Loving Deb Smith

Eternal Beatitude

2008-10-12T16:57:00.003-04:00

Today, October 12, 2008, is the one year anniversary, in time, of the passing of our dear friend, Deborah Ann Smith, to her heavenly home in eternity!

1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going." 5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14: 1-6)

Glory be to God!

You are Invited to an Open House!

2008-01-28T23:34:00.001-05:00

Charity and Nellie have extended the following invitation:

You are invited to come to an Open House to purchase our mom's clothing. We are raising funds to purchase a headstone for our mom at Arlington here in Cincinnati. We'll be selling her blazers, skirts, comfortable suits, sweaters, and jackets, many from Coldwater Creek.

The Open House is in Loveland, OH
Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008,
10:00 am - 12:00 noon

Please email Charity at paddockfamily@fuse.net for directions if you can come.

Thanks!
Nellie and Charity

Glory to God in the Highest!

2007-12-25T11:38:00.000-05:00

On this first Christmas since our sister Deb is home with the Lord, please continue, as always, to pray for Tom and Charity, Nellie, Jordan, and their families. Many have offered words of encouragement and blessing. Your kindness in remembering them in this season of Joy is quite a Gift.

The Prince of Peace!
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom
a light has shone.
You have brought them abundant joy
and great rejoicing,
as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,
as people make merry when dividing spoils.
For the yoke that burdened them,
the pole on their shoulder,
and the rod of their taskmaster
you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.
For every boot that tramped in battle,
every cloak rolled in blood,
will be burned as fuel for flames.
For a child is born to us, a son is given us;
upon his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
His dominion is vast
and forever peaceful,
from David’s throne, and over his kingdom,
which he confirms and sustains
by judgment and justice,
both now and forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!
(Isaiah 9:1-6)

Be Not Afraid!

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that the whole world should be enrolled.
This was the first enrollment,
when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.
And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth
to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and family of David,
to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
While they were there,
the time came for her to have her child,
and she gave birth to her firstborn son.
She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields
and keeping the night watch over their flock.
The angel of the Lord appeared to them
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were struck with great fear.
The angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid;
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel,
praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
(Luke 2:1-14)

Many Thanks, Deb!

2007-11-22T11:13:00.001-05:00

Dear Ones,

In the past few days, three of you have offered powerful evidence of Deb Smith's continuing ministry and witness to the Boundless Love of God. All Glory to God! Many Thanks, Deb, this Thanksgiving!

On the Seasoned Believers blog, Gary Sweeten offered the following (edited for space):

I often think about our friends from the Jesus Movement and wonder what happened to them. Then, when Deb Smith, one of the midwives of the Movement , died, dozens of them contacted the blog set up to pray for her and many returned to honor her and Tom at the Celebration of the Resurrection.

It seems to me that a very large percentage of the people who were touched deeply by the Lord back then have remained faithful to Him and have tried to follow His ways...

Quite a few of our friends have been in Helping Ministries of one kind or another. Some chose a pastoral or teaching ministry while others became missionaries and worship leaders. It seems that not a few heard the call into counseling and healing ministries. That was always a focus in the old days and it excited us.

This listing and conversations reveal that almost everyone of the Jesus Community caught a lot of compassion from direct contact with the Spirit or from His word. One man told me, "I blame Tom Smith for my lifelong commitment to love and mercy. He pounded that message into our heads at every service."

One who became a counselor and an ordained minister is Susan Rice, who writes from Paris, where she isserving at the American Church in Paris:

Just writing this email is an overwhelming experience as I look at the list of names of people who are part of a very special era in my life, and who share those precious memories. I don't think that I will ever have as many joyful memories ... as I have from the times at FCC or the Jesus House, or ever meet as talented or inspiring a group of people. Just amazing!

God is good, and I thank him for you all this Thanksgiving! May he continue to use our lives for his glory--blessed be his name.

Our beloved brother, Randy Moody recently shared the following note with some who were present at the Cincinnati Celebration of the Resurrection for Deb Smith. In away, this Thanksgiving, it is

It was wonderful to see so many of you at Deb Smith's Resurrection Celebration a few weeks ago. What an incredible thing to be able to reconnect after all this time. The occasion made it all the more poignant. My heart was a whirlpool of emotions – deep sadness at the absence of our dear sister and at the pain of her absence suffered by her dear family, gladness for her relief from pain and sadness – and for her presence with Jesus, and overflowing blessing at seeing so many people I love so dearly and have missed so much. I only regret that I couldn't have at least had an evening together with each of you just to catch up and hear your stories. I intend to send a generic "catch-up" e-mail soon, and maybe some of you would be inclined to do the same.

In reminiscing about those days in the 70's when we were so much a part of each other's lives, I dug through boxes of old cassette tapes and ... discovered tapes of live music of those days of which I'm not sure anyone else has copies. I immediately set about converting them to digital form and "cleaning them up" to remove as much audio clutter as I could. The result is several collections from singers and groups of those days, which I'm happy to make available on separate CDs or as MP3s all on one CD to anyone who would want and listen to them. Maybe even a few "bonus cuts".

These tapes held up amazingly well, and the songs sound great.

I have assembled the following CDs of live music from around that time:

Mike Wilshire – Mike was in a whole different class than of the rest of us who were writing and playing at that time. An incredible song craftsman with an amazing understanding of the heart of God. Superior writing, both musically and lyrically – very mature. Great voice and amazing guitar talent (both acoustic and electric slide guitar). 19 of his best songs. Mike tells me he's recording a CD which will be available soon

Covenant (Karen Smith and Jenny Daniel). My very favorites at that time. Simple and elegant. 2 studio tracks and 8 live ones.

Prodigal – one of the most polished of all the Cincinnati Jesus bands of the day. Loyd, Dave, and Rick were way ahead of their time lyrically and musically. 8 live performance tracks.

Odor, Burns and Clark – Kent Odor, Wayne Burns and Bob Clark. Sung into a tape recorder. Wonderful stuff – original compositions, rich vocal harmonies. Homey and fun. 7 live cuts.

Dan Kelchak – played a one-night stand at the Jesus house and blew everybody away. Only two songs on his tape came through well, and I'm so glad they did. "Leonard Simpson" blew us all away, and I immediately stole it and sang it every chance I could after that. Ken Medema's "Sonshiny Day" is a classic and Dan does a great job with it. This CD also has a couple of "bonus cuts" from that era from a brother we all miss. One of them is called "The Lake Between the Hills".

Also, I have recorded two of my songs (lite studio productions). One is "The Kingdom" (One Big Time in the Kingdom) from the Jesus House days. The other is "Beautiful Lady", a song I wrote for my wife, Rosie, as a gift to her for our seventh wedding anniversary.

So, I'll be glad to send along any of these that would be a blessing to you. They deserve to be heard, and not just sit in a storage box. Just let me know. Please understand that it may take some time to assemble and ship them to you, so please be patient and don't expect them instantly. Let me know which you want, and if you want individual CDs or MP3s. Also, please feel free to forward this e-mail to other friends you have kept up with that may also be interested in the CDs. Again, they're not for sale. I simply want to pass them along to anyone who will be blessed to hear them.

Happy Birthday, Deb!

2007-11-04T05:20:00.000-05:00

In time, today is Deb's 54th birthday. She is likely dancing and painting in worship before the Lord. To celebrate here, see the photo recollection of Deb's life which her family shared at the two Celebrations of the Resurrection in Mt Vernon, IL, (October 20, 2007) and Cincinnati, OH (October 21, 2007).

Celebration of the Resurrection

How good and pleasant it is...

2007-10-22T19:35:00.000-04:00

On Sunday, October 21, 2007, Deb Smith was remembered and honored in a joyful and deeply personal Celebration of the Resurrection, at New Hope Community Church, originally the home of Fellowship Christian Church, which Tom and Deb Smith pastored for many years. One of the sweetest moments, and most moving for many, was at the very end, when Randy Moody sang The Kingdom. The Celebration continued at Vineyard Community Church where at least 125-150 friends joined Tom and the Smith family for a meal and time of rich fellowship.

Praise be to God Who Loves us!

The following reflection on this profoundly gentle, Spirit-filled gathering of perhaps 250-300 Lovers of Deb Smith appeared this morning on Brave Heart, a blog hosted by Gary Sweeten, a long time friend and the coordinator of yesterday's Celebration:

It is difficult to know where to make this post. It is all about the joyfully poignant service we had this afternoon for Deb Smith. It was a real family reunion, not unlike many weddings and funerals, because these rituals provide valuable time for old but busy friends to get together. The hyper speed of life passes much too quickly so time is needed to remember the good times after too many years of love from a distance.

We met at the old FCC Church building on the west side of Cincinnati ... now ... a congregation called, appropriately, "New Hope"... It was a matured version of the hippies we had loved so well and so fleetingly back in the sixties and seventies. Fewer beards and many more gray hairs in the ones that were there.

But a lot of people turned out to honor Deb and Tom Smith for their love, care and evangelistic fervor that brought many of them to a faith that still thrives among daunting marriages and rearing kids as well as fighting off various diseases and moving through the Mid Life Crises that seem to appear out of no where.

I wish I had taken a camera. I would love to show you all the photos of some of the most beautiful people I ever knew. But my task of the day, Master of Ceremonies and enforcer of the time constraints, would have prevented me from taking any pictures, but I still like to think about having pictures to remind me of our old friends.

We celebrated the short life of Deb Smith, a woman admired by all and sought for counsel by any who knew her. Tom was "The Official Pastor" of the Christian Student Fellowship but Deb, the very young Deb, provided so much love and concern for all those lonely students who came to U.C. for an education that they remembered her for decades for her listening, wisdom and acceptance.

During the celebration, George Lueking shared warmly about Deb's concern for others, even while she was very ill, once apologizing that she could spend only 20 minutes one weekend with friends who had traveled from Cincinnati just to see her. John Morelock fought back tears of sorrow and great joy recounting Deb's unique and creative life and well-known sense of humor.

Barb Hine also shared the following remembrance of Deb, which struck home for anyone who knew her:

When you met Deb, you may have thought of fine china as I did. Her fine features, fair skin, the beautiful things she created. But with Deb it wasn’t the china you fell in love with – it was the rock beneath. She was solid in her faith, strong in her friendships and unfailing in her love for her family.

It was said that Tom & Deb were co-pastors of two churches and yes they were…but Deb’s role was so different in the two. As I recall – she once said “I don’t want to be a “normal” pastor’s wife”. So with Deb’s creative flair she stayed on the side lines with Bible studies in her home, fancy lunches to bless us girls – on her fine china – and things I’m sure we were not even aware of. It came as such a surprise to hear Deb’s call to worship at Grace Community Church as many of us had not seen that part of her. What a joy to see Deb in that role. God is so good at showing us His path, in His timing.

I have had the honor, in the past few months to spend some precious time with Deb’s girls. In Nellie I was able to see Deb’s strength and in Charity, Deb’s love for family and in her grandchildren Deb’s incredible smile & laughter.

I thank God for the wonderful, memorable moments I was given with Deb Smith and her family.

From Philippians 4:8
And finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things…and the God of peace be with you.

If you have a reflection on this Celebration or the Celebration that took place in Mt Vernon, IL, on Saturday, October 20, 2007, please share it here as a comment.

My Mom: A brief biography from Charity Ann Smith

2007-10-16T23:10:00.000-04:00

My mom was born in Cincinnati and lived here until she was 41, when she and my dad moved back to the farm where he had grown up in southern Illinois.

Born and raised in Cincinnati, she graduated from Princeton High School. She attended Cincinnati Bible College, then took time off to raise two daughters and a son. As her daughter, I can say that she always gave the gift of her time and the gift of her self. She was a person who enjoyed "being," not simply doing.

All her life, my mom created art. She worked with paint, clay, fabrics, stained glass, pastels and all types of found objects.

Later in life, she took the role of a nontraditional student and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Miami University-Oxford with a degree in Fine Arts. She then earned a Master of Fine Arts from Eastern Illinois University. After this, she taught painting, art appreciation, drawing and sculpture at Frontier Community College in Fairfield, Illinois. She was also a sought-after Judge of fine art for several Illinois art shows and competitions. My dad said that at art shows, she "always found something good about each contestant." He also called her a "woman of accomplishment."

My mom was wholly devoted to her faith. She and my dad co-pastored for 35 years at both Fellowship Christian Church in Monfort Heights and Grace Community Church in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. She brought her artistic gifts to serve people in and out of the church her whole life.

As a team, my parents also operated Smith Family Farms, where they raised and sold beef cattle. My mom was active in all areas of the farm, from bottle-feeding orphaned calves to feeding the team of farmers to even naming some of the cows.

She was a woman who was loved by so many people in her short time on Earth.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other online stories about Deb include:
Mt Vernon Register-News
Cincinnati Enquirer

Freesias and Orchids and Bagpipes, Oh My!

2007-10-16T22:58:00.000-04:00

During the past few weeks, as Deb's family lovingly discussed her wishes, Nellie shared that,

"With her ever present sense of humor, she also outlined that under no circumstances does she want bagpipes and she would really like lots of flowers."

(her favorites are freesia and orchids)

Loving Deb Smith in the Breaking of Bread in Cincinnati

2007-10-16T22:44:00.001-04:00

Blessed Dear Ones!

Following the Celebration of the Resurrection for Deb Smith in Cincinnati on Sunday, October 21, 2007 (Details on the Celebration of the Resurrection) there will be a meal and fellowship for friends and family. All are welcome.

Here are the details:

Breaking Bread in Celebration of the Resurrection

Spaghetti dinner, with garlic bread and salad
(Prepared by brothers and sisters from the Vineyard Community Church)

Vineyard Community Church (Atrium)
11340 Century Circle E.
Cincinnati, OH 45246

October 21, 2007 from 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Please consider preparing a refrigeration free dessert to share
-- something that works on a napkin, like cookies, brownies, lemon squares, cupcakes, etc.

Suggested donation: $7.50 per person to help cover the cost of the dinner food.

Luke 24
It was very early in the morning on the first day of the week. The women took the spices they had prepared. Then they went to the tomb.

They found the stone rolled away from it. When they entered the tomb, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. They were wondering about this.

Suddenly two men in clothes as bright as lightning stood beside them. The women were terrified. They bowed down with their faces to the ground. Then the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? Jesus is not here! He has risen! Remember how he told you he would rise. It was while he was still with you in Galilee. He said, 'The Son of Man must be handed over to sinful people. He must be nailed to a cross. On the third day he will rise from the dead.' "
Then the women remembered Jesus' words.
They came back from the tomb. They told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them were the ones who told the apostles. But the apostles did not believe the women. Their words didn't make any sense to them.
But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. He bent over and saw the strips of linen lying by themselves. Then he went away, wondering what had happened.
That same day two of Jesus' followers were going to a village called Emmaus. It was about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked about those things, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them. But God kept them from recognizing him.
Jesus asked them, "What are you talking about as you walk along?"
They stood still, and their faces were sad. One of them was named Cleopas. He said to Jesus, "You must be a visitor to Jerusalem. If you lived there, you would know the things that have happened there in the last few days."
"What things?" Jesus asked.
"About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet. He was powerful in what he said and did in the eyes of God and all of the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed Jesus over to be sentenced to death. They nailed him to a cross. But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to set Israel free. Also, it is the third day since all this happened.
"Some of our women amazed us too. Early this morning they went to the tomb. But they didn't find his body. So they came and told us what they had seen. They saw angels, who said Jesus was alive. Then some of our friends went to the tomb. They saw it was empty, just as the women had said. They didn't see Jesus' body there."
Jesus said to them, "How foolish you are! How long it takes you to believe all that the prophets said! Didn't the Christ have to suffer these things and then receive his glory?"
Jesus explained to them what was said about himself in all the Scriptures. He began with Moses and all the Prophets.

The two men approached the village where they were going. Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they tried hard to keep him from leaving. They said, "Stay with us. It is nearly evening. The day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.
He joined them at the table. Then he took bread and gave thanks. He broke it and began to give it to them. Their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. But then he disappeared from their sight.
They said to each other, "He talked with us on the road. He opened the Scriptures to us. Weren't our hearts burning inside us during that time?"
They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them. They were all gathered together. They were saying, "It's true! The Lord has risen! He has appeared to Simon!"
Then the two of them told what had happened to them on the way. They told how they had recognized Jesus when he broke the bread.
(NIRV)
(Thank you to Elizabeth Patten for the photographs in this post)

Updated details regarding Celebration for Deb in Mt Vernon, IL

2007-10-16T18:37:00.001-04:00

Mindy McWilliams, Administrative Assistant at Grace Community Church provided the following update regarding the Celebration of the Resurrection for Deb at GCC.

Dear Grace Family & Friends,

We wanted to let you know of these updates in the Mt. Vernon area Services for Pastor Deb Smith. Visitation will be Saturday October the 20th from 10 am until 11 am at Grace Community Church. The memorial service, officiated by Pastor Monty Weatherall and Pastor Lynn Laughlin, will follow at 11 am.

Immediately after the service the family will have a private meal.

Blessings, Mindy

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

Details on the Celebrations of the Resurrection!

2007-10-15T10:27:00.000-04:00

There will be two Memorial Services for Deb Smith this coming weekend. The family has provided the following details:

Saturday, October 20, 2007
Grace Community Church

14769 N Highway 37
Mt Vernon, IL 62864
(618)242-2303

Visitation @ 10:00 AM (at Grace Community Church)
Celebration @ 11:00 AM

Sunday, October 21, 2007
New Hope Community Church

3707 Edgewood Dr
Cincinnati, OH 45211
618) 242-2303
www.visitnewhope.org

Visitation @ 2:00 PM (at the New Hope Community Church)
Celebration @ 3:00 PM

Please keep the entire Smith family in your prayers.

A love note from Tom - October 12, 2007

2007-10-13T04:02:00.001-04:00

Dear friends in Christ,

Today my dear wife Deb went to be with Christ Jesus and the saints who have gone before us. Her healing is now complete. God's sovereign purposes are also complete. I often quoted Wimber in dealing with the tough times on Earth, "Earth aint heaven." But today I am finding comfort in being able to say "yes, but heaven is heaven." And Deb is healed, Deb is soaking in the beauty, Deb is singing with one of the awesome praise teams, Deb is telling the angels about her awesome five grandkids.

Our hearts ache. This big old farmhouse is silent but her legacy has just begun.

I do not have the words to tell all of you in the lovingdebsmith congregation what comfort we received from reading your blog entries. Our computer room is on the second floor in our home so I would have to print things out as Deb couldn't do stairs. Then Darla began bringing her laptop out and letting Deb see your letters with her own eyes. Yesterday the Holy Spirit prepared Deb for her homegoing by Darla playing a CD that brother Drew Grounds, worship leader at Central Christian Church, had made for Deb. But in the middle of it, Darla stopped and played Deb's 7 Calls To Worship, which magician Michael Cristiani reproduced on the blog. Deb could not speak the past three days. She made sounds that we tried to interpret but during one of the praise songs, she was able to sing along, by saying, "hallelu, hallelu." The hospice nurse could tell something was moving in the room and asked Deb, "What are you seeing?" Deb said, "angels." The nurse asked, "have they come for you?" She said, "not yet." At the end of that day, the nurses told us they believed she would go to be with the Lord in 24-48 hours.

At 3 am, Jordan and I decided to move her onto a pillow wedge in her bed to help relieve the coughing. In her broken language, she began to speak to Jordan and Jordan began to speak to his mother amidst the tears. He kissed and spoke of his love for his mother and began to pray for his mother. The Holy Spirit used this moment mightily for all three of us. I then gave Deb another round of meds in her IV port and then laid down with her and rubbed her head, arm and shoulders and she talked to me for quite a while also. Then she became silent but was still breathing and at about 4, I said, "If I'm going to work tomorrow, I've got to go to the couch to get a couple hours of sleep." For the past four months, I would be awakened by Deb's strange, unusual sounds. Today, the house was silent. I ran to her bed and her spirit was gone to be with Jesus.

We are sad but we are grateful because as Paul told the young church, "we are not like people of the world who die without hope."

We are going to honor Deb and her Savior in two Memorial Services, Lord willing. Next Saturday, October 20 at Grace Community Church in Mt. Vernon, Illinois at 11am and Sunday, October 21st at 3pm at New Hope Community Church , originally known by most of us at Fellowship Christian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio.

I cannot close this love note to all of you without saying thank you for your generous gifts which have enabled us to combat the financial challenges of cancer medical care. You have kept our heads afloat, financially. We are still not out of the woods, in that our insurance company has not paid the first dollar because they are still looking in Deb's medical history to find a preexisting condition. They have renegotiated some of the prices with the hospitals and testing agencies. But they are still refusing to pay real money for the outstanding bills. Again, thank you.

Let me close by saying that Deb loved teaching art at a small college--Frontier Community College. Our family is establishing a "Deb Smith Memorial Fine Arts Scholarship" in her honor and to continue her ministry of helping discover students gifted to "do art." Deb's greatest joy was discovering the kids whom God had wired up to paint, do sculpture, do architecture. The administration originally told her they had to have a Fine Arts teacher to meet Humanities requirements for the State but not to expect any one to be very serious about Art and certainly no one to go on and major in Art at a 4-year University. She and her students surprised them as she has sent, the last time we counted, nine students on to major universities in Fine Arts, Graphic Arts, Art Education and Architecture. If you want to contribute to this scholarship fund, simply make your check out to "Frontier Community College" with Deb Smith on the Memo line and mail to our home address at 10517 North Panzier Lane, Ashley, IL 62808. Thank you.

Deb and I would read the blog and we would remember you and relive stories of our young life in Christ together. And our faith would be renewed in the midst of the most vicious battle of our lives. Surely friendship in Christ is eternal. God bless you all. Tom Smith.

Home! What Joy and Sorrow!

2007-10-12T11:07:00.001-04:00

Dear Ones,

Our sister, Deborah Ann Smith, is home with Jesus, from early this morning, October, 12, 2007. Tom and Jordan were with Deb at the time. Here is a message from Charity:

Dear friends,

It is with immeasurable sadness that we write. Our mom passed away early this morning. She passed in her sleep. Please keep us in your prayers as we plan for the future.

All our thanks, the Smith family."

Please bring Tom and the whole Smith family before the Throne of Grace.

Please watch Loving Deb Smith for details on memorials, etc., as they become available.

Hebrews 12:22-24a
But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous ones made perfect, to Jesus ...

My strength and my courage is the LORD (Update on Deb for Monday, October 8, 2007)

2007-10-09T00:26:00.001-04:00

Dear Ones,

Tonight, Charity has provided the following update, knowing how much the Lovers of Deb Smith are lifting Deb and the whole family up to God in prayer and thanksgiving:

First, I haven't had to make a meal in about two weeks, thanks to the meals from friends. What a gift!

Nellie, Zach and I returned home from Ashley later last week. We spent several days at our mom's bedside, and were relieved to see her temperature go down.

She is still sleeping most of the day and night. She is getting great care from family and her nurses. Her situation still remains critical.

As of last Thursday, her main hospice nurse said that her life expectancy, based on the symptoms she sees, is a few days or a week.

Love,
Charity

------------------------------------

God, indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
(Isaiah 12:2)

We have gathered at our parents' home ...

2007-10-02T19:04:00.000-04:00

Charity has provided the following update, this evening:

I'm writing from my parents' house. Nellie, Zach and I came over late last night.

To all friends who are reading today's entry, our family sends out a thank you and a genuine appreciation for all the manifestations of love you have shown us.

We have gathered at our parents' home because the hospice nurses say that our mom's situation has become extremely critical. They are concerned that she does not have much time left because she has had a 103 degree fever, low blood pressure and terminal dehydration. She sleeps 20 hours a day. The nurses have recommended that we all be here with her now.

Please pray for us as we spend this time with our mom.... And as we attempt to plan for the future. She has expressed that she wants to be buried in Cincinnati, so we anticipate a great reunion with all our friends at a memorial service there, in addition to a memorial service in Mt. Vernon. We will blog about plans as we learn what they are.

With love, Charity

I have a scripture for you from Isaiah 35...

2007-10-01T23:13:00.001-04:00

Here, again, is a most hopeful and compassionate Call to Worship from our dear sister. Thank you, Deb. You are a holy servant of God, Who embraces you on the highway of your journey of Faith. He fills you with every Grace and Blessing!

Call to Worship 5
"We're going to be talking about heaven today. And I have a scripture for you from Isaiah, and it kind of gives a description of heaven. It's from Isaiah 35.
And a highway shall be there, ...,
and it shall be called the Holy Way.
The unclean shall not pass over it,
And fools shall not err therein.
No lion shall be there,
nor shall any ravenous beast come upon it;
they shall not be found there.
But the redeemed shall walk there,
and the ransomed of the LORD shall return,
and come to Zion with singing,
with everlasting joy upon their heads.
They shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
(Isaiah 35:8-10)
Let's pray.

Thank You LORD. Thank you for this promise of heaven. We have that hope.
We all have lots of folks we're going to see when we get there; that we miss. Because they are not here anymore, and we now they are waiting. And we know that they get to see You, and they get to be with You, and someday we will too.

But right now we are happy for the rain and we are happy for the sunshine, and we are just going to make a decision, make a choice, to be joyful.

We love you, Jesus, and now we are going to come and try to give you praise, sacrifice of praise. Some of it will be happy and boisterous, and some of it will be quiet and introspective. But all of it is done for You, Lord Jesus.

We love You.

Amen"

----------------
Revelation 21
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

5 And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
6 And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.
7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

....

9 Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, "Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb."
10 And he carried me away in the Spirit toa great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God,
11 having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.

...

22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.
23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.
24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it,
25 and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there.
26 They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations.
27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

How lovely is Your Dwelling Place, O LORD of hosts!

2007-10-01T20:59:00.000-04:00

1 How lovely is Your dwelling place,
O LORD of hosts!

2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.

3 Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at Your altars,
O LORD of hosts,
my King and my God.

4 Blessed are those who dwell in Your house,
ever singing your praise!

Selah

(Psalm 84:1-4 (ESV)

Healing Meals!

2007-09-26T14:22:00.002-04:00

Dear Ones,

Just a quick note to see if anyone would have time to put together a few meals each for the Smiths, the Paddocks, and/or the Haverkoses. Without question, the overwhelming job of just keeping up with the day to day tasks and activities of daily living is taking a toll on the Smith / Paddock / Haverkos families. It would be a great measure of God's healing touch to be able to give this small gift to these families at this time.

Many of you have offered this service of Love already, for which all are exceedingly grateful. For example, to quote Nellie today,

"Meals are always welcomed ... Barb Hine brought casseroles for Charity and I. I can't tell you how much I appreciated it."

Nellie heads to the farm every weekend and can take any food that people can offer. She also takes a cooler with Graeter's vanilla ice cream and double chocolate chip, which Tom enjoys immensely.

If you can help, please send a note to Barb Hine (Cincinnati area) or LovingDebSmith@gmail.com to make arrangements for delivering meals.

I will rejoice in hope, persevere in affliction, and continue steadfastly in prayer. (Romans 12:12)

Love and prayers are flowing like a huge river from many small streams!

2007-09-24T16:56:00.000-04:00

What follows is a paraphrase of a comment left by Suzie Cain at Shared Notes to Deb & Tom and the Family on Loving Deb Smith. The sentiment and affection is a blessed memory and encouragement to pray for Deb and Tom and their whole family. Please do.

How fast time has flown. Many have known you as the wonderful couple who "put on Jesus" for all the rest of us as Fellowship was being birthed. We loved how you guys loved each other!

Deb, our hearts are breaking over your pain, but we rejoice in the love that surrounds you. Love and prayers are flowing like small streams from hundreds of people, forming a huge river that will bear you up to Jesus's throne in a huge swell of supplication and thanksgiving. We pray for relief from your pain, Deb. We pray for cool, sunlit days to enjoy this fall, and wish we could be there to give you a hug and thank you for the example you are to all women everywhere. Know that we pray for you every time you come to mind, and we pray for your family. Blessings to you with love and hugs.

Love never fails

2007-09-15T17:59:00.000-04:00

Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, often known as Mother Teresa of Calcutta or Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, is one of Deb Smith's role models of the Christian life. In Deb Call to Worship 4, Deb reads a passage often attributed to Mother Teresa, commenting that when she reads it she often thinks, "Here's how you're supposed to look if you want to be like Jesus."

”People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people might be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see in the end, it was between you and God. It never was between you and them, anyway."

Sort of like 1 Cor 13:4-8a:

Love is patient, (Eph 4:2; 2 Peter 3:9)
love is kind. (Prov 14:21)
It does not envy, (Job 5:2)
it does not boast, (Eph 2:8-10)
it is not proud. (Ps 131:1 ; Rom 12:16)
It is not rude, (Gal 5:22)
it is not self-seeking, (Phil 2:1-11)
it is not easily angered, (Eph 4:26)
it keeps no record of wrongs. (Ps 103:11-13)
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. (Rom 12:9-21)

It always protects, (Ps 116:5-7)
always trusts, (Prov 3:5-6)
always hopes, (1Pet 1:21)
always perseveres. (Heb 10:36 ; Heb 11:27 ; James 1:12; James 5:11)

Love never fails. (1John 4:16)
(1 Cor 13:4-8a)

In God Alone is my salvation!

2007-09-13T19:16:00.000-04:00

Today God has drawn close to Deb through the Psalms of David. Darla notes that,

"It is truly wonderful to read scriptures to Deb and watch her drinking them in."

In the next few posts to Loving Deb Smith, Deb will share those Scripture passages that have ministered deeply to her today, in hopes that they will do the same for you. Please use these passages as you continue to pray for Deb and her family. Thank you! Here are the first few:

Psalm 46:1-3
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah.
(ESV)

Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
(NASB)

Psalm 71:20
Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter,
you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
you will again bring me up.
(NIV)

Psalm 62: 1-2
My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
(NIV)

Psalm 94: 18-19
If I say , "My foot slips,"
Your mercy , O Lord, will hold me up.
In the multitude of my anxieties within me,
Your comforts delight my soul
Psalm 34: 18-19
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted,
saves those whose spirit is crushed.
Many are the troubles of the just, but the LORD delivers from them all.
God watches over all their bones; not a one shall be broken.

Strength and Weakness

2007-09-13T18:08:00.000-04:00

Dearest Ones,

Darla reports that Deb has continued to draw close to Jesus in her suffering and weakness. She rests much, continues to have extreme nausea and, consequently, difficulty eating and keeping fluids down. Please pray for her comfort:

Your hands made me and fashioned me;
Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.
May those who fear You see me and be glad,
Because I wait for Your word.
...
O may Your Lovingkindness comfort me,
According to Your word to Your servant.
May Your compassion come to me that I may live..
...
My soul languishes for Your salvation;
I wait for Your word.
My eyes fail with longing for Your word,
While I say, "When will you comfort me?"
(Ps 119: 73-74, 76-77, 81-82, NASB)

Deb Smith Ministers to the Universe ... or ... Too Much Fun with Ring Tones

2007-09-12T21:40:00.000-04:00

Here's a way to help Deb bless the socks off your family members, co-workers, fellow bus riders, folks at the grocery store, etc. Download the individual Deb Call to Worship .mp3 files contained with the Loving Deb Smith podcast, then set them as ring tones on your cell phone. To do so, you can:

click on this link to subscribe to the Loving Deb Smith podcast as an RSS feed, or
click on the "Get Podcast" button on the Loving Deb Smith podcast player in the left side bar, and follow the directions given, or
use the links below to download the files directly to your computer.

Once you have done this, you can use the .mp3 files as ring tones on your cell phone if your cell phone supports this functionality.

Deb's Call to Worship 1 is an excellent choice. Imagine you and your peeps hearing:

"Alright, alright, alright, we're having too much fun here.
We just love each other too much, huh. That's right."

and then Psalm 139 every time your cell phone rings. Many blessings all around!!

The direct links to download the other Deb's other Calls to Worship are here:

Please use the Comment link for this post if you do this, and share how Deb is using your cell phone ring tone to minister to you or others.

MANY BLESSINGS!
Peace and All Good!

Deb's Family at home and around the world: A tireless service of Love and devotion!

2007-08-28T20:25:00.000-04:00

Reports from those who have had the privilege to speak with Deb and serve her up close recently have reported some marvelous things.

Deb continues to be encouraged by the love and support folks are sharing, even to the point of breaking out in song/worship (singing the hymn Marla McNabb recalled in her recent comment.

Jordan has started a new fashion craze to support his mom by shaving his head (anyone want to join him?)

Tom and the kids and the grands encourage Deb tirelessly, and offer their service of Love and prayers without ceasing -- what a witness of the Love of God! Deb has often made it well known to friends lately how much she loves her family and how much Joy their times together bring her!

Tom's Aunt Vera, his mom, Louise, and his sister Darla have been taking turns with day time visits and helping Deb with here physical needs. Please lift them up in prayer.

Deb enjoyed the Grands this past weekend ... photos, too!

2007-08-28T18:04:00.001-04:00

Hal, the kids and I spent last weekend with mom. We had all been looking forward to it since the kids hadn't seen 'Grandma' since June. As you can see from the photos, they spent most of their time sitting on Grandma's lap, coloring with her, or watching TV with her (Spongebob is a favorite).

Mom's medicines have enabled her to move around the first floor of her house slowly for a few hours a day, although she still deals with nausea. Her Hospice nurses take care of medical details and Dad continues to take good care of her while working his farm and managing Farraway Farms.

She truly appreciates the love and support from her friends across the globe.

Thanks again, Charity

Praise God for cream of wheat!

2007-08-18T20:18:00.000-04:00

Tom reports that Deb is better today.

A new med yesterday is helping with the nausea. Nellie fixed Deb cream of wheat for breakfast this morning, and it stayed down. First food to stay down in over a month.

Praise the Lord for the small things, especially cream of wheat.

Blessings,
tom

Israel I would feed with the finest wheat, satisfy them with honey from the rock.
(Psalm 81:17)

You will cry for help, and he will say, "Here am I." (Isaiah 58)

2007-08-16T09:22:00.000-04:00

In a recent comment on Loving Deb Smith, Deb Patten offered the following for consideration:

Dear Deb, Tom, and beloved ones,

Don (Poody) and I pray with perseverance for you. Our heavy and prayerful hearts join all of the family of Christ for you. I thought of you in this verse:

..."Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear ; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say, Here am I."
(Isaiah 58:8)
Dear Family of Believers,

This scripture is preceded by instructions on fasting. In the freedom of the Holy Spirit ... those of you who would like to, fast for Deb ... many already have ... Feel free to fast as you wish since there are many ways it can be done. It will be a wonderful time of giving glory to the Father on behalf of our dear sister Deb, and for Tom, and their beloved family.
Much Love,
Poody and Deb

Thank You, LORD, for the honor of having such a special friend

2007-08-13T09:23:00.000-04:00

This post is from Tami Thurston, Deb's very close friend for 30 years. It is rich in Love and understanding, and will help many to focus their prayers and deep emotions about Deb and her family during this most difficult time.

To the friends and family of Deb,

Deb has been my best friend for the best part of 30 years now. There are no words to describe the depth of the pain I feel in my heart because of the suffering of my friend. I have stayed in close touch almost daily and have watched my dear friend's body deteriorate. However, I want to tell you all how I have seen her "heart" strengthening. When she is able to talk she always wants me to read her the notes on the blog. The words of love and encouragement have blessed her greatly. She has cried many times at the outpouring of love and amidst her pain has expressed how blessed she has been to have such wonderful friends. She has marveled at the fact that so many people are praying and care enough to talk to the Lord on her behalf.

I wish I had the faith to believe that her body will be healed here on earth, but I am finding my faith is not that strong right now. Lord, please forgive me. What I do know though, without a moment of doubt, is that Deb is anxious to some day dance with Jesus and be held in His arms. She longs to rest in the Father. I also know however that she doesn't want to leave her family. Her love for Tom and her kids and grandkids is deeper than any I have ever seen. The last year has been very difficult and yet all she has ever asked me to pray is for her family to be comforted and strengthened. My prayer right now is that Deb will find a peace deep inside and will feel the love of the Father in a way that she has never felt before. I pray for her family to feel the comfort that God can give in a way man can't. I also pray that they will know deep inside that God's plan is, and will be, the perfect one for them and for Deb. I also pray for a strengthening of their family. I know one of Deb's greatest desires is for the strength of her family to continue to grow no matter what the circumstances. Lord please touch each one of her children and Tom. Allow them to feel your hand guiding them through the days to come. Send them the Comforter. Give them strength beyond what they have ever known as they are called on to care for her physical needs. Lord I ask these things in the name of Jesus.

I'm not sure what our Lord has planned for Deb's body but I do know His plan for her soul. Deb and I have talked many times about heaven, and eternity. Let me assure you all that she is so excited and anxious for the day she will receive her new body and be in His presence. (We have always been sure that's a nice thin body with good hair!)

I pray right now for the pain to subside and peace to overwhelm her. I thank you, Jesus, that Deb knows You and has taught so many of us how to live with You deep in our hearts. I thank you that she has shown me what unconditional Love is and that she has been You to me so many times. I ask You, Lord, to help those of us who love her so very much to not be angry about what's happening to her and trust that Your plan is perfect. I ask You, Lord, to remind her spirit of that and to draw her close and help her to feel You. Heal her body Lord , if that is you will. If not here on earth, then thank You for the promise that she will be healed in heaven. Lord Jesus, come quickly! Thank you for the honor of having such a special friend.

Tami

Deb is under hospice care at home

2007-08-11T23:31:00.001-04:00

Dear friends,

As of August 11, our mom is now at home under hospice care. Her oncologist has advised that the treatment is no longer working and he has recommended hospice of Southern Illiniois.

She is struggling with keeping any food or liquid down here at home. Please pray for her nourishment and digestive processes.

Right now, Hal and I are with her and Aunt Vera has come to help.

In the next few days, we are looking to find medical personnel who can consistently come be with our mom and take care of her IV's, meds and our questions during the day while Dad is at work. Hospice is not able to stay for the duration of a typical workday.

We thank you for your love and prayers, Charity.

Please pray for peace

2007-08-10T11:30:00.000-04:00

Our mom is still at Mercy St. John's in St. Louis. Her nausea is not causing her as much discomfort since her doctor changed medicines. Still, her appetite is very weak and she is often disoriented.

She had a CAT scan on Monday, August 6th that showed no evidence of cancer in her brain. Thank God!

She is at great risk for falling, so she has been assigned her own nurse full-time. She wants to get up but she fell last Sunday night and cut her lip.

Please pray for peace.

Love and appreciation,
Charity

Deb is quite critical and all are in need of desperate prayer!

2007-08-06T00:09:00.000-04:00

At dusk, dawn, and noon I sigh deep sighs ~~ He hears, He rescues
(Psalm 55:17)

Dearest Brothers and Sisters,

Your fervent and constant prayers are a continued blessing to Deb and Tom and their family. They are needed now most desperately; please take some time to go before the Lord right now. Deb is still hospitalized, and word comes tonight, from Nellie that,

My mom has gone downhill since Wednesday of this week ... By Saturday she could barely open her eyes and barely speak to Zach and me. She is unable to eat on her own and is unable to hold food down ... Charity drove over this afternoon. I just got back to Cincinnati to take care of some things here then I am headed back in the next few days. I've been there for a week and I am exhausted. My poor dad is exhausted. We are all very afraid. My mom needs prayer and so do we. Also the people caring for her in the hospital need prayer as well ...We need a renewed strength and hope desperately.

Nellie

Plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope

2007-08-04T09:08:00.000-04:00

The following is a transcription of a Call to Worship given by Deb Smith at Grace Community Church in Mt Vernon, IL, and featured on the podcast player that you can find in the left side bar.

Good morning, good morning, I am reading from Jeremiah.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfareand not for evil,to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
(Jeremiah 29:11-13, ESV)

Let's pray.

Thank You, LORD. I thank You for the rain. And I thank You for the storms of life. And I thank You for the peace of life. And I thank You, LORD, that this is a sanctuary and that it is a safe place, and that You abide with us in this place. And I am so grateful for that, LORD, because sometimes the storms of life are real scary, and we are afraid. Thank You, LORD, that You walk with us during that time, and that You bring us to a safe place, and that simply abiding with You is a safe place. Thank you, Jesus, for the promise of a future, and the promise of hope to get there. We love you, Jesus, with all our heart, and now we come and worship You. Amen.

Deb had a tough day Thursday, August 2, 2007

2007-08-03T20:31:00.000-04:00

Deb had a tough day today (August 2, 2007). The nausea is back with a vengeance. Dr. changed his mind about letting her come home tomorrow. Pray against the nausea. Thanks.

In Christ,

tom

So, you don't drive a tractor, but you have a paint brush...

2007-08-01T22:01:00.000-04:00

The following is parts of an e-mail Tom Smith wrote to Loving Deb Smith after an inquiry from Iris Lachey and Lisa Galbreath whether there was any "non-tractor driving" stuff do on the farms that might be helpful to Deb and Tom. [Commentary or paraphrases are brackets]

Re: Iris and Lisa's offer. . .others are also reaching out to us wanting to serve in some way on the farm. I believe what Jesus has up His sleeve is just a way to get folks over here to minister to Deb, in a way she can accept. I think the secondary purpose will be to paint a half mile fence (both sides) .

[If the primary reason folks are coming is to paint the fence, perhaps Deb would be able to handle the hub-bub more easily]

And of course everyone will have the opportunity to show up at our home each evening to eat, fellowship, pray hug on both of us, then we will smear a little paint during the day. Bring your own brush and work clothes. I'm thinkin early Sept. I've taken a new job as Farm Manager of a large farm 1300 acres, 250 cows, 11 bulls, with a mandate from the owners to not only turn her around financially, but to also restore her to her past beauty and dignity. One owner asked, "Please fix the fence and restore this old farm."

So you might pass this on, I mentioned it to Dave [Rice] and he was up for it. Hopefully others can too. Just being with folks will bless us. But Deb will need to do so in short increments. Her energy is low. George and Connie Lueking drove over and blessed us two weeks ago [all the way from Cincinnati with dinner for Tom and Deb]. We enjoyed a short dinner and then Deb thanked them and headed back to bed.

Deb has been in St. John's in St. Louis the last ten days. Nellie is here with us since yesterday. Staying in a hotel in St. Louis so she can be with her mom during the day. There is a chance she may be able to come home this weekend. Zach is planning to come over too.

We are seeking to be Christ Followers and live life one day at a time.

Thanks again ...

Hoping,

Tom

-------------

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy. I am happy because you have joined me in spreading the good news. You have done so from the first day until now. I am sure that the One who began a good work in you will carry it on until it is completed. That will be on the day Christ Jesus returns. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you. I love you with all my heart. I may be held by chains, or I may be standing up for the truth of the good news. Either way, all of you share in God's grace together with me. God can give witness that I long for all of you. I love you with the love that Christ Jesus gives.

I pray that your love will grow more and more. And let it be based on knowledge and understanding. Then you will be able to know what is best.
(Phil 1:2-10, NIV)

May God Always be Glorified!

A Call to Worship: In Him we live and move and have our being

2007-08-01T16:58:00.000-04:00

The following is a transcript of one of Deb's Calls to Worship featured on the podcast player that you can find in the left side bar:

Halleluiah!

That used to be my Grandma Ida's favorite song. My little Grandma Ida used to sing that song. Whoo--

I want you to get a pencil out, and I want you to get a piece of paper.
Because I have something I want you to write down, to remember this week. OK?
Sorry! I didn't mean to make you work! (LOL)
You can actually use the bulletin, you know; you can write on that, (LOL) OK.

Now, I am reading from Acts 17 and I have just been enjoying reading that this week. Because it tells a story...and I like to read. So, I've been reading Acts. This Scripture, really, I have been meditating on it all week. So, write down Act 17, verse 28. Now, this is Paul and he is talking to some unbelievers about Jesus and who Jesus was, starting in verse 26:

From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
[and this is what I want you to write down]
'For in him [that's in Jesus] we live and move and have our being.'
(Act 17:26-28)

Thank You, Jesus. Thank You, Jesus!
LORD, I am aware that there are many needs out in this congregation this morning ... many needs and many joys and there are many needs. And, LORD, this is a sacred time ... that we pray that you will come and touch us. Whether we have a joy ... whether we have a need ... if we are unsaved. Please come and touch us, because we know that you care about us, even as you care about the little sparrow.

Thank You, Jesus. We love You, Jesus. We love You, Jesus...

A Call to Worship: Sing to His name, for he is gracious!

2007-07-31T19:29:00.000-04:00

The following is a transcript of one of Deb's Calls to Worship featured on the podcast player that you can find in the left side bar:

Welcome.
...
Gonna read from Psalm 135.

Praise the LORD.
Praise the name of the LORD,
give praise, O servants of the LORD,
you that stand in the house of the LORD,
in the courts of the house of our God!
Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good;
sing to his name, for he is gracious!
For the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself,
Israel as his own possession.

For I know that the LORD is great,
and that our Lord is above all gods.
Whatever the LORD pleases he does,
in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.
He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth,
who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.

Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good!
(Psalm 135:1:7 RSV)

Let's pray,
Yes, LORD, we do say that you are good.
We know that you are the one in control; we give you that permission.
Thank you, LORD, for thinking about us as your chicks under your wings and that you care for us that way.
You shield us and you shelter us and care for us and provide for us, LORD.
We love you, Jesus!
Now help us come, LORD, and give you praise that is pleasing to you, for that is our desire.
It is in your name the we pray.
Amen.

A Call to Worship: O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.

2007-07-31T19:11:00.001-04:00

The following is a transcript of one of Deb's Calls to Worship featured on the podcast player that you can find in the left side bar:

Alright, alright, alright, we're having to much fun here.
We just love each other too much, huh. That's right.
...
I am going to read to you from Psalm 139.
I've been meditating on this this week,
and it has really had a lot meaning for me,
and I thought I would share it with you.

O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.
You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
(Ps 139:1-10 NIV)

Let's pray.
Thank You, LORD, that you do hem us in,
in the front and in the back, You take care of us.
Thank You, LORD, that You know us so well;
You made us, You are our creator.
LORD, help us to bring Glory to You as we worship.
It is in Your Son's Name that we pray.
Amen

----------------
Dear Ones,

When you listen to this Call to Worship on the podcast in the left side bar, you realize that Deb is so in Love with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Glory to God! Alleluia!

They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away

2007-07-31T11:18:00.000-04:00

The following is a transcript of one of Deb's Calls to Worship featured on the podcast player that you can find in the left side bar:

We're going to be talking about heaven today. And I have a scripture for you from Isaiah, and it kind of gives a description of heaven. It's from Isaiah 35.
And a highway shall be there, ...,
and it shall be called the Holy Way.
The unclean shall not pass over it,
And fools shall not err therein.
No lion shall be there,
nor shall any ravenous beast come upon it;
they shall not be found there.
But the redeemed shall walk there,
and the ransomed of the LORD shall return,
and come to Zion with singing,
with everlasting joy upon their heads.
They shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
(Isaiah 35:8-10)
Let's pray.

Thank You LORD. Thank you for this promise of heaven. We have that hope.
We all have lots of folks we're going to see when we get there; that we miss. Because they are not here anymore, and we now they are waiting. And we know that they get to see You, and they get to be with You, and someday we will too.

But right now we are happy for the rain and we are happy for the sunshine, and we are just going to make a decision, make a choice, to be joyful.

We love you, Jesus, and now we are going to come and try to give you praise, sacrifice of praise. Some of it will be happy and boisterous, and some of it will be quiet and introspective. But all of it is done for You, Lord Jesus.

We love You.

Amen

----------
Dear Ones,

This passage from Isaiah 35 reminds that there is Joy in the journey, no matter the trials and suffering. The anointed encouragement ministry of Deb's friends Nancy and Greg Eckel at the Optical Joy web site, born out of their own cancer journey and suffering, has encouraged Deb and Tom during this tremendously painful time. Please visit Optical Joy if you need encouragement and a reminder of the Joy of the redeemed and the Boundless Love of God regardless of any circumstance.

May God Always be Praised and Glorified!

Deb is still at Mercy St. John's with bodily pain

2007-07-28T17:19:00.001-04:00

Charity sent the following update on Deb this afternoon. Her note about Tom was in response to a question whether Tom has heard from anyone about helping on the farm(s) in the next couple of weeks.

Mom is still at Mercy St. John's as I write this. I talked with my dad last night and he said that her left eye is still really bothering her and her left leg is giving her pain. She's had breakthrough pain as well all over her body.

He didn't mention any offers about farm help but we didn't talk about that.

Charity

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
(Isaiah 41:10)

Online merchants @ iGive.com now support Deb Smith.

2007-07-25T22:32:00.001-04:00

Now you can help Deb and Tom with the overwhelming cost of uncovered medical and ancillary services by signing up to do some online shopping at iGive.com. There are over 680 well-known online stores ready to donate up to 26% of the purchase price to Loving Deb Smith. And you will receive free deals and coupons just by being an iGive.com member. Also, if you join iGive.com using this link and make a purchase within 45 days from one of the participating stores, iGive.com itself will donate $5 FREE to Loving Deb Smith!

Here is how it works:
1. Join to Support Loving Deb Smith. It's FREE, private, & easy.

2. Shop the Mall at iGive.com. You'll see familiar stores like Lands' End, Office Depot, JCPenney, Expedia, Barnes & Noble, and eBay, etc.

3. Up to 26% of each purchase gets donated to Loving Deb Smith!

Remember, shop within 45 days of joining, and get an extra $5 donation, FREE.

If you use this link to join for FREE, Loving Deb Smith will be selected as the cause you'll support.

Please forgive the sales pitchy tone of this post. This opportunity has been a while in coming, and now that the details are worked out, it is worth a bit of a promotion if it helps Deb & Tom. You will note that there are many specialty merchants involved, including ones you may have dealt with in the past. Using iGive.com makes the shopping experience more meaningful.

P.S. iGive.com would like you to know that all the causes at iGive.com have been listed by members for their own and others' benefit. They don't endorse the causes, and the causes don't endorse them.

Happy Birthday to Charity!

2007-07-25T13:38:00.000-04:00

Hello, again, Friends of Deb!

I hope this post finds you all well, and enjoying a pleasant reprieve from the summer heat.

Here's a simple way you can shed a little sunlight into the life of a woman who's had way too much on her plate, lately. :)

Charity, Deb's oldest daughter, is having a Birthday, tomorrow, Thursday, July 26. Please drop her an email or whatever you feel is appropriate. I just know this would make her feel good, and she certainly deserves to feel good during this difficult time, don't you think? :)

Shared intercessory prayers for Deb and her family from around the world

2007-07-24T15:19:00.001-04:00

Many of you have engaged your online communities as intercessors for Deb. As this happens, search engine results continue to grow, providing a visible witness of God's Love and the unity of the Body of Christ.

Some intercessors also have kindly shared their prayers with Loving Deb Smith. Comments to this post include the text of these intercessions, and may serve to help you as you pray with your small groups, online fellowships, or quiet times.

Please add your own if you would like to share them with the Loving Deb Smith community.

Thank you for your continued prayers, gifts and service for Deb and her family.

MANY BLESSINGS!
Peace and All Good!

Deb is back in the hospital again as of early on July 23, 2007

2007-07-23T22:17:00.000-04:00

Charity reported at about 10:00 PM that

"Early this morning, my dad took my mom back to St. John's. Her nausea and pain level were unbearable. She asks for prayer for her left eye again. And now there is new pain in her left leg. She'll be seeing her oncologist, Dr. Needles at 6AM tomorrow."

Your fervent and unceasing prayers for our sister are much appreciated. And for her family.

Look to Him that you may be radiant with joy (Ps 34:6)

2007-07-21T13:43:00.001-04:00

Nellie reported on Friday, July 20, 2007, that Deb will receive radiation treatment for the cancer that is effecting her eye sight, in hope that this will retard the deterioration she presently suffers.

Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. (Rom 12:12)

Can you drive a tractor?

2007-07-21T09:58:00.001-04:00

The next few weeks will be hectic around the Smith family farm, and Tom could use some help, if you can drive a tractor. This is especially so since Tom is also managing another farm under contract. So ... if you can drive a tractor and are itching to be a farmer-in-the-dell, as God so leads, please give Tom a call at 618-735-2966. He is very busy with the farms, so you may have to leave a message. This would be a major blessing to both Tom and Deb, as it may give them some time to be together, which is hard to come by right now.

Deb is home

2007-07-18T22:07:00.003-04:00

Nellie reported today that our dear sister Deb is home from the hospital. But it seems the morphine drip line came out or got pinched sometime Tuesday night. A visiting nurse had to stop by today to get things straightened out.

Thank you to all who are offering advice and information on nausea relief during cancer treatments.

Nellie has been trying to help Charity with the kids. With the 4 kids and Charity running back & forth to the hospital they could use some meals and other assistance. If live in the Cincinnati area and you are able to help with meals, please e-mail Loving Deb Smith, or let Charity or Nellie know directly (see the left side bar for their contact information).

In fact, if you like to do the meal thing and you would like to help Deb and Tom in this way, surely that would be great as well. Their contact information is also in the left side bar.

Please continue to keep them all in your prayers, expecting God to Love.

Audio Loving Deb Smith

2007-07-18T21:02:00.001-04:00

Dear Ones,

A number of you have asked about offering your comments as audio clips instead of comments. One example of this is available at Audio Hugs from Barb Hine. Another very loving example is the podcast recorded by Paula Clouse from Grace Community Church. If you have an audio greeting for Deb or her family, please forward it to Loving Deb Smith, or include a link to it in a comment to this post.

Behind and before you encircle me and rest your hand upon me.

2007-07-16T22:59:00.000-04:00

1 O LORD, you have probed me, you know me:
2 you know when I sit and stand; you understand my thoughts from afar.
3 my travels and my rest you mark; with all my ways you are familiar.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue, LORD, you know it all.
5 Behind and before you encircle me and rest your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is beyond me, far too lofty for me to reach.
7 Where can I hide from your spirit? From your presence, where can I flee?
8 If I ascend to the heavens, you are there; if I lie down in Sheol, you are there too.
9 If I fly with the wings of dawn and alight beyond the sea,
10 Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely darkness shall hide me, and night shall be my light" --
12 Darkness is not dark for you, and night shines as the day. Darkness and light are but one.
13 You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you, so wonderfully you made me; wonderful are your works! My very self you knew;
15 my bones were not hidden from you, When I was being made in secret, fashioned as in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes foresaw my actions; in your book all are written down; my days were shaped, before one came to be.
17 How precious to me are your designs, O God; how vast the sum of them!
18 Were I to count, they would outnumber the sands; to finish, I would need eternity.

(Psalm 139:1b:18, NAB)

Deb Smith Calls You to Worship

2007-07-15T23:21:00.000-04:00

The podcast player in the left side bar of this blog now features Deb ministering in seven inspiring recorded Calls to Worship from Grace Community Church in Mt Vernon, IL, (thanks to Jeff Crow, Mindy McWilliams, and Dave Fields). They will bring you into God's presence and make you weep in awe of Deb's deep love for Jesus. They will also challenge you to go deeper, worship more fervently, and Live in the Truth of His Great Love. Find one and click to listen.

In an early comment on Loving Deb Smith, Gary Sweeten noted the following:

"I hope you all have a photo of Deb leading worship at Grace Church in Mt. Vernon. She would take the big, cumbersome Altar Bible that weighed at least 20 pounds and hold it in both hands as she led a meditation and call to worship. The picture of her standing there on the dais with that big Bible, smiling and weaving an incredible story around God's love and grace will remain with me for ages. Her words were always penetrating and creative just like Deb's mind and heart. She set the stage for us to worship God in Spirit and truth for her childlike heart overflowed into praise and thanksgiving and inspired us as well with her faith.

If anyone has a picture of Deb like the one Gary described, please pass it on to Loving Deb Smith. The music on the podcast player is designed to encourage Deb and you, strengthen your faith and hope, build you up in love, and reach out to those who are seeking the Truth, the Way, and the Life.

All Praise and Honor to the Lamb!

Recent news -- Deb has asked for specific prayer

2007-07-15T17:35:00.001-04:00

I just spoke with my mom and she asked me (for the first time!) to blog about her recent situation.

On Saturday, she was readmitted to Mercy St. John's Hospital in St. Louis. Her nausea was completely out of control. She asks for prayer for her vision again. She doesn't want to go blind. She's not sure when she will be back home again.

Thanks, Charity
-----------------------

Dear Ones,

Deb's nearly constant nausea at this time appears to be related to a change (increase) in the morphine dosage she is receiving through the morphine pump. Please pray without ceasing (1Thess 5:16) that God will relieve her discomfort and draw Deb very close to Him, assuring her of His Boundless Love and Mercy.

If any readers of Loving Deb Smith are able to offer practical help on the morphine related nausea, please e-mail a note to Loving Deb Smith. Thank you.

As noted elsewhere in Loving Deb Smith, Deb's vision is under attack by cancer effecting her retina. Your fervent prayers that God will restore her vision are most needed at this time.

Be Thou my Vision
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul's Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven's joys, O bright Heaven's Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Words: Attributed to Dallan Forgaill, 8th Century (Rob tu mo bhoile, a Comdi cride );
translated from ancient Irish to English by Mary E. Byrne, in
"Eriú," Journal of the School of Irish Learning, 1905, and versed by Eleanor H. Hull, 1912, alt.

US Bank deposit account to benefit Deb Smith

2007-07-13T23:59:00.001-04:00

Dear Ones,

Elsewhere on this blog there has been significant mention of the by no means trivial financial dimension of Deb's illness. There also has been mention of several opportunities for brothers and sisters to gift Deb and Tom directly or with help like food, gas cards, Amazon.com purchases, etc. For those who feel led to make a direct monetary gift, please note that there is now 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 Smith", and they will deposit it into Deb's account. Nellie and Charity are the custodians of the account and will be sure that the funds are used solely for Deb's care.

More Blogs Reaching Out in Prayer for Deb

2007-07-12T23:54:00.001-04:00

In these times it seems God uses the blogosphere to bring the Body of Christ together, to provide the opportunities for believers to bind themselves to one another in Love such that the world can see the Truth of the Gospel. You already know about several from recent posts here. Some more recent examples:

over on 1LoveFellowship a sister named mebeth has posted this entry which she followed up with a link to Loving Deb Smith

Please pray for an old friend's mother

When I was little, in the 70's, my parents were in The Jesus Movement in Cincinnati, OH. Probably my first close playmate was a girl named Charity. Her mom and dad were the pastors at the Church my parents belonged to. Her mom is named Deb Smith. It's thirty years later, and she is in a desperate struggle with cancer. Please pray for her healing, her financial well-being, and, most importantly, the peace of the Holy Spirit to permeate every fiber of her and her family's hearts. Thanks!

on the new blog CONVERSATIONS Paula Clouse has put up a slide show dedicated to Deb and her artistic gifts. The show features photos taken recently in the Colorado Rockies.

Angie Shope notes, "I also have linked to lovingdebsmith on my blog at http://www.freewebs.com/msangies/. I have also posted a request for deb along with the link to many groups that I belong to as well.

Update from Charity as of Sunday, July 8th, 2007: "Saving money on hair dye!"

2007-07-08T23:25:00.000-04:00

Great news! When I spent this weekend with my mom, she was able to walk upstairs with her medicines attached to the pole and sit down at the computer to read the blog created for her. She was so happy, amazed at the outpouring of love for her. She had not yet looked at the site as a whole, so she was thrilled to see all the photos, comments and posts her friends had made in her honor. She asked me to write this to all of you--that she is "overwhelmed" by the generous love of her friends.

She wanted me to also write that she's "saving money on hair dye" with her newly-shaved head. In these photos, she's holding granddaughter Violet, saying, "here we are, the two baldies."

Included is also a photo of her newest wig, given to her by her friend Nida on Saturday.

This past week, Mom spent several days with her longtime friend Tami, who drove from Colorado Springs. Then on Friday morning, she underwent chemo. After chemo, she was tired but up and around in the first floor of her house. She enjoyed the delicious meals prepared by Nellie's friend Teresa's family from Cincinnati. The homemade Skyline was delicious.

Lyrics of serenity from The Innocence Mission

2007-07-08T18:07:00.000-04:00

Jill Klinehamer, Charity's first year college roommate and long-time friend posted this note on Sunday, July, 8, 2007.

Hello, All...

I recently received Innocence Mission's new CD, We Walked in Song (thanks to my cousin, Michele, in Seattle) as well as an earlier record of theirs called Christ Is My Hope. For those of you not familiar with Innocence Mission, they are a husband-wife Christian folk-rock duo. I have liked them since high school (oh way back when) and I am so pleased they're still making great music. I found the hymns and songs on Christ Is My Hope especially beautiful, and I wanted to share some lyrics with you, in honor of Deb.

Many of you probably know the hymn It Is Well With My Soul, which is one of my all-time favorites. If I knew Karen Peris, the singer for The Innocence Mission personally, I would beg her to play an acoustic set for Deb and her friends and family. For now, instead, here are some lyrics from three songs: It Is Well With My Soul, Beautiful Saviour and Morning Star. I have found them very comforting and lovely, and I hope you will too.

Love,
jill :)

It Is Well With My Soul

When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast tought me to say:
It is well, it is well with my soul...
(Lyrics by Horatio G. Spafford, 1873)

Beautiful Saviour

Beautiful Saviour, King of Creation;
Son of God, and Son of Man,
You will we cherish,
You will we honor
Light of our souls, their joy and crown.

Fair are the meadows,
Fair are the woodlands,
Robed in the flowers of blooming spring;

Jesus is fairer,
Jesus is purer,
He makes our sorrowing spirit sing.

Fair is the sunshine,
Fair is the moonlight,
Bright the sparkling stars on high;

Jesus shines brighter,
Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels in the sky.
(Unknown author, back in 1677)

Morning Star

Morning star so radiant and holy
Shine on me in my great hour of need.
Jesus Christ so beautiful and lovely,
Shine over me...
(Don Peris, ca 2000)

Moejo from the Fender Forum

2007-07-06T09:03:00.001-04:00

Marc (the Compassionate) O'Hara sent the following via e-mail to Loving Deb Smith. Thanks, gentle brother.

I belong to a discussion group of guitar players that enjoy playing instruments made by the Fender Musical Instrument Company. The community discussion takes place in a section called "Moe's Tavern" that takes it's name from The Simpsons cartoon. It's not a Christian discussion group although a lot of folks are Christians from all walks of life. When we share our troubles or ask for someone to be remember we ask for "Moejo" and usually members will offer prayers.

Here is the link for Deb:
http://www.fenderforum.com/forum.html?db=&topic_number=634509&lastpost=2007-07-0510:33:04

Marc O'Hara

If you belong to online affinity groups who might have an interest in lifting up Deb and her family in prayer, please encourage them to do so and let them know about Loving Deb Smith.

Doctor's visits and fashion plates!

2007-07-05T23:20:00.000-04:00

Thank you all so much for all you have done and continue to do for Deb and Tom and the family. I took Deb to Dr. Fisher today. We both looked at the scans of her bones. Attempting to find an area to radiate to alleviate some of her pain. One can tell that this Dr. really "gets" Deb and likes her, and she him. Tom and Deb go to St Louis tomorrow for chemo. Hopefully this will assist her vision. She looks so cool with her head shaved. I mean it...if anyone can pull off that look, it is Deb. Very artsy! She and Tami (her life long friend) have had a wonderful visit.

Darla

Please pray that Deb will experience some pain relief and that God will use the chemo treatment to help her vision.

May God Always be Praised and Glorified!

Blogosphere = Loving Deb Smithosphere

2007-07-04T13:38:00.001-04:00

Who'd have thunk it? As you know by now, Googling "Loving Deb Smith" is gratifying in itself. You see many links back to this site or parts of it. Loving Deb Smith is also getting some recognition from other search sites, including Technorati, Ice Rocket, and Google's Blog Search.

Now, in addition to fostering blog entries about Deb's illness and the family's incredible needs at this time on blogs like Brave Heart and Community, the Loving Deb Smith blog has encouraged Randy Moody to write at length on his family's web site: Randy and Rosie Moody and Family. Here is an excerpt:

It was 1971. I was living back at home, for the time being. I got a call from someone named "Tom Smith" who claimed to be a "campus minister" at the University of Cincinnati. He claimed to be a friend of Gary Sweeten. Said he had a "campus house" near the university and wanted to find a core of committed college-age brothers to live there and minister. At first I thought he was joking. "Tom Smith"? Come on. You can do better than that. Who is this really?
But I called my friend (since 5th grade) Poody (Don Patten) and told him about it. We prayed about it, and decided to move in together. For both of us, the effects of that decision were life-changing. Tom baptized me in a swimming pool in French Lick, Indiana. Under Tom's mentoring and influence, I came to have a ministry. And Poody came to have a wife. It doesn't get more life-changing than that!

Tom met and married a sweet sister named Deb, and their ministry has effected the lives of countless people, young and old, throughout the US and the world. They both have impacted me deeply.
...
I am praying that the Spirit of Life, the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead, will give life to Deb's mortal body through his Spirit who lives in her (Romans 8:11). I am praying that that dark and evil cancer will wither and fade away in the blazing light of the presence of His Spirit in her. I am praying for total freedom from pain and discomfort for her, and complete restoration of health. There is nothing too hard for Him!

As I pray for Deb, I am also praying the same thing for two other friends, both of whom are also battling cancer — Mary Lafleur and Dave Perkins. Please join me in praying for these precious folks.

If you have a blog or web site on which is would be appropriate to mention Loving Deb Smith, and God leads, would you kindly do so and let us know at LovingDebSmith@gmail.com ?

The Kingdom

2007-07-03T22:18:00.000-04:00

Check out the podcast player in the left side bar for the newly added performance of The Kingdom by good friend Randy Moody. Deb has always enjoyed Randy's heartfelt singing and playing that brings you into God presence. Here it is a present for Deb.

If others wish to share .mp3 files of their own music which they know would lift Deb up, please contact Loving Deb Smith. Thanks.

The pain of insurance woes

2007-07-03T22:11:00.000-04:00

Also, yesterday was quite a drain on Deb. After traveling all the way to Creve Coeur, MO, for a chemo treatment, Deb and Tom learned that their health insurance would now not cover the administration of the treatment in an outpatient setting. Imagine the round trip in pain, and now having to repeat the trip on July 6 at an alternative location nearby which should be covered by their insurance.

On the plus side, through very hard work on the part of Darla and her team, a very expensive nausea medication will now be available (if it can be found in rural Illinois) for 70 times less than it was costing last week. This is one example of the heroic stewardship Deb and her family are following with regard to the financial gifts they have received from all of you very special friends.

Praise be to God Who does not forsake us!

Beautiful!

2007-07-03T16:52:00.000-04:00

That's how Tom describes Deb and her new "do", courtesy of Nellie. Over the weekend Nellie lovingly shaved Deb's head. Scarves and a fine wig courtesy of the American Cancer Society now adorn her. Hoping for some pix.

Prayer and Praise for Deb from the Colorado Rockies

2007-07-03T06:36:00.000-04:00

At an annual praise workshop event in Estes Park, Colorado, Paula Clouse from Grace Community Church asked for prayer for Deb. She reports:

There were people from all over the United States as well as Canada, Australia and Kenya who together lifted their voices in a chorus of petition and praise for Deb Smith. It was an amazing, powerful witness to the unifying power of prayer ... it was something akin to the awesomeness and power of being hit by a tidal wave. I was overcome with gratitude and joy, knowing that people from so many places were calling out Deb's name and "storming the gates of heaven" on her behalf. The power of the Spirit was absolutely electric.

Thank you, Paula.

It is He whom we proclaim ... For this I labor and struggle ...

2007-07-02T18:05:00.001-04:00

Deb and Tom's ministry over the years is lovingly recounted by Gary Sweeten on his Brave Heart blog like this:
Tom Smith came to the University of Cincinati as Campus Minister for the Christian Church and hit the ground running. I was Associate Dean of Students responsible for the Student Groups at UC so Dale Adams, adviser to the Church, brought Tom to meet me at a lunch. Before long Tom had recruited a bunch of students who were excited about the Gospel. Tom was and is a gifted evangelist. He also met a beautiful young woman named Deb who soon became his bride.

Tom and Deb lived among the students at The Carpenter's Houses. There was one for girls and one for guys. God really moved among the students as they learned the Word of God and did His works of love and grace. God used Deb and Tom to spark a revival.

Deb, although about the same age as the students, was a house mother, friend, counselor, worship leader, Bible teacher and nurse maid. She led many a home sick kid through the pain of growing up apart from their moms.

That started about 1970 and developed into a church plant, a national church movement and an international association of Spirit empowered congregations. Deb and Tom were partners who parented three of their own children as well as hundreds of children they "adopted" from around the world.
Their proclamation of the Gospel and hardships over the decades and of late, especially for Deb, bring to mind the following verses of Scripture for consideration:
Colossians 1:24-29


24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of His body, which is the church,
25 of which I am a minister in accordance with God's stewardship given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God,
26 the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past. But now it has been manifested to His holy ones,
27 to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; it is Christ in you, the hope for glory.
28 It is He whom we proclaim, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
29 For this I labor and struggle, in accord with the exercise of His power working within me.
(New American Bible)

May God always be Glorified in the proclamation of the Gospel, even if words are necessary.

Thanks be to God for the privilege of bringing our sister and brother before the Throne of Grace, as they have done countlessly for so many. At Tom's urging, the need of the hour is a miracle, and we still believe in miracles!

Abundant Thanks and Update from tom and deb

2007-07-01T22:00:00.001-04:00

Dear Friends in Christ,

Charity told us about the blog, and said "you've got to get ready to be loved". Wow, what an understatement. I logged on last weekend while Deb was in the hospital. But since our computer is on the second floor, and Deb can't do steps now, we had to wait until last Thursday when Darla brought her lap top out. You gave us not only an immense agape hug, but also fresh faith.

And faith is what we need. The last three months have been the most vicious warfare we have ever been in. The Enemy blindsided us. The first two Drs. we went to, and the first three MRIs, CAT scans and other tests couldn't discern what was really going on. It wasn't until a Physician's Assistant recommended a bone scan that we discovered the tragic truth that Deb had at least a dozen tumors on all her long bones.

Dr. Needles of the Pratt Cancer Institute in St. Louis did another round of tests including a biopsy and concluded Deb's cancer began as lung cancer and quickly spread to her lymph nodes and bones. Once the cancer gets to the bones it becomes very aggressive.

Need of the hour? A miracle. We still believe in miracles.

Thanks for continuing to pray alongside us.

Believing,

tom and deb

p.s. Your cards, gifts, and emails have brought us to our knees. Someone on the blog said the costs are staggering. This is true. In the past seven weeks we have spent just over $6000 at the pharmacy. Our health insurance has included several surprises. The big one being our pharmacy card is only a "discount card" which means they don't really pay anything, just negotiates a little off the price of the pills. Like 5 to 15 %. If you dear friends had not responded to the Spirit's prompting, I don't know where we would be. Thank you so much. Ephesians 2:10

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

2007-07-01T20:58:00.000-04:00

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!

From our meeting in 1974 to today you have been such a special part of my life

2007-07-01T17:16:00.001-04:00

Deb,

From our meeting in 1974 to today you have been such a special part of my life. We've shared raising our kids, pottery classes in Clifton, women's bible studies, dinners with our families, church, a very interesting art class at the Art Academy, and so much more that has woven its way through our lives.

The picture below (scary as it is!) pulls me back to a time of great fun. Camping in Gatlinburg with the "girls" was a hoot! Did I read somewhere in the blog of a whoopee cushion? Tell me it's not the same one from 25 years ago…

Barb Hine, Deb Smith, Connie Lueking,
and Ruth Wallbrech

Lots of great times shared over many years, has blessed me. Thanks for being such a kindred spirit.

Love you, Barb Hine

Your financial gifts are a blessing without measure!

2007-06-29T18:50:00.001-04:00

Since Loving Deb Smith started (kudos Barb and Ric for hearing and speaking the leading of the Holy Spirit) the financial gifts on Deb's behalf "have been great", and "unbelievable", which has blessed Deb and Tom without measures since the magnitude of the financial need is staggering. The community of caring now includes known and unknown persons and organizations from all over the country and possibly abroad.

Your gifts are large and small. Darla and Deb and Tom are treating all these gifts as very precious and pray over every dollar.

The gifts provide for uncovered medical expenses (which are unfathomably huge). As previously noted here, Darla and a medical social worker are working every angle to insure that they take advantage of every benefit and charitable source or discount. Those of you who are familiar with any opportunities in this regard should contact Darla using the contact information provided elsewhere on Loving Deb Smith. For example, just yesterday there was a breakthrough regarding the free provision of one medication, but there is a long way to go, and readers of this blog can help. Through the facilitation of one of the Deb's doctors, Kroger will be providing one of Deb's medications free for three months. The nausea medications are the surprisingly expensive. Tom and Darla are also working with the local pharmacies to find ways to maximize the effectiveness of your sharing what God has provided. There are few words to express Deb and Tom's continued appreciation for your kindness.

For Those who would rather have a more direct way to help with Deb and Tom's financial needs, here is an idea: Kroger and Wal*Mart, where Deb's prescriptions are filled, offer gift cards at many different amounts. These gifts will be used to defray the cost of medications and other medical needs. If you have other suggestions for non-cash ways to help Tom and Deb financially, please share them in a comment or e-mail them to Loving Deb Smith. Thank you.

An update on Deb from Thursday, June 28, 2007

2007-06-29T15:57:00.001-04:00

Medically for Deb, much is the same as of June 28, 2007. Because Deb came home from the hospital with a morphine pump to help control pain, yesterday Darla and Tom received intense training on how to manage the pump, hoping to avoid/repeat potential complications. The pain continues to be a biggie. Deb's gifted eyes, especially one of them (I think the left), are not good. ENERGY! from out of nowhere after reading the blog. Nausea is a comfort issue, and as expected has an impact on nutrition.

An Extreme Measure of Happiness!

2007-06-29T09:14:00.001-04:00

On Thursday, June 28, 2007, Darla Wextssen, Tom's sister had this to say: "I just returned after having had the privilege of spending 12 hours in the presence of Deborah Ann Smith. I wish all of you could have that opportunity."

Deb had an opportunity for the first time to actually see the Loving Deb Smith endless love letter to her (as best she could) while Darla read to her when she had difficulty seeing. Darla reports that Deb is quite thrilled and overjoyed by "everything that is there". In fact, Darla said of Deb's protracted reaction that you could see on Deb's face and in her spirit an "Extreme Measure of Happiness ".

Deb, Praise be to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and the God of All Encouragement. What Joy in the hearts of those who Love you! Your happiness in the midst of great pain profoundly ministers the Boundless Love of God in Jesus Christ.

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who,

although He existed in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant,
and being made in the likeness of men.
Being found in appearance as a man,
He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
For this reason also, God highly exalted Him,
and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW,
of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and that every tongue will confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
NASB, Philippians 2:1-11

Devotions with Deb and Tom --

2007-06-28T18:34:00.001-04:00

Deb and Tom have been using the Joyce Meyer's book, Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in Your Mind during the past year or so for there personal devotions. You might want to join them. If you do, and purchase the book from Amazon, you will help Deb & Tom with Deb's medical expenses not covered by insurance or other forms of assistance. See the link in the left side bar.

MANY BLESSINGS!

Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name!

2007-06-28T10:31:00.000-04:00

The Psalms of Davidare full of joy and sorrow, lament and celebration, confession and forgiveness, and especially praise.

Nancy Eckel of Cincinnati shared in a comment that Ps 103 is one of Deb's favorite scriptures, and that she thinks of Deb whenever she reads or hears it. Here is Ps 103 for your reflection and devotional use:

1 Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits--
3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children--
18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts...

Amazon Grace!

2007-06-27T14:07:00.000-04:00

Dear Ones,

You may have noticed the unobtrusive Amazon search box in the left side bar.

Please encourage anyone in your circle of love who may have a propensity to help to do their Amazon shopping using this link, since Deb & Tom will receive a portion of all spending. The wider you can share this story the more "Love Bombing" you can accomplish through Loving Deb Smith. Those who prefer to offer Deb and Tom something tangible rather than send a check (see instructions elsewhere on Loving Deb Smith), may want to purchase those items on Amazon and have them shipped to their house. Anything from paper products, to consumable household items, food, gift cards, etc.

One thing you can do easily to spread the word about the Amazon opportunity is to copy this post and paste it into an e-mail that you can share with anyone and everyone.

In the left side bar section titled "HELPFUL CHRISTIAN WRITING AND MUSIC" there are a growing number of books and music resources you may wish to consider. If you hover over the text links an Amazon preview bubble may appear. In any event, clicking through the links will take you to Amazon to purchase the resource.

Any other respectful ideas you have in this regard definitely are welcome. Please pass them on as comments to this post or e-mail them to Loving Deb Smith.

MANY BLESSINGS!

Loving Deb Smith in Music

2007-06-27T13:56:00.000-04:00

There is now a podcast player here on Loving Deb Smith. The intention here is to provide Deb with the opportunity to hear music she loves that has been lovingly prepared by brothers and sisters who love her. Also, this is a way to share any recordings of Deb speaking, singing, calling the Body to worship, etc. So if you can help in this effort, please send an e-mail with .mp3 formatted material attached. The more material you offer, the more joy for Deb in God's healing presence.

To listen to the material already provided in this podcast, just click on the play button. To subscribe to an RSS feed of the podcast, click on the Subscribe Free link beneath the podcast player.

Latest News

2007-06-26T20:50:00.000-04:00

The blog looks incredible!

I keep running into people who have seen it and they tell me how wonderful it is to know what's going on.

The latest news: Deb is currently in the hospital as of Tuesday evening. Her doctor plans to release her tomorrow, Wednesday the 27th. She will be on a morphine pump and go back on the Tarciva (not sure on the spelling), a cancer drug. She will also return to St. John's Mercy in St. Louis on Monday, July 2 for a round of chemo. Please pray for a way for her to get consistent medical care at home.

Thanks again, Charity

Everybody's gotta eat Cincinnati's favorites!

2007-06-25T21:43:00.001-04:00

Often, caregivers of seriously ill people have little time or energy to care for themselves -- little sleep, a bite to eat on the run, etc. You can help Deb and Tom concretely by providing homemade food for the family. But if you live in Cincinnati, or North Carolina, or Colorado, or Michigan, home cooking might be out of the question. Perhaps you would consider sending along some Skyline Chili, Montgomery Inn ribs, Graeter's ice cream, Busken's baked goods, or LaRosa's pasta sauce and all the fixins. Check out Cincinnati Favorites.com or Best of Cincinnati.com if you feel led to help in this way. You can find Deb & Tom's address in the left side-bar, along with those of Nellie and Charity.

The latest word from Nellie and Charity today (6/25/2007) is that Deb is back in the hospital

2007-06-25T16:11:00.001-04:00

The latest word from Nellie and Charity today (6/25/2007) is that Deb is back in the hospital. Deb enjoyed a weekend with family at home. But her pain increased greatly on Sunday night. By Monday morning, she was admitted back to St. John's Mercy in St. Louis. Her oncologist met with her this morning and he put her back on a morphine pump. His plan is to try to send her home sometime in the future with a morphine pump at home. Your prayer support is needed and greatly appreciated right now!

Among other news:

Darla reports that Deb's pain is "manageable" now but the cost of pain medication is very high. The financial contributions, including those coming from readers of Loving Deb Smith, are making a real difference, and the family is very grateful. Praise be to God.

The medication is hard to take and often makes Deb sick; please pray for relief from this additional discomfort.

Darla and others are working to get free meds from pharma companies. A medical social worker is helping the family and they exploring every way to get support and insight. If you can help, let her know.

When Deb returns home again, a visiting nurse will come to the home twice weekly to check medications, pain, vital signs, etc.

They are trying to keep her eye problems to a minimum so she can see the grand kids.

Darla is trying to for arrange friends to come out to the farm and be with Deb so Tom can work. If anyone reading Loving Deb Smith can offer this kind of support, please contact Darla.

As many of you know, it is sometimes difficult to ask for or accept assistance. Please continue to
pray for Tom and Deb that they will be able to accept and embrace the Boundless Love and Grace of God offered by the Body of Christ in the form or critical emotional and financial support.(John 13-17, 1Cor 12-14). Darla, Nellie, Charity, and Jordan are doing their best to provide emotional and physical support, but it is a long drive to Illinois and back.

Praise be to God that Loving Deb Smith is blessing them. Deb is receiving a lot of love and affirmation from all of you brothers and sisters, and you should continue in every possible way.

Thanks for all you are doing on their behalf.

Resting in God

2007-06-24T20:05:00.000-04:00

Deb Smith's friends and the readers of Loving Deb Smith know that she is a gifted artist and teacher at Frontier Community College. Among her treasured paintings is this one, about which she wrote:

Resting in God

An angel hovers near to God's warmth

The three small yellow dots represent the Trinity

The scarlet orb represents the fiery warmth and energy of God

We can't get too close, or we're consumed.

Our existence lies within the warm, pinkish mist ..

Close to Him.

Thank you, Deb.

If you have images of Deb's work and are interested in sharing them, you may forward them to Loving Deb Smith via e-mail so that others will be blessed.

Peace and All Good!

PowerPoint Love!

2007-06-24T06:04:00.000-04:00

Paula Clouse, a friend of Deb & Tom's who is involved with missions at Grace Community Church, forwarded the following cool PowerPoint slide along with an explanatory note. It asks folks to visit Loving Deb Smith. Perhaps this effort will inspire others like it. If anyone wants to use this slide themselves, please e-mail Loving Deb Smith, to receive a modified version that includes a bit of explanation about Deb's illness and asks folks to check out this blog for ways they can help Deb, Tom, and the family. Thanks so much, Paula.

I submit to you the attached slide. I created it for our morning worship service...the dance team is going to minister during the call to worship, we thought it'd be an appropriate time for a word about Deb. She was always very supportive of those seeking to artistically worship.

Blessings,
Paula

In the words of Steve Perry...

2007-06-23T19:44:00.001-04:00

Jill_Klinehamer, Charity's friend since college, offers the following:

My name is Jill. I am 35, and live in Cleveland, Ohio. And that is enough about ME! I know Deb through her daughter, Charity, who was my freshman roommate at Taylor U. I haven't seen Deb since Hal & Char's wedding, but I am deeply interested in, concerned about, saddened and moved by Deb's battle with cancer. Charity has been a dear friend for over 15 years, and an inspiration to me. I would not be who I am today without knowing Char, and Char would not be the amazing woman she is without the dynamic influence of her inimitable and fantastic mother, Deb.

Deb, I can't begin to imagine the depth of your pain. I am so sorryyou're feeling lousy. Pain is a drag, and I know a spunky gal like you has a billion better things to do: paintings to be painted, animals to be fed, children to be loved and squeezed! So, I am using all my might to hope and wish and pray as hard as I can to SEND THAT PAIN PACKING! Knowing such an ebullient soul as yourself is in such misery tears me up (either definition of the word "tears" is applicable, here.)

When I was in junior high, I had a crush on Steve Perry from Journey. He had a ridiculously huge nose, an unusual facial mole, and a mullet to beat the band, but I wanted to marry him anyway. I've since come to my senses, but I still can't help moving to the beat on the odd occasion that I hear certain Journey songs.

Don't Stop Believing is a flagrantly cheesy song, but if it would make you smile, I would don a mullet wig, stand up on the end of your bed, and sing (into the imaginary mic of my thumb) "Don't Stop Believin'!!!!!" for you. You would probably kick me in the shins, and I would fall off the bed, crashing to the floor (which would not necessarily stop me from singing) but IF if would bring a grin, however fleeting, I would do it for you, girl!

I have always been a champion of the underdog, and I've never let personal humiliation stand in the way of my attempts to make someone feel better...if only for a moment. :)

I love you, Deb!!! Hang in there! You can do this!!! :)

Kind words from Mission of Grace

2007-06-22T11:53:00.000-04:00

Over at Mission of Grace, you'll find these kind words of concern for Deb from Paula Clouse. Thanks, Paula.

If you or anyone else you know is blogging about Deb & her family, or providing links to Loving Deb Smith, please let us know at LovingDebSmith@gmail.com.

MANY BLESSINGS!
Peace and All Good in Jesus!

I am including the following link to our Mission of Grace webpage because I believe that missions is as much about ministering to and caring for members of our families and local communities, as it is caring for those in faraway cities and distant countries.

As most of you know, our dear friend Deb Smith has recently been diagnosed with cancer. Her family has created a blogsite for friends and family to stay in touch, send encouragement and prayers, and generally keep up with Deb's progress.

Please avail yourself to the website, and write a prayer, post a photo, send a card or a few words of encouragement. Deb has meant so much to so many of us...let us give honor to whom honor is due...

http://lovingdebsmith.blogspot.com/

Audio Hugs from Barb Hine

2007-06-21T15:38:00.001-04:00

My Mom

2007-06-21T08:47:00.000-04:00

Charity offers this "getting to know Mom" portrait of and accomplished artist and musician, her Mom, Deb:

Deb loves music, both in her home and at worship (the two lines blur). If you enter her kitchen, which was designed to be a combo art studio and eating space, you will see her giant boom box that fills both spaces with music. She listens to a wide variety of music, from Selah to Michael Buble to all types of movie soundtracks. She took many of her personal favorites to work with her as she taught painting and drawing at Frontier Community College. She would tell us about how her students enjoyed listening to music as they painted.

-- Charity

DEB AND HER GRANDKIDS

2007-06-20T22:59:00.000-04:00

Deb and Tom have 5 grandchildren.

Adam (7),
Bella (6),
Shane (5),
Eden (3) and
Violet (9months).

Things the kids love to do with Grandma (the short list):

paint,
sit on the porch swing for a long time,
read,
watch SpongeBob,
jump on the bed,
make up songs,
draw people,
laugh,
eat a lot of sugar,
take naps, swim,
cook,
play at the park,
draw on fake tattoos and
put on Grandma's jewelry and perfume

Deb is doing well at home on her first day!

2007-06-20T22:46:00.000-04:00

Dear friends, Thank you for visiting this blog, for praying, for caring so much about our mom. We want you to know how much we appreciate and recognize your love for our family!

The great news is that she is at home after 3 weeks in the hospital. Thank God!! Today, she said she was able to put on her clothes and walk around. Over the phone, her voice sounded better than it has in all these weeks. She was also able to eat a little more than normal. Right now, the goal is to get all of her medicines straight. My dad said a nurse visited the house today.

Shane (age 5), Jordan's son, came over for the evening and entertained her. Nellie and Zach came in from Cincinnati to help out.

She said her eyes are really bothering her. Since the cancer is also in her retinas, she has been having trouble with her vision. She says it gets blurrier by the day. Can you pray specifically that her eyes are healed as well as the rest of her body? Thanks again. --Charity

Shared Notes to Deb and Tom and the family

2007-06-20T21:24:00.000-04:00

Dear Ones,

A growing number of visitors to Loving Deb Smith have clicking on the e-mail links in the left sidebar to send Deb, Tom, Charity, Nellie, Jordan and the whole clan amazing words of Love and Encouragement. Some of these notes have ended up here as comments to other posts. All those who have sent these notes have agreed to share them with the growing Loving Deb Smith community. Please feel free to add your memories and loving encouragement to the comments for this post.

MANY BLESSINGS!
Peace and All Good!

Everybody's gotta eat! Favorite recipe's from Deb Smith

2007-06-20T20:35:00.000-04:00

Dear ones,

It's likely that Deb has shared yummy recipes over the years with many folks in Cincinnati and Illinois, especially fixins her family really enjoys. Here is an opportunity to bless Deb and Tom and the whole clan in the breaking of bread. If you have a recipe that Deb has told you her family loves for her to make, why not share it here in the comments section of this post for all to see and try. Better yet, share it here, make up a batch, then send the food to Deb and family at home or drop it off to one of the girls if you are in Cincinnati. That way they can enjoy it here or take your loving kindness (the sweetest dish of all) with them the next time the go to be with Deb and Tom in Illinois (see the addresses at the left).

We just got word that mom is coming home tonight!

2007-06-20T09:55:00.001-04:00

Nellie provided this update. Looks like Deb will be/is home.

I just can not tell you how nice it was to be among people who truly care for my parents. There really are not words to express how grateful I am ... It has helped to give me a much needed boost of energy.

I began the social security/medicare application process a few weeks ago. We were automatically denied for any type of asisstance, but I was told that we could be eligible for medicare benefits which would be wonderful. I also learned that if you are approved (which can take six months) there is a mandatory 29 month waiting period. I am going to pursue it anyway. You never know.

I am going to talk to Darla this week and see what is available as far as services go in their area. It is so rural, that I fear that they won't have a lot of the services that we might find here. If only we could get the medicaid approval!!!! All of that would be covered.

My mother-in-law has agreed to post something in (her) the restaurant ...

We just got word that mom is coming home tonight! Zach and I will be there in about 24 hours to help with getting hospice in and cleaning the house.

Regarding Nellie's note that her mother-in-law will be "posting something in the restaurant", if you own a retail business and would like to do the same, or know others who would be interested in doing so, and want some help with materials, please contact LovingDebSmith

Visit the Loving Deb Smith photo album

2007-06-19T19:12:00.000-04:00

Nellie and her husband Zach lovingly offered the several photos of Deb and her family that you can see here on the left side of this blog. There will be others. If you would like to see any of these photos in a larger format, please visit the Loving Deb Smith photo albums space. If you want to add an RSS feed for this photo album to your RSS reader, here is the link. Besides the photos Deb & family have posted, you may post your favorite photos of the time you have shared with Deb over the years. To do so, just send digital versions of the photos you want to share to the Loving Deb Smith e-mail box so they can be added to the collection. Most digital formats are acceptable. Deb & Tom, their kids and grands look forward to seeing how Deb has blessed you.

Thank you for spreading the word!

2007-06-19T16:13:00.001-04:00

Dear Ones,

Thanks to your kind response and efforts to spread the word, brothers and sisters from around the country who dearly love Deb and Tom Smith and their family have visited this blog and heard of the Smiths' situation. They are passing the word as well. Praise be to God! The need, as you know, is great.

You may like to know that over on his Brave Heart blog, good friend Gary Sweeten asked his many readers to visit this blog to find out how to help and encourage Deb & Tom and their family. Pastor Buck, who serves up the Community blog kindly asked his readers to pray and visit this blog. Surely there are other bloggers among you who are doing this as well. Please send a note to LovingDebSmith so we can let folks know about your kindness.

Update on Deb and Tom from Nellie -- June 17, 2007 -- Evening

2007-06-17T23:04:00.001-04:00

I spoke to mom and dad several times today. Her pain level is at a 6 out of 10 which is a great improvement of the 9 1/2 of the last couple of days. She is confused and frustrated about why she can not go home. We are hoping that tomorrow could be the day, if they receive MRI results, and if they can get the in-home services in place. I got her to laugh several times today which is also a wonderful improvement. My mom and I love to laugh.

My desperate hope is that we can get her home and with the familiarity and peace of her home her situation will improve. The Dr. apparently told my dad over the weekend that he hopes that my mom will have at most six months to one year.

My dad is having a rough day. I think he is just overwhelmed by everything; the despair, the stress, the loneliness, the work and the travel. I know that he fears that he wont be able to provide the care that my mom needs. That is making us all petrified. And with me being so far away and having a tenuous job situation, I think he is afraid to ask me to be there all of the time.

The distance has always been a struggle for us as a family, but now it is even harder. I can't just stop by and check on them and that makes me sick with worry.

Update from Darla on 6/16/2007 @ 11:00 PM

2007-06-16T23:13:00.000-04:00

Darla, Tom's sister, provided the following update late this evening. Your prayers on Father's Day are most urgently needed, brothers ans sisters.

We have been with Deb in St.Louis. Charity and Hal are here this weekend. Nellie was here earlier this week. Our sister Sheila, and her husband are coming in this weekend from Dallas, TX, our niece is coming from Philadelphia, so ASAP means ASAP to us. Our dear sweet Pastor, sister, mentor, is gravely ill. Please pass this on so the body of Christ can pray tomorrow morning in corporate worship for dear saint, Deborah Smith. Gratefuly, Darla-

Other Ways to Help Encourage Deb & Tom

2007-06-16T15:50:00.000-04:00

The needs Deb & Tom and their family have at this time are overwhelming. Surely some who are reading this blog know this first-hand. You have enjoyed the Boundless Love of God in those times. Your loved ones, church family, co-workers, and even strangers lifted you up in countless ways.

Please share suggestions and resources you found helpful to you. These could be very practical steps you took to ease a loved one's pain and anxiety, how to get help with financial matters, or they could be references to online resources, what's a good book to read or the music you and your loved ones found most comforting. The great suggestions are surely limitless. Thank you in advance for whatever you can offer.

How are the rest of the Smith's doing

2007-06-16T13:53:00.000-04:00

Nellie provided the following update of 6/15/2007 on what the rest of the family is doing:

My dad is driving to St. Louis every night after working two jobs during the day. I have been able to take some time off of work to drive back and forth from Cincinnati to cook, clean and do laundry for he and Jordan and visit mom in the hospital. My sister also makes the trip, but she has four small children, so it is not easy for her to get away. My aunt helps as well, by spending one day per week doing anything my mom needs. Please pray for safe travels for us, I had to drive home in the middle of the night Wednesday night in order to get to work on time Thursday. My dad is exhausted (though he will not admit it) and making a long drive every night.

An update on Deb's health from Nellie - 6/15/2007

2007-06-16T12:22:00.000-04:00

Nellie Haverkos (Deb and Tom's second child) provided the following update on Friday, June 15, 2007. Please read it prayerfully:

An update on my mom: She has been hospitalized since 5/31. She is in tremendous pain despite the pain meds that she is receiving there. They have decided to stop radiation, as the Dr. feels that it is not helping much and possibly making the pain worse. They are sending her home on Monday (tentatively), and getting in-home hospice care. She is going to continue a condensed chemo that is administered every three weeks. Also, the chemo is supposed to help with the eye cancer. She reports that her vision is failing very, very quickly. She is having great difficulty eating. She is not sleeping much at night due to the pain.

How you can help Deb and her family

2007-06-15T15:50:00.000-04:00

You may have already seen this information. If so, please pass it along to others in your life who know and love Tom & Deb Smith of Ashley, IL and Cincinnati, OH, and would want to know about their situation.

Deb Smith (of Tom and Deb) was just a few weeks ago diagnosed with cancer. The cancer is already very advanced and is in her bones, lungs and lymphatic system and eyes. The doctors initially gave her 6 to 18 months, depending on treatment and so forth. However, it has been much more aggressive than even they foresaw, and she is now (just in the last few weeks) hospitalized in St. Louis. She is in a lot of pain, which they are trying to control with a morphine drip. She also has difficulty swallowing, presumably due to the radiation treatments. The doctors say they expect her to stay hospitalized. Tom drives 200 miles round trip to be with her every day. While insurance covers some expenses, there is still much it can't, and they are really strapped. The medicines and the travel are particularly draining on their resources.

A number of Tom and Deb's friends are calling on those who know and love them and suggesting ways we can all get involved to help. And quickly. Here are some ways.

PRAYER. God still heals, and Deb needs healing. Her daughter Charity said that we should pray for healing, for hope, and for freedom from pain.

MONEY. Tom's sister Darla is taking charge of processing contributions to help them. Checks should be made out to "Grace Community Church" and sent to:

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

CARDS. Deb receives great encouragement from the cards and notes she receives from friends. Calls, visits, and e-mails are out. She has very little stamina right now. So an encouraging note or card to remind her of the many ways she has blessed you over the years both personally and through support of Tom and the church could help brighten her day. Here's her address at the hospital:

c/o St. John's Mercy Medical
615 South New Ballas Rd.
Creve Coeur, MO 63141

Tom could use encouragement too. Here is his contact information:

pastortomsmith@yahoo.com
Tom and Deb Smith
10517 N. Panzier Lane
Ashley, IL 62808

There may be an opportunity for an informal fund-raising get-together of some kind in Cincinnati in the very near future, so that the local folks here could meet, maybe get some musicians among them to ply their talents, gather picnic-style, pass the hat, and pray. We'll see what comes of that, and let you know.

STAY INFORMED. Read this blog for updates. Thanks to Barb & Ric Hine for the inspiration. Also, in you wish to be added to the e-mail update list, send a message with your contact information to Loving Deb Smith.

GET THE WORD OUT. If you have the e-mail addresses of others who need to know about this, that would be most helpful if you pass the information to Loving Deb Smith or spread the word yourself.

You may receive this information from other folks who love you and Deb and Tom. If you do, it just shows the unity of the Body of Christ, the truth of John 13-17. Might be a good idea if you could also send this note to folks in your life who might want to know this information or be able to help Deb and Tom Smith in some way in this time of great need. Please ask them pass along to their networks as well.