A Sweet Peek into the Greene Home

I spent the afternoon and evening with the Greenes today as we celebrated Ansel's 7th birthday. It was a great time watching the kids go nuts together, and just being in their home. There is a sweetness to their family that I'm sure has been enhanced through their situation, and it is a blessing to watch them. They love each other so much.
They received a Wii from Nichole's mom for Christmas, and set it up today. Ansel was so excited once they got it set up, and was playing (and flailing all over the place trying to hit that tennis ball) and having a great time. But as soon as he saw that Levi had woken up from his nap, he stopped for a moment, ran to Levi, and in his big brother condescending to little brother way, greeted Levi with a quick hug and "Hi Levi!! Hi Levi!!" A 7 year old boy, stopping in the middle of a brand new video game to greet his two year old brother... It was just sweet.
There was a sweet simplicity about the afternoon- Ansel wanted hot dogs for dinner, and we had chocolate cake and ice cream, and watched the five boys run around outside (occasionally making their presence known inside), while the little kids played inside (mostly). The adults convened in the "play room" and chatted while we munched on chips and drank soda. Nichole mostly sat on the couch watching the kids, snuggling with Levi, and talking with the moms (especially when he woke up from his nap), while Norm and her mom took care of the "party things" (hot dogs, cake, etc.). She did get up when it was cake-time and we sang to Ansel, but not for too long. She doesn't have much stamina, and is in some pain as well (abdominal) because of her recent sickness.
Nichole and I spoke for a while and again, I was encouraged. Her perspective is still amazingly focused on what is true, and she is still confident in God's perfect plan for her. She shared with me how she has recently been encouraged so much through reading the Psalms, and particularly Psalm 13.

"How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I take cousel in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

Consider and answer me, O LORD my God;
light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
lest my enemy say, 'I have prevailed over him,'
lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me."

Nichole said that she could relate to falling into a similar pattern of complaining to the Lord, feeling like she has been forgotten by Him. BUT, then she remembers his mercy on her life, all of the kindness that He has shown to her (particularly through the saints!), and returns to a grateful, sweet relationship with the Lord, trusting in Him. Remembering all that she has been through, and what she is currently enduring (chemo pill, IV chemo starting Monday, and abdominal pain- having just gotten over a 9 week fever, etc. etc.), let's remember that her faith and hope have been tested and tried through the furnace, and be encouraged by her faithfulness!

Let's also continue to pray for the Greene family.
Pray that Nichole's abdomen would heal and she wouldn't experience the pain that she has been having.
Pray that she would not have a severe reaction to the IV chemo that she will be receiving Monday, and pray for it's effectiveness to kill the cancer cells!
Pray for her family to be strengthened through this trial, and for each of them to be dependent on the Lord.
Pray that more people would come to salvation through their family's testimony!

Childcare for drivers

I have a neurological condition that prevents me from driving Nichole, but I would be happy to watch the children of anyone who is willing and able to drive.

I just spoke with Nichole for quite a long time, and am once again humbled and blessed beyond expression! Nichole is doing well because of the Lord. Her perspective is unbelievably trusting, and if you looked at her circumstances, you would be amazed. She spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day away from her sweet family (released from the hospital Christmas day, but was unable to be with family because she was sick), but again she trusts God's perfect plan...
She was in the hospital for almost a week, and had many opportunities to "borrow visitors" as she termed it. She gave a very clear and long version of the gospel to two girls who she met while they were visiting their mother in the hospital (their mother has cervical cancer as well). Nichole has deveolped a close relationship with them over a short period of time and would like us to pray for these two girls, Rita and Jasmine. Nichole was excited to tell me about them and wants desperately for their understanding of the gospel to deepen from knowing about the Bible, to knowing the Christ of the Bible in a personal relationship. Please pray for them!
Though Nichole admits that there have been dark times of deep questioning, her faith remains strong. God has used her in so many ways it would be nearly impossible to count. I'm sure we could all share stories! (Please let Nichole know how you have been able to "use" her situation and her story of hope in the Lord to reach others!) I have personally been able to share Nichole's situation and her hope in the Lord with several unbelievers, and have been able to encourage many other believers with her strong and abiding trust in the Lord through her darkest hours. She has spent many lonely days in the hospital and has only (seemingly) briefly struggled with God's plans for her. She told me today that although times have been really tough, she has felt awful with sickness, and has missed her family desperately- that she KNOWS that God has a plan that she can't fully understand, yet she sees pieces and parts and is greatly encouraged. Only He knows all of what He is accomplishing, and she is glad to be used by Him. She can recollect many opportunities she has had to give the gospel to nurses, doctors, other patients, visitors to those other patients, specialists, family members, and then some. She is truly an inspiration, and I pray that if I were to face her situation, I would have the grace that she does to persevere with hope and trust in the Lord.
Please remember to pray for the Greenes. The difficult days are not over. Though the infection is definitely better, Nichole is still struggling physically. Please remember to pray for Norm. He is carrying an extremely heavy burden right now- working his normal job, then coming home to taking care of the kids (all four of them!) and Nichole as well, since she has been unable to do much. Her energy seems to be returning (not completely, but some!), yet she will be starting chemo again soon- possibly next week. This will mean more opportunities for us to serve the Greene family! Please consider how you can help their family as they endure another phase of this long trial, and please, pray for them daily!

Christmas for the Greenes

I just spoke to Norm and Nichole and they were on their way, in their new clothes, (with the kids) to go eat at a restaurant with a gift certificate in hand! Nichole hasn't had a fever for 3 days - thank the Lord! She wanted me to let everyone know that they just finished opening their gifts 2 days ago. Norm and the kids waited for Nichole to come home before they touched them. They are completely overwhelmed by God's kindness and generosity to them through the church. Nichole is brimming over with joy and wants to thank everyone individually but I told her to please consider a group thank you that I could forward to everyone so she can spend some (feel good) time with her family. I am thanking the Lord for all of you, for giving liberally and abundantly from your hearts, and for the foundation that is being laid up for you in heaven ( 1 Timothy 6: 17-18).

Rejoicing,
Andrea Moore

Out of the Hospital

I received a brief update from Sue on Christmas day. Nichole was released from the hospital late in the day, but because of her condition, isn't able to be with the kids. She is staying at her dad's house in Burbank right now (as of yesterday). Please continue to pray for her health so that she can return to her family.
I cannot imagine the difficulty of going through the Christmas Holiday in poor health and unable to be with her own family. Please uphold them in prayer and do what you can to serve and bless this precious family.

Urgent Prayer Request

I received this update from the faithful Susan Leber yesterday. Please pray for Nichole and the Greene family. They have been trying to locate the cause of the infection she is suffering from, and it appears that the surgery didn't alleviate it. Please remember the Greene family even through the Holiday season and all of the busyness. They need the support of the Body of Christ, especially now!

Nichole’s surgery went well, but she is still in the hospital ( as of Mon.12/22) with a fever. The doctors are determined to get this under control before she is released. Please be praying that the many tests will locate the infection and Nichole will be able to come home soon. While Nichole is in the hospital she can receive visitors.

PRAY

I spoke with Nichole last week for quite a while, and was encouraged. I was challenged by my own selfishness too- I was shocked at how I had distanced myself from her situation. Some of it was circumstancial- the busyness of Christmas, tiredness of pregnancy, etc., but I had become comfortable being distant. Watching someone go through a trial like this is really no fun. It can be an occasion for real joy, when the perspective is set right, but it is difficult, no less. It was difficult for me to re-open the communication, and I was immediately sobered by her situation, and my hardness. Wow. How sinful a creature I am. How selfish to think of "my difficulty" in light of Nichole! I am so thankful that there are so many wrapping their arms around this family, and certainly the Lord is working despite my distance. I want to reach out again and do what I can (limited as I am) to bless this family and lift them up through this painful and desperate trial. Please consider giving of yourself to help them even through the busyness of Christmas. Their trial is no less burdensome through the Holidays. Here is an update I received today from Sue.

Please be praying for Nichole, She has been admitted to St. Joseph's hospital today.
Because of the infection they are planning to surgically remove the stint tomorrow morning. (which they believe is the cause of the infection)
She will most likely stay in the hospital until Friday or Saturday. Please be praying for her and Doctors.