Love, pain, and hope

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Sean

28 June 2010 10:35 a.m.

Dear friends and family,

There is a lot to praise God for this morning. First of all, insurance preauthorized Steve for transfer to Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center. We are overjoyed to be able to now move forward with a transfer and the critical therapy required for his progress. As we arrange transport and finances in this process, please pray that God would continue to be in the details.

Steve had his best night of sleep yet last night. He slept at least six hours, if not more, and took a short nap already this morning. I am hoping that this is a sign of good things to come, sleep-wise!

This morning I awoke early, as usual, and had time to grab Steve’s ipod and spend some time in worship. I wept tears of love and joy and I sang in my heart of God’s holiness, faithfulness, goodness and power. It is perhaps a strange but perfect oxymoron that in the midst of this suffering God’s perfect love would be all the more apparent, but it is. I have an ever deeper sense of his mysterious glory hovering over us, as our circumstances bring all things into focus. When the glory grows dim, you, precious community, reflect it back to us and strengthen it again.

Steve awoke, and we listened together to a few songs. It was in that moment that his dam broke, and he finally shed tears. It was a beautiful moment of love, pain and hope. Of course, we were soon interrupted by a steady stream of medical personnel, however the moment was a precious breakthrough.

As we move on today, we continue to pray for Steve’s pain, and for the details of his care.

We are ever grateful for your love and prayers which carry us.

Love,
Michelle

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  • Dale and Annie Roth

    Michelle,

    We are THRILLED to hear of Steve's progress and that the insurance issues have been resolved. May God continue to bless Steve's recovery and may your move here go smoothly. We'll continue to pray for a full recovery. Seattle is excited to welcome back the Ruetsches!

    Best,
    Dale and Annie Roth

  • Cbsample

    Thank you, Michelle, for making the effort to bring all of us in on this process.

  • http://www.hootenannie.com hootenannie

    Seattle is lucky to get you Ruetschles. :) I know that you will be surrounded, supported, and buoyed by so many – just like you have so freely given of yourselves over the years.

    Praying for the details, and for the pain, and for sleep. You are so loved.

  • Darrenlgustafson

    Michelle,

    You radiate God's glory. Thank you for sharing it so generously. I'm sure we are drawing more strength from you than you from us, but we are here with you every step of the way.

    Love.

    Darren

  • Shana

    Hurrah for answered prayers! I'm overjoyed to hear the good news about the insurance company, and about Steve's great night of sleep. Michelle, I had to chuckle when I read that after his best-ever night of sleep, he followed it up with a nap — “sleep begets sleep” is what all those baby sleep training books said, and I guess it applies to grown-ups as well. =) I hope YOU are getting adequate sleep as well, my dear friend!

    We love you and you are never far from our thoughts and prayers. Thank you for being your amazing inspiring self!

  • Tomo

    Seattle is so excited to have your family back. I've been thinking how we can support you in a tangible way beside praying.

    Tomo from UPC

  • sue and jim economides

    Tears and more tears as we continue this journey beside you…..Thank you so much for taking the time to share even the deepest moments , whether they be anxious, painful, happy, sweet, scarey, prayerful or verses from the Bible…….you have taught us strength! We are constantly reminded of the deep love and devotion you and Steve have for each other……. and for God. What else could one expect from this amazing Ruetschle family……..we love you all! sue and jim
    You are all in our prayers daily…….my prayer candle is lit.

  • Lee_hall

    Dear Steve & Michelle,

    You are continually in our thoughts & prayers… How wonderful to hear of His blessing through it all & yet the pain is there. It's good to hear of the move & to think of all that has been done for others, may the same be true for you. It seems the Lord has put you in a fearful yet awesome position to influence many here below. What a difficult position yet what an honor He has given you. We coninue to pray for His blessing & a complete restoration. Praying for you all, Bill & Lee (SIL PHIL)

  • Liz Coon

    The Coons are still praying — for sleep, for the pain to be controlled, for your boys, and for all the work ahead. I'm so glad to read that Steve slept last night. We love you guys!
    ~Liz

  • Jeri and Sara

    Blessed sleep! Nothing like it. Praise God for the good news regarding your insurance. A weight off.

    Our daughter Mary has been listening to Steve's sermons online and the one that came up a few days ago was his sermon, “If it be your will..” Following immediately was Lorrie Anderson's sermon on the man carried to Jesus by his friends. Who could have known. As Lorrie brought forward the possible thoughts of the man being lowered, “Please don't drop me”, the words grabbed. Know that you have thousands around the globe that have no intention of dropping you. We know God to be faithful, but we need people to be faithful, too. We won't drop you. Far from it, but rather gripped the ropes tighter than ever. Mary sent the link out to her network urging people to listen, pray, and join with you all on the journeyforward.

    Much, much love,

    Jeri and Sara

  • john dettoni

    You wrote the almost perfect, if not the perfect answer to the problem of pain and evil and the question as to “where is God?” in the middle of some surd. You wrote, I this is my conclusion after many years of asking the question and never quite being able to say it well: “This morning I awoke early, as usual, and had time to grab Steve’s ipod and spend some time in worship. I wept tears of love and joy and I sang in my heart of God’s holiness, faithfulness, goodness and power. It is perhaps a strange but perfect oxymoron that in the midst of this suffering God’s perfect love would be all the more apparent, but it is. I have an ever deeper sense of his mysterious glory hovering over us, as our circumstances bring all things into focus. When the glory grows dim, you, precious community, reflect it back to us and strengthen it again.”

    God surrounds us in the midst of our pain and suffering and agony. He does this by his Holy Spirit who indwells us, by His presence that we can feel, and very importantly by His people who come and share God's presence with us. The people of God don't have to say anything, and most often are most helpful when they are silent and let us cry in our pain. It seems that the Lord sends His people to absorb some of our pain and more especially to surround us with tangible love that bespeaks the Presence of the Almight God and Father!
    We are blessed by your words and hope others are encouraged in their own pain.
    john dettoni
    john dettoni

  • kris horlacher

    Thanking God for sleep and insurance! Moving on to thanking Him in advance for smooth transfers, tangible signs of progress towards healing. Continuing to pray that courage and hope remain your constant companions even in the moments that seem dark. So amazed at the world- wide saints offering prayers of pleading and thanksgiving on behalf of your family.

  • Lisa_and_Brett – Australia

    We serve a mighty God. The God of creation, the keeper of time. Bless you Father for hearing these prayers and answering them in your appointed time. Bless Steve, Michelle and their boys in these coming days. May your peace be ever present, your mercy enfold them and your grace be in abundance. Keep pouring out your healing and restore Steve's body to full health. Strengthen Michelle and bring comfort to each of them. In Jesus Precious Name. Amen.

  • Deborahannegustafson

    So Happy to hear that Steve was able to sleep. Prayers answered for Seattle. It is good that Steve was able to cry an important part of healing.
    love,

    deborah

  • Lisa Gustafson

    great news about rest and about the insurance for seattle…we rejoice and continue to pray

  • Shirleytiu

    Hello Pastor Steve and Michelle,

    Very good news, we are very happy for you, will continue to pray for the full recovery of Pastor Steve. Sleep and rest in the arms of Jesus, be comforted and be healed. Crying out our pain to the Lord is good, it releases us of the inner pain and surrending completely to His grace and mercy.
    Thank you sharing our updates, we are here for you. Shalom.

    Stiu

  • Karen and Jon Nelson

    I'm so glad that you are getting glimpses into the deep, deep love that God has for you in the midst of all this suffering. I can't imagine what you are going through, but i know Who is going with you. We send you love….. Karen and Jon

  • Mildred Dortch

    Dear Michelle and Pastor Steve,
    Words cannot express the love we have felt for you dear ones this past week. We learned early about your accident and have consumed every bit of news and updates from you and your family. Also, the many prayers and well wishes of those who have shared on your web site.

    What an inspiration it has been for the world to see God's mighty hand on your lives during these hours. Thank you for sharing these painful moments and times of rejoicing when God's miracle working power, comfort and strength has met your needs.

    We regret we are not close by to offer our assistance to you and your family. Perhaps someone can let us know how we and others can bless you financially after you arrive in Washington. It would be such a privilege to extend our hands and hearts to you.

    We have such fond memories of times we have sat under your ministry at UCM, and when you have prayed with us in our times of need for God's touch and leading in our lives. We have missed you so much since returning to Florida. It has been a great blessing to enjoy your messages on the internet.
    We look forward to seeing you again – and rejoice with you – for all that He has in store for you!!
    God is so faithful!! We commit you to His care.
    With much love,
    Richard and Mildred Dortch

  • Earnest & Maidhily Nadeem

    Dear Pastor Steve, and Sister Michele,

    We are praying for you, and would like for you to know, that we all love you along with thousands of people around the Globe.

    We continue to remember with you:
    The Anchor Holds
    In the Midst of the Storm,
    the Anchor Holds

    With love and Prayers,
    Earnest & Maidhily Nadeem, Pakistan

  • Deb (Talley) Thompson

    Good news! It must also feel good to be able to work on something with positive, measurable results (the arrangements necessary for the move). I know that you have many friends in the Seattle area. Please count me among them. Continued blessings! Deb