I'm sorry for my delinquency. So much has happened since my last post. First, Nancy sold the truck for a really good price to Carmax. Paise God! Second, the kids are doing better. Other than my niece breaking her elbow a couple of weeks ago, it has been for the most part uneventful. Please pray that they would be able to work through their grief.
Kelly-Jane and I were able a couple of weekends ago to spend some time with them and it was really good. We'll see them again this weekend as we celebrate Swiss National Day (August 1st)!
The most exciting thing is the great idea that the pastor's wife at their church came up with. On August 6th, my MUCH OLDER sister celebrates her 40th birthday. Anyway, the ladies at the church came up with a fabulous idea. They had a suprise gathering at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond where they unveiled their plan. They organized 40 ladies at the church to give her 40 gifts over a few weeks! So each day, she is surprised by gifts! Great idea isn't it! Praise God for their church and the support! It is a hard milestone to celebrate without Brian.
Pray for some more upcoming things. Please pray for their grief counseling and the heartwrenching chore of going through Brian's stuff that will be upcoming. Thanks for your prayers!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Thursday,June 11th update
Thanks for the prayers. The family is doing well, praise the Lord! The summer can be hard because there is less of a schedule and certainly there are still moments but overall the Halls are doing well. The Lord has provided for them to have a pass to a nearby State Park, which is great for the kids. They are also getting away to the beach in July due to someone kindly lending their condo!
But please pray for them as Father's day approaches and Nancy's 40th birthday approaches. It is hard to celebrate milemarkers without your true love and dad.
Please pray also for their truck to be sold. It is hard for Nancy as this was Brian's baby. It is a 2003 Ford F150 with an extended cab, 4 wheel drive, and some other nice options. It has 72k miles and is in great shape. Pray that God would bring the right person to buy it.
Please also thank the Lord for the kindness of his people in attending to the Halls. It is a great thing to be ministered to by the family of God and while it cannot take away the pain of losing a loved one, it sure helps the grieving process!
Thank you!
But please pray for them as Father's day approaches and Nancy's 40th birthday approaches. It is hard to celebrate milemarkers without your true love and dad.
Please pray also for their truck to be sold. It is hard for Nancy as this was Brian's baby. It is a 2003 Ford F150 with an extended cab, 4 wheel drive, and some other nice options. It has 72k miles and is in great shape. Pray that God would bring the right person to buy it.
Please also thank the Lord for the kindness of his people in attending to the Halls. It is a great thing to be ministered to by the family of God and while it cannot take away the pain of losing a loved one, it sure helps the grieving process!
Thank you!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Thursday, May 28th update
Dear Firends,
I'm not so good at keeping updates on this blog. Please forgive me!
Good news and Praise to God for working out the insurance situation for the kids. They were finally approved and this will dramtically help my sister, should they need to go to the doctor or hospital for any reason. What a load off of her back!
Nancy is doing well and we are presently praying about a positive development that could help her financially. I do not want to be too specific but please pray that God will grant her favor in the eyes of the ones making the decision!
She meets with some more financial people and deciding what to do with the finances she currently has from life insurance. Please pray for wisdom in sorting through the different advice as she makes some of these decisions in the following weeks. It is tough to think about it as this is the money that will help them to make it these next years as well as the funds that will help her down the road later on. Pray also for her to be able to find a low cost life insurance for herself also as she seeks to provide for the kids if anything happens to her.
The kids are still struggling, please pray for them. They have another meeting with the counselor today so pray that it would go well. They have some trouble wanting to communicate with her so it is hard to make much progress in helping them work through their grief and concerns. Unfortunately, when that occurs, it can be hard as that comes across in their behavior at times. Pray for wisdom for Nancy how to both discipline them but also love them through this tough time!
Praise for their church that continues to come beside them and really help and provide in many ways! It's a marathon, like I've mentioned to you before, so pray for them also!
Thank you so much!
I'm not so good at keeping updates on this blog. Please forgive me!
Good news and Praise to God for working out the insurance situation for the kids. They were finally approved and this will dramtically help my sister, should they need to go to the doctor or hospital for any reason. What a load off of her back!
Nancy is doing well and we are presently praying about a positive development that could help her financially. I do not want to be too specific but please pray that God will grant her favor in the eyes of the ones making the decision!
She meets with some more financial people and deciding what to do with the finances she currently has from life insurance. Please pray for wisdom in sorting through the different advice as she makes some of these decisions in the following weeks. It is tough to think about it as this is the money that will help them to make it these next years as well as the funds that will help her down the road later on. Pray also for her to be able to find a low cost life insurance for herself also as she seeks to provide for the kids if anything happens to her.
The kids are still struggling, please pray for them. They have another meeting with the counselor today so pray that it would go well. They have some trouble wanting to communicate with her so it is hard to make much progress in helping them work through their grief and concerns. Unfortunately, when that occurs, it can be hard as that comes across in their behavior at times. Pray for wisdom for Nancy how to both discipline them but also love them through this tough time!
Praise for their church that continues to come beside them and really help and provide in many ways! It's a marathon, like I've mentioned to you before, so pray for them also!
Thank you so much!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Wednesday, May 20th
Greetings friends and prayer warriors! Sorry I haven't sent too many updates. I'll try to do 2-3 a week when I can.
God has been gracious to my sister. Praise God that she was able to refinance her mortgage at a much better interest rate, saving hundreds of dollars a month! It seems that the insurance issue with the kids has been sorted out but she is still waiting for official confirmation, so we are cautiously optimistic at this point. She has been getting some good advice from some sources and we are encouraged as her situation is looking better.
I spoke to her today and she was busy writing some thank you letters. It was a hard night last night for her but by thinking of all the graces given by the loving family of God, she was again reminded of His goodness through the church and it helped lift her countenance. It seems like ages ago that Brian was taken home to heaven but a simple comment in a conversation or a simple reminder can bring forth a lot of emotion and sadness in my dear sister. Please pray for her. As many know, the intial response is so encouraging but as time wears on, people forget and many things sink in.
Thank you for lifting up my sister, dear friends!
God has been gracious to my sister. Praise God that she was able to refinance her mortgage at a much better interest rate, saving hundreds of dollars a month! It seems that the insurance issue with the kids has been sorted out but she is still waiting for official confirmation, so we are cautiously optimistic at this point. She has been getting some good advice from some sources and we are encouraged as her situation is looking better.
I spoke to her today and she was busy writing some thank you letters. It was a hard night last night for her but by thinking of all the graces given by the loving family of God, she was again reminded of His goodness through the church and it helped lift her countenance. It seems like ages ago that Brian was taken home to heaven but a simple comment in a conversation or a simple reminder can bring forth a lot of emotion and sadness in my dear sister. Please pray for her. As many know, the intial response is so encouraging but as time wears on, people forget and many things sink in.
Thank you for lifting up my sister, dear friends!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Thursday, May 14th update
Dear Friends,
Your prayers are a blessing from God! Please continue to pray for my sister's sleep. She is just not consistently sleeping well and therefore very tired. Praise that the meeting with the financial planner went well. She has to think through some things but it was more hopeful.
The biggest concern today is that the kid's insurance did not go through correctly. For some reason, although Nancy followed the exact direction of the person she spoke with, it was rejected. She called back and the superviosr is goimg to examine it and Nancy should know more within a few days. Please pray that they would approve it.
Friday, Nancy meets with the mortgage representative. As I mentioned before, we are praying that she can lower the rate and get it more manageable. Please pray for clairty and the representative's helpfulness there.
Now, I do not just want to share the struggles but also testify that God's grace has also been so evident. Whether it is the men who show up every week to mow the law, the folks who are taking the boys to a professional soccer game this weekend, or the wonderful kindness of people dropping by or sending a gift certificate, we are awed by the love of God's people! God is truly looking after my sister and meeting all her needs, even exceeding them in many areas. Please praise him as you pray!
Your prayers are a blessing from God! Please continue to pray for my sister's sleep. She is just not consistently sleeping well and therefore very tired. Praise that the meeting with the financial planner went well. She has to think through some things but it was more hopeful.
The biggest concern today is that the kid's insurance did not go through correctly. For some reason, although Nancy followed the exact direction of the person she spoke with, it was rejected. She called back and the superviosr is goimg to examine it and Nancy should know more within a few days. Please pray that they would approve it.
Friday, Nancy meets with the mortgage representative. As I mentioned before, we are praying that she can lower the rate and get it more manageable. Please pray for clairty and the representative's helpfulness there.
Now, I do not just want to share the struggles but also testify that God's grace has also been so evident. Whether it is the men who show up every week to mow the law, the folks who are taking the boys to a professional soccer game this weekend, or the wonderful kindness of people dropping by or sending a gift certificate, we are awed by the love of God's people! God is truly looking after my sister and meeting all her needs, even exceeding them in many areas. Please praise him as you pray!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Monday, May 11th update
I hope you had a great weekend. It was both a good and hard weekend for my sister and her family. The last week was wonderful to have my aunt and uncle visiting. They were a great encouragement to the family! It was hard to see them leave early Sunday morning. The hard part of the weekend was of course celebrating Mother's day without Brian. Father's day will be much harder but it was so special to celebrate with Brian in the past years and it just wasn't the same without him. Please keep my sister in mind on her birthday, anniversary, and other holidays.
However, the boys were a great encouragement as they woke Nancy up a little early (5:58am) to bring her breakfast and their gifts. They were so excited and although Nancy had one less hour of sleep it was so sweet! My parents celebrated with Nancy in the evening and it was nice to be with family.
Please pray for good news as Nancy tries to refinance her mortgage on Friday. Pray that she can get a good rate and qualify. Also, tomorrow Nancy meets with a man from her church who is a financial planner. Please pray for great wisdom. Especially in these uncertain economic times, wisdom is necessary with the resources she has.
Thanks for your prayers. They are blessings from God and I know that God is blessing them as he works through the prayers of his people!
However, the boys were a great encouragement as they woke Nancy up a little early (5:58am) to bring her breakfast and their gifts. They were so excited and although Nancy had one less hour of sleep it was so sweet! My parents celebrated with Nancy in the evening and it was nice to be with family.
Please pray for good news as Nancy tries to refinance her mortgage on Friday. Pray that she can get a good rate and qualify. Also, tomorrow Nancy meets with a man from her church who is a financial planner. Please pray for great wisdom. Especially in these uncertain economic times, wisdom is necessary with the resources she has.
Thanks for your prayers. They are blessings from God and I know that God is blessing them as he works through the prayers of his people!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Thursday, May 7th update
Today, my sister and my parents are working on gathering paperwork. It is amazing what needs to be done in times like this. Nancy and our family are so thankful to the kind contributions of people who have given to the fund set up at Nancy's church. It has been so wonderful as these contributions have helped in some important ways.
Pray for Nancy as she meets with a financial counselor next week. Pray for wisdom to know what financial steps to take and finding a way to help the resources she currently has now to stretch over the years. She also asked for prayer for patience with the kids.
Thanks for your prayers!
Pray for Nancy as she meets with a financial counselor next week. Pray for wisdom to know what financial steps to take and finding a way to help the resources she currently has now to stretch over the years. She also asked for prayer for patience with the kids.
Thanks for your prayers!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Monday, May 4th update
Greetings everyone! Nancy and the kids had a good weekend, especially with the Swiss Chocolate high! It truly was encouraging for Nancy and the kids to see Nancy's Aunt & Uncle! We also really enjoyed being with them and I was able to hard a signficant talk with the boys about a few issues.
Please pray for the kid's insurance application to go through without any problems - it is a special program that should work well for them. Please also pray for Nancy as there are so many reminders around the house and some hard things coming up like selling Brian's truck, which he was so excited about.
Thanks for all your prayers and support!
Please pray for the kid's insurance application to go through without any problems - it is a special program that should work well for them. Please also pray for Nancy as there are so many reminders around the house and some hard things coming up like selling Brian's truck, which he was so excited about.
Thanks for all your prayers and support!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Saturday, May 2nd update
Hello folks! I am writing to you from the Hall family home. Nancy and the kids had a wonderful visit from her dear Aunt & Uncle from Switzerland. They are here for about a week and it is such a encouragement for Nancy. Plus, they came with Swiss Chocolate!!!
Thank you for all the cards. Altogether, Nancy has received well over 100 cards of sympathy and love! It is going to make a wonderful Scrapbook!
Please pray for the kids. Nancy is trying a few things with them which should help them but we need your prayers! Pray also for rest for my sister. She just isn't sleeping well, even with medicine.
It has been a little over 3 weeks but it seems so much longer. Pray that as each signficant day comes where something was celebrated, that Nancy will know the comfort of God as she misses Brian. Thanks friends!
Thank you for all the cards. Altogether, Nancy has received well over 100 cards of sympathy and love! It is going to make a wonderful Scrapbook!
Please pray for the kids. Nancy is trying a few things with them which should help them but we need your prayers! Pray also for rest for my sister. She just isn't sleeping well, even with medicine.
It has been a little over 3 weeks but it seems so much longer. Pray that as each signficant day comes where something was celebrated, that Nancy will know the comfort of God as she misses Brian. Thanks friends!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Wednesday, April 29th update
Greetings everyone! Please pray for Nancy's sleep. She has had a hard time sleeping especially these last few days and it is so hard to deal with everything without sleep.
This weekend will hopefully be an encouragement to her. Her Aunt and Uncle from Switzerland are flying in to spend about a week with Nancy and the kids. Also, her obnoxious brother (me) and his beautiful wife are also coming up for the weekend. It'll be a full house with visitors but hopefully Nancy will be able to be surrounded by loving family and the kids will have a fun time with family from Switzerland that they rarely see. Plus, there is the Swiss Chocolate!!!
Please also pray for some of the paperwork that needs to go through at the end of this month. Nancy and the kids insurance run out and pray that the new coverage has no kinks and there is a smooth transition for everyone! Further, there are so more issues to work out on some other things which we need God's wisdom and direction. Please pray for that. Thanks so much!
This weekend will hopefully be an encouragement to her. Her Aunt and Uncle from Switzerland are flying in to spend about a week with Nancy and the kids. Also, her obnoxious brother (me) and his beautiful wife are also coming up for the weekend. It'll be a full house with visitors but hopefully Nancy will be able to be surrounded by loving family and the kids will have a fun time with family from Switzerland that they rarely see. Plus, there is the Swiss Chocolate!!!
Please also pray for some of the paperwork that needs to go through at the end of this month. Nancy and the kids insurance run out and pray that the new coverage has no kinks and there is a smooth transition for everyone! Further, there are so more issues to work out on some other things which we need God's wisdom and direction. Please pray for that. Thanks so much!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Tuesday, April 28th Post
First of all, I am so sorry for not posting for a few days. I have been sicker than I had been in years and confined to bed. Don't worry, I do not think it was the Swine flu - although I have not craved pork for a few days...
The Hall Family had a good weekend. The boys, after not wanting to spend the night at the Cub scout outing, decided to spend the night after all and they had a great time. Christopher woke up when Alexander had to go to the bathroom and was a bit upset. However, one of the Cub Scout leaders stayed with him until he went to sleep. They truly have been so nice and wonderful and great with the boys!
Then, Sunday night the boys had a hard time and we emotional. We are thankful that they are expressing themselves more. Pray that they'd be interested in speaking more with a counselor as Friday they didn't want to say much and it was a largely wasted hour of counseling. But that is understandable at their age.
Nancy signed up for a low cost health insurance program and we have several family friends looking into mortgage options. Please pray that they'd find a better alternative for the Halls so Nancy wouldn't have to pay so much a month.
We're so thankful for those folks who have supported the Halls in so many ways. Please pray for financial wisdom for Nancy as she plans for the future and pray that God will provide for them to stay in the house and for their other needs. God is able!
The Hall Family had a good weekend. The boys, after not wanting to spend the night at the Cub scout outing, decided to spend the night after all and they had a great time. Christopher woke up when Alexander had to go to the bathroom and was a bit upset. However, one of the Cub Scout leaders stayed with him until he went to sleep. They truly have been so nice and wonderful and great with the boys!
Then, Sunday night the boys had a hard time and we emotional. We are thankful that they are expressing themselves more. Pray that they'd be interested in speaking more with a counselor as Friday they didn't want to say much and it was a largely wasted hour of counseling. But that is understandable at their age.
Nancy signed up for a low cost health insurance program and we have several family friends looking into mortgage options. Please pray that they'd find a better alternative for the Halls so Nancy wouldn't have to pay so much a month.
We're so thankful for those folks who have supported the Halls in so many ways. Please pray for financial wisdom for Nancy as she plans for the future and pray that God will provide for them to stay in the house and for their other needs. God is able!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Thursday, April 23rd update
Sorry, I have been sick today so the update is rather late.
Nancy is moving ahead on a number of things. We are thankful for the kind wise counsel that has been given to her. Please pray for the Boys. They had a conversation last night with Nancy where they asked some tough questions about why Andrew Charles (my nephew who died two weeks before he was to be born about 3 1/2 years ago) died and then why dad died. These are tough conversations but we're also thankful that they are beginning to happen as the boys grieve the loss of their father. The boys are also scheduled to go on a Cub Scout outing this weekend and they are struggling with it because they do not have their father with them and they will have to be in a tent without an adult (although the other men have committed to carefully look after them). That's hard for them as you could imagine. Pray also for a second appointment with the counselor tomorrow. It was two weeks ago today that Brian went to be with the Lord. It is hard to imagine as it seems like so long ago now. Thank you for your prayers!
Nancy is moving ahead on a number of things. We are thankful for the kind wise counsel that has been given to her. Please pray for the Boys. They had a conversation last night with Nancy where they asked some tough questions about why Andrew Charles (my nephew who died two weeks before he was to be born about 3 1/2 years ago) died and then why dad died. These are tough conversations but we're also thankful that they are beginning to happen as the boys grieve the loss of their father. The boys are also scheduled to go on a Cub Scout outing this weekend and they are struggling with it because they do not have their father with them and they will have to be in a tent without an adult (although the other men have committed to carefully look after them). That's hard for them as you could imagine. Pray also for a second appointment with the counselor tomorrow. It was two weeks ago today that Brian went to be with the Lord. It is hard to imagine as it seems like so long ago now. Thank you for your prayers!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Wednesday, April 22nd update
Greetings in the name of the Lord!
Praise God for his continued provision! I heard a report on the amount of support from the fund at Nancy's church and it is humbling to see the generosity of a number of folks out there! We are so thankful for your sacrificial gifts of love to the Halls! There are some bills relating to Brian's services that this will take a big chunk out of, so thank you so much!
Nancy has been buoyed these last few days by wonderful friends visiting and good news about God's financial provision for the future. We still have some decisions to work out and some avenues to try to lower costs for the family but we are so encouraged. Please pray for family members who are really grieving. It was such a big blow to many and they are really struggling!
If the Lord lays on your heart a desire to help the Hall financially, the following is the best way and will allow your gifts to be tax deductible. But please follow these directions carefully for it to qualify:
Make the gift payable to: Spring Run Presbyterian Church and designate in the memo: “memorial fund”. Please ONLY put "MEMORIAL FUND" in the memo. If you have any questions please e-mail me at sjeanrenaud@rts.edu
Spring Run Presbyterian Church
6500 Harbour View Court, Suite 202
Midlothian, VA 23112
Praise God for his continued provision! I heard a report on the amount of support from the fund at Nancy's church and it is humbling to see the generosity of a number of folks out there! We are so thankful for your sacrificial gifts of love to the Halls! There are some bills relating to Brian's services that this will take a big chunk out of, so thank you so much!
Nancy has been buoyed these last few days by wonderful friends visiting and good news about God's financial provision for the future. We still have some decisions to work out and some avenues to try to lower costs for the family but we are so encouraged. Please pray for family members who are really grieving. It was such a big blow to many and they are really struggling!
If the Lord lays on your heart a desire to help the Hall financially, the following is the best way and will allow your gifts to be tax deductible. But please follow these directions carefully for it to qualify:
Make the gift payable to: Spring Run Presbyterian Church and designate in the memo: “memorial fund”. Please ONLY put "MEMORIAL FUND" in the memo. If you have any questions please e-mail me at sjeanrenaud@rts.edu
Spring Run Presbyterian Church
6500 Harbour View Court, Suite 202
Midlothian, VA 23112
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Tuesday, April 21st update
I spoke to Nancy and she is encouraged today. God has been so gracious! I cannot fully go into it but he is providing for her in some wonderful way! It brought me to tears praising the Lord earlier today!
However, please pray for some hard things to deal with. It is still difficult for the kids to deal with their loss and it will probably be difficult for a long time. Pray as Nancy seeks wisdom in encouraging and leading them during this time.
Please pray for a few things we are still waiting to work out. Please pray for wisdom on the insurance issues as time is running down. Also, please pray for wisdom on the Mortgage issue. They are seeking ways to bring the mortgage costs lower. Pray for wisdom and the right opportunity to be able to lower those costs.
Thanks again for your prayers! God is hearing them!
"The prayer of a righteous man availeth much" - James 5:16
However, please pray for some hard things to deal with. It is still difficult for the kids to deal with their loss and it will probably be difficult for a long time. Pray as Nancy seeks wisdom in encouraging and leading them during this time.
Please pray for a few things we are still waiting to work out. Please pray for wisdom on the insurance issues as time is running down. Also, please pray for wisdom on the Mortgage issue. They are seeking ways to bring the mortgage costs lower. Pray for wisdom and the right opportunity to be able to lower those costs.
Thanks again for your prayers! God is hearing them!
"The prayer of a righteous man availeth much" - James 5:16
Monday, April 20, 2009
Monday, April 20th update
It was a very busy weekend for Nancy. A member from their church was so kind to come and mow the lawn and help hang some ferns. It is amazing how encouraging those simple things can be! It has been amazing to see how folks have been so generous in these last days. One woman from their church offered to make quilts out of some of Brian's shirts for each child. How wonderful that is! I think it means so much to Nancy and the family for folks to think about ways to memorialize Brian!
Last night Nancy had some women from her church Bible study come over. They were so kind and encouraging but it is nonetheless hard as Nancy was part of the group as a married woman and is now a widow. She did manage to get a good night sleep last night but please pray that she can sleep more. It is hard enough to deal with this but to deal with it without sleep is so much harder. Again, as I mentioned before, the nights are the hardest.
Please pray for wisdom and direction as Nancy works through trying to see if she can refinance her mortgage or find a way to lower her monthly costs. It is hard to think about these big issues when she has no income right now. The main thing we want to try to do is keep Nancy in the house at least for the short term. Pray for my parents and other advisors who are trying to help Nancy and the family figure out how to deal with all the financial situations.
My mother told me an encouraging thing about Nancy on Saturday. She told me that she saw a great strength in my sister and that she is really encouraged to see how she is doing. I'm sure a large part of that reason is the faithful prayers of his people, like you!
Last night Nancy had some women from her church Bible study come over. They were so kind and encouraging but it is nonetheless hard as Nancy was part of the group as a married woman and is now a widow. She did manage to get a good night sleep last night but please pray that she can sleep more. It is hard enough to deal with this but to deal with it without sleep is so much harder. Again, as I mentioned before, the nights are the hardest.
Please pray for wisdom and direction as Nancy works through trying to see if she can refinance her mortgage or find a way to lower her monthly costs. It is hard to think about these big issues when she has no income right now. The main thing we want to try to do is keep Nancy in the house at least for the short term. Pray for my parents and other advisors who are trying to help Nancy and the family figure out how to deal with all the financial situations.
My mother told me an encouraging thing about Nancy on Saturday. She told me that she saw a great strength in my sister and that she is really encouraged to see how she is doing. I'm sure a large part of that reason is the faithful prayers of his people, like you!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Saturday April 18th update
I cannot promise that I'll be able to blog so often but I'll try to do it as often as I can. I know Nancy needs your prayers so much and if we really believe in the power of prayer, we know that mountains can be moved!
Nancy had a hard time last night with getting Alicia (2) to bed. She told me about a sweet thing that Alexander (9) did. He first came into the room and told Alicia that Mom is going through a hard time and that she needed to be quiet. However, as you can imagine, it didn't work. So Nancy told Alexander to go to bed. But he responed that he was going to stay there with his mom until Alicia went to sleep. He then helped get Alicia to sleep by telling her stories and sitting with his mother. That really warmed Nancy's heart.
This morning was especially hard for Nancy. As she was making oatmeal, she broke down crying as she remembered how much Brian loved oatmeal. It is often those little things that get you the most. Please pray for her as it seems that the reality of Brian's passing onto his everlasting life is really hitting home. I think our whole family is struggling this day. So much to do, such a drastic change for all of us, so many things we miss about Brian.
Thank you for your prayers!
Nancy had a hard time last night with getting Alicia (2) to bed. She told me about a sweet thing that Alexander (9) did. He first came into the room and told Alicia that Mom is going through a hard time and that she needed to be quiet. However, as you can imagine, it didn't work. So Nancy told Alexander to go to bed. But he responed that he was going to stay there with his mom until Alicia went to sleep. He then helped get Alicia to sleep by telling her stories and sitting with his mother. That really warmed Nancy's heart.
This morning was especially hard for Nancy. As she was making oatmeal, she broke down crying as she remembered how much Brian loved oatmeal. It is often those little things that get you the most. Please pray for her as it seems that the reality of Brian's passing onto his everlasting life is really hitting home. I think our whole family is struggling this day. So much to do, such a drastic change for all of us, so many things we miss about Brian.
Thank you for your prayers!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Friday, april 17th evening update
Friends,
I am not sure if you will read every blog entry but I wanted to update you on today's happenings. The session with the counselor went well. She was apparently great with the kids and used play therapy to help meet them where they are. Alexander, who has expressed the least in all of this, really liked her so we are encouraged!
Please pray for Nancy tonight. She went to take out the dog and Alicia (2) said "I think I hear daddy." Those kinds of things are so hard! Imagine the constant reminders of your spouse in your house already and add the thigns kids say when they don't understand. Tough times but thankful we have a great God who is up to the task! Thank you for the prayers!
"The prayer of a righteous man availeth much" - James 5:16
I am not sure if you will read every blog entry but I wanted to update you on today's happenings. The session with the counselor went well. She was apparently great with the kids and used play therapy to help meet them where they are. Alexander, who has expressed the least in all of this, really liked her so we are encouraged!
Please pray for Nancy tonight. She went to take out the dog and Alicia (2) said "I think I hear daddy." Those kinds of things are so hard! Imagine the constant reminders of your spouse in your house already and add the thigns kids say when they don't understand. Tough times but thankful we have a great God who is up to the task! Thank you for the prayers!
"The prayer of a righteous man availeth much" - James 5:16
If you'd like to help the Halls Financially - It can be tax deductible!
If you'd like to help the Halls financially, your assistance can be TAX DEDUCTIBLE. However, to have it tax deductible you must make your check out this way. Make the gift payable to: Spring Run Presbyterian Church and designate in the memo: “memorial fund”. Please ONLY put "MEMORIAL FUND" in the memo. Nancy is the only benificiary of the fund but tax deductible donations cannot be given to a particular person. If you have more questions on this or need a better explanation, e-mail me at sjeanrenaud@rts.edu
Spring Run Presbyterian Church
6500 Harbour View Court, Suite 202
Midlothian, VA 23112
Thank you for your help!
Spring Run Presbyterian Church
6500 Harbour View Court, Suite 202
Midlothian, VA 23112
Thank you for your help!
Friday, April 17th update
Please pray for Nancy and the family in several ways today. She heard several voicemails from Brian on her cell that were previously recorded and it was hard for her. (If anyone has a digital recorder, I think she would like to record them) Also, today is the first day she does not have someone spending the night. At night it is often the hardest. When the kids are in bed the loneliness is the most evident. Please pray that she can sleep well and that the Lord will give her a great sense of his presence!
Further, Nancy and the boys have their first meeting with a counselor. Insurance doesn't cover any of the cost but the counselor comes highly recommended so we think it will be worth it. Pray that this will be the first step in helping the boys express their grief. They are still acting out a bit so pray for patience for Nancy.
Thank you friends!
"The prayer of a righteous man availeth much" - James 5:16
Further, Nancy and the boys have their first meeting with a counselor. Insurance doesn't cover any of the cost but the counselor comes highly recommended so we think it will be worth it. Pray that this will be the first step in helping the boys express their grief. They are still acting out a bit so pray for patience for Nancy.
Thank you friends!
"The prayer of a righteous man availeth much" - James 5:16
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Thursday, April 16th Prayer Request
I continue to hear encouraging reports of the wonderful kindess expressed to Nancy and the family is so thankful to the loving community around them. This means so much!
Please pray today for wisdom in selecting an affordable insurance for the family. Brian's insurance runs out at the end of the month and Cobra is extremely expensive. Pray for wisdom in this. There are a lot of other decisions that Nancy has to make and it is a little overwhelming.
Praise that the boys are doing better and respecting mom a bit more. But please pray for their school counselor and that we can find someone to help them work through the grief.
"The prayer of a righteous man availeth much" - James 5:16
Please pray today for wisdom in selecting an affordable insurance for the family. Brian's insurance runs out at the end of the month and Cobra is extremely expensive. Pray for wisdom in this. There are a lot of other decisions that Nancy has to make and it is a little overwhelming.
Praise that the boys are doing better and respecting mom a bit more. But please pray for their school counselor and that we can find someone to help them work through the grief.
"The prayer of a righteous man availeth much" - James 5:16
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Wednesday April 15th prayer request
Please pray for Alexander and Christopher. They have been acting out more than usual and have been hard for my sister to deal with. Pray that the Lord can provide a way that they can express their grief in way that doesn"t make it harder on Nancy. Thank you!
Areas of Help needed
Spring Run PCA has organized the help in these areas so far:
1. House Cleaning
2. Women to go and be with Nancy
3. Yard workers and handymen
4. Childcare
5. Grocery shoppers, errands, chauffeurs for Kids’ activities, appointments, etc.
6. Meals
Please contact the office at Spring Run if you'd like to help in one of these committees
804.608.8233
office@springrunpc.org
1. House Cleaning
2. Women to go and be with Nancy
3. Yard workers and handymen
4. Childcare
5. Grocery shoppers, errands, chauffeurs for Kids’ activities, appointments, etc.
6. Meals
Please contact the office at Spring Run if you'd like to help in one of these committees
804.608.8233
office@springrunpc.org
How to help the Halls
To help the halls, the best contacts are - Remember it is a Marathon!
1. Spring Run Presbyterian Church
6500 Harbour View Court Suite 202
Midlothian, VA 23112
804-608-8233
office@springrunpc.org
2. Nancy's parents - Guy & Dodie Jeanrenaud
804-562-6752
guydod@msn.com
1. Spring Run Presbyterian Church
6500 Harbour View Court Suite 202
Midlothian, VA 23112
804-608-8233
office@springrunpc.org
2. Nancy's parents - Guy & Dodie Jeanrenaud
804-562-6752
guydod@msn.com
Introduction to the Goals of this Blog
As I mentioned in my Memorial message, we need to look at the care of the Hall Family as a Marathon. With three young children - Alexander (9), Christopher (7), and Alicia (2), it is going to be a long road for Nancy and the family. So many have expressed a desire to help support the family and so I decided to start this blog to help you be able to help meet any needs that the Halls may have. I plan on providing links and updates on all the needs they they may have. Thank you for your help!
In His Grasp,
Stephane (Nancy's brother) - sjeanrenaud@rts.edu
In His Grasp,
Stephane (Nancy's brother) - sjeanrenaud@rts.edu
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