Date Items for Praise and Prayer:
5/1/08

Lord, we plead for your help. Alumnus Kevin La Fleur ('98) an experienced hiker, went up Mt Baker in Washington state on Saturday, April 26. He has not returned as expected. Searchers, including family, have been in the area. Family and friends are "praying that he’s hunkered down some place, weathering out the conditions" which have not been favorable. Watch over him Lord and keep him safe, we pray.

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/102/story/396846.html
4/29/08 We thank you Lord, for the successful removal of an adrenal tumor from Tom Snyder, father of students Matt and Laura. We ask for no spread of this cancer that has great perseverance. We ask for wisdom for the doctors in deciding treatment.
4/22/08 Lord, student Christy Brogren (Junior) has been readmitted to Butterworth hospital due to recurring complications (partial paralysis, inability to open her eyes, etc.). She may face another lengthy stay at Mary Free Bed for rehabilitation. It is unlikely that she will be able to finish up her semester. Would you please hold her close in your love as she works toward regaining her health. Grant her endurance and peace that is beyond understanding.
4/21/08

God, we ask your healing presence on Ron Hermance, recently in Printing Services. Due to a car accident yesterday, he is hospitalized with a broken hip, leg, arm, punctured lung and a ruptured spleen. May he and his family experience the peace and healing that is yours. May each of us be reminded of the fragility of life and that our true comfort is knowing we belong to you.

4/16/08 We lift up for your healing Lord, Calvin Nursing senior Torian Veltkamp, who had emergency surgery for a ruptured appendix last Thursday. As of Tuesday, Torian remains in the hospital with slight progress. We are thankful her mother, from Washington state, has been able to be here with her. Please heal her so she may complete her academic requirements and graduate in May.
4/14/09

We give You praise and thanksgiving, Lord God Almighty for successful surgery of Tom Snyder, father of students Matt (senior), and Laura (freshman). The adrenal tumor was removed and Tom is recovering well. May your presence sustain them as they now await the pathology on the tumor and as Matt, and Laura catch up and complete this semester.
4/7/08 We lift up Tom Snyder, father of Calvin students Matt, Laura, and Jennifer, who will undergo surgery this Friday for adrenal cancer. We ask for miraculous healing and God's sustaining grace as well as for Matt, Laura, and Jennifer to have a strong finish to the academic year during this difficult time.
4/7/08

We grieve Lord with CAS professor Mark Fackler and his wife Ann over the death of Benjamin, their beloved son. He died suddenly on Friday, April 4. We do not understand, but know you are the Lord. May your presence be the balm of peace beyond understanding in their lives.

Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, April 8, 6:00-9:00pm, at the Zaagman Memorial Chapel , and Wednesday, April 9, 4:00-5:00pm at Church of the Servant . A memorial service will be held on Wednesday at 5:00pm at the church.. Memorial gifts may be sent to Words of Hope in Ben's name.


4/2/08 We give thanks, Lord for your healing hand on Ron Nydam, Calvin Seminary professor. Because he has responded unusually well to chemotherapy thus far, plans for bone marrow transplant in late May are not needed. He will continue with chemotherapy through the summer and then end treatment, "hopeful, so hopeful, that remission will "hold." ... and hopeful that the years ahead will be those of "complete remission." May you give them the desire of their hearts in Jesus' name.
4/2/08 We lift up to you, Lord, senior, Keziah Samuel who learned this morning that her mother in India passed away unexpectedly of heart failure. Keziah left this morning to begin her long journey home for the services. Grant her traveling mercies, and comfort for her grieving heart.
4/1/08 Lord, we are grateful with Ron and Sugar Nydam, the second round of chemo for Ron's leukemia has gone well and he has not required hospitalization. Give him strength and joy as they now look forward to their son Aaron's wedding on May 10, and then, come late May, hopefully a bone marrow transplant. Bless them with joy in your healing presence, we ask.
3/31/08 Lord, we continue to ask your protection and blessing on the students. Protect them from temptations that would pull them away from you. Give them perseverance to keep their focus on living well before you. And your peace to know they are deeply safe in you.
3/31/08


'Lord, Margaret Edgell, professor of Econ and Business, has learned her cancer has returned and we lift her up for your care. Bless her with your healing presence we pray. She and her husband John are disappointed but not surprised, because this is how ovarian cancer usually proceeds. Her plan is to delay chemotherapy to prolong life, which means that she will probably start chemo in early May and take it for a year or more. She says, " The entire cancer journey has been so full of God's love and grace that I can verify that He makes us light on our feet even on the steep paths. John and I are very thankful for prayers.... for the time ahead. Thank you for your prayers." Renew her, Lord.
3/25/08 We thank you, Lord, for your continued presence on Ron Nydam in his battle with leukemia. Please protect him from the hiccups that keep him from restorative sleep. Thank you that his blood counts have been fairly stable following this latest round of chemo. Ron and Sugar are already looking ahead to mid-April, when they make plans for the bone marrow transplant that will most likely take place at the end of May.
3/25/08 We continue, Father, to lift up the Snyder family and Tom Snyder (father of freshman Laura, senior Matt, and '06 grad Zac). He was recently diagnosed with Cushing's disease. A recent MRI reveals a large tumor on the right adrenal gland. The Snyder family asks for your sustaining grace through this unsettling time of waiting and for your clear guidance for surgery and treatment. Lord, you are more than able to turn their sorrow into joy. The family states they most desire your will ...for Your Glory.

3/25/08 Lord, The students are often stressed as they focus on the last weeks of the semester. Protect them, we pray, kep them safe and in health. We think of Julia, a junior, who was briefly hospitalized with headaches and migraine. And so mnay others who are struggling with health issues and stress. Grant them your peace and strength. We ask, knowing your love is life giving.
3/20/08 We thank God and ask God's continued care regarding Ron Nydam, Calvin Seminary professor, as Ron writes:

"It is time to say thanks once again for the web of support from so many great friends and supporters in this battle with leukemia. So far the reports are positive and encouraging. I am called "a good responder" to the effect of the chemo which is prognostically positive. Today is day #2 of Round #2 of chemo and all I have are hiccups! [next week is the crunch- we hope for minimal side effects.] Our prayers have been prayers of praise as things have gone so well.

But prayer is also about lament, about expressing sorrow and fear to God.. [Psalm 13: 2 " How long must i wrestle with my thoughts and have sorrow in my heart every day?"] i have some of both. With family around, with ours sons and their loves, my mom for a time, our grandchildren, elsie and jess, there has been more room in my heart for sadness and fear. Sadness that all this has come down on us, the losses that come with life turned upsidedown, and fear too of the transplant in May and looking to the future beyond it D.V.

So please be with us in lament as well as praise and you have captured our hearts... Your care has been overwhelming. Thank you deeply."
3/18/08 We ask your grace and mercy, Lord, on student Andrea Waldo, whose brother, died in a car accident on Monday, March 17.
Visitation: Thursday 2-4 , 6-8 ; Pederson Funeral Home, 127 North Monroe St., Rockford, MI 49341 (Tel. 616-866-1515). Funeral Service: 1:00 PM on Friday at Blythfield Baptist Church, 6727 Kuttshill Dr, Rockford, MI (Tel. 616-866-9597).
3/18/08

We ask Lord, for your peace, and mercy on Elizabeth Ross, a Calvin student currently studying in Thailand. Her father was diagnosed with cancer before she left for Thailand, but she has recently learned he has a more aggressive type of cancer than first thought. Uphold Elizabeth and heal her father, we pray.

3/18/08 Lord, We grieve with the Holst family, over Kim's death this morning. Hear and comfort them with your peace that surpasses all understanding.
Here are the words the family wrote this mornnig.

"Kim passed away this morning just before 6:00 AM. We are hurting here on earth but we know she is joyful in heaven. The last thing she wanted to do was to go swimming so we believe that she now swimming in heaven. We know that this was God's plan because so many things fell into place.

Please pray for us this week as we make all the arrangements. We are amazed at how many lives Kim has touched.

In Christ's love, Dianne, Jim, Chris & Nick"

Update
Visitation: Thursday, March 20, 5-8 PM; Friday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Matthysse-Kuiper-Degraff Funeral Home, 4145 Chicago DR., Grandville (Tel 616-534-8656).
Funeral Service: Saturday< March 22, 11:00 AM at Cottonwood Heights CRC, 1101 Cypress Dr., Jenison (Tel. 616-457-1010)
3/17/08 We ask you our Lord, to hear the request of Kim Holst, sophomore, and her family.
"It has been an emotional couple of days. Kim has decided not to do the donor cell therapy. The risks far outweighed the benefits. But we had to let her make her decision. We support any decision she decided to make. She has fought long enough and we feel that it is the right decision not to continue at this time. Kim has expressed her wish that she not die in the hospital so she will be coming home from the hospital. We are in the process of getting the equipment set up at home through hospice to make that happen. This will ensure that she will be comfortable at home for the little time she has left.

We know that she will be better off but the goodbyes here are hard. She understands what is happening and is fearful. That is to be expected. Please pray for peace for all of us that we made the right decision. Pray that we have the strength needed to get us through the time she has left. And pray that she will be comfortable, that she will be able to enjoy her time at home, and not fear what is going to happen.

Knowing that Christ is our ALL! Jim, Dianne, Kim, Chris & Nick
3/14/08

Dear Lord, Kim Holst, sophmore, has been not been doing very well this past week, a cruel irony while many of us have enjoyed a spring break elsewhere and Kim has struggled day and night in the hospital battling leukemia. We pray for patience for Kim and her family; for wisdom for the doctors and nurses that serve her; for absolute healing and relief from pain and that her body would respond to the new medications she is receiving. Please Lord, remember Kim and her family.
3/13/08 Lord, we rejoice with Ron and Sugar Nydam that Ron's biopsy showed the leukemia cells are gone and blood work was normal. They are thankful for your sustaining. Next week's round of chemo can now be outpatient. Hopes and plans for a bone marrow transplant in May continue. Lod, we ask your healing strength to remain on Ron.
3/12/08

We are reminded of God's faithfulness as he has extended traveling mercies to our students this past weekend.

We are especially thankful that seven Calvin students headed for California narrowly escaped serious injury when their van rolled over on I-80 in Nebraska on Saturday morning, March 8. The students had all been wearing seat belts and suffered only minor injuries. Read a news report about the accident.

The Calvin Orchestra is on a spring break tour to the northeastern U.S. A record-setting blizzard on Saturday forced the orchestra to make an unplanned stop in Grove City, PA to wait for better travel conditions. Visit the Music Department web site to find out how the rest of the week is going.

3/6/08 Lord, we rejoice with Ron and Sugar Nydam (Seminary Prof and Calvin nurse) in Ron's renewed strength, and even being able to take a long walk in the woods with the dog. Lord, how wonderful. We ask you Lord, to sustain your healing presence on him. Next week Ron will have another biopsy to determne if his leukemia is still in remission.Heal him we pray.
3/6/08

Lord, many in the Calvin community will be traveling to new and different places over the coming Spring Break. We ask Lord, for your protection over them, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Please keep them safe.

A prayer desired specifically by many parents is for their children to exercise 'responsible freedom' and obedience to Christ during this period. Hear their prayer

May each of us Lord, use this time to live well before you, seeking to bring glory to your name

3/6/08 Lord, we ask your healing presence to rest onTom Snyder (father of freshman Laura, senior Matt, and '06 grad Zac). He was recently diagnosed with Cushing's disease. We pray for accurate diagnosis in pinpointing the cause and for successful treatment.
3/5/08 Lord, we lift up student Kim Holst. She started the experimental drug for her leukemia last night. Her pain is being managed with the morphine pump, but fevers continue and her lung function is decreasing. Grant her your peace in the decisions she must make, and your sustaining loving presence to endure this long struggle.
3/5/08

Lord, We ask your gracious presence on student, Dena Recker, who endured a very traumatic experience this week at her off-campus apartment complex. We rejoice that Dena was not harmed, but pray God that you would surround her with your comfort and peace.
2/29/08 Please pray for student Karen Jackson, whose mother died recently. She asks especially that we pray for her father, that he will will find strength in the Lord and not feel too lonely.
2/29/08

We ask for prayers for Dr. Charles Adams (dean of the natural sciences and professor of engineering) and Dr. Pam Adams (professor of education) from Dordt College, our sister in Iowa. They both sustained serious brain injuries in an automobile accident on Sunday, February 17.

Dr. Pam Adams is making steady progress: they are working to wean her from the respirator, although it appears this may take some time. She opens her eyes and will smile from time to time before drifting back away. Though Dr. Charles Adams opens his eyes occasionally, he remains in a coma; his family asks for prayers that he will wake up, and they pray that both may make some progress toward recovery.
2/28/08 Lord, We ask for your gracious hand to lift up the students who are struggling to maintain a college life while living well before you. It is so hard. Enable them to have a healthy balance of study, work and recreation, remind them you are their God and they safely belong to you. Protect them from temptation. Grant them a willing spirit before you.
2/28/08 Lord, provide Kim Holst with an amazement of your patience as she continues to battle leukemia. Beause of her illness, she has had to withdraw from her classes at Calvin. In the last week, she has recieved both blood and platelets, and her counts are not improving. She is also experiencing fevers. Lord, enable the medical team to find out what is causing the fevers, so she might be relieved of them. Sustain her, Lord. Heal her.
2/28/08 Lord, Hannah Serfling, a senior, lost her father a couple of years ago, and now her mother has colon cancer, which has spread to her lymph nodes. Lord, hold Hannah, her mother and younger brother close. Comfort them with your love, and may your healing hand rest on Hannah's mother. Restore her, we pray.
2/267/08 Lord, we pray for comfort for Erica Deur, a Calvin student whose cousin died last Friday, February 22. Give her the peace of your presence near her.
2/20/08 We thank you, Lord, for the healing that has taken place in seminary professor Ron Nydam, regarding leukemia. Thank you that on the15th, tests showed the leukemia cells were gone, and that lately, his energy is returning. Please continue your healing and sustaining grace as he begins another round of chemo on March 12.
2/7/08 We ask you, our Father, to bless Kim Holst, a sophmore, with your healing presence. KIm was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in high school. All the chemo she received resulted in Leukemia. She received a transplant and was in remission
for just under a year. Three weeks ago, she learned the Leukemia is back. Since then, she received one round of chemo, has been hopsitalized for an infection, and is now at home recovering from the chemo and awaiting a long term plan.
2/6/08 Lord, Tuesday night our sister college, Union University in Tennessee, was devastated by a tornado. Dorms were devastated and damaged. Students were injured. By God’s providence, no lives were lost. May your peace and grace rest on all.
2/6/08 Lord, we ask your loving hand to heal Ron Nydam, a Calvin Seminary professor, who was diagnosed with acute leukemia. We pray you will restore him to to health quickly.
1/28/08 Lord, we ask for your presence to rest on our sister school, Cornerstone College. Today they mourn and bury one student while praying for the recovery of another. Both were in an auto accident last week. May your Spirit comfort and guide the campus, and friends and family.
1/22/08 Lord, we lift up student, Nate Jager, and his famiy for your lovingkindness and grace. Nate's brother Grant died, from a brain tumor on Sunday morning. Other relatives in the Calvin community include; students Julie Elenbaas and Tim Van Wingerden, staff members Ruth Elenbaas and Tom Van Wingerden. Grant them your peace and presence in their grief.
1/21/08 Lord, there are several student couples who lived att he apartment complex destroyed by fire last night.We thank you for their safety, but recognize they are homeless and without any possessions. Guide them and the others of the Indian Village apartments. Remind them of your presence as they sort out where and how to live in these new circumstances.
1/14/08 Lord, we are grieving. Karen Muyskens, an honored and loved professor of Chemistry died Saturday night of a bacterial infection. We ache with Mark, her husband and with whom she shared the position in Chemistry, as he reels from this sudden and unexpected loss. We share the hurt and bewilderment that Mark and Karen's three children are feeling. Yet we are comforted, as are Mark and the family, in the knowledge that their beloved Karen was a child of God's, who lived each day resting in the words of the Heidelberg catechism which affirms that we are not our own, but that we belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to our faithful Savior Jesus Christ who has fully paid for all our sins with His precious blood.
1/8/08 We rejoice and give you thanks, Lord, that Marla Bontriand's cousin Brandon, who was MIA in Iraq, was found safe. Thank you for your gracious hand over him.
1/8/08

Lord God Almighty, Creator, Redeemer, and Counslor,
We thank you, Lord, for your preserving power throughout 2007. We pray in this new year, 2008, your will is done. Help each one of us to seek your will above all, and grant us the strength and wisdom to carry out your love and plans.

Archives
pray - Philippians 4:6-7