Thoughts June 29, 2009

I’ve been running through all the stuff in my head trying to work out what to say, it’s one of those times when there seems to be many thousands of words and then none at all.

Church yesterday was precious, painful and bewildered but overwhelmingly beautiful. We sang songs about the greatness and faithfulness of God; We meditated on the words and promises he has given us, we found that there is such comfort in drawing near to God, and to each other at times like these.

One of the six elements that make up Wandsworth Boiler Room is Community, and yesterday we all relied on that. After the service we stood in small groups, chatting or praying, laughing or weeping together, we talked about the depths of grief we are experiencing, but we also cherished good memories of what has been, and what is to come. Communing with each other, and with the Trinity will get us through these times.

Maybe the anger and questionning will come later, but a lot of us commented that there seems to be a real sense of peace surrounding us at the moment. Alan spoke words of faith about God’s enduring love, Matt preached a message of hope, encouraging us to remember the love, words, promises and eternity of God, many of us had come to a place over the week of praying ‘your will be done Lord’, with pain but with all the faith we could muster.

It feels too early to think about what is ahead, what is t0 come. To be honest, I’m still finding it tough to believe it actually really happened, I don’t think it’s sunk in yet. But I am sure of a few things:

Firstly, Jo would be encouraging us to keep focusing on Jesus, even and especially in the moments that seem bleakest and consuming. She’d remind us that, in all things, God works for the good of those who love him. Jesus is with us as we grieve, but in him we find the promise of a hopeful future.

Secondly, the story isn’t over. Prayer in the Salvation Army, the work of God in Wandsworth Borough, and the personal journeys Jo joined many of us on, will not stall just because she is no longer here with us. Its hard and it’s painful but I find myself feeling hopeful, I find myself still able to believe for unity and transformation in his church, for freedom for the captives and for a future that is brighter and better than anything we can imagine. Nothing can seperate us from the love of God, nor the plans he has to bring wholeness.

The third thing is about love. Jo had the capacity to love and love and love. Whatever your background and however you were struggling she was happy just to get stuck in and to believe for great things. She was patient, she bore others burdens and always pointed to the freedom that was possible in Christ. I believe the results of her faith and her ministry will be far reaching, and I find myself challenged to love like that – to love like Jesus did.

We appreciate your prayers as we work through this challenging time. Please keep upholding Alan, Ben, Sam & Ruth especially – that they would know God as their comforter, provider and strength at this time. Thankyou for walking this journey with us.

Sad News June 27, 2009

Most of you will have heard the news already, but tonights update is written with a heavy heart. Alan sent through the following text earlier:

“The Lord has seen fit to take his beautiful daughter Jo Norton in to his arms at 4.30pm today. He is good and his love endures for EVER! Bless you for standing with us through all this. Alan, Ben, Sam & Ruth.“

God is good, and we turn to him just now.

Please forgive the brevity of this update, too much in my head to write much more for now. Thanks for all the thoughts and love and prayers.

Saturday Update June 27, 2009

Yesterday was a day of little news – we prayed, Jo hung in there, she remained comfortable, although they added morphine into the meds she is being given as they thought she was in some discomfort.

Alan was able to have a break last night and some sleep – praise God for that.

This morning’s news is that Jo isn’t breathing too well just now, but seems to be quite peaceful apart from that. We continue to pray over her and call her into God’s life. Thanks for joining with us in that.

Friday Update June 26, 2009

Thanks for all the prayers etc. There wasn’t really any change overnight – Jo is hanging in there, the doctors are keeping her fed, hydrated and oxygenated, and we wait, hope and pray.

Please be praying:

• For God’s will to be done swiftly, the waiting is really tough for everyone.
• For strength for Alan and the kids, and the wider family.

Afternoon Update June 25, 2009

Earlier we heard that signs indicated that Jo’s brain is suffering further damage. She is being fed, hydrated and given pain relief. Alan asked for prayers that God’s will would be done quickly.

This afternoon Lyndall and Sherry went to pray with Jo, and they apparently prayed up a storm, so we just have to wait and see now to see how she responds.

At the moment Jo is stable but still critical.

Please pray that the tide turns soon for Jo and for the whole Norton family, that God’s will – whatever it may be – will be done swiftly.

Today’s news June 25, 2009

Thanks to everyone who is and has been praying.

The latest news is that Jo didn’t have a good night. The doctors have been feeding her, but there is nothing else they can do.

They are planning to move her out of the icu ward.

Alan says “Now she is in her favourite place, totally in the Lord’s hands. Lift her up to Him. He is good and His love endures for ever.”

We are proclaiming that, and still holding onto hope.

Latest Jo News June 24, 2009

It’s been a mixed afternoon.

About four o clock we heard that they’d taken Jo off the ventilator, that her breathing was very laboured and the medical staff had said it was down to her – she’d either improve or fade.

Alan’s response says it all really “Only God can save her now. He reigns beyond the sight of life. he is the resurrection and the life. Blessed be the name of the Lord”

A couple of hours ago the news was that Jo is holding her own, and breathing more easily.

And so we wait, and we pray, and we dare to keep hoping, and we declare that God is God, whatever the outcome of this, and we cling to him, as we walk through this valley.

Jo Update – Wednesday June 24, 2009

Thanks for all the prayers over the past couple of days. I was away in Yorkshire so unable to update before now, but most of you will have heard yesterday’s less than good news about Jo.

We heard yesterday that Jo had another bleed from the aneurysm. There is nothing surgical the doctors can do in order to drain the bleed, and yesterday her blood pressure was really high too.

Last  night many people gathered to pray for a miracle. Alan’s text said, ‘We need the swelling to go down, the blood to dissapear and for the bleeding to stop, and for her to sit up and ask for a cup of tea.”

Today, there is slightly better news. Jo showed a slight improvement overnight, she opened her eyes once, and is in a less deep coma, she is still unconscious, but not sedated.

We are still all holding onto the fact that God is faithful and He is able to turn things around in an instant. His logic and way of doing things may seem crazy to us, but He is still who He is – Sovereign, and yet a loving Father who draws near to us to comfort, strengthen and heal.

So… how do we pray? Here are a few prayer pointers:

• Please pray as Alan suggests above – that the swelling will decrease and the blood will dissapear.
• Please pray for wisdom for Alan, as he faces potentially difficult decisions today.
• People gathering at the prayer meeting last night and at the hospital both received the same verses – Romans 8:11-12, please be praying them for this situation.

NEWSFLASH – As I’ve been typing this post, Alan sent through another update – Jo is more stable and responsive to pain stimuli. They are happy that she can breathe for herself and so will be removing the ventilator. Please pray that this works.

Thanks as ever for all the faithful prayers. God is in this.

Jo Update – Please pray June 20, 2009

Jo has had another good day. She washed her hair and showered herself and looks bright and cheerful.

They are having a look at a CT scan over the weekend as there is something there they’re not quite sure about but she is still hopeful of coming out next week. Please pray that the results show nothing concerning.

The ward has had a few noisy patients moved off so she is much more relaxed. The water infection is still hurting but they have worked out that the source of her back ache is due to debris from the aneurysm collecting at the base of her spinal cord. They have found a new tablet which is hitting that pain just right.

Thanks for all your prayers.

Jo Update: Great News June 18, 2009

Today’s news is great, they are planning on letting Jo out of hospital next Tuesday (23rd June), after treating a minor infection she has.

Once she is home she’ll need time to rest and get her strength back and adjust to normal life again.

God has answered the prayers of his people again and again in this stuff. When we think about how things looked just two weeks ago it’s hardly seems possible that so much progress has been made. Back then, we hardly dared hope, and our prayers seemed weak faced with the medical facts. Sixteen days on from when it happened, I think we’ve all been encouraged and reminded again of God’s power to heal.

We’ve also felt overwhelmed and blessed by the responses of people across the Uk and the world, it’s been amazing that this has drawn so many people together. Unity and a passion for prayer are two of Jo’s greatest goals, and this is an example of God bringing something good and praiseworthy out of what has been a traumatic and testing time.

Prayer points for today:

• Please pray that the infection clears up well over the next few days.
• Please pray for Jo as she prepares to leave hospital next week.
• Please continue to pray for strength for the whole Norton family at this time.

Thanks lovely people!!