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Update on Linda and Andy Brucato (from Steve Thompson, Italy)
Friday, May 22, 2009
We just heard from Linda who gave an update on their situation.
She said that the meeting with the therapist last Monday went very well and that the intensive therapy that Andy is presently doing will finish on June 4. Even though Andy still does not have complete use of his left arm the therapist feels that he has done all he can. Its up to Andy now to work on the exercises in the gym and in the pool that have been given to him by the physical therapist.
This news was a bit of a surprise for both of them, as well as a little confusing, because they were under the impression that physical therapy would last a full 3 months. Andy’s left arm has more movement and he is able to walk on his own without a cane, but he is not yet at the point where he can live autonously and be on his own. Nor can he drive a car yet, although he has been working on it.
Despite all of this both are encouraged and thankful to the Lord for the progress that has been made, confident that God has a plan and in He is at work in their lives.
Linda asked prayer for what will take place after June 4. They need wisdom and strength as they to continue the therapy on their own, outside of the clinic, as well as for what lies ahead.
As far as Linda’s Mother is concerned, Linda and her sister need to make some decisions about her care, since she is still very weak and cannot live on her own. As you know Linda’s Mother is in Florida, Linda’s sister lives in Tennessee, and Andy and Linda are in Chicago.Pray especially for Linda during this time, that she would have the physical and emotional strength to handle both of these difficult situations, and that she would find perfect peace in our loving Lord. Pray for encouragement for both Linda and Andy.
Steve
Friday, May 22, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Update from Linda Brucato
Dear Friends,
I want to update all of you on our lives. Yesterday I (Linda) returned to Chicago from Florida. After my last update my mother’s situation worsened and she returned to the hospital. I had to cancel my tickets to return to Chicago on May 4, and finally yesterday I was able to leave. My mother was dismissed from the hospital on May 5 and is pretty weak. My sister was able to come back to be with her so I could get back to Andy in Chicago. We don’t know how long my mother has to live or how best we can take care of her. I will possibly have to return to Florida in two weeks when my sister has to leave.
The good news is that Andy is making progress in his rehabilitation. Monday I go with him to his therapy appointment to talk with them about what is being planned in the coming weeks and months. I do know they are preparing Andy to be able to drive a car and he is doing water therapy. We need to understand how long they think his therapy will take. We are taking each day at a time. Each day we are content in the Lord with what He gives us - He will take care of all the tomorrows.
Thanks for praying for us, and upholding us in prayer.
Linda
I want to update all of you on our lives. Yesterday I (Linda) returned to Chicago from Florida. After my last update my mother’s situation worsened and she returned to the hospital. I had to cancel my tickets to return to Chicago on May 4, and finally yesterday I was able to leave. My mother was dismissed from the hospital on May 5 and is pretty weak. My sister was able to come back to be with her so I could get back to Andy in Chicago. We don’t know how long my mother has to live or how best we can take care of her. I will possibly have to return to Florida in two weeks when my sister has to leave.
The good news is that Andy is making progress in his rehabilitation. Monday I go with him to his therapy appointment to talk with them about what is being planned in the coming weeks and months. I do know they are preparing Andy to be able to drive a car and he is doing water therapy. We need to understand how long they think his therapy will take. We are taking each day at a time. Each day we are content in the Lord with what He gives us - He will take care of all the tomorrows.
Thanks for praying for us, and upholding us in prayer.
Linda
Friday, May 1, 2009
An Update on Andy and Linda Brucato by Ester
An Update from Ester Montfalcone who works with the Brucatos in Bologna. Ester wrote this update after her conversation on the phone with Linda:
We need to pray for Linda. She is in Florida looking after her mother who had surgery during the Easter break and is recovering from that. She has breathing problems and is also fighting an infection which causes her fever. Linda's mother is 80 years old. She is very weak and at this point it looks unlikely that she'll be able to be independent again.
On the other hand, Andy is missing Linda a lot and in the past few days he has not been doing that well.
Linda has a return ticket from Florida to Chicago for next Monday but at this point she cannot even think of leaving her mother alone. They need to find a solution for her to be looked after and this is very difficult to do.
Linda was saying how it looks like black clouds are getting closer and closer and she is being pushed in a corner. Nevertheless, she finds encouragement in God's Word and trusts Him for His intervention at the right time. He knows our situations and takes care of us. We know God is in control
Let's pray that:
God will heal Linda's mother and that she'll be able to be independent again;
that in the next few days, the doctors will have clear and good advice for her concerning the future;
that Linda's family will have wisdom in the decisions they have to make;
that Andy will be encouraged during Linda's absence and will continue to make progress.
Ester
We need to pray for Linda. She is in Florida looking after her mother who had surgery during the Easter break and is recovering from that. She has breathing problems and is also fighting an infection which causes her fever. Linda's mother is 80 years old. She is very weak and at this point it looks unlikely that she'll be able to be independent again.
On the other hand, Andy is missing Linda a lot and in the past few days he has not been doing that well.
Linda has a return ticket from Florida to Chicago for next Monday but at this point she cannot even think of leaving her mother alone. They need to find a solution for her to be looked after and this is very difficult to do.
Linda was saying how it looks like black clouds are getting closer and closer and she is being pushed in a corner. Nevertheless, she finds encouragement in God's Word and trusts Him for His intervention at the right time. He knows our situations and takes care of us. We know God is in control
Let's pray that:
God will heal Linda's mother and that she'll be able to be independent again;
that in the next few days, the doctors will have clear and good advice for her concerning the future;
that Linda's family will have wisdom in the decisions they have to make;
that Andy will be encouraged during Linda's absence and will continue to make progress.
Ester
Friday, April 24, 2009
Andy’s Update April 23, 2009
Andy’s Update April 23, 2009
Dear Friends,
Andy just finished his first week of rehab at MarianJoy Rehab Hospital in Wheaton. He is very pleased with the program, particularly the quality staff. He goes three days a week for 4 hours, plus he has exercises to do at home. We are seeing increased movement in his arm and even hand. He is walking better and better and able to walk fairly long distances and without any assistance. When you think that just six weeks ago he was in a wheel chair that is a big deal!
Tomorrow will be an extremely special day for us as we will be attending Michael’s graduation from Navy boot camp. Andy will be returning to the very same Navy training center he attended back in 1968. When we returned to Italy in January we knew that we would not be able to be there for Michael, but now the Lord has given us this possibility. We see His tender mercies even during difficult times.
My mother was discharged from the hospital yesterday after undergoing surgery to implant a pacemaker in an attempt to resolve her cardiac problems. She is very weak and my sister, Cindi, is staying with her this week. I will be flying down to Florida on Sunday to stay with her next week. We are hoping that she will soon be able to return to independent living.
This morning after dropping Andy off at rehab I was overwhelmed with anxieties and sorrows. As I drove away I felt convicted to confess my downcast spirit as ungratefulness to my heavenly Father. I was allowing my sorrows and anxieties to rob me of my joy in Christ. I imagined the Father looking at me with tenderness and saying, “You’re right, you don’t have that but you do have Me.” And with Him a million other blessings that I seemed to have forgotten. So, I have started over again today with the words of the old hymn running in my mind:
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”
Aren’t you glad that the gospel is all about “starting over again” everyday!
Thanks for being part of the “million other blessings” I am remembering today,
Linda
Dear Friends,
Andy just finished his first week of rehab at MarianJoy Rehab Hospital in Wheaton. He is very pleased with the program, particularly the quality staff. He goes three days a week for 4 hours, plus he has exercises to do at home. We are seeing increased movement in his arm and even hand. He is walking better and better and able to walk fairly long distances and without any assistance. When you think that just six weeks ago he was in a wheel chair that is a big deal!
Tomorrow will be an extremely special day for us as we will be attending Michael’s graduation from Navy boot camp. Andy will be returning to the very same Navy training center he attended back in 1968. When we returned to Italy in January we knew that we would not be able to be there for Michael, but now the Lord has given us this possibility. We see His tender mercies even during difficult times.
My mother was discharged from the hospital yesterday after undergoing surgery to implant a pacemaker in an attempt to resolve her cardiac problems. She is very weak and my sister, Cindi, is staying with her this week. I will be flying down to Florida on Sunday to stay with her next week. We are hoping that she will soon be able to return to independent living.
This morning after dropping Andy off at rehab I was overwhelmed with anxieties and sorrows. As I drove away I felt convicted to confess my downcast spirit as ungratefulness to my heavenly Father. I was allowing my sorrows and anxieties to rob me of my joy in Christ. I imagined the Father looking at me with tenderness and saying, “You’re right, you don’t have that but you do have Me.” And with Him a million other blessings that I seemed to have forgotten. So, I have started over again today with the words of the old hymn running in my mind:
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”
Aren’t you glad that the gospel is all about “starting over again” everyday!
Thanks for being part of the “million other blessings” I am remembering today,
Linda
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Andy’s Update April 14, 2009
Andy’s Update April 14, 2009
Dear Friends,
We’re here!!! We arrived in Chicago safe and sound on Sunday afternoon and were greeted at the airport by our dear son Mark! There were lots of tears of joy on all sides. We have settled in comfortably in our little furnished apartment here at TEAM’s headquarters in Wheaton. Tomorrow Andy has his first doctor’s appointment and hopefully will soon get into a rehab program. But today, we had a real encouragement- Andy was able to move his forearm enough to actually beat me in arm wrestling!!! And yesterday evening we got the first ever movement in his hand!
One really great thing about Ioss is how you learn to appreciate the things you once took for granted. I don’t think we will ever forget the excitement of seeing Andy move a limb that formerly was totally paralyzed; at least I hope we won’t forget. How many other things have I already forgotten? How many other blessings are now commonplace? One thing is for sure; I will never again pass a wheel chair without “seeing” it and without compassion for the one sitting in it and without gratitude that my Andy is not in it.
On Easter day as we were arriving, my mother was taken by ambulance to the hospital in West Palm Beach with respiratory difficulties. It appears that she has congestive heart failure. She is stable at the moment, but I am prepared to fly down there if needed. I am grateful that I am here at this time. Isn’t it just like the Lord to bring me home at such a time!
Thanks to each of you for your prayers and encouragement. Many of you have written and expressed your appreciation for our updates, which is why I continue to write them. I am humbled by your care and concern.
Much love,
Andy and Linda
Dear Friends,
We’re here!!! We arrived in Chicago safe and sound on Sunday afternoon and were greeted at the airport by our dear son Mark! There were lots of tears of joy on all sides. We have settled in comfortably in our little furnished apartment here at TEAM’s headquarters in Wheaton. Tomorrow Andy has his first doctor’s appointment and hopefully will soon get into a rehab program. But today, we had a real encouragement- Andy was able to move his forearm enough to actually beat me in arm wrestling!!! And yesterday evening we got the first ever movement in his hand!
One really great thing about Ioss is how you learn to appreciate the things you once took for granted. I don’t think we will ever forget the excitement of seeing Andy move a limb that formerly was totally paralyzed; at least I hope we won’t forget. How many other things have I already forgotten? How many other blessings are now commonplace? One thing is for sure; I will never again pass a wheel chair without “seeing” it and without compassion for the one sitting in it and without gratitude that my Andy is not in it.
On Easter day as we were arriving, my mother was taken by ambulance to the hospital in West Palm Beach with respiratory difficulties. It appears that she has congestive heart failure. She is stable at the moment, but I am prepared to fly down there if needed. I am grateful that I am here at this time. Isn’t it just like the Lord to bring me home at such a time!
Thanks to each of you for your prayers and encouragement. Many of you have written and expressed your appreciation for our updates, which is why I continue to write them. I am humbled by your care and concern.
Much love,
Andy and Linda
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Andy’s update April 10, 2009
Andy’s update April 10, 2009
Dear Friends,
A blessed GOOD Friday to each of you!!
Just wanted to share with you a reflection the Lord gave me this morning in my meditations. Today is what we call in America “Good Friday”. In Italy this day is called “Venerdì Santo” (Holy Friday). I wonder if there are other countries that use the word “good” to describe this significant day. And I wonder when the idea that this day was “good” first came into being. I seriously doubt that anyone who was actually present that day would have called it good. At least not until Sunday. Sunday changed everything. Sunday made Friday “good”.
I have been thinking how “the end” explains “the before”. The Passion of Christ “ended” in the resurrection and ascension which “explained” the crucifixion. His coming again will give further explanation to all that comes before.
Our lives follow the same pattern. The events of “today”, without the commentary of “tomorrow”, are hard to evaluate. Even though these are difficult days for us we feel confident that the end will explain all that has come before. Perhaps that end will only come when we see Jesus face to face, but then we, too, will say it is “good”! And if in the end I will call it “good”, why not now?
Just pondering,
Linda
Dear Friends,
A blessed GOOD Friday to each of you!!
Just wanted to share with you a reflection the Lord gave me this morning in my meditations. Today is what we call in America “Good Friday”. In Italy this day is called “Venerdì Santo” (Holy Friday). I wonder if there are other countries that use the word “good” to describe this significant day. And I wonder when the idea that this day was “good” first came into being. I seriously doubt that anyone who was actually present that day would have called it good. At least not until Sunday. Sunday changed everything. Sunday made Friday “good”.
I have been thinking how “the end” explains “the before”. The Passion of Christ “ended” in the resurrection and ascension which “explained” the crucifixion. His coming again will give further explanation to all that comes before.
Our lives follow the same pattern. The events of “today”, without the commentary of “tomorrow”, are hard to evaluate. Even though these are difficult days for us we feel confident that the end will explain all that has come before. Perhaps that end will only come when we see Jesus face to face, but then we, too, will say it is “good”! And if in the end I will call it “good”, why not now?
Just pondering,
Linda
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Linda and Andy Brucato Update April 9, 2009
Linda’s update April 9, 2009
Dear Friends,
Today I want to share with you, not about Andy, but about me! As some of you know Andy, after about a 2 year process, was able to get his Italian citizenship (without renouncing his American citizenship) based on ancestry. All the boys were also able to get dual citizenship through him, which is a great advantage to Luke who lives here, and to Mark who is planning to return as a missionary. In these past 5 years or so getting missionary visas is becoming more and more difficult. We are beginning to wonder if
One of the first things we were planning on doing upon our return in January was to put in my paper work to be recognized as a citizen based on marriage. Obviously we have had other things to think about since we got here. So, this week I finally got my birth certificate translated and planned to take it to the citizenship office yesterday. Before I went I called to see if they were open and the woman told me that I needed a special form which I could get online. So I downloaded the form and read it!!! Help!! I needed other documents which I did not have, and a current, valid permission!!! My heart sank.
Andy suggested I just go down to the office and pray that the Lord would provide someone to help me. As I took the bus into the center I prayed. I asked the Lord for mercy and grace to open up a way for me where there seemed to be no way. But, even as I prayed I admitted to the Lord that I had no right to demand His grace; I had not fulfilled the requirements of the law and He could give me justice, not grace. He owed me nothing.
At the office I found just what my heart had asked for, a helpful secretary. She took my birth certificate and began filling out the request. After a few minutes she announced that all that was needed was a tax stamp, and told me to run down to the tobacco shop and buy one. When I got back she said it was all done and that I was now an Italian citizen!!! She never asked for any other document! Needless to say I went on my way rejoicing that my heavenly Father gave me “grace” not the “law”!
Once again my Father spoke into my heart, reassuring me that He WANTS to lavish His grace upon me; that was the whole point of Calvary. Jesus satisfied God’s justice so that I might receive God’s grace! I still come to Him with no merit of my own. I cannot demand His grace, but I can receive it based on the merits of Jesus. This is the gospel. And this is what we celebrate this holy week. The God of grace!!
Marveling at His goodness and grace, that we have also received through you!!
Linda
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