Friday, September 03, 2004

Please Pray!

Luke had a few seizures this morning, this is not good news. They had to give him some medicine to stop him from having more and unfortunately, the medication will sedate him.

The plans to remove the ventilator have been postponed for the time being. The plans now are to perform another EEG to better understand the cause of the seizures. The seizures can be caused by either an infection or damage to Luke's brain. The prayer request would be that it is infection based as this can be treated as compared to brain damage.

I must admit that being here in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit is gut wrenching. Luke is one of several kids. Emily is a 2 week old little girl that had to have heart surgery. Another family lost their child last night. Please remember these people also when you pray for Luke.

One final prayer request, We (Luke's Mom and I) are doing pretty good, we are getting a few hours of sleep each night, that said, we could really use a touch from God to lift our spirits, especially in light of this bad news of seizures. Thank You all for praying and I dont know how I will every be able to tell each of you how much I appreciate and love you.

Just in case you didnt know, I am not just Luke's Dad, I am
Daniel's, Amy's, Natalie's, Isaiah's, Ezekiel's and Luke's Dad


26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Searles Family,
We are spreading the word about this update and are gathering our emergency prayer warriors. I know this is so hard for all of you, but I feel certain that the Lord is still working in Luke for a complete recovery. May He hold you in His loving arms and ease your fears. We love you all so much and are there with you in our hearts.
Uncle Joe & Auntie Rena

Anonymous said...

Shake it off, Luke! Continue to fight! Come home to your family! They and we are all praying for you!

Anonymous said...

Dear Gordie,Sue & Family: Here is some promises from God's word:

"You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." II Chron. 20:17

"Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's. II Chron 20:15

..."nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon you" II Chron 20:12

With Love in Christ
Rose Hurtado Perea
Denver, Colorado

Anonymous said...

Please know that Luke and your entire family are in our prayers.

Heavenly Father, we lift up this child, Luke, to You, asking that You would bring about a complete restoration of his health. Father, we ask that You use this time while he is sedated to repair his body and preserve and protect his brain function. Lord, we ask that You would prevent further seizures and strengthen this little one in order that he will be able to resume his role in his family and live out a normal lifespan with full cognitive and physical function. Lord, please provide the medical team with the knowledge, skills, and abilities that they will need to meet the changing needs that Luke will have as his healing process continues, and help them to perform whatever care-related procedures are necessary with deft precision.

Father, for Luke's family, we ask that You would strengthen, comfort, and encourage them, and that You would not allow them to be overcome with guilt and grief over this tragic accident. Help their older children, Daniel, Amy, Natalie, Isaiah, and Ezekiel, to feel their parent's love despite the time that their parent's are spending at the hospital with Luke, and provide them with loving support from other extended family members and friends. We also ask that You would also keep the stress from this ordeal from having an unfavorable impact on Luke's mom's health and on their unborn baby. Lord we ask that You would give the whole family the additional energy and other resources that they will need as they navigate through this trying time in all of their lives, and fill them with Your holy peace. In Jesus' name, amen.

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to let you know I am praying and passing on the prayer request, Thank you for taking the time to let us know how Luke is doing through this blog. I love you all! Leslie Davis

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to encourage you all today. My oldest son was a premie (is now 18) and spent 2 months in the Mary Bridge NICU. During that time there were numerous ups and downs. It seemed sometimes as though it were a roller coaster ride so many ups and downs in one day.

Each set back is an opportunity for God's people to pray and each victory an opportunity for praise. We are all still here praying...it seems you have coverage 24 hours a day because of the worldwide prayer on your family's behalf...and God is never absent.

I am praying that God will multiply your rest and that after each short rest time your bodies will be powerfully renewed. I pray God's supernatural power will cover you as you wait...I know the long days of being in a hospital waiting and yet not ever wanting to leave a sweet baby's side.

Please pass along to your other children that we pray for them, too. Brothers and Sisters are such a blessing...first friends and always friends...the best kind of friends so I know that they must be lonely without their brother. Can't wait to see him go home!
Kim from Spanaway

Anonymous said...

To Gordy and Sue and all of us:
Courage to you from His strong heart!
Peace to you from the One who calmed the storm!
Grace to you from the Savior who bore our griefs and carried our sorrows.
Hope to you from the God of all hope!
Peace that passes all understanding to you from the Prince of Peace!
Yes, even Joy to you from the One who is a "man of sorrows and acquainted with grief", yet also "anointed with the oil of gladness more than his companions"!

And life, healing and restoration to my little Lukers from the Creator, in Jesus' Name!

Leon said...

Come on Luke you can do it! Your daddy and mommy and the rest want to play with you some more.

Luke's Dad, this is a hard time that we cannot imagine in any form. Your willingness to keep us all informed is much appreciated. Hang in there.

Craig Hotchkiss and family said...

Gordon and Sue, sometimes a song can lift my spirits and this morning on the way in to work I was listening to Brenton Brown sing Hallelujah:

"Your love is amazing, steady and unchanging,
Your love is a mountain, firm beneath my feet.
Your love is a mystery, how you gently lift me,
when I am surrounded, Your love carries me.
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, Your love makes me sing, and
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, Your love makes me sing. "

It's also uplifting for me to see all these strangers coming together through prayer, kind-giving thoughts, and this blog not only for Luke but you guys too. Think of the folks here who have figured out how to comment on the blog as only the tip of the iceberg that you can see above the waterline! All the different religious and non-religious perspectives from non-believers and believers alike coming together in support and love and it's only the beginning!

And if it will help each of you please do let these other families know that they and their babies are on this prayer chain too. Teacher Gordon: Sharing this communication medium with them may be very healing and a big help.

Praying for Luke's needs and your uplifted spirits,
-CraigH in Kent, WA

Anonymous said...

Dear Precious Ones,

Please be encouraged and rest in him...He has told us..."I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears, behold I will heal thee"...His promises he keeps. "The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusted in Him and I am helped, therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth and with my song will I prise Him". We praise Him and thus he keeps his promises to us. Oh Lord God we cry out to you in this time of need. We ask in the name of Jesus to heal little Luke of all that is not right in his little body. Make him whole, return him to his family. Lord we ask you to continue to cradle him in your arms. Bring peace and comfort to his family, Lord, cover them with your light. Thank you Heavenly Father for all You are and all you bless us with...Amen and Amen

Love & prayers..........Grandma Barbara

Anonymous said...

Gordon...my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family...Keep fighting LUKE!
Mindy at REI

Anonymous said...

This morning I was rushing to the hospital excited thinking - I want to see his smiling face. Instead I go into the room to meet a crying father. Sue, my sister, was at the apartment they have let them stay in and didn’t know this yet. My heart was breaking and breaking but at the same time trusting my loving Lord. Last night writing Zephaniah 3:16 the part about “He will quiet you with His love.” is what I grabbed on to as they came in to work on my precious baby.
While Gordy was sending out the latest blog report, I was thinking the Lord knows all things and He knew what was going on. And I trust Him absolutely.
When everything is going well and things are looking up- to praise the Lord is easy. When things seem worst and things don’t go the way we want and we praise Him still - how much more glory He receives. Not that He is a mean Lord but having a free will is the freedom of good and bad. Going through bad times - the work it does in us builds our character. Bad things happen to everyone, it’s a part of life but how we respond brings life or death in us, will we stand strong or become bitter.
I know my Lord is good and the wondrous works that He does and I will trust Him absolutely with my precious baby life. My heart overflows with praise for all He has and will do, and will rejoice even more when I can dance with Luke in my arms.
Lots and lots of love, Auntie Cindy

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for being willing to take time for the people that are far away to post how Little Luke is doing. I am so sad that I saw a bad report when I came (many times) looking to see how Luke was doing. I know that even though if may look like bad news that Our God can do anything!!! We are still praying for you and your family! We have the faith to beleave that Luke will be healed and restored to full health! Thanks you so much for sharing how you need prayer! We are here praying for sweet little Luke in NC! Blessings, Julie

Anonymous said...

Dear Familey
Todd, Natasha and I are thinking of you all and hoping Luke get's better Lots of LOVE To You

Rhiannon (Searles), Todd & Natasha Bunce

Anonymous said...

Psalm 103: 1-5..............
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities: who healeth all thy diseases:
Who redeemeth thy lifefrom destructions: who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies:
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that they youth is renewed like the eagle's...
I am praying for all of you. Thank you for caring for all of us by keeping us informed of all that is going on in your lives.....You are surely blessed.

Anonymous said...

Luke and family,
I am praying for you all and that our Wonderful Lord will restore Luke's body back to being whole and complete. We know He is capable of miracles and we lift Luke up to Him as he struggles through these difficult days. I also lift up you, Luke's family, as you need strength and comfort. Please know that we are all in prayer for you.

In Our Precious Lord's Name,
Jennifer Hughes
Montgomery, AL

Anonymous said...

Hi Gordy and Sue and family,

God in His everlasting greatness gives us so much in His word to lean on!!! Psalm 3:3-4 "But you are a shield around me, O Lord; You bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the Lord I cry aloud, and He answers me from His holy hill." (NIV) Wow! He is hearing our every prayer!

He is El Shaddai-God Almighty. Psalm 91:1-4 "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust." Surely He will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge: His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

We are lifting up all the kids and you and Sue. We have called on churches in Houston, Oklahoma City, DesMoines, Little Rock and right here at home who are joining together on Luke's behalf.

Much Love,
Tom, Kim, Kyle and Lucas

Anonymous said...

Words to comfort you....
"I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out the the miry clay and set my foot upon a rock and established my goings.
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it and fear and shall trust in the Lord".
Psalm 40:1-3

Gordy & Family...

By your faith, many are seeing and trusting today, who may not have done so yesterday.

Thank you

Anonymous said...

We have been praying for Luke day and night. Don’t forget we are not just friends but neighbors. If there is ANYTHING you need please call 7 x 24.
Tom and Jo Heany

Anonymous said...

To the Searles Family:

The Lord Is My Shephard, I Shall Not Want. He Maketh Me To Lie Down In Green Pastures, He Leadeth Me Beside Still Waters, He Restoreth My Soul, He Leadeth Me In The Path Of Righteousness For His Name's Sake. Yea Thou I Walk Through The Valley Of The Shallow Of Death, I Will Fear No Evil For Thou Art With Me. Thy Rod And Thy Staff They Comfort Me. Thou Preparest A Table Before Me In The Presence Of My Enemy. Thou Anointeth My Head With Oil, My Cup Runneth Over. Surely Goodness And Mercy Shall Follow Me All The Days Of My Life And I Shall Dwell In The House Of The Lord FOREVER!

George & Belinda
PS: You are in our prayers daily.

Anonymous said...

Dear Family of God -

There is no way that you can know how many people are praying for you and your loved one. I am from California and a girlfriend of mine sent me a link to your story. I have no way of knowing you or your family, but we also have a 2 1/2 year old son and my Mom has a pool in her backyard, many times I have worried the same would happen to our Zion. I will be praying for your Luke and your family for the next week. I just wanted to encourage you that your story has reached beyond your circle of known friends and reached into the family of God.

I pray for a miracle for Luke, strength and courage for him to fight. I also pray for your family - strength, wisdom, encouragement and for the Holy Spirit to minister to you in your time of need.

Sandy Diggs
California

Anonymous said...

Gordan & Family,

I have been fasting and in prayer all morning and now into the afternoon. I cannot stay away from here, I stop whatever I am doing at least 3 times an hour since 5:30 a.m. and check on things. It is so encouraging to come and bask in His glory and all he is doing and share in the words of those who love you and Him. In my time with the Lord just a few minutes ago, He took me to this passage...it brought me great comfort and I know it will you also....

Psalm 57:1-2
Be merciful unto me, o God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge until these calamaties be overpast.
I will cry unto God most high: unto God that performeth all things for me.

How I long to see Luke and his sparkling face, watch him bury his head under your chin and show his precious smile, even hear him cry would be a blessing indeed. I will continue to lift all of you up and know God is doing his work in and around Luke. Be at peace and know we are all here to supply you all with anything you would need or want. I am proud of the fact your kids (especially Daniel, Amy and Natalie) call me Grandma...Thank you

Grandma Barbara

Jenni said...

No matter what the cause of the seizures, remember God is the God who does what no doctor can do. We are still believing with you for complete restoration. Keep believing Him, by His stripes Luke was healed.

Bless you, Jenni

Anonymous said...

Gordy & Sue,

The faithfulness of the Lord is what will continue to sustain us. He is the God who finishes what He started. When He rebuked death over Luke's life, that was the beginning of the restoration. The word that comes again and again is "stand back and see the salvation of the Lord," And again, " is anything too hard for the Lord?" We know the answer to that question. It is amazing to see the mighty army of prayer warriors that have been raised up on Luke's behalf. If one can put a thousand to flight and two can put 10,000 to flight, what about hundreds? God is victorious, and because of that so are you and precious little Luke. Satan had no idea what he was going to bring about by trying to "rob and kill and destroy." I know we will see the day when Luke stands forth to give testimony of what God has done in his life. I think of Moses and the mighty man of God that he became. He, too, had a sentence of death over his life..but God....
Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget none of His benefits.

love
Barb Jacobs

Anonymous said...

There are lots of people praying for Luke here in Charlotte N.C. We are passing the word around to other church families here. Standing with you in prayer. O taste and see that the Lord is good! Susie and Steve and sister Kath

Anonymous said...

I am praying for you and your family. I am friends with the Elliott's. Lisa and Tom told me what had happened. I am keeping you and your family in our prayers. It sounds like Luke is a big fighter. God Bless!