I honestly don’t know where to start. It has been seven days since the news of Russ’s prognosis and what a week it has been. We will continue to update the blog on Russ’s condition and share with you God’s amazing love! You have been ever so faithful to continue this journey with my dear sweet husband. I can’t tell you enough how Russ enjoys hearing from each and every one of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
A lot of you ask how Russ is doing and what, specifically, you can pray for, so we thought it best to be forthright and honest with you on our blog updates. My updates may be a lot more emotional than Russ’s so bear with me. From time to time Ashley or Cody will also update the blog.
As you can imagine this past week has been a tough one. We have had talks that I never thought we would have to have, “yet”. One of the harder tasks this week was calling Hospice. The Hospice nurse arrived at the house this afternoon and Russ is officially set up. What Hospice will provide right now is pain management, a weekly visit by the nurse to check on Russ’s vitals and to evaluate any new symptoms that may have developed. Russ currently has abdominal swelling and constant pain that has been quite intense on some days. Currently the pain meds he is on makes him very tired so we are hoping that Hospice will be able to help him with meds that won’t make him so tired.
As a family we will be celebrating Russ’s 48th birthday on Friday. It will be one we will all remember. Please continue to keep Russ in your prayers along with our precious children. Our emotions are all over the place. We love you all and thank you, thank you for everything!
God’s love is sufficient!
Blessings
Robyn for the Bishops
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Quick update from Robyn...
Posted by Russ at 9:25 PM
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36 comments:
Bishop Family,
Just wanting you to know that we are thinking of you all and praying with you. May your celebration on Friday be a very special time together filled with tender moments and treasured memories.
In Him Who is Love, Comfort and Peace,
Shar Rundio
Russ and Robyn, we love you and are here praying for you. We are sorry the hurt, both physical and in your hearts. Casey, Steph, Bo, Jess, Ty, and Jennie
Dear Robyn,
This is my 2nd post...your family does not know me. I know you thru a friend of your family's.
As I write this....I cry for you all....I lost my husband in June of last year....I too had such a wonderful husband and father to my children.
I rejoice with you that Russ will finally meet Him....and will be praised and rewarded for his work done here on earth that has influenced so many....and touched the hearts of strangers. How proud you and family must be...Russ is an amazing person....and though I only know him thru his posts...I feel I have been blessed and given the opportunity to know one of God's most wonderful followers and one that no doubt has lead many closer to Christ.
I am praying for God to relieve this pain and allow these days ahead....to be as comfortable as possible. Allowing him quality time with his loving family.
I am praying so hard .... and if ever you need another to talk with...I am here for that as well.
Extending you courage, rest, strength and the ability to continue to make memories...share words.....and your love.
In my heart and prayers always,
Sonya
keep my number....I am here...and if you ever need me...I am just a phone call away. 812-725-1587
Jim Johnson
I don't do e-mails but I do
Pray!! So, thought I better try
and communicate to you guys.
Whenever it's quiet or possible
to calmly gather my thoughts I am
thinking and praying for your
well being and asking for strength
to get you through this emotional
trip.
I'm not good at this, but I
hope this is adequate for my first
attempt to communicate .
Joyce had a friend over
yesterday and told her of our
prayers for Rusty and his sit-
uation. Her last statement was:
He is the nicest man I have ever
Known!!
Rusty, be proud of your family
and the strong religious faith that
you guys have.
Love and Prayers,
Uncle Jim
Hi Russ, Robyn, Ashley, Luke and family,
I have been following your journey the whole way and been praying fervently for your family. You all have been such a testimony to so many people with your unwavering faith through everything. You have truly fought the good fight of faith and there is a crown of righteousness awaiting you (2 Tim 4:7-8) I love you guys and pray that the Lord showers you with His peace, comfort, and strength.
Love,
Carissa
Here's something from my time in the Word this morning...for you guys:
"As for me, I shall call upon God,
And the Lord will save me.
Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur,
And He will hear my voice.
He will redeem my soul in peace from the battle which is against me,
For they (the symptoms) are many who strive with me." Psalm 55:16-18
For everything from abdominal pain to ascites to nausea to bone pain to foggy thinking to pure inescapable fatigue....He gets it. He's in the middle of it with you, and you can tell him everything you think about the yuckiness of this whole process. The cool thing is...in the end of it all..."He will redeem my soul in peace." He wins. No question. In the blink of an eye, He wins. In all of your beloved's lives, He wins. He is our hope and our stronghold. "I will cry to God Most High, To God who accomplishes all things for me." Psalm 57:2.
The Lord is stirring many hearts to pray for you, near and far; His love for you is amazingly vast!
Grace upon grace and love to you guys, Libby Pierce
Russ and Robyn,
We are deeply saddened to read of the news you received from the doctors. You and your family are truly an inspiration--of faith, of love, and of living surendered lives.
We continue to pray for you all.
May your celebration tomorrow be the best one ever. Laugh hard and cherish the moments together. Happy Birthday!
In His Mighty Love,
Steve and Tristan Ruddle
Bishop Family,
We echo others' wishes for a wonderful time for the whole family celebrating Russ's 48th birthday together on Friday. We pray for comfort and alertness for Russ. You are loved.
Keith and Cecilia Holbert
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Russ... Happy Birthday to you!
Love from The Crisis Pregnancy Center TEAM!
Lifting you and yours up to Abba right now...
Happy Birthday Russ! Hoping on your special day you feel the love of all your friends and family! Thank you for all the 'gifts' you've given to all of us! Enjoy this beautiful day and your beautiful family!
Dear Russ,
We are wishing you peace & love as you celebrate your special day with your family today.
You are all very special to us & we continue our many prayers for you.
Russ, you have touched so many peoples lives. You are a very special & unique person.
Romans 8:26
Love in HIM,
Bonnie & Bob Sanford
Russ and Robyn,
We have been following your blog since the beginning and have kept you in our thoughts and prayers daily. It is really hard to understand why some things happen the way they do and your faith in God through this entire process has been amazing. You have truly been an inspiration to us in how to handle adversity. We watched my sister and brother-in-law handle a similar condition with as much grace and dignity as you are showing. We can only hope that if we are ever given similar trials, we will stand as strong in our faith.
We know and believe the power of prayer is great. God always gives us the strength and peace to handle whatever situation we find ourselves in and your life is truly showing that to all of us.
Know that many are praying for you daily.
Rob, Elaine, Matt, Megan and Emily Bowker
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUSS!!! Enjoy your dinner out tonight and special time with your family.
Russ & Robyn, you both are in my prayers daily. My son, Brenden, is 3 years old and every night when we say our prayers at bedtime, he asks God to "make Mommie's friend Russ feel all better really really really fast so he can be happy and not hurt anymore"... the church body at Superstition Springs Community Church (our church) is praying for your family as well. Above all, our continued prayer is for peace and comfort for you all.
We love you...
~*~ The Blacks ~*~
God Bless you Russ on your special day. May you and your family enjoy your time together celebrating your 48th birthday. If I know Robyn, she has baked up something absolutely delicious for your celebration.
The Betz family will continue to pray for each of you. You are greatly loved by so many and espcially by HIM.
Teresa
Happy Birthday Russ! Enjoy your day with your Family. You guys are a blessing. Oh Robyn fix your hair good. Russ, hows the hair color? Love you guys, M.J.
Russ and Robyn...
Enjoy today.
God has graced you with the joy of today !
Luv and prayers for you both
Happy Birthday Rusty,
Enjoy your day with your family!!!
Thinking of you all today....Hope it is filled with laughter, smiles, love and memories....
I am sure...the most precious gift you received....are the ones surrounding you today....showering you with their love....nothing is greater than family....what a wonderful one you and Robyn have created.....and God has blessed you with...Rejoice in those faces ....ones that love you so very much.
You and family are in my continual thoughts and prayers
Sonya
I am praying that you are experiencing "a peace that passes all understanding" today.
Happy Birthday!
Looking forward to our gathering Sunday afternoon.
Don Carpenter
Dear Bishops --
Our only comfort is in God's faithfulness to His promises ... as you have so tremendously shown ... and nothing can separate us from His love in Christ! May His strength be your guard and your peace!
Love, Melissa C
Russ and Family,
Happy Birthday to you all!
I worked with Russ at the Upland Fire Dept many years ago it seems.
I have been following along the blog for the past few months with prayers for you all. Sorry to hear of the sudden change in Russ' condition. I have been trying to find a phone number for you guys, so if you see this, realizing you are all very busy with things, could you either e-mail me with your phone# or call me on my cell. I am trying to find out if a quick visit with you guys would be acceptable, appropriate.
LV2RESCUE@MSN.COM or cell 909 208-0762.All of us at Upland Fire feel helpless, but want you to know we are thinking of you and your family at this difficult time.
Chris Brookhart
Dearest Bishop Family -
Praying for you all without ceasing.
Happy Birthday Russ!
Staci Fletcher
Dear Russ, Robyn, Cody, Ashley and Luke,
You are in our thoughts and prayers constantly. We pray your birthday was filled with love. We are praying specifically that Russ will find relief from his physical pain. We care for all of you.
Much love,
Larry, Gini and Matt Larsen
Happy Birthday, Russ! We continue to pray for all y'all as you go through this together. We love you!
Hugs,
Hollie for the family
We continue to pray for you and your precious family. May you all experience the peace and grace of our Father.
Beth Ihms
Lord we love You. We are grateful for every day You allow us to be in Your presence and the privilege to have loved others as much as you love us. Continue to do what you do best, comfort, guide, heal and protect. Let nothing enter the Bishop home that is not of You. Send the very best earthly soldiers to surround and protect this precious family of yours. May we all continue to trust You when we do not know what to trust and help us continue to hope when it is hard to be hopeful. Carry my sister Robyn as she travels on this unexpected journey. Please reassure and comfort Russ to know that all who he loves and cherishes here on earth, You Lord too love and cherish as well. Keep angels at his side and fill each day with sounds of praise ringing in the air.
In Jesus' Name Amen
March 21, 2009
I most certainly will be praying for you and your family. Have you considered an alternative care situation, like Envita in Scottsdale or Naturopathic Doctors of Az, (web site NatureWorksBest.com)? Many times they can add some time and quality of life, through nutrition and herbal help. Just a suggestion! May God lead you in your battle; He it is who goes to fight before you. In Him, Cindy Christianson
"I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!" Isaiah 65:24 NLT
Bishop Family,
You may remember me from your days back on Kern Place in California. I found your blog online and want you to know that I am fervently praying for you and am asking God to lift you up and give you comfort and peace. I am deeply moved by your faithfulness and am truly inspired to put my hope and trust in God. May God bless you all in each and every moment. Much love and prayer from an old friend. With Love, Kelly Fiedler Kent
Dear Russ, Robyn and Cody,
Our hearts were so saddened to hear your news. Just want you to know we love you guys and are praying for you through this trial in your life. We pray for God's wisdom and strength for you daily.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles..." 2 Cor. 1:3,4a
Praying for you all,
Gary, Annie and Hannah Earl
Dear Russ and Robin,
One more comment....We noticed the picture of you, Russ, and Ignas, that you posted. Did you know Ignas went to be with the Lord a few months ago? He was hit on the head and was in the haus sik for awhile, and never recovered. Thankful he knew the Lord.
Love you guys,
Gary, Annie and Hannah
Russ and Robin,
Thank you so much for letting us
be a part or your lives with your
updates!!! It's easy to think of
you often and pray for you, but it's hard to dwell on your physical
pain for very long. Just wanted to let you know that you are always
on my mind. Isn't that the name of a song? Brooke, Joey and the
kids were here for dinner and computer games last night. We also watched some home video's of
Shiloh and Solomon's births. Family is so important. Love you,
Karen U.
Sweet family, we came to visit your blog through our friendship with the Patterson's. I am so sorry you are going through this. We are praying for your family.
Blessings, Molly
Hi Russ and Robyn,
We continue to follow your blog from afar. Wish I could be there to see your smiling and, at times, crying faces. We will lift you before the throne of grace and trust the Father to give you a peace that passes all understanding. You are bright, shining examples of the grace which we so often read about in God's word. When I grow up, I want to be like you. Agape, Jeff & Cookie
Dear Bishop Family,
Please know that we continue to keep you in our prayers. We pray that God fills you with his peace during this time. We also pray that the new medicine will give Russ some relief from the physical pain. We love you so much. Thank you for your continued updates.
Lots of love,
Anthony and Genevieve
Dear Bishops,
still wrestling for you.
we love you - the robinsons
I just realized Friday has come and gone. I do hope the birthday celebration was a very good one for everyone there.
We continue to pray for you Russ and you Robyn and your family. Wish there was more we could do, but to be able to talk with our Savior - is there really anything more powerful or comforting than a relationship with Him?
You are loved, missed and prayed for here at Lapilo-PNG.
Brad
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