Pastoral Leadership Fellows and Friends
Dear friends and colleagues in ministry,
I've been meaning to send you a more direct communication such as this for the past few weeks. At present, I can think of no better thing on this early birthday morning/eve/overnight of Christmas Eve as I turn 45 than to let you know how much you mean to me and for my beloved wife Melissa, especially at this time. I am so grateful for us to have had the time to be with and get to know one another this past year, and especially last month as we traveled together in Mexico.
As you most likely know now, Melissa and our family are faced with a daunting challenge of her having been diagnosed with late advanced stage stomach cancer. We have just this week elected to place her under hospice care at home for at least through the extended holiday season for the next couple of weekends ahead.
Last night, we had a wonderful time of gathering with family and friends in our community of faith, together experiencing soaking prayers for Melissa's healing with some gifted intercessors and worship leaders in our home. It was a joyous time of praising the Lord and ascribing glory to God as we acknowledged and proclaimed that nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37). God is filling us, through fervent prayers and a spirit of zeal and supplication in these days, with such hope in Christ as we place our trust in the Lord with all our heart (Proverbs 3:5-6). As the outcome of prayers for Melissa's healing are realized on this and/or the other side of eternity, we will praise God with thanksgiving all the more knowing the Lord is worthy of all glory, blessing, honor, power and might as unto the Lamb.
Thank you for all the kind expressions of love and care we continue receiving through this our beloved fellowship. We are so encouraged by your faithfulness and generosity, imparting such grace and peace unto us, and giving us such timely words of encouragement. Please find the attached PDF file containing a personal reflection piece posted two weeks ago on my blog site(s) which can also be found on the web site/page online at prayersForMelissa.com under "Words from Rex". To receive updates via e-mail, you can register online via CaringBridge.org for subscription. You can also join the Facebook group "Praying for Melissa Espiritu and the Espiritu Family" for more frequent updates as well as via Twitter.
We are ever so filled with comfort and gratitude for your continuing prayers and support as we journey forward with the leading and in the power of the Holy Spirit. May the name of Jesus be magnified all the more in our lives to the glory of God.
And may the Lord's blessings be upon you and yours in sacred spaces as we celebrate the birth of the Christ Child at Christmas.
Grace and Peace,
No comments:
Post a Comment