God's Provision 04/26

Over the last several days we recieved gifts from the following locations -

Mount Vernon, NY
Tiverton, RI
Atmore, AL
Paso Robles, CA
Berkeley, CA
Colville, WA
Rustburg, VA
Columbia, MO
Lake City, CO
Cherry Hill, NJ
Williamsburg, VA

If our records are accurate...that's gifts from 41 states!

Bryan

God's Provision 04/20

Today's gifts came from the folowing locations -

St. Louis, MO
Champaign, IL
Ripon, WI
Kinzers, PA
Branchport, NY

So, far that's 103 gifts from 39 states.

Bryan

Nursing Levi Through an E.Coli Infection

(this month in the Samaritan Ministries Christian Healthcare Newsletter)

Nursing Levi Through an E.Coli Infection

Levi was eight days old. His birth was the easiest I had experienced. I had never felt this good so soon after delivery. I took advantage of my renewed strength and started to get the household back in order.

As I puttered away that day I remember thinking...hmmm, the baby is sleeping a lot today. People usually equate a sleeping baby with a “good” baby. Many times I’ve heard it said, “Never wake a sleeping baby.” Based on my experience with my previous four children, my mother’s heart knew this is not always the case. Frequently during that I day I roused my beautiful little bundle and coaxed him to nurse. He fed half-heartedly and kept falling asleep while nursing. I began wondering if I had another “nip and napper” baby who, like his older brother, needed shorter more frequent feedings.

By the time my husband, Bryan, returned from the office that evening I noticed I was feeling uncomfortably full of milk. Levi seemed lethargic, so I began to give him my full attention. His body temperature was slightly elevated. We uncovered him and tickled his feet trying to persuade him to awaken and eat more heartily. As the night wore on we became more concerned. Following a call to our family doctor we decided to take Levi to the doctor’s office in the morning.

Bryan and I prayed for Levi that night and on the way to see the doctor the next morning. We were a little disappointed to find that our family physician had the day off. We saw a man who was new to the practice. By that time Levi’s temperature was up and he was very lethargic. The new doctor advised us to take our baby to the hospital for admittance and tests. Again we turned to our Father in heaven with all our cares and concerns. We asked him specifically to place the right people in our path to help us with our sick little one and to help us preserve the breastfeeding relationship I had with our baby, knowing how important it is to good health.

We were amazed and comforted to find our family doctor, a Christian, looking for us in the admitting area. He was kind enough to help us through the admitting process and the initial tests Levi had to undergo. The Lord blessed us again when we settled into our hospital room and were assigned a nurse who was excited to find her new patient was a breastfed baby. She explained to us that she was also a nursing mother. I greatly appreciated her support during our stay.

God’s grace carried us through that time and kept our hearts peaceful. We were told Levi had an e.coli infection. I remember thinking to myself, “that must be serious,” but the Lord gave me comfort and freedom from worry. I knew He was in control. I focused my attention on my precious little blessing.

From my previous study and the mentoring of older women, I knew how quickly and easily my milk was digested by my baby. I knew he needed to be fed often. I had been instructed to watch his cues of hunger and signs from my own body for a gauge in nurturing him. I am so thankful the Lord prepared me during those earlier years.

I always kept Levi close to me during those days of hospitalization, and also during his treatment at home. I nursed him almost constantly. I remember one of the nurses becoming a little irritated with me while she was filling out her report because I could not tell her exactly how often I fed Levi. The scale was report enough for the hospital staff. He did not lose any weight during his illness!

When I later researched e. coli infection in newborns I came to realize how truly miraculous our experience with Levi was. Many babies die and many are permanently damaged. The Lord healed our little Levi, and we are so thankful to Him. We thank Him for answered prayers. We thank Him for the help of the medical community. We thank Him that we mothers are fearfully and wonderfully made to nurture these precious little blessings He bestows on us. Both our doctor and the findings of research verify what mothers through the ages have long known —mother’s milk is a miraculous thing for babies.

by Kimberly Evans

The Benefits of Breast Feeding

(this month in the Samaritan Ministries Christian Healthcare Newsletter)

The Benefits of Breast Feeding

When I became a wife and eventually an expectant mother I became very serious about my role and attempted to glean good solid information concerning nursing babies. We believe God’s Word speaks to every part of our lives. It’s amazing how many references He gives us concerning mothers and babies and even comfort at the breast. When we take the whole counsel of His Word we learn how important this relationship is. It’s about so much more than a food source for babies.

In addition to the Bible, God’s word tells me to turn to the “older woman” described in Titus 2 for advice regarding children, so this is what I did. The Word of God and common sense tell me to learn from someone who’s been there.

There are countless benefits to feeding babies the way God designed. Certain medical costs could be radically reduced by increased breastfeeding. According to the United States Breastfeeding Committee:
• Costs for hospitalization from lower-respiratory infections among 1,000 never-breastfed babies range from $26,585 to $30,750 more than for 1,000 infants exclusively breastfed.
• $200,000 is spent for each case of necrotizing enterocolitis, with a 10.1 percent occurrence in formulafed babies and 1.2 percent rate in breastfed babies.
• Additional health care costs for respiratory snyncytial virus resulting from not breastfeeding are $225 million.

According to the USDA “a minimum of $3.6 billion would be saved if breastfeeding were increased from current levels (64 percent in-hospital, 29 percent at 6 months) to those recommended by the U.S. Surgeon General (75 and 50 percent). This figure is likely an underestimate of the total savings because it is only based on cost savings for the treatment of just three childhood illnesses: otitis media, gastroenteritis, and necrotizing enterocolitis.”

The special relationship between a nursing mother and her baby is something to be encouraged, guarded and protected. Those surrounding a new mother should make every effort help her to establish and maintain this incredible bond with her child. Over the years of counseling women who have come to me for help in nursing their babies, I have been disappointed to learn that many of them encounter problems concerning nursing within their churches. One mother confided to me that her role as a pastor’s wife caused her to wean her baby. This should not be. The church should be a help, not a hindrance. When we look with a wholesome attitude at the way God created babies to be fed, we can appreciate the beauty of this relationship and should do all we can to help mothers give their babies the best nourishment available.

There are many little things that can be done to support and encourage a mother in her endeavor. I have often pondered the advantages that would come if we practiced a time of separation for a mother as was prescribed in the Leviticus 12. Many times new mothers are expected to be up and about their business much sooner than in times past. We need to allow families with new little ones plenty of time away from commitments in order for things to proceed well.

Help with domestic duties is a huge benefit for the new mom trying to establish a good milk supply. Our family has been blessed by several young ladies in our church community who volunteer their time in helping out our family. This has been crucial in getting the new baby off to a good, healthy start. These girls see the value of nurturing this new little life and are willing to pitch in and help, taking time away from other activities that the world has to offer.

We have always appreciated our church family’s acceptance of nursing mothers and infants. While modesty is expected, nursing mothers are not expected to hide away in some back room just because the baby needs to be nursed. It is very interesting that Moses mentioned the nursing babes as being present when he read the Law of God to the people. (Duetronomy 29:10-11, 31:11-12) Throughout the Bible one will note the presence of children and infants. A kind word from a pastor or other church member concerning my baby has often been an encouragement to me. It helps alleviate the stress that can sometimes creep in when faced with the situation of a worship service where I want to keep my baby from being a disruption.

Individually, as families, as churches, and as members of Samaritan Ministries we can all help babies get off to a better and healthier start in life by doing our part to encourage breastfeeding. Human milk is best for human babies and we can all reap the rewards that come from the good health that results.

By Kimberly Evans

God's Provision 04/17

We have received gifts from 39 states so far…7 gifts from Montana and 7 from Pennsylvania ...the states with the most at this point.

Today we received gifts from other believers in the following locations -

Las Vegas, NV
Sandia Park, NM
Wellborn, FL
Newberry, SC
Goshen, IN
Columbia, SC
Cochranville, PA
Brandon, FL
Tinley Park, IL
Geneva, IN
Griffin, GA
Boulder, CO
Dunbar, WI
Island Pond, VT
Auburn, NY
Palmetto, GA
Townsend, DE
Fairbanks, AK

Bryan

God's Provision 04/17

We have received gifts from 39 states so far…7 gifts from Montana and 7 from Pennsylvania ...the states with the most at this point.

Today we received gifts from other believers in the following locations -

Las Vegas, NV
Sandia Park, NM
Wellborn, FL
Newberry, SC
Goshen, IN
Columbia, SC
Cochranville, PA
Brandon, FL
Tinley Park, IL
Geneva, IN
Griffin, GA
Boulder, CO
Dunbar, WI
Island Pond, VT
Auburn, NY
Palmetto, GA
Townsend, DE
Fairbanks, AK

Bryan

God's Provision 04/13-14

Over the last two days we received gifts from the following locations -

New Haven, CT
Bedford, PA
Fort Collins, CO
Jamestown, CA
East Helena, MT
Kooskia, ID
East Livermore, ME
Coeur d’ Alene, ID
Spokane, WA
Roundup, MT
Milwaukee, WI
Alexandria, VA
Grand Rapids, MI
Harrisburg, PA
Anchorage, AK
Colorado Springs, CO
Great Falls, MT
Greer, SC
LaPorte, IN
Austin, TX
Ada, Ok

We sure have a lot of members from Montana.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow...

Bryan

Tonight at Grandma's

Bryan

God's Provision 04/12

Today we received from the following locations -

Waltham, MA
Beattyville, KY
Traverse City, MI
Muskegon, MI
Creswell, OR
Emden, IL
Chicago, IL

Bryan

Randy Stufflebeam on WMBD Radio

Here's a note from Illinois candidate for Governor, Randy Stufflebeam.

Dear Family, Friends, and Fellow Constitutionalists,

Thursday, April 13, 2006 from 7:30am-8:00am, I will be interviewed on the "Greg and Dan in the Mornings" show on WMBD - 1470AM in Peoria, IL.

Following the interview, there will be a reception at the Godfathers Pizza in East Peoria from 9:30am - 11:30am. If in the area, please stop by, I would love to meet you. Bring a friend so that they will have the opportunity to meet the only conservative gubernatorial candidate that will be on the ballot here in Illinois, in November.

This will also be an opportunity to support the campaign financially. If you would like to help ensure that Illinois has a choice in November, please consider helping out the campaign.

Bryan

My View

Bryan

God's Provision 04/11

Today we recieved gifts from other believers who live in -

Beaver, WV
Athens, IL
Fort Collins, Co
Chambersburg, PA
Terra Alta, WV

We are thankful for all those who have sent gifts above and beyond their assigned share.

Bryan

Faith Marie at the Park

Bryan

God's Provision 04/10

Today we received gifts from -

Austin, TX
Fairbanks, AK
Little Rock, AR
Tucson, AZ
Colorado Springs, CO
Crossville, TN
Carlile, WY
Boise, ID
Glennville, WV
Raymore, MO
Hilbert, WI
Goshen, IN
Lewiston, ID


Bryan

God's Provision 04/08

Today we received gifts from -

Bismarck, AR
Joplin, MO
North Palm Beach, FL
Rogers, AR
Sidney, MT
Los Angeles, CA
Akron, OH
McCook, NE
Rapid City, SD
Greencastle, PA
Paoli, IN
Cloverdale, IN
New York, NY
Charlotte, NC
Litchfield, ME
Austin, TX

Bryan

God's Provision 04/07

Today we received gifts from -

Unionville, MO
Stevens, PA
Darby, MT
Florence, MT
Somerset, KY
Pikeville, TN
Austinville, VA
Hampden, ME


Bryan

The Kocher Family

Dear Fellow Pilgrims,

The Evans Family would like to solicit your prayers for our friends the Kocher Family.

Some of you may have met Polly. She was the other set of hands available when our Grace quite suddenly made her entrance into the world and into our hearts.

Polly has spent many years helping mothers to be the best they can be. A real Titus 2 example for me.

Polly's son Tyler was in a car accident and has been in the Intensive Care Unit at OSF for nearly four weeks now. Please pray for Tyler and his family.

God's Provision 04/06

We are having two needs published this month by the Samaritan Ministries Christian Health Care Newsletter. So far we have received gifts from other believers who live in the following locations -

Pekin, IL
Menasha, WI
Clyde Park, MT
Wenden, AZ
Traverse City, MI
Franklin, PA

Interesting… at this point half of the senders live within about 20 miles of the one of the Great Lakes.

Praise God for this biblical approach to meeting healthcare needs...as opposed to what has happened in Massachusetts.

Bryan

Thanks for the Laughs

It's been a little rough the last several weeks and we truly appreciate the humor.

Bryan

Oh, Deer!

Grace Katherine and I drove to Delavan last night to get some groceries. As we were diving back, we topped a small hill and there stood about eight deer right in the middle of the road. We hit a nice big doe in the hind quarters and really messed up her night. The van is driveable but the driver's door doesn't want to open.

Grace Katherine and I are both fine. Gracie says, "that was the most exciting shopping trip in my whole life!"


Bryan

Boys in the Field

Here's a picture of Colton and Jacob in the farmer's field to the north of us. (Colton is on the left with the white piece of metal) This shot is with the zoom on my camera cranked! I'm guessing over a half mile away.


Bryan

More Storm Pictures

Bryan

After the Storm

Bryan

Storm Damage 04/02/06

There are pieces of our barn in the farmer's field more than a half mile north of us!

Bryan