Arrival!

Posted on June 30, 2010 by Sean

From Sean.  4:19pm PST.

Steve and Michelle arrived via air ambulance at 12:30pm; they were admitted to Harborview with no problems; Steve is exhausted, but resting (in between nurses and doctors, of course).  Prayer requested for his fever… it continues.

He also gave everyone a gift.  On the first exam with the doctor Steve moved three toes for the first time… 1 on his right, and 2 on his left.

Steve is in pain, exhausted, still in the throes… and… it’s Steve.  Right here.  The Steve we know and love.  And Michelle… well, everything everyone has said about her on this blog and in email, it’s all true.

I’ve had three realities in my heart over the last several days:

“The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing… not healing, not curing… that is a friend who cares.” ~ Henri Nouwen

“…there is in God, some say, a deep but dazzling darkness.” ~ Henry Vaughn

“In this world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer; for I have overcome the world.” ~ Jesus of Nazareth

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  • jsw

    To the wonderful and dear Ruetschle family, we are strangers and I ended up on this website the other day by clicking through via another friend. You are so much in my thoughts and prayers as this next journey begins. I have been cheering each of your victories and have been on pins and needles today awaiting news that you had safely arrived in Seattle. I am so happy and relieved that you are in Seattle and that you can all begin this new phase and rehabilitation process. I will continue to hold your dear family in prayer and think about you every single day.

  • Jeri and Sara

    Seattle and three toes! What joy! Sara and I are in North Carolina with a tlc family who has also been following your journey with steady prayers. We all whooped and hollered! Go, God! Go, Steve! Go, Michelle! Go, Aiden, Jude, and Zephyr! Go to all whom you now join in Seattle. Yes!

    Jeri and Sara

  • Gretchenfc

    Welcome back home, Friends.
    We love you and are here to support you five.
    Yay for wiggly toes.

    Peace and love,
    Gretchen and Family

  • Toby_gatchalian

    Now praying for this next stage. We are with you. -Toby and Chie

  • Deborahannegustafson

    So glad to hear that you arrived safely in Seattle. May Seattle be a place of healing, rest, growth, and lots of love.

    Wiggling toes… YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you God.

    love,

    deborah

  • Amyheckman23

    Thank you Lord! wiggling toes, woo hoo! that is so wonderful! and such a ray of hope! continuing to pray for you all….

  • Molly Kenzler

    what a great gift Steve has given us – who knew wiggly toes could be so exciting!

    welcome back to Seattle, dear Ruetschles – we've turned on the sunshine for you and embrace you with full hearts. Love, Molly (mhgs)

  • Susieobrian

    Praise the Lord! And welcome back to Seattle. The daily (often hourly) updates are looked forward to throughout the day. It means everything just to know what is happening and what to be praying for. May the Lord heal Steve's temperature and cause more signs of hope, wiggling toes and all. Love to your entire family! Susie

  • Georgia Perez

    Wiggling toes! What an amazing sign from God. May this be just the beginning of signs, miracles and wonders on your healing journey in Seattle. Praying for you all!

  • Darrenlgustafson

    Wow. Way to go Steve. And I'm glad they're closer to you now, Sky. Thanks for all you've done for them (and all of us). May God continue to do that dark, dazzling work someway in the deep–both of Steve's situation and in all of our hearts.

    Love.

    Darren

  • Stacy McIvor

    Welcome home! Our prayers and happy thoughts are for you as you start your next stage of the journey. We'll see you eventually…Happy, happy toes! Robb and Stacy McIvor

  • Rachel_vales

    God really works wonders…. I pray everyday for Pastor Steve's recovery as well as strength for Michelle as she takes care of Pastor Steve and the 3 boys.
    Rachel, UCM

  • Jeff and Sarah Vogt

    Welcome Home! Praise God for Steve's growing signs of recovery and the continuing evidence of God's love and prayers answered, and Steve's (and Miche's) faith and love and true grit. We are with youand inspired by you….. We pray for the fever to ease; for comfort to prevail; and for recovery at Home to begin anew….With our love, hope and gratitude.
    Jeff and Sarah Vogt

  • http://www.steellake.org Rev. Brent Anderson

    Welcome back to the Seattle area! Know that there are many congregations in the Presbytery of Seattle praying for you all and wanting to do whatever we can to help!

  • Cindy Clapper

    John and I are grateful that you are here in Seattle. We pray without ceasing for what the Lord has for you here. We also pray for those of your family that you left behind. We also thank God for the wonderful care that you have had since your accident . Our guest room is open for any of the Ruetschle's loved ones, if you come to visit and need a place to stay. We are south of Seattle in Lakewood, but not far!
    With love,
    Cindy and John Clapper

  • Deb (Talley) Thompson

    Hooray for Henri Nouwen! Wise words if ever I heard them! Sending you blessings of rest and peace in the midst of it all… – Deb

  • Karen Nelson

    You know that passage about God knowing every single hair on your head? I'm re-reading it now, thinking about how not only are your hairs accounted for, so are your wiggly toes! Peace and deep stillness for your soul in the days ahead, so that you can hear the encouraging whisper of Jesus in your ear. “You can do it. I love you. You are Mine.”

  • Roger Bartholomew

    What a huge amount of hope brought about by wriggling toes! Incredible!

  • liz and dale whitney

    Three toes and in Seattle — oh, amen! And yes, we can pray through a fever. Steve's fighting on so many levels. What faith and trust you are all demonstrating…

  • Dale and Annie Roth

    AWESOME! I've never been so excited to hear about wiggling toes! :)
    We continue to pray for a miracle of healing for Steve and strength and rest for you all. Welcome home to Seattle!

  • Jenny

    GREAT news!! Praying the rest start to wiggle soon too! all our love David, Jenny, Callum and Erin McKechnie

  • Barb

    Have we ever been as excited and thank ful over three toes!! Can picture all the damp eyed smiles around the globe. Thank you Lord.