Comments on: Lea Update, Day 39 http://godswoodshed.com/2005/08/23/lea-update-day-39/ A Testimony About Prayer, Divine Discipline and Miraculous Healing Fri, 27 Mar 2009 03:00:31 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Pray-ers http://godswoodshed.com/2005/08/23/lea-update-day-39/#comment-55 Pray-ers Wed, 28 Mar 2007 10:15:03 +0000 http://larryvaughn.wordpress.com/2005/08/23/lea-update-082305-31/#comment-55 DAY THIRTY-NINE FROM: Marjorie Aug 23 @ 8:02 AM What a beautiful story! I love her too...I thank God for her and SHE will always be special. I love you Larry.Your heart is beautiful.Hugs and Kisses......Your Mother FROM: Teana Aug 23 @ 8:29 AM PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!! I never knew the story how you guys met. That is so wonderful, it is amazing when you find love because it never really is where you would expect it! God works in wonderful ways that way, you just never know when it will hit you! I am so glad Lea is doing better. We will keep on praying for her and for all of you. FROM: Marlowe Aug 23 @ 1:29 PM Dear Larry, God is indeed great and merciful; we are so thankful that He has spared Lea through yet another crisis! I wanted to share two reflections which happened (no accident!) to be in my daily meditations today, which are appropriate to our discussion of God's will and the purpose of suffering: Good when He gives, supremely good; Nor less when He denies: Afflictions, from His sovereign hand, Are blessings in disguise. - Brother Lawrence, "The Practice of the Presence of God" From the writings of Saint Rose of Lima (from a vision or dream): Our Lord and Savior lifted up his voice and, said with incomparable majesty: “Let all men know that grace comes after tribulation. Let them know that without the burden of afflictions it is impossible to reach the height of grace. Let them know that the gifts of grace increase as the struggles increase. Let men take care not to stray and be deceived. This is the only true stairway to para¬dise, and without the cross they can find no road to climb to heaven.” When I heard these words, a strong force came upon me and seemed to place me in the middle of a street, so that I might say in a loud voice to people of every age, sex and status: “Hear, 0 people; hear, 0 nations. I am warn¬ing you about the commandment of Christ by using words that came from his own lips: We cannot obtain grace un¬less we suffer afflictions. We must heap trouble upon trouble to attain a deep participation in the divine nature, the glory of the sons of God and perfect happiness of soul.” ¬That same force strongly urged me to proclaim the beauty of divine grace. It pressed me so that my breath came slow and forced me to sweat and pant. I felt as if my soul could no longer be kept in the prison of the body, but that it had burst its chains and was free and alone and was going very swiftly through the whole world saying: “If only mortals would learn how great it is to possess divine grace, how beautiful, how noble, how precious. How many riches it hides within itself; how many joys and delights! Without doubt they would devote all their care and concern to winning for themselves pains and afflictions. All men throughout the world would seek trouble, infirmities and torments, instead of good fortune, in order to attain the unfathomable treasure of grace. This is the reward and the final gain of patience. No one would complain about his cross or about troubles that may happen to him, if he would come to know the scales on which they are weighed when they are distributed to men.” So, God is really showering grace on you and Lea in the midst of your afflictions-you don't have to go looking for them! To help cheer you, I am also enclosing some photos of the sunrise here in New Mexico this morning, which reflected God's glory in it's beauty. I am looking forward to you and Lea visiting us here in the near future, God willing! May your day be richly blessed with His grace and mercy, (Marlowe PIX ) REPLY FROM: Larry Vaughn Aug 23 @ 10:05 PM Thank you, Marlowe. That is a very powerful message! And, timely! I know that Lea will be pleased to hear me read your email, and she will get great pleasure from reading it when she recovers. I have also saved the photos to this computer so I can print them out and put them with the email. I am not certain where my motivation has come from for these writings I've been doing, but have been very moved by the love, kindness and generosity I've experienced over the past several weeks. I have had people send all kinds of notes of appreciation expressing how they have been moved by the messages to communicate better with their loved ones before it is too late. Or, that they are going back to church for the first time in years! Or, they finally understand what the power of prayer is all about, and have experienced it for the first time in Lea's ordeal. It has been extremely heart-warming to receive the loving notes and gifts for Lea, and for the care packages of quick meals and snacks for me. Even though the "meals" and snacks may not seem to have a great significance, they do help me spend more time with Lea and keep me out of the hospital cafeteria. This hospital, by the way, is about four blocks square. Quite a complex! It is very evident that Lea means more to many, many more people than I realized. She IS really special, isn't she? What a gift she has been to me! I think it was the "vision" I had a while back that started me thinking about the depths of my love for her, and prepared me to bare my soul in this series of emails. It is certainly therapeutic for me, but, I think, is also serving a higher purpose, as I am led to pray for the words of each night's message prior to writing it. I feel that I am serving God to some degree, and pray that Lea and I might continue to minister for Him in the years ahead. I don't know what shape that ministry would be, but I'm sure He will let us know. :-) I know I haven't taken time to write many individual notes, but wanted to say "Thank you" to you and Dean for your very kind notes. Please don't stop sending them! Warmest regards. FROM: Kim Aug 23 @ 3:29 PM I wanted to let you know that I sincerely hope you're "saving" all of these updates. Because, I believe you need to combine them in some manner to make a book or, at the very least, create a family keepsake for your granddaughters. This idea is shared by a few of us here at Irwin and, in case you hadn't already thought of it, I had a really strong feeling (it's hard to explain) that I needed to say something to you. You write extremely eloquently in your stories of Lea, occasionally reducing some of us to tears during the emotional outpourings and laughter in response to the humorous recollections. Our prayers are still with you and all your family. I've been asked by a couple former employees to let you know that their good wishes are with you and Lea. Ask Lea if she remembers Ladonna Patton and Becky Mast? Ladonna says her son, Devin, is still living with his father and doing very well. She's proud to report that he's trying out for the football team. Daughter Sydnee started jr. high at Ben Davis and so far, is very excited about it. Becky and her husband will be moving their son, Nick, to IU tomorrow. He's undecided what he wants to major in, but I think he's leaning toward Business. Our son, Jordan, finished his first class at Lincoln Tech last Thurs and got a 96%!!! This is the same kid who wreaked havoc with our sanity last Spring with his behavior and not sure if he'd graduate. My, how they've all grown...... Tell Lea we love her dearly and miss her very much! Hang in there- you're doing a wonderful job. And we greatly appreciate the daily updates. God Bless. REPLY FROM: Larry Vaughn Aug 23 @ 9:49 PM Thanks, Kim. Yes, Lea has often mentioned Ladonna and Becky in our conversations about the lighter side of work. I know that she will be pleased to hear me read their names, and she will get great pleasure from reading the emails when she recovers. Please thank everyone at Irwin for their love, kindness and generosity over the past several weeks. it has been extremely heart-warming to receive the loving notes and gifts, and for the care packages. Even though the "meals" and snacks may not seem like much to you, they help me spend more time with Lea, and lessen the burden of going to the ATM for cash to purchase overpriced goodies within the hospital confines. This hospital, by the way, is about four blocks square. Quite a complex! I know I haven't taken time to write many individual notes, but wanted to say thank you to everyone of you at Irwin. It is very evident that Lea means more to you than I realized. She IS really special, isn't she? What a gift she has been to me. I think it was the "vision" I had a while back that started me thinking about the depths of my love for her, and prepared me to bare my soul in this series of emails. It is certainly therapeutic for me, but, I think, is also serving a higher purpose. Warmest regards to all. REPLY FROM: Kim Aug 29 @ 12:57 PM Sorry, I was off for a few days..... You're very welcome for the misc items and we're planning to send another care pkg in the near future. Is there anything in particular you'd like to have or that is easier for you? Do you prefer chips, crackers, cookies, microwaveable pkgs (if so, what type), or anything else? I know your time is at a premium, but if you could send me a quick note to let me know, then we'd have a better idea of what to get. I passed on your previous msg and everyone was touched that you took time to remember us. We all want very much to help in any way we can and everyone was extremely enthusiastic when Shana and April had the idea for a package of "goodies" to send. Give Lea a gentle hug from all of us and hope to hear from you soon. DAY THIRTY-NINE

FROM: Marjorie
Aug 23 @ 8:02 AM

What a beautiful story! I love her too…I thank God for her and SHE will always be special. I love you Larry.Your heart is beautiful.Hugs and Kisses……Your Mother

FROM: Teana
Aug 23 @ 8:29 AM

PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!! I never knew the story how you guys met. That is so wonderful, it is amazing when you find love because it never really is where you would expect it! God works in wonderful ways that way, you just never know when it will hit you! I am so glad Lea is doing better. We will keep on praying for her and for all of you.

FROM: Marlowe
Aug 23 @ 1:29 PM

Dear Larry, God is indeed great and merciful; we are so thankful that He has spared Lea through yet another crisis! I wanted to share two reflections which happened (no accident!) to be in my daily meditations today, which are appropriate to our discussion of God’s will and the purpose of suffering: Good when He gives, supremely good; Nor less when He denies: Afflictions, from His sovereign hand, Are blessings in disguise.
– Brother Lawrence, “The Practice of the Presence of God”

From the writings of Saint Rose of Lima (from a vision or dream): Our Lord and Savior lifted up his voice and, said with incomparable majesty: “Let all men know that grace comes after tribulation. Let them know that without the burden of afflictions it is impossible to reach the height of grace. Let them know that the gifts of grace increase as the struggles increase. Let men take care not to stray and be deceived. This is the only true stairway to para¬dise, and without the cross they can find no road to climb to heaven.”

When I heard these words, a strong force came upon me and seemed to place me in the middle of a street, so that I might say in a loud voice to people of every age, sex and status: “Hear, 0 people; hear, 0 nations. I am warn¬ing you about the commandment of Christ by using words that came from his own lips: We cannot obtain grace un¬less we suffer afflictions. We must heap trouble upon trouble to attain a deep participation in the divine nature, the glory of the sons of God and perfect happiness of soul.” ¬That same force strongly urged me to proclaim the beauty of divine grace. It pressed me so that my breath came slow and forced me to sweat and pant. I felt as if my soul could no longer be kept in the prison of the body, but that it had burst its chains and was free and alone and was going very swiftly through the whole world saying:

“If only mortals would learn how great it is to possess divine grace, how beautiful, how noble, how precious. How many riches it hides within itself; how many joys and delights! Without doubt they would devote all their care and concern to winning for themselves pains and afflictions. All men throughout the world would seek trouble, infirmities and torments, instead of good fortune, in order to attain the unfathomable treasure of grace. This is the reward and the final gain of patience. No one would complain about his cross or about troubles that may happen to him, if he would come to know the scales on which they are weighed when they are distributed to men.”

So, God is really showering grace on you and Lea in the midst of your afflictions-you don’t have to go looking for them! To help cheer you, I am also enclosing some photos of the sunrise here in New Mexico this morning, which reflected God’s glory in it’s beauty. I am looking forward to you and Lea visiting us here in the near future, God willing!

May your day be richly blessed with His grace and mercy,

(Marlowe PIX )

REPLY FROM: Larry Vaughn
Aug 23 @ 10:05 PM

Thank you, Marlowe. That is a very powerful message! And, timely! I know that Lea will be pleased to hear me read your email, and she will get great pleasure from reading it when she recovers. I have also saved the photos to this computer so I can print them out and put them with the email.

I am not certain where my motivation has come from for these writings I’ve been doing, but have been very moved by the love, kindness and generosity I’ve experienced over the past several weeks. I have had people send all kinds of notes of appreciation expressing how they have been moved by the messages to communicate better with their loved ones before it is too late. Or, that they are going back to church for the first time in years! Or, they finally understand what the power of prayer is all about, and have experienced it for the first time in Lea’s ordeal.

It has been extremely heart-warming to receive the loving notes and gifts for Lea, and for the care packages of quick meals and snacks for me. Even though the “meals” and snacks may not seem to have a great significance, they do help me spend more time with Lea and keep me out of the hospital cafeteria. This hospital, by the way, is about four blocks square. Quite a complex!

It is very evident that Lea means more to many, many more people than I realized. She IS really special, isn’t she? What a gift she has been to me! I think it was the “vision” I had a while back that started me thinking about the depths of my love for her, and prepared me to bare my soul in this series of emails. It is certainly therapeutic for me, but, I think, is also serving a higher purpose, as I am led to pray for the words of each night’s message prior to writing it.

I feel that I am serving God to some degree, and pray that Lea and I might continue to minister for Him in the years ahead. I don’t know what shape that ministry would be, but I’m sure He will let us know. :-) I know I haven’t taken time to write many individual notes, but wanted to say “Thank you” to you and Dean for your very kind notes. Please don’t stop sending them! Warmest regards.

FROM: Kim
Aug 23 @ 3:29 PM

I wanted to let you know that I sincerely hope you’re “saving” all of these updates. Because, I believe you need to combine them in some manner to make a book or, at the very least, create a family keepsake for your
granddaughters. This idea is shared by a few of us here at Irwin and, in case you hadn’t already thought of it, I had a really strong feeling (it’s hard to explain) that I needed to say something to you. You write extremely eloquently in your stories of Lea, occasionally reducing some of us to tears during the emotional outpourings and laughter in response to the humorous recollections.

Our prayers are still with you and all your family. I’ve been asked by a couple former employees to let you know that their good wishes are with you and Lea. Ask Lea if she remembers Ladonna Patton and Becky Mast? Ladonna says her son, Devin, is still living with his father and doing very well. She’s proud to report that he’s trying out for the football team. Daughter Sydnee started jr. high at Ben Davis and so far, is very excited about it. Becky and her husband will be moving their son, Nick, to IU tomorrow. He’s undecided what he wants to major in, but I think he’s leaning toward Business. Our son, Jordan, finished his first class at Lincoln Tech last Thurs and got a 96%!!! This is the same kid who wreaked havoc with our sanity last Spring with his behavior and not sure if he’d graduate. My, how they’ve all grown……

Tell Lea we love her dearly and miss her very much! Hang in there- you’re doing a wonderful job. And we greatly appreciate the daily updates. God Bless.

REPLY FROM: Larry Vaughn
Aug 23 @ 9:49 PM

Thanks, Kim. Yes, Lea has often mentioned Ladonna and Becky in our conversations about the lighter side of work. I know that she will be pleased to hear me read their names, and she will get great pleasure from reading the emails when she recovers.

Please thank everyone at Irwin for their love, kindness and generosity over the past several weeks. it has been extremely heart-warming to receive the loving notes and gifts, and for the care packages. Even though the “meals” and snacks may not seem like much to you, they help me spend more time with Lea, and lessen the burden of going to the ATM for cash to purchase overpriced goodies within the hospital confines. This hospital, by the way, is about four blocks square. Quite a complex!

I know I haven’t taken time to write many individual notes, but wanted to say thank you to everyone of you at Irwin. It is very evident that Lea means more to you than I realized. She IS really special, isn’t she? What a gift she has been to me. I think it was the “vision” I had a while back that started me thinking about the depths of my love for her, and prepared me to bare my soul in this series of emails. It is certainly therapeutic for me, but, I think, is also serving a higher purpose. Warmest regards to all.

REPLY FROM: Kim
Aug 29 @ 12:57 PM

Sorry, I was off for a few days….. You’re very welcome for the misc items and we’re planning to send another care pkg in the near future. Is there anything in particular you’d like to have or that is easier for you? Do you prefer chips, crackers, cookies, microwaveable pkgs (if so, what type), or anything else? I know your time is at a premium, but if you could send me a quick note to let me know, then we’d have a better idea of what to get.

I passed on your previous msg and everyone was touched that you took time to remember us. We all want very much to help in any way we can and everyone was extremely enthusiastic when Shana and April had the idea for a package of “goodies” to send. Give Lea a gentle hug from all of us and hope to hear from you soon.

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