http://www.micahscall.org/content/index.php?topic=prayers Prayer request from MicahsCall Copyright 2008 MicahsCall GeekLog Wed, 03 Sep 2008 12:34:13 -0700 en-gb http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080903123413199 Micah Admin http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080903123413199 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 12:34:13 -0700 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080903123413199#comments Prayers May their travels be safe, their dialogue be fruitful, and the results of their labor contribute to a more peaceful and just world. http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/20080903123413199 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080828140657979 Micah Admin http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080828140657979 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:06:57 -0700 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080828140657979#comments Prayers For Del Martin, 87, who fought for gay rights for over 50 years and died just two months after marrying her lifelong partner, Phyllis. http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/20080828140657979 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080824072016985 Micah Admin http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080824072016985 Sun, 24 Aug 2008 07:20:16 -0700 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080824072016985#comments Prayers Kim is having undiagnosed health problems and they are frightening. May diagnosis and healing arrive soon. http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/20080824072016985 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080824071932474 Micah Admin http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080824071932474 Sun, 24 Aug 2008 07:19:32 -0700 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080824071932474#comments Prayers Thanks for a good day with my father. http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/20080824071932474 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080822112755420 Micah Admin http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080822112755420 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:27:55 -0700 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080822112755420#comments Prayers Many people in our lives are looking for new jobs or need help making ends meet. The journey is hard. http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/20080822112755420 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080814183519908 Derrick Kikuchi http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080814183519908 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:35:19 -0700 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080814183519908#comments Prayers Thanks for her life. Prayers of support and peace for Peter and the rest of the family. http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/20080814183519908 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080813155708742 Micah Admin http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080813155708742 Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:57:08 -0700 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080813155708742#comments Prayers My heart hurt as I read that International Rescue Committee workers had been killed in an ambush in Afghanistan. I pray that their families and friends feel God's presence and healing power during this time of terrible tragedy. http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/20080813155708742 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/2008072410210613 Victoria Hayden http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/2008072410210613 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:21:06 -0700 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/2008072410210613#comments Prayers Dear Friends, Please pray for Kim Hughes, who is 29 years old and has 2 very small children, and was recently diagnosed with stage 4 Melanoma cancer. She has blisters over many parts of her body and when the medicine wears off she screams in pain. She is seeing a specialist at John Hopkins because the local doctors do not give her any hope. Kim has almost completed her PHD studies to be a teacher so she could be home with her children as much as possible. Her husband, Joel, is trying to help her as much as he can and work a full time job as well. We are believing the Lord for a miracle!!In Him,Diana Watkins http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/2008072410210613 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080713070113318 Micah Admin http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080713070113318 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 07:01:13 -0700 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080713070113318#comments Prayers Natalie Wells' mother passed away on Tuesday night. Losing any parent is difficult as is watching an aging parent slip away over months and years. Our prayers are with Natalie as she says goodbye to her mother after a long struggle with the ever-thickening clouds of dementia. http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/20080713070113318 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080711094932889 Victoria Hayden http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080711094932889 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:49:32 -0700 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080711094932889#comments Prayers Steve K., is a freind and small businessman, he is one of the last manufacturers of clothing in the United States. He employees 10 Americans here in Northern California. His cash flow is so troubling he is thinking of shutting down his business and out-sourcing all of the manufacturing offshore. He is worried about his 10 employees. He asks for prayers for guidance. http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/20080711094932889 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080609094450989 Micah Admin http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080609094450989 Mon, 09 Jun 2008 09:44:50 -0700 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080609094450989#comments Prayers From David Mann: Dear Tom,As I've digested the shock of this strange and dark illness entering your brain, I've mostly been real sad. But I've also mused in the midst of my sadness since you called to tell Penny and me a week ago. What is the essence of your being for me in life? You love words. You are a communicator. You are a prophet of the Word! And so I found myself coming back conjuring up the Big words that best describe you for me. These four are they:   Minister: a person thought of as serving as the agent of some power or force;   Minstrel: Any of a medieval class of entertainers known for traveling from place to place, especially for singing.   Educator: from the latin educare – to bring up, to lead out;   Neighbor: (verb) to live or be situated nearby. Source: Webster’s   These images form the “mandala” which captures a lot of your life, and your contribution to the communities you’ve so widely and profoundly touched. Together they are a potent and creative mix, and from them all a relationship has been drawn with each of us who counts you as friend. These are the truths of who you are to me and as a whole they are what make your friendship such a remarkable gift.   Minister: Penny and I first met you in Palo Alto in 1973 fresh off the road from Union Seminary. You were there to meet Sydney Brown at her New Ways to Work Office. Yup, you were looking for New Ways in ministry. You loved the church and her potential. This led us to many rounds of subversive plotting to reform and improve the church in particular the United Church of Christ. We helped organize the United Churchpeople for Change and caused our share of stirs at Annual Conference in Asilomar. You usually did your part during the Saturday evening concert and songfest you led.   Your dedication to the project commonly called the “local church” was deep and vast. Your identity as a minister of this flawed but faithful enterprise has always been a central aspect of your mission in life. From Ladera to Lummi Island. Annual visits to Tiburon, Fresno, Modesto, Palo Alto, and elsewhere expedited this love as well – as you sang, preached, and taught.   Minstrel: Penny and I made sure to get you to be a minstrel for our Fresno Metro Ministry in the late 70’s where you (and often Gwen) delighted our Valley folk and raised us lots of money. Our boys learned “Rock Me to Sleep” and “My Turtle Fred” and Josh has now got his 4 year old daughter Mikayla singing those back to all of us. Then you came again last year to be the entertainment for my retirement dinner. I’ll always cherish the sung benediction by you. It was Si Kahn’s “Ole Battler. Your testament on behalf of my career in organizing was a highlite for me.   I often reflect and chuckle at the story you’ve told frequently of the child who came up to you after a few of your delightful songs about rubber bands, things made out of wood, or about “monsters in the closet”. He asked, “Are those songs real, or do you just make them up?” You sing to the inner child in everyone. And Oh Boy – is it real!   You chose the minstrel role early. Your travels grew and grew – as people learned what spirit you could ignite and how soulflully you could entertain. It was at a cost to you, y our health, and your family. But you had continued to feel passionately called to this minstrel life and work. It’s why you touched so many thousands of lives in distant places.   Finally, you had decided to lay this down just this year, and become a local pastor – and stay home opening a new chapter in your life with family and self. Bless you for that right and courageous shift.   Educator: In talking with Lucas about your diagnosis last week, he recalled his recent talks with you about education as he launches his teaching career. You gave him your booklet and he read it eagerly. Your thinking again lives on in our family as a practitioner evolves.   A core principle that has informed my work in organizing, goes, “Know Who you Love.” I feel great solidarity with you in the clarity of loving “the people.” For you this “love” is above all for the children and those who “lead out” their character. This principle incorporates a deep faith in the core goodness and talent that God has given each of us. You taught me that the task of the educator is to lead that out and give each his/her own song.   Tom, so many teachers had their craft shaped by your vision of education. Not only did you teach teachers the role of musicd and singing in the development of children, you also engaged a world of transformative ideas of how schools could more effectively be growing wholistic, and heartful youth. You have a bigger book by far than the one you got written about these ideas. I know you had it planned.   Neighbor: From 1985 through 2001 Michael Baush, you and I kept up a round robin leter that we called, “The Neighborhood.” It was a means to express our life learnings, struggles, and epiphanies to one another over a significant period of time. It would arrive every couple of months with intimate, humorous, and agitational contents – lighting my life.Thewse were the years we each wer working with church, family and vocational issues of all sorts. A lot of theology and a few confessions got written in the “neighborhood letter.”   Will Campbell inspired the image of the neighborhood in his writing. He suggests it is a a deep beloved community grounded in place. It involves loyalty, looking after, and a concern for the “public” space which we inhabit. You and I share the love of sitting in neighborhood coffee joints simply listening to the “sounds” of neighborhood conversation on all sides. However being in a “neighborhood” with you could transcend place, because of your travels and commitment to stay in touch. I have been blessed to be part of your neighborhood for 35 years.   You have a significant number of neighborhoods that you have maintained and nurtured. You are hearing their chorus now on your blog as you face this devastating illness. We are all “nearby”. We are all your Neighborhood.   And this image comes back to a bottom line about your life Tom, drawn from the last portion of the Great Commandment, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and your neighbor as yourself.” Yes, you have! Well done my neighbor and good friend. Well done, God’s good and faithful servant!   http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/20080609094450989 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080430082501642 Micah Admin http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080430082501642 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:25:01 -0700 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080430082501642#comments Prayers Please pray for all the victims of the holocaust, all the people who were killed, all the people who could have been born to them, all the families that were forever lost..... and pray that we never forget. Today there are other holocausts happening around us. Don't just pray about those...... do something! http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/20080430082501642 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080410185153643 Meg Young http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080410185153643 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:51:53 -0700 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080410185153643#comments Prayers My husband Jim and I first met Helen and Phil Morales in the late 1970s. I had been hired by John Lewis of the Stanford Poli Sci Dept. to work at what was initially called the Northeast Asia-US Relations Program.  Helen and Phil had just returned from London, and Helen had come back to work for John.  She included us, along with every other individual in Galvez House, in her swims, sings, parties, and movie nights.  I became a member of the Women's Brotherhood, a group of Galvez House women who initially intended to go to movies on Wednesdays night but instead met on Tuesdays to eat and drink. Helen changed my way of thinking, and consequently, of living. She was wise, compassionate, vivacious, sometimes irreverent, generous, brave, and stubborn. I can still hear her say "Huhhney," with Texan sympathy, as she listened to a story.  She adored celebrations, especially surprise parties with surprise events like the arrival of a singing gorilla or an unexpected guest from another continent.  She loved going to the theatre and the ballet (but not opera) and would generously treat others to tickets.  I learned from her to organize dinner parties for odd numbers of guests, not even numbers that excluded single people. She taught me to be mindful.  She encouraged me to be insightful. I can't be in Palo Alto for her memorial service but she will be in my thoughts and prayers that day.  Meg Young http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/20080410185153643 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080408110146384 Micah Admin http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080408110146384 Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:01:46 -0700 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080408110146384#comments Prayers Tuesday April 8th - My father Herbert had been doing really well up until about three days ago. He has now fallen into deep dementia and is now in the VA hospital in SF where they are trying to determine if they can bring him out of it or if this is his new "baseline." He still recognizes Derrick and me but can not even feed himself or keep his eyes open for more than a few moments at a time. The diagnosis of Lewy Body dementia is more and more certain and the prognosis for that is not good. The VA care continues to be exceptional. This roller-coaster ride, though, is getting tougher and tougher for Derrick and I to handle. Today's our 18th anniversary and I suspect we'll spend it in the hospital this evening. Dad was there whe n were were married and it is good that we can be with him today too. Bittersweet.Update April 11 - Dad recovered and was in pretty good shape on Wednesday but by Thursday he had slipped back a little. When we saw him last night he thought he was on a cruise ship with really good service but really lousy catering. He was able to feed himself and had gotten two good walks with the physical therapy team. The VA will keep him over the weekend. On Sunday, they'll take away the "sitter" to see what happwns if Dad is left without constant watching. If he fares well, he will go to a skilled nursing facility on Monday or Tuesday for rehab (maybe a week). Then, he can go back to his Board and Care. The VA is recommending, though, that we find him a longer-term nursing-home type of facility for people with severe dementia. This is going to be a hard road. http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/20080408110146384 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/helenmorales Micah Admin http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/helenmorales Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:28:05 -0700 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/helenmorales#comments Prayers Helen Morales will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Her son Jeff sent some pictures which I have scanned in and created an album and slideshow for. Watch the slideshow and then see each of the images below which you can click to see at full size. Visit Helen's page on the First Presbyterian Church Palo Alto web site by clicking here. It appears you do not have the Flash Plugin installed, or the version you have is out of date and cannot play the requested content. // A service of internment of ashes and a reception was held on April 20th. Click here to view photos from that day taken by Jim Hewlett, Helen's deacon. There are also pictures of Helen and notes from friends and family on the First Presbyterian Church Palo Alto web site. Click here to see those pictures and read those messages.Please join us on Monday May 5th from 5pm to 7pm in the lounge at First Presbyterian Church Palo Alto. You are invited to bring some finger food, your Joy of Life, & stories as we conjure up Helen's spirit in our Celebration of her wonderful life. http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/helenmorales http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/2008040213033219 Victoria Hayden http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/2008040213033219 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:03:32 -0700 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/2008040213033219#comments Prayers Thankfully Layton made it past the 12-hour window considered highest risk period of rejection, with no change in vitals or organ function. It looks likely that he'll tolerate the transplant. Thank you again for your prayers. http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/2008040213033219 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080402120606837 Victoria Hayden http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080402120606837 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 12:06:06 -0700 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080402120606837#comments Prayers Dear friends, Thank you for your many prayers of healing and strength for my great-nephew, Layton Burrow, who has been a patient at St. Jude Hospital in Memphis for the last six months. My family has witnessed medical miracles made possible by the excellent staff at St. Jude, and we are deeply appreciative of the love and support that has been offered to all of us. Layton had his final round of chemo this weekend and his bone marrow biopsy shows that he remains in remission. Tonight he is receiving a transplant of "fighter" blood cells (called Natural Killer cells) that were harvested from his mother yesterday. The hope is that these cells will help defend Layton from developing a recurrence of his form of leukemia, called acute myeloid leukemia. My niece has asked us to pray that Layton's body is able to accept the cell transplant and continue healing. This is the first time St. Jude doctors have tried NK cell transplant in a 2-year old. Thank you again for your prayers, love and support,Kathy Merkle-Raymond http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/20080402120606837 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080324064027554 Micah Admin http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080324064027554 Mon, 24 Mar 2008 06:40:27 -0700 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080324064027554#comments Prayers After a long battle and many ups and downs, Sarah Johnson's mother passed away peacefully in her home on Friday. The family will gather for a service on Tuesday. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sarah and her entire family, especially her father, at this time. http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/20080324064027554 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080318143846394 Victoria Hayden http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080318143846394 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:38:46 -0700 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080318143846394#comments Prayers Her name is Luna. She has a cancerous brain tumor. She will have surgery at Lucille Packard Children's Hospital this month. Please visualize Luna healed. Please pray for peace, hope and guidance for her parents. I will update you. http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/20080318143846394 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080212102021583 Micah Admin http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080212102021583 Tue, 12 Feb 2008 10:20:21 -0800 http://www.micahscall.org/content/article.php/20080212102021583#comments Prayers Congressman Tom Lantos died on Monday February 11th after fighting esophageal cancer. He was 80 years old and had served in the House of Representatives for 27 years. Our prayers go out to his famil, his staff, his constituents and all those who loved him. He was the only holocaust survivor to serve in Congress and fought for human rights and dignity throughout his career. He will be missed.Click here to read more about him in the SF Chronicle. http://www.micahscall.org/content/trackback.php/20080212102021583