Loving Deb Smith

For those who know and love Tom & Deb Smith of Ashley, IL and Cincinnati, OH. Several months ago Deb was diagnosed with cancer which advanced rapidly to her bones, lungs, lymphatic system, and retina. Doctors initially gave her 6 to 18 months. Early on October, 12, 2007, our Beloved Sister, Deborah Ann Smith, is now home with Jesus, dancing in the fields of Grace. Please pray for the entire Smith family during this time of great suffering, sorrow, and ultimate rejoicing!

To help financially during this time of great need, please forward your offering to Tom's sister:
Darla Wexttsen, 16738 N. Tolle Lane, Mount Vernon, IL 62864
checks may be made payable to "Grace Community Church"

There is also a deposit account set up at US Bank to help defray Deb's uncovered medical expenses.
Visit any US Bank branch office to make a deposit in cash or by check for "Deborah A. Smith Memorial Fund".
Please be sure to mention Charity Paddock or Nellie Haverkos to be sure the gift is properly deposited.

If you use this link to join iGive.com, then go shopping there, as much as 26% of your purchases will help the family.

Sunday, July 1, 2007

My soul stays close to you. Your right hand holds me up.

Psalm 63:1-8

1 God, you are my God. I will earnestly seek you. My soul thirsts for you, My flesh longs for you, In a dry and weary land, where there is no water.
2 So I have seen you in the sanctuary, Watching your power and your glory.
3 Because your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise you.
4 So I will bless you while I live. I will lift up my hands in your name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with the richest food. My mouth shall praise you with joyful lips,
6 When I remember you on my bed, And think about you in the night watches.
7 For you have been my help. I will rejoice in the shadow of your wings.
8 My soul stays close to you. Your right hand holds me up.
(World English Bible)

God, you indeed are our hope and we long for you. Together we thirst for you with our sister, Deb. Together with her we lift up our hands to praise you with our lips. You have been Deb's help, and your right hand holds her up. Glory to You!

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Home! What Joy! What Sorrow!

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Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in immortality. (Eph 6:23-24)

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The co-pay cost for Deb's medications, though changing periodically, is between $6,000 and $7,000 per month. The family is doing all that is possible to reduce this cost through pharmaceutical company programs, grants, etc. The costs of ancillary services (like lab work, etc.) related to Deb's care are generally not covered by insurance, and continue to mount. A recent estimate puts the currently outstanding uncovered medical expenses for Deb's treatment and care at close to $500,000.

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If you use this link to join iGive.com, then go shopping there, as much as 26% of your purchases will go to help Deb and Tom.

Please use the search box below to shop online at Amazon.com, and Amazon.com will contribute part of your purchase to Deb & Tom. Thank you for your kindness. Or,

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If you prefer to shop at Christianbook.com, please use this search box to help Deb and Tom: Christianbook.com

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"We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.

Intense love does not measure, it just gives.

I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love.”

- Mother Teresa of Calcutta

"Small things done with great Love will change the world" - Steve Sjogren of Cincinnati

"I pray that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." ~Eph. 3:17-19

Here is a good synopsis of Deb Smith offered by Gary Sweeten.

"I first met Deb when she was a very young bride of the new Student Minister at UC. ... Deb was as much an integral part of the ministry to students as was Tom and when the new baby came along she joined the ministry team as a little sister to all those home sick kids in college who flocked to the Carpenter's House next to the campus. Despite being a new mother and wife Deb was seemingly tireless in her effort to serve Christ and the lonely college kids along with loving Charity and Tom.

Deb never lost her fervor as a co-minister with Tom as they touched so many thousands of people around the world. Just imagine how many people were anchored into Christ as students and then as parents because Deb was there in the middle of a crisis or need for a friend.

Even as she pursued her own passion for art and creative worship Deb used her sensitivity and giftedness to integrate them into worship and inspiration.

Deb's three brilliant kids and their lovely grand children lighted up her life more than anything else and her love is as thick as a blanket of wool always showing insight, care and discipline."

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col 3:12-17)

1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.

3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.

4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

6 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
(Ps 63:1-8 ESV)

"Charity told us about the blog, and said "you've got to get ready to be loved." Wow, what an understatement ... You are giving us not only an immense agape hug, but also fresh faith ... Thanks for continuing to pray alongside us ... Your cards, gifts, and emails have brought us to our knees." - Deb and Tom Smith, 7/1/2007

To help Deb & Tom financially during this time of great need,
please forward your gifts to Tom's sister:

Darla Wexstten,
16738 N. Tolle Lane
Mount Vernon, IL 62864

Checks may be made payable to "Grace Community Church"

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God. For as Christ's sufferings overflow to us, so through Christ does our encouragement also overflow. If we are afflicted, it is for your encouragement and salvation; if we are encouraged, it is for your encouragement, which enables you to endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is firm, for we know that as you share in the sufferings, you also share in the encouragement. (2Cor 1: 4-7)

Loving Deb Smith

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Sunday, July 1, 2007

My soul stays close to you. Your right hand holds me up.

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