Dear Dave and Irene,

We were excited to learn the news of Irene’s kidney function improvement.  Yea!  I last read your site on 1/23 and recalled it saying you would not update until 1/28 so I hadn’t checked in for a few days.  Dave and I had some wonderful prayer time yesterday and specifically felt led to ask the Lord to wake up Irene’s kidneys.  God was already doing it before we prayed.  God really is amazing.  We just got your book in the mail today too and look forward to reading it.

Love, Dave & Bev

Irene and Dave: Just finished your book, Dave, wonderful tribute to Irene.  I only just heard about your battle, Irene, I apologize for having my head in the sand. You are a phenomenal role model for those battling adversity.  Congratulations for your message. Someone said tough times never last, tough people do.  You are the best example.  God bless you both, the world needs more people like you.  Congratulations on the website, a marvelous tool. Best wishes. Never, never, never, never give up according to Churchill.  We know you won’t.  Ken and Sue Noack

Dear Irene,

I have not had the opportunity to meet you yet but I worked for a time with Dave while I was at Passalong.  What a great and uplifting blog that you two have put together.  I keep trying to book a trip to northern california and they keep getting pushed.  I look forward to one day soon getting together in person with you all.  You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Lee
Speakerheart.com

Dave and Irene,

I wanted to reach out to you today. Irene, I just became aware of your plight. I’ve known Dave for about 6 years now. Mostly in a business capacity but have always thought the world of him. I knew he would have someone as special as you in his life because he was always so kind and considerate to me.

My wife recently lost her best friend to breast cancer after a long fight. 5 years to be exact. Her friend mostly ignored the Doctor’s orders and the cancer overtook her. We prayed that she’d recover and prayed that she’d listen and take her doctor’s instructions to heart.

From my wife Stephanie and myself, we send the warmest of wishes and pray for a cure and for Irene’s speedy recovery. Anything short of your doctor telling you to jump off a bridge ........ listen to him/her.

Paul & Stephanie Francoeur

Dear Irene and Dave,

The Lord faithfully brings you to mind in prayer.

Love to you.

Susan

Dave and Irene --

What a legacy you are leaving your family and loved ones. The daily entries have been so rich and meaningful. No matter what a day brings to either of you .... I hear a constant theme of the faithfulness of God, the gracious courage of Irene and love and devotion from Dave.

What an honor and treasure it is to both journey with you and pray from afar and know that God is answering our hearts’ cry for healing and strength.

Our love and prayers today and tomorrow

Joe and Sally

Dear Dave And Irene, We are so glad to hear that your messages from this site are being published.  I have felt from the early days of reading your daily entries that the Lord would be able to use your testimony to encourage and help many others.  We keep you in our prayers and thank the Lord for bringing you this far and ask His continued strength and healing.  Love, Dave & Bev McQuade

Dave,

I can’t express my heart in the words which Cheryl did.  Her words came from my heart also and she put the right words to Irene and the family.  I thank God for her use of the English language and Dave for yours also.  I ditto everything she said.  Thank you Irene for being a Godly woman and letting me learn through His Holy Spirit your heartbeat.

Blessings,

Carolene

We are so thrilled about this book.  We have stood amazed at your journey.  Your journey, Irene and the journey of your family individually and collectively.  We feel that when we enter your site we really are on holy ground.  The spirit of our Lord is reigning there.  Your journey has brought light and hope to all of us.  Thank you for the choices that you’ve made and continue to make so that the light of God shines forth from you.

We are praying for all of you.  In spite of this trial, Irene, God has been glorified in your walk and the walk of your entire family.  I think of the prayer of Jesus before he ascended and how much He desired for us to love one another.  I love how you give one another the love sign and you truly model and share your intense love for each other.  I believe that many are coming to know Jesus as you have been willing to joyfully carry this cross for Him.  You are amazing and it’s because you are so surrendered to Jesus.

Thank you, for being you.  Thank you for all the resources you so freely share.  Thank you for opening up your lives so that we can learn more of how to surrender our lives and walk
with Jesus with faith in trial and human weakness.  We feel glad to be a part of your family of friends.

You have our prayers and our love.  Even as I write I feel His Holy Spirit.  I can sense that beautiful white dove and rays of hope and light.  I have always sensed the Lord’s presence at your web site.  Thank you for blessing our lives, for living your lives so willingly before us, for blessing us with Joanna, and Jocelyn — her testimony of the music caused us to rejoice.  You have caused our cup to run over and yet our hearts hurt and cry out to God for you as you are in need.  May God surround you with songs of deliverance , draw many to Himself, and bless and heal you completely.

In His love,

Cheryl Aubuchon

Uncle Dave and Tia Rini,

What a wonderful idea!  I’m very glad to hear you will be sharing your story with the world.  You’re both inspiring individuals and an inspiring couple!  I’m proud and thankful to be in your family.

Best wishes on the book’s release!

Love,
Cristy

I have been getting updates about you via your brothers David and George.  I pray for you often and only wish I were closer to come and see you.  May God continue to bless you and keep that beautiful smile on your face.

Love, your cuz in Colorado, Gracie

Happy and Blessed New Year!  I love your faithfulness and anticipation for what the Lord has in store for you in 2008.  Paul’s words of forgetting what lies behind and straining toward what lies ahead is one of my favorite scriptures, and a constant reminder of God’s ultimate faithfulness.  You continue to be in my prayers, Dave, Irene and Girls.  May you just enjoy the presence of our Lord, wrapping yourselves up in his warm, gentle arms of love!

Dear Dave, Irene, Joanna, and Joceyln, I am sure 2007 has been a terribly long year for you all.  I learned of your trials a few months ago and check in to see how you all are doing.  I am inspired by your faith and encouraged by the glory given to God by your dependence on and strength in Him.

I know how this journey affects each of you as individuals, as a couple, as a family.  How wonderful that God reveals himself daily to you and that you recognize those miracles.  At a time I needed it most, God reminded me of the event of the Israelites in the desert gathering manna.  Each day they were to gather only what they needed for that day.  If they gathered too much it would rot.  That manna provided all the nutrition and sustenance necessary to get through the day.

God’s grace is like that.  He gives us exactly what we need to get through that day, that moment.  When we feel one more trial is too much, God’s grace buoys us again and again.  How wonderful that we have a Father who knows exactly what we need and provides it.

It is good to see you’ve put it all in His hands.  May He bless you all with His love, His peace, His joy, and the miracle of complete healing for Irene.  Here is a verse for today and tomorrow:

1 Peter 5:10-11

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.  To HIM be the power for ever and ever.  Amen.”

My love and prayers, Ginny Anderson

Dear Irene...I heard about your challenge from Dave. I was so touched by Dave’s obvious love for you, and also by your spirit and that of your family. Learning more from your website confirmed for me what a unique individual you are and how fortunate you and your family are to be taking this journey together.

You have been in my thoughts and prayers since hearing about your ordeal, and you will continue to reside there. Some may not understand this, but I know you will: You are truly blessed with intangibles that so many will unfortunately never know--and you have made a monumental difference in the lives of so many. Thank you for all you’ve given and continue to give.

Blessings,

Michelle Reynolds

Irene / Dave:

I’m sorry for the news you received today. . . and I’m praying for you. 

Today is the 300th birthday of Charles Wesley, the 18th child of Suzannah Wesley.  What a gift #18 was to all of us.  I thought I’d drop the complete lyrics of one of my favorite of his hymns to you today. 

May God bless you and keep you!

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood!
Died he for me? who caused his pain!
For me? who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

‘Tis mystery all: th’ Immortal dies!
Who can explore his strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
‘Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.
‘Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left his Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite his grace!
Emptied himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race.
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned sprit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine;
Alive in him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’ eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’ eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.