Dave, I just got back from Turkey and found your email.

I’m aching with you.  And praying for you both.

May God bless you and keep you!

Reed Jolley

Dave,

We received word of the disease attacking Irene’s body.  We are in prayer for her and also for you, Jocelyn, and Joanna.  We pray that “this sickness is not to death, but for God’s glory that the Son of God may be glorified.”

In Christ,

Paul and Jacque

Dear Dave and Irene,

I have received the news of your illness and I want to be quick to let you know that you are at the top of my prayer list. 

More time to trust God, to know His abiding love for you, to seek Him in the darkest hours.

Marsha’s news was good to hear...and I know you will have the best care possible to bring you back to wellness. I will pray for your caregivers to have insight to make just the right decisions.  I will pray for healing and courage to get through the times of discouragement. There will be blessings that come with being so utterly dependent upon God’s grace - look for them and shout with joy that we should have such an awesome God who loves us more than we can even fathom. 

Know that you are so loved and prayed for.  Keep me informed as to how I can continue to pray for you.

Love,

Susan

Dear Dave,

Thank you for telling me about this .... I am so sorry, I really am.  My heart grieves for you and your family.  Like I have said, I know what it is like to be dying from a disease that eats you up .... but for whatever reason, God saved me from it.

I am going to be participating in a 40 day fast (one way or another....) and I will really be interceding for you and on your wife’s behalf. I have been praying in my weakness for you, but will put it in full force.

Love,

Don

Dear Dave and Irene:

Just a note to tell you how much I love you and to assure you that I continue to pray for BOTH of you.  Marsha told me that she read several case studies that were very positive. I have heard several testimonies lately on TV about healing.  I feel that the Lord touched me due to so many people praying and my recovery is faster than the doctors expected.  The first night that I was home from the hospital, the chorus kept going through my mind, “I am the Lord that healeth thee” and such a peace came over me.  That is the only line of the chorus that I know, but it is enough.  I am going to sing and believe, “I am the Lord that healeth Irene.”

I know Dave, from experience, this is not easy for you either.  I think sometimes it is easier to be sick than to be the caretaker and advocate for your wife.  It is so hard to see your loved one sick and having to go through so many tests and painful times.  I pray that He will give you the added strength and wisdom that you need and that His peace and love will surround both you and Irene.

Much love,

Martha

Dave:

I was at church Sunday and they were wrapping up a series on Spiritual Pathways.  We were talking about those that draw closer to God through nature.  They were showing a lot of video of God’s creation and reading scripture during the video.  Then a member was brought up to share his testimony.  He like, me, became a Christian during his college days.  He was in a biology class and was looking at slides under microscopes for the purpose of seeing evidence of evolution.  Like me (taking Cell and Developmental Biology at Irvine) he became more convinced, the closer he looked, that life had to have a creator and was not the result of evolution.  They could have just as well played a video and flashed the faces of people on the screen, a display of the brilliant work of God.

I am thankful for a brilliant Creator that created brilliant people to be brought into your life at this time. God can heal Irene in an instant, as I hope and pray he will, or he can allow us all to experience His creation through the people he brings into your life. 

I can’t walk in your sandals Dave, but I am willing to walk beside you.

Let me know if you need anything.

Dear Dave,

Thanks for the update and we pray for you and Irene each morning.

Please know that we have a series of prayer teams lifting you, Irene and the UCSF Medical Team up in prayer each day, and that will continue as we truly ask God for a healing miracle, a clear diagnosis and treatment plan, and an opportunity for Irene to be a living example of God’s love to all of those who care for her these days.

In prayer and service,
Don

I will intercede for Irene.  Remember how sick I was in 05?  Blood was leaking into my skin .... you all prayed for me including Chip. Isa 53 delivered me.  It is God’s guarantee.  God makes the scriptures to move from the spirit to the mind then to the heart by divine revelation.  Then it manifests in the flesh.  Our part is to believe the scriptures and to speak / meditate on them.  Jesus said if you love me keep (hold on / value / cling) my word. 

Matt 8:17 >> That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bore [our] sicknesses.

What does it mean that Jesus took / bore our sicknesses ?  If Jesus bore them on the cross at the same time he bore our sins then just as we have the guarantee of forgiveness we also have His assurance of healing.  Mat 8:17 quotes from Isa 53.  I have copied this from the Hebrew English Interlinear version called JPS1917 - it is the version the Jews use today.  The Jews do no believe in Messiah Jesus and do not believe in healing through the finished work on the cross.  But they translate Isa 53 accurately as our KJV and NIV water down the literal Hebrew here.  God asks who believes our (Father / Son / Holy Spirit) report?  When we believe we are accounted righteous just as believing Abraham - by faith.  That’s why Jesus called just the bent over woman daughter of Abraham (there were many other women there that he did not call daughter) and he said ought not this woman be healed - ought in Greek is dei, meaning by divine decree. 

Isa 53

1 ‘Who would have believed our report? And to whom hath the arm of the LORD been revealed? 2 For he shot up right forth as a sapling, and as a root out of a dry ground; he had no form nor comeliness, that we should look upon him, nor beauty that we should delight in him. 3 He was despised, and forsaken of men, a man of pains, and acquainted with disease, and as one from whom men hide their face: he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely our diseases he did bear, and our pains he carried; whereas we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded because of our transgressions, he was crushed because of our iniquities: the chastisement of our welfare was upon him, and with his stripes we were healed. 6 All we like sheep did go astray, we turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath made to light on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, though he humbled himself and opened not his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before her shearers is dumb; yea, he opened not his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away, and with his generation who did reason? for he was cut off out of the land of the living, for the transgression of my people to whom the stroke was due. 9 And they made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich his tomb; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.’ 10 Yet it pleased the LORD to crush him by disease; to see if his soul would offer itself in restitution, that he might see his seed, prolong his days, and that the purpose of the LORD might prosper by his hand: 11 Of the travail of his soul he shall see to the full, even My servant, who by his knowledge did justify the Righteous One to the many, and their iniquities he did bear. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion among the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the mighty; because he bared his soul unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

As believers we believe our Lord Jesus took our sins on the cross.  We are forgiven!  But do you see here the 3 times it says how Jesus bore also our sicknesses?  Why did He do that?  He is our wonderful savior, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  He says my shalom I give you - shalom is completeness, wholeness, wellness ...

Father I pray for Irene in Jesus name.  I pray the finished work on the cross by the eternal lamb of God, Jesus, as written in the scriptures bring Shalom to Irene and by His stripes Irene is healed.  I pray the Word of God come alive in Irene’s spirit, soul and flesh in Jesus name.  Amen.

Guy

Dear Dave: We have been praying for you and Irene daily and wondering how she is.  We are trusting Irene is improving and sensing God’s healing power day by day.  Both Melody and Wendy are joining us in prayer for you both. Be assured of our love, continuing prayers and confidence in God’s promises that his healing power and perfect will will prevail. 

Because He lives!  Ruth and Elmer Psalm 91:3,5-6,10

Just a quick note, my brother, to tell you that we are joining many others in fervent prayer for rapid diagnostic and medical success for Irene. God has far too much for you guys to do!! May God bless and strengthen Irene today and each day going forward as only the Sovereign God of the Universe is capable!!

Larry Acosta said hello and he and his wife will join in the Army of Prayer Warriors. Let us know if you need Anything!!!!!

Nickolas Vande Steeg

Dave, I have been praying for you but at today’s meeting I learned how serious things are.  Be assured you are being supported by many during these days.  You are at Stanford I understand.  They are a great place.  I work with them including Martha their CEO.  You are in good hands.  We miss you at the meeting but know you are where you should be. 

Dear heavenly father, be with Dave and Irene at this challenging time.  Give them the peace that only you can give.  Give the doctors wisdom as they work with your divine healing.  Thank you for the Dias family and we fervently pray for them at this time.  Thank you for your answer you are already crafting.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

I was planning my evening to go to my friend’s 27th birthday party, when I got the news my mom had been readmitted to the hospital.  She had only been home for 5 days.  Seven days before, my Mom was admitted to the hospital for edema which had made her legs soft like marshmallows.  Doctors had also found two blood clots.  One pulmonary, and one in her leg. 

I wrestled with heading to the emergency room where my mom, my dad, my sister and two of my parents closest friends, had already been waiting for hours to be admitted – or going to be with my friends to distract me from the worry that consumed me. In thoughts of my mom, I made a twenty-six picture collage out of 8½ x 11’s with aspirations of a cheery hospital room.  When I finished my collage, I took a shower and got into bed.  I called my dad.

My dad assured me that I should go to my dinner.  If I came first thing Saturday morning it would be better, and my mom added her reassurance in the background.  Still, I laid in my bed in my pajamas in a dark room and pondered my decision.  The night wore on and although I knew my friend would understand if I felt it was important to be with my mother, I still felt it was important I go celebrate with my friends.  I wrestled with my decision, and decided to call my dad again for an update. 

His phone rang to voicemail which raised my level of anxiety, and I burrowed deeper into my covers.  As I was lying there, my phone rang and annoyed me from the ball of covers around me.  It was my friend Ruthie.  She was on her way to the party and asked what I was up to.  I told her I was going to take a nap asked her to let me know when she got to the party.  As my head ran over every detail of what I knew of my mom my phone rang, and it was my dad.  “Sorry, we were praying when you called…I have an update.  The doctors have found a tumor in your mom’s liver” he said.  I was in shock. 

I had never seen my mom drink.  She had grown up in a broken home – broken because of alcohol, and had made a commitment to God and our family that she was never going to drink.  She had kept that commitment.  I was choked up.  “Are you alright?” my dad asked me, “No, but I will be,” I assured him.  “Ok. I love you, keep the faith” he told me. 

I hung up the phone and burst into tears.  “Why God?! Why? It’s not fair!” I cried out in desperation, “Please heal my mom!” I cried. 

Ruthie text messaged me,

“Here.  Still feel like coming?”

“I’ll be there” I replied.  With puffy eyes I got out of bed, curled my hair, put on some mascara and a hat, and left my house to meet up with my friends.  It was comforting to be amongst the company of my friends.  My friend Mike, the drummer for Asyst, told me Asyst was playing in Monterey at Club Octane the following night.  I nodded at my friend Ruthie and unspoken “wanna go” and she smiled. I told Mike we’d be there. 

The next day I rose early in anticipation of seeing my mom.  I waited until I couldn’t any longer, and at 10:30 a.m., I headed out into the already beautiful weather of Santa Cruz, California, to the hospital with my collage.  Folded in quarters and pressed across my belly, the collage was a sandwich board on me as I went upstairs to room 2211, and walked in.  The bed was made.  The sheets in perfect hospital corners, the pillow fluffed and the sun came in softly through the window.  Anxiety rose inside me.

Calmly, I walked to the nurses station.  One kind attendant (three attendants later) took me to the room where my mom had been moved.  I greeted her and handed the collage to my dad.  He hung it on the wall.  My mom hadn’t slept all night and was dosing off even as I had entered in the room, so we left.  My sister and I went out Mother’s Day shopping and Dad went home to take a nap.  We reconvened at lunch, but my mom was heavily dosed into deep sleep so we hung out in the lobby.  The weather was beautiful, and it was calling me.

“You can go exercise, Joce,” my dad said, “Didn’t you want to go get on your bike?” I had.  It didn’t take much convincing for me to go for a ride from my house through Capitola Village around The Hook to The Point and back, stopping at The Point to enjoy the surf, but the waves were flat and no one but the surf class were out. By the time I got home, it was already 5:30 p.m.  I called my dad and Ruthie.  I made plans to meet up with Ruthie for the show at 7:30 p.m., and got in the shower.  By the time I was ready to go see my mom, it was already 7:30 p.m., so I called Ruthie and told her I would be leaving the hospital closer to 8:00 p.m. 

When I got to the hospital, I was informed that my mom had been given a dose of Morphine.  I had never seen my mom with her mind altered, and the effect of the Morphine was hilarious.  She kept my family and our friends in stitches for hours.  Before I knew it, it was 9:30 p.m., and way past time to meet up with Ruthie to make it to the show.  I secretly started thinking about not going to Monterey. 

I picked up Ruthie in Watsonville, and we had a delicious dinner.  By the time the meal was over, it was 10:15 p.m.  We knew the show started at 10:30 p.m., but we assured one another that we are always on time for the music and headed out to Monterey.  Just outside of Watsonville Ruthie commented that she was tired and didn’t really feel like going to Monterey anymore.  I had just got my second wind and told her that although we weren’t past the point of no return yet, we might as well still go, she agreed, and we headed to Monterey. 

This was our second trip to see Asyst at Club Octane, so we knew where to park.  We took the last parking spot on the roof of the parking garage.  We walked down a row of 30 cars, down a ramp of 15 cars, and down another row of 30 cars to the one flight of stairs that granted roof access.  We got our wrists stamped and went in to see Asyst. We made it in just before Asyst went on stage. To our surprise, only one other friend besides Ruthie and I was there when normally 10-20, of our friends would have been there.  This put a damper on our fun. The band only played 3-4 songs, and despite the free gear from the Captain Morgan girls, I was seriously disappointed how the evening was panning out.  When Asyst was done, I was very ready to go.

After one more trip to the ladies room Ruthie and I and headed out.  On the way out, Mike repossessed his hat I had borrowed and invited us to go eat with them at Denny’s.  We told him we were too tired and were heading home.  At 1:30AM, the dawn of Mothers Day Sunday, Ruthie and I walked out to my car.  She and I laughed and joked on the way back out to my car recapping how much fun we had had that night.  We got to my car, got in, and as I started the engine I realized there was something on my windshield.

“What’s that?!” I asked Ruthie thinking it might be a flyer to another show, “I don’t know” she said.  I reopened my car door and pulled a rather large object off my windshield.  “Just Andraé” I said as I starred at the LP in front of me.  “Oh my Gosh!” I exclaimed letting out a giggle, “Someone left an LP on my windshield!” Ruthie and I started laughing.  I pulled out of the parking stall and Ruthie pulled the LP out of the sleeve.  “It smells old,” she said as I concentrated on finding the freeway.

“Bless His Holy Name (Psalm 103).”

“Come On Back My Child.”

“God Loves the Country People.”

“It’s Not Just a Story.”

“Lord, You’ve Been Good to Me.”

“Lullaby of the Deceived (II Timothy 3:13).”

“You Ain’t Living”

Ruthie read off the songs, “Good thing we’re Christian!” she exclaimed.  I laughed, “Yeah! Good thing!”

As we approached the freeway we were still talking about the LP. 

“A-N-D-R-A-É, that’s how he spells Andraé” Ruthie said,

“Really” I said exhausted.  I feigned interest, “A- É, not just ‘e’, huh? Interesting”

“Yeah, Andraé Crouch” she said – suddenly a memory tickled my brain… Andraé… Andraé … Andraé Crouch…my mom came to mind. 

“Andraé Crouch?! Did you say Andraé Crouch?!” I asked her in disbelief.

“Yeah, Andraé Crouch” she confirmed, “Why?”

“No way!” I said, my head spinning, “Andraé Crouch?! My mom LOVES Andraé Crouch!!”

“Well, Happy Mothers Day, Mom!” Ruthie said.  What a blessing I thought, an LP for my mom of Andraé Crouch for Mothers day.  I didn’t know anyone other that my mom and my DJ friends that still loved LPs…and here I had an LP of one of the singers that defined the music my mom loves in my hand for her.

When I gave it to her at the hospital later that day, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the same year ‘Just Andraé’ was produced, 1972, as a birthday present my mom’s sister had offered to take her to see a concert… Andraé Crouch, or Michael Jackson…my mom had chosen to go see Andraé Crouch.

God had truly sent my family a message by leaving this LP on my car:  I know right where you are at, I know you, and you are mine.  You are fearfully and wonderfully made.  I am here, I know what you like and dislike, I know your needs, and I will meet them.  No matter where you go, or what you go through, I am right there with you.

My family would later be told that my mom did not have a tumor in her kidney, but she did have Nephrotic Syndrome caused by Amyloidosis.  She is still in the hospital at UCSF even as I write this.  We claim total healing for God to wash her blood by the Blood of The Lamb. 

Bless the Lord,
O my soul,
And all that is within me,
Bless His holy Name.
He has done great things,
He has done great things,
He has done great things,
Bless His holy Name.

Dear Dave and Irene,

I was saddened to hear about Irene’s continued physical problems.  You can count on my prayers for her soon recovery and the doctors to have the wisdom to pinpoint her problem and to know exactly the correct way to treat it. 

This was a blessing to me and I share it with you. “A well-known preacher was once in his study writing an Easter sermon when the thought gripped him: ‘My Lord is living.’ With excitement he jumped up, paced the floor, and began repeating to himself, ‘Christ is alive: His body is warm. He is not the great “I was” but the great “I Am“‘. Christ is not only a fact but a living fact.” Abbott Benjamin Vaughan. As I think of Irene sick in the hospital I think and pray for that living Christ to come in and touch her body and make her body well. I pray for you, Dave, that God will give you wisdom in knowing which ways to go and also give you His peace in the middle of the storm.

With much love to both of you.

Martha