Wild About Debbie

2006-11-24T07:19:00.000-06:00

"Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out. Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live." I Thessalonians 5:15-18
from The Message

Paul wrote this admonition from God to the Christians in Thessolonica two thousand years ago...and it certainly describes how Debbie lived her life. Debbie had a keen sense of how to see good in others, didn't she? How many of you reading this have been encouraged by Debbie when she recognized, commented on, and encouraged you about something that you hadn't even seen in yourself? Debbie could also see when you oould do better in a particular area of your life...and she wasn't afraid to offer admonishment as well. In fact, that's what made her so good at being a wise counselor. You knew her thoughts about your life were trustworthy and not just flowerly compliments...because she helped you see both the traits that were good and those that needed straightening up. And she always worded her thoughts so that you felt uplifted and encouraged to live a better life. Debbie looked for the best in everyone she knew...and she sought to bring out the best in each one of us.

Debbie was indeed cheerful all the time! Not in a giddy silly way...but a genuine, deep-down, honest, Christ-like way. In times of trouble, Debbie could always see the good...she could always make one of her distinctive little quips that would make you laugh...she saw the glass MORE than half-full,always...and she could find something to cheer about, no mater what. Hmmm...is this one of the ressons she sponsored cheerleaders at Harding Academy for so many years?? If there was ever a Cheer Leader, Debbie Moltz was no doubt the Ultimate HEAD Cheer Leader of all!

When it became clear that Debbie was not going to be with us much longer, my thoughts wandered over the 12 1/2 years that I have known Debbie...and one of my best memories of her are being with her in prayer. Whether it was over the phone, in person, by e-mail, at church, at home, in a big or small group, with old or young...Debbie's words of prayer were so thoughtfully spoken...so tender...so to-the-point...so Spirit-led...that her prayers to God were healing and comforting. Of course, we know this was God working through Debbie...she would be the first to make sure that she was not glorified for this special trait of hers, but that it was God working within her gave her the words. But all who have heard Debbie pray know what I'm saying...she was gifted by God to comfort and encourage others through her words in prayer.

When something troubling or something happy aas going on, Debbie's first thought was to pray. She prayed. She believed. She entrusted everything to God in prayer.

Debbie thanked God no matter what happened. She often said during this experience from February 23 (the day of her melanoma diagnosis) to her last days that "good would come from all of this." Every single person who knows Debbie knows that she found good in all circumstances...and that she gave God the glory and she thanked Him constantly for it all.

Oh, how we already miss her. My mind keeps running across situations and projects and just life happenings in which I think, "How will I do this without Debbie?!?" But then the Spirit reminds me that it was the Spirit in Debbie who inspired me, encouraged me, gently corrected me, and befriended me...and that Spirit lives forever. I know all of you know what I'm talking about. I know she affected you the same way.

I do thank God in this circumstance...I am thrilled for Debbie that she's out of the excruciating pain and terrible weakness which the cancer brought on her in a crushing blow...more than that, I'm thankful she is HOME with her Father, Brother, and so many who've gone on over to this glorious place called Heaven. No doubt, she's wanting to tell us all what has now been revealed to her.

Being thankful does indeed take away the "sting of death." I still cry...I still grieve...I still long for her to be with her a little longer...but the stinger was taken out of death when Christ died for us all. A life spent with God is rewarded with an eternity in Heaven with Him and all who've gone before us.

Later in the same chapter of Thessalonians (I Thes 5:23-24,28), Paul continued this admonition which applies to us right now:
"May God Himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together...spirit, soul, and body...and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If He says it, He'll do it!...The amazing grace of Jesus Christ be with you!"

This afternoon from 4-8 p.m. at the Memphis Funeral Home, we will begin the "official" celebration of that our completely-dependable God has made Debbie completely holy, whole, and fit to see Jesus. We will continue tomorrow at Highland at 10 a.m....and, in reality, we won't stop there in our personal remembrances of "our" Debbie for years and years to come.

Thank you for all your prayers...love to all, Marka

Plans made for Debbie

2006-11-23T13:28:00.000-06:00

Alan has just confirmed the following:

VISITATION
Friday, November 24
4-8 p.m.
at Memphis Funeral Home

DEBBIE'S HOMEGOING SERVICE
Saturday, November 25
10 a.m.
at Highland Church of Christ
443 S. Highland, Memphis

GRAVESIDE SERVICE
to immediately follow funeral

Alan invites you to come

2006-11-23T09:52:00.000-06:00

Alan has just expressed his desire for anyone and everyone to come to their home today at any time. He has appreciated so much that people have honored their requests for privacy these last days...but he knows that many of us have just agonized over not being able to see and visit with Debbie. Now you can understand that she was so very ill, so near death..that there simply wasn't enough of her to share, other than with her family.

They will be having Thanksgiving Dinner at their home today...just as Debbie would want. The doors will be open all day for your visits with Alan and the family.

Alan says that, if anyone would like to go up to their bedroom, he is more than happy to share that place with those who just want to be where Debbie was. He'd like you to see the banners, the cards, and other special things that were given to Debbie during these last few weeks. There's also a book to sign downstairs.

The neighborhood of Sleepy Hollow Lane is planning a candlelight memorial just after sundown tonight to honor this neighbor whom they loved so much. The vigil is planned for 7:30 pm tonight. Judy Oehl, Debbie's next door neighbor, asks everyone to B.Y.O.C. (bring your own candle) to the Moltz's front yard. Dr. Ken Groshart, another neighbor, plans to share some words on behalf of the neighborhood in honor of their dear friend Debbie. The neighbors will gather near the front of the house, and others who would like to join are welcome.

Alan will have exact plans for Debbie's Celebration Service this afternoon, and you will be notified immediately through this blog. Please check it often today...I'm trying to keep you all apprised of all details as they become known.

If you can go by the Moltz' home today or tomorrow, please know that you are warmly invited.

Love to all, Marka

Debbie's Greatest Victory

2006-11-23T06:06:00.000-06:00

At 4:45 this morning, Debbie walked through the gates of heaven...whole, pain-free, victorious over death, and no doubt excited to be there to meet her Father God face-to-face. She left this place after a peaceful night of sleep in her home with her family nearby and prayers surrounding her.

Plans for the Celebration of Debbie's wonderful life will be finalized today, and you will know through this blog and phone calls.

You are already praying, I know, for Alan and their family.

"Today, God, we thank You for what You gave us through Your precious daughter, Debbie. May what we learned through her about You live on far beyond this day...and thank You so much, Lord, that we can know with confidence that we will see her again at Home with You. We commend her now to You, and we love You. In the holy name of Jesus, You will hear thousands of voices of Debbie's friends say Amen and Amen."

Love to all, Marka

Wednesday Evening, 11/22

2006-11-22T17:40:00.000-06:00

Today was a very difficult day. Debbie's pain has escalated along with the rampage of the disease within her, and she is now in hospice care at home. She's as comfortable as they can make her with drugs, a bed, and whatever else she needs. Alan, Alex, Leigha, Mitchell and Brittney have each spent special time with Debbie. Debbie's mother and many other family members have also been with her, though she has little responsiveness.

It is now time for all of us who love Debbie or who have come to know her through this last experience of her life to realize that Debbie will soon be going Home to meet her Father. Debbie has often said...as recent as a week ago...that she would never be afraid of death...because around the corner is Heaven...and how wonderful that will be. Her mansion has been prepared and Jesus is waiting for her with open arms. The mental image of that scene is absolutely beautiful....

According to the hospice nurses, Debbie could wait for another few hours or even possibly a few days...but not much longer than that before she goes Home. Alan and the boys and their girls are keeping close vigil.

For now, our prayers should be that Debbie will be able to spend her last hours here as painlessly and peacefully as possible, that God will send the Holy Spirit as the Comforter to every family member surrounding Debbie, and that the Body of Christ will stand in the gap for all of them in prayer and will help them all get through what lies ahead.

You will understand that they simply cannot allow visitors at this point. They will need your love as time goes forward. Right now, they need your love through your prayers.

On this Thanksgiving Day 2006, consider the ways that God has blessed you through your relationship with Debbie...and thank God for every remembrance of her.

Love to all, Marka

Wednesday, November 22

2006-11-22T09:55:00.000-06:00

Debbie had a difficult night last night with pain levels increasing. The nurse will begin higher levels of pain medications this morning; a hospital bed is being delivered to be set up in their bedroom upstairs.

A few days ago, Debbie made the statement that teenagers and college kids had full access to her because she loves them all and wants to see them. Debbie is now too ill to visit...but Alex, Mitchell, and Alan would be able to see and visit some of you who would like to come. However, Debbie's visitors must be restricted at this time to her family and those who are taking care of her.

Pray that Debbie will soon be relieved of the pain and that she will be comforted by the only One who can provide what she needs. Pray that God will give Alan and all the family strength, courage, and the knowledge of what to do and say to help Debbie today.

O God, You are our ever-present help in time of need. We thank You, Lord, for the comfort of knowing that You hold Debbie and Alan and their family so close to You in this time of great need. Amen and amen.

Love to all, Marka

Tuesday, November 21

2006-11-21T21:45:00.000-06:00

Late this afternoon, Alan was at last able to take Debbie home from the hospital. It took a few hours to get her comfortable in their bedroom...so they are all exhausted from all the effort it took to get her upstairs and settled.

Several family members have come from other cities and states to be here for the holiday and to visit with Debbie, so there will be lots of fun and laughter at the Moltz' household as always on Thanksgiving.

Debbie still has a lot of pain and is, therefore, on pain meds that keep her sedated. She is still on oxygen and is confined to her bed at this time. The family is going to keep a watchful eye on her throughout the rest of the week, with Alan and the kids first in line.

I'll send more tomorrow after I've talked more with Alan.

Love to all...I know your prayers are all over Debbie tonight. Marka

Monday, November 20

2006-11-20T21:57:00.000-06:00

Today Debbie rested with medication for her pain. Dr. Kraus told her this morning that she would possibly go home in the next day or possibly Wednesday...and would also probably begin the chemotherapy. The doctor was making sure that Debbie had all she would need at home so that she can rest well there. She is so looking forward to being at home in her own bed and surrounded by the things and the people she loves.

There will indeed be lots of people there to love and care for her. The Moltz family had planned to go to one of the sisters' homes for Thanksgiving...instead, they will be at Alan and Debbie's house for this blessed and special day. She will have to be in her room, away from possible cold germs...but still she will be able to hear the laughter and fun, will be able hopefully to eat some turkey and dressing, and will be able to feel a part of the family activities as she so loves to do.

The book of pictures is being finished up tonight...and what a treasure it will be. There is no way one book could hold the pictures of all the people who love Debbie...but this is a good start...and will no doubt bring to mind many other people who have had special times with Debbie and Alan.

The Prayer Pager is buzzing almost constantly! Alan and others have been recording in a journal all the phone numbers of those who are praying...and it is such a wonderful blessing to see the numbers from all over the country.

This message was received this morning from Jesse and Nick Faris after reading yesterday's post which asked for specific blessings that have come to others because of Debbie:

1. The Bridgebuilders Class had their annual Thanksgiving class in which we circle up and each share something from the year for which we're thankful. Before circling up, we said a special prayer for Debbie (we should have all whipped our phones out and dialed that prayer pager--what a load of pages she would have received!), and while in the circle, I wish I'd counted the number of people who shared that what they were thankful for this year was...Debbie! I shared it myself--about how I'm thankful for the example Debbie has set before me of how I want to live my life. I want to live every moment in ministry, like Debbie. God is bringing beauty from ashes in this time of great suffering. Several other people shared about their thankfulness for Debbie and how she is allowing herself to be used by God. Even a man from the Chinese ministry (I wish I knew his name, but I have not yet met him), shared several things and said at the end that he was thankful for Debbie Moltz. Nick and I talked later about how it had touched us that after the obligatory "I'm thankful for my wife/husband," that Debbie Moltz was often the next mentioned. She is special to so many people and even now continues in her ministry to her friends.

2. Nick spoke at a devo for the junior high kids from Sycamore View last night. His topic was "Thankfulness." He told the story from Mark 5 when the tormented demon possessed man ("Legion, for we are many") was healed by Jesus (and the demons were sent into the pigs). He focuses on how the man was so thankful for what Jesus had done that he begged to go with Jesus and his disciples. Jesus told him to stay, instead, and tell everyone about how Jesus had worked in his life. Nick pointed out that true thankfulness for what God has done for us results in action. That we cannot keep quiet about what God has done for us. He then told the kids about Debbie and how, like the man from Mark 5, she is an example for us. Debbie can't keep from ministering to others because of what God has done in her life. When a young person comes to see Debbie at the hospital, he or she is not turned away because even if she is in pain, Debbie wants to be a blessing to that young person and she wants them to know God. Nick told those junior high kids that THAT is true thankfulness.

In this week of Thanksgiving, please let Debbie know that so many people are thankful for HER and that her own desire to bless others in the midst of her trials teaches us what thankfulness truly is.

Amen and amen.

Love to all, Marka

Sunday, 11/19, Report on Debbie

2006-11-19T22:22:00.000-06:00

Debbie was a little brighter today, a little stronger, and better able to hold her own drink cup. While she is still not very hungry, Debbie did enjoy a delicious piece of chocolate pie for breakfast that a friend brought to them last night! The IV fluids she received yesterday did help her feel better. Her strength is still zapped...and she is needing a little more pain medication...but her eyes are a little brighter..and that was good to see.

John and Charlotte Hillis, close friends and Reach Group members who have known the Moltzes for years at church, dropped by to see Alan and Debbie briefly...and Alan recalled how much Debbie had always loved John's special German potato salad at an annual party they attend together. John and Charlotte left shortly after this conversation...and in one hour, they returned with...you guessed it...a container of Debbie's favorite potato salad! This is just an example of what Debbie and Alan's friends are willing to do out of their deep love for this couple...ANYTHING that will help Debbie through this.

Alan began today to write down all the numbers from the Prayer Pager...he is so enjoying seeing the various numbers, how many he recognizes, how many he doesn't, and all the area codes of pray-ers who are offering prayers for his "darlin'" wife. Sometimes when he has a little time and is especially curious, he will call back a pray-er to say, "Hi, this is Alan Moltz and you just prayed for my wife, Debbie! Who would YOU be?" (If you know Alan, you can almost hear him saying this in his inimitable style, can't you?!) On occasion, the pray-er has been someone who knows someone who knows Debbie...and they are taking the moment to pray for Debbie. This has been not only enjoyable for our gregarious Alan...but it has touched his heart that Debbie's need for prayer has been so far-reaching.

With all that is wrong with this world, the timing is good...especially now...especially this week of Thanksgiving...to take special note of what God is doing through Debbie and her experience with this disease. She has often said, "I know God is doing many good things through all of this." She is "not missing a trick" as she reviews all that God has done. (See the earlier blog with reference to one of Debbie's favorite Psalms scriptures.) Would you like to help her know something special that has happened as a result of Debbie's experience with this disease and her faithfulness and trust in God? If you would like to tell her one (or some!) of the good things that have come in your life or someone you know, please e-mail me at norben1@aol.com and this will be one more way that we can love on Debbie, give her courage and strength in knowing that good has come, and be yet another way for all of us to "not miss a trick" of God as we review together all that He has done. Let's be intentional this week in recounting the ways He is blessing Debbie and blessing all of us through Debbie.

Pray that Debbie will have a good night's rest tonight.

Love to all, Marka

Late Saturday night

2006-11-18T22:53:00.000-06:00

Sounding very much like his dad, Alex called to express the family's appreciation for the Prayer Pager. He said that he, Alan, Leigha, Mitchell,and Brittney (Mitchell's girlfriend) are comforted to know that prayers are being offered to God every few minutes from friends and family all over the country.. They are so proud of their mother, knowing that so many people love her, are concerned for her and all of them, and are praying for Debbie's healing. They all do feel surrounded by the prayers and love of so many friends and family.

Debbie is very ill but she managed a tiny smile when she was told of all the things that are happening on her behalf...and she whispered that she is so thankful, too. She is having a difficult time keeping anything on her stomach, and the anti-nausea meds are keeping her asleep or almost asleep all the time....so she hasn't been able to talk much at all today. She is receiving IV fluids and antibiotics in the hope of getting her back on balance. She will be the hospital at least until Monday when Dr. Kraus will determine her status to see if she's ready to go home. For now, the family asks for no visitors so that Debbie can use every bit of her energy to breathe and to get through this very difficult crisis.

Our Elders from our church came to pray over Debbie at her request on Thursday night. They followed the specific command in James 5:14 that says: "If any among you sick? Let [her] call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over [her], anointing [her] with oil in the name of the Lord." These men all know Debbie and Alan well and love them deeply; they were honored to be able to come and pray over Debbie and to anoint her and to ask God's care and blessings on her. Debbie's mother was there when they arrived, and she said it was the sweetest thing she'd ever seen. We thank God that the Elders answered Debbie's request to the fullest extent as soon as she sent it to them...though it must have been difficult for each one of them.

Many cards have been sent; blessings are coming through the blog; the Prayer Pager is buzzing all the time; text messages are coming quickly to every cell phone in the hospital room with Debbie; CDs of wonderful music have been made and sent to Debbie; many pictures have been sent to Brooke for the book we are having made for Debbie; any food that Debbie has ever complimented has been sent to her in hopes of enticing her to eat; suppers are being taken to Charlotte and Pat's house (Alan's sister and brother-in-law) to help take care of all the family who have come from all over the country. It is amazing what the Body of Christ is doing in response to this one who is hurting. Alan and the family are all overwhelmed with the love and concern that has been shown them.

In one of the cards sent by a young woman at Highland who has been loved and influenced by Debbie was this perfectly-applicable verse:

Despite sinking in the dark depths,
Despite engulfing waves that overwhelm the shore,
Batter the homes and
Bruise the trees,
In these worst of times,
Everything that is in me...
whole and pure...or bent and broken...
MAGNIFIES THE LORD.

We say Amen and Amen to this description of Debbie.

O God, hear the prayers we offer for Debbie. She has magnified You always in everything she has done. We beg, God, that You will magnify Yourself through the miracle of healing for this precious one whom we love so much so that she can continue showing You to the world around her. In our Brother Jesus' holy name, Amen.

Love to all, Marka

Urgent Prayers Needed Saturday

2006-11-18T18:19:00.000-06:00

I'll write more later tonight but I do want to report that Debbie has had a very hard day and is very ill. There are several things that could be causing her nausea, pain, and severe weakness. Pray that God will heal her of this terrible disease. Pray for her family, too.

Prayer Pager & Video Messages

2006-11-17T14:47:00.001-06:00

These great ideas to encourage Debbie have come together today! Read on to see if you would like to participate:

(1) PRAYER PAGER. Shirley Lee and her daughters will be delivering Debbie's pager tonight, complete with BLING!! Everyone knows that Debbie loves that BLING...so Michelle Lee has decorated the pager to be ever so sparkly.

The number is very special:
539-PRAY (539-7729)

Shirley wrote: "Can you believe it? Tracy at the pager company did that on her own and it made cry." Me, too.

You may begin to call this number AFTER 8:00 p.m. TONIGHT (Fri, 11/17). Each time you call the number, Debbie's Prayer Pager will vibrate and she will know that another prayer has been offered for her. The pager will record the incoming phone numbers, and she'll see how many people from all over the country have been praying for her. Just don't forget to pray before you call.

(2) VIDEO MESSAGES. Debbie Simpson has arranged for Russ Turman to videotape your messages on Sunday, November 26, and Sunday, December 3. He will set up his camera in the Bride's Room / Reflections Office at Highland (Church of Christ). By next Sunday, we'll have the exact time of filming (before, during, after worship and classes). Debbie writes: "I want to encourage people to be creative-write poems, sing songs, bring large cards and banners, wear "Debbie look alike" outfits, tell a funny Moltz story etc. Don't you think a variety would be good? It can be sweet, goofy, uplifting etc. I also want anyone who just wants to say a few words to feel comfortable to participate." Russ will transfer these great messages to a DVD...and we'll find a special time to present it to her.

That's all for today. More tomorrow.
Love to all, Marka

Friday, 11/17

2006-11-17T10:36:00.001-06:00

Yesterday was a little more difficult day for Debbie because she had to be moved to a treatment room to have a procedure...and then had a couple of other procedures yesterday in her room that were uncomfortable at best. Moving her hurts every part of her body...so she spent the rest of the day with a lot of pain meds.

Even through the pain meds and the pain she was in, she was able to have a short visit with Virgil, Alan's dad...and that was a sweet time for both of them.

Alan's sisters Carolyn and Sharon have been wonderful caretakers of Debbie these last couple of days. Carolyn is a nurse, so she is taking care of all Debbie's medical needs; Sharon has been assigned to being the gatekeeper and is making sure Debbie isn't overwhelmed with too many people. These are big assignments for someone who is loved by so many and who loves so many...but they are doing their sister-in-law a great deed.

These two sisters, along with the Memphis sisters Charlotte and Helen, have determined that today is Mother-Daughter Day...and that Vi, Debbie's mother, should have the entire day with Debbie alone, other than the necessary interruption by hospital personnel. Pray for them today that it will be a special day of love and tenderness...and that Debbie's pain will subside enough that she will not have to have so much pain medication. Sometimes Debbie just enjoys the silence and holding the hand of someone she loves.

Remember to pray for all these family members whose "hearts are torn to shreds," as Charlotte wrote in an e-mail. Each family member is doing their part to help Debbie and Alan get through this crisis; yet they are each hurting, too. Debbie's family members are Vi Brewer (her mom), Jim (her stepdad), and her brother Doug and his family. (Debbie's father died a few years ago.) Alan's family members are Virgil (his dad), Charlotte, Carolyn, Sharon, Helen (sisters) and David (his brother). All these family members have children, too, who adore their Aunt Debbie; pray for them as well.

Here's a little story about Debbie you'll enjoy: A couple of nights ago, two now-young-men whom Debbie has helped raise, Craig Hodge and Taylor Shappley, stopped by to see Debbie for a very short visit. While in the room, they recalled favorite stories from their childhood...and the room was filled with laughter and chatter. Debbie's eyes were closed because she just can't handle a whole lot of stimulation, and Jenny leaned down to see if she was okay...if the noise was too much...and Debbie just smiled and said, "Oh, no..It's beautiful."

Proverb 27:19 from The Message says:
Just as water mirrors your face, so your face mirrors your heart.

Craig and Taylor were there only a few minutes...but they brought joy to Debbie's heart and it showed on her face.

For all those young people... teens, college kids, young adults...who have been so beautifully influenced and taught by Debbie, thank God for her and pray that you will receive many more good teachings from Debbie and that you will follow her example of loving God, giving your life to Him, and givng Him the glory for everything in your life. One of Debbie's goals is to get well and get right back to what she loves the most: being around these young people she loves so much.

Right now, please understand that Debbie's energy level is so low that she may not get to see everyone who wants to come by...but you can leave a card...or write a card while you are there and put it in the box by her door. She is really enjoying the cards, the text messages, and the voice mails...she can read and hear those at the times when she is feeling better; and they fill her heart so much that her face lights up with your love.

A plan is in the works by Debbie Simpson to videotape messages to Debbie at Highland Street Church of Christ, possibly this coming Sunday. This will enable many more people to get "inside" that room with Debbie without having her expend her energy in any way other than getting well. I'll e-mail the details as soon as Debbie has them for us.

Alan will return home early this afternoon; he cannot wait to get back to Debbie. Pray that his drive from the LIttle Rock airport will be safe. Thank God for the beautiful sunny day He has provided for us all. From her 8th floor window, Debbie can see the majesty of the beautiful fall colors that God has given us this year in Memphis...and she's not "missing a trick"! (see yesterday's verse from Psalms).

Love to all, Marka

Thursday, 11/16

2006-11-17T10:33:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, Debbie was able to breathe a little deeper and with less effort; her voice was a little stronger as well. The discomfort of the drainage tube in her lung added to the leg pain...plus now days of lying in one position in her bed...have made her just achy and uncomfortable. She doesn't complain at all but she seems to be constantly seeking a better position to find relief.

Her leg is healing as it should, according to Dr. LaVelle; but with no physical therapy while she is recovering from the lung episode, it is still swollen and hurting. There is still a large clot in her leg; so yesterday a filter was placed in the vein or artery from her leg which will prevent the clot or any parts of it from getting into her lungs. Amazing, isn't it? This is just another thing we can be thankful for...all the many techniques and devices that are available in the medical world for situations such as this. For those in the medical field, this little tiny filter that would fit inside a vein is probably everyday fare...but for those of us who walk around daily not even thinking about our veins, it is mind-boggling! It is comforting to know that Debbie's blood clot is much less likely now to cause further problems. Of course, it still needs to dissolve so that the leg can continue to heal.

The Season of Prayer for Debbie last night at our church was amazing, too. From 5:00 to 9:00, the room was full of pray-ers! As I stood at the door and watched people coming and going, I was struck with the fact that all ages were represented...from a precious little 4-year-old who drew a picture for Miss Debbie to many of our older Highland members. Teens with teary eyes dropped by to pray. A young professional man who was influenced and loved by Debbie during his high school years came to pray; he hasn't even seen Debbie in a long while but he heard about the prayer time and wanted to be there for her. Many of the young couples at Highland for whom Debbie has directed their weddings were there. Her peers with whom they have raised their children together were there. All ages...all praying.

'Alan managed to get away from the hospital for a little while and came by the room to thank those who were there at that time; he talked for about 20 minutes, mostly about wonderful things that have happened throughout this time of Debbie's illness and how they have been so blessed by sweet words, wonderful prayers, and good deeds. He said Debbie has received cards and e-mails from many people that they don't even know...people who are praying for her and their family! This is a testimony to the far-reaching effects of a couple who have dedicated their lives to God and have gone about wherever they are showing God to those around them. Alan said that they have been overwhelmed with good deeds done for them and offers of good deeds...he said that he doesn't have enough leaves to rake, a house big enough for all the food, or enough messes in the house to clean for all the wonderful people who are wanting to help them out in tangible ways. He and Debbie are both humbled and honored with this show of love for them.

Always looking for a laugh, Alan jokingly told one friend that, since people are so wanting to help, that maybe he'd just pass out deposit slips for his bank account and ask for donations of $10 each. The friend replied right back, "Then, Alan, you'd be a millionaire." Another friend quickly added, "Nope, with all the friends you have, you'd be a MULTImillionaire." It was meant to be a joke...but it turned into an overwhelming moment of truth and love..

My daughter, Brooke Ray, and another young woman who works at church, Jesse Faris, are creating a blog site for my reports on Debbie. The preliminary design is wonderful, so they are perfecting it today and will have to show me how to enter my reports. I will be sending you the link to this site soon. I can't wait for Debbie to see it...she is going to flip over the design. You'll love it, too!

Pictures that were brought last night to the Season of Prayer plus many that have already been e-mailed to Brooke...and all that will come to her by e-mail or to her office before 4:00 p.m. this Friday afternoon will be compiled into a fabulous hardback coffee-table type of book for Debbie. If you have pictures of your family (even without Debbie) or any pix of her with you at any kind of event or activity, please send them to Brooke at brookebray@gmail.com or bring them to her office at HIghland Street Church of Christ, 443 S. Highland, Memphis.

Tomorrow Debbie will have a Prayer Beeper provided to her. This will be a regular beeper with a phone number we will provide as soon as we have it. Anytime you pray for Debbie or think of her, you can call this number, the beeper will beep or vibrate, and Debbie will know that another prayer is being offered to the Father for her. Yes, we've thought about the number of beeps she might get...It might be beeping all day and night! She can always turn off the sound feature and just check the call log from time to time to see how many prayers have been prayed for her. I'll get that number to you in the next day or so. (Thank you, Ashley Hodge, for the idea...and Shirley Lee for getting the beeper.)

Other things are being done for Debbie and Alan by very creative people who so want to help. Several women from their Reach Group have already gone to the Moltzes' house and have decorated Debbie's bedroom with banners and flowers...she'll be so surprised when she gets home! I've heard from several parents whose college kids can't wait to come see "Miss Debbie" during their Thanksgiving break. Even though Debbie's visitors have been pretty much restricted to those who are actually caring for her, she has given the mandate that any teenager or college kid is to be allowed in her room at any time! She loves them, and they love her right back.

Soon, these long e-mails will be on the blog and they won't be clogging up your space! I'm wordy...I know it...but I can't help it in this case...there are just so many things that God is doing through Debbie and I want to shout it from the internet rooftops! One of our favorite scriptures from Psalms 18, mid-chapter, from The Message explains it:

"Every day I review the ways He works; I try not to miss a trick!"

This is what we should all do all the time. God is ever-present in our lives. Let's not miss a trick. He is doing amazing things, even in the small stuff. I'm still thinking about how tiny that little filter must be that would fit inside a vein...Thank You, Lord, for all You have done for Your children on this earth.

Love to all, Marka

PS If you want a list of specific things to pray, open this attachment which is the handout from last night's Season of Prayer.

Welcome to Debbie's Blog!

2006-11-15T14:05:00.000-06:00

Hello all! After multiple mass emails a day, we are proud to unveil our new streamlined way of updating you on Debbie Moltz and how you can be praying for her.