Monday, March 23, 2009

Extra Prayer Please.

It is amazing to me how many people are following my Dad's blog. This website has made it even more apparent to me how lucky and blessed my family and I are to have Dad as our Dad, Husband, Brother, Grandpa, Uncle and/or friend. I want to say thank you to all of you for your prayers, comments and words of encouragement you have provided for my family. They are greatly appreciated and are read numerous times throughout every day.

As I say thank you for all of your prayers I ask tonight that you say a little extra prayer for Dad. For now my family would like to share only that my Dad had a difficult day and is at home sleeping now. We ask that you pray especially for his comfort and rest at this time. Please pray for my mom and brother as well, and that they take care of themselves, not just my Dad. I also ask that you pray for wisdom for the hospice team taking care of Dad. They are wonderful and have responded quickly when needed by my family.

This is a vague post I know, however what my family needs is a simple extra prayer at this time! Thank you all for following my family and walking alongside us during this long journey. You are all appreciated and loved.... Thank you.

Ashley for the Bishop Family

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ashley, thank you for your update. I have been so blessed reading these updates to see how the Lord is working through each and every one of you through these challenging times. What a beautiful picture of all of you at your dad's birthday dinner. What a treasured memory. It has been such a privilege to say that I know the Bishop family and to witness the way you have kept your focus on our Lord. I know He has gotten and will continue to get so much glory from this whole chapter of your lives. May He continue to uplift you all under His enormous arms of love. You are all so cherished. Love in Christ, Bernie and Hugh Hoover

Anonymous said...

Lots of prayers and love coming your way, Ashley! Your family is precious to me and to the Lord.
In His Love,
Lyndsey Henry

Anonymous said...

For Russ, from Hebrews 12:1-3 “…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Jesus is the first in, the beginner, the first fruits, he is in this and other NT verses described using the word "Archegos." In Greek maritime culture, the Archegos was the first of the crew to jump from the ship into the dangerous waters as the ship approached land, hauling the rope, securing an anchor, or testing the danger in the water. He was the pioneer. Only when the Archegos led did the remainder of the crew enter the water.

Russ, I wanted to share with you this thought that gives me great comfort. We have shared some things that I know you are thinking. Where you are I will be, where you are going I am going. Do not grow weary and lose heart. Jesus is our Archegos. He has gone where you are going. He has endured what you are enduring. He has declared it safe for you to enter. If it were not so He would have told you. I pray that the Holy Spirit will strengthen you with the thought of your loving Lord who goes before you in all things. Your courage strengthens me.

Thank you Ashley, my family is praying for you all. Michael (for the Hool's)

Anonymous said...

Ashley, it has been an honor to pray for your family. I have appreciated the way your Dad and Mom have been sharing about his cancer. I can only imagine how difficult this is but your Dad is glorifying the Lord and that is what we are called to do. Your blogsite has blessed me and others as well. Is 40:29 He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; He offers strength to the weak. vs 31 - But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Your family is on my heart and in my prayers!
Love, Marcy Cronenberg

Anonymous said...

Ashley,
Thank you for asking for prayer. Your family is on my mind, in my heart, and my prayers continuously. Love to all of you,
Beth Ihms

Anonymous said...

Our Dear Bishop Family,
We are and have been praying for you. Your family is ever so special...we knew that back in PNG! We love you. We so wish we could wrap our arms around you.
Love, Jeff, Joy, Lindsay

Anonymous said...

Just be assured of our prayers too. You are all a testimony of God's grace and He loves you very much :)

Steve & Tibby Westcott

Anonymous said...

We have been following your updates for a while now. We met for such a short time while you were here in PNG. We are saying extra prayers for all of you at this time.
Love, Nate and Barb Schrag and kids.

Anonymous said...

A verse that has been dear to me that last few days is Prov. 3:5&6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. - may this bring comfort to you as well. I know you are acknowledging Him as it is so evident in your life - blessings on you. Love and Prayers, Ruthann

Anonymous said...

Ashley-Tonight your dad has been heavy on my heart even before I checked the blog. You have an amazing family... of course you already know that. I will continue to pray for all of you... love, Kathy Erickson

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you and praying for you all at this time! Thank you for your updates. We love you all.

Love, Crystal and Ryan Gorishek

Anonymous said...

Dear Russ and Family,

I pray that you will know the peace of God and rest in the God of Peace. In Sunday's chapel, with the very first worship song, I was immersed with thoughts of you, Russ. While I was worshipping our Lord I was praying for you. Rest in the Father's love. Brother, I miss being with you. Love you, Bill Toannon

Anonymous said...

Dear Russ,

If you would like for me to come and sing praise/worship/hymns to you, let me know. (Heather, our daughter works at Cornerstone)
I would consider it an honor. You and your precious family are in our hearts and prayers so often. Nothing can snatch you out of the palm of His hand! We love you dear brother. Pam Nyhart

Anonymous said...

Ashley,

Thank you for your post. I hope your dad is ok...We are all praying for him. Please let us know (at work) if there is anything else we can do.

Jennifer

Anonymous said...

Ashley...

Absolutely praying for your Dad and family. What an ease of heart your parents must have...blessed with wonderful children following in their footsteps and "belief". Every parents prayer... Your writing only confirms that you are definitely their daughter :-) by your beautiful words requesting prayer. Such a reflection of your unwaivering faith.

Ashley...continue to hold tight to Him...He will guide you...My heart is filled with prayers and admiration...your family has been such an inspiration...and have been a part of my thoughts every day since I was introduced to your blog. Even strangers...speak so highly of the Bishops and I feel so graced to know such a wonderful family that has ministered to so many.

Sending prayers of comfort,

Sonya
all the way in Indiana but...distance is not relative when it comes to prayer :-)

Thanks for sharing your Dad's Birthday pic....beautiful family..

Kathee said...

Dear Bishop Family,
Your dad (Ed)suggested that I read your blog. I finally got the courage to do so. I am so sorry that you are going through this horrific journey. Hopefully, being surrounded by your family and their love makes it a little easier. I want you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Kathee (Ed's friend from Marin, CA)

Anonymous said...

Ashley....working on your request for prayers.....networking....and those I have contacted are ones who will forward to many more....my only regret is that I did not do this earlier on my own. Prayers will be flooding in today....I hope that eases your heart....

copy sent for the Bishop family

I have been introduced to an amazing family. I know in our busy lives....it is hard to answer emails.....this family needs our prayers. Please please keep them in your hearts and visit their blog.....they need some prayer warriors and as you can see....I know who to contact. Please read at least the post from Rusty " A difficult conversation" and if time allows....get to know what a wonderful man this world has been graced with and pray for his beautiful wife and children. Pray desperately for a miracle that we do not lose yet another remarkable follower/leader.....please take just a moment from your day....to reflect and pray.....I am sure they would be so appreciative. Thank you my friends......I am so very burdened....If it is God's will..then..they need us to at least pray for Rusty to be relieved of pain and allow them to spend quality time in the days upcoming. Sonya....

Anonymous said...

You are right, I was blessed with a wonderful uncle and am very lucky to call all of you family. I am praying constantly and hate being so far away. Ashley, if you ever need to talk pls call or email me. I seriously mean that. I can't imagine what you are going through right now, i know it was hard enough for me when I was dealing with my dad's cancer 3 years ago... and I am praying for comfort for you, Aunt Robyn and Cody. My mom will hopefully be out there in a couple weeks. Grandpa too. They both send their love as well. We all love you! Pls tell Uncle Russ I think and pray for him daily. I miss you all very much.
With love,
(cousin)Danika, Randy & Tristan

Anonymous said...

Russ, we are so upset to hear the news. Wish we could be there with you. We think of you and Robyn & the kids all the time. You are in our thoughts and our prayers.
Love you guys!
Cindi, Jim & Lindsey Nelson

Anonymous said...

Lord we love You with all our hearts, mind, body and soul. You know exactly what Russ needs and may You continue to do just that. Watch, protect and comfort Robyn and Cody as they care for Your son and all his needs when hard days approach. Continue to send the very best employees hospice has so they may continue to care for every physical, emotional and spiritual need the Bishop family has.
In Jesus' Name Amen

Anonymous said...

Ashley, thank you for your update and request for prayer. We have been following the blog and have been blessed by your Dad's thoughts. We wanted you to know that we will continuing praying for your Dad, Mom, Cody, and your family. God has truly been glorified with your family's testimony. We love you, Gram and Doodah

Anonymous said...

Ashley.... I found family photos of you and all of your family on Melissa's website, then read a bit about what was going on, then saw the link to this blog. I have thought of you and your Dad often. You guys were such an important part of my life while I attended Bethany CC, and I have many fond memories of you both. I know what it is like to lose a Father, and I know what my Father went through as his time to join Christ neared... my thoughts and prayers and with you and your family during this difficult time. Just cherish EVERY moment...
Stacey (Carlson) Gray and Family

Anonymous said...

Praying for you all.Becky Johnson

Kimmie said...

So blessed to know you and have gotten to meet the two of you! Praying for you daily!
Because HE Lives,
Kimmie

Anonymous said...

God bless you, you do not know me but please check this out. It is the absolute will of God that Russ is healed.You can contact me @ jskel1@juno.com if you like, keep fighting. Love, Chrissy
Burzynski Patient Group Directory http://www.burzynskipatientgroup.org/stories.htm

Anonymous said...

Extra prayers being said for you and your family. We do not know you, but have heard of the need to pray for a family member of God. We are praying. I have a sister and brother who both battle cancer and are free now of cancer and a brother in law who died of cancer two years ago. Some where my sister was given this about cancer and it was a huge encouragment to us all.

What Cancer Cannot Do

Cancer is so limited.
It cannot cripple love.
It cannot shatter hope.
It cannot corrode faith.
It cannot destroy peace.
It cannot kill friendship.
It cannot suppress memories.
It cannot silence courage.
It cannot invade the soul.
It cannot steal eternal life.
It cannot conquer the spirit.

Author Unknown

God is faithful and he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Because He Lives we too shall live

Anonymous said...

Test

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to let you know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Your family is an inspiration to all.
Love, Cara, Kenny, Evan, Alec, Alaina and Max.

Pastor Phil said...

Russ, Robyn, Ashley & Cody
The circle of friends praying for you is wider than you will ever know. All of your lives have touched so many of us and it would be difficult to contain the earnest that brings each of us to pray. Please know, we have been on our knees in prayer, at the dinner table, driving in the car, standing in line at the store, even in our church services our thoughts have rushed to your Heavenly Father. We are asking Him as He instructed us to come boldly before the throne of grace because we are all in this time of need. As the woman pleaded with the judge, as the man pleaded with his neighbor, we plead with our God for deliverance from this trial that our family, our friends, our brother, uncle, father and dad would be set free from the evil in our world. Sure, we can say to Him, "Your will be done" but that doesn't stop us from asking for bread and not a stone.

Oh, may it be, a miracle like the sunrise, to bring us that peace that passes all understanding, peace that Jesus gives us, peace with joy.

Our lives have been made rich by our relationship with the Bishops: Russ, Robyn, Ashley & Cody. Our relationships will never end. Lord, you hold our hearts in your hand. Let this cup pass. Amen.

Gail said...

Dear Russ,Robyn,Cody,and Ashley,

Thanks for posting and letting us know how to pray way over here around the world. Last Sundsy I found myself in a little circle of friends, standing in the gym after church talking about and praying for you all. You are loved here in PNG and we miss you so much. We stand with you confident that the Lord will take care of you, but wanting to be there too.

You are in my thoughts and prayers everytime I ride in your golf cart.

Love, gail