We continue to stay with Don and hold his hand. He responds slightly to us so we know he still hears us. Family keeps coming in and out. Sister Betty is coming from Canada where she was vacationing....Sarah (David M.) is heading up from Indiana. Our house is brimming with love and pain. We are comforting each other. We snatch sleep as we can. It is so nice to see everyone concerned for everyone else. I am loving the comments on the Blog. I read them when I get the time so I am thinking of you and thanking you, too, for your love, prayers and concern. Don's heart and lungs are strong so are taking a while to get shut down. He continues to lengthen the time of breathlessness. He is resting easy. He knows that his family is around him because we get small traces of response. Thank you everyone for your love and prayers. Jehovah is getting bombarded. I can feel Him holding onto my hand. How can anyone get through such an ordeal like this without Jehovah, I wonder. And the hope he holds out is wonderful to think about for strength. To see Don again healthy and happy in Jehovah's new Paradise. TAKE THAT SATAN. YOU DID NOT WIN!!!!! Don and I are staying in Jehovah's love in spite of all Satan has thrown at us. I can't wait to cheer at his destruction.
Thanks again for leaving comments. They warm my heart. Don has touched so many lives. Barb
Barb: We are so glad that you, your beloved Don and your entire family are feeling the love and prayers that are constantly being offered on your behalf. You and Don have touched so many lives that we cannot help but celebrate your love and your life course. Thank you for sharing your beautiful love and life course with all of us. All our love--Mike & Carol Reid
ReplyDeleteHi Sister Baty...We just got in from Alexis' convention rehersal and your sweet love would be proud of his girl...it went great. The CO said "I'm not going to touch that!" He was very pleased with how well the girls did. And Br. Baty would be too.
ReplyDeleteAlexis has a box with some of her "love letters" that her and Br. Baty have exchanged, tell him that she slept with the box under her head last night....lots of love coming from us to you both.....
Praying harder than ever that you and your family will be strengthened by Jehovah.
ReplyDeleteYour loving sister,
Carol
Ben and I are thinking of everyone and praying for you in this hard time! We love you guys.
ReplyDeleteBen and Susan
Hello again Sister Baty, When Harvey was with Uncle John during the final hours, he shared this verse with him and perhaps it will be of comfort to you, your family, and our dear, wonderful Bro Baty at this time: Roman 14:7&8 None of us, in fact, lives with regard to himself only, and no one dies with regard to himself only; 8 for both if we live, we live to Jehovah, and if we die, we die to Jehovah. Therefore both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah." ... Certainly you both belong to Jehovah and have strengthened many to also stay with Jehovah and so we are all united in love and respect for you both...and in Bro Baty's own words to me..."behind every good Brother is an even better Sister" you are the proof of that and no doubt he knew that. Thank you for shring your husband with us. Any elder's wife or child knows how many hours you and your children gave up to give him to others who needed him. Thank you and him and your family! xo
ReplyDeleteOur Dear Sister Baty:
ReplyDeleteIn Behalf of Tom, myself and our children; We want to express how deeply sorry we are to hear of Don's illness. No words can explain how heart-broken we are, and how surreal this all is to us. One year ago, we were so surprised to hear about his illness, then a few months ago, when we were in town; we had the pleasure of seeing Don at the Hall, and he told us how wonderful he was feeling and that everything was fine. Then when we received news how he suddenly took ill again, and is losing his battle to cancer we became devastated for all of you.
There is so much I want to say Barbara. First of all; you have always been loved and still are loved by our family here in Maryland. We have many fond memories of you and Don when we attended West Mt. Clemens and the Bookstudy in your home together. I enjoyed you and Don telling me stories many times over how you met the Nicke Family, you were Darlene's Avon Lady and she introduced you to Jehovah and began studying the Bible with you and Don. In time you all came into the Truth, and it was a pleasure meeting you when you attended our Wedding 35 years ago, being at your home each week for the Bookstudy, Going out in Field service with our Children, and most importantly; Don nick-naming our daughter; "His Kelly Bird!"
Barbara; I enjoy reading the blog each night before I turn into bed. I say a prayer to Jehovah asking him to give you and your family strength each morning when you rise. Despite everything you are going through Barb, you are an asset to many and to myself. You are to be commended of what a strong Woman you are, and the faith you continue to show. You are teaching the young ones and all those in the congregation what it is to be strong and faithful to Jehovah. You may not realize it, but you continue to teach lessons to many while you are at your husband's bed side, sending out messages to everyone. You have the hope, the faith, the strength and endurance to go on. Keep up the good work Barbara. And never let go of those wonderful qualities you have. Jehovah is with you and your family. And may he continue to be with you into the New World when we all have the privilege to Welcome back and celebrate Don's return again soon.
It makes us feel good when Kelly let's us know how you and Don are doing, and the opportunity she's had to visit the both of you.
Soon; Don will fall asleep, but...he won't be asleep for very long. Remember; everything we are experiencing in this Wicked World, is all just temporary. When we see Don again, it will be forever!
Take care Barbara. Know that our thoughts and prayers go out to you and to your family.
Much Love;
Tom, & Mary Nicke and Family.
Speaking as one that has been touched deeply by knowing and loving both of you, life will just NOT be the same until we see him again, young and healthy, standing there with his arms out giving us that familiar hug. I know that we have to accept this now, I just hate it. It was great to be able to hug you on Thursday Barb. Your strenght. Please pass along a squeeze to him and tell him that we love him. He's a shoe-in, it's the rest of us that have to endure to the end to be able to be with him. Love you, Joel, Lisa & Brooklyn
ReplyDeleteDear Sister Baty, You are truly a sister of real faith. Matthew 17:20 says that with faith the size of a mustard grain, you can move a mountain! We love you, and you're family are in our prayers. Warm Christian Love, Mike & Mary Lou Labadie
ReplyDeleteOur dear sister, we try to share your pain but we know that Jesus is helping you with the power Jehovah has given. We long to share your joy in the New World. Until then know that we can never, even with forever repay you both for the love and kindness you have shown us.
ReplyDeleteHi Sister and Brother Baty, This is from Maddie and Olivia, They wanted me to tell you that they love you and they are sad that you are you sad. They also said that the picture of you and Bro Baty on this blog is so pretty and you had a beautiful fancy dress and he is so handsome. xoxo
ReplyDeleteMaddie Rose and Olivia
BRO.&SIS.Baty,DANA&ANISSA&COURTNEY LOVE YOU BOTH SO MUCH!YOU BOTH ARE IN OUR PRAYERS.THANK YOU BOTH FOR STUDYING WITH ME& DANA.TAKING US TO ARE VERY FIRST ASSEMBLY IN 1988.AFTER WARDS WE WENT TO A MEXICAN RESTAURANT AT 22MILE RD.& GRATIOT NOW KNOWN AS GIUSEPPE'S.THANKS I AM (ADDICTED) TO MEXICAN FOOD.YOU BOTH HAVE BEEN KIND, LOVING FRIENDS,SPIRITUAL PARENTS TO US.IT IS TRULY OUR PRIVILEGE TO HAVE YOU BOTH AS OUR MODERN DAY SPIRITUAL EXAMPLES.SEEING DON,SR. BEING FAITHFUL TO THE END OF HIS LIFE AND YOU HOLDING JEHOVAH'S HAND TIGHTLY IN YOUR TIME OF NEED.THANK YOU! LOVE YOU BOTH SO MUCH WARM CHRISTIAN GREETINGS & FRIENDSHIP DANA &ANISSA LEGGETT.
ReplyDeleteYou couldn't have said it better Grandma.....The pain I am feeling is like nothing I've ever experienced before.....I love papa so much, words can't even express how much. He has set such an example for me over the years. I look to the future with positivity because I know that we will see him again happy and healthy =)
ReplyDeleteLove Always,
Larissa / Papa's Sweetheart
Dear Sister Baty,
ReplyDeleteYou and your family are in our thoughts and prayers constantly. We love you and Brother Baty very much. One of our favorite scriptures during these difficult days is 1 Corinthians 10:13. Jehovah won't let us go through something we cannot endure. Jehovah is with you and will give you strength.
Love,
The David Rhodes Family
I know that the hardest thing to do is to let go and let Don go into the arms of Jesus but as we do so remember that Jesus also has his arms around us. Feeling our pain and restoring our souls with His loving kindness. As Psalm 23 states "as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death", We are confident that it is a passing through.Amen
ReplyDeleteMay God completely fill your hearts with His Love.
Our Love to the entire Baty Family,
Al and Lois Haddad
Dear Barb and Family:
ReplyDeleteSis. Gormong and I, who is visiting with me, just finished reading your beautiful blog and comments by family and friends. Our sentiments match those already posted; however, we would like to add how inspiring you and your family are to us, and others who know you. We shall forever, hold Don in the highest esteem, not only as a outstanding spiritual brother, but also, as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. As you mention, Jehovah must be on "overload" right now, listening to all the prayers going up to Him on behalf of Don, you and your loving family. We likewise, continue to pray for all of you, and that Don will continue to rest comfortably, until his last breath, when he will "sleep" in death, safe in Jehovah's memory, until we see him again in the resurrection, healthy and happy, as we so fondly shall always remember him.