Hi All,
I wanted to write you to ask for your prayers for a good friend of mine who is really sick. His name is Tim and I’ve known him since my early 20’s. He has a special place in my heart because he’s always been a close friend and years ago when I first decided to discern a religious vocation many of my non-catholic friends were upset and turned away. He was the one friend who not only supported me throughout the process but encouraged me to follow God’s path whatever the cost. As it turned out, God’s path for me was marriage to Brian. Tim’s path was also marriage to a wonderful girl named Monica and together they have twin boys. Gradually we drifted apart and hadn’t heard from one another in over a decade.
About a year ago our paths crossed again and we were excited to pick up our friendship and add our spouses. We’d group email each other when we could and although we don’t live close we try to keep in touch with each other and our families. When I talked to Tim I was shocked to learn that over the past couple of years he has been diagnosed with a number of life-changing medical conditions, including fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome and it has gotten worse since he first told me. He is at the where he spends nearly all of his day unable to even leave his bed. Things like simply getting up to walk around or even sitting outside are either very difficult or impossible, depending on his symptoms at the time. His pain is a nearly unending battle, as well as a sensation of vertigo, which sounds innocuous but leaves him dizzy, nauseous and unable to move. He has also been affected by symptoms that make him extremely fatigued, confused, ill-tempered, and unable to remember even basic things most of the time.
It is shocking to see how Tim’s life has changed. Even more heart wrenching to me is the burden and stress it has put on Monica and their 8 year old twin boys. Monica loves Tim deeply and would do anything for him but the strain of being a stay at home mom, while working from home as the financial supporter of the family and homeschooling their boys as well as being Tim’s caretaker has taken its toll. Tim in turn has shared how difficult it is to see his wife and children suffer these trials and he can’t physically do anything about it. They have only survived this long because of their strong faith in the grace and love of God. My heart breaks for them but at the same time they are such an amazing witness to me and are a living example of Christ’s call to “carry your cross.”
The good news is that Tim has finally found a doctor that will help him with his condition. However, they would have to leave their home in Oregon and stay in Utah for three months. Their pastor has decided to put together a website for them in order to spread their story and ask for help for them. He is trying to raise the $9,000 it will take to pay for the three month treatment, housing and travel to and from Utah.
I know money is tight and there are numerous worthy causes in need of funds, but if you can spare anything, I’m asking on behalf of Tim, Monica and their boys to please help them get their life back together.
Even if you can’t give, I am also putting together a spiritual bouquet for them to let them know that although they are not Catholic and may not understand the Mass or the rosary, we are their brothers and sisters in Christ and we are willing to lift them up in prayer and help them carry their cross as spiritual Simons of Cyrene. You can leave your prayer pledge in the comment box or email me at rol@revolutionoflove.com.
You can send a financial donation directly to their website at http://www.helpthehendersons.com/p/donate.html. Or if you’d like to make a group gift with me in honor of Christ’s Passion and Our Lady of Sorrows. You can donate through Paypal here and I’ll send them a lump sum.
Thank you so much!!
Bobbi

PS – To read more about Tim and his family and his illness visit the website http://www.helpthehendersons.com.