Solitude

Hi family and friends,

Thought I would send out an update on the latest from Brooks Penitentiary. I am still under quarantine but that is where you come in! I just had labs drawn and am waiting on the results so please pray that my CMV viral load is

down and my white blood cell count is significantly up! I need those two things to happen for my house arrest to end. Most importantly, pray that I will use this time of solitude, whatever the length, in ways that are honoring to Jesus.

I have been getting fairly good rest at night. It has been a long time (actually I can't remember the last time) since I have felt this refreshed from a sleep standpoint so for that I am very thankful. My fever is down in the 100-101 degree range with just an occasional spike. Praises again! My pneumonia seems much better as it no longer hurts to breathe so that has been really nice as well! I am still struggling with my severe intermittent headaches. They feel just like the headaches I had prior to my brainstem decompression surgery that were from intracranial pressure. The great news is that those headaches were just actually one continuous headache! At least these are intermittent. So I am very thankful for that and just

continue to pray they stay episodic in nature. In the last couple of weeks I have been having pretty constant upper right abdominal pain. Unfortunately, I am also sporting a not- so-flattering (Steve's description) shade of yellow that leads me to think my liver is not too happy presently. I have also been struggling with left kidney pain. I suspect my kidney stones are either working on embedding in the kidney wall or trying to escape my kidney. My doctor ordered liver and kidney panels with the blood work so we'll see what comes back. Please pray it is nothing significant (as if looking like a yellow squash isn't significant! Ha!).

I wanted to end by sharing with you an incredibly amazing and wonderful way that Jesus has met me in this time of solitude. After posting about my "Cabin Fever", a good friend of ours sent Steve home with a copy of a page from his devotional book. (Thanks Terry!) The devotional is dated on the day the doctor informed me of my mandatory quarantine. This is exactly what it said in its entirety:

"Thank ME for the conditions that are requiring you to be still. Do not spoil these quiet hours by wishing them away, waiting impatiently to be active again. Some of the greatest works in My kingdom have been done from sick beds and prison cells. Instead of resenting the limitations of a weakened body, search for My way in the midst of these very circumstances. Limitations can be liberating when your strongest desire is living close to Me.

Quietness and trust enhance your awareness of My Presence with you. Do not despise these simple ways of serving Me. Although you feel cut off from the activity of the world, your quiet trust makes a powerful statement in spiritual realms. My Strength and Power show themselves most effective in weakness." Isn't that amazing -- the very day I received the news! Jesus

ALWAYS meets us where we need Him! I can't think of a better example to encourage you that He cares about our every need in every situation and often uses the people around us to let us know of His love for us in very real and tangible ways.

So, I continue on in quiet solitude ... Thanks for checking in on us!

In His grip, Lee

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Messages

Link Hudson

March 15, 2011, 7:11 PM

What a wonderful message. It is so humbling to have the Lord of all creation communicating directly to you! I will continue to pray for you and Steve. You are truly one of the most extraordinary witnesses of our Savior that I have the honor of knowing! In His Amazing Love, Link

Melissa Marks

March 15, 2011, 7:36 PM

What a testimony of God's grace in your life to be joyful in his place for you right now. It is his work in your life alone that can produce this! Praise, glory and honor to Him!! I have a lot of free time on my hands right now...we sold the business. So as I am looking for a job, I would love to serve you and Steve any way we can. I will write an email

to tell you of God's amazing work in the selling of the business. Love you

Alyssa Buller

March 15, 2011, 7:41 PM

Thanks for the update! We miss and love you and pray for you. I hope this is all over soon. Jan Bennett March 15, 2011, 8:10 PM Lee, my husband, John said you are an example of someone who is suffering well. I agree! We will be praying for your requests. Thank you for so eloquently updating us. Love, Jan

Jena Smith

March 15, 2011, 9:43 PM

Lee, That is soooo awesome!! :D God is sooo good in the timing of providing exactly what we need from him in the areas of our life that are the hardest!! Very very encouraging to read this!! Praying for you!!

Anna Lee Drewry

March 15, 2011, 10:15 PM

I continue to pray for you and Steve and your family. Continue to be strong, you are in very good hands.

sue ensign

March 15, 2011, 10:20 PM

Praise God He cares for so many needs from Japan to me, from you to so many others. What delightful encouragement. I miss you Lee, praying for full recovery soon!

Stephanie Patchin

March 15, 2011, 11:48 PM

I love you Lee! Thanks for the update and thanks for the encouragement you are in Christ. His light shines through you. Praying for you, Steph

Ruth Warner

March 16, 2011, 2:03 AM

This story of the devotional page is definitely a "God thing". It was not coincidental for your friend to have shared that with you on THE day. Praise God for His provision.

Royce Brooks

March 16, 2011, 2:45 PM

"I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I HAVE HOPE: BECAUSE OF THE LORD'S GREAT LOVE we are not consumed, for HIS COMPASSIONS NEVER FAIL. THEY ARE NEW EVERY MORNING; GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to WAIT QUIETLY for the salvation of the Lord." Lamentations 3:19-26 Jeremiah's prayer always reminds me that God has always been faithful and He will never change. Hallelujah!! As always I am praying for you, my precious "daugher". I love you! Hugs, Royce

Sandi Henry

March 18, 2011, 1:08 AM

Lee, I can "hear" the smile in your voice as I read your message. What a blessing you are. I'm thankful that you are feeling a little better. Getting a good night's sleep helps. I hope you'll be out of solitary soon! You're in my prayers. love, sandi

Linda Hamilton

March 21, 2011, 12:05 AM

Thanks so much, Lee, for your update....and I love hearing about how God is taking sweet tender care of you, and how you are seeking to honor Him no matter what. We'll be praying that those prison doors open very soon!! ;o) Hugs, Tom and Linda Hamilton Priest River, Idaho (yes, we still have snow here ;o) )