for the inspiration of your smile, which reveals your peace and perseverance in Jesus through your suffering.  I have thought of you so many times, particularly after I saw you and Dave at Long’s in Aptos.  I had so wanted to say hello but was side-tracked by a woman who wanted to complain to me about trivial things, and I felt so sad when I turned to see you had gone. 

I had surgery in January this year and have been on medical leave since.  Recovery is slow, and added to some personal stresses, it has been a difficult road, but nothing compared to what you have been through this past year.  Sometimes it’s hard to trust and rest in Jesus, but you have reminded me that God is bigger than my struggles and fears. 

In His Grace, Carrie Thompson

Hi Dave,

After I submitted my post on Irene’s site this morning, I was inspired to finish this photo in light of Irene’s good news.  I’ve had the photo, but I did not know what scripture or sentiment to use until this morning.  The fireworks image, Irene’s joyful singing, and God’s faithfulness are the inspiration behind this photo paired with this verse ....

But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
Psalm 5:11

Hope you both have a great day !!

Hosanna

Dave and Irene,

We are thrilled to hear that the amyloid is in remission!! We are so grateful that our awesome God has strengthened Irene’s health to give you this victory!!

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
Psalm 5:11

Rejoicing with you!
Celebrating God’s faithfulness with you!

Julian and Hosanna Loh

Dear Dave and Irene,

After I opened up your e-mail, I sat “glued” to the computer and all the wonderful news about you, Irene, and just cried out of thankfulness for your GOOD NEWS. I sent it on to Leah, my daughter in Sacramento as she has followed all of your progress. You have both been such a blessing to me and to everyone at Monte Vista.  Your friendship is very dear to me. I especially was blessed by Joanna’s writing in this e-mail.

Your book was wonderful and what an encouragement it has been to me.  I visited Jim Smiley, the MV librarian, at the hospital last week and your book was lying on his bed.  He pointed to it and said how helpful and encouraging it was to him.  He is home from the hospital now but is so weak that he can hardly stand up. He wants to come back for several hours a day.  What a Godly, loving man he is.  He loves these students and in the past, he never missed an athletic game here.

I am so glad you wrote the book.  You must be very proud of both of your girls for they wrote a lot of it too.

Much love and prayers of thankfulness,

Martha Price

Dear Dave and Irene,

What wonderful news to hear that Irene’s amyloid is in remission!  We have been praying throughout her illness and keeping up with news via the website and Phyllis & Jack & Marilyn Miller.  We are so happy for you.  We will keep praying that God will continue to heal Irene’s body.  God bless you both. 

Walt & Lynnette Maynes

Dear Dave and Irene,

Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ.  He is FAITHFUL to provide and meet our needs in ALL things.  You both are examples of faith and trust.

Love and hugs to you both.  You remain in my prayers as always.

Susan

Mr. and Mrs. Dias:

My dad called and encouraged me to check your website for an update.  I am overjoyed for your family — and have had tears of gratitude for Mrs. Dias’ remission.  May our God keep healing and strengthening, as he forms in you the lovely image of his beloved Son.  Thank you for the grace and trust that you consistently reflect from our Lord.

Rich blessings to your family.  Your girls must be so thrilled.

Raija

We too can understand Irene’s emotions as she entered that wing of the hospital.  We experienced the same flooding of emotions when we revisited our doctor at UCSF.  We also are advocates of UCSF and the wonderful medical staff there. They saved my life .... Thank God for the wonderful news.  We will continue to pray for the other challenges Irene is faced with.

Jim and Anna Maynard

I just heard the wonderful news about remmission. Praise the Lord!

Irene and Dave,

What an AWESOME LORD we serve!!!  We are so full of praise to read this wonderful news!  We know the Lord’s timing is perfect and that He leaves nothing undone...we trust fully that He will continue His good work as you move through the process of kidney treatment/transplant.  We will continue to pray the nausea will be fully removed and that the Lord’s hand will be in every detail as you work through this new phase of nephrology treatment.

Praying you have a wonderful and restful weekend rejoicing in the wonders of God’s amazing work...Thank you for letting us be a part of witnessing it and for especially for your faithfulness, such a testimony of the truth that “the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well”!

In Love,

Steve and Sue Azevedo

Irene and Dave,

I have been praying for you, and getting updates from Neil, and I rejoice over your great news of Irene’s remission.  It is my 50th birthday today and I count this as one of the best gifts ever.  May the Lord continue to sustain you, heal you, and provide for all your needs.  What a testimony of faith and courage you have been to all.

I just read the good news.  Yipeee!!!!  I’m so glad Hugh was gone this evening so that no one but the Lord could see me whooping and dancing around from sheer joy at that beautiful word REMISSION.  I just told a friend who is going through some things about the book and encouraged her to get it.  I will call her and tell her the good news too.  Her kids went to MV and she also worked with me at the dental office for a while so she kind of knows Irene (our little rock star!!).  I will continue to pray as you face the kidney crisis.  God is Faithful. 

Much love,

Jean

Dear Dave & Irene,

I read the attached prophetic word today and instantly knew I had to forward it to you. Please know I read your updates daily and pray often for you. I am expecting a miracle for you Irene.

All my love in Christ,

Martha Silva

From the Desk of Steve Shultz:

For so long, we have received prophecy after prophecy concerning the intention of the LORD to increase HIS Presence on the earth. And yet, more prophecies have been posted, relating that we are about to Finally see a hugely significant manifestation of the healing of people’s bodies--including CANCER healings.

I’m here to tell you it has begun. And not only healings, but SPIRITUAL and EMOTIONAL healings. Even FINANCIAL healings. The “suddenlies of God” are upon us.

We have come through a very intense time period in the Body. Never before have I seen so many believers hurting--both physically and spiritually. But these times of crisis are being suddenly followed up with the Father’s “TIMES OF REFRESHING FROM THE LORD.”

We are now coming into times of REFRESHING. Not all warfare will stop of course, and some of you are just now experiencing some of that warfare. But all of it, be it refreshing or renewed warfare for many of us, it all is UNTO SOMETHING. It’s UNTO GREAT TIMES OF YET MORE REFRESHING.

The Lord gave me a picture concerning most MOVIES that are produced and most stories ever told. And that is this--in almost every story that is well told, just prior to a great breakthrough and resolution of UNSOLVABLE problems--we see that often-expected “darkest before dawn” circumstance come our way.

So is it DARK where you live, either literally or spiritually? Do you no longer feel qualified to minister because you are dry and not very spiritual? The answer is that every Christian must go through days like this. This means:

To the Christian, that means Dawn is close at hand, even at the door.

To Cancer, that means your days are numbered.

To Hopelessness, that means HOPE is on the way. Hold on.

To the downcast or to the brokenhearted, that means, “Lift up your head, because redemption draws nigh.”

To those who have fallen down Seven times, GET UP EIGHT! Your salvation from these many problems is nearer NOW than when you FIRST believed for God to fix them.

Dear Dave and Irene,

As our thoughts and prayers often rest with the two of you, we wanted to share this verse:

Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone.
Psalm 33:22, NLT

He indeed is our HOPE, THE HOPE.

With much love, Debby and Sam Estes

Hi Dave:

I thank God for what He put in you for desire and purpose to write your book, and I’m grateful to be able to share one of many stories I’m sure will come your way on its impact — I truly believe your dropping the books off yesterday was God-breathed .... yesterday afternoon, Jackie on my team learned her sister-in-law Pam has only 1-3 months to live related to her cancer. Not completely unexpected, but greatly accelerated and much more grave than previously known. She’s only in her 30’s, with husband and kids .... Jackie’s husband John is having a real hard time, they are both strong Christians and most of their family is Christian, but obviously this is devastating. I learned of this minutes after getting your book from Donna’s desk, and God led me to lend your book to Jackie and John in hopes it will build their faith and give them peace in these difficult circumstances. I pray God will bless them as they read your stories, and that the impact of their reading will be contagious to others in building them up in Christ in these circumstances ....

Nancy Short