Hey Irene,
  I recently went around your old stomping grounds at Paradiso Ct to let people know about the need for blood. Many people have already been tracking with your journey and when asked for blood people were immediately ready and willing. Some were disappointed that they could not give blood because of their medical conditions. In any event, you are well loved and respected and people’s hearts are with you Irene. Know that you are held in such great regard. We send our love to you.

David Gschwend

Hi Mrs “D”,

Today the Lord did one of those incredible things that just blow us away. 

I saw Martha Price in the MV mailroom (our old stomping grounds !).  As we were talking about our prayers and concerns for you she said she was claiming “I am the
God that healeth thee” (an old chorus from the 80’s or early 90’s) for you and herself.  I said how I had popped an old CD with that song on it the other day and claimed it for you and myself.  She said how she had tried to remember the words to the song and I said oh I know the words but can’t find the scripture it is based on.  She knew the scripture !!!!! We had been struggling with this for days.  Now it is solved.  I wrote down the words for her and she wrote the scripture ref.  God is never random.  He knew we needed the others info to get this to you.  Sooooooo…....

The scripture she found is Exodus 15:26

The words to the song are:

I am the God that healeth thee.
I am the Lord your healer.
I sent my Word to heal your Disease.
I am the Lord your healer.

Then the song changes to :

You are the God that healeth me.
You are the Lord my healer.
You sent Your Word and healed my disease.
You are the Lord my healer.

It repeats over and over.  So I am claiming this for you Irene.  The Lord impressed it upon me to do so as well as Martha.  He is an awesome God.

I love you and you are never far from my thoughts and always in my prayers.

Jean

Dave and Irene and girls,

You must be some kind of mom! Just reading the journals entries the girls have written show such depth of character. You should be very proud of the way you have raised them. The kids and I pray when we are in the car for you. They ask how you are doing. Connor prayed yesterday that Irene would fight hard and not be too scared. Out of the mouth of a 12 year old. I thought it was precious. Just as you are precious to those you touch. You are affecting the lives of so many even through your pain.

We love you,

Devin and Veronica

Dear Dave. Irene, Jocelyn, and JoAnna,

I am so glad that you have put the family pictures on the Web page.  Irene is so photogenic and beautiful and I am praying that soon she will be well like she was in those pictures.  My heart, mind, thoughts and prayers are continually with you.  I still pray on my prayer walks, “Iam the God that heals Irene,”  Exodus 15:26.  it is so nice to have the Web page so that we can pray for specific daily needs.  I love the entire Dias family—what a family!  May God bless each of you. 

Love,
Martha

After posting the latest update, we received the following email from Dan, Kathy and Joel Dias:

Hallelujah!
That is a great report!  We continue to pray and lift you up, as Irene and her doctors prepare for battle.  We pray daily for a hedge of protection around Irene, and you, Dave ... for angels around her bed, and God’s own wisdom for her medical team.  We know that just as He did with Job, God has drawn a line between Irene and that which comes against her. It can only come as close as He will permit, and Irene is to rest secure in the knowledge that no matter what she sees (or doesn’t ... ), Jesus is still the Living Door.  None of His sheep can be snatched unwilling from His hand.

We love you,
Dan, Kathy and Joel

Thanks so much for the encouragement!

So, this truly is a “Journal Entry;” so if you don’t care what I’m thinking, don’t worry about reading this. :o)

So, my pastor at Bible study was talking about Philippians 4 Monday night. Specifically we read this: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus…Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

He was reminding us that we need to rejoice before we have our answer - that we need to be plugged in to Him so that we get His perception of the circumstance, and from that, we find contentment. He reminded us that we, as Christians, are so tempted to trust in Him on a circumstantial basis. We tend to fluctuate with Him depending on the circumstance.

I know that I have not yet mastered being content in every circumstance. Sometimes fear, worries, or insecurities keep me from being content. But God is showing me that He wants me to embrace every season that I am in. He wants me to be content with Him in every season. He wants me to feel His peace no matter what is going on around me. Though the earth give way, I need to be grounded in Him. Though blessings flow, I need to be grounded in Him. Nothing can separate me from Him; so why do I shift and sway as though He has not already taken ahold of what concerns me?

Today I got in from work and the hymn “Crown Him with Many Crowns” came into my head. These are the lyrics:

“Crown him with many crowns,
the Lamb upon his throne,
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns
all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing
of him who died for thee,
and hail him as thy matchless King
through all eternity.

Crown him the Lord of life,
who triumphed o’er the grave,
and rose victorious in the strife
for those he came to save.
His glories now we sing,
who died, and rose on high,
who died, eternal life to bring,
and lives that death may die.

Crown him the Lord of love;
behold his hands and side,
those wounds, yet visible above,
in beauty glorified.
All hail, Redeemer, hail!
For thou hast died for me;
thy praise and glory shall not fail
throughout eternity.”

I am learning to praise God before, during, and after every circumstance - every moment of every day. Rejoicing ALWAYS. As we praise God for the victories, we trust Him for the days ahead. The days of sickness, tiredness, pain, and joy. He is crowned in glory. And we share His glory because of what He has done for us. He has crowned us as princes and princesses in His eternal Kingdom. Because He has worn the crown of thorns, we wear a crown of gold and jewels.

Mom, I’m praying for you, and I love you.
“I can do ALL things through CHRIST who strengthens me.”

~JID

Dave,

I received the email about your wife and I just wanted to let you know that I am praying for her. I am in China right now so I am unable to donate to her, but please know that I would if I was able to. If there is anything else I can do, please let me know. I know this must be hard for your family.

Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose!

Matt Brannon

Nahum was quite a guy.  I think that we would have liked him.  Here is what he states in 1:7.

God is good, a hiding place in tough times.
He recognizes and welcomes anyone looking for help,
No matter how desperate the trouble.
(The Message)

Dave

It’s 7.15 p.m. on Wednesday evening…. with a late breaking report!!!!

We were just informed that Irene will have chemotherapy this evening!!

Tomorrow will be a rest day. 

Friday morning is more dialysis and Friday afternoon is the STEM CELL TRANSPLANT!!!!!

This is incredible news and we’re very encouraged to know that we’re moving forward!  Irene is spiritually and emotionally ready and very determined!! 

Stay tuned….

By faith,
Dave

Dear Irene & Dave,
It was sooo good to see the both of you and a nice suprise to get to see Jocelyn!!
We were encouraged and trusting God to continue to be with you each step of the way. You really are amazing….your strength and His light shining through you and Dave is such a testimony and we were Blessed to be with you!!!
We Love You,  Phyllis and Jack

Irene and Dave,

What a privilege it is to be able to give back in prayer and encouragement to the two of you, who have been such a significant source of support for us the past few years. This morning the following words from Psalm 91 came to mind as I prayed for you: “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways, On their hands they will bear you up”. Praying that you will fully be aware of that “bearing up” today and that you have have strength for whatever comes. We love you both very much!

My Dearest Irene,

    I just spoke with Dave and heard about your illness and your faithful courage. I heard at the MV graduation that you were sick so I called to find out more. My heart is broken to hear what you have endured and are going through. He told me about God’s faithfulness to you and how you are facing this time with firm faith and trust. This doesn’t surprize me since I have never seen you without your hand firmly in Christ’s grasp.

    I love you Irene. Your faithful friendship means so much to me. You have always been my example of what God wants us all to be. I know He loves you so much and and I know it is hard for Him to allow this suffering. Suffering is so hard to understand - He knows why - and we must trust Him.

Please know that you and your family will be covered in prayer by Dick and I. We understand the courage your entire family will need to get you through this trial and we know God’s grace is sufficient.  I will watch this website and email you. When I see that you are stronger, I will ask to visit. Until then my thoughts are with you and my plead for you before our Father will be daily.

    “The greater the weakness, the nearer He is to manifest His   strength; the greater our necessities, the more have we ground to rely on it that He will prove Himself our Friend… the nearer the Lord’s help. Therefore, our business is just to pour out our hearts before Him, and help in His own time and way is sure to come.”
                                            - George Mueller
Love Always, - Betty

Dear Irene,

I can’t begin to tell you how you have affected so many for Christ.  Your love for Him and others has always been evident.  I am honored to add my prayers to so many others that know and love you.
“For I know the plans I have for you… I have it all planned out. Plans to take care of you not abandon you. Plans to give you the future you hope for…”  Jeremiah 29:11-13
Please know with out doubt that you are in my family’s thoughts and prayers.  Brenden was very upset when I told him of your situation, with a tear in his eye he responded, “of course I will be praying for Mrs. Dias”.

In fact, he is planning to fast as well.  God excels at miracles the fact that Christopher is still with us is further proof.  (I’m not sure if you are aware we almost lost him in April of 2006.  He was going about his normal life including moving his mom’s household furniture with a ruptured appendix for 2 ½ months.  The fact that he survived 24 hours is a miracle.
With much love and prayers,
Ruthe

Dear Irene, Dave, and family,
  Be assured of our continual prayers for all of you. May our compassionate Lord surround you with His tender love and care.
Love,
Mari and Ken

Greetings all….!!!!

We’re very encouraged after a successful procedure installing the tesio catheter.  Yeah! 

Irene is resting comfortably and looking forward to the next step of beginning the chemotherapy.  We’re still unsure as to when that will occur….

In the meantime…

Thank you for the strong support of blood banking on behalf of Irene’s immediate need.  Please see the “Donate Blood for Irene” for additional information! It’s really not that bad!  I’ve been donating blood for over 25 years… although Gary Daichendt told me that next time he’ll bring flowers instead!!!! 

We are learning that this process is a marathon and not a sprint… Irene has a long road ahead but is very encouraged by God’s grace and love expressed through the outpouring of so many…!!!!  Thank you sooooooo much!!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow is hopefully a rest and recovery day.  I am the FOOD POLICE… making sure that she gets “bulked” up for the next phase…

Take a look at these photos and rejoice with us. Who else could smile in the face of such adversity but those who know that “our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18)”?

Trusting and trudging ahead, one day at a time… and sometimes, one moment at a time,
Dave