Since I was a little girl my mom has always loved the smell of soil and the ground after the first rain. 

This following story is taken from an email that has been going around for sometime, but I thought it appropriate to post.

Enjoy!

A cold March wind danced around the dead of night in Dallas as the doctor walked into the small hospital room of Diana Blessing. She was still groggy from surgery. Her husband, David, held her hand as they braced themselves for the latest news.  That afternoon of March 10, 1991, complications had forced Diana, only 24-weeks pregnant, to undergo an emergency Cesarean to deliver couple’s new daughter, Dana Lu Blessing.

At 12 inches long and weighing only one pound nine ounces, they already knew she was perilously premature. Still, the doctor’s soft words dropped like bombs.  “I don’t think she’s going to make it,” he said, as kindly as he could.  “There’s only a 10-percent chance she will live through the night, and even then, if by some slim chance she does make it, her future could be a very cruel one.”

Numb with disbelief, David and Diana listened as the doctor described the devastating problems Dana would likely face if she survived. She would never walk, she would never talk, she would probably be blind, and she would certainly be prone to other catastrophic conditions from cerebral palsy to complete mental retardation, and on and on. 

“No! No!” was all Diana could say.  She and David, with their 5-year-old son Dustin, had long dreamed of the day they would have a daughter to become a family of four. Now, within a matter of hours, that dream was slipping away but as those first days passed, a new agony set in for David and Diana. 

Because Dana’s underdeveloped nervous system was essentially ‘raw’, the lightest kiss or caress only intensified her discomfort, so they couldn’t even cradle their tiny baby girl against their chests to offer the strength of their love. All they could do, as Dana struggled alone beneath the ultraviolet light in the tangle of tubes and wires, was to pray that God would stay close to their precious little girl.

There was never a moment when Dana suddenly grew stronger.  But as the weeks went by, she did slowly gain an ounce of weight here and an ounce of strength there.  At last, when Dana turned two months old, her parents were able to hold her in their arms for the very first time.  And two months later, though doctors continued to gently but grimly warn that her chances of surviving, much less living any kind of normal life, were next to zero, Dana went home from the hospital, just as her mother had predicted.

Five years later, when Dana was a petite but feisty young girl with glittering gray eyes and an unquenchable zest for life.  She showed no signs whatsoever of any mental or physical impairment. Simply, she was everything a little girl can be and more. But that happy ending is far from the end of her story. 

One blistering afternoon in the summer of 1996 near her home in Irving, Texas, Dana was sitting in her mother’s lap in the bleachers of a local ball park where her brother Dustin’s baseball team was practicing.  As always, Dana was chattering nonstop with her mother and several other adults sitting nearby when she suddenly fell silent. Hugging her arms across her chest, little Dana asked, “Do you smell that?” 

Smelling the air and detecting the approach of a thunderstorm,  Diana replied, “Yes, it smells like rain.”  Dana closed her eyes and again asked, “Do you smell that?” Once again, her mother replied, “Yes, I think we’re about to get wet. It smells like rain.” Still caught in the moment, Dana shook her head, patted her thin shoulders with her small hands and loudly announced, “No, it smells like Him. It smells like God when you lay your head on His chest.”

Tears blurred Diana’s eyes as Dana happily hopped down to play with the other children.  Before the rains came, her daughter’s words confirmed what Diana and all the members of the extended Blessing family had known, at least in their hearts, all along. During those long days and nights of her first two months of her life, when her nerves were too sensitive for them to touch her, God was holding Dana on His chest and it is His loving scent that she remembers so well.

Dave and Irene,

Our call to worship Sunday was Psalm 91, and those words have been on my heart for Irene ever since:  “The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almightly…He Himself will deliver you…He will cover you with His feathers; you will take refuge under His wings, His faithfulness will be a protective shield…For He will give His angels orders concerning you…‘Because (s)he is lovingly devoted to me I will deliver her, I will exalt her because she knows My Name’...”. 

You are all continually in our prayers and we are praising Jesus for all the ways He has made Himself known in this most difficult situation, His knowledge of the intricate ways of the human body is mighty and complete, and we are trusting in Him along side you.

Love,

Steve and Sue Azevedo

Hi everyone,

Irene had 3 hours of dialysis this morning and spent the afternoon recovering… more dialysis again on Wednesday….

I made a quick run to our home to take care of some much needed errands… the growing list of “to do’s” will never end!!! 

Irene is getting close to “nutropenic” blood levels from the treatment plan.  This is the most vulnerable time of the process because her ability to fight infection is at its lowest state.  Thank you for your continued prayer support during this time… for her to remain strong and couragous!!!!  Her spirits are inspiring and determined…she can hardly wait to get back home to her garden in Aptos…

Our good friends, Devin and Veronica Eckhardt, came to UCSF for a visit this evening.  Unfortunately, Irene was not able to see them but they have been among the faithful throng supporting us throughout this journey…

We continue to experience God’s presence and cannot thank you enough for your concern.  Thank you, once again, for those of you who have gone out of your way to donate blood and platelets.  Irene just commented that saying “thank you” just doesn’t seem to be enough….

Irene and I want to once again publicly say THANK YOU to Frank Johnson, who is “behind the scenes” supporting IreneDias.com.  Without Frank’s help, we would not have the ability to communicate via this website.  You can learn more about Frank and his work at http://www.strategicdigitaloutreach.com. 

Walking by faith,
Dave

It’s neat to read all of the ways God has been showing up in the midst of this trying time. I loved JoAnna’s entry from today… to hear the story about the “soil”. What an interesting symbol of new growth, a garden, new life, and a sweet way for God to show up with a HUG.

You guys are being prayed for, all over, by so many.  I’ll continue to pray for God’s strength to hold you up during this time.

Love,
Cheryl

While I was in the airport waiting to come back from Pasadena, I read the following verses:

“O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you.
Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.”
Isaiah 33:2

and

“The desert and the parched land will be glad;
the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom;
it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the LORD,
the splendor of our God.

Strengthen the feeble hands,
steady the knees that give way;
say to those with fearful hearts,
‘Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
he will come to save you.’

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.

Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert.

The burning sand will become a pool,
the thirsty ground bubbling springs.
In the haunts where jackals once lay,
grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.

And a highway will be there;
it will be called the Way of Holiness. 
The unclean will not journey on it;
it will be for those who walk in that Way;
wicked fools will not go about on it. [h]

No lion will be there,
nor will any ferocious beast get up on it;
they will not be found there.
But only the redeemed will walk there,

and the ransomed of the LORD will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”
Isaiah 35

We wait for complete healing and hope for the promise of eternity.

Last night my mom smelled soil. Neither my dad nor I smelled it, and since my mom loves to garden, we knew that it had to have been a gift to my mom. She smelled “fresh air and soil.” I told her it was Jesus’ gift to remind He is still here and that He wants to allow her to be back with her garden at home.

As we prayed over my mom last night as a family, we prayed for complete healing. We even asked for a tangible sign from God that she would be able to see the healing now. About an hour later my dad and I were getting ready to leave, when we looked at my mom’s legs. They looked the least puffy I have seen them since she got sick. The edema was lessening, and she hadn’t even had dialysis in a a couple days. It was an amazing sign to see that God is working.

We pray that God is healing my mom momment by moment; we pray that her stem cells are producing healthy bone marrow that is amyloid-free; and we pray that very soon her kidneys will begin to wake up and function as they should. We pray that soon she will feel freedom in her body with no more sickness.

I was reminded on the plane that Jesus healed people by just a touch. He would speak the word, or place his hands, even a touch of his cloak brought forth healing. We long to touch the hem of His cloak. To fight the crowds because we believe that if we can just touch the Messiah, my mom will be healed.

We wait in great hope, faith, and expectation that God will demonstrate that He is the Ultimate Healer.

Dear Irene and Dave and girls, 
One of the special benefits in being a believer is to pray for others.  You are now among others that we “reach out” to our Lord for.  Irene, we know your comfort is in Him and may he give you great strength through this time and blessings on you all.
Love, Londa and Roger Blaine

Hello to the both of you! 
    My Sis, you are truly amazing!  Your smile luminates and you and your new hair cut look great! It seems that the staff at the Spa are taking such good care of you and for that I’m very greatful!  I am looking forward to seeing you next weekend!
    Dave, thank you for the updates that you post which let us know about Rin’s progress.  But most of all Thank You for being my sis’s husband! 
    To the both of you and your girls, I send you my love… Carmen

With sadness I began reading your website.  Now, it is the most uplifting moment of my day!  Your family and especially you, Irene, are a true inspiration!

Our family loves you all so much.  You have our constant hopes, wishes and prayers.

Love,

Kipp & Marcy Loving
Aaron & Kyron

Tia Rini,

My Mom, Howard, my kids and I went up there Saturday so I could give blood and my mom platelets but my mom’s iron was too low to donate that day, she was really bummed about it but she truly feels that God is present after reading the update and seeing all the platelet donors that are lined up. We serve an Amazing God!!!  After I donated blood I walked across the street and felt very ill. I passed out on the sidewalk but was helped out by a nice stranger. We got to see Tio Dave and Cousin Joanna for a few minutes but I started to feel weak and needed to get a bite to eat so I apologize for not getting to see you but I wanted to let you know that you continue to be in all of our thoughts and prayers. I plan on seeing you soon. Tia your continuous faithfulness to Our Lord and Savior is so inspiring to me. You are a truly beautiful person. We love you Tia and pray that He will heal you. God Bless!

Love, Carin & kids

Greetings and Happy Father’s Day!!

On a last minute whim we decided to spend Father’s Day in San Francisco…  

Irene, Jocelyn, JoAnna and I spent most of the afternoon in the Family Room and Solarium located in the Oncology Ward on the 11th floor of UCSF.  It was a clear and beautiful day… views of the city were breathtaking.  It was a relaxing environment and Irene was resting comfortably…

Just before Jocelyn left for home (JoAnna flies back to S. Cal tomorrow morning), we went back to Irene’s private room, anointed her with oil and prayed over her, asking God to heal and restore her body.  We had previously spent time reading in Exodus 15, Isaiah 53 and Psalm 121.  It’s a special time to pray as a family to the God of the universe, trusting Jesus wholeheartedly as He leads us through this challenging season of our lives.  We are desperately dependent upon His sovereign will to be done.  We sense His presence and know from His Word that he will never leave us nor forsake us.

There has been an outpouring of support for blood and platelet donors.  We’re overwhelmed with thanksgiving…

Irene is scheduled for dialysis several times this next week;  her blood levels are responding to the chemo and we move forward in faith and confidence….

Dave
Gal 2.20

Dear Dias family,

I just recently heard about what has been going on with Irene.  After reading the updates and all the encouragement sent your way, I had an extreme sense of God’s presence and faithfulness.  We serve a great God!  One who is mightier in power than anything else that can come our way!  What an encouragement to see your faith and desire to trust the Lord in all of this!  My prayer for Irene and your family during this time along with prayers for healing and God’s continued glory is that His peace would continue to invade the very core of your hearts and minds. 

“My peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you.  It’s not like our world would give to you, but comes only from me.” John 14:27.

Thank you for the example of Jesus Christ that you have been to me ever since JoAnna and I roomed together in college.  Your graciousness, kindness, and smiles have impacted my life tremendously.  I know that God will bless and reward all that you continue to give to further His kingdom.  God is doing a mighty work!! You can count on my continued prayers!!

Blessings and love to you all!

Margo Miller

Good morning, Dias Family

Thinking of you today.  Happy to know the status of this journey.  God, of course, knows it all from beginning to end as he is right there watching over each detail.

Love, hugs and prayers to you.

Susan

Hello my Tia!!!!

  Your strength and faith is so beautiful!!! I can not wait to visit you towards the end of next week with my mom. We will becoming up to see you and the family and also i have been asked to donate platelets for you. I feel so blessed to help you out, as you have my whole life. I love you dearly and you look beautiful!!!

  I love Joanna’s quote , “God’s Tracks”. It is so true!!! He is here and showing his true glory and will!!!

  and since you have had three birthdays now, does that mean your the oldest Luciell now??!!! hehe

  Love you and the Lord does work in misterious ways,
Cecilia

Dear Irene and family,
My first thought when I opened your website was “how did I forget Irene’s Birthday”? I did catch on….and want you to know that we are celebrating with you and are excited to celebrate many more days of the rest of your life!!!! You looked great in the pictures and can imagine the emotion of receiving the cake from the nurses.
As you know, we leave early in the morning but will be keeping up with you and possibly we can talk on the phone before too long.
We are Praising God with you and your dear family.
We Love You,  Phyllis and Jack