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.

Irene and Dave,
We continue to pray for you, think of you, and intervene on your behalf…

Irene, you are so loved and although we have not seen each other for a very long time, you are a part of my everyday life and always in my heart. I have not given up hope for a full recovery and I talk to God about that ALL THE TIME!

Dave, your love for Irene, your writing, and your words of encouragement are a dissertation on courage and faith. They are so full...they run over with wisdom and the kind of faith described in the Hebrews chapter that describes those who have run the race of faith. You and Irene are a team...truly. We hold up your arms in intercession and run the race with you and Irene..pressing onward toward the goal.

Your journey inspires us. We pray blessings all over you and your precious family.

Laura and Dave

Irene, Dave and Family,

Irene, you continue to be in the prayers of Beth and I.  Your name and condition are mentioned often @ our mens bible study on Thursday morning.  I will ask the men to pray for you when we meet tomarrow morning.  May you continue to be held firmly in His arms.  Don And Beth Spears

Dear Irene, We just want to remind you of of love and concern.  We think of you often and are supporting your journey through prayer. You are so very precious.

Brother Dave - The big 50 !!!  How awesome it is to have a friend like you that loves the Lord, loves his family and is such a great friend. Surely God broke the mold after he made Dave Dias, because you are one special guy.

We love - Mark & Robin Schmidt & family

Irene, I first heard of your illness from SCBC in the bulletin and have been praying for you.  I read more from the Bethany email just today.  You are in our prayers and I know you have been held by our Lord.  Your girls have grown to be beautiful women and I know you are proud.  We will be keeping you and your family in our prayers.  Much love, Patty and Bryan Hayes

Dear Irene and Dave,
As we have newly learned of your “journey”, are hearts are daily lifting you before the Lord. May He, moment by moment, be your comfort, strength and joy. Wanted to share John 14:27 CEV
JESUS said, I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.
May His great faithfulness continue to hold you close to His heart. He will not relax His hold on you!
MUCH, MUCH love, Debby and Sam

Dear Irene and Dave,

Please be assured of our prayers at Bethany University. We are asking God for a miracle. Your strong faith, courage, and Christian demeanor is an encouragement for us all at Bethany University. May the Lord comfort you, and grant you many good days with your loved ones, especially during this Holiday Season.

In Christ,

Dr. Max Rossi,
President
Bethany University

Dear Dave & Irene, You continue to be in our prayers.  We wanted to wish you a very Happy 50th Birthday!!, Dave.  You have been such a blessing to us and we are so grateful for your friendship.  Have a great day and a wonderful year.  We appreciate your updates on your sweet Irene.  God bless and keep you both.  Love, Dave & Bev McQuade

Dear Dave, Irene and family,
I loved your Thanksgiving photo gallery!!! Do you think Irene’s wonderful, spontaneous smile is genetic!!!???
We are still in Merced, so will not be in Santa Cruz until December 7.  Looking forward to seeing you then.
Sending Love, Hugs and our Prayers,
Phyllis and Jack

Dave,

Jana and I wish you and Irene and your families a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with God’s presence and His many blessings!!!

3 John 2

Steve

We pray God’s special Blessings on the Dias family during this season. Jeanne and I love you both and while 2007 has been trying, God has you more firmly gripped in his his heart then ever before !!!! TO HIM BE THE GLORY FOR NOW AND EVERMORE!!

Hello Dias family,
I bet that you all have a lot to be thankful this year and so do we.
Richard celebrated his 53rd birthday and finally retired from Save Mart this year, hooray!!!!!!!!!!  All of us are well and healthy.  So now it is time for you blessed Irene to get better.  I have been sooo busy and felt the need to stop my busy chaos to let you all know that there isn’t a day that we don’t think of you Irene, Dave and the girls.
I hope and pray that for all of you on this Thanksgiving that it is as blessed as our Thanksgiving will be.  May God Bless you and your family.  This message is sent with love and prayers.  Take care and from one family to another loving family enjoy your day you Irene and Dave really deserve it. 
Blessings from Stephanie, Rich, Shawn/Christy, Justin/Kasey, Cory and Dieter

Hey Irene and Dave,

I recently read a book by Ken Blue called “Authority to Heal.” One concept that really grabbed me was that we are to “contend for healing” until the Lord tells us not to. Until that time we are to battle in the heavenlies for complete healing. With that in mind, Laura and I will continue to contend in prayer for Irene’s full recovery because He has not told us to stop yet! In my mind, if her suffering has led to draw many people to the Lord, how much more would her healing!  You are in our prayers.

Dave and Laura Gschwend