or "back" of them. Thank you for being willing to share so much more of yourselves than merely a medical update on this blog. It is very touching. I hope to be more involved with some hands on as soon as my semester ends. (I started a graduate program in piano pedagogy this semester. It is pretty intense, but it is definitely a God-thing.) With love, prayers, smiles, and tears, Mary Jane

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  3. Dear Deb and Vern, Thank you so much for writing the blog. We read it morning and night. We Love ou. You are in our thoughts and prayers. David and Linda Swindall

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  4. Since I found out about your illness and the blog, I check it when I get up, when I wake up in the middle of the night and when I get home from teaching. I have had you and Vern and your children in my prayers. I did not realize you have been married 35
    years ...Warren and I will celebrate 29 in June and all of you Owens couples got a few years headstart on us.:-)
    Mary Hedderman Roberts

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  5. Read every day.
    Candace Smartt (Amanda's friend)

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  6. Dear Deb and Vern

    We read your blog and pray for you every day, for strength and for healing. Thank you for writing...your strong faith and trust in Jesus is so encouraging. Your church family misses you.

    Randy and Julie Ross

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  7. Oh my goodness!!
    You are so loved and prayed for - read it sometime twice in a day!! Especially if you have not yet posted because we know before the day is over you will. Such a wonderful prayer help for those of us away who do not have a way to know what is going on with you guys and appreciate knowing your daily needs.

    Love to you Deb, you are prayed for, hurt for, thought of more often than you can imagine.

    Grace to you Vern as you continually help Deb make it through another day in all the little ways she so needs and is frustrated because she cannot live her life just now as she always has.

    Blessings upon both girls who are about to become first time Moms with so much going on around you.

    YES you are loved! And daily reminders on how to pray are a blessing to us.

    Jim and kathie

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  8. Your "journey" has been such an inspiration to my family- your constant faith is moving and challenging!! We pray for you- my kids know you as "Mommy's friends from since she was a little girl." Thanks to Amanda and FB, I found out about this blog!!

    ~Lisa Henderson (now Perreca)

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  9. I'm sure many are like we are - "long time readers.... first time posters". Thank you for the time and thought you put into keeping us all informed.
    I have certain sites that I check every morning and every night and yours is one of them. Praying and believing....Cindy & Don Johnson

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  10. I feel all your entries have been wonderful. Personally, I felt they are a great balance between reality and hope. When Deb struggles with sleep and anxiety you have mentioned it. I find it remarkable that she can look SO great despite the "monster" raging within her. Her smile lights up our hopes even if it is on a computer screen!

    Keep them coming...Love Yvonne

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  11. Vern and Deb,
    You are in my thoughts and prayers continually during each day. The blogs help me to know what specifically to pray for each day. Thanks for keeping it going. ASAP stands for Always Say A Prayer - so know that I am reading and praying and sending you best wishes.
    Tracie Fleming

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  12. Aunt Deb & Uncle Vern,

    Just wanted to let ya'll know I read the blog everyday (sometimes more). I am praying for ya'll and our whole family. I haven't called much because I don't really know when the best time is and I don't want to disturb aunt Deb if she is resting. I love you both soooo much and please let me know if I can do anything to help.

    Love always,
    Cody McIntyre

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  13. Hey Deb and Vern. You have a wonderful loving friend in Martha Harper who contacted me and many other friends from the "Owens Days" to be in prayer for you both as soon as she head about your cancer. The prayer call went out to many people who have known and loved you both for many years, to be praying for you both to be encouraged and strengthened on this journey that you are on. When I went through my renal cell carcinoma cancer and surgeries a couple of years ago, it was so encouraging to me having Christian friends praying for me and all the way through the healing process with notes and emails and acts of kindness. I am praying that God will help you with his healing hand, and lift you both up and that you will feel His presence and love for you both. I pray that the surgery and treatments will go well and that there will be comfort and healing, and that God will intervene and direct your paths, and be in charge of all the scheduling and break through the red tape issues that can come up. I pray that God will give the doctors the skills and insight and give them His wisdom and direction. I pray that Satan will be bound and that God will be glorified and that you will receive his blessings and His healing. Two weeks ago in our Sunday School class our guest speaker challenged our class to begin fasting and praying two days a week for an eight hour period of time, either at lunch or dinner, and to pray during that meal time instead of eating, and pray specifically for family members and friends who are going through their journey with cancer. This was because four weeks ago our class teachers were suddenly faced with pancreatic cancer. Ike and Marguerite Harrell formed the class 11 years ago with a dozen people that has grown to 110 and now all of us are praying for them as Ike had back pain and went in the hospital here in Valdosta and they diagnosed him with a broken back and pancreatic cancer in the tail section, the worst kind. They repaired the vertebra at Shands and he is getting treatments both here in Valdosta and at Shands Hospital. So along with most of our class and many friends, I prayed about that challenge, and I began fasting and praying for Ike and Marguerite and for you Deb and Vern while you are on this journey that each family is on. You have many people who are on the sidelines that are cheering you on, and Jesus is walking right by your side all the way. Love from your old college friend Bill


    Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.” Proverbs 3: 5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Psalm 55: 22 “Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you.” Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 51:17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou will not despise.” Psalm 145:18 “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him.” James 4: 7 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” Hebrews 13: 5 “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.” Hebrews 4: 16 “Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Matthew 11:28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a stronghold in days trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him.” 2 Timothy 2:19 “The Lord knows those who are His…” Isaiah 43:1 “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name you are Mine.”

    Deb and Vern, do not fear on this journey as the Lord is with you and He knows you by name!

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  14. Yo Vern! Is it OK to agree with all your comments but still think you're crazy? We love you and pray for you regularly!
    SLP

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  15. Vern and Deb, I follow your blog and your struggle weighs heavy on my heart. Praying for strength and endurance to weather this terrible storm. God is in control, you are faithful servants!
    Bless you all,
    mickey

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  16. Hey Deb,
    We miss you at school; you are never far from our thoughts. It's nice to have a source of info. Keep it coming. Hugs and kisses. Love you more than you know.
    Linda Koroma

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  17. Deb, I'm so glad to have this blog and be able to keep up w/you. You, your husband and daughter are providing such a wonderful blog.
    You know you are loved and missed at MHS....so, we are keeping you in our prayers.
    Keep that sunny, sweet disposition. If there is anything that you need here at home, please lean on all of us.
    Big hugs to you and your family....
    Lisa Brickenden

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  18. So sorry to have missed this one! We were out of town all last week, but we read often and pray at least daily.

    With love and prayers,
    Paul and Kristina

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