I'm blogging at www.melaniedorsey.com . Please join me there.

Sep 13, 2009

REJOICE

Last week my husband was trying to catch up on the yard work. As you can imagine, lots of things have fallen to the wayside since Andrew's "medical" diagnosis. My husband took a break to come inside and tell me something. With tears in his eyes he said, "God told me 'Let no one mourn for us; Let everyone REJOICE with us.'"
I said, "Yes. That's it."


Friday on our "MIRACLE DRIVE" to Shands, we prayed almost the whole drive. I had my Bible on my lap and I heard my husband, Dan, say, "Father, just give us a word for right now."
I whispered, "Yes, Lord, we need something right now. Immediately I heard in my spirit, "Psalm 97." I did not recall a particular verse from Psalm 97 but I turned to the passage and read it aloud.
It begins like this: "The Lord reigns; Let the earth rejoice..."
In verse five, I read, "The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD..."
I reminded Dan that we had been speaking to the "mountain" to be removed and cast into the sea, never to return and leave nothing in its place that God didn't design.
Verse eight: "And the daughters of Judah (praise) rejoice..."
Verses 11 -12: "Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name."
I said, "We need to fill this vehicle with rejoicing and praise."
And we did.
During Andrew's brain surgery, we gathered in the family waiting room. My husband and I, our other two children, my mother, family friends including our pastor and his wife sat reading scripture, praying and believing for a good outcome. I asked one of our friends to read Andrew's Psalm (27th) from The Message Bible. It's the version his sister put on a poster board for Andrew's room.
This same friend offered a portion from Lamentations chapter 3 from The Message.

We talked a while longer. Then I felt we needed to sing. I asked the precious group assembled with us if we could sing, "There is a River whose streams make glad the city of our God..."
Voices raised in harmony, praise and worship.
"And I will rejoice, I will rejoice and be glad."
"There is a fountain, full of Grace and it flows from Immanuel's veins.
It came and it healed me; it came and refreshed me; it came and it washed my sins away!"
"So I will rejoice; I will rejoice and be glad."

I spoke to Dr. Amy Smith yesterday and told her I had to know something: "Do you have hope for Andrew?"
She said, "Yes."
We sat and talked for several minutes and she went through her proposed plan for radiation and chemo. After hearing the hard news that even with the surgery, the type of cancer we are dealing with is very resistant to treatment, I told her I understood the reality and we will continue to place Andrew back into the Father's hands. I told her that Andrew belongs to God and we have been given the privilege to steward him and we WANT him. "We are believing for God to do what only He can do," I continued.
I added that we would continue to fight the good fight of faith and also search for every thing in the physical realm to help our boy.
She and I both had tears in our eyes. I told her, and she agreed, that God led us here on Friday and He would not let us go nor leave us.
I will REJOICE, I will REJOICE and be glad..."

I know you may be weary of praying for THE MIRACLE FOR ANDREW, but please don't give up hope and please continue to speak about him to the Father. If you prayed even once for Andrew, know that YOU have been a part of the beginning of The Miracle that saved his life on 9/11. We look forward to sharing the completion of that MIRACLE!
Love,
Melanie & family

40 comments:

  1. Mel, I woke up at 5 today praying and believing. I will continue! Love, S

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  2. Thanks for the good word of praise this morning; I'm at home this morning with two of my own who are running high temps. We had a little worship service and time of prayer/praise.

    I know you must be exhausted and find it hard to sometimes "be here" with us; I appreciate the updates and will continue to pray for you all in the days to come.

    peace~elaine

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  3. Praise God for our 9/11 miracle. My prayers continue for more miracles for our precious warrior Andrew. Thanks for the update, love you.

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  4. The Lord has done great things for us! We are glad! Psalm 126:3

    Melanie,

    Thanks so much for sharing this powerful word on rejoicing!

    God truly honors you sacrifice of praise.

    We will not grow weary or faint as we continue to cry out for your Andrew.

    God is being glorified, our faith is being increased, and the unity here brings great delight to our Father.

    Praying for some days of rest before treatment.

    We are here ready for battle!

    Love you♥

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  5. Rejoicing and praying. Thank you for the privilege. love you and yours. Prayer has a powerful way of connecting hearts and lives.

    Did I ever tell you about my brother who had cancer? He is a miracle.

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  6. Beautiful post Melania. We are going to continue praying for a miracle in Andrew's life. We will not give up. We raised his name at Taize prayer, at church, and every day in our own private prayer. We will REJOICE with your family!

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  7. Thank you for continuing to faithfully share updates in the midst of all that's going on. I'm honored to stand with others who are lifting Andrew and your family in prayer and yes, REJOICING with you, as well!

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  8. I am in between church services reading this. My Sunday school class will pray for A today. Last night was at a service and prayed with my friend at the alter for A. We will not grow weary praying. My friend's child is a walking miracle also from neuroblastoma. I BELIEVE and Rejoice. My God is ABLE. With Him ALL things are possible. B

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  9. Yes, indeed! Praying for a miracle for Andrew. Our Heavenly Father is still in the miracle business!
    Storming the heavens on Andrew's behalf.
    Blessings, andrea

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  10. Oh my sister I am still standing with you!:o)

    Beverly

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  11. Oh, Melanie, your words are amazing. What a precious Psalm that is. We do speak to the mountain and command it to be removed, in the mighty name of Jesus. Thank you, Lord, for your Word. We praise you for who you are, a loving, compassionate, powerful, healing God. That is so wonderful you read the scripture and sang in his room. What a mighty witness you are for the glory of God. His Word is medicine. Praying for you all ~
    Love and Hugs, sweet sister in Christ,

    Cathy

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  12. I will never grow weary of taking part in asking God for the great miracle for Andrew. Never. I love the evidence of His goodness and I rejoice at what we know He will do!

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  13. This is so amazing Melaine!! God is in the midlst!!!

    I am praying and will continue to pray.

    Love to you,
    Dawn

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  14. How can I become weary in praying for Andrew when the Lord fills my spirit with thoughts, praise, scripture, visions of Andrew. How can I NOT stand with you ..I had to stop typing because I'm bawling...Melanie, I WILL NOT LEAVE THE TRENCHES until our Lord calls us forth...I will continue to use the weapons of our warfare to destroy, demolish and extinguish all the powers of the demonic world that has come against God's own!!

    Today was: this is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Oh Lord save us, oh Lord grant us success!!!!!
    amen amen amen

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  15. I looked at our crucifix in Mass today & lifted prayers asking God to hear them & heal Andrew. May continued healing for Andrew occur & you all be blessed. Hugs of love, TTFN ~ Marydon

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  16. I could NOT imagine growing weary of praying for Andrew's miracle!!!

    It's a privilege to pray for him and for your family as it is a privilege to PRAY for others.

    Please know that we are standing with you straight through to the powerful testimony!!! He already has a great testimony!

    Years from now he'll have much to tell his own kids about the POWER OF GOD!!!

    God is using you Melanie at the hospital to share your faith in Him. Keep on sharing JESUS!!!

    I'm praying for you and your husband and daughter as well as Andrew.

    You are all loved and the PRAYERS CONTINUE!!

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  17. Continuing to pray for Andrew. I am so happy to be witness to the miracle so far. Rejoicing with you.

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  18. Continuing to lift Andrew (and you and your family) up in prayer, Melanie.

    And I still BELIEVE that God is going to reward your faith.

    (((Hugs)))

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  19. Never get tired of petitioning the Lord on your behalf sister! Keep rejoicing & praising Him in advance for what He is doing and going to do with your son. Thank You Jesus for the miracle that Andrew has been since You formed Him in Melanie's womb. You obviously have much in store for this family and Jesus we believe that Your will IS going to be done. Continue to use them Lord...they are willing.

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  20. Continuing to pray for not only Andrew but for your families strength during these difficult days. What a blessing that this surgery was available.

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  21. We prayed; we believed, and now we give thanks to the Lord for what He has already done and what He is going to do in Andrew's life. Rejoicing with you. Each of our children are miracles from God and HE loves those babies. Looking forward to hearing of the complete healing of that miracle child, Andrew!

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  22. 25 people prayed for Andrew this morning in my Sunday school class this morning in Queen City, Texas at 10:15. We called him by name and declared a complete healing for Andrew. God is good! AMEN?
    Have a blessed day.

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  23. From you I'm seeing what it is to lean not on my own understanding , and to press in on every side, leaning fully on Jesus.

    Continuing to remember Andrew and your family and to lift your cares to the Lord, for He cares for you.

    Blessings-
    Heidi@2 Thinks to Share

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  24. Dear Melanie, We could never grow weary of praying for Andrew! :) Love you all, and continuing to pray for Andrew's complete healing! ~Rhonda

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  25. Hello Melanie,
    I just found your blog via Lelia's...I just wanted to tell you I will be praying for Andrew and for your family as you are walking through this...please also pray for Kate McRae, she is a 5 year old girl in Phoenix, AZ also fighting a brain tumor diagnosed end of June...

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  26. Amen and amen. I will continue to pray for Andrew and his family. Nothing is impossible with God. Nothing. It's gonna be ok.
    Blessings,
    Sandra

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  27. Never weary, Melanie. Never weary. Lifting you all up.

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  28. Praying and rejoicing with you!

    Everytime i read the testimony what is enfolding i get goosebumps......
    We serve a preciouse and miracel working God.

    Pray for you to find rest and gain strenght for all the days you have in front of you

    Blessings
    Bernice

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  29. I feel sure that all of your readers feel just as I feel - we are not weary of praying for Andrew. We rejoyce in the opportunity to pray for Andrew. This little boy, who has people everywhere - people that don't know him and don't know his family are praying for him, and we, who are praying, are blessed to bring his name before God. Thank you so much for keeping us updated. I continue to pray. God bless all of you. laurie

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  30. No one is stopping here. We are praying! Praying for Andrew's Miracle. Nancy from OHIO

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  31. Sweetie, I promise you, I will never, ever grow weary of praying for Andrew. Miracles are going to continue for him. I love you.

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  32. WEARY of praying for Andrew's miracle??? Heavens no! It's an honor. I'm still praying - committed to praying every single day.
    xo...Kathy

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  33. He reminded me lat night that He inhabits our praise ...
    ... and where His presence is, there is nothing broken.

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  34. Amen, I am rejoicing with you. I am not weary of praying for dear Skater Boy. I've got our church praying too. Thank you for the update!!! I've been sharing your updates with my Mom who is also praying. I changed domain names. My blog name is now His Living Sacrifice, so you'll see that name on the blogger updates and not Believing Woman's Diary.

    Love to all!! Let me know if you hear from Tony Hawk's people.

    Under His Wings,

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  35. Melanie, my youngest boy (10 year old) has had a high fever for about 24 hours. I feel so sad and helpless as I look at his pathetic little face. But as I look at him, I am reminded of YOU and how a mother's heart aches when her kids are sick. I am not growing weary of praying for you all. In fact, my son's illness has caused me to step it up in praying for your family.

    Kari is also reminded to pray, every time she picks up her guitar. Since she leaves it out, she prays for him often.

    Thank you for your beautiful posts that are encouraging all of US!

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  36. Melanie,
    I have Andrew's button on my blog and have been and will continue to keep him and your family in my prayers. Nothing is too hard for our awesome God.
    Love,
    Valerie in Oklahoma

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  37. We wait expectantly with you as we share in these miracles through you!!

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  38. Still praying for Andrew and rejoicing with you now. God is always loving, and active in our lives. Thanks for keeping us updated. Praying for rest for you and your husband too.

    Much love~

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  39. Hi,
    I am praying for you and your precious family...you are so very brave!

    God Bless You for your trust and faith in HIM...

    Your blog is a beautiful inspiration for all...
    May God bless you all with a miracle...
    I will follow your loving blog to be kept informed...

    Sincerely,
    K. Frangeskos at
    Jesus Knows You Best

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