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

BRUCATO PRAYER UPDATE JULY 2009

Dear Friends,

I thought it was about time you got a Brucato (not just Andy) update!! Yesterday I had one of those “déjà-vu” experiences. We stopped by Mark and Ruth’s just in time to help them disassemble their bedroom set. In preparation for their departure for Italy in the fall (Lord willing) they are selling most of their possessions and moving into a small furnished apartment at TEAM. That included their beautiful cherry- wood sleigh bedroom furniture which was a wedding gift from Ruth’s grandparents. Ruth had listed the furniture on the internet and a couple showed up to look at it. To Ruth’s dismay they wanted to buy it on the spot and take it away immediately! Emotionally she hadn’t prepared for that just yet. I could see the same look in her eyes that had been in mine more than 22 years ago when we had a garage sale and sold everything before leaving for Italy. The look of “Oh my, what have I done? We’re really leaving, aren’t we? The time has come. I’m not sure I’m ready.”

As the scripture says, “comfort others with the comfort with which we ourselves have been comforted by God”. Many years ago the Lord comforted me with the words of Jesus; “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he shall receive a hundred times as much now in the present age….and in the age to come, eternal life.” What really comforts me about this passage is the fact (included in all three gospels) that the list begins with “house”. Jesus acknowledges the loss of material possessions for the sake of the gospel; even bedroom sets! He knows the cost of following Him, and He promises a reward. I wonder what Ruthi with do with 100 new bedroom sets?

About Michael. He successfully completed his boot camp and pre-BUD training in the Great Lakes and is now in Coronado, CA doing BUD’s (Basic Underwater Demolition) training. August 2-7 will be the famous “hell week”. He is being stretched in every way. He has found that reciting scripture gets him through some tough spots; especially in “drowning” exercises. Yesterday 4 guys dropped out of the program. By the way, Mike is the youngest in his company of 200!! Please pray for him- mostly for his spiritual strength, but also for his physical protection. Most guys fail out of the program because of injuries!

Andy is making really good progress. We now go to the Wheaton College gym and pool 4 days a week, plus he is still doing one day at the rehab center. He is getting more and more movement in his arm and even hand! We are so grateful for these past two months here and the great treatment he has received. And we are so grateful for all of you who continue to pray and support us. We are now planning to return to Italy in the fall, but I will give you more info on that in another update (this one is already too long!).

Lastly, my mom is happily settled into the independent-living section of an assisted-living community. She is doing great and very happy. The Lord has continued to amaze us at His marvelous provision for her. Your prayers have been answered! One thing yet to pray for- the rental or sale of her home in order for her to have the finances needed to continue in her new apartment.

Gratefully yours,
Andy and Linda

PS. Mark and Ruth are now at about 70% of their monthly support needed. They are expecting baby #2 (a boy) in mid-September. They hope to leave for Italy before Thanksgiving. If you are considering supporting them financially, now would be a great time to let them know. You can contact Mark at:

markbrucato@gmail.com

Andy’s Update May, 28, 2009

Andy’s Update May, 28, 2009

Dear Friends,

Finally!! Just found a moment to get to the computer and send you all an update. I ended up being in Florida for nearly three weeks with my mother whose health continues to deteriorate. My sister is there now and this weekend will be helping my mother move into an assisted living facility for a two-month trial period. I will be returning to Florida sometime next week to help her with the transition.

Andy continues to make progress, but slowly. At this point the rehab center is considering discharging him within the next couple of weeks. He will then be continuing with self-therapy. He does have some significant movement in his arm, but no “use” of the arm yet. No control yet of the hand or wrist. Part of what he is learning in rehab is how to live with one arm. Quite a challenge.

While I was in Florida with my mom, wondering what the future would look like, for her, for me, for Andy, I found my heart crying out to God these words; “What will become of me?” And immediately the reply came, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life and you will dwell in the house of the Lord forever- that, My child, is what will become of you!”

Thanks for your prayers,

Linda

Update on Linda and Andy Brucato

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

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

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

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