Tia and Tio and cousins
I would like to start off by letting you know that you’re in my prayers and thoughts. I look forward to seeing everyone. When I look up into the sky at night and see all the stars, I think how grandma must feel seeing all of us pull together when one of us is in need. The enourmous strenght and faith we all have in the lord will guide us through this difficult time.
Love your nephew and cousin:
Jon Ben

Joci and Joanna,

I love you both dearly. You two have become such beautiful women, inside and out. I know this comes from your parents and your faith. My thoughts are on you two often right now. I remember about a year and a half ago when my mother had cancer. It was scarry beond my wildest emagination. My faith in our Lord grew stronger that day. Not because i knew He would fix her, but that his hands were apon us and it was comforting.
Your mom and dad welcomed me in when my mom was at Standford Hospital so that i could be close to my mom. They gave me a shoulder to cry on, ears to listen to me, arms to hold me, and words to keep my Faith strong. They helped me understand myself better and this would we live in.  It is amazing our family. Even when Nana was sick, she had strenth. unbelieveable strength. All her children have this strenth. I know your mom is staying strong. I think that when Nana went back home her strenth went to each of us and maded us beable to move mountains if we tried.
I can’t waite to see you both. To laugh, to cry, to just BE with each other.  I love you again...God Bless.

<3 Your Cuz Cecilia

Hello Dave and Irene,
It sounds to me that your faith is really being tested especially Irene.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you Irene, Dave and the girls.  Just know there are many who are praying for you and your swift recovery..  May God Bless you and your family.

Irene know that I say the rosary for you daily and ask the Blessed Mary to help you in your time of need.  It sounds that you have great support from your beloved husband and beautiful grown-up daughters. 

What Frank has done I bet has been a God sent to you and your family because you need to know that we all love and are thinking of you.  May your guardian angels be with you always.
Love from us Rich, Stephanie and Dieter

Just wanted to say that I love you. My thoughts are with you. The kids sent their love to you and your family.The kids speak of you in their prayers. I tell them that you will up and around real soon.
They tell me know you will because God is with you.
Love YOU
Jane

We continue to pray for the Dias family with expectation of a miracle for Irene. Both of you are in our thoughts often!! We want so badly to hear about a miracle. You’re both so special and we want you to know how much we love the thought of you both as fellow followers of a sovereign God.

Irene, Dave, Jocelyn and Joanna:

We praise the Lord for the good news about Irene’s progress today.
We pray that God will do miracles in Irene’s body and continue to heal and strengthen her.
As this journey continues, our prayer is that He continues to give all of you strength, rest, patience, courage and understanding.

While we were traveling last week, we listened to CDs and thought and prayed for you often.
This from Casting Crowns “Praise You in This Storm”

I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

Love you,
Bob & Susan

I have been waiting with lots of worry and lots of prayer waiting for your update today.  I am so amazed at all your friends and their outpouring of love and faithful prayer - so cool!!!!

I just pray for peace for all of you Dias’ and healing for you, Irene.  We MUST do our dinner at Shadowbrook and you need to be WELL for that!!!

Well, I am sitting in the solarium on the eleventh floor of the hospital. It has huge windows that overlook gigantic eucalyptus trees. My mom just finished kidney dialysis and is now trying to rest. My dad is taking a nap.

The doctor’s came in a little bit ago and said that things are looking okay. Her blood pressure is lower than they would like because they removed fluid from her during dialysis, but they are working on getting her some blood platelets and probably getting some fluid also............

She “ate” something for the first time in 3 days - she had a protein drink - which is an encouraging sign as well. They think they are going to keep her in the ICU until tomorrow to monitor her progress.

Other than being extremely tired, my mom seems to be doing well.  And my dad and I are kind of in the same boat, but, of course not to the extent that my mom is.

One of my dad’s best friends offered to come and pray with my dad this afternoon so I am glad for that as I know he needs encouragement too after being mentally alert for the last 30 days.

People have been generous in their love and support to all of us, which we really appreciate.

One last thing before I stop (sorry, I’m a little more “wordy” than my dad :o) ) is a few verses that I have been reminded of in the last couple of weeks:

“ ‘Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid;
For the LORD GOD is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation.’
Therefore you will joyously draw water
From the springs of salvation.
And in that day you will say,
‘Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name
Make known His deeds among the peoples;
Make them remember that His name is exalted.’
Praise the LORD in song, for He has done excellent things;
Let this be known throughout the earth.
Cry aloud and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion,
For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”

Isaiah 12:2-6

Be blessed!

Dave,

I read your last update at 10pm last night. Oh no! I had trouble sleeping even though I am exhausted from too much overtime this week.

I don’t know what to say other than how much I love you and Irene. My eyes are full as I try to type. Please call me. We need to talk.

Love you bro,

Mark

Friends,

I have had MANY people comment on the quality of the website… I must give credit where credit is due… because I am TECHNICALLY CHALLENGED!!!

My good and faithful friend, Frank Johnson, is one of the most gifted internet strategist that I know… I am EXTREMELY grateful for Frank’s assistance keeping everything up to date and for all that he’s doing to support Irene and our family during this time!

When you get a moment, read more about Frank at http://www.strategicdigitaloutreach.com.

Thanks, Frank!!!!!
Dave

http://website.lineone.net/~cewhitehead2/agespast.htm

OH GOD OUR HELP IN AGES PAST

O God, our help in ages past
Our hope for years to come
Our shelter from the stormy blast
And our eternal home.
Under the shadow of thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure
Sufficient is thine arm alone
And our defence is sure.

Before the hills in order stood
Or earth received her frame
From everlasting thou art God
To endless years the same.

A thousand ages in thy sight
Are like an evening gone
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.

Time is like an ever-rolling stream
Bears all its sons away
They fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.

O God our help in ages past
Our hope for years to come
Be thou our guard while troubles last
And our eternal home.

http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh110.sht

1. A mighty fortress is our God,
   a bulwark never failing;
   our helper he amid the flood
   of mortal ills prevaling.
   For still our ancient foe
   doth seek to work us woe;
   his craft and power are great,
   and armed with cruel hate,
   on earth is not his equal.
2. Did we in our own strength confide,
   our striving would be losing,
   were not the right man on our side,
   the man of God’s own choosing.
   Dost ask who that may be?
   Christ Jesus, it is he;
   Lord Sabbaoth, his name,
   from age to age the same,
   and he must win the battle.
3. And though this world, with devils filled,
   should threaten to undo us,
   we will not fear, for God hath willed
   his truth to triumph through us.
   The Prince of Darkness grim,
   we tremble not for him;
   his rage we can endure,
   for lo, his doom is sure;
   one little word shall fell him.
4. That word above all earthly powers,
   no thanks to them, abideth;
   the Spirit and the gifts are ours,
   thru him who with us sideth.
   Let goods and kindred go,
   this mortal life also;
   the body they may kill;
   God’s truth abideth still;
   his kingdom is forever.

Greetings this Saturday morning!!

Just a very quick and positive report… Irene is undergoing another dialysis treatment this morning and is in a remarkable place considering where she was about 40 hours ago… we can’t express how we’ve been touched deeply by the encourgement, love and support of so many...!!!!

God is hearing his people…

Enjoying the air that we’re breathing,
Dave

Tia, Uncle Dave, Joci, and Joanna,

Tia Jane just called me to inform me of Tia’s recent update. As i read your messages my sadness was conforted by unstanding that she is in the best hands, God. What better place to be. I am coming up to see you all and to donate blood. I love you all so deeply. To my Tia i know your keeping Faith. You are one of the most sweetest and loving person I know. As i have gotten older you and Tio have taught me so much without even know you were. My prayers and thoughts are with you.

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From whence does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord.
who made heaven and earth.
PSALMS 121: 1-2

He his here to help us all. I love you!!!
see you soon.

Love, Ceci Alvarez 6/9/07 9:45 am

We’ve been reading the updates on Irene, and we know it’s getting scary.  We are praying constantly and all of you know we love you so much.

Daily people come up to Dan at work and let him know that they, too, are reading Irene’s updates.  The website is a great thing and it’s leading to so many prayers from people you don’t even know.

Joel came home from youth group Wednesday night, and said that the evening’s gathering was pretty much a big prayer meeting, with different tables set up for prayer on different topics.  He said, “I hit them all!  I think I got a lot more people praying for Aunt Irene.”

So know you are loved,

Hugs,
Dan, Kathy and Joel

We are praising God this morning. reading that Irene is doing better-He is faithful, and we see your testimony to that fact in the postings and updates.  Our prayers continue for restoration of physical health, for His peace and sweet presence through each minute of this journey.  “...I will restore you to health declares the Lord...I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.  I will build you up again...” Jeremiah 30:17, 31:3.

With Love,

Steve and Sue Azevedo