E-mail from Sarah

Many of you are aware of the health situation with Sarah's dad (Joe Collins). Not everyone received the email that she sent yesterday before flying out today to spend a week with her dad in the hospital. I wanted to post the email here in case you didn't get a chance to see it.

Hi friends,

I am writing this to ask for prayer for my father. He was diagnosed with stage 4 Melanoma over Thanksgiving after a scan revealed spots in his lung. After attempting to start an intense chemotherapy on Jan. 5th, he had a severe reaction and was eventually sent home with the news that further treatment will not be pursued.

After a day at home, he took a turn for the worse and is now in his local hospital where they are managing his pain via morphine drip and in general making him more comfortable. This morning the doctor told my family he has a month at the most and will likely not see February.

I am flying up to Oregon on Saturday morning for a week to be with my siblings and parents and hopefully spend some quality father-daughter time with my dad in the hospital. Please pray for my dad, my family, and me as we attempt to say good-bye for now, until we all dwell together with the Father in heaven.

Please pray for a gentle passing for Dad, and that he can look forward to that day very soon when he is healed and whole, pain-free, and in the presence of his Savior. My parents both love and trust Jesus; my dad has worked all his life to share that with others.

There are so many who love my dad, including those who are unbelievers. Please pray for these people as this may be a time when their hearts will be touched, and that God will be glorified specifically in that way through this situation. As much as we are grieving, we so want to be able to share with others about our eternal, unshakable hope that ensures my dad's salvation.

I wish I could describe accurately in words what a wonderful, beautiful man my dad is, but I'll just share a quick story - When he was admitted and settled into the hospital yesterday, the nurses asked if he would like to be moved to a room with a mountain view (the same view from his bedroom window at home). He looked straight at my mom's face and with a grin replied, "I have the only view I need right here." So pray for us as we spend this last, sweet bit of time together.

Pray for Dax as he will be tackling the boys alone this week, and possibly sacrificing his opportunity to say good-bye to his father-in-law in order to give me that time. Brave man, and husband of the year, for letting me go!

Love in Jesus,
Sarah Bryant