BRUCATO PRAYER UPDATE September, 2009

Dear Friends,

My mother passed into glory this afternoon. She had begun deteriorating back in April; in and out of the hospital with Congestive Heart Failure and COPD. We had moved her to an independent/assisted living facility back in June, hoping she could maintain her independence, but as the months went on we realized it was time to move her in with my sister. Then on August 1st she fell and ended up in a rehab hospital for two weeks. That same day my sister fell and broke her arm. I flew down to Florida on Aug. 17 when she was due to be discharged with the intention of transporting her to my sister’s home in Tennessee. When I arrived I found her very ill and within 18 hours we were back in the ER- this time with a severe form of bacterial diarrhea called C-diff. She was in the hospital for 12 days and discharged to home with hospice on Aug. 30. Needless to say, I was “stuck” in Florida again; this time with a dying mother.

On Sept. 5th my brother and sister-in-law came down to relieve me so I could fly back up to Wheaton for Mark’s ordination on Sunday, the 6th, then Andy and I were to fly back together yesterday. But Monday night I ended up with a severe migraine that took me to the ER at 5:30am on Tuesday, where I went into Atrial Fibrillation and had to be admitted. I went through a battery of exams and was released on medications and will now be followed up with a cardiologist. Thankfully my sister was able to return to Florida yesterday in my place and my sister-in-law was there as well when my mother passed away in the hospice hospital this afternoon.

My sister and I share a metaphor about the Christian life. Her version goes like this: You and Jesus are riding on a tandem bicycle; He is in the front seat, you are pedaling in the back. Just when you are cruising along nicely on a straight path, He suddenly makes a sharp right turn. You hang on for dear life! My version goes like this: You and Jesus are riding on the tandem, but this time you are in the front and He is in the back, whispering in your ear (if you are listening); “turn right, turn right”. Sometimes He turns the bike without your permission or participation; Sometimes He wants you to turn it. Either way, you are in for “the ride of your life!”

We could definitely say that this year has held lots of unexpected (at least for us) “turns”. And there are more on the horizon. But because we know WHO is on the bicycle with us, that makes everything “alright”, doesn’t it?

We want you to know that we have been sustained through it all by your prayers. We have never felt abandoned or afflicted beyond what we are able. He has been faithful, and NEVER has He jumped off the bike!!!

Love to all of you,

Andy and Linda