A Great Cloud of Witnesses
Kristy looked around the hospital room---a room filled with love and faith and said, "We have a great cloud of witnesses around us. Look." There they were and out into the hallway. Dear family members. Precious family members of faith.
I thought yes you're right and the cloud of witnesses reaches into her beloved Jacksonville and on around the world. It encompasses the glory world. The saints of heaven are taking note. More importantly it reaches even to the Throne. I can see and I can feel the eyes and hand of my Lord toward her...and me.
Isaiah 41:13 says it all for me, "I am the Lord, your God, I will take your right hand. Fear not, for I will help you."
He has and is taking my right hand--Kristy's right hand. He is our God. I will fear no evil. He is helping me...and Kristy.
We have stood by hundreds and even more and quoted Words from our Lord. I have watched the mercy of God strengthen and comfort others. Now its our turn.
Kristy had a very rough night. Very tough to describe. Pain, nausea, disorientation. Things so hard for a spouse to watch in the one dearest to them. Yet God helps.
I have spent the last three nights and days with her. So many memories flood my mind during the late hours. She instructed me to blog for her...and I will by God's grace. There is so much to tell about this red headed wonder. The stories will flow. Please bear with me. She will share in the blog again--though this past night makes it so hard to believe she could.
She is a trooper--a very classy trooper. We will make it. Keep praying for her...for us.
Her Husband, Milton
posted by Kristy Dykes @ 12:36 PM
19 comments
19 Comments:
My heart breaks for you. As I've spent time praying, crying, and praying some more for all of you these past two weeks, I've dared to ask the Lord why He didn't provide a miracle when we got the pathologist report after surgery. Gently, the Lord nudged me and said, "I could have given a miracle before, but now, look how much greater the miracle will be when the world knows just how dark it looks."
I'm holding on to that, and waiting and hoping and praying for that miracle to appear, this side of Heaven, as dear Ane has said.
May God continue to surround you all with His comfort and peace, and may He touch Kristy's body, and remove all illness and disease from her. One day soon, we'll all join her in shouting her miracle from our rooftops.
Thanks for the update, Milton. I know it must be so hard to post during this difficult time, but thanks for doing it for your beautiful wife.
I'm asking God to grant you all peace and comfort.
Kind regards,
Dayle Shockley
AWSA sister
I have been checking the blog for the past 3 days. You are so blessed to be upheld by your amazing family at this time but even more blessed to see and recognize the loving hand of the Father.
I continue to pray for you all.
Your sister in Christ
Coni Andress from the Rock of Wilmington
My dearest Kristy, Milton and girls, I have you in my thoughts and prayers. I have been keeping "in touch" through Mama and this blog. Just know that we love you all. If there is anything I can do let me know. Anything....I love you! Jeri
Kristy, Milton and family. I have been reading your blogs with tears streaming down my face. Not because I'm expecting the worst but because I am expecting the best! I know this time is hard on you all, I can't begin to imagine but I can tell you that my home church is praying. They are a church where God moves and miracles are a sure thing. Kristy is in my constant prayers, her healing will be complete. Milton, you too are in my prayers, God is your strength and it is awsome to see you leaning into Him. Hang in there children and grandchildren, God is in control and you are all being lifted up to Him for comfort.
Hugs to you all, you are loved!! Rhonda
Uncle Milton, Julie and Jennifer -
I am so sorry for all that you are going through. I have been keeping up through mom and dad and through the blog and it is amazing to see how you are all staying connected to your loved ones even through all of this. We are praying for you here in Wilmington and are expecting God to do something miraculous because that's all He knows how to do!
We love you dearly and wish that we could be there with you, too. I'm glad that mom and dad have been able to be there with you.
Abbye, Don and Reagan
Dear Kristy and Milton,
We are praying for comfort and relief and a better night tonight. I updated our prayer team today and we are meeting tonight and will be lifting you up to the Lord. I also signed up to pray with ACFW members who want to be continually praying for Kristy. Tracy Ruckman is organizing us. I am sure she will let you know more about this.
I loved the verse you shared about the Lord taking your hand and walking with you and helping you each step of the journey. He is a faithful God who loves you both deeply. We love you too. You are never far from our thoughts and are continually in our prayers.
I am sending love and a hug,
Carrie
Dear Pastor Milton and Beautiful Kristy, You and yours are in my prayers day and night. Be blessed.
Do you know yet when Kristy can come home?
Nancy
Continuing to pray for you all.
I am praying for a peaceful night tonight for Kristy and for Milton. God neither slumbers or sleeps and watches over you through the night. I've signed up on the ACFW prayer loop to pray every morning at 6:30, but I'm praying a lot more than that.
Thank you for keeping us posted in spite of the difficult time. We all love you and appreciate you.
praying for y'all. thanks so much for keeping us updated.
We have set up a 24/7 prayer chain for Kristy, praying for a miracle and for all of your family. If anyone visiting here wishes to sign up for a time, please send me an email at tracyruckman@yahoo.com and I'll add you to the list. We're scheduling prayer in 15 minute segments, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so in your email, let me know what day(s) and time(s) you'll be praying.
May God send Kristy a miracle.
Hey Big Brother,
I am so very proud of you. I love you and Kristy so much, you have both been such amazing examples to Tim and I. I tell everyone that Kristy is the Martha Stewart of pastor wives. No one does it better. My heart longs to be there with you all, but we are praying with much passion for all of you. Trusting for a better night, filled with peace.
love,
janet
When I first saw the name of this blog quite a while ago, I thought it was descriptive of the stories Kristy writes.
Now I know it's much bigger than that--it's descriptive of her and Milton's life, and their church life, and their faith life.
Believing in love,
JanetS
Dear Milton ~ I moderate a small prayer chain (20 women) who are all praying for Kristy. We are spread all over the U.S. and in Norway. Kristy's situation has touched many hearts. One of our members especially has committed to praying for her until she is healed, until the miracle. The following is from our member Donna.
I am praying for Kristy i know that the lord has her no matter what. I also know that God has something special for her family and she is going to touch many more lives as she has already touched mine so much. God is so good i know that as we come to him and flood the gates with our prayers that all is going to be fine. I will continue to pray. God bless love Donna
We will all continue to pray, Milton. I try to send a bit from Kristy's blog (aka, Milton's) to the prayer chain every day. You are doing a fabulous job updating it daily.
Please do not feel any need to reply to this. I just want you to know and, if possible, share with Kristy. She has been such a source of inspiration to me, and provided me with a lot of laughs. I just love her humor.
Yours, Bonnie Engstrom (ACFW)
bengstrom@hotmail.com
Dear Milton and Kristy....
You have been on my mind constantly since I received the email from our cousin, Elizabeth Westbrook, last week. Being so far away from our family, I am very grateful for your open and honest postings. Of course, all of this brings back vivid memories of holding hands with my parents in hospital rooms....but there can be no comparison, I'm sure, to holding the hand of your spouse.
Milton, I clearly recall the extraordinary comfort that you provided to me at the most difficult time during my mother's illness. How I would love to be with you to return the favour. Please know that Jan and I are holding you in our prayers.
This morning my choir at St. Thomas' Anglican Church (St. John's, Newfoundland) sang "How Can I Keep from Singing" as the anthem. I did not know this hymn growing up in Alabama....I first heard it in Calgary, Alberta, in the 80s. It was composed by an American Baptist minister in 1860. I have been singing it all weekend, thinking about you all. I pray that you will find comfort in these words....I would love to be there to sing it for you. You will have to sing it to Kristy for me....and for yourself.
My life flows on in endless song, above earth's lamentation.
I hear the clear, though faroff hymn that hails a new creation.
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I'm clinging.
Since love is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?
Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear that music ringing.
It finds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing?
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I'm clinging.
Since love is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?
What though my joys and comforts die? I know my Savior liveth.
What though the darkness gather round? Songs in the night he giveth.
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I'm clinging.
Since love is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart, a fountain ever springing!
All things are mine since I am his! How can I keep from singing?
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I'm clinging.
Since love is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?
Much love from your cousin,
Kinette
I have met Kristy through my wife Paige Dooly, and the writing they have done together.
You, Kristy and the whole family are in our prayers.
Milton, if there is anything you need, just say the word!
We have passed your prayer request to all friends, family and business associates.
We are standing in the gap with you my friend!
Never Give Up,
Troy Dooly
As a business associate of Troy Dooly, I want to offer a prayer for you and the family. As the Great Physician, God is omnipotent! May He comfort you in these times. God bless.
Linda Jones
Milton, Kristy, & Girls,
I continue to pray and pray for you all.
If there's any way you can update us on Kristy's condition... what was the latest MRI result? What decisions are being made? Do you have any specific prayer requests?
We're here for you. You're not alone.
Cheering you on,
Kelli Standish
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