Subj: 911 prayer request
Date: 1/23/00

I called 911 on my dad a few hours ago. He's in the hospital now.
We still haven't heard what's going on with him.
Had trouble breathing yesterday and last night
but was much worse this morning.
Looks very bad.
Your prayers appreciated.


Kevin Craig
http://members.aol.com/VFTINC/home/
---------------------------------------------

And they shall beat their swords into plowshares
and sit under their Vine & Fig Tree.
Micah 4:1-7



Subj: Message ("Your message dated Sun, 23 Jan 2000 20:17:26 EST...")
Date: 1/23/00 5:17:48 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: LISTSERV@LISTSERV.OKSTATE.EDU (L-Soft list server at OKLAHOMA STATEUNIVERSITY(1.8d))
To: KEVIN4VFT@AOL.COM

Your message dated Sun, 23 Jan 2000 20:17:26 EST with subject "911 prayer
request" has been successfully distributed to the LABRI-L list (293
recipients).

[[break]]

Subj: I'm prayingforyour dad!
Date: 1/23/00 11:15:47 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: MARYELIZABETHH@email.msn.com (MARY HITT)
To: KEVIN4VFT@AOL.COM

[[break]]

Subj: [vft] Re:911prayer request
Date: 1/23/00 6:44:00 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: Christs_Child@webtv.net
Reply-to: vft@egroups.com
To: vft@egroups.com

Kevin,
I will be praying for your dad and family........
Gina

[[break]]

Subj: Re: 911PrayerRequest
Date: 1/23/00 6:38:05 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: Gojeep3442
To: KEVIN4VFT

Weloveyou all and are praying for you.
George & Jeannie

[[break]]

Subj: Re: [vft]911prayer request
Date: 1/23/00 5:48:54 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: Retlaw78
To: KEVIN4VFT, mcculley@redrose.net

Kevin--
My prayers are with you and with your father. May our Lord in His kindness and gracebepresent there at this time of great need. He is able to accomplish all that He desirestodo for both of you! Look to Him for all things in Christ!
--Walt

[[break]]

Subj: (no subject)
Date: 1/24/00 3:59:04 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: Gojeep3442
To: KEVIN4VFT

Howare things going? I'm working today so if you can't get a hold of Peter, call me at the bank. 417-334-0828.
Jeannie

[[break]]

Subj:Re:Jim & Marybeth Craig: Prayer Request
Date: 1/24/00 8:57:04 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: JPLombardi
To: KEVIN4VFT

Dear Kevin:

Thanks for your email. We will have the whole church praying for your dad (and the restofthe family, too).

I am out of town for a few days, attending a preaching conference. We have awonderfulvisitation pastor, Joe Nunziato, who will be at Desert Hospital on Monday. Wehave filledhim in on your dad's situation....

Thanks for keeping us updated.

God bless,

PJ

[[break]]

Subj: [ProRege]Re: 911 prayer request
Date: 1/24/00 9:22:08 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: Rod.Martin@theVanguard.org (Rod D. Martin)
Reply-to: pro-rege@cc.egroups.com
To: pro-rege@cc.egroups.com


We'll have you in prayer.


Rod D. Martin
http://www.theVanguard.org
________

We have no government armed with power capable of contending with
human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition,
revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our
Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made
only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the
government of any other.
-- John Adams

[[break]]

Subj: RE: 911 prayer request
Date: 1/24/00 10:54:00 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: eallor@mofo.com (Allor, Elizabeth P.)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com ('KEVIN4VFT@aol.com')

I'm so sorry to hear that Kevin. I'm praying for your whole family.

[[break]]

Subj: Re: 911 prayer request
Date: 1/24/00 10:56:24 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: kjv@earthlink.net (KEVIN VIKTOR)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com

You and your family are in our prayers! Hang in there and take care of each
other.
Blessings,
Mary Blanche-Viktor

[[break]]

From: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com [mailto:KEVIN4VFT@aol.com]
Sent: January 25, 2000 2:00 PM
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com
Subject: 911 Prayer Requst Update


Here's the latest on Dad. It may be a bit on the long side.
I'm wondering whether we're doing the right thing, or
whether we're committing some kind of euthanasia.

On Saturday night dad's breathing became labored
and by Sunday noon he was in miserable shape,
I was scared and called 911. The paramedics,
God bless them, said "It looks, tastes and smells
like pneumonia." I was quite relieved. We had
been giving him his daily cancer treatments for
a month (five hours of infusions and 70 pills a day),
and he had been steadily losing mental clarity.
Whereas he had at first been eager to take his
pills, even asking or reminding us about whether
he was due for a dose, he became increasingly
resistant to treatment, agitated and angry.
Mom and I had to watch him full time, 24/7,
to make sure that when he got up he did not trip
and fall -- and he began getting up every hour,
even through the night.

In short, we were relieved and optimistic
that a short stay in the hospital could clear
up his congestion, get his days and night ordered,
and give us time to rest up. We were totally
exhausted.

After an hour wait in the ER waiting room, I decided
I wasn't accomplishing much, and drove home to
send out some emergency prayer request email,
which you received. At first it said dad had pneumonia
and it looked OK. But then my sister called from
the hospital and said the doctors were giving us bad news.
The first words spoken to my mom were "Do you
have a living will? Have you made decisions about
heroic measures?" We thought it was just pneumonia.
My mom was certainly shocked by this legal "bedside
manner." I sent out an "It looks bad" email motivated by
near-hysteria and headed to the hospital
About six hours later I saw dad and he was calm,
peaceful, breathing well. I assumed again that he
could be treated for pneumonia and we could resume
the cancer treatments. I was a tad angry that lawyers
were telling doctors what to tell family of patients.

In the process of talking with the doctor in charge of
my dad I discovered that my parents' will does not
reflect their wishes. This is because lawyers and
doctors don't know how to communicate. (Surprise!)
A nurse friend of mine told me yesterday morning that
my parents' will would get both of them tagged
"DNR" -- "Do Not Resuscitate." This because of
language in their will which says no to "heroic measures."

It's one paragraph of canned legalese. You insert the word
"REQUEST" or "DENY" in the blank and the computer
prints out the will. My mom and dad would have wanted
"heroic measures" performed if they were short-term
measures with the prospect of a resumption of life
more-or-less like life the day before we called 911.
Mom would have preferred to resuscitate Dad if his
heart stopped or breathing needed help if those
measures would have gotten him through a crises and
we could then resume treatment for the cancer.
What lawyers are thinking and what doctors are thinking
are two different things, and both differ from what patients
and family are thinking.

We had hopes that the "alternative treatment"
my dad is undergoing will cure his cancer.
No illusions, but hope. The treatment has had
remarkable success. We were quite impressed
with their facility in Houston, and it isn't like
going to a back alley in Tijuana for apricot pits.

http://www.cancermed.com/

The doctor in charge of my dad is utterly
unfamiliar with this alternative therapy, and
assumes the treatment is medical quackery
or religious hokum, and this informs his
understanding of my dad's will, which speaks
of an "incurable and irreversible" condition.
He would not perform any "heroic measures'
because he thinks my dad's a goner. We
would have approved such measures because
we're eager to resume his "unconventional
therapy." We tried to describe this therapy,
but the doctor had already placed us and the
therapy in the "upper story" (as Francis Schaeffer
called it). He gave us all kinds of irritating, syrupy
platitudes like "We respect your right to believe in
any way that makes you happy, and we want you
to be comfortable with your beliefs." In other words,
"You have the right to be stupid and to nurture a subjective
warm fuzzy feeling in the New Age world of non-reason,
no matter how unrealistic or even false, but I live in the
real, scientific world of conventional approaches and
tight budgets." But since he did not believe in the reality
of our "upper-story," he would not let that interfere
in *his* decision-making process.

Boy, that "You have the right to be stupid and
we respect your unrespectable beliefs" stuff
really bugs me.

Bottom line: nothing would be done to cure
his pneumonia, because his will said "no
heroic measures." It's true that mom has
the final word, but she and I are simply not
strong enough to continue treating him,
especially in the mental state he had before
we called 911.

The next day things changed somewhat. We were
told that X-rays showed that the cancer was strangling
his lung, and that he didn't actually have pneumonia.
Moments later a representative for the hospice program
took us aside and gave us her pitch. "Make them
comfortable." I really don't believe in the interminable
process of machines keeping dead bodies moving.
I like the idea of people dying at home without racking
up hundreds of thousands of dollars of medical bills.
I like the idea of making death comfortable. The
hospice rep said that fluids make the body
uncomfortable. Sounded good at the time, but as
I think about it now, we're simply starving dad to
death. I should say, "comfortably" starving dad to
death.

As I write, mom and sis are at the bank doing some
financial things, getting copies of papers out of the
safe-deposit box, etc., and then we're going to the
hospital, where I hear Dad is peaceful, calm, and
in no pain, due to drip morphine.

Pray for us while we're there. And if you'd
like to pray that God will tell Dad to take up his
bed and walk, that would be OK with us! :-)

We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be
absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent,
to be well pleasing to Him.
2 Corinthians 5:8-9


Kevin C.
http://members.aol.com/VFTINC/
---------------------------------------------

And they shall beat their swords into plowshares
and sit under their Vine & Fig Tree.
Micah 4:1-7

[[break]]

RRasmus938: What's the word on your dad?

Well, not nearly as bad as I first thought. I'll be sending out another spam with the whole story. In a word: dern lawyers!!
KEVIN4VFT: The hospital can't do anything abouthis cancer, of course, but they'll get him through the pneumonia, I think. Any way, he sure is a lot better than when I called 911
RRasmus938: That's two words, but I'm glad to hear your thought process was a little offbase, but then, well never mind.
Pneumonia?
KEVIN4VFT: Yeah, that seems to be his problem,why his breathing was so bad this morning,why I called 911
RRasmus938: Had it twice, came through both times.Though he will need to miss about amonth of school. Seriously, both of us here are happy(and relieved as you must be) thatwhile not "all right" he is at least undercontrol.
KEVIN4VFT: Definitely, thanks a lot. I sent Susan a spam too; I hope she can figure out who KEVIN4VFT is.
RRasmus938: yeah she knows. I took the liberty offorwarding it to both her and my folks.She sent back a response telling me what you justconfirmed.
KEVIN4VFT: I guess I need to add your parents tomy emergency spam list. Balboaras, right?
RRasmus938: That's it. Do they know yet how longthey'll be keeping him?
KEVIN4VFT: No, thye hadn't actually officially diagnosed him as "pneumonia," but that was the tentative talk. A couple of days max, I suspect, and if it's bad, a few daysin some rehab place blowing into plastic bubble machines.
KEVIN4VFT: Orsome goofy therapy designed to beattractive to kids who watch too much Sesame Street.
RRasmus938: I feel cheated. I never got the bubblemachine, though Seasame Street I could do without.
RRasmus938: How's your mom doing fhrough all this?
KEVIN4VFT: She's pretty resiliant in crises. My sister and I were joking about that in the waiting room. When there's a crisis and everyone else is falling apart, mom's the 5-star Kindergarten teacher getting the kids out onto the playground.
RRasmus938: And I always thought they were just teachers because they had no marketable skills. I never said that by the way.
KEVIN4VFT:

RRasmus938: And I always thought they were just teachers because they had no marketable skills. I never said that by the way.

I just sent it to all the teachers in your life.
RRasmus938: Great. You can come visit me in the hospital. I'll be the one in protective custody.
KEVIN4VFT: It's all over the Internet by now. The Unions will be leading the charge.
RRasmus938: I OWE you one. boy oh boy do I OWE you.
KEVIN4VFT: Well, I was going to send out an update but I think it must wait till morning. THe day is catching up with me.
I hope to be in your neck of the woodpretty soon to collect.
KEVIN4VFT: I'm afraid, however, that even after dad gets out of the hospital, I'm still going to be doing his daily medical routine and that will keep me tied to the desert,
RRasmus938: I'd say that maybe we should come out there, but that doesn't get you away from it and only makes things more hectic out there.We'll get it right one day
RRasmus938: Think we need to get on our way to John Wayne. Tell em all "howdy" and get better!!!
KEVIN4VFT: Actually it might not be too hectic,and I think my dad would genuinely enjoy avisit from you. I'll send you a formal invitation if it looks good. Too bad you're not driving people to 29 palms any more. Havea safe drive to the airport. Love those red-eyes.Thanks again!
------------------------------------

[[break]]

Subj: (no subject)
Date: 1/25/00 5:30:35 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: Gojeep3442
To: KEVIN4VFT

It's cold here this morning. Just had some instant message with Chuck and Uncle John called last night with the latest info. We love you all so much. If you need an understanding ear, give me a call. I can sure relate to what you are going through. You know in your mind what is best for Jimmy but minds and hearts have a way of differing in opinion. Chuck gave me the name and number of the hospital, so I'll try to catch up with someone today.
Jeannie

[[break]]

Subj: Re:
Date: 1/25/00 6:50:40 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: victoriajeanette@yahoo.com (victoria)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com

Dear Kevin,

Good grief, sounds like things are rather difficult
right now. I'm definitely praying, and I've asked
several of my friends to pray also. I had never heard
about the treatment he's receiving, but Franklin
explained it all to me and it does sound promising.
Was the 911 call on Sunday only a minor setback? Is
everything alright? Please let me know as soon as
possible. Where are you staying? How long will you be
there? How are your Mom and Amy holding out. How are
you...I mean REALLY how are you...not just "fine".

Nothing much new with me. Actually, there are a couple
things, but I'm at work right now and don't have a lot
of time to write. Please write soon!

Love,
Tori

[[break]]

Subj: jim craig
Date: 1/25/00 8:52:13 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: Doster2
To: KEVIN4VFT

Hi...no, I did not get your prayer request but I have it now..so, consider that done! Prayer helps...it helps more than anything else including all of the advice that you might get from all of us who mean well but somehow can't quite pull it off.

As you know my husband died last year..went into the hosp. on 11/17/99 for removal of a tumor in his colon and he never came home again...he died 1/3/99 from pneumonia and every other antibiotic resistant infection known,& methinks some unknown, to man. By the time he died he was peeing through a tube, pooping thru a tube, receiving nourishment (which his body could no linger absorb) through a tube in his stomach & he was breathing through a tube that was inserted in a hole in his throat. I am totally convinced that the last four wks. of his life were absolute hell & that when he died it was his decision...that he hated the place that modern medicine had transported him to...he was a prisoner...& everything that the doctors had done they did with the best of intentions & at first we agreed to it because there seemed to be some cause for hope but after awhile it became apparent that the was going to die & we couldn't take him home to do so because he was attached to so many machines...oh, & did I mention that his body tissues were breaking down...rotting...so there was no place left to give him the necessary IVs..it was not a place that Stuart, in his worst nightmare, ever thought he would be..nor did I...it just happened ...so gradually yet so quickly that it made your head spin. We had signed a "do not resuscitate" when he transferred from W. Med to Chapman & I am forever thankful to God that we did or the doctors would have continued treating him in vain (they never give up) & he would have remained in that hell even longer.

You & your family are in a very bad place right now & my heart, my prayers & my love are with you all...this may sound trite and then again..although' maybe not ...but let go & let God take over...for all of you. But, then somehow, Kevin, I think you probably already know that. I know that it was my faith in God that got me through those dark days & through this first year after his death. Saying this to you is like preaching to the choir.

Come by the office the next time you are in SA..whenever that is...maybe we can talk.

Until then...my love & prayers to all of you
Pam Cole

[[break]]

[[break]]

Subj: Thank you for the "thank you"!
Date: 1/25/00 5:28:01 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: LitlChar
To: KEVIN4VFT

You know we'll do ANYTHING for the Craigs! You are the BEST! Love, Jan

[[break]]

Subj: Re: 911 Prayer Requst Update
Date: 1/25/00 3:43:11 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: ArTurin@concentric.net (Michael Paul Tuuri)
Reply-to: ArTurin@concentric.net
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com

Dear Kevin -

I am very sorry about your dad, but as Jerry Paris said in a Norman
Mailer film out of the fifties, "It's his privilege to suffer." Blithe
words from one who is not so suffering, but God has His purpose, as I'm
sure you know. The brilliant morons in our society are actually insane
(doctors and lawyers who don't have a clue...all dressed up with nowhere
to go), so I can identify with you when you have a certified nut
condescending to you. Kind of like the pinhead who says that it's OK to
believe in a 6-day creation, even though most of us know that's
impossible. We'll be praying for your dad and for you and your mom.
God bless. Keep us posted.

Mike

[[break]]

Subj: Your Dad
Date: 1/25/00 9:58:28 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: robvicki@fulton-net.com (Rob & Vicki)
To: Kevin4vft@aol.com

Dear Kevin...As I was sitting here reading your E-mail the tears began to flow..I was exactly where you are almost 21/2 years this March.
     My Dad also had cancer. It began in his thyroid and we also began not only conventional treatment but alternative..the only difference was that my Dad and I went to New York for the alternative treatment..his consisted of fresh juices,herb and homeopathic and injections.
     He also seemed to get better,for awhile then one week after we arrived home from NY and the alternative treatment was in full swing, he began having seizures,several seizures one after another until he became paralyzed on one side.I also was his primary care taker..even living with him..doing all you have been doing and then some,as I was the only child not employed at the time.Then one seizure left him semi-conscience and he was hospitalized,I like you was so exhausted..that I welcomed a little R&R.
     We also were then approached by the DR's and were treated and talked to just like you,about the treatment that we had decided to use..
     Hospice also came in and we took him home to die as the cancer had now spread all over especially in the brain(the reason for the seizures)
     My Mom would not go along with DNR, as she is not a Christian.
     Praise God my Dad was a Christian and he passed away one week after we began Hospice and brought him home..as much as I miss him I know he is with the Lord and finally healed and not suffering.
     I guess all you can do now is pray your will be done Lord..spend as much time with him as possible and know that soon he will be with the Lord well,healed and not suffering.
     It's so hard to let go but as you said God is in control and He knows the plan he has for your Dad...
     I will be praying for you and the family as the Lord directs. I have been where you are and know just what you are going through!
God Bless.. Love in Jesus name...Vicki

[[break]]

[[break]]

Subj: (no subject)
Date: 1/25/00 9:37:33 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: Balboaras
To: KEVIN4VFT

Thank you for the update on your Dad. Rod had forwarded your prayer request so we were more or less up to date.

And Kevin, you sounded concerned about "comfortably" starving your Dad to death. When my Mom was approaching the end, eating or drinking was so difficult for her that not making her eat or drink was the comforting thing to do. Perhaps that is true of your Dad.

Our prayers, thoughts and hearts have been and are with each of you. I am glad that he is peaceful and calm and not in pain. I pray the same for each of you.

Fondly, Nadene and Doug

[[break]]

Subj: Re: Update on Dad
Date: 1/25/00 3:08:32 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: psrsm@psr.org (Jonathan Parfrey)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com

Kev:

If indeed it is cancer about the lungs and not pneumonia . . . morphine and
prayer
sound the better path. This is a bad situation.

Let me know how I can help. Should me and the kids come out this weekend?
Stay in
a Desert Hot Springs Motel?

Let me know.

jp
Jonathan Parfrey
16844 Bollinger Drive
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

[[break]]

[[break]]

[[break]]

Subj: [Pro Rege] Re: 911 prayer request
Date: 1/25/00 6:47:44 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: think@pobox.com (Paul Nanson)
Reply-to: pro-rege@cc.egroups.com
To: pro-rege@cc.egroups.com

> I called 911 on my dad a few hours ago. He's in the hospital now.
> We still haven't heard what's going on with him.
> Had trouble breathing yesterday and last night
> but was much worse this morning.
> Looks very bad.
> Your prayers appreciated.
>
> Kevin Craig

Kevin, please let us know. Still praying for your dad and family.

Paul Nanson

[[break]]

[[break]]

Subj: what an eye-opener
Date: 1/25/00 7:04:53 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: dan_yz@cin.net (Dan Weise)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com

Kevin,

In the midst of all that is swirling about you, I'd like you to know how
much I appreciate your making the effort to spell out what you're going
through with your father and legal - medical establishment.

I haven't had to face that, and it is a real eye-opener to me.

Your reaction to the "I respect your unrespectable beliefs" is well justified.

I shall prayer for you, your mother and your father as you make your way
through this situation.

Dan Weise

[[break]]

Subj: Re: 911 Prayer Request Update
Date: 1/25/00 10:40:59 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: MADouglass
To: KEVIN4VFT

Hi,

Sounds like this is an emotional roller coaster for you. My church group prayed for you guys tonight. May God be powerfully present.

Michele

[[break]]

Subj: [vft] Re: 911 Prayer Request Update
Date: 1/25/00 9:06:49 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: Call5015@aol.com
Reply-to: vft@egroups.com
To: vft@egroups.com

I will rejoice with the understanding that your dad is a Christian.
I have already asked that he "rise up and take up his bed."
From that point, my only comments would relate to your dad's wishes. Since I
am also a Pro-life Christian I also wish to stay away from "the line."
I am also a Bible believing Christian and I see at least one example of a
sane and objective decision to let go of this tent in Genesis 49:33 "when
Jacob had finished commanding his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed and
breathed his last, and was gathered to his people." Thus, God is honored in
the death of His saints.
Thanks for sharing your struggles at this time of hardship. Thanks for all
the love you show for your dad, you have set a fine example. God bless you
and your family.
Dale

[[break]]

Subj: I am praying for you take care ok !!!!
Date: 1/26/00 12:57:01 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: SUNFLW59
To: KEVIN4VFT

Hi Kevin .... I can imagine what you are going thru I just wanted you to know, that you and all your family are in my prayers I know that has to be so rough to see your dad suffeering .... I JUST wanted you to know that i am praying for you and your family and that God will do what is best for your dad..... take care In Gods Love ..
Love .. Lori

[[break]]

Subj: Prazing for Your Father
Date: 1/26/00 7:34:00 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: tgrace27@yahoo.com (terrence grace)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com

Dear Kevin,

I just got back from a trip to Kosovo, and I found the long 911 request message that Terese Caraccio forwarded to me.

I just want to tell you how sorry I am to hear about your father. I have at the top of my list to arrange to have a mass said for your father. I will also be sure to say a rosary for him.

People have been known to make big comebacks when things looked very dark. I am hoping that your father makes the big comeback, and that you have many years to enjoy his companionship. I'm sorry that I never met him. You spoke about him often. I remember that you would call your father when you had a question about a computer. I remember one time when you were in Santa Ana trying to figure out a problem on the computer and your father was on the other end of the phone in the desert. It took a long time but you two got the problem solved. I was impressed at what good friends you and your father seemed to be.

I just want you to you know that I hope he gets better and he can go on with the therapy that you started. I know this is a difficult time for you, Kevin. Remember that many, many people think you are a great person, and I have no doubt you take after your father.

Yours in prayer,

Terry

[[break]]

Subj: (no subject)
Date: 1/26/00 6:29:25 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: Gojeep3442
To: KEVIN4VFT

Good Morning. Hope you all were able to rest last night. Any change or are things about the same? I'm headed off to work. Number there is 417-334-0828 if you need me for anything. We are praying for all of you and God's will which is always and ultimately in our best interests although we may not always think so at the time. He loves you and we do, too.
Jeannie

[[break]]

Subj: My dad died this morning
Date: 1/26/00

I wish I had time right now to write each of you
personally; I am so thankful for everyone's support.

Dad died this morning. Last night he thrashed about,
trying to rip his gown off and get out of bed. These
agitated protests had become quite common the
last few weeks. I told him that if he wanted out of
his bed, he would have to relax and let God get him
out. God is good. Trust Him. His arms fell to his
sides and he relaxed. That was the last I saw him.
I believe he trusted in God, and I rejoice in His
great love and mercy

Thanks again for your friendship and support.


Kevin C.
http://members.aol.com/VFTINC/home/
---------------------------------------------

And they shall beat their swords into plowshares
and sit under their Vine & Fig Tree.
Micah 4:1-7

[[break]]

Subj: Re: My dad died this morning.
Date: 1/26/00 3:39:55 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: DotComMom
To: KEVIN4VFT

Kevin: I'm rejoicing in God's great love and mercy, too. Please know that you and your mother and sister are in our thoughts and prayers. Please convey this message to your mother also. Will be talking to you more in a while. Carol

[[break]]

Subj: My Deepest Sympathy
Date: 1/26/00 3:31:19 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: tgrace27@yahoo.com (terrence grace)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com

Dear Kevin,

Please accept my deepest sympathy on the death of your father. I never met him, but you spoke about him often and fondly. I'm sure this is a very painful moment for you. My father died in January 25 years ago. I remember it as if it were yesterday. It was one of the saddest days of my life.

You have been kind and generous in so many ways and to so many people. I hope that your many friends are there for you now to comfort you. I am sorry I am so
far away. If I were in the States I would surely often my condolences in person. Be assured that I am thinking of you and praying for you and for the repose of the soul of your father.

God bless you, Kevin, you're a good man. I hope the pain that you are feeling passes quickly.

You are in my thoughts and my prayers,

Terry

[[break]]

Subj: RE: My dad died this morning.
Date: 1/26/00 2:47:57 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: cathyallor@northwesternmutual.com
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com

Kevin -

My thoughts and prayers are very much with you and your family
today of all days......I am so sorry about your father. I know that he
is with God now, and not in any pain.

Liz sent me a couple of other of your e-mails - so much of what
you experienced is incredibly reminiscent. I don't know if she told you
how sudden our mom's illness and death were. We had 6 days to discover
what was wrong with her and deal with all the confusion of multiple
doctors, invasive ventilators, drugs, etc to figure out what was going
on. Like you, pneumonia wasn't a scary thing until my mom actually got
it and then she could no longer breathe. Like your father, she was in
and out of awareness even though she was in the hospital such a short
time. We had only two "awake and aware" times with her where we tried
to be completely positive with her as we did not even consider that she
could be actually dying. We did not get to say much and that is the
saddest part for me of the suddenness of it all. It was an hour by hour
watch of her condition.

We would think it would be okay to leave the ICU for an hour and
then something else would happen. We had difficult decisions to make
the entire time about her treatment and what the "prognosis" was. In
the end, none of the Living Will paperwork seems to matter because it is
all so unclear anyway and there is so much gray area. Do we put her
back on the ventilator? For how long? A day, a month? Will she get
over the virus/pneumonia, etc? and then be able to breathe okay? No one
can give any answers....

I know how completely helpless it feels at that point - and it
sounds like with your Dad, you and your mom felt helpless as well. Liz
and I spent days and weeks thinking, "How could this happen?" Of
course, there are no answers to any of it.

I hope that your family and friends are all together in offerring
their support and kindness. And that you can gain strength from your
family in the difficult moments that each of you will experience at
different times. It has only been a couple of months for us and those
moments are still very frequent and difficult and it helps to help each
other. I am sure the days ahead will be filled with unbelievable
demands on you and your family - emotionally, and practically speaking.
I know Liz and I marvel at how we got through the week following mom's
death and planning her service when now it seems like we can only do one
thing at a time once a week if we are lucky. Our thoughts and prayers
are with you now. Take care of each other. Love, Catharine

[[break]]

Subj: Re: [labri] My dad died this morning.
Date: 1/26/00 1:01:35 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: graphics@graphicxs.com (Jan&Jennifer Lemieux)
To: labri@egroups.com, KEVIN4VFT@aol.com

Kevin,

I am so very sorry to hear about your dad. Jan and I are praying for you
and your family. We pray God's peace will be with you to comfort you.

Love in Him,
Jennifer

[[break]]

Subj: [vft] Re: My dad died this morning
Date: 1/26/00 12:34:55 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: rvwarren1@home.com (Russ Warren)
To: vft@egroups.com

Kevin,

I want you to know that my prayers are with you and "blessed in the eyes
of the Lord is the death of His saints."

God bless you and your family,

Russ

[[break]]

[[break]]

Subj: RE: [labri] My dad died this morning.(OFFLIST)
Date: 1/26/00 11:07:58 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: mawson1@home.com (Rosana Mawson)
Reply-to: mawson1@home.com (mawson1@home.com)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com ('KEVIN4VFT@aol.com')

Dear Kevin,(OFFLIST)
Please know that I will still continue to pray for you and your family
in your sorrow and for the months ahead. Yet mixed in that sorrow, is joy of knowing that your dad is now home.
God is so gracious to us. What a comfort and privilege for you to have been able to say those
words to your dad.
Your posts over the last few days have been poignant and very moving. Thank you for sharing
this most difficult time with us.
In His Abundant Grace,
Rosana Mawson

[[break]]

Subj: Re: My dad died this morning.
Date: 1/26/00 11:05:20 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: psrsm@psr.org (Jonathan Parfrey)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com

Kev:

My heart is with you.

Jonathan

[[break]]

Subj: RE: My dad died this morning
Date: 1/26/00 11:04:35 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: tsaenz@archdpdx.org (Saenz, Tadeo)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com ('KEVIN4VFT@aol.com')

Dear Kevin,
I felt both joy and great sadness when I read your message on the passing of your dad. Joy in hearing about your faith in God and your love for your dad, and sadness in thinking of the suffering all of you have gone through during his convalescence. Thanks for keeping us informed about your dad in the midst of your own struggles with his disease and in his passing. Now, our prayers will be for you and your family in this strenuous time. We love you.
Peace. La Paz de Dios,
Tadeo Sáenz
tsaenz@archdpdx.org <mailto:tsaenz@archdpdx.org>

[[break]]

Subj: Re: My dad died this morning
Date: 1/26/00 10:21:52 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: songsfhp@tri-lakes.net (Norm & Trish)
To: Kevin4VFT@aol.com (James Kevin Craig)

We are sorry to hear this news. We mourn and rejoice with you. Yah bless.

Norm & Family

[[break]]

[[break]]

Subj: RE: My dad died this morning
Date: 1/26/00 9:58:25 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: MikeRe@hsaeug.com (Mike Rench)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com ('KEVIN4VFT@aol.com')
CC: mrnch@cs.com ('mrnch@cs.com')

My sympathies to you Kevin. Death is always tragically sad, even though for
the Believer we know it is not the end, but it is the end of our suffering.

(1 Cor 15:17-28 KJV) "And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye
are yet in your sins. {18} Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ
are perished. {19} If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of
all men most miserable. {20} But now is Christ risen from the dead, and
become the firstfruits of them that slept. {21} For since by man came death,
by man came also the resurrection of the dead. {22} For as in Adam all die,
even so in Christ shall all be made alive. {23} But every man in his own
order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his
coming. {24} Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the
kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and
all authority and power. {25} For he must reign, till he hath put all
enemies under his feet. {26} The last enemy that shall be destroyed is
death. {27} For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all
things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put
all things under him. {28} And when all things shall be subdued unto him,
then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things
under him, that God may be all in all."

(1 Cor 15:51-57 KJV) "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep,
but we shall all be changed, {52} In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,
at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised
incorruptible, and we shall be changed. {53} For this corruptible must put
on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. {54} So when this
corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put
on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written,
Death is swallowed up in victory. {55} O death, where is thy sting? O grave,
where is thy victory? {56} The sting of death is sin; and the strength of
sin is the law. {57} But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Hopefully, you will be consoled by these truths from God's Word. Some day
we shall meet in the glorious reunion of the heavenly Jerusalem before the
throne of the Lamb.

Michael E. Rench
UHP Engineer - Facilities
Hyundai Semiconductor America
(541) 338-5724
(541) 710-1469 (pager)

[[break]]

Subj: RE: [Pro Rege] Re: 911 prayer request
Date: 1/25/00 10:08:08 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: think@pobox.com (Paul Nanson)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com

> Pray for us while we're there. And if you'd
> like to pray that God will tell Dad to take up his
> bed and walk, that would be OK with us! :-)

Kevin, your family remains in my prayers. My mother
died suddenly, almost ten years ago, and my wife's
mother died two years ago, finally succumbing to
emphysema and heart disease after a several years of
carting an oxygen tank around with her twenty-four
hours a day. My wife and her family went through the
same kind of self-doubts when they put her mother
under hospice care after they were told that the
lung treatments were not going to work, and were only
causing her prolonged agony. These are so very
difficult decision, and I hope you will find peace
and strength in our Lord and Savior, as well as
comfort in the knowledge that our God is Sovereign
over all, and fulfills His purposes, even in our
trials. As John Newton said, "He chooses for his
people better than they could choose for themselves -
if they are in heaviness, there is a need-be for it,
and he withholds nothing from them but what upon the
whole it is better they should be without. Our
trials are as certainly mercies, as our comforts."

God be with you,
In Christ,
Paul N.

[[break]]

Subj: Re: 911 Prayer Request Update
Date: 1/25/00 9:54:30 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: terese@justice.com (Terese Caraccio)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com

Oh, Kevin, I'm so sorry that you have to deal with legal terminology, doctors and lawyers not communicating, and doctor platitudes at this critical time. I just want to let you know that you and your family are in my prayers and that I support you and the desisions you make in all this. I am sorry to hear that it is more severe than pneumonia.
Did you know that it is because of hospice nurses that I am a nurse today? I really admired the hospice nurse that worked with Raul at the CW. She wasn't there just for Raul. As well, she recognized my pain and own sense of helplessness, and showed me at the same time how to best be there for Raul. How to make him comfortable and how to accept my limitations. I just remember, after talking with her, I didn't feel so helpless or so bad. It was that time that I decided to become a nurse.
Kevin, I am really glad we spoke yesterday. My heart and prayers are with you.

Today, I ran into Buck at the supermarket. He was doing security there. We talked for an hour! I'll fill you in. He says hi.

Please call me Kevin if you need ANYTHING.
Just to talk too.

All my love,
Teesee

[[break]]

Subj: Re: My dad died this morning.
Date: 1/26/00 4:50:15 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: Edward.Gaffney@valpo.edu (Edward Gaffney)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com (KEVIN4VFT)

Dear Kevin, I just received the news of your father's
death. What a serene way to die, cradled in the trust of a
completely accpting God. Thanks so much for sharing the
detail of the way you comforted him in his final hour.
God's peace to all of you. Ed


-----------------------------------------
Edward McGlynn Gaffney, Jr.
Professor of Law
Valparaiso University School of Law
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Phone: 219-465-7860; FAX: 219-465-7872
Email: Edward.Gaffney@valpo.edu

[[break]]

[[break]]

Subj: RE: My dad died this morning.
Date: 1/26/00 5:26:29 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: eallor@mofo.com (Allor, Elizabeth P.)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com ('KEVIN4VFT@aol.com')

Kevin,
I'm so sorry to hear about your dad and I will keep you, your mom
and Amy in my prayers. A lot of what you describe in this email and in the
one you sent yesterday, I think, is very familiar to me. My mom went
through much of the same thing although in a very short time frame. It was
also helpful that I knew she didn't want anything in the way of
extraordinary measures, did not want to be resuscitated, etc., but it was
still very hard to be asked those questions and it makes you wonder whether
the medical people have just given up on helping the patient. Ultimately,
it's just so hard to watch someone you love suffer like that and be helpless
to do anything about it. But at least you know that now your dad is at
peace and free from pain. And you know that he knew you loved him and tried
to help him. I will continue to pray for your whole family.
Liz

[[break]]

Subj: RE: 911 Prayer Request Update
Date: 1/26/00 7:13:40 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: eallor@mofo.com (Allor, Elizabeth P.)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com ('KEVIN4VFT@aol.com')

Another thought from someone who has just been through this -- you may not
want to hear/read this now, so put it aside if you don't want to. I had not
realized until I did more reading after my Mom's death, how serious
pneumonia is, particularly in someone who is older and has compromised lung
function to begin with. While I understand that might not even have been
what your father had, I think it helps explain why the medical professionals
reacted the way they did -- with questions about heroic measures, living
wills, etc. One of the hardest things we faced was walking into the ICU and
having the doctors and nurses look at us like we were idiots because we
didn't know that Mom had "advanced" COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease). We didn't know because Mom didn't tell us and hid it well. I
think part of what the doctors and nurses want to do is prepare you for the
worst case and be brutally honest about what the worst possible outcome
might be. At the same time, we hope that they will try to help us achieve
the best possible outcome and do it in a caring and compassionate way.

Liz

[[break]]

Subj: Kevin you are in my prayers !!!!
Date: 1/27/00 2:19:38 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: SUNFLW59
To: KEVIN4VFT

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
Kevin .....
I am so so sorry about your Dad but you and I know that your Dad is with the Lord and no longer suffering anymore ..... My thoughts and prayers are always with you and Specially at this tender time in you and your familys time of loss..... Take care Kevin ok Love Always and In Gods Love your Christain friend ...... Love Lori
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

[[break]]

Subj: [Pro Rege] Re: My dad died this morning
Date: 1/27/00 6:05:39 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: think@pobox.com (Paul Nanson)
Reply-to: pro-rege@cc.egroups.com
To: pro-rege@cc.egroups.com

Kevin,

I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. Thank you for taking
time from your family and your grief to let us know.

Your family continues in our prayers, and we thank God for
His everlasting love, displayed for all the world to see in
His Son, our Lord and Savior.

Yours in Christ,
Paul N.

[[break]]

Subj: Re: 911 Prayer Requst Update
Date: 1/27/00 7:41:22 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: slinn@brevard.net
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com

Kevin,

>"Make them comfortable."

I hate those words above all others. I
can't tell you how many times I was told that
about my mom and her Alzheimer's. For both
my mom and dad, I had to ultimately make the
decision you now face. I pray God to give
you wisdom and strength.

Thankfully, I read John Frame's little
book on medical ethics before I had to make
my first decision (with Dad). From that book,
I developed my motto that "If I'm dying, let me
die. If you can fix me, fix me." Frame wrote
to me once and said that the tough thing is knowing
when someone is dying. Dad was the first person
I'd ever been around who was at that point.
Nevertheless, with both of them, I did know. I
can't tell you how I knew, but I did (and that
includes several times of making the doctors
rally Mom back to more years of life).

The best pieces of advice I can give you are
(1) to make the best decision you can by God's grace,
and live with it. Don't guilt yourself up about it.
Don't second guess yourself. I've seen that gnaw
and destroy folks. And, (2) look for the hand of
God. He will make Himself known.


Your brother,
Scott Linn

[[break]]

Subj: [vft] Re: My dad died this morning
Date: 1/27/00 8:07:57 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: Retlaw78@aol.com
Reply-to: vft@egroups.com
To: vft@egroups.com


Hello Kevin--

My prayers are with you, my brother, in the Homegoing of your father. Your
earlier posting brought back memories of similar circumstances when my wife
Carolyn was called Home on March 20, 1996. We experienced some of the same
things with doctors, nurses and hospice personnel. Yes, and we agonized
through such unpleasantries as hospital living will discussions and hospice
doubletalk. But when the end came we could only lean back into the arms of
our Lord and trust Him and believe that He did the right thing. He never
makes mistakes and His love and mercy is boundless. We serve a Wonderful
God, Kevin!

--Walt Hibbard

[[break]]

Subj: Re: My dad died this morning.
Date: 1/27/00 11:58:01 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: bjmansell@ccnmail.com (Bonnie J Mansell)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com

Kevin,

Thank you so much for allowing me to share this experience with you. I am so sorry that you have lost your dad. No matter how awful the illness and how much better off the loved one is, you still miss them. I still feel the pain of losing my mother last year, though I would not want her back in the horrible torture she was experiencing.

Your mother needs you right now. She is blessed to have you.

You continue to be in my heart and prayers,


Bonnie
---
"To be a witness does not consist in engaging in propaganda, nor even in stirring people up, but in being a living mystery. It means to live in such a way that one's life would not make sense if God did not exist." Cardinal Suhard

[[break]]

[[break]]

[[break]]

Subj: Fwd: Amy's father died this morning ...
Date: 1/27/00 1:53:59 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: SlayAmy
To: KEVIN4VFT


Chuck,

What a blessing you must have been for Amy's father! When you spoke of
him and about his skill at rejuvinating old computers and then donating
them to worthy recipients, I was profoundly touched; life is about
facilitating life. He seems to have embodied much that is right about
the human condition.

Amy and you must be devastated. I am so sorry.

Please convey Sean's, Burke,s and my heartfelt sympathies to all who
loved your father-in-law.

Sincerely,
Suanna Harris
>>


-----------------
Forwarded Message:
Subj: Fwd: Amy's father died this morning ...
Date: 1/27/00 10:18:34 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: Chasslay
To: SlayAmy


-----------------
Forwarded Message:
Subj: Re: Amy's father died this morning ...
Date: 1/26/00 3:06:49 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: roadspa@earthlink.net (Sean wills)
To: Chasslay@aol.com

Chuck,

What a blessing you must have been for Amy's father! When you spoke of
him and about his skill at rejuvinating old computers and then donating
them to worthy recipients, I was profoundly touched; life is about
facilitating life. He seems to have embodied much that is right about
the human condition.

Amy and you must be devastated. I am so sorry.

Please convey Sean's, Burke,s and my heartfelt sympathies to all who
loved your father-in-law.

Sincerely,
Suanna Harris
Chasslay@aol.com wrote:
>
> Just to let you all know ...
>
> Early this morning, I called the hospital and spoke with the nurse. She told
> me Amy's father had a restful night, and had slept through the change of
> linens just a few minutes earlier (due to heavy morphine).
>
> I went down to the hospital, as I have every morning, just to be there in
> case he woke. I usually plan to keep him company, read the morning paper to
> him, etc.
>
> When I got off the elevator and walked into his room, the staff were removing
> all the IV's and other equipment. He had died just moments earlier.
>
> Amy, her mother and brother are all handling this very well. They have
> focused on remembering the happy times, and they are greatful their loved one
> has been spared a prolonged and degrading death.
>
> Arrangements are being considered now. He will be cremated within a day or
> so. There will be a reception at his golf club. Then the family (including
> me) will take his ashes to Missouri for burial in a family plot. That will
> probably occur the weekend of February 4-6.
>
> Thank you all -- so very much -- for your many expressions of support.
>
> Chuck

[[break]]

Subj: Re: (no subject)
Date: 1/27/00 4:34:54 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: jvrea@tri-lakes.net (John Rea)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com

Hi Marybeth, Kevin, Amy and Chuck:

We are at Steve and Debbies, I sent you an e-mail this morning but was useing kevins address from memory and forgot the 4. We came up yesterday to help with Cody while Debbie is at a music teachers conference at Lake of the Ozarks. Then after we took Cody to school today we went up to see the Hoplers . Came back here in time to pick Cody up from school.

Peter phoned last night and told us about Jimmey. All of you have been on our mind. Thank God it is not a permanent separation and we will all be back together one of these days.

Let us know if we can help any with details back here. You are welcome to stay with us when you come. We have two extra bedrooms, and couches. Ssteve got our e-mail here someway for us so I got your mesage tonight Kevin. We will be back home tomorrow night.

Love John and Velma

[[break]]

Subj: Dad's Death
Date: 1/27/00 4:58:48 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: Doster2
To: KEVIN4VFT

My dear friend,
I am so sorry...but believe me when I say that death is as much a gift of God as life. Peace will embrace all of you....like a nice warm morning mist....maybe not all of you right away but it will happen. It started with your Dad & it is what will carry your family forward. Now you must take care of yourselves & of each other..your health & spiritual well being.
I know that you did not ask me for advice...but as you know that is what do...whether you ask for it or not!
Once again, please take care...
Pam

[[break]]

[[break]]

Subj: (no subject)
Date: 1/26/00 7:00:26 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: ArTurin@concentric.net (Michael Paul Tuuri)
Reply-to: ArTurin@concentric.net
To: Patriarchy@aol.com (Kevin Craig)

Dear Kevin,
My heart grieves with you. I, too, have been separated from my father
by death. It is a hard loss. You will learn to live with it. Stand
tall at your mother's side; you are the man of the hour. God bless you
and turn your mourning into joy.
RoseMary

[[break]]

Subj: Re: [vft] Pope to Say Mass for Jim Craig in Desert Hot Springs, Feb. 6
Date: 1/27/00 7:59:28 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: robvicki@fulton-net.com (Rob & Vicki)
To: Kevin4VFT@aol.com

Kevin.. Praise God your Dad is healed delivered and rejoicing with the Lord..and know more suffering!!
I would love to come to the memorial..(as we speak the temperature here is 1 degree and expected to get down to -7 tonight!) But with family commitments and of course my job it would be impossible..but my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family..God Bless Vicki

[[break]]

Subj: Update on Jim Craig
Date: 1/28/00 6:36:48 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: 104427.615@compuserve.com (Thomas H. Rea)
Sender: 104427.615@compuserve.com (Thomas H. Rea)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com (INTERNET:KEVIN4VFT@aol.com)

Dear Kevin, Amy, and Aunt Marybeth,

We were grateful to receive your e-mail this week ; only sorry that the
news was so bleak. We have had you in our prayers all week. I don't know
what the present situation is for you ; I know you weren't expecting things
to take much more time. Please let us know. We hurt for the struggle you
have had with doctors and lawyers and wanting to do just the right thing
for Uncle Jimmey. We understand a bit of what that's about, Diana's dad
having passed away just last June. But most of all we are burdened for you
for the loss you are experiencing, someone you loved so dearly. Please
know you are in our thoughts and prayers.

With love,

Tom & Diana

[[break]]

Subj: Re: My Dad Died Yesterday Morning.
Date: 1/28/00 7:06:02 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: RevRayJoseph@reformed.com (Raymond P. Joseph)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com (Kevin Craig)

Dear Kevin,

My own father died in 1987, at the age of 91,
after losing his bout with Parkinson's disease.
[Mother had died of cancer in 1972, at the
age of 75.]

(Dad's head hung down; his jaw was slack; he had
little muscular control; my brother and I visited him
in the Marion Iowa hospital, then contacted
his Christian doctor in a conference call, after we
learned that that he had had to bring Dad out of a convulsion;
we both told him that the next time Dad has a terminal
convulsion, to just let him go. Three weeks later
I spoke at Dad's funeral in Hopkinton Iowa.
His Christian doctor then wrote us a moving attribution
to the kind of man our Dad was.)

My question to you: You mentioned the "alternative
treatment" for cancer. Could you detail that just a bit?

Most of all, what is your opinion of "alternative treatments"
for cancer ? My own thought is that the accepted radiation
and chemotherapy not only often does not work, but that
the "cure" may be worse than the disease. If one has to go
through that, then one could be excused for thinking that
they would rather just let the cancer take its course.

Or, better, try an "alternative therapy", which with prayer,
may move the LORD to heal one from cancer, thus giving
more years of relatively healthful living.

Losing one's Dad is always a traumatic experience, although
for Christians it is certainly ameliorated by faith in Christ for what lies
ahead the other side of the grave.

May our LORD be with you ...

Ray Joseph

==============================
BELIEVE IN BIBLICAL KINGDOM VICTORY !
(-- BEFORE -- Christ's return !)
"All ends of earth, rememb'ring Him,
Shall turn themselves unto the LORD.
The kindreds of the nations then
To Him their homage shall accord.
Because the LORD the kingdom owns
And rules above all earthly thrones"
-- Psalm 22I, ST12. "Psalms For Singing."

For the 21st Century Victory
of Christ's Crown and Covenant
over the nations ...

Ray Joseph, pastor

Southfield RPC
26580 Evergreen Road
SFLD MICH 48076
Ph: 248 356-3932

revrayjoseph@reformed.com
(E-mail address.)

http://www.reformed.com
(Our Southfield web site.)

http://www.reformed.com/rpcna/const/ct_chp23.htm
(The RPCNA Declaration & Testimony on national
covenanting.)

http://www.NatReformAssn.org/
(National Reform Association web site.
The N.R.A. was founded by the RPCNA
in 1864.)

[[break]]

Subj: Jimmy Craig
Date: 1/28/00 12:46:23 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: loyle@berkshire.net (lyn wiley)
To: kevin4vft@aol.com (Kevin Craig)

Dear Kevin, and all, esp Marybeth.
Thank you for the E-mails. Saddened by Jimmy going. Oliver will write
soon. It is never easy and Gods way is right. God give us the strength
to go on in His way. Love to you all Oliver and Lyn Wiley

[[break]]

Subj: condolences
Date: 1/28/00 6:04:39 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: karnking@worldnet.att.net (Karn Choi)
Reply-to: karnking@worldnet.att.net
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com

Dear Kevin,

I want to express to you, your mother, and the rest of your family how
sorry I was to hear of the death of your father.

Although I don't know you, nor you me, I know that we are all one in the
body of Christ. I lost my husband 15 months ago, after 2 short but
wonderful years of marriage. I couldn't have said it before, but now I can
honestly say that God is faithful. I still can't imagine how this could be
part of His plan, or redeemed by Him, but God is nonetheless faithful.

I would encourage you all to be gentle with yourselves: Dress warm, eat
healthy food, move a little slower, take naps, sit by the fire, drink tea.
Death is cruel and rapacious; one must guard one's strength for the day one
is ready to face life again.

In Christ,

Karn

[[break]]

Subj: Re: Best Leadership Program in SoCal
Date: 1/28/00 3:06:44 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: elhank@hotmail.com (Hank L)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com

Kevin,
I'm very sorry to hear about your Dad, but it sounds like you were right. He
relaxed and trusted God and God raised him out of the bed.

How could there be a better ending of a life. Raised from our infirmities by
a loving Father. Prayers are with you and I will certainly tell Claudia.

Hank

[[break]]

[[break]]

Subj: Kevin take care
Date: 1/28/00 9:18:29 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: SUNFLW59
To: KEVIN4VFT

,VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
Kevin ..
you and your family take care ok .. always here for a friend.. Love , Lori
,VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

[[break]]

Subj: Re: Hi Mark!
Date: 1/29/00 7:57:37 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: mark.peter@juno.com (Mark A Peter)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com

Dear Kevin,
Sorry to hear about the passing of your father. But he is in a better
place with the Lord. A friend of mine who was also an English teacher in
China lost his brother to cancer a couple of weeks ago. But he had
re-established his relationship with the Lord and was ready to go onto
glory. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Your brother, friend and fellow
Greenleafer, Mark

[[break]]

[[break]]

Subj: With Sympathy
Date: 1/30/00 5:46:10 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: montem@psyc.queensu.ca (Melody Monte)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com

Dear Kevin,

It was with great sadness that I read your e-mail on Wednesday about your
Dad. It brought back many memories of losing my father in 1995 and the
subsequent year when my father-in-law fought a battle with cancer which he
lost in 1996. May God strengthen you in the coming days while you grieve
and cope with the practical matters that death brings.

It certainly is a milestone in life... things will now be dated 'before or
after dad died'. As my dad was a Christian, I now do a countdown. With
each birthday, I realize that it is one less year on earth and one year
closer to heaven and those who have gone on before me.

I've just posted a "tribute to fathers" on the L'Abri list. I hope you
enjoy it.

With deepest sympathy,
~~Melody
Worker, L'Abri List


-----------------------------------------------------------
It is better to listen in order to understand,
than to listen in order to reply.

[[break]]

Subject: Tribute to Fathers
From: Melody Monte

It greatly saddened me to hear that Kevin's dad passed away this week.
Only five years ago my family gathered to celebrate my own father's 75th
birthday, not knowing it would be the last time we would be together on
this side of heaven. He died unexpectedly of a heart attack two months later.

Fathers at their best can be pretty wonderful. At their worst they have
the capacity to do great harm. I know for a fact that many men on this
list are engaged in this amazingly challenging task and would like to
encourage you, to remind you that what you are doing is incredibly
important. And that the job description is hard to define!

Some time after my father died, my mother surprised me with a package
containing all of the cards that I'd sent my dad throughout my life.
Amongst the cards I found a note that I'd written him, it was undated but
the reference to the truck puts it during my university days (73-75) when
he was driving milk transport between cities. I thought I'd share it as a
tribute to a special father. All fathers who model their life after Christ
are special aren't they?

"What is a Father? A Father is...
- Someone who let you (when you're small) crawl all over him with a comb in
hand... looking for hair.
- Someone who says I don't care about the flower beds and then tells you
where & how & when to plant *what*!
- Someone who can shake the whole house when he turns over in bed at night.
- Someone who teaches you about medicine by having all KINDS of aches & pains.
- Someone who'll pick you up at the train station when it's snowing even if
the hockey game is tied.
- Someone who never gets mad no matter what happens.
- Someone who THINKS he knows whose fault it is (huh!!).
- Someone who truly cares about wearing the couch in properly!
- Someone who can make mom run to the back door yelling, "You forgot to
kiss me!".
- Someone who drives the biggest truck on the block.
- Someone who'll get mom to read this to him.
Love, Melody"

~~Melody
Worker, L'Abri List

[[break]]

Subj: Our condolences are with you and yours!
Date: 1/31/00 10:56:04 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: kjv@earthlink.net (KEVIN VIKTOR)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com


> Hi Kevin,

You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult
time. You father's in a better place, with no pain and at peace. God
is good.My grandmother passed away last Sunday, 1/23/00. I just got
back into town from the funeral which was on Friday.
It's so hard to believe that she's no longer with us. I'm sure you feel
the same way about your father.
You know, I am happy for them, though. No more suffering or pain, and
they are with the Lord.
Love and prayers always,
Mary Blanche-Viktor

[[break]]

Subj: My condolences
Date: 1/31/00 4:42:39 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: yamileth11@yahoo.com (Norma Grace)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com

Dear Kevin,

Terry just told me that your dad passed away. I am so
sorry, and I want to tell you that I am thinking of
you at this sad moment in your life and your family.

God's speed.

Love,

Norma Grace

[[break]]

Subj: Re: peace
Date: 1/31/00 9:59:29 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: cordovas@juno.com (Cameron Cordova)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives,
do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled." "These things I have
spoken to you, tht in Me you may have peace. In the world you have
tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."

It's a peace we can't comprehend, set apart from circumstances. It's
based on facts that Christ is victorious and He has overcome the world.

A recent question on my Bible study sheet: "What kinds of things make
you joyful?" I said, knowing I'm going to heaven, that God is completing
a good work in me. That He is alive and gives me a relationship with
Him. He works all things for good. He is sovereign, in control and
victorious.

Joy and peace are not determined by outward circumstances. We have an
eternal perspective. This is not our home.

Kevin, I pray that you're experiencing God's peace today, as only He can
give. Send along my love to your mom and sister.

Love,

Lisa

[[break]]

Subj: Re:Uncle Jimmey never forgotten
Date: 1/31/00 9:59:33 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: cordovas@juno.com (Cameron Cordova)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com

Kevin,

I got the news from mom and dad. Cameron and I send our condolences to
you, but rejoice that Uncle Jimmey is present with our Lord and has a
new, glorified body. What a thought to know that he has actually seen
Jesus face to face and has at last arrived in his real home. Stay strong
in the Lord, keeping your eyes fixed on Him.

Love,

Lisa

[[break]]

Subj: Re: [labri] My dad died this morning.
Date: 2/5/00 6:23:47 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: bburchet@cslewis.helios.nd.edu (Brian Burchett)
To: KEVIN4VFT@aol.com


Kevin,

I intended to write sooner than this. I wanted to let you know how deeply
sorry I am for the sorrow you and your family are going through. It
sounds like you did the best you could, with the doctors, and with your
father.

It really does sound like your father heard you, and relaxed because of
the words you spoke.

God's grace be with you and your family,

Brian


Brian Burchett
University of Notre Dame
Office of Information Technologies

219.631.6503

=========================================================================
"The Culprit Assumes an air of Inocence, and with the Confidence usual to
Veterans in Iniquity Complains that He is unjustly Restraind. But I
imagine when he has no further hopes, left of Imposing on the Friends of
his Country, he will be mean, And abject in proportion to his affectation
of Intrepidity, for no true Fortitude can subsist in a Mind Devoid of
these principles which Leads to some Higher hopes.

Mercy Otis Warren, October 12, 1775
=========================================================================

[[break]]