The outpouring of love, food, prayers, cards, and messages has been overwhelming. Thank you so much. Neal continues not to be in any pain but just very tired. He is up for visitors but please call first as his energy waivers throughout the day. Hospice is coming to our house Saturday morning to meet with Neal, I and the kids. Sometims all this seems so surreal.
I can trust that..The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2
On the jurney,
Trish
We have lifted each member of your family up in prayer each day and will continue to do so. We love all of you very much.
“Blessed are all who take refuge in Him”
– Dusty and Andrea Di Santo
Dear Neal and Trish,
In our teacher devotions today, we sang Matt Redman’s song, “10,000 Reasons.” I especially thought of you when we sang this verse:
“And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come,
Soon my soul will sing your praise unending
10,000 years and then forevermore.”
If you aren’t familiar with the song, please download and listen. It is soul nourishing. You are being covered in prayer from many in the Chicago area!!
Much love,
Sheri Morrison
Neal and Trish & family,
Marc and I are heartbroken over your news. Amazingly, God knew this would be your “news” from the beginning of time, and I have no doubt he knows your every need and will meet you where you are each and every step of this shattering journey.
Your family is incredible and I hate that you all have to go through so much pain. We will be one of the many lifting you up in prayer.
“God is my refuge and strength. An ever present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
Much love,
Marc and Kendra Painter
Dear Neal and Trish,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this challenging time. I feel very fortunate that I had the privilege to work with both you and Neal last December.
Peace to you,
Carol Dahlke
Accelerated Practice Concepts, Inc.
Our dear, dear friends. We love you all so very much. Continuing to stand in the gap for you as Neal prepares to stand in His presence. Thankful that you are able to savor these remaining moments. Neal, thanks for your encouraging role in portraying Paul’s words: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Jealous for what you are to gain – just make sure there is some left for the rest of us when we eventually catch up with you. Words escape us, except this one: Jesus.
‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”
Peace to you, our friend.
Dear Neal and Trish,
We are uplifting you and your whole family in prayer as you prepare for Neal’s homecoming with Jesus. What a bittersweet time. God is good with giving you this precious time together. You are an incredible couple whose lives honoring Christ and glorifying Him have inspired many including us! Neal will leave a legacy of a life lived full of Christ’s love for others. His crown is waiting:) All our love, Doug and Laurel Kennedy
Dear Trish, I am so sorry to here about the passing of Dr. Smith. He was such a huge part of our community and our family, he was instrumental in helping me fix my smile before my wedding in 2004 and I will never forget that. Our prayers go out to you and your family during this tough time!
I’m sorry about miss understanding the situation about Dr. Smith, I am glad that you all get this time to spend together. My family sends our prayers and thoughts to all of you, God Bless you guys!
Praying for the Smith family this morning. May God continue to be glorified. Praying that your family would be able to share special moments together.
Brent & the Taylor University Alumni Office
Trish,
We have been praying fervently for all of you since hearing about Neal coming home from the hospital. Kelly and I and the boys love you all so much. We cannot express both how hard this news is and yet how much we know God holds you all. I’m trusting that, like the psalmist wrote,
“God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in times of trouble.”
(Psalm 46:1)
Your cousin,
Matthew Erickson
Praying for the Smith family today.
Phil 1:3-6